Ever wanted your outfits and makes made into your very own fashion illustration? well now you can.
An illustration
Based on your photo
Available now in the webstore are a variety of options to choose from, starting at just $5.
Huge thanks to Lizzy from SewBusyLizzy, Sophie from Ada Spragg, Amanda from Bimble and Pimble for use of their photos to use as inspiration for the drawings shown.
I think what gets me most about Westwood is the drama of it all. It tells a story, the narrative goes from season to season and she doesn’t stray too far from her strengths.
Take a historical slant, bend it, twist it, subvert it and present it back to the audience as something new yet profoundly familiar because it is rooted in history of clothing.
Her corsets and crinolines have always fascinated me, they seem to be engineered rather than sewn but when you see glimpses of her workrooms as in many of the documentaries made on her work, you see the incredibly technical aspects of her workers.
As a fashion student I was convinced I was going to be the next Westwood, it was only as I learnt and grew as a designer that I realised not only that I couldn’t be the next Westwood but I also didn’t want to be? She is the best and only Westwood there is, and that anything less was a pale imitation thereof. Much better to learn and find my own way than strive to be a lessor version of someone else.
Floral dress via DesignerzCentral Westwood for the Vienna Ballet via Untitled Magazine Check jacket via FIDM Museum Header image via HelloTailor
Galliano has long been on of my favourite designers. I loved the sheer over the top, put as many influences as we can into one outfit and then make it bigger type of style that he has. Naturally along with everyone else I was horrified to hear the dreadful things he said and his downfall. I did debate not adding him to this series but I thought that would be disingenuous as he really is an influence to my work.
I am in no way excusing any of what he said by saying I admire his talent and design. What he did as a designer was breathtaking and innovative and often moved me to tears just from it’s sheer beauty and majesty, it’s that spine tingling expression through fabric that I celebrate.
From the slinky bias cut dress to the cinched waists and full skirts of the styles above, I loved it all. Fabric became architectural, multilayered and embellished to an inch of it’s life and then it was shown with more precision than a broadway show.
Sometimes I just want to capture just a tiny bit of all that drama and harness it into an everyday piece. Something that becomes an icon around which a wardrobe and style can be built. Until I can make that happen I will continue to admire the drama of the clothes.
Image credits pink dress Photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images) found via Yellow Paper Dress Maroon Dress via Zimbio Lemon Dress via TeaCupsandCouture Green Ombre Via Telegraph UK photo by Stephen Look
These designer influences are in no particular order and as I really did debate if I should add Galliano or not I figure I might as well get the controversy over with at the start.
White clothes can get a bad wrap, too pristine, too hospital, too clinical. but therein can lie it’s deceptive quality. A clean slate with which to shine.
It always looks so crisp and perfect, a wonderful foil with which to play with textures and layering or to make accessories stand out.
Personally I would love to add more to my wardrobe but have a massive issue. Cat hair. I’d leave the house looking like I’d rolled in lint and I’m sure it would only get worse from there. Perhaps white is best saved for those without kitties?
1 white coat via Coffeewithnaima 2 white outfit via Stylabl 3 white dress via Stealthestyle 4 white top and shorts via The Petticoat
More white inspiration can be found on our Pinterest board.
There is a wonderful Stella McCartney quote that I read years ago and has always stuck with me. In an interview Stella was asked what other designers does she wear. Her response was if I’m wearing other designers pieces it means I’m not doing my job right.
I love that. Because if as a designer you are spending all your time wanting someone else’s designs then you aren’t working hard enough.
As a sewer though, I love seeing others ideas. How they translate different fabrics and trims into garments. Not to copy them but to get ideas on going the extra mile to make garments really interesting.
For the next few weeks I’ll be sharing one designer a week who has had an influence on me. I’ll talk about why I like their style and what they taught me. As a designer I feel like it is all interconnected in the establishment of my own personal style. Many places I have worked I design to a specific brief or client so it’s not what I would wear or want but about the ability to see what the customer would want. Which is a great ability to have, to see what others want. When I flip it around though, I want to see what exactly it is that I want and how to translate that into the styles that I sew.
I hope you will enjoy the series of posts I have planned and perhaps even find something that inspires you too?
Image credit left to right: Motti – Tokyo, Marc Jacobs Photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images) found via YellowPaperDress
The colour of sunshine, lemons, The Tour de France and summer.
Yellow is such a fun and friendly colour and always brings a smile to my face when worn in big bold statement clothing. Sadly it looks utterly dreadful on me and I can never find a way to wear it that looks in any way good.
So until I can find a way to make it work, I will continue to admire it from afar.
1 – textured yellow via ModeMajeure 2- yellow cat via GaryPepperGirl 3- yellow skirt Via Vanessa Jackman 4 – yellow coat via Grazia
To see more Yellow, take a look at our Pinterest Board. This is part of my ongoing series where I am looking at individual colours each Friday . Mostly it is an exercise for me in not always choosing the patterned fabric to make from.
From pastel to vibrant, fluro to matte, I love pink. In every shade and variation I will wear it, buy it, sew with it and more than once I have gone literally head to toe in it. Pink hair, pink dress, pink shoes. I just love it.
Not only do I find it massively cheering and fun to wear but it suits me! With pale complexion of pink tones I can overdose on pink and instead of looking washed out it makes me look more vibrant.
The odd thing is I barely wore it as a child, I certainly didn’t have a pink barbie princess room and the entire love affair with pink didn’t start until well into my twenties. Now I have so much of it I often have to make a conscious decision to not keep getting more.
Despite having a lot of pink it tends to make things easy as so much of my wardrobe co ordinates together, so if you find a colour that suits you, go for it!
To see more Pink, take a look at my Pinterest board dedicated to the colour.
1- pink dress via coolgirlstyle on flickr 2 – pink jacket via Stockholm Streetstyle 3- my own photo using the Waterlogue App
I’ve been thinking about solid colours a lot lately. I’m stash busting with a vengence this year and it’s come to my attention that I barely own any solid colours. It’s all prints all the way round here.
So in order to think a bit more about colours, each Friday I’m going to share my thoughts on some colours. It may not lead to a big colour revelation but at the very least we can look at some pretty clothes.
I used to hate the colour navy, well hate is a strong word but I just never considered it. To me it was boring, functional and held no charm at all.
These days I love it for its inky wonder, it can be rich and vibrant, makes a perfect companion to many of the bright patterns I so love but is equally well matched to sweet small prints.
So why for so many years was it banished from my wardrobe?
I wore a navy skirt to high school. For 6 years I pulled on a navy box pleated skirt, a white over blouse and a navy tie.
Functional yet oh so boring. While not featuring in the style stakes at all, it was however incredibly comfortable and fairly well suited to our hot and humid climate.
My only issue was my tie which I was forever covering in ink, paint or something from art or design class. After awhile my mum got sick of trying to keep it mark free and I ended up with 2 ties. One to wear on any day I had a practical subject and one to wear on all other days.
Now that I have got past that time I can appreciate navy for all it’s good qualities and love pairing in unexpected ways or in a wacky silhouette. Next trip to Japan I’m scheduling in some time to indulge my navy fascination by seeing a traditional Indigo Dyehouse, surely the ultimate form of navy?
Voluminous Navy skirt via We the People Navy Lace Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton via Fashion 156 Navy head to toe via The Sartorialist Navy and red trim coat via Lauren Moffatt
To see more Navy in all it’s hue’s take a look at our Pinterest board
It’s here! After months of planning, designing, pattern making, testing and checking our first collection has arrived.
Some collections feel like they take a lifetime to come together, this collection is actually two lives. That of myself and my sister. While I have been busy working in the fashion industry as a designer, she has been the patternmaking force behind some of Australia’s most influential fashion labels.
Now we have combined to bring professional patterns and knowledge of design to you. Our first collection is a range of knickers, from full pants to party pants we’ve got you covered. Each style works perfectly on it’s on, but we are also including a designer “how to” for every piece. Showing you how to add and embellish to bring your own style into what you are creating.
Over the coming days and weeks we will bring you more insight into how the collection was created, details on the variations and information on where you can get supplies. For now though, go take a look and let us know what you think.
