Yves Saint Laurent

Fashions fade, style is eternal.

Yves Saint Laurent

This quote sums up the essence of what I would like my collection to be, stylish and more than fleeting fashions.

Stephen Bayley

Fashion is the most intense expression of the phenomenon of neomania, which has grown ever since the birth of capitalism. Neomania assumes that purchasing the new is the same as acquiring value. If the purchase of a new garment coincides with the wearing out of an old one, then obviously there is no fashion. If a garment is worn beyond the moment of its natural replacement, there is pauperization. Fashion flourishes on surplus, when someone buys more than he or she needs.

This quote by British Design Critic Stephen Bayley gives a very good insight into what I feel is one of the biggest issues with fashion design today. I would like to see a resurgence in how we value hand made garments especially over fast fashion garments, which are far to disposable but don't actually take thought of disposal into account when being produced.

Voltaire

After writing my own insights throughout this blog I thought it might be an nice change to have some insights from a few different sources.
I came across this quote which I think is very insightful and true by French Historian and Writer Voltaire (1694-1778)

It is fancy rather than taste which produces so many new fashions.

Some very helpful books

Images from http://www.avabooks.ch/index.php/ava/booklist/Fashion_Design

In my research I have come across a great series of books Basics Fashion Design. I first came across them in London where I bought my first one in the Tate Modern bookshop, afterwards discovering the other very useful titles in the series. They have some very interesting and creative insights into different methods of fashion design.

Fashion Illustrator David Downton

Images from http://www.daviddownton.com/fashion.html

David Downton is an English fashion illustrator who beautifully captures runway shows from all around the globe, as well as producing illustrations for advertisements and portraits for a lucky few. His skilled drawings are highlighted with the use of block colour, simple but strong lines and an extordinary detailed use of positive and negative space, especially in his black and white illustrations.

Illustration Styles

Images sourced from http://www.garancedore.fr/en/

I am the first one the admit that drawing isn't one of my strong points, so I find that because I don't have a distinctive drawing style I find the best way for me to begin illustrating is to observe those that are great drawers. Starting with French illustrator Garance Doré who is able to convey so much through a few simple lines....

Inspiration for Fashion Illustrations Part Four

Images from http://www.managementartists.com/#/b/portfolio/0/6/0/

Fashion, theatre and costume all create a dialogue of beautiful garments whatever the theme. In theatre excess is never too much, so then in theatre fashion is able take a stand at the front of the stage. This shoot is by photographer Mark Selgier. Though not overly dramatic the soft feminine edge of this shoot is what appeals to me.

Inspiration for Fashion Illustrations Part Three

Images from http://www.mariotestino.com/page/542

Photos are able to express so much. These photographs by Marion Testino are obviously beautiful but what I love best about them is the way the texture and tone of the garment work in perfect unison with the body under Testino's watchful eye. I love the contrast in the intricate detailing of some of the garments especially when it is juxtaposed over simple underwear and skin. This is probable one of my favourite shoots at the moment.

Inspiration for Fashion Illustrations Part Two

These beautiful feminine photographs are by photographer Camilla Akrans. Enjoy!

Inspiration for Fashion Illustrations

Images from http://www.demarchelier.net/fashion/bv0504_whitewash/f_wwstrip.html

Illustrating designs is one of the most important means of conveying the mood and feeling of a collection. I have begun to source some images that I feel illustrate the mood I am trying to convey in my collection. So here are some.... from Patrick Demarchelier for a British Vogue 04.

Mittelmoda - The Fashion Award

Mittelmoda is an international competition based out of Italy which has numerous cash prizes (in Euro!!) in a number of categories. Although there are no industry mentors as part of the prizes for this competition the cash prizes would be a great way to get some start-up money for a label.