I Textile Away...: 2010

Wednesday, 22 December 2010

Teenagers in the 50's and 60's

Image from: http://www.fanpop.com/spots/twiggy/images/361486/title/twiggy-photo
Twiggy was the ultimate teenage icon in the 60's; a figure that the average female teenager wanted to be like and the average male teenager wanted to be with. The movement of the 'Mods' was so profound that some of it's style still exists today in the bright, popping colours and the shift dresses that were so popular. Even the 'Peter Pan' collar seems to be making a comeback. This was the time when, for better or worse, the models we saw in magazines became what we wanted to see in the mirror.

Tuesday, 21 December 2010

Teenage fashion in the 50's and 60's.

I'm currently working on a report based on teenage fashion in the 50's and 60's. This means that the focus is not on the couture gowns or the sophistication of Dior and Chanel, but on the average teenger that was influenced by the same societal factors as today. Film stars being one of these factors.

Image from: http://sticksandstoneslive.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html

James Dean: Not since his cry of "You're tearing me apart" in 'Rebel Without A Cause' has anyone portrayed so much teenage anguish. And his clothes we're pretty good too. Between him and Marlon Brando, they had the entire population of the 1950's teenager in thrall with their white t-shirts, denim jeans and leather jackets.

Saturday, 11 December 2010

Final designs for 'Russian Arts and Crafts' project

These are my final design for my project reviving Russian Arts and Crafts in a comtemporary context. The designs are intended for cushions and are based on the patterns and motifs found on traditional Russian shawls and kercheifs. The designs are laser cut showing use of one of today's most contemporary techniques within textiles. The coloured collection is silk on green and blue hues and the more neutral collection is in pale gold and cream silk habotai.
Enjoy!

Thursday, 2 December 2010

Snow is the word...

In honour of the snow I thought I would post this wonderfully quirky fabric design by Cean Irminger found at http://blog.spoonflower.com/2010/03/index.html It is simple yet suprisingly engaging. Cute, slighty odd motifs are what interior textiles are all about at the moment. Check my out my post on 'Reviving Russian Arts and Crafts' for my own take on quirky motifs.

Leeds snow!

In the great debate of snow I fall on the side of loving it. (And yes I am one of those who hate marmite!) So let you're inner child come out to play and enjoy my photos of Leeds. Hyde Park suddenly looks beautiful!

Monday, 29 November 2010

Reviving Russian Arts and Crafts

My most current project in which I am reviving Russian Arts and Crafts by using the very contemporary technique of laser cutting. View the rest here http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=480305307552&id=625542552&ref=notif&notif_t=wall#!/album.php?aid=14100&id=104092459657739

Thursday, 4 November 2010

Year in industry...

I am a second year, textile design student at the University of Leeds currently wanting to do a year in industry. For those of you who don't know, this is an extra year that I will add on to my course where I will take several work placements in the textile industry. This is the reason for this blog.

By showing you my work, hopefully someone will like it (and me) and perhaps offer me a placement. So if you are interested in what I do, please get in touch!

My specialism is mixed media textiles so any work in this area would be perfect; from designing prints and manipulating fabrics to drawing and using illustrator. My work is mainly aimed for interiors and I would therefore love to work with furnishings. However, I have varied interests and if Asos were to give me a call I wouldn't say no!

In the future I would like to go freelance with my work, exhibiting across the world so any placements in galleries and exhibition spots would be welcome. I would love to stay in Leeds as it is a thriving city and one immeresed in the textile industry. Thankyou for you're time and hope to hear from you all! Enjoy!