Autumn Glory

Beautiful flowers, patterns and colours at the Savill Gardens, Windsor.


















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Designing Women at FTM

This is an amazing exhibition at the Fashion and Textiles Museum of post war textiles, created by famous women such at Lucienne Day amd Jacqueline Groag. Below is a wee sample!

MuMu Organic & Ethical Clothing

MuMu organic was born in the beautiful Cyclades islands in 2009 and is dedicated to creating breezy, light, handmade dresses that are produced locally in Greece with a commitment to using fair-trade and eco-friendly fabrics. 

Designed by Athena Bentila and Roland Wakker, MuMu provides beautiful women's clothing of high quality. These are some of the gorgeous dresses from the SS 12 collection currently available online and through various boutiques. For stockist enquiries email sales@mumusyros.gr.   

Adore Magazine Kate Banzai

I have fallen in love with the beautiful blog by victoria smith sfgirlbybay it makes me want to live in San Fran! Amazing inspirational photos and references to other sites and creatives. One being an Australian online magazine Adore! Check out the fabulous products, these screenprints are by artist Kate Banzai
  

David Trubridge

While shopping for household items the other day (in London) I was struck by the amount of product being produced that reflects this New Zealand designer and artists 'look'. However I suggest you check this out for yourself on his website.  Stunningly beautiful.....

Vintage Type

While designing an entry for the recent Tigerprint competition I was looking for inspiration in the direction of Vintage and Retro Typography. I came across some fantastic examples at smashing magazine. One of them being the great gig poster below from Takapuna! Yes guess what my next post will  be about!

   

The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design

While being super busy with students and their portfolios for UCAS interviews I have found some time for this course. Even if it still is the first exercise!!! This course is fantastic I have joined for module 2 & 3. I would highly recommend it for anyone wanting to set up their own label or company. Rachel and Beth are giving a huge amount of very valuable information, workshops and exercises. You can register for the course here     http://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/pattern/

Having just purchased CS5 I have been trying out the new brush tool presets - which are amazing they enable you to recreate different  ink, brush and paint effects. Check these out on Adobe TV painting-in-photoshop-part-1. I have used the Flat Point Brush, smoothness ticked, with varying thickness of bristles here to create an loose ink drawn effect for the peony rose motifs below. Drawing straight over top of photos of the flowers in a new layer.  

Power of Making -V & A

I took my students to this a few weeks ago, crowded and squashed into a side exhibition space it was nevertheless amazing. The selection of objects make great inspiring starting points for projects. Serving also to create an understanding of how traditionally made objects have just as much value as their more slick contemporary counterparts.   

Hussein Chalayan

I went to an exhibition of Chalayan's work several years ago at the design museum. I don't think I can remember a more fascinating fashion exhibition. With my students I use him continually as an example of conceptual design and how research outside of fashion will often result in more inspirational ideas.

Chalayan's website and Youtube will give you these amazing collections in full. 

Before Minus Now S/S 2000

After Words A/W 2000 

British Design Awards - St Judes Fabrics

While checking out the British Design Awards I came across the pattern winner 'Curiosity Shop' below by Emily Sutton for Norwich based textile company St Judes founded by Angie & Simon Lewin. St Judes unique fabric designs are the result of artist collaborations,  go to  http://www.stjudesfabrics.co.uk/collections/our-fabrics for more of these.       

'Seedheads' Angie Lewin 

'Bird Garden' Mark Hearld

'Herring Moon' Jonathan Gibbs 

'Hedge Row' Angie Lewin

'Old Town' Native Heath