CLEAN LINES

When I stumbled across the work of Scandinavian designer Beate Godager the first thing that struck me was the clean lines and subtle textures; keeping a collection to one colour means that you're pairing it back, allowing the viewer to see the foundations of the design. I love the lookbook styling of the contrasting stripper heels and platform sneakers, also the clear vinyl shopper bags with the cut out gloves. The AW12 collection is wearable and elegant despite the conceptual nature of her designs; I'm looking forward to following Beate's career and seeing what she does next! You can see Godager's work here and here.

Photo: Amanda Hestehave

Make-up: Tina Kristoffersen

A SEED CAN'T HELP BUT RISE UP

The work of Egle Cekanaviciute, found whilst stumbling through another new discovery drkmttr blog - a must go to for interior inspiration, Egle's 6 piece collection focuses on the idea that the human species are powerless against nature. Basic minimal silhouettes have been created out of materials such as potato sacks or tailoring canvas, and distorted to make room for the growing plants that have seeded in amongst the fabric. The whole idea is beautiful and poignant, I've been thinking a lot about nature recently and this marries my two loves of nature and fashion beautifully. 

HALELUJA

 The first shop I noticed when I arrived on the streets of Brussels was Stijl. I had heard about this place and it certainly didn't disappoint, stocking all favourite designers like Raf, Haider, and Ann; and not their most commercial garments, that have lost their excitement from the runway, like we seem to do here in London. It's exciting flipping through the racks and makes you totally fall in love with design.

In London we could learn a thing or two from Sonja Noël; the razor sharp buyer with an eye for creative talent, that opened Brussels first fashion mecca, Stijl, 20 years ago. Last year Sonja opened a new set of doors, Haleluja. It's impeccably designed space features hand picked designers from all over the world, creating sustainable garments, from ethically sourced cottons and silks to recycling. 

 Sonja told me that as an entrepreneur you have to be bold and take risks, starting a new business takes years and years to build up and she's ready for a new challenge. Halaluja is doing something truly revolutionary to fashion: proving that ethically sourced eco-friendly pieces are also desirable, contemporary and high fashion. After all, "sustainable clothes have to be desirable products, otherwise there's no point in selling them."

You can visit Haleluja on the Nieuwe Graanmarkt.

CHARLIE MAY INTERNSHIP OPPERTUNITY

Studio Intern

Charlie May

A modern high end creative womenswear label that is in it's first season. 

Length of Placement: 4 weeks

Location: Shoreditch, London

Experience gained: 

Looking for an intern available for an immediate start, preferably that lives close to East London. Needs to have a hands on attitude, confident, organised and a basic knowledge of garment construction and pattern cutting.

This is a great opportunity to learn what it's like setting up your own label.

You will be working one on one with the designer.

You will be helping with:

Pattern Cutting

Sewing (mainly toiles)

Sourcing fabrics and trimmings 

Hand sewing final garments

Prepping for lookbook and video shoots

Expenses: Travel Expenses Only

Website: www.charlie-may.co.uk

To Apply: Send your CV, covering letter and examples of your work to info@charlie-may.co.uk

Closing Date: Ongoing

Here is a very formal ad promoting my internship opportunities. I can't wait to hear from you all!

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.

BEGINNING

Thank you to Middlesex University for inviting me to their first year fashion show. I do find it a little bit mad that they even have a fashion show in their first year BA, but it totally prepares you by the time you've done it three years in a row. Some of my favourite details are pictured above, each outfit was by a different designer.

The Inspiration behind my 2010 graduate collection

Charlie May, Fashion Design

My inspiration initially derived from sparse decaying landscapes. I

liked how lonely and beautiful they looked and imagined that the whole

world was like this.

Taking further inspiration from the work of photographer Sebastião

Salgado. His imagery stark, and often in black and white portray a

sense of longing and loss, whilst being beautiful to look at. This

then developed into a post apocalyptic theme, focusing on survival.

My collection has been very hands on, I have rusted, dyed, bleached,

sand blasted, rasped my materials, to achieve that decayed look.

I also chose fabrics such as scarred leather, fine silks and wools to

complete the look.

I have always played with the nature of hard and soft fabrics. In this

collection I have combined the two, often in the same garment to give

great contrast. For example, silk and plastic tubing. I have also been

using the parts of the hide that other designers would discard, in

keeping with the aesthetic, I find the scarred, raw outer parts of the

leather as beautiful as the inner.

Buckles and ties feature heavily throughout as I wanted to get a real

feel that you were having to construct your own garments

Taken from our years UWE Fashion blog