FAD COMPETITION

BEN SHERMAN INSPIRED - Design sheets

This is a sample of some of my design development ideas from my first year at university and excuse the amateur style of an inexperienced designer. The aim of this short project was to look further into Ben Sherman as a company. This was to get an idea of their collections, their style, signature looks and general history. I never really considered menswear as an option, and I don't think I ever will, however I have to admit - it was a lot of fun! Perhaps it was the option of using different silhouettes or just the fact that it was so different to womenswear - maybe because it's slightly limited as compared but surprisingly enough, I enjoyed it... Bruno Mars meets Ralph Lauren...or is it just me?  

THE FIRST DRESS

 

Entitled the first dress as this is the first official dress I have ever made. Unfortunately I don't have an inspirational story that lets you know that I made this as soon as I could use a sewing machine...but after realising the ambition in my mind and the drive in my heart (and the butterflies from looking at Roberto Cavalli's endless collections of floor-length gowns) I knew I wanted to create something similar. As much as I'd like to call this dress 'Cavalli-inspired', I feel it would just be a huge insult to one of the greatest designers - in my opinion.

 

The theme of the project (as much as I can remember) was something along the lines of 'East meets West' and having taken the embroidery design from henna patterns, I wanted the dress to have a simple pattern that was able to just show the model off as elegantly as possible.

 

However, although the intention of this blog was for me to be able to showcase my work, I feel like this is the opposite. So instead of telling you what I love about this garment, I'm going to tell you what I'd improve if I were to do it again...

 

1) The pattern - I'd make sure to perfect it so it'd fit the body more elegantly and hug the curves rather than just sit on them...

 

2) The fabric used - Although I was adament on not wanting to have a seam along the waist, I can now see why that would have been a better idea. Perhaps using a stronger fabruic for the top half would have eliminated - or at least decreased - the amount of wrinkling caused by the repetitive movement of the embroidery needle. Using a lighter fabric for the bottom half would have created more flow and movement and not been as heavy to handle around the machine. Also, lining the dress would have been much, MUCH, MUCCHHHH easier! And the very last - does the satin remind anyone of a sexy nightie...?

 

3) The placement of the embroidery...

 

4) The sewing ability...Enough said.

 

VISUAL STUDIES

VISUAL STUDIES - NEXT Presentation Board1

VISUAL STUDIES - NEXT Presentation Board2

VISUAL STUDIES - NEXT Line up
I think this turned out well, I love the colours used. However, now looking back I wish I had used a different template for the models as I don't think the one I used is very flattering or showcases the jacket off well. 

VISUAL STUDIES - First Year work, MILLITARY Inspired. I love the look of these, I think they' look so good as a collection. I love the colours used as I think the orange is a nice pop of colour from the dull g

VISUAL STUDIES - First Year Work - INFLATE TO INNOVATE Line up

ILLUSTRATION STYLES - Scans of sketchbook...

Probably one of the most spontaneous piece of work I had produced, and yet one of my favorites.  I think this was successful because of the colours used; the browns gave it a realistic, earthy feel, while the other colours aided the image in creating a strong contrast.

This was an image I had tried to replicate by layering promarkers. I think the hair, in particular  was successful, however, I think it still lacks a realistic feel.

Here I tried to replicate a section from the work of graphic illustrator Stella Im Hultberg, using a mix of tea stains, ink and watercolour. I love effect it had; despite using such harsh blacks and greens, it still maintains its soft, delicate, feminine look and feel.