Pins and Needles Fashion Show x

This month I organised the graduate fashion show for the University of Portsmouth at the Kings Theatre in Portsmouth. There were 18 designers showcasing their work, I had 3 very beautiful models wearing my collection; Emily Tudor in my ruffle dress, Veronika Ashlee Jones in my long silk dress and Siobhan Esme Devine in my two piece jacket and skirt suit x

Little Black Dress Competition x

I entered my black ruffle dress from my final collection into the 'Little Black Dress' competition at the Kings Theatre in Portsmouth. The competition was to celebrate the little black dress and Breakfast at Tiffany's film. My dress was shortlisted to appear on the catwalk and was chosen as the winning entry! The prize was to have my dress showcased in the exhibition at the Portsmouth City Museum . You might also notice, my model is the beautiful Steph Wilson who was the redhead from my teddy bear photoshoot in a previous post x

Cold Heart Black x

I also produced my final collection in a black colourway, to create a completely opposite look x

Cold Heart x

Since my last project I have completed my final major collection 'Cold Heart'.

Cold Heart is a collection inspired by nature and the ever changing landscape and temporal conditions; the ability of snow to transform objects and make beautiful the everyday. This theme influenced fabric choices and helped me to establish an understated tonal colour palate. I explored natural forms through photography, both in the countryside and museums, and translated this imagery into shapes that inspired my silhouettes.

Designed for occasional wear, the garments include heavily embellished beading and unconventional shapes supported with fishing line. I explored the cuts within the collection through extensive toiling to create asymmetry, spiral seaming and a detachable collar.

Kirsty Mitchell Photography

My last post included a photogrpah of a winter shoot, which I have now found out is by photographer Kirsty Mitchell. I've just checked out her website and its amazing, her images are very whimsical and magical, the last image and this one are both from a collection that's actaully called wonderland. I will definitely use some of her work as inspiration for my final major collection x

Winter Wonderland

I spent my christmas and new year in Southern Ireland, Leitrim. The countryside, coast and mountains are beautiful there and it was a stunning winter wonderland with deep snow and -15 weather conditions! This inspired me for my final major project; the colours, patterns and shapes of the snow and ice will be an excellent source of inspiration. I also found this photograph that sums up the mood of my initial ideas, I would love to do a photoshoot like this at the end of my project x 

My Misha x

Here are a few pics of a beautiful photo shoot from April 2010. As part of an Enterprise unit, I was managing director and seamstress of a small company that produced personalised handmade teddy bears. The company was called 'My Misha'; the translation for teddy bear in Russia is Misha, and each individual bear is a Misha bear personalised with its own story!

I want to thank Steph Wilson and Debbie Dodd with her beautiful daughter Georgia Rose, who modelled for us. (I think red heads are becoming a common theme in my photoshoots!)

Shoot with Sophie Anderton

In November last year I was lucky enough to have one of my coats featured in a photoshoot with Sophie Anderton. The shots were taken at ASOS.com by photographer Jen Salt for Sophie Anterton's own portfolio. x

Design Boards

Here are some examples of my design boards for this collection x