join the dots.

things got a bit busy the past week or so. i've been doing some freelance work for a label, designing their Summer 2010 range in fact. it was a good insight into how 'designing' was like in the industry. i have my last day tomorrow, then after that back to the drawing board with Maiden. hope you all have had a great Christmas break! 2010 is just around the corner, so I guess i'll be seeing you all then... x 

project 101.

 

my major brand proposal assignment, the last one i'll ever have to do for TAFE. results were in last week and i got just over 90%, yay me! 30+ pages of funfilled creatives and design by yours truly, maiden.

made in China.

it has been brought to my attention (by a creative source from France) that China is capable of producing something alot more than cheap mass produced garments. enter: Exception de Mixmind | the most successful contemporary designer brand from China. it's fashion, it's art, it's a lifestyle.  

it's the epitome of Asian style and design. oversized silhouettes, distinct styling, earthy colour palettes and beautiful textures, all the elements required in making a premium label.  

hurt me, hurt me good.

this makes top of my wish list for 2009. the bandage wrist bracelet - so clever! i'm also digging the buckled ring. this find has made my day! now check the rest of the collection out here.

Rutt does Kirrily Johnston.

is there an Australian designer Rachel Rutt hasn't worked for? her Eurasian look just goes with so many different styles, the best would have to be her collaboration with Akira though. she is now apparently in NY trying to break into the US market, i believe she'll make quite a stir. here is my wishlist from the Kirrily Johnston Resort 09/10 collection. oh and for the men, the range is to die for! i just recently (like yesterday) applied for a design assistant job at Kirrily's, wishful thinking i know, but wouldn't it be grand to work for my favourite Australian designer. now let's all use our magical powers to make it happen...

H is for hab-i-la-to-ry.

H.
caped white singlet.
unisex | size medium

G is for gam-ine.

G.
contrast detail navy dress. $55
girls | size small.

hooray for TAFE.

i am nearing the end of my studies here at the Fashion Design Studio. we have our major brand proposal due tomorrow, which we have to present in front of a panel of teachers. i'll let you know how it goes at the end of the day.

right now i want to acknowledge TAFE and mention some names...
if you didn't already know, the Fashion Design Studio has given birth to some of Australia's most talented and exciting designers such as Akira, Alex Perry, Romance Was Born and Dion Lee. unfortunately i have decided not to continue onto diploma next year, but i hope to see my fellow classmates on the runway someday (especially my kiddies Dom & Annelise). i have had the coolest bunch of teachers, they have each passed on to us some wise words about the industry and plenty of contacts. most of them have actually had their own label back in the day, but have now moved onto other things in the industry.

Fifi, my illustration teacher is the illustrator at Collette Dinnigan
Haitham Almaan, my photography teacher who also studied at TAFE way back, began as a model, had his own label and now photographs beautiful people.
and then there's Andrea Cainero who we've had for a few subjects, also had her own label after graduating as one of the top talents at TAFE, and now is the stylist for Empire of the Sun.

people often underestimate the education at TAFE, but the Fashion Design Studio is very highly recognised in the industry. so to all of you wanting to study fashion, TAFE is the way to go! almost every fashion house i've done work experience for has had a design assistant who graduated from TAFE. and if i didn't decide to study fashion this year, i would never have had the chance to do work placement for Zambelli, Carla Zampatti, Minty Meets Munt and Collette Dinnigan. hmm i've met two top Australian designers, how cool is that!

now wish me luck for tomorrow....

the life & death of a model.

R.I.P Daul Kim.

F is for friv-o-lous.

F.
scoop navy tunic dress. $55
girls | size medium.

E is for en-dear.

E.
cropped marle tee with mini skirt. $50
girls | size small.
[also available in xs]

D is for dis-par-i-ty.

D.

contrast sleeve marle tee. $40
boys | size small.

C is for con-form-i-ty.

C.
grey neck tee with tassle necklace.
boys | size small.

B is for bon-a-fide.

B.
cropped navy tee.
girls | one size.
[metal/leather label stitched on c.b neck]

A is for af-flu-ence.

A.
oversized white tee.
one size | unisex.
[available in marle grey]

the beginning.

and the story goes...

Maiden's Barbie & Ken.

introducing our new edition to the Maiden crew... Serene Grace, 19 and Marc 'Ghelo' Angelo, 20 are the two names added to the exclusive gang of Maidenettes. our first boy to the team, marks our transition into 'unisex' wear. so stay tuned for the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS collection coming very soon. custom/deconstructed tees, dresses and bottoms - staple pieces for this summer waiting to hop into your wardrobes...

"summer breeze...

...makes me feel fine."
so a bit of an update on everything. Alexis and i did not make it into the FK summer markets this time round =( so now i don't know what to do with all the stuff i made. but i'll figure something out. the photoshoot on Tuesday went well, i'm processing the pictures at the moment so it may take some time. meanwhile, we were featured on TAILORED SOCIETY a few days ago! and some people commented YAY! check, check, check it out...

the prep up.

thanks to all the people who showed their interest in helping out with the shoot this coming Tuesday, the response was quite overwhelming actually! i have picked out my crew for the day based on experience and time flexibility, and obviously looks (for the models). but will keep the others in mind for any future shoots or shows.

here are some pics that make up my storyboard and a snapshot of my two talents (haha i yoinked it from their FB profile).

how cool is Erin Wasson?...

... too cool! check out her crib (photos from theselby). note to self: google - how to be cool!

model shopping.

hey all! so i have an upcoming photoshoot for my major photography assignment which i'm also using for my Summer 09 look book. i'm in search of a boy who has this kind of look. with a little more stubble maybe? hopefully my teacher can get me Mariana for this shoot, if not, please nominate potential girls also. they don't have to be models, i like the natural awkward look. they have to be Sydney based and preferably a size xs-s. also any volunteers to help out on the day (Tuesday 27 Oct), please feel free to email me. this will be an unpaid job, but good for portfolio or resume references. this is how i started off, putting my hand up for styling and wardrobe jobs. look forward to hearing from you.

xx

the ebony collection.

studying fashion at TAFE has been a big eye opener, it has expanded my knowledge of the industry and definitely pushed my creative boundaries to a certain extent. i am so close to completing the course, yet i feel so far from where i need to be - career wise. i still don't know what i'm going to do next year, try looking for full time work in the industry or go ahead with establishing the label. what to do, what to do?!

this was my last assignment for fabrics class. i was quite happy with the 'back to black' design brief and more pleased with the end result. it was more a study on different textures and embellishments using one base colour - black (which is not a colour!). this assignment was again presented in a hard cover book, my teacher thinks i'll go into publishing, which is not a bad idea! i do love books - not reading so much, just the layout and textures of paper. which reminds me, i found an affordable book binder yesterday during my quest to find twin needles. anyway, back to my point which was... i think i am definitely growing as a designer. i do hope i make it into the industry, i'd like to do alot of charity work once and if i get established. i think there's more important things to work towards in life, and if i can do that while doing what i love (which is making a mess in the studio), then all is bliss...