Some Illustrations

A few years ago I used to find drawing such a task. I thought it took hours to get an accurate representation of what you were depicting, matching up all the tones and lines and so it took a lot for me to want to draw. I always enjoyed it but it got a little tedious and I would want to work and rework everything so that it looked 'perfect'. Wow, I'm glad I don't think like that now. I appreciate the talent of those who can make things like photo-realistic, but I realise if I wanted that effect, I could just take a photo. I'm really enjoying some new styles I've picked up over the past year or so which are really quick and have a lot more character.

Emie

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PATTERNS AND CONSTRUCTIONS - PART 2

Wrap dress coat modelled by my beautiful sister. Styled and photographed by me.

Coat - Emily Tan

Shoes - COS

Lips - MAC Media and Revlon Va Va Violet

PATTERNS AND CONSTRUCTION

This project started with me receiving a vintage wrap dress pattern and the task of altering it to make it 'cooler' or more contemporary. I ended up making a wool coat but I think that the construction hints at its origins. I was interested in the history of the wrap dress - designed to flaunt a woman's curves and show liberation for women. In contrast I have included an androgynous touch, drowning the silhouette and inverting it so instead of an hour glass you have a diamond like shape. I also thought about women nowadays who are stronger, goal oriented and less 'flirty housewife'. A coat is more indicative of this as it is functional and shows that the role of the woman is no longer in the household to look pretty. I got rid of any bright colour or feminine prints to also portray this strength and to make the construction the main focus of my coat.

Don't Overthink It

I think it is typical for art students to worry over their 'final' pieces of work. I know that's one of my problems, especially now that I'm trying to loosen up and draw more quickly. This is a sheet of paper I used to practice faces before I chose the 'final' one. I actually prefer them to half of my overthought drawings.

Emie x

FASHIONING TEXTILES

This week we're making fabric samples from our chosen source of inspiration. Somehow I ended up choosing posts. I think it's interesting that you can walk down a single road and although all the posts began identical, they've all been marked with imperfections that show their (however mundane) life. There's dried glue marks, little rusty perforations, dead bugs.. I thought I could make some really cool prints and textures inspired by them. And ever the minimalist, I was in love with the different hues of grey combined with the tiny hints of rusty orange and pale blue. 

Emie

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THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

Finally updating! I've been terrible.

These pictures are from my first fashion project since I've specialised on foundation. We had to create paper garments that challenged the conventional silhouette. Hear are some of my experiments inspired by the idea of defence within nature. I specifically looked at sea corals and the Australian frilled neck lizard, which have to be one of the coolest animals of all time!

Exhibit A:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAo09yYOpCU

Emie

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15 Fashion Questions

1) What is your favourite style to wear?
My style changes with my mood but I like fairly simple classic shapes that are well made and suited to my body shape. I've been in a high waisted phase for a very long time now though! Jeans, skirts, shorts.. I don't often have things sitting on my hips.


 2) Who is your fashion role model?
I don't know if I have a single fashion role model. I think Diane Kruger dresses very well; she goes for some daring pieces but everything looks incredible on her.

3) What do you always have on?
Probably these triangle shaped metal earrings my sister gave me for my 17th birthday. They're really simple but I feel like they just add something to my outfits and I'm completely obsessed with them, even if the paint is coming off... 

4) What are your favourite jeans?
As mentioned previously, I'm crazy on high waisted so I'm always in my high waisted skinny jeans. They fit really well and just create such a beautiful and effortless silhouette pulling in your waist and clinging to your legs. My grandma likes to say I spray on my jeans.


5) What are your favourite sunglasses?
I kind of just borrow my sister's sunglasses as she seems to own a huge collection of them. This summer though I had some oversized Topshop sunglasses which had really pale pink rims.


6) What are your favourite shoes?
I wore some black chelsea boots to death; they're now sort of green, have been re-soled twice and have holes in them so I would say they were. Now perhaps my black suede wedges as they're so comfortably and instantly dress up an outfit. Either those are some shoes from Ecote which have wooden heels and this cute vintage feel about them.

7) Who influenced you to write about fashion?
I don't think there's a single person in particular. I've read in a lot of places that fashion blogging is a great way to get yourself out there and I also enjoy looking at others blogs so I've decided to join in and give it a go myself.


8) What is your favorite store?
It changes but I have a lot of clothes from Urban Outfitters and I'm really getting into Zara at the moment because it has such great simple pieces. I also love Anthropologie even though I can't really afford it unless it's during sale time but just the whole environment to the staff who work there. I could spend hours in there!


9) Who is your favorite fashion personality on the internet?
I've recently come across Clothes Encounters on YouTube and I really like Jenn's style and personality. Her outfits are so well put together and prove that you don't have to spend a lot to look good.


10) What is your favourite fabric?
I feel like such a posh girl saying this but cashmere would be one... I also love cotton and viscose. Anything that feels nice against my skin really but I am quite a snob when it comes to synthetics. I think my mum passed that on to me. She will literally shudder if she hears the word polyester.


11) Who is your favourite model?
My top three would be Freja Beha Erichson because she's so effortlessly cool and incredibly stunning, Daisy Lowe because she has a real woman's body and a lovely personality and Lindsey Wixson because I think her face is incredibly versatile and striking.

12) If you had £5000 to spend on any one item, what would it be?
A piece that I would keep forever. Perhaps a bag or a classic dress.


13) Heels or flats?
Heels because they just complete any outfit and make your legs look amazing. They also give you an added confidence, providing you can walk in them that is!


14) What bag do you love to use?
I'm not really attached to any of my bags at the moment so I'm not gonna say that I 'love' to use any of them. I'm in the process of saving up and investing in a really good one. I guess something quite big like a tote because I like to carry around a lot but with little sections for stuff like my keys, oyster card, phone etc. because there is nothing I hate more than rooting around my bag for things!


15) Is fashion in your blood or your jeans?
Ha good question. If that's a pun on genes wouldn't that be part of your blood anyway? I don't know how to answer that so, next question!...Oh wait that's the end.