Latest Project: Slow Fashion

I haven't written in a while due to the millions of final deadlines and the stressful exam period, however I have decided to spend tonight relaxing, and updating you on my current process as a Fashion Student at the University of Leeds.

For my final, second year, project we were given the brief to design/ create a sustainable, slow fashion, collection, aimed to address fashions future. After a lot of research and consideration I decided to create a design concept mixing minimalistic, multifunction, and zerowaste principles.

Minimalism has been targeted as a source of design inspiration numerous times before and therefore, I have decided to address it in a different way. I decided to use the minimalist work or Sol LeWitt to gaining unique simplistic and timeless designs. By using LeWitt's linear principles, angular, simple, but carefully considered capsule garments were created, a collection also addressing the current unsustainable fast fashion, materialistic, consumer attitude.

Below are images of my final boards and a selection of design development pages... let me know what you think!

FOH Apparel: New Job!!

I was recently approached by FOH Apparel on my fashion instagram (@fashionlipscomb) and asked to collaborate within their brand. 

I am more then happy to report that I have agreed to the collaboration and start work in June. I will be customising and constructing garments for their S/S 13 collection and I literally can't wait to start!!! 

Please visit their website to see the sort of items I will be creating and to see their great current ranges! all garments are customised by hand including screen printing, tie dying, and fabric decoration.  

Zoe xxx

Final Sunflower, Modularity, Pattern Product: Design Theory

So last week I posted two blogs about my current Design Theory 2 project where I had to create 12 modularity patterns for a purpose of my choice. 

Today I have finalised the project and an example of my final product has been made, an  Iphone 5 cover. 

and there are the final results ....

My final layout 

Close up of my final product 

So what do you think? any comments more than welcome! 

Thanks for reading

Zoe xxx

Student Lock In- Trinity Leeds

So last  night was the Trinity Leeds student lock in, involving many of its stores offering an impressive 20% of everything. It was a great night off from work and also an opportunity to treat myself to something more expensive and special.. well that was my excuse anyway! 

Its just a quick post today to share my purchases, along with promoting student lock ins! 

If you are ever given the opportunity to attend a lock in I would highly recommend you go. It really is a great night to grab a bargain and socialise with friends. But just please get there early as they get every busy and the best bits sell out fast! 

1. My Topshop, Navy Velvet, Chelsea Boots:  Originally priced at £85 I would never have had the money to buy them, however I have had my eye on them for months! Last night must have been my night as I found them, in my size, in the sale. Final cost: £32!!!
2. My Topshop, Gladiator, Shoe/Sandals: Originally priced at £65 again they were far from my price range for summer sandals but I found them at the perfect time. This week the sun has been shining and I knew it was time for summer clothes shopping. I am happy I got these for £24!! 

That is £150 worth of quality Topshop shoes for an amazing £56! Ohh I love being a student!

So do you think I got a bargain?

Zoe xxx

My Second Set of Sunflower Pattern Designs: Examples of Modularity

Following on from my last post I have now finished the second set of Modularity pattern for my university, Design Theory module. For the following 6 pattern designs I used the same mood board as before. 

Final mood board 

This time however to create my last 6 patterns I divided an equilateral triangle into several unique shapes inspired from my final mood board

Final triangle 

Using the shapes, created by dividing up the equilateral triangle, I created 6 unique patterns keeping the following rules in mind. 

1. You can use as many copies of each shape as desired
2. All the shapes do not need to be present within every pattern
3. The shapes can be re-sized if desired
4. No gaps or overlapping of the shapes must occur
5. Every pattern must be unique 

This method of pattern creation is called modularity, a concept of dividing the design process into more manageable stages. 

Again, like mentioned in my last post, if you are wanting to know more about modularity, and how to design your own modularity pattern, please refer to Professor Hann's Structure and Form in Design book. Buy it on Amazon here

 Below are my last 6 patterns and I have to admit I am again more than happy with the outcomes

Pattern 7

Pattern 8

Pattern 9

Pattern 10

Pattern 11

Pattern 12

So there we have it, all 12 of my final modularity patterns completed and shared.

Let me know what you think! and try it out yourself, it is actually quite relaxing once you get the hang of it!!

Zoe xxx

My First Set of Sunflower Pattern Designs: Examples of Modularity

To achieve 20 of my 120 necessary university credits I partake in the module Design Theory 2. For the second assessment within the module we were asked to design 12 patterns inspired from a mood of our choosing. 

I decided to use sunflowers as my inspiration as they remind me of summer, something I want to be reminded of at the moment, as well as include bright colours and smooth curved shapes. 

My final mood board and colour scheme inspired by sunflowers 

To create the first 6 patterns I divided a square into several unique shapes inspired from my final mood board

Final Square cut up into 6 unique shapes, each coloured using my final colour scheme

Using the shapes, created by dividing up the square, I created 6 unique patterns keeping the following rules in mind. 

1. You can use as many copies of each shape as desired
2. All the shapes do not need to be present within every pattern
3. The shapes can be re-sized if desired
4. No gaps or overlapping of the shapes must occur
5. Every pattern must be unique 

This method of pattern creation is called modularity, a concept of dividing the design process into more manageable stages. 

If you are wanting to know more about modularity, and how to design your own modularity pattern, please refer to Professor Hann's Structure and Form in Design book. Buy it on Amazon here

 Below are my final 6 patterns and I have to admit I am more than happy with the outcomes

Pattern 1

Pattern 2

Pattern 3

Pattern 4

Pattern 5

Pattern 6

Before designing I had already decided that each pattern would be used for a decorative Iphone cover and below is what my final product would look like 

So what do you think? 

Zoe xxx

Molly Limpet placement dates confirmed!

I am happy to report that I will be starting my Molly Limpets placement on the 30th of September and finish on  the 29th of November. 

Molly Limpets Store Front 

I am sure my 2 months experience there will be very beneficial and enjoyable! 

For more information please read my previous post regarding Molly Limpets here

Zoe xxx

Tribal Instinct 3: First peak at the professional photographs

The wait is over as the Tribal photographs are beginning to be released, so here are the limited few so far!!

Official poster 

Zoe xxx

And the design process begins!

Just a little post to keep you up to date on my latest 'Slow Fashion' project

As my earlier posts about my current design project explain, I am designing a minimalism, capsule collection for the high street brand Reiss. 

The collection aims to combine a multi-functional, timeless and lined aesthetic inspired from the famous minimalist artist Sol LeWitt. The principles of the 'slow fashion' movement will be intertwined into my collection by the use of organic, sustainable fibres, the tran-seasonal aspect of the collection as well as design with last appeal. 

Below are some photographs of my design development up to date

Final Mood board 

Final Customer Board 

Dress design development page 

Shirt design development page 

Shirt design development page 

Skirt design development page 

Shirt design development page

So what do you think? 

Zoe xxx

Gel Nail Review

Two weeks ago today I got gel nails. When deciding whether or not to get them I had doubts about how long they would last, and if they were worth £20, so I decided try them out and write a quick review to make other peoples decisions easier.

When I had my nails done, they were in bad condition and quite short due to my hectic deadline period before. The beautician insisted that gel nails would be perfect as they would strength my nails, allowing them to grow and not break but would they?

I was very happy with the initial look of my nails, they dried quick, looked professional, only took 15 minutes and felt smooth and strong. Therefore it was only time and wear that could change my mind.

My nails after 1 week

After 1 week...

My nails were still as perfect as when they were first done. The colour had not faded, the colour had not chipped and my nails had began to grow. The only difference was that there was a slight gap between my cuticle and the paint but at this stage it was completely unnoticeable and normal.

After 2 weeks...

My nails after 2 weeks 

Again there was still no change in the appearance of my nails. The colour had not faded, the paint still had not chipped and again it was apparent that my nails had grown and now were a nice length which normally would not have been possible as they would break. The gap between the cuticle and the paint had grown and was now becoming more apparent however I do believe my nails do grow fast and this gap would depend on your own personal nail growing speed. The nails however still looked good and to say the colour has lasted for 2 whole week I was more than impressed as normally after just 1 day my nail varnish begins to chip and fade.

Final score: 8/10

I have given gel nails an impressive 8/10. I was impressed with how the colour lasted, how it enabled my nails to grow without breaking and the over all appearance of the nail was good. After 2 and a half weeks however the gel on my thumb nail started to chip away. I do not know if this was because I painted over then, weakening the gel varnish or if it was because my thumbs get more wear. Considering everything, I do believe gel nails are a quick and easy alternative to false nails and would be fantastic for holidays and special occasions. 

So try them out, I recommend it!

Zoe xxx

Yohji Yamamoto Project

I was just updating my online portfolio and came across my year 2, semester 1, Yohji Yamamoto project and have decided to write a blog about it. As the project title suggest it was a collection designed for the Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto, inspired by our own trend created from his ethos.

The trend I and my group came up with was 'Distorted Shadows' an sinister, dark trend inspired by Yamamoto's dark Japanese war background.

Below are pictures of my two final flat drawing and illustration boards. Let me know what you think! 

Zoe xxx