Design Development Update and My love for Intense Pattern

My designs for my 'Global Collective' module have made a transition from being inspired by traditional African textiles, to now being heavily influenced by the more intricate detailed patterns found on high market contemporary womenswear fashion garments. I am naturally drawn to detailed patterns, and feel that this is the way forward for me. Despite needing to stick to tight deadlines, I am going to pursue my desire to produce designs of this nature, as I have alot of exciting design ideas and I don't want to limit my potential.

I look to high profile designers for inspiration for my own designs. Many of my favourite designers have prints which are truly stunning and the colour palettes are to die for. The placements, the symmetry, the paisley motif, the cut of the garments - I love it all. I admire designers who find a signature style and evolve it each season. This is something which I aspire to achieve with my own print collections. Notes of reference, amongst many others, include: Emilio Pucci, Carven, Matthew Williamson, Holly Fulton.

Etro - Fall 12


Emilio Pucci - Spring 12


Carven - Spring 12


Matthew Williamson - Fall 11


Holly Fulton - Spring 11



Phillippa x

Preparing for PrintSource New York

'NEWS'- in April I will be attending the international trade show - PrintSource NY. I shall be exhibiting various collections of my design work, including: fashion, interiors and gift, but in addition I will be working on a trade stand. This work placement opportunity will provide me with valuable experience in terms of talking to clients, arranging meetings with studios and designers and selling work.

I have notably attended and exhibited at Indigo trade show in Paris on two occasions, but PrintSource will enable me to experience a trade show in a more professional way. I am looking forward to observing the American design market, as I have expressed a strong interest in interning and working in North America in future. I will also be able to liaise with studios when I hand out my CV's and press packs, in order to gain valuable industry contacts. I have never been to New York before, so this in itself is exciting and I plan of making the most of the trip by researching for future design projects by visiting museums and galleries as well as viewing the architecture and design shops.


I have also just purchased the book: 'The Stylists Guide To NYC' by Sibella Court. This is the 3rd Sibella Court book in my collection, having previously purchased: Etcetera and Nomad. All her books are divine and I can't wait to wander around New York finding the fabulous design shops that she recommends.


I will update you when I find out the details of my trade stand number.
Phillippa x

Matthew Williamson for Sport Relief

Matthew Williamson has collaborated with Sport Relief and produced a limited edition canvas shopper, to raise money for this years charity appeal. The design comes in 3 colour ways and was launched in Sainbury's supermarkets nationwide on February the 15th. The bag is priced at only £5, with £1.50 going to charity.


Over the past few years, canvas shopping bags have become a huge alternative to the humble plastic carrier bag, as stores try to encourage shoppers to re-use bags in a bid to be more eco-friendly. Matthew Williamson is one of the most successful British designers of the past 10 years and so this collaboration is a real treat for anyone with a passion for great design, print and colour.

Matthew Williamson remains one of my favourite fashion designers and so of course I had to purchase one of these stylish bags. This bag with be great for carrying my art supplies in or transporting my design books to and from art college.

Phillippa x

Paris - Premiere Vision/Indigo Trade Show

Yesterday I returned home from a 3 day trip to Paris. As mentioned in an earlier blog post, the main purpose of this visit was to network at Indigo and hand out my press packs. I made valuable contacts with professionals who work at design studios, both in the UK and oversees and I collected a number of business cards.


Aside from the trade show, I did manage to have a day to myself on Tuesday, which I spent exploring the city. I was in Paris this time last year, so many of the sights were familiar to me and I felt confident navigating my way around the city on my own. Using the Pompidou Centre as my starting point, I visited some great nearby vintage shops, then I ventured on to find 'Mokuba'. As mentioned in my last post, this haberdashery has a superb reputation and is used by famed fashion designers. The ribbons were stunning and the selection was overwhelming. The shop looks very exclusive so I couldn't help treating myself to some of their luxury ribbons, which cost around 20 euro's. This shop is a must see for any textile designer, with a love of colour and embroidery. It can be found at - 18 Rue MontMartre
Mokuba




I also picked up copies of French Vogue and Jalouse, the later of which has 2 great editorials with Brit models of the moment - Cara Delevingne and Edie Campbell


After Mokuba, I set off walking - my route took me along the river, past the Lourve, Musee D'orsay, The Champ Elysees and the Eiffel Tower. Before I knew it I had been walking for 7 hours. I always find walking the best way to explore a city as you never know what you may see.

Locks on the Pont des Arts bridge



Louis Vuitton on the Champ Elysees - window displays featuring the carousel horses from the Spring 12 runway show



Yves Saint Laurent office


Other

Phillippa x

Press Packs Ready for Indigo, Paris

Tomorrow I am going to Paris for Indigo trade show, a division of Premiere Vision. This is my 2nd time attending the show and exhibiting my fashion prints. This year my 'Acid Tropics' collection from my minor project will be on show, as will my 'Africa' print collection that I designed in April last year. I am also their to network and gain valuable contacts within industry.

I have designed and made press packs, for which I have attached images of my work and my CV. I will hand these out to exhibiting studio's, with the aim being to gain internships by doing so.




On Tuesday I will travel into Paris, where I plan to visit the Pompidou centre and then pay a visit to the nearby vintage shops, aswell as picking up the latest copies of French Vogue and Elle magazine for fashion inspiration. I've also heard great things about a haberdashery called Mokuba, which I hope to find if I have time. This international haberdashery also has a store in New York and stocks 50,000 ribbons and trimmings, which high profile designers frequently use in their collections.
Phillippa x

PhillippaLovesDesign.tumblr

I love tumblr. Fact. I've had my tumblr account up an running for about 8 months now and I use it as a form of visual moodboard. I am an avid blogger and I keep my account up to date with; catwalk images straight off the press, editorials, prints, street style, couture embroidery, interior design, furnishing fabrics, wallpapers, designer maker products, textiles, colour inspiration, trends, fine art, architecture, landscape/ nature pictures. I also upload my own images of museum and gallery exhibitions I have visited. I find it a great resource for sourcing images from all over the globe - you can find fashion editorials from Japan, for example, which you wouldn't of course get to see in fashion journals at home. As you can see from the screen shots below, my love of design does not just stop with my specialism in print for fashion. I genuinely love several art and design disciplines and I draw inspirations from all of these areas to help me produce my striking, contemporary fashion print collections.


Textiles


Interior Styling and Interior Products


Fashion Editorials


Catwalk/Backstage/Fashion Events


Street Style


Various Other



Phillippa x

New 'Global Collective' Drawings

I'm about to start developing my drawings into print designs, so I thought I would just post a few pictures of some new drawings I've been working on recently which will be incorporated into my layouts.








Phillippa x