Time For A Catch Up!

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't really been posting much. Between university, nights out and work I haven't had much time (or life) to blog about!

What's Happening in Classes...

We've recently started the design process, so my life is all concept boards and colour stories right now! My university project is to design and create a capsule collection, featuring a key piece, shirt and outerwear piece, based on engendered fashion. Gender is a huge thing in the news at the moment with the transition of Caitlyn Jenner and her advocate work for the transgender community (I highly recommend watching her 'I Am Cait' series for an inside look at her beginning to work as a advocate and the people she meets along the way, AMAZING!), and Ruby Rose's gender fluidity comment at the recent MTV EMAs as examples, so I am very excited to start this!

I'm planning on designing a unisex collection which follows the concept of women's lingerie (the shape, fabrics and prints) paired with masculine codes and colours. Below are 2 images of which I took inspiration from:

Of course, I took inspiration from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's collection for M&S, 'Rosie for Autograph' and this beautiful green car!

I'm excited to see how the soft, sultry lace and silk combined with deep greens and rich navy blues. I'll keep you posted with how it all goes!

A Few Nights to Remember...

In the past few weeks I've had.. lets say a few nights out but here are the two that I will definitely remember!

A few Thursdays ago me and three friends went to Nancy's Bordello in Newcastle for the quiz night and even though we didn't win, the night was fantastic - although my chat up line for the interactive round was absolute gold! But the night was also a sad one as it was the last night out I had with Brighton Bryony (the girl with the glasses - and yes, I did just call her Brighton Bryony) before she left! Gutter!

At least we've got a few cute polaroids together to remember the night!

This Tuesday just gone we had a fashion's night out in Bonbar, Newcastle. Everyone from the three fashion courses at Northumbria University (Fashion Design, Fashion Design and Marketing and Fashion Communication) were invited to the VIP section at Jaluminati's Club Cobana event so we could get to meet each other. The night was absolutely brilliant - I even ran into a few friends from high school who are also studying in Newcastle!

One of the many photos from the fashion night out and oh yeah, I got a fringe cut in!

I Best Get Saving...

Well, it sounds like the nights out and endless clothes shopping has come to an abrupt end! Not only have I realised I've been spending way more than I had thought, but it's time to get into the 'every penny counts' frame of mind.

One of the main tutors from my course sent out an email this past week about a trip to New York.. NEW BLOODY YORK! (If I could, there would be a million emojis to celebrate my excitement!) So now I've got to buckle down and start saving asap! The trip is expected to be in March which is only, like, 5 months away! The excitement is real.

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!

From now until then it will be Welcome to New York and Empire State of Mind on repeat while watching Gossip Girl and Friends. Ahh, the Big Apple!

Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal & Barnard Castle

Yesterday I went on a trip to the Bowes museum, in Barnard Castle, to see the Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal exhibition with my university course.

"Bowes Museum" -Instagram: @rebeccageorginaa

The exhibition was absolutely amazing! The garments were all so detailed. Even the toiles were flawlessly made, it was such a brilliant thing to experience. Before going I watched the 2014 Yves Saint Laurent film which gave me more insight to Yves Saint Laurent's life and a better understanding of his creative processes.

(These are his toiles! WHAT?!)

I was thrilled to be able to see one of Saint Laurent's most iconic dresses of the 60s, the Mondrian shift dress - one of my most favourite dresses within fashion history.

"Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal exhibit" -Instagram: @rebeccageorginaa

Looking at Saint Laurent's suits were incredible inspiration for my current design and illustration module where we are looking at engendered fashion. The masculine suit being translated to work with the female figure was really inspiring and gave me an idea to work with. 

Although the suits were amazing, it was the heavily embellished jackets which really caught my eye. They reminded me very much of the modern Balmain collections (I love Balmain) so I was very drawn to them. There was one jacket in particular that I fell in love with. It was heavily jewelled and featured gold embellishments all around it. It was my favourite piece of the entire exhibition.

"The most beautiful jacket I ever did see" -Instagram: @rebeccageorginaa

After looking around the exhibition and taking a few sketches, me and two of the other girls from my course walked into Barnard Castle in search of a pub lunch. After walking through a narrow alley we came to the main street in Barnard Castle filled with shops and cute cafes. Just to the left of the alley we saw The Turks Head pub. It was such a cute little pub and the food was absolutely amazing! I had a steak pie with mashed potato, carrots and peas. It was lush.

The portion size was HUGE!!

Overall, the day was brilliant. I'm looking forward to using the inspiration I got from the exhibition in my own designs.

Bex x

First 4 Weeks at University!

Hi everyone,

It's now been just over 4 weeks since I've moved to Jesmond and during those first 4 weeks I've started my fashion design and marketing classes at Northumbria University, managed to drop an industrial sewing machine needle, snap an industrial sewing machine needle, miss my library induction and lose my voice (probably from singing Beyonce to loud in the clubs, but it's Beyonce!), so I guess you can say I'm off to a good start!

'Lemon and ginger tea to try and fix the disaster that is my voice' - Instagram: @rebeccageorginaa

(Lemon and ginger tea courtesy of the lovely French cafe, Les Petits Choux)

I've settled nicely into Jesmond, got to know my flatmates and coursemates and managed to spend entirely too much money on nights out and Dominos pizza (I'm a fresher, that's what I'm supposed to do, right?)

I have also mastered the metro (between Jesmond and Monument - any further is still a complete mystery to me)

A slightly autumnal looking walk on the way to uni this morning

Jesmond Metro Station

The Northumbria School of Design is so nice! The sewing and pattern cutting technicians are lovely - so are the design and illustration tutors and lecturers. The first week of full lessons were (hella) tiring, but well worth it at the same time. I'm learning to use industrial sewing machines (mentioned before in the needle snapping incident), overlockers, pattern cutting techniques etc. 

Images of the pattern cutting studio in the School of Design

The first weeks of university have been fabulous! I've met some amazing people! I've also managed to cook a meal for myself and the flatmates - it actually tasted good!

'Last night at Players and Bonbar' - Instagram: @rebeccageorginaa

My successful sausage stir-fry! It was delicious, I promise!

This week I have a night out with my best friend from home lined up (guaranteed to be a hilarious night, but followed by a full day at uni? not so hilarious) and a visit to Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle to view the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit!

Expect a few pictures from the YSL exhibit,

Bex x

Ted Baker up to 50% Off Sale!

Hi! A few days ago I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, which isn't the most exciting in the middle of the day during the week, when I came across the advertisement of the Ted Baker sale.

I have to admit I am 100% obsessed with Ted Baker, who is easily one of my most favourite designers, even more so now that I'm getting closer to university which means getting closer to a Ted Baker student discount, YAY!

After having a good scroll through the sale section, putting all the items I like into my 'bag' then realising I have very little money to actually purchase them, I decided it was time to empty the bag and filter the sale items starting at the lowest price first. We all end up doing this when we know we are skint only to continue to look past the £20 price limit we have set ourselves. But this time I was strong, stopped at £20.. By adding an item which cost £19 (it's under £20, so it still counts.. right??)

I bought this bright pink (or orange? the site says orange..) makeup bag with a bronze bow to replace my old tatty Primark one. At £19, I couldn't resist. I don't know if it's because I'm in love with Ted Baker or because I knew the original price was £27 (wtf?) so I saw this as a bargain. Also free delivery is always a treat too!

So whether skint or not so skint, I would definitely say the sale is worth taking a look at!

Bex x

Lingerie Illustrations

This September I will be attending Northumbria University to study Fashion Design & Marketing (hopefully) and I have realised how long it has been since I have designed anything at all, so my illustration skills are average at best.

I've decided to try and get back into designing, starting with lingerie. I love lingerie and adore the Rosie for Autograph collection for Marks and Spencers. I LOVE designing lingerie as it can be so personal, feminine, sexy etc. and I love the materials that can be used: silk, chiffon, lace, cotton.. I'm just a little obsessed.

 

Anyway, using the figure templates from Tamar Daniel's Fashion Sketchpad (which I would recommend to anyone who struggles with drawing figures, available at Waterstones) I started to design a few pieces of lingerie, just to get used to drawing the garments again before going back to (poorly) attempting to draw figures again.

Here are the results:

First Set:
The designs feature a variety of patterns: spots, stripes and an arched pattern. All these patterns are on a sheer material and contrast against the opaque fabric. I wanted these pieces to be sexy but still give off a romantic aesthetic.

Second Set:
The first two are quite similar and give off a sexy/provocative aesthetic. The high waist knickers feature cut out detailing, as does the bra to show off the figure's body. The body is a snug fit, made to highlight the figure's curves. These pieces are more raunchy in comparison to the last two. The last two are more romantic and have a more relaxed fit. Silk would likely be the material for these pieces. There is also lace detailing on both pieces along the hemline and neckline to provide a vintage and romantic aesthetic.

Think I'm going to have to carry on doing little sets like this until I get used to illustrating again.

Bex x