Tape, Paper, Scissors

Fashion Design students at The University of South Wales, recently teamed up with retail giant John Lewis for Cardiff Fashion Week. The first year students were briefed to make a couture dress or garment, made from the University’s fashion magazine, with the top three designs being chosen to feature in a visual merchandising display at the department store in Cardiff. This was the first brief the students had been set and a fantastic opportunity to work on a live project with a big retailer. The paper outfits were also showcased at the Freshers Week Fashion Show and some designs also displayed at a retail unit in the Royal Arcade.

My cousin Ebony Hammond, from Builth Wells, was inspired by nature and created a strapless dress, with roses and leaves forming the bodice and flower petals for the skirt. An attractive design, which I’m sure made a statement on the catwalk. Another student chose to weave her paper to form a corset, whilst another made a suit jacket with fully sewn in zip, which was very impressive. 

(First two images courtesy of Ebony Hammond)

Cardiff Fashion Week

Hailed by the organisers as “The premier fashion and beauty event in Wales” I attended with my cousin, what was deemed to be, “One of the highlights...” of the event, the ‘Fashion Showcase catwalk show’ at the Hilton Hotel last weekend. Once we had shown our entry tickets, we purchased raffle tickets and were allowed through to the stalls, before we queued up for the catwalk show itself. We were lucky enough to have VIP front row seats, which allowed for a great view of the show and free goody bag!

The event was sponsored by a range of brands, including John Lewis, Peacocks, University of South Wales and Queens Arcade. The show began in darkness, with a number of models who wore matching beige trench coats and paper headwear, stood posing amongst the audience. They slowly changed positions, with lights in their hands, which was extremely effective and all this was set to soft music. The music then quickened its pace and the models began performing a choreographed dance routine, after which they removed their headwear, which now transformed into a dressing for the stage.

The show was very professional and lasted around an hour in total. We saw models promoting a number A/W trends including, ‘Ladylike’, ‘Florals’, ‘Leopard Print’, ‘Gothic’, ‘Monochrome’, ‘Tartan’, ‘Eveningwear’ and ‘Streetwear’. All the outfits were put together extremely well – I particularly liked the scarf layered over the formal coat and jewellery styled over the evening dress. The events official stylist was Wenda James Rowe of the Style Team. I was also impressed by the hair styling, in which top buns, crimped hair, plaits, quiffs and afros all featured – created by the National Hair Federation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were other dance elements to the show, including an air hostess theme, where the girls wore matching hats and patterned dresses and once again used the lights in their hands as part of the routine. Three of the male models also performed a hip hop routine, which was totally unexpected and included back flips and popping arms out of sockets!

 

For the finale, after the traditional bridal wear has been showcased, it was on to a Las Vegas style wedding, with all the stereotypical elements – drunken bridesmaid, colourful wigs, sunglasses, disco ball and an outrageous tartan dress.

 

 

 

The music was also very well chosen, for example ‘Diamonds’ by Rihanna for the sparkly evening dresses, Darlene Love’s ‘(Today I Met) The Boy I’m Gonna Marry’ for the traditional bridal wear and the popular Elvis song, ‘A Little Less Conversation’ for the Las Vegas wedding.

Additional elements to the show included a patchwork dress, which was put together by designer Tara Tarapetian, after the public were invited to create a patch as part of a project encouraging people to sew and socialise. Students from the University of South Wales also got to showcase their designs, which were more outrageous than their high street counterparts and the winning outfit from the charity shop competition was revealed. 

 

 

 

Finally before leaving, the raffle was drawn. I was selected to pick the winning ticket and low and behold I chose my cousins ticket - I promise it wasn’t a fix! She was lucky enough to win a lovely berry colour John Lewis handbag, which she was extremely pleased with.

Cardiff Fashion Week runs from the 19^th – 27^th October this year and although the catwalk shows have now ended, there are still events on across the city, which would well be worth attending. For more information visit their website www.visitcfw.co.uk or social media accounts.

Diana: Style Icon

“...her wardrobe and the colour of lipstick she chose were closely watched and widely copied. Particular attention was given to her hair, sleeked and simplified in the 1990s.” (McKnight, 1998)

With the recent release of the film ‘Diana’, which takes a look at the Princess’ relationship with a heart surgeon, during the last two years of her life, I decided to write this blog entry, analysing her fashion during this period.

Her style was quintessentially British, ladylike and elegant. Her graceful demeanour was reflected in her style choices, which were simple and pared down. Once separated from Prince Charles, she could be more daring with colour, wearing black for example which was previously banned and more rebellious, wearing shorter hem lines.

In the film we see Naomi Watts who plays Diana, don numerous outfits including an array of beautiful evening dresses, contrasted with informal lounge wear and smart daywear. This shows the varying nature of her role as a Princess. Her evening gowns include a one shoulder sapphire blue satin dress, teamed with minimal accessories and a gold sequin number completed with a string of pearls. For the day, smart blazers in neutrals and blues featured heavily alongside classic shirts and knitwear.

An enjoyable film for those interested in the latter life of the Princess and in particular her changing fashion.

The September Windows

At H&M during September their windows have referenced both music through the use of headphones, probably as it is an interest of their consumers, along with a fun ‘denim heads’ theme using cotton reels and zips, safety pins and pockets, to create an eye catching display of an all year round staple wardrobe item, jeans. 

 

 

At a coffee house in London recently, I spotted a cow in their window - a striking addition to their display and perfect for a business selling milk! Carrying on with the drinks theme, at another business in the city who sold ‘bubble tea’, they’d used a science experiment display to showcase the making of their product – certainly different and a great tool to educate customers. Talking of which, at Tommy Hilfiger it was back to school, with text books stacked in volume as a backdrop to the preppy styling. At Ted Baker it was a bright coloured affair, with outfits head to toe in block colour.

 

 

At Harrods each window was transformed as usual in to exceptional works of art. Transportation seemed to be a key theme for some windows with a real Formula 1 racing car used in one in celebration of the new film release of Rush. A motorbike was also used in another and taxi outline in another to advertise Giorgio Armani product.

 

At Harvey Nichols, Birmingham, red, white and blue were used with mannequins hanging from wires, wearing feathers and masks and having long, claw like nails, most likely referencing birds. At Oasis birds were also evident, sat on top of umbrellas, which may have been in relation to the outdoors and floral themed fashion or perhaps in reference to the current wet weather we’re experiencing!

 

 

 
On a trip to Ledbury recently, summer fun was the order of the day. At independent retailers in the town, large scale ice cream cones and sundaes were served up using honeycomb paper which looked a right treat, whilst at another a fun fair theme was applied using characters and themed text.