Saturday, September 30, 2006
DOORS - Utsunomiya Fashion Circle
The Utsunomiya Fashion Circle had their "DOORS" fashion event on September 24. I must admit I didn't know too much about this 'fashion circle' till I googled it and translated the website (Thank you google!)
'DOORS' is a an amateur fashion group who get together, design, sew then show their pieces once a year. 'DOORS' is just the name of the group. The group shows their work as individual labels during their fashion show.
The designers work ranges in quality and design. A few of the designers could easily sell their designs. Others needed more time to develop their concepts.
There wasn't so much of a crowd this year. I was suprised. I mean everyone loves a fashion parade don't they?
Regardless, I had a great time taking photos and was happy that I was not the only foreigner there! Last year there was only one (me) This year there were 5. Three in the audience and 2 models.
Here are some of the photos from that night. I will also post some videos up on You tube when I get access to high speed internet!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Fabric Arrival
My organic fabric arrived last week and I am really happy with it. The smell of the fabric is different from conventional fabrics and the feel is different too. It actually feels quite soft for a cotton canvas. I have already finished making one sample and I am happy with the result. However I am yet to get a verbal critiqued from my friends.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Nao's Fashion Tip
If you are going to wear dark clothes, say a pair of chocolate jeans then always compliment it with something bright. Shoes or a shoulder bag are a good example. Two pieces are better though. As you can see I'm wearing a purple T and yellow street shoes and it's rockin.
Do you have a fashion tip that you'd like to share? Then send me an email with your tip and a photo if you like and I'll post it for you.
Do you have a fashion tip that you'd like to share? Then send me an email with your tip and a photo if you like and I'll post it for you.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Saitama outdoor exhibition and the enviroment
Today I went to an outdoor exhibition in Saitama. Which is about 68km away from Tokyo. The exhibition consisted of artists from Japan, Korea, and Australia.
There was one piece that I really liked, which was an over-sized roll of toilet paper made from pre loved clothes. The roll had messages like 'don't waste' in Japanese and questioned 'who can clear the earth?' . But I think the artist meant to say 'who will clean the earth?'
This question really struck me. I have often wondered about this myself, since the leaders of the world don't really seem to be caring too much about that. The reason is they'll be dead by the time we really have to make serious changes to our lifestyles and economy!
So who will clean the earth? Well, gen x and y have already begun in their own way. Some through eco-fashion and eco -design. But it will be the next generation that will have to clean the mess up! They have their work cut out for themselves eh? And it's a pretty bum deal. I mean, I don't like cleaning others peoples mess, so why should they??
So lets start cleaning up the earth now. Buy organic food when possible, buy vintage clothes and clothes made from recycled fabrics when you can too. Turn off those lights when you don't need them. Use public transport when you can. Just think of all those books you can read! And if you have the money (and own a house) get solar panels.
So enough of my rants. I'll get off my soapbox and turn off those lights!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Design Festa
Last week I signed up for a booth for the Design Festa on December 2! I'm very excited about participating again. It's not about how much I sell, but what I learn from the customers and retailers. I'm taking what I learnt from the Design Festa in May 06 and applying it this time round.
I have also ordered the organic fabrics I will be using. I am expecting them in the next couple of days. At first, I was just going to order fabric that I liked (big mistake!). After remembering what was in Kathleen's book I consulted friends (who have taste) about which fabrics they liked, as well as bag design. All of them picked the same fabric, so that's what I ordered.
When the fabric arrives I will make one bag and once again show friends to find out what they think before I begin making samples for the Design Festa. I am also considering of taking the bag around to a few shops in an attempt to get some sales and feedback.
I'll let you know how it goes.
I have also ordered the organic fabrics I will be using. I am expecting them in the next couple of days. At first, I was just going to order fabric that I liked (big mistake!). After remembering what was in Kathleen's book I consulted friends (who have taste) about which fabrics they liked, as well as bag design. All of them picked the same fabric, so that's what I ordered.
When the fabric arrives I will make one bag and once again show friends to find out what they think before I begin making samples for the Design Festa. I am also considering of taking the bag around to a few shops in an attempt to get some sales and feedback.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
NY Fashion Week and Fur
Okay so it's fashion week in NY. It's a great time to see glamour, beautiful people, great clothes and talk about it either online or with friends. I have to say I'm really enjoying the photography and videos that Julie and Phil are putting together for us. It's been great using them on my blog.
However, there is a not so glamourous sector of the fashion industry. And that readers is fur. Yes, that dirty work is back again. Everyone knows that I am not keen on fur. My issues with it is the cruetly that can be involved. Now there are some fur farmers who kill their minks humanely in the US. But sadly there are many other countries with fur farms that do not.
Jay McCarroll from season 1 of Project Runway and the Human Society have produced a film about fur trim. I found a snippet on YouTube, so I deceided to share it with everyone. I thought it would go well with NY Fashion Week.
However, there is a not so glamourous sector of the fashion industry. And that readers is fur. Yes, that dirty work is back again. Everyone knows that I am not keen on fur. My issues with it is the cruetly that can be involved. Now there are some fur farmers who kill their minks humanely in the US. But sadly there are many other countries with fur farms that do not.
Jay McCarroll from season 1 of Project Runway and the Human Society have produced a film about fur trim. I found a snippet on YouTube, so I deceided to share it with everyone. I thought it would go well with NY Fashion Week.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Playing with logos part III
And another but without the 'designs' part. I've been completely happy with 'designs' stuck on the end. Whenever I see it I think of Kathleen's book! These designs may need a bit more work. So if you a graphic designer and would like to help out feel free! In exchange, I will send you a bag free!
Playing with logos part II
Okay here is another logo I have been playing with. It's similar to the other one except I have added a drop shadow effect and changed the positioning of the wording. Let me know what you think.
Inspiration and Dragana Ognjenovic
I often wonder where designers get their inspiration from. Myself? Well, I get mine from Japan. It comes from the streets of Harajuku and the people walking about. The colours and what they wear gets my creative juices flowing. The Japanese countryside is another place for inspiration. The temples, the trees, and the seasons give me ideas. Other times, ideas just pop into my head or come from a dream I had the night before. I store all these ideas and designs I get, away in my head, ready for the future when I begin making clothes.
Recently my inspiration has come from my home country, Australia. The outback, plants, trees and flowers. The natural scenes of Australia combined with organic fabrics will be fused to make bags for the Design Festa on December 3.
Dragana Ognjenovic got her inspiration for her latest spring collection from everyday life, people, friends and the people she meets with. She also finds movies inspire her too. I can relate to how she gets her inspiration and how it could be transformed into wearable clothes. It's also great to be able to hear about where great designers get their inspiration from. When I think of great designers and see their designs, I am often left wondering, 'Where do they get their inspiration fom?' Well, Dragana Ognjenovic's interview has opened that window for me.
Recently my inspiration has come from my home country, Australia. The outback, plants, trees and flowers. The natural scenes of Australia combined with organic fabrics will be fused to make bags for the Design Festa on December 3.
Dragana Ognjenovic got her inspiration for her latest spring collection from everyday life, people, friends and the people she meets with. She also finds movies inspire her too. I can relate to how she gets her inspiration and how it could be transformed into wearable clothes. It's also great to be able to hear about where great designers get their inspiration from. When I think of great designers and see their designs, I am often left wondering, 'Where do they get their inspiration fom?' Well, Dragana Ognjenovic's interview has opened that window for me.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Outside the tents part II
NY Fashion Week outside the tents part I
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Ajay Rocks!
In the last season of Project runway Ajay said he was going to be showing at NY Fashion week.
Project runway has been a great springboard for the designers who won and the designers who came close to winning. In a industry that is fierce, competitive and requires a lot of creativity, project runway is short cut for those with extra special talent.
NY Fashion Week
Playing with logos
Cathy Horyn interview
Julie interviewed Cathy Horyn about the new media. Blogging. Check it out!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
New bag
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Thanks
I just want to say thanks to Carolyn for mentioning me on her blog. For those of you who came late, Carolyn blogs via the Toronto Fashion Incubator. In the past her blog was about starting up her own clothing line and the ups and downs of it all. Sadly her line has folded and her blog has taken a new exciting direction. So hop to it and check out her blog!
NY Fashion Week
Julie and Phil have been busy little bees providing Coutorture fashion bloggers with video coverage and photos for Fashion Week in New York. I am looking forward to the indie interviews and I'm considering emailing Julie with some questions that I'd like asked.
