Never-ending Stories

I have consolidated my feelings about what the upcoming 'Never-ending Stories' collection is about and collaged it onto a scrumscious board.

Magical carousel, rediscovery, romance and whimsy.

 

 

Ryan Lo

Ryan Lo is an upcoming fashion designer whose collections are all inspired by fun and love, as well as a girlish notion of femininity.  He describes his signature as the pink frock...pink is such a happy colour just looking at his pieces makes me giddy!

Animal Madness

 

 

There seems to have been a strong theme of the animal world emerging within haute couture, Paris S/S 2014. Above Jean-Paul Gaultier uses the butterfly as a theme quite literally. Highly embellished symmetry.

 

 

 

At the Valentino show animals were also key. Basic tribal-esque, appliqued shapes and animal forms such as swans and snakes wrapping around tutu like gowns.

Erdem quilted gown

 

 

 

 

Printed, quilted and embellished dress by Erdem (2008). Opulent gem colours smattered with areas of embroidered texture and quilting continue to draw the eye in after the first glance. Stunning.

Marit Fujiwara

 

http://maritfujiwara.com/

Marit graduated from University of London after studying Textile Design and her passion is constructing textiles. Inspired by accidental sculptures such as water-soaked books on pavements and decaying debris, Marit uses fabrics to replicate these shapes often creating new techniques as well as modernising old processes. The results of these processes are stunningly wearable pieces of art.

Cindy Beadman...Palace beyond the Clouds

I remember seeing this dress by Cindy Beadman back in the first year of my degree at the V&A. I was mesmerised by the use of quilting to create a sculptural feel and full silhouettes within a garment.  I also love the fondant colours and the general escapism of the dress.

Now I am very much into quilting within my work, I find it interesting to work backwards and see where my inspirations have come from. This dress dates from the 1970's and Cindy no longer works within fashion none the less it is still a very inspiring piece.


'Palace beyond the clouds' 1970's ball gown quilted dress ball gowns British Glamour since 1950 photo by David Hughes.