Dream Job

Well, i have always lobe Bora Aksu, i have just been looking back on some of his collections and trailing through his website, and this man is a genius! i LOVE his designs, the music, the atmosphere he creates in his shows. 

Here is an extract from his website on his inspirations from his latest collection S/S 13 beautifully written just like his exquisite designs. 

click here to explore yourself

Maybe someday i will get a job working for him....maybe just need to change from working with wool and tweed to working with some jersey and chiffon. I think this is maybe a must in order to expand the good old portfolio. 

But please have a read and Watch this fantastic fashion show. 

"Modern Queen

        “I was barely seventeen when I came to you. I was young and I was ignorant.” 

To take you forward we must first take you back. With her enchanting 19th century beauty, exquisite jewels and decadent fashions, Marie is to be our guide. Born an English princess, but becoming a Romanian Queen - her heart; full of romanticism, art and culture beats through spring summer 2013. 

The granddaughter of Queen Victoria, Marie went on to become Queen of Romania. Known around the world as the ‘modern Queen’, she was adored by her countrymen for her grace and humanity. But for Marie, Romania would become her joy and her grief. 

With a marriage that turned from respect to revulsion, Marie retreated to her love of art and her precious botanical gardens. It’s here the new collection was born. Bora Aksu has used Marie’s love of Art Deco and her gardens to create a print that forms the heart of almost every garment. With three variations of the same print in escalating sizes, it tells its own tale of Marie’s growing fondness for her new land and in turn her popularity. 

The silhouettes maintain a regal status and fine opulence. Floor length gowns in waves of sheer silk organzas, printed dresses with puff sleeves and lace shift dresses add notes of prosperity while fine printed silk box jackets, brocade skirts and cropped jackets with knitted lapels represent the formality and structure of her position. 

With beauty and power come admirers. Many admirers. And Marie was not one to resist temptation. Baby doll dresses and fine knitted tops created using different weigh yarns and sewing threads to create a sheer, but textured look, offering hints of flirtation and romanticism.  Refreshing blues, dove greys and delicate whites dominate the collection and give an instantly romantic, yet somber feel. As Marie’s story unfolds; vibrant mustards, golds and corals give a racy injection, reminiscent not only of her love life, but also of the gardens she loved so well. Flashes of purples throughout give the collection its royal bloodline. 

Accessorising the collection is Bora Aksu’s second collection of bags in collaboration with Bracher Emden. Laser etched baguette bags and laser cut clutches come in an array of vibrant colours and designs. 

Through every piece, Marie has been a source of inspiration for a collection that is elegant but playful, as she was herself. There was a duplicity to her character that can be seen in the contrasts of colour and texture. However, the dominant motif is one of tasteful sumptuousness, reflecting the regal, well loved Marie. 

For every woman born a princess, destined to become a Queen."

Pattern vs. Historical Fashion

Pattern in fashion, is a very important aspect, it could make or break a collection. For my final collection I want to use a lot of pattern and texture, while the silhouette being inspired by historical costume. Two designers who are very good at this are Vivienne Westwood and Yinka Shonibare.

Vivienne Westwood has always been inspired by historical fashion and replicates 18^th century corsets in her collections along with her “mini crini” [her reinvention of the crinoline], emphasized waists and her innovative draping. If you take away the fabric that she uses it would all look very historical, but because of the modern and unusual way she uses fabrics it makes the garments. For example if we look at the way she uses tartan: the way she drapes it and styles it, the traditional Scottish-ness is forgotten because you are drawn to the “je ne se qua” of her pieces. Vivienne westwood just has a flair to innovate she is a living legend, and has her individual style, you can look at one of her pieces and automatically know that it is hers because of the impeccable drapery and folds, or her use of fabric.

Vivienne Westwood "Mini Crini"

Yinka Shonbare is another designer who often uses English colonialism to inspire his collections but the fabric he uses are traditional African fabrics. Which automatically juxtapose the garment’s. You can see where it was inspired from but the use of fabric modernises it and your eye is drawn to it for this reason as it is unexpected.

Yinka Shonbare use of Caribbean print

This is what I would like to achieve through my collection I want it to be inspired 19^th Century riding wear but I want to juxtapose that silhouette by using modern weaves and fluorescent threads/ribbons to achieve that shock factor and make you wonder why has she done that? By doing this I would hope that it makes you think of the safety restriction that were often forgotten about in the 19^th century, but now a days is very important through the sport.

Ashley J

Fash@G Presents...

Fash@G are hosting a Charity Fashion Show to raise money for the end of

year degree show with a silent auction held during the evening.

We would love to invite you to join us to see the works of our collection of talented students at this event.

Collections of work ranging from Coco Chanel themed garments, to locally sourced cashmere's from the Johnston's of Elgin brand. They are made from blood sweat and tears (literally). Pin pricks and all aside, these collections are a must see!

 The Auction: Info on the Auction to follow..

Tickets cost £10 and can be purchased from anyone in the Fash@G course. Or note your interest here and someone will contact you to give you more details. There are plenty car park spaces at the Thistle Hotel Altens, so parking is not a bother. Tickets can also be purchased on the door, however it would be best to secure one soon as they are going fast. The show is set to start at 8pm, doors open at 7pm so to get a good seat and view, turning up before hand would be ideal. Drinks will be given out on the door on your entry, and there will be a bar open also.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Ashley J

White Junk

So here we go again....ROUND TWO!

The STAG Duo are back with a vengeance with there second Pop- up shop "The White Junk Party" this event will be held at Korova, Bridge Street, Aberdeen between 1-6 pm on the 12th of November. It is £2 a ticket or £3 on the door and can be bought here or at one-up on Belmont Street. it is going to be quirky fashion event showcasing fashion designers, jewellery designers, vintage clothing and the most amazing cupcakes you have ever tasted made by yours truly Hannah Bakes Cakes!! So get your glad rags on and be ready to be style hunted by the in house photographer. This event will be the place to be before a great night out, where you can buy your one off out-fit and get you hair styled by Profile hair for the night ahead of you!

After the last pop up in August was such a success we cant wait for the next one as its going to be bigger and better. 

In August the Girls created the first fashion pop up shop in Aberdeen, showcasing fashion designers Jaime CJ, Laura Sherriffs and STAG's baby sister Fawned Of...which by the way I still want my mustard trousers pleaaaase... . Also on the list of ones to watch are Kiss My Kunst a fantastic t-shirt and accessory designers along with textile brand Feet and Tea mothered by Alison Bell. 

STAG stands for Scottish talent and graduates so the event is also used to promote recent graduates, so Stag see this as an opertunity to exhibit the recent works from Grays School of Art fashion graduates. The collection exhibited below is made by the lovely Carolyn Edmonson, inspired by Scottish fishwives. I wonder who will be next to show at the pop up shop....just keep thinking White!! 

Be there or be Square!!

Ashley J

Dior Does Equestrian

One designer that takes a strong influence from historical references is John Galliano for Dior. He did an equestrian collection in autumn/winter 2010-11 where you can see there is a strong influence’s from 19^th century riding wear.

However he has contrasted this equestrian theme with “The Libertine” film featuring Johnny Depp. Where he had laser cut leather ruffled coats and capes contrasted with chiffon flowing dresses printed in 18^th Century flowers the collection is typically exaggerated by Galliano but looks exquisite. It has the luxe that equestrian has. He also used the equestrian theme for his spring couture collection 2010 for Dior. Which was undeniable  inspired by 19^th century side saddle turnout where he has used the used some of the shapes and silhouettes with his use of long skirts which are shorter/ gathered up at the back, tailored jackets and crisp blouses. Said by Vogue : “...featuring blood red fitted jackets with big peplums over tweed side saddle hunting skirts and accessorised with over-sized snoods, veils, top hats and riding crops. Models were smothered in porcelain white make-up painted with plump red lips, the wisps of white in their gravity-defying fringes giving them the look of an austere ringmaster – as much in control as in demand.”  John Galliano is someone that has no equestrian background yet he pulls it off so well.

Ashley J

Ruffles Galore!!

FABULOUS, FEMININE AND FUN!!

A 1950's inspired cocktail dress. Made from Aubergine Duchess Satin with a Rose lining. Was constructed with 5 Layers of Ruffles each 3 metres long, sweetheart neckline with 3/4 sleeves.

This was my first Project at Uni when I learned how to use industrial sewing machines and how to professionally construct a Garment, which has now lead on to much much more.... so watch this space to see what I get up to

From the Success of this Dress I was shown in an exhibition at Grays School of Art and Catwalk show held at the Aberdeen Art Gallery in Aberdeen. I Also made it into my local Newspaper!! oooh yippie for me!!

Ashley J

Trophy Jacket

The next challenge I approached was making a tailored jacket. my starting point was with a commercial pattern, looked at how the jacket went together, the changed the collar, sleeves and altered the back panel’s. 

Black Woven suiting, with a silk paisley print lining. the jacket has gathered sleeves with a big cuff. pleating detail on the back tied together with a belt. 

During this project I learned how much we take clothes for granted. The cost of making a garment is so so expensive excluding labour costs. We can go onto the high street and buy a jacket/ Blazer for £25 that is so cheap! but when it comes to making one for your self it is so much more expensive, but you feel proud of what you have achieved.

Ashley J

Seeing Spots

This is the First ever garment I made inspired by Katie Price and the charity NSPCC. It is a simple gathered skirt with netting, felt, velvet and sequin appliqué, with a zip closure. During this project it made me think of surface decoration and how much hard work goes into it. The whole skirt was hand sewn, however it was a good starting point for my fashion career. Very simple but made me start thinking of how garments are made. 

Ashley J