FormS to Remember

Formspring is a useless website. It's a vanity-stroking popularity contest where everyone gets to indulge in their favourite activity- talking about themselves.

So of course I am on it.

I have been asked one or two questions that brought about some honest thinking, though. And every now and then questions have led me to say some things I'd like to remember in those times when I feel like I have failed at life....


"Pretend.
Pretend until it's real."
- 19/2/2010

Remind me of this approach to life because in my better moments, I totally believe it. 

Fashion Week Friday

I am home from the fashion show, and I have kicked off my incredibly high heels. A cuppa tea, some food to balance out all the wine I had.....It was a good night.

The catwalk shows were held in a subterranean bar that used to be a bath house. The walls had skeletal wallpaper, the corners were draped in red velvet, and the place was lit by candles in golden candelabras. FAB. U. LOUS!

The clothes were by designer James Hock, and some of the key pieces were really fun. (Sadly, I didn't get great photos)

The catwalk was preceded by a showing of the short shoe-film I helped make, and it was the first time I saw it put together. It was beautiful. I was proud to be involved. I met some cool people, made a new contact or two, and began discussing the next collection with the designer. Turns out he wants to start working on his next collection in a week or two and wants me involved from the very beginning!!! This means I'm going to learn some 3d work in Rhino, some mould-making techniques, some design, and then probably how to deal with getting prototypes made. This is EPIC! I can't wait!

What I wore to fashion week: Fluevog boots, Betsey Johnson dress, vintage fur jacket, and a fur hat given to me the day before by my favourite redhead. I went for that 6'5" Russian spy girl look...

Oh! I also realize I have never mentioned who it is I'm working with. His name is Eelko Moorer and the girl who made the stop-motion film of Eelko's work is Catherine Anyango who unfortunately doesn't seem to have a proper site up yet. Her work is incredible, and when I can get a copy of the film, I will post it here for all to see. For the record, they are both incredibly cool people and great to work with. I can't wait to start a new project!

Let There Be Lights!

Look what just arrived!  It's thicker than I thought it would be. YEAY!

Mini-Internship, Semi-Go!

I know I know!

So it turns out that despite planning to scrap the film idea, they found a way to salvage the project and it looks like it's a go! So I was in the studio helping with some last minute things for a couple hours today.

Looks like I'll be at Fashion Week on Friday, after all.

Oh god. What am I going to wear?!

Good Night

Good night!

This has been a public service announcement from Dr Seuss Wine Glasses and IKEA lighting.

Shoe Box Shelving

I bought a desk when I moved into this flat, but it hasn't gone to much use. I spent most of the summer being too mopey to do art. But I'm back in the game and it is now time to start making it into a useful space where I can focus on my work.

There is very little storage in this room and so I struggle with cleaning up clutter. But I came up with a rather appropriate solution to my problem- shoebox shelving! I grabbed some boxes from work that were going to be thrown out and clipped them together to make some mini shelves for random stuff, and books, etc. Elegant? No. Useful and funny for the time being? Yes.

(Also note the roses that appeared at my job on Sunday.... *kisses to boyfriend)

Mini-Internship, No-Go. Real Internship, GO!

It is disappointing, but due to some problems with the footage, it looks like the film we were working on isn't going to be complete in time for London Fashion Week. The designer called me today and I could hear how depressed he was, even though he was trying to be positive about it- "I'd rather release my line later and be proud of the product than release something shitty and start off on the wrong foot," he said. I agree with him, but I'm very sorry he won't be putting his work out there this season.

But it looks like my eagerness to work with him has paid off in the long run. After he explained the film situation, he followed up by asking if I would come back to work with him on making and designing actual shoes in a few weeks! Looks like we'll be working on mould-making for unique heel shapes, production techniques, actual making/sewing/etc, pattern cutting.....  His work is amazing, so I know I will learn a lot!

It seems that I have gone from a mini-internship to a proper internship in a matter of days. I'm thrilled!

My First Girly Brogues

I brought these beauties home with me from work today. They are H by Hudson -which isn't the most well-made brand in the world, but I do think they are designing with me in mind almost all the time.

Not only do I LOVE them, but I don't have anything like these in my closet. I'm trying to expand my style into the tights-with-old-man-tweed-shoes look, even though I think my leg shape might be a bit too thick for it.... (photos to come, and I want honest opinions!)

I was just so thrilled at how comfy they were. Also, I LOVE herringbone tweeds. And yellow leather. So, what's not to love?

Fancy Meeting Those Here...

I am laying in bed sifting through design books on amazon.co.uk and drooling unintentionally. I'm supposed to be sleeping. Suddenly I come across this book cover and think to myself, "those look familiar!" These stilt shoes (seen on the catwalk a few years back) were designed and made by the footwear designer I'm currently interning with:

Small world.

Inspiration

Inspiration is a funny thing. Of all the things that could possibly inspire me to design, it seems my fail safe starting point is.... table lamps. No, I'm completely serious- vintage table lamps, and the evolution of their design.

My next fail safe? Chairs. I love chairs.

(And if nothing else pops into my head I look at branches, skeletal shapes, voluptuous curves, and sometimes vintage pulp illustration.)

For this reason, these two Taschen books are at the top of my wishlist:

I hope these find their way onto my slowly evolving design-desk-setup-area-thing very soon.