FINAL SHOW

 I had the opportunity to be a dresser at the show. I learned how to handle tasks in an extremely hectic and busy envoriment of backstage. I sat in the fittings and learned how important it is to design practical garments which would be easy to put on and take off in a matter of seconds. I've also learned that detail is key when putting a collection together, such as accessories , the order of the look etc.

It was an amazing experience working backstage.

3rd Year Internship

18/04/16 - 22/04/16

At the start of the week I helped out another 3rd year with her collection by sewing up a few pattern pieces made out of tulle. I had to sew the pattern pieces together to create a long panel which was then to be gathered.

The next day I had to run into town to run some errands and pick up some fabrics and accessories. Sorcha given me a list of fabrics with samples to pick up from Sherperds Bush. I also had to run around Soho to pick up some threads and beads from John lewis, some hangers and garment bags from Morplan and other bits of accessories such as underwear to go with her garments. 

The most enojoyable thing I done this week was using the princess pleater to gather strips of tulle that I had previously spray painted. I also gathered strips of silk.

I had to make little beads with pearls and wire. 

I then sewn on the little beads and glued on flowers to heart panels on skirt. 

The rest of the week consisted of organising everything ready for the show.

3rd Year Internship

After being partnered up with my 3rd year student, Sorcha, I met up with her and she showed me mood boards and drawings of her collections.

On 24/04/16 I came in the studio for a couple of hours to help Sorcha with her patterns for her toilles. I traced out drafts of her patterns adding seam allowances and cut them out. I also cut out pattern pieces for a Bra-let top she was toiling out of calico.


11/04/16 - 15/04/16

This week I have been helping my 3rd year out with organising her patterns and tracing off her original drafts into final ones and adding seam allowances.

I also traced out lines on her fabric with  a tracing wheel so that it can be quilted. 

I have been cutting out all her pattern pieces out of various fabrics such as lining material and latex. I have learned to cut out pattern pieces more precisely by using a tracing wheel.  I have also learned techniques on how to pattern cut more precisely. 

I have also ran errands such as running into town for fabrics and samples. 

zine photoshoot moodboards

Inspired by ...Emilio Pucci

Emilio Pucci was most known for his textile reinvention and beautiful prints in the sixties and seventies. In 1949, Pucci opened his first shop in Capri, and by 1950 he had created his first couture line of clothing and presented it in France. While others were making stuffy suits out of cumbersome fabrics, Pucci was using bold colors and prints on lightweight materials. The House of Pucci was born, and the public adored him. During the 1960s Pucci prints were worn by fashionable women throughout the world; his designs enjoyed a revival in the late 1980s and early ’90s. Pucci received many awards for his designs, including the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award (1954) and the Harper’s Bazaar Medallion.

By the 60s, he became more popular when the iconic Marilyn Monroe became his fan. George Barris photographed her in a variety of items made by Pucci. In fact, she was buried wearing one of his outfits. As the time progressed, his designs were worn by people like Jackie Kennedy, Madonna and Sophia Loren.

The hippie era was all about change and strong political movements

In the late 1960's, Pucci was elected to the Italian Parliament. He was a respected and well-known fascist, having penned many pieces on his political views. 

Pucci sold an astonishing array of casual wear, from the new Capri pants to silk dresses, scarves, jumpsuits, and pajamas. His bold use of prints, which featured colors that clashed, made his creations stand out from the other designers of his time. His prints strongly reflects the popular psychedelic art of the hippie era.

The garments he burst with colors and the prints had such amazing detail. Hippes travelled to the far east and were very inspired by the culture and religion. Pucci’s print vibrantly displays inspiration from the far east. The silloutte of his garments were floaty which reflects the ‘free spirit’ attitudes of hippies. 

After Emilio's death in 1992 his daughter, Laudomia Pucci, continued to design under the Pucci name. Pucci’s current collection still has his signature vibrant prints.

Inspired by Andy Warhol

Ten Foot Flowers 1967

Race Riot 1964

Ambulance Disaster 1963

Andy Warhol is a influential artists who’s work became popular in the 60’s. He was a leading figure in the art movement known as pop art. His works explore the relationship between artistic expression, celebrity culture, and advertisement that flourished by the 1960s. His work consists of screen printed illustrations of popular commercial items and celebrities. His work created controversy as his paintings sold for millions yet the item he was painting sold for $6 or less. People began to question the meaning behind his art. He explains that the serial repetition of an image drained it of its meaning. His series of graphic art work reflects the tragedy of the war and corruption that was occurring in the 60’s. His repetitive art is a way of stripping away the violence that is constantly advertised in that era. 

The first image I found interesting is Warhol’s painting of ten foot flowers, which is part of his flowers series. He started painting the flowers series in 1967. The painting soon became a phenomenon trade mark of the era. It was very popular for psychedelic décor. The vibrant contrasting colours he uses reflects the vibrant spirit of hippy culture. 

The flowers symbolises peace in which the hippie movement promotes.

The hippie era was all about making change, the young generation learned to create statement and stand up against corruption and violence. Warhol’s screen print “Race Riot” demonstrated the powerful movement of the hippies. The art piece displays the protest for civil rights in Alabama 1963. Both black and white citizens marched peacefully yet they were provoked and attacked by the police. He used the colours red, blue and white which represents America’s democracy. This sarcastic approach mocks the government and how ironic it is for them to promote democracy yet there is still racial issues. 

Warhol’s “Ambulance Disaster” is part of his “Death” series. By repeating images of death and disaster, it takes away the affect of it on a person. The hippie era was a time when a lot of deaths occurred due to war and violence. Warhol’s paintings shows that death is a natural thing and the fact that it happens everyday, specially in a time of war, makes it less significant. 

Andy Warhol was an extrodinary artist who created bold statements, through his art, which caused controversy in society. His art work had an anti-culture element which portrays the angst of the hippy movement. 

Inspired By.... Rick Griffin

Flying Eyeball Poster | 1968

Greatful Dead | Aoxomoxoa 1969

The Who concert poster | 1969

Rick Alden Griffin is an American artist who is most know for his psychedelic art in 1960’s. His work greatly reflects the hippie era as his art is inspired by psychedelic experiences and hallucinations known to follow the ingestion of psychoactive drugs such as LSD and psilocybin. The word "psychedelic" means "mind manifesting.” Psychedelic visual arts were a counterpart to psychedelic rock music, which was hugely popular with the hippies. His artwork consists of posters for concerts, album work and comics. Along with artists such as Alton Kelley and Wes Wilson, Rick became known as one of the "Big Five" of psychedelia. In 1967 they founded the Berkeley-Bonaparte distribution agency to produce and sell psychedelic poster art.

As a contributor to the underground comix movement, his work appeared regularly in Zap Comix. Underground comix often featured covers intended to appeal to the drug culture, and imitated LSD-inspired posters to increase sales. 

Rick Griffin produced his epic poster, 'The Flying Eyeball', in a burst of inspiration. The image has become the most recognisable image of the psychedelic 60s, being to Psychedelic Art. The Winged Eye symbol has its origins in antiquity, appearing in the art of the Egyptians and Assyrians. Rick was also inspired the esoteric traditions and origins of the Eye In The Sky, aka The Sun Disc or God's Eye, the all-seeing eye that burns through the clouds of Illusion. As a visual pun it also represents the self (the 'I'), as well as the personal power that comes with spiritual awareness. With added wings, it evokes the effect that LSD had on the visual field, part of the expanded state of consciousness that many were experiencing at that time. This reflects the spiritual thinking and lifestyle of the hippies. Jimi Hendrix was the supreme icon of psychedelic rock, Rick was commissioned to design this poster but it was a tall order to visually 'jam' with the Experience. At that time the posters were not just advertisements to sell tickets, they were considered a platform for expression as well.

Rick collaborated with many famous bands and artist of the hippie era. One of his most famous album cover was for the album Aoxomoxoa by Grateful Dead. The images he illustrates truly reflects what psychedelic rock is about. 

Rick also created posters to promote festivals, events and concerts. He produced many amazing posters for hugely famous bands such as The Who. His legendary artwork was a big contribution to the music industry.