BACK TO THE STUDIO

Beginning work in the studio for SS13 this week, with some of my favourite fabric swatches and colour inspirations; also a David Shrigley post card to keep me smiling. The easy part is designing what you want your collection to look like, as the reality is it's been floating around in my head for months, I love choosing fabrics and textures, the most rewarding part is seeing the collection start to come together! With fashion week only two months away, it's going to be a hectic period, with moving house - worst timing, redesigning the blog and pulling a collection out of thin air, but I'm excited to start a new chapter in my life. 

If you've been following my Pinterest boards, you might just have an inkling of what the collections going to look like; quite different I'm sure, but fresh and exciting as always!

SWATCHES

This is what happens when I'm left to my own devices. Sometimes there's nothing more satisfying than buying a new sketchbook and slowly filling it with beautiful things. When it comes to fabric scraps, I'm a bit of a hoarder; never sure what to do with these few beautiful inches left over from the cutting process, so I decided to make this little sketchbook filled with swatches of the fabrics I've used each season. The little scraps look so beautiful side by side and I feel the texture stands out even more than when on an actual garment. I can't wait until I've completed 20 seasons and I can flick back through, satisfied at the fabrics I've used throughout the years.

CHARLIE MAY STUDIO

So last week I had a Style Crusader in my studio, I stole her round to use her as my temporary mannequin as my tailors dummy is still being made, and might not even be here until the collection is finished - oh dear.

Here's just a little sneak peak of whats going on, this first few images being from my graduate portfolio, not current inspiration but this collection is a continuation; more of a rebellion against having to have so much paperwork to accompany my inspiration. It's more free this time around. I wish I could show you guys everything every step of the way but I'm playing my cards close to my chest with this one.

I'm planning on doing a presentation in London a couple of days before fashion week starts. SO much to do before then but I am quietly confident that it will all turn out good. I will be looking for interns too so drop me an email, although i'll put out a more formal post soon about that.

All photos by Jen, see her amazing post here.