realenvy

[realenvy]

Mad Hatter: “Have I gone mad?” Alice: “I’m afraid so, you're entirely bonkers. But I will tell you a secret. All the best people are”. - Alice In Wonderland

Some inspiration for my current studio project at CCAD. I am creating wallpaper drops in repeat inspired by Alice in Wonderland and English tea party’s. 

[realenvy]

These artistic photo’s have a sort of retro feel i think, I’m obsessed with pastel shades and colours for spring this year and I feel like these images show some really pretty and subtle spring colour palettes in a unique and interesting way. 

Joe Reihsen

Fanatic 2013

Cute face chubby waist, 2013

Body Double, 2013

(via)

[realenvy]

Labour within the Industry

Another ethical/ environmental issue is to do with fashion and textile companies looking abroad to countries such as India and Asia for cheaper labour. As the demand for clothing and trends has increased over the years so has the pressure on the companies to supply them.  

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/beyond-sweatshop-supply-chain-assessment

I found a very interesting article relating to this when researching this topic, http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/beyond-sweatshop-supply-chain-assessment I would recommened reading this article if you want a better understanding of how the industry responds to supply and demand and how it is sustainable. 

[realenvy]

Ethical Issues

Within the fashion and textiles industry, as well as related industries, there are a range of ethical and environmental issues. One of these issues is the manipulation of photo’s, in particular celebrities in the media. Don’t get me wrong I’m not against the use of software such as Photoshop or editing photo’s, as long as it is stated that the photo has been edited and isn’t portrayed to be the ‘real’ image. I was looking into the use of Photoshop in the media and found an eye opening video on Youtube trying to stop the false use of photo editing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKlVyUJw3TM

[realenvy]

Leeds & York

I went away for a weekend during the Easter Holidays and went exploring around the back streets in Leeds and Vintage shops in the Shambles in York. I found some amazing food and drink, some of it was healthy! (Figure 2) I also stumbled across the nicest little vintage shop called GreyBear (Figure 1).

[realenvy]

Trend

Trend prediction, forecasting and analysis

WGSN “ 17-YEAR TRACK-RECORD IN TRENDS: Providing accurate trend predictions and global style intelligence since 1998, WGSN is a trusted partner for many of the world’s leading brands.” “ 450+ INDUSTRY EXPERTS WGSN's global team of industry specialists and thought leaders share their expertise, insights and trend direction to help your business.” “ WORLD WIDE COVERAGE WGSN has the widest global reach of any trend provider, extending throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America.” http://www.wgsn.com/en/

I often use trend prediction websites and blogs such as WGSN for research and inspiration purposes.

Pattern People “Founded in 2007 by designers Claudia Brown and Jessie Whipple Vickery, Pattern People is an industry leading print studio known for producing innovative and forward-driven patterns. Merging their backgrounds in fashion, art, and graphic design, the duo brings a unique and multi-faceted perspective on print and pattern design. The studio specializes in consultancy and trend research offering seasonal forecasting for print and color directions, stock patterns developed for key markets available through the studio’s online catalogue, commissioned work created for various applications, in addition to educational tools for designers of all levels.” http://www.patternpeople.com/about/  

[realenvy]

by kalbarteski http://ift.tt/1ybLiuh

[realenvy]

Market Levels

There are different groups within the Fashion and Textiles market, they differ in their geographical location, their buying power, their buying attitudes and habits and money. These market segments are split to aim at different customers such as age, gender, disposable income and personal taste. 

Haute Couture    This would be high end of the market, the fabrics used would be expensive and of good quality. The stitching quality would be very neat such as french seam. The clothes would often be heavily detailed or embroidered. The clothes could also be made to fit an individual rather than in set sizes. 

 http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashion-shows/spring-2015-couture/alexis-mabille/collection/1

Spring 2015 Couture Alexis Mabille

Ready To Wear In this section of the market the clothes would most likely be sold is set sizes, 8,10,12 etc. The overall pricing would be lower, ready to wear clothes are often produced by high street designers.

http://newteenstyle.com/topshop-exclusive-springsummer-ready-to-wear-collection-2015/topshop-exclusive-spring-ready-to-wear-collection-2015-6/

Topshop Exclusive Spring Ready to Wear Collection 2015 (6) Published 16/09/2014 in Topshop Exclusive Spring/Summer Ready to Wear Collection 2015

High street Within the high street section of the market there are thee levels; high, middle, bottom. High street clothes are often mass produced and of a lower quality. Some exeptions are branded designers such as Jack Wills and Burberry. There are also brands with strong visual identity's such as Desigual and All Saints. There are some brands aimed at a sporty/surfer market such as Hollister and Fat Face. 

Designer/ Makers & Innovators  http://www.offthehookdigital.com/blog/4582955288/ADIDAS-ANNOUNCES-MARY-KATRANTZOU-COLLABORATION/7961506  ADIDAS ANNOUNCES MARY KATRANTZOU COLLABORATION By OFH, Apr 17 2014 03:12PM

[realenvy]

Themes within Design

Traditional and Modern Examples from Pattern Bank

- Geometric  https://patternbank.com/Axro/designs/21744121-geometric-forms

repeatable geometric pattern

- Floral https://patternbank.com/nehanaik/designs/96326010-bright-florals

Bright Florals with a botanical touch makes the design more energetic and youthful.

- Ethnic https://patternbank.com/vkelland/designs/86441197-geometric-print-in-an-ethnic-style

Geometric Print in an ethnic style, inspired by Mexican ceramics.

- Abstract https://patternbank.com/marliesplank/designs/68841814-abstract-watercolor

colourful watercolor abstract form

- Classical https://patternbank.com/annavojtisek/designs/1234814-classic-floral

Featured in: Autumn/Winter 2015/16 Classical Floral

The pattern or design is often determined by who the work is aimed at. The aesthetic quality will change based on who the target audience is, for example colour palette and drawing style as well as scale and content. 

[realenvy]

Structures within Design

Some examples from Pattern Bank of how a design is composed 

Pattern : Repeat https://patternbank.com/gaianeastsaturian/designs/90821301-tropical-repeat-pattern

Repeat pattern design with tropical leaves and flowers  Featured in: Exotic Vegetation Spring/Summer 2016

Repeat patterns can be all over repeats, half drop reapeats, brick etc.

Pattern : Half drop

https://patternbank.com/Tcgaisford/designs/32513780-half-drop-tropical-parrots-and-parakeets

An arrangements of parrots and parakeets amongst palms and tropical vegetation. Featured in: Vintage Hawaii Spring/Summer 2015  

Pattern : Placement

https://patternbank.com/susannahweiland/designs/1892872-butterflies-and-roses

T Shirt Placement

Aswell as placement prints in design there are mirrored structures, borders and bands, rotations, blocks and symmetrical patterns. 

The structure within a design changes too in terms of layout and composition, sometimes there is no ground showing as the design gives full coverage. An open ground is often when there is a placement print or a border pattern etc. There are multi directional designs as well as infills and scale is also a consideration. 

[realenvy]

Fabric Design Structures

Production of Cloth - Spinning - Weave - Knit - Crochet - Embroidery

Qualities of Cloth - Weave, stable, not stretchy - Crotchet, stretchy - Embroidery, stable, can be used on vanishing muslin weight of yarn/ size of needles etc. can give different results. 

Qualities of Paper - Weight  - Density - Texture - Composition/ Ingredients  - Colour

Decoration of Cloth and Paper - Dye - Embroidery - Digital Print - Embellishment - Print - Fabric manipulation - Combinations

Dye Techniques - Dip dye - Space Dye - Cold/ hot water dying - Hombre - Ty dye - Ice dye

[realenvy]

‘OHH DEER’

Quirky Illustrated Gifts “Ohh Deer aims to bring you quirky illustrated gifts, clothing & everything in between”

I love the alternative unusual style of the gifts and homeware created by Ohh Deer and their illustrators, gift companies often offer quite plain and ‘mainstream’ perhaps even safe designs whereas I feel that Ohh Deer create more youthful and unique gift options.

[realenvy]

(Figure 1)

http://www.timorousbeasties.com/shop/ceramics/1839/aviary/

Aviary mug by Timorous Beasties. Blue glaze, bone China, £20

(Figure 2)

http://www.timorousbeasties.com/shop/ceramics/1640/lovebird/

Lovebird mug by Timorous Beasties Bone China, £17

(Figure 3)

http://www.timorousbeasties.com/shop/ceramics/1838/hunting/

Hunting mug by Timorous Beasties  Blue glaze, bone China, £20

Ceramics are often overlooked as gifts, which is a shame when companies such as Timorous Beasties are designing such lovely and interesting mugs. I love the silhouette style of the ‘Avery’ and ‘Hunting’ mugs, it allows you to see a story within the design. 

[realenvy]

http://www.paperchase.co.uk/wrap/roll-wrapping-paper/jf-3m-jungle-fever-rollwrap.html

Gift wrap from Paperchase, Jungle Fever Floral.  “This gorgeous and vibrant floral wrapping paper is from our Jungle Fever range and features rich green leaves and colourful flowers.”

This gift wrap is very Tropical in appearance and seems more suited to Summer as a season rather than a specific occasion such as Birthdays etc. 

[realenvy]

I love the texture and colour combination on this fashion pice by Jay Jinhee Moon. The aesthetics of the top create a visual memory of comfort and style. As a surface designer I am always experimenting with different fabric types/ weights and textures and combining them in f=different ways to create fresh ideas and designs. 

AW14 by Jay Jinhee Moon

[realenvy]

I absolutely love this outfit by Lazy Oaf and the photography used to present it. The colours have strong Easter/ Spring vibes. The photograph is reminiscent of American 1950′s although the outfit is very modern. Two piece fashion items are a current trend which seem to be adapted from 50′s fashion but modernized by the shortening of the top and creating a midi-skirt. 

We like Summer sunny side up! 🌻 🍳 ☀️🍦

All new styles launch online tomorrow, preview here…

http://www.lazyoaf.com/blog/2015/03/summer-15-sunny-side-up/

[realenvy]

I love the pale colours on this poster, it’s so simple but really nice to look at.

Day 615 - Stroke II