It's easy being green...

See, I knew it would catch on(!)

I'm an English(wo)man in New York...

Why, oh, WHY! Today we went in to University for a meeting about our responsibilities as dressers and runners backstage at the Graduate Fashion Show. As exciting as that was, all I could think about when I came away was a TRIP TO NEW YORK! Our tutors are trying to organise one for November this year... So what's the problem? £650 would be my problem, half of that by two weeks time!

I want to see Parsons, and Mood, The Fashion Institute of Technology Museum, DVF!!! So many things to do, obviously not all related to fashion... but, yes, a lot related to fashion...

Back to the meeting today, we got a list of our duties, our schedule, what's expected of us etc. (See fellow fashion fan Lucinda's blog for a much better explanation!) I'm really looking forward to it! I love the backstage buzz, I used to get from the theatre. I'm quite interested in working in the theatre, I would just love to design costumes and set. Wonderful! I can definitely see myself working in such a creative environment, with (hopefully!) like minded people!!

Currently reading...

YES! and DOUBLE YES!


and, this..!!

Am now going to take a stroll downtown, and have a browse of the shop windows. No buying for me! Must save my money... but I can dream...

All that glitters is gold...

WISH LIST.


.................................................................................................Vivienne Westwood and Melissa;...............
.................................................................................................a match made in heaven.............................
.................................................................................................Ultragirl Bow Shoes £70..............................
.................................................................................................
.................Delicious Shimmering..................................................................................................................
.................Shorts, Vero Moda.......................................................................................................................
.................£30.................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................Olympus Pen Camera..............................
......................................................................................................£500+.......................................................
...........................................................................
.................Guerlain Rouge G Le Brilliant.....................................................................................................
.................Lipstick £27...................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................
...............................Moschino Cheap and Chic........................................Makebelieve Self Tan................
...............................Scarf Watch £92.......................................................£30..............................

Feeling Green

As those of you who know me well, well know, I have very strong opinions when it comes to the environment, food, and health. I believe that local, organic, free range and fair trade are always best. I can live without meat, and therefore don't feel the need to buy cheap Tesco chicken for my Sunday dinner. However, can I live without my fast fashion? My monthly fix of that must have dress, top, shoes, *insert item here*? Actually, yes, I can. I am a seasoned charity shopper, and vintage hound. I love clothes by People Tree, shoes by Melissa, and jewellery by Made.

I am writing this with a slight feeling of hypocrisy, as recently, due to a slight funding issue (I'm a poor stinking student, so sue me! As the American's would say... only don't, because I have no money) I have been a frequent Primark shopper. Named 2005s least ethical clothing company, the Primark big-wigs have done much to redeem the situation, but does the fact that they now have a website page devoted to how 'ethical' they are fool people into a false sense of security? I know that it makes me feel a hell of a lot better when I'm buying a £10 pair of jeans to think "well, they support human rights, so that's o.k then... isn't it?". No. We have to remember that this does not necessarily mean that even though the workers are being treated within regulations, that they aren't being paid a LOT less then we would in this country for the same job. But I could write about this all night, so to my point...

As with Organic and free range chicken, not only is ethical fashion better for the environment and the workers, but yes, it's better for you too! And, for those of you who say, well, I can't afford to buy *insert ethical goods here*, then I say... then don't buy at all! If we all boycotted cheap chicken, and badly made clothes, then the retailers would realise that Britain wants good quality in all senses of the word. They would have to lower their organic and fair trade prices, and ethical fashion would be available for all!

Disbelievers, get a load of this... Ethical Fashion is In!

Marie Claire's 'pick of the ten chicest ethical fashion brands'

Your 'ultimate source' for all things eco-fashion

Palvika - A local eco fashion entrepreneur!

Proof that green is coooool man

The style rookie knows how it's done


Stay green fashion fans!

Spring has sprung...

Wow, we've been having great weather (after a bit of a dip, but we're willing to forget that, Mother Nature, as long as you keep the sun out and the breeze blowing!)

I'm going to share a few pictures with you that I have been taking since I notices spring had first sprung (unfortunately the cherry blossoms have now gone. Brief, but beautiful):





I just love flowers and leaves - the vibrant colours, the delicate shapes and textures... It's a great source of inspiration to me, pretty much anything I design is somehow influenced by nature or science fiction, but that's another blog...

Here's my favourite summer song... Roll on summer for more inspiration!!

So much to write, so little time to write it!

Well, perhaps I over exaggerated with the title of this post, as, although I do have a lot to write about (as usual), I actually have quite a lot of time now to write it all! A week ago, I couldn't even tear off the plastic from my Vogue and Harper's Bazaar subscriptions as they came through my door (like I usually do!) for all the work I had to do, but now it feels so good just to relax and indulge. And check out my 'VIP' cover!



Today the 1st years, 3rd years and lecturers from both the fashion department and textiles (not forgetting the lovely technicians, Lyn and Nureen!!) all congregated up at the Kedleston Road site, for a day of absorbing others inspirations, dreams and creations.

The 3rd years have just completed their final collections (all apart from 2 additional outfits that need to be made for the final degree show, can't wait!) and have put together presentations to give us all an insight into their thinking behind their collections. I will update later with more information on a few of my favourites.

DEADLINES.

I am done! And am now writing a quick update before the 12am deadline for this very same blog. I am not going to stop writing, however. I am absolutely loving having one place dedicated to me and fashion. When I write journals they just seem to overflow with every emotion and thought. I love that this can be more concise.

Anyway, last night I was up until 3.30am working for my Tech. Fashion 2 deadline which was at 4pm today... yes, yes, I should be in bed right now, I know...
I had the live election results on in the background, which was keeping me amused as David Dimbleby struggled to keep his temper in those early morning hours. I think I too would have been quite frustrated at some of the faffing that was going on across the country! I hope you voted. As a citizen of a democratic society, I feel so lucky that in some small way I can have my say. Especially as a woman. Don't waste your vote! Women have struggled for this privilege for us, and many women (and men) across the world right now are silenced and disenfranchised by their governments. Ours may not be perfect, but at least we don't have to die for our say.

So! Hand in today, and with my friend Gemma, we worked hurriedly to complete everything in good time. She did a lot better than me, I have to say!

Oh, and then there's this, bad newssss bloggers and journalist wannabes!

Until next time, blog, it's Alice, signing off...

Last week, and 3rd year work...

Gosh! I have been working so, so hard for hand in on the 7th of May, which is quickly (far too quickly) approaching. I'm afraid I have neglected my blog a little, and feel awful about it (and no, not just because it is also being marked from the 7th!) Technical Fashion 2, is most definitely NOT my strong point, and I feel as if I have to work doubly hard just to sew to the same standard as the weaker sewers in the class!

I have been helping my 3rd year, Nina, with her collection, mostly tracing patterns for her to neaten them up. Time consuming work (I've probably clocked 15 hours just doing that alone!) but it feels good to know that I am taking some of the burden off her shoulders. Myself and Sam Neal (the other 1st year) helped out at a salon near Nina's flat, where her first photo shoot was taking place. There wasn't much for either of us to do I'm afraid, but I helped with the styling (not Nina's favourite thing!) and documented it all for you guys (lucky). Sam helped with all the pining and dressing that had to be done for the speedy costume changes!
It was good fun, and I managed to make a few contacts in the form of a model, and a make-up artist... handy!

Bath in Fashion

I travelled south, just for one weekend, JUST to attend some of the events that were happening in my home town of Bath, for Bath in Fashion. On Thursday the 15th, my friend Gabi and I went to a mini catwalk show held in The Octagon, which, in itself is just so beautiful, you could spend hours just gazing at the carvings alone! So it was wonderful to combine this classic building with FASHION! Many of the surrounding shops along and around Milsom Street (the main shopping street in Bath) had got involved to show off their Spring/Summer trends and styling tips. We got a little goodie bag, choc full of vouchers and a little juice/smoothie recipe book (perfect for getting that glowing summer skin!) and also a complimentary glass of wine (maybe not so good for the complexion).
N.W.3 at Hobbs was my favourite with it's sunny colour palette, ranging from spring greens to warm oranges and yellows. It gave a feel of Europe street-chic, and we both loved it! Coast, Reiss, L.K. Bennett, House of Frasier and Liz Cox Bags were among the other offerings on the catwalk.

Although perhaps not what you might call the height of fashion, I thoroughly enjoyed the show, and my friend, who has never been to anything remotely like that before, was absolutely thrilled. We had great fun, and saw some lovely clothes, and got a free glass of red! Can't go wrong...

The next evening, I was back in the Octagon, but this time the catwalk had been replaced with Rosemary Harden, manager of the Fashion Museum in Bath. She gave myself and my mother a wonderful, but condensed, talk on the collection of the museum, and 1960s fashion. I took millions of pages of notes, far too much to mention here right now, but perhaps a future project(?) which were complimented perfectly by some little sketches my mum, Angela Goodman did for me.

It was a great, great mini break, and I will definitely be going again next year if (fingers crossed) it continues.