CAAD Work

After getting an extension on our CAAD submission date, I should really make use of the time we were given. The fact that I did graphic design before, I should challenge myself. So I created multiple illustration. It took a lot of time tracing the drawings with the pentool. I also made pattern prints to create more visual. I do think my moodboard looks great.

Project Rush

After getting back from Paris, the following week is the deadline. there are so much work to be done especially on my portfolio. I made shorts to accompany the shirt I sewed to complete the outfit. Here are the outcome of my portfolio. Quite rushed, I'm not quite impressed with it. I concentrated too much with my shirt.

More Fabulous Steampunk Shoes

I think I'm obsess! After the previous steampunk styled shoes from my previous shoes, I have been looking for more and I stumbled Jonathan Kelsey's boots. the heels are quite deadly. Another was from Manolo Blanick's collection by Marie Parson. So steampunk!!!

Steampunk shoes by AMQ

Alexander McQueen also incorporated the Steampunk genre design on his shoes, a mechanised heels using brass and rustic colour in 2010. It didn't really took off because it was over-shadowed by the armadillo shoes that dominated the must-have shoes.

Thierry Muglers Iron Casted Suit

I believe there's a hint of steampunk at Thierry Mugler's iron casted suit. Probably because it was a metal brass. It's quite futuristic yet it's quite romantic. It was worn by Beyonce at her 'Sweet Dreams' video, the iconic iron suit.

Fashion Show Groupie

Me and my friend woke up very early and try our luck to get in to at least one fashion show. We started at Chanel situated at Grand Palais where I saw the pregnant Mylene Klass, back of Grace Coddington, glimpse of Bryan Boy and so many editors that I couldn't figure out the name (unforgivable). I'm so envious every time I see a Chanel invite. I'm so tempted to steal it out from them. Some people took photo of me which is very flattering. A lot of people are wearing very interesting clothes. I waited after the show finish in case I see Anna Wintour but sadly I haven't seen any shadow of her.

Then we went off to grab some lunch and waited at a tent in Jardin des Tuileries. It was a nice sunny day and got my tan on. When the show about to start, fashionistas with invites poured. I saw Florence Walsh, Alexa Chung, Natalia Vodianova, Suzy Menkes, Giancarlo Giammetti, Kate Lanphear that I can recognise. And this time, I had a photo with the legendary Grace Coddington. We didn't got in but at least we managed to sneak in to Alexander McQueen fashion show.

Alexander Mcqueen backstage

I posted earlier the video from the show and here is the backstage photos. Not very clear but it's fantastic.

Highlight of my Paris Trip

After being a fashion show groupie at Paris fashion week, everything paid off when I managed to get to Alexander McQueen show. It's the best thing happened in my life. How I got there is a secret but the important thing is, I got in. Me and my friend got shove by Anna Wintour and touch Andre-Leon Talley's cape. I also managed to get backstage and see the work behind the scene. It is so surreal, I'm still pinching myself.

Here is the video from my second row seat.

Steampunk Shirt Fitting

Everything is going well with my steampunk shirt making. There's a speedy progress. I sewed all the parts. I created the collar stand thrice. First - it didn't fit. Second - it wasn't sewed well. Third - edge stitch wasn't sewed well.

I created a separate collar instead of connecting it with the shirt. I doesn't look right from my toile connected so it's best to detach it, same with the neck frill. I will have to change the collarbecause it's too floppy. It needs to be a bit sturdy and shorter.

I also fitted it with my gorgeous peer, Lily. I think it looked great. I can imagine the shirt with hot pants and high boots. It might work.

Piece by Piece

After I found my fabric, I started cutting my fabric. It came together slowly. I am very delighted creating my shirt so I have to come in to college sometimes on my days off. As usual, things doesn't go smoothly. I messed up the pleats on the back of my shirt. One of my tutor noticed that it wasn't cut aligned. It looks so skewed when the pattern on the upper part is straight. There was no spare fabric long enough to cut, so I have to unpick it and iron it well. It's a lot of hardwork and telling off but it looked so much better after that.

Problem number two; there is no long zipper that will fit on the front pleat of the shirt. So I have to use small ones and connect them together. It looks of and it is not obvious from afar. But I really wished I have a longer one, then it could have looked so much better.

Problem number three: cuff is really difficult on how to do it. The design of the cuff is long and slimmed down to the arms. My tutor Dorothy used a different method from the toile. Instead of having slit on the cuff, we closed it instead and it actually fitted when I tried in on a mannequin and on somebody else's arms.

With so much problem with the shirt, I still like how it is coming together. I'm just so thrilled making it.

Illustration by Spiros Halaris

I’m just amazed with his illustration. He’s been working as a freelance and in placement at Alxender McQueen. I’m so jealous.

Fabric Steampunk Shirt

Much excitement for today for I ordered a red velvet for my fabric for my shirt project but I was disappointed to learn that it wasn't available. Excitement vanished, cold air came in. I didn't give up, therefore I went to the college fabric room to look for alternative. And boy I found the best replacement. Red plaid wool and a small toothed patterned fabric. I thought the plaid will be used for the sleeves and the other fabric will be used on the rest. I laid it down the table and it created a nice illusion. Smiles were tattooed on my lips after.

Here's the photo. It's not too great in photo but it looks great when you see it.

Steampunk Shirt Toile

This is the toile for my 'Steampunk' shirt. I'm not really sure about my collar and thinking of creating a separate for it. The pleats will be decorated with gold zippers. I will have to change my size on the waist because it's too big. Also, I will make the sleeves higher on the shoulder.

The hardest part of making this shirt is the sleeves. At first I don't know how to create the structured sleeve. After few tweaks and more paper cutting, I arrived on a pattern that fits the shirt. I am still not sure how the cuff will be connected because the the cuff is long and tight. I'm not sure by making a buttoned cuff is ideal. The neckline is a bit too high so I'll lower it by an inch. Over all, I like the outcome and there are more things to improved before using the right fabric.

Portfolio: Duality of the Swan

I got my results from my previous project brief. It's my very first time creating a proper portfolio and I'm very proud of it. I got fine grade for my research book an portfolio but I excelled well on my development file.

Prague New Year

Prague is such a lovely place with lovely food and lovely people. It's freezing cold but that doesn't matter at all. I went to see Prague Castle, Museum, Orchestra and Charles Bridge. It's just unbelievable.