Shin Kwang

Inspiration Monday!

Todays inspiration is brought to you by House Of Widow...

For their unique style of designs


Womens

Mens

Eye for detail

When it comes to presenting my work I like to show a lot of detail, whether it is a large drawing or a small little doodle as a gap filler. If you're able to fill a page with necessary detail then you're able to capture the elements of the garment.

This was my opening piece to the project 'Moulage'. For this I used black water colour pencil with no added water. Using a water coloured pencil, the led is softer compared to a normal coloured pencil.

Detail doesn't have to be with have to be with drawing either. You could use detail by presenting colour swatches and fabric swatches. Here I've folded the fabric in a unique way so it links with the project. Annotation about the fabric and the colour, likes and dislikes also helps as it is a descriptive part, explaining how the fabric could be used.

Another descriptive way on using detail is by carrying on a picture. This is a good example. The detail and material that I have used blends in with the picture. The picture being from Viktor and Rolph, the technique that I have used with this design goes well hand in hand. The water colour intertwines with the moulage of the dress, it gives of a continuous effect.

Observational Drawings

As I have now received my work back I can now show my observational drawings from my moulage project, as promised.

The observational drawing task was based on drawing from observation...
Meaning drawing from an object rather than a picture, this way you're able to focus on the detail a lot more clearly and be able to see the direction the light is coming from.

In this task I was able to do  different drawings of moulage, using different materials and ranges of colour. In this I was able to use my multiple techniques than I had learned from my previous course (art and design) and use them to my best advantage. This didn't entirely mean blending with the charcoal, using rough and quick lines works just as well and could be possible to capture more detail than smudging.

Charcoal

A good effect example would be this one.

You are able to see all the detail of how the fabric falls into itself as well as the shadow that it creates. Using quick and harsh lines to use for detail is one of my favorite that I use and most frequent. I use it a lot in my personal work and mainly use pen as a lot of my work can be quite detailed and I feel that by using pen I am able to capture this.

Black Biro

Leading on to pen this is one that I am very fond of. Using pen it can take it's time to construct a detailed drawing but once you've finished and able to view the final product there is this satisfaction that you have once completed. As you can see you are able to see how the garment falls and is pinned in place, you're able to see where it folds into it's self and the shadow that it creates and you're ale to see the direction of the light.

Pen isn't an easy tool to use when drawing as there are multiple ways to hold the pen, directing it and being heavy towards the pen. But with all in that in mind you're able to create a fully detailed piece.

Black Biro and Felt Tip

This one was using both black biro and a thick green felt tip pen.

Another technique that works with pen is by using a bold colour as a part of the contrast of the drawing. I used the Black biro as the detail and the tonal parts of the drawing and the green worked as a a shadow, adding colour to the drawing and appearing slightly bolder.

The green against the black works as a more descriptive part to the detail, by using the same technique as the biro the two pens and colours blend intertwine with one another. By making the green pen sharp and using a thick tip I was able to construct a bold and 3D like piece.

Red Ink and Charcoal on grey card

Going with mixing medias, I have used red ink and charcoal to highlight the tones of the drapery. I started with the red ink first, using a regular sized paint brush and using thick and thin brush strokes to create the contrast of the fabric and I then went over with the charcoal to create the shape/ out line of the fabric.

The charcoal works as a guideline and flat piece where as the red ink works as a back ground and as a contrast part of the final product.

This kind of technique can be created on photoshop as well by using layers and changing the setting to 'dissolve' or by changing the opacity.

Chalk and Charcoal

I am not a person who is fond of smudging materials into one another and colours as I feel the it makes the drawing bland and unimaginative. But with this, like the technique of the previous drawing, I started with the pink and red chalk, using the pink as the light and red as the dark. And instead of filling in the area with unnecessary colour I smudge out some of the lines and used the fall out to fill in the white areas. By doing this you're able to detect light without using white over the top. 

The charcoal works as an outline and a guide on the shape of the fabric. Again this gives both a 3 dimensional effect and a 2 dimensional effect and could also be created on photoshop by using layers.

Concept Board

My Concept board is still a work in progress, there has been some adjustments made, i.e; adding a technical fat and a colours scheme. 

I would like to point out that the flat isn't jagged and that it is just how it seems zoomed out.

The Concept board is presenting my theme and colours, blacks and yellows. The images featured are inspiration pieces, this will be used a fabric textures and as decorative part of the design.

I would say that more needs to be added, i.e. t the empty space in the top corner but looking at the presentation of the boards I think it works well with the concept.

The boarder around, representing the colours chosen for the designs.

Digital Mood Boards

Our next module is Alternate Techniques.

This meaning that we will progress our technical skills from first year and developing them into flats and mood boards.

Today I'm presenting my brand board, Zara and my Customer Profile. The boards still need labels but all are a working progress.

Brand Board

For my brand board I chose a collection of images that represented the store at it finest. From silhouettes to the company logo, labels and an inside look of the store. These I thought were the main focus on the store. As Zara has a black to white colour scheme with their designs and store I opted to select imagery of the store that represented it. 

The way that I've presented the images on the board is in the same style that the store presents their items, clean and to the point.

Customer Profile

For my customer profile I've selected a small selection of imagery that pointed out the obvious things about the customer. 

I have also done a small type up of the details about the customer, Alicia Brown. And an even smaller type up will be added to the board.

In both of these boards I have displayed a boarder around the left side and on the top to add more to the presentation. The grey boarder in the  brand board is presenting the tones that appear in the company where as the yellow on the customer profile shows the customers favourite colour.

A concept board is another thing that is in the progress, representing the theme for my designs. Which will feature textures, colours and silhouettes.

Moulage Project (research and designs)

This project has already passed and like I promised I am finally getting round to posting about this project, 'moulage'.

Moulage as we all know in fashion is a type of technique on forming drapery. By placing the fabric on to a stand and pinning the fabric in certain areas, creates and forms a silhouette.

This project allowed me to visualize the detail that a garment could have and picture my design ideas for this module.

For inspiration I looked at A.F Vandevorst, Fall 2012 and Gareth Pugh, Fall 2012.
                                     

                                     

These collections in particular played a big part in my designs.
The two collecitons are very different form one another, Pugh's being more harsh and Vandervorst being soft but yet dramatic. However the two do express their moulages well throughout their collections.

My designs as you can see do have some similarities to origami, some of my designs do seem harsher than the others, here are four to demonstrate. The fabric that I used was hard cotton in grey, displayed on a size 12 stand.

                                    

                                    



With my designs I realized that they seemed quite complex and required some more research on techniques, this lead to me looking at Viktor & Roplh S2015 RTW. Looking at this colleciton really helped me understand the looks and possible outcome of what the final outcome would appear to be. It also helped adjust to how this could be constructed.

Next post-
About my final garment/design and how i came about it.

Olsen twins, 10 year anniversary of THE ROW

Yesterday marked the 10 years of the Olsen twins label, The Row.

The Olsen twins that we all remember as the actress' that they once were in 'Fall House' and 'Two of a kind' have now become one of the most acclaim design teams in fashion.

The beautiful and icon girls launched in 2004 where they started at the age of 18, weren't taken seriously by others as they thought that the two were skeptical. 10 years later the two have generated sales of millions which have been carried in more than 145 high-end boutique stores in the US, London and Paris.

The twins are now well known for their over-sized designs and experimenting with knitwear, silks and leather, has helped them put themselves on the map.

           

They have successfully managed to win an award for the CDFA womenswear designer of the year in 2012 and the CDFA accessory designer of the year honor this year. 
This fall they have launched a line of shoes in both mens and womens with Enzo Bonafé.

These girls have always been an inspiration to me. I have watched them since I was little, from their Tv shows to their films and from their style to their designs.
Their label 'The Row' shows ideal  designs which can be fitted in with everyday wear. Their over-sizing of their designs bring a shape to the garment and can be accessorised really well with a classic black belt or with a crocodile skin bag.

Their work clearly pays off as they are always creating new things and doing collaborations with other designers such as Damien Hirst and BIK BOK.

BIK BOK

Damien Hirst

The olsen twins have an upcoming spring show showing a new collection to which I am excited for.

For previous work please feel free to check out my old blog and my instagram for work updates/in progress, designs, artwork and outfits of the day.

Instagram - Paige_CT, http://instagram.com/paige._ct

Old blog - http://pctindependentdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/

Style, Influences, Me

This is me, my average every day look. Big hair, dark purple lips, big rings and black tight/ loose clothing... Oh and a choker.

Believe it or not but I was once a barbie girl, pink clothes, glitter, pink room, barbie play house... the lot. 
So what changed?
Kind obvious really, I started to listen to music which was rock. Going through an "emo" phase at the time, letting my hair grow and having a side fringe. Then it was "punk", dying my hair, buying doc martins and Harringtons. Now it's metal/goth. 
Could say I've been through a few alternative phases but I love it. I love the idea of looking different from everyone else, It's what makes me separate because it's my style. I've dressed myself for me and this is what I'm wearing.

So my influences for my style is definitely music, especially metal, black metal, power metal, folk, glam, I could go on forever! And obviously goth. Some people assume that with these types of genre's they'd expect for people to come across as aggressive by the way that they present themselves. When in reality some of their songs in those genres can be quite romantic and beautiful to listen to.

Click images to enlarge

Horror films also participate in this as well, especially the old classics like Dracula and the bride of Frankenstien.
Witch films have recently became my favorite type of films to watch.

So I guess that's why my style has become more witch like. Like I belong in a CULT.
I've had a few people taken back recently by my style and I loved it!

Looking into cult styles and fashion one of my major influences recently are 'sisters of the black moon', 'hollywood villans', 'worship13' and 'evil pawn jellwery'. These stores are all online but you'd be surprised on what you can find on your high street and vintage stores.

These stores produce some of the most beautiful, draped and sexy pieces, from harness' to knitwear (which I am obsessed with at the moment).

click to enlarge images

These particular 3 pieces are to dye for! And future goals for designing. The way that the clothes sit and compliment the body makes the model and the garments look sexy. It's a spontaneous style that I am yet to explore in. Another thing to point out is the stance of the model, how she is presenting the garment. She looks and feels confident and comfortable in this style. She also looks slightly seductive as well which personally is always key in this style.

I can't wait to wonder the streets and shock the general public of my cult style.



Don't forget to check out my instagram for my outfits of the day, artwork and my progress.
http://instagram.com/paige_ct

And like I mentioned the other day, tomorrow I will be posting my 'Moulage' project as promised. With the highs and lows, my design ideas and inspirations. 
However, if it does turn into a length post then I shall separate it into two or three sections over the weekend so it won't feel as long.

House Of Malakai

(Repost from old blog)

House Of Malakai

Instagram is probably one of my favorite places to find new and creative things like Malakia.

Looking at some of his work and his bio it is noted that he is a self taught artist who comes from Bali.
He started with hard jewelry and decor in 1999. Malakai started the lable 'House Of Malakai' in 2013 which allowed him to express his artistic style and develop them into dramatic styles. The brand focuses on accessories and head wear, which has been supported by celebrities such as Beyonce and Rihanna.

His work pays particular attention to detail and a combination of hand craft and modern digital craftsmanship.

It is said that his influences are from high fashion, science and underground movements.

His work in my point of view is sex, edgy, inspirational and dramatic. Some of his work can look alienated and very artistic. With the photographs he hasn't just thought about the presentation of the accessory but the placement and the story of the image would tell. It is this that shows the artistic flare in the designs as well as the designs themselves.
His work is very inspirational and will come in use for future research and design ideas.

Each time I go through House Of Malakai there is never a dull moment with his designs. The daring edginess that he provides in his design is what makes it so enjoyable for me. some of his designs can have a theatrical feel like the following images.

          

It's what I love so much about HOM. House Of Malakai has influenced me in ways that I could help me improve my designs, designing more theatrical ideas, being more daring with my work as well as my style and to over step the boundaries a little more.

As this is a new blog I will be post regular every week on a Friday or when possible during the week. I will be updating you on projects like my current 'Moulage' and I will be posting my inspirations. 

For previous work feel free to check out my old blog  and my instagram for work updates/in progress, designs and my artwork.

Instagram - Paige_CT, http://instagram.com/paige_ct

Old blog - http://pctindependentdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/