Androgyny Shoot planning.

You may remember from around late June time? or was it July... I am not entirely sure to be honest, either way, the month is irrelevant at this moment in time. I'm more bothered about the month on its way over, September is only days away and that is when the new college term starts! It's not even the new term that frightens me, it's the new college year! The LAST college year...

Anyway, moving on...

As I was saying...

June/July I completed my final garment, it was based around Androgyny and Vintage Vivienne Westwood with a message about feeding super skinny models to try and bring attention to the still increasing level of young adults and teenagers suffering eating disorders influenced by the fashion industry and media. 

In September I will be shooting my final garment how I planned to present it on the catwalk, well, how I would have in an ideal world anyway. 

With it being Androgynous I figured being original was the only way forward, so I wont be modelling my work on a dainty, beautiful and idealistic female model. But a male model, a tall, broad and unusually featured young male. 23 to be exact at 6ft2 with big blue eyes, a pout that would give Kiera Knightley and Kate Moss a run for their money and cheek bones that even Andrej Prejic would pay for... See where I'm going with the comparisons? They're all females, well, except Andrej but then again as a fellow Androgynous model he may as well be female. 

It was Andrej Prejic that inspired me in the very first place way back when as they say so it seemed ironic to end where we started off, with a man, that has features of both feminine and masculine that doesn't wander on to the trans side of life! I would like to make that quite clear yet again, cross dressing, transsexualism and Androgyny are all COMPLETELY DIFFERENT looks and can not be confused at this stage. 

Anyway, my head shots and experimentation's for the final shoot once back at college are as follow. Let me know what you think!

Nothing Gray about TOPSHOP

I've been a fan of the Punk Scott pretty much since she came on the fashion radar, now her compilation is set with TOPSHOP I must admit I am pretty over the moon!!! First Katrantzou and now her! 

Sadly I don't have the kind of lifestyle or bank account that enables me to shop at the top if you like but I do however really appreciate a good fashion collaboration.

I can't decide if its the acid bright infusions, punk style shirt, leather jackets or swing dresses that make my hairs stand on end but either way I'm excited!!! 

Gray really inspires me because she's just so unique and unusual, as a designer and a character.

Anyway.... the collection in pictures for all to enjoy is as follows!

 ~ This one is a personal favourite above, I can't decide if it's the combination of loose fabrics and high shine fabrics or the way it all just clashes together in all the right ways, either way, I WANT!

Frankly speaking I think...

I know it's a Sunday morning however, time for a little riddle. 

What do the following all have in common? 

Amy Whinehouse, Kate Moss, Pete Doherty, Marilyn Monroe and Kurt Cobain? 

Guessed yet?

Here's a clue, they're all statements in fashion or have made some form of iconic image that has been manipulated to create 'styles' in the fashion world. But that still is not the answer to my riddle. 

Give up?

Drugs.

All of the above are beautiful and talented in one way or another yet have either been corrupted or in worst cases killed by the most evil of things on the planet, I say this because it is so unpredictable, swimming in a sea of sharks is a predictable evil as you understand that in a split second you could become dinner. Drugs, a completely different form of evil.

You're probably wondering why on earth I am blogging about something as un-fashionable as Drugs but all will be revealed. It's a form of irony writing about drugs though in a way if you think about it, look at how many fashion symbols and style icons have been influenced or involved in the witchcraft that is so deadly; Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, massive super models that rose in the 1990's, Kate being the creator of 'Heroin Chic' THE look in fashion for the time...Not so chic in reality if you look at what it did to her, natural and unusual beauty ruined by illegal and legal sole destroying, skin decaying substances that wrecked her from the inside out, all for that short term 'high'. 

Pete Doherty, some would blame him for Kate's corruption, but personally I don't, it is very easy to be around someone her has a bad habit/addiction and not be lured into the world of unknown highs and colourful surroundings. Yes he drugs and yes it is wrong but he is one of the most unique and talented, intelligent musicians in the UK not to mention one of great style yet he again has been wasted and ruined by the worst of demons. America also, home of Hollywood and the talent that built its reputation, in movies and music. Marilyn Monroe, whom I wrote about recently, also lost in a world out of her own control as a way of escaping what was reality, fame and fortune; affairs and loneliness drove one the biggest beauties and icons into the ground (literally) from overdosing. Kurt Cobain, an icon in style and music committed suicide on April 8th 1994 after recently being dispatched from rehab for drug addiction, people ignore his wife, Courtney Loves warning and concern over suicidal behaviour from her husband after being released which in the end proved right, just goes to show that once you become attached to something it's too hard to let go, especially when it's all you know and a lifestyle.  

I think personally though, the one thing that hit me hardest when it comes to beauty, good style and pure talent being ruled and ruined by drugs is Amy Whinehouse. A woman that truly inspired me for a very long time musically and with fashion while I was growing up and it was heartbreaking to hear the papers chant and call her names, pushing her further into a world of mass destruction and pain, when really all the girl wanted and needed was HELP!

I've learnt recently, the hard way, that most of the time people that take drugs are often just insecure and/or crying out for help and have no one to turn to or no where to escape too so use substances to create that comfortable world that they can run away too when times get tough or uncomfortable.

My name is Georgi and my boyfriend is an addict, it makes him sound like a bad person I'm sure, he is a father of one, has the face and body of a male super model and a talented writer, painter, chef and a friend to anyone. For the last 10 years he has been dealing with an unhealthy Amphetamine and Speed addiction. As well as having habits in possibly every other substance you can possibly imagine, they've taken his life from ups and downs and all over the place, matches his personality at the moment to be honest. The problem with drugs is they consume you and control your brain to believe that there is only one way in life and that is the wrong way... Drugs way... The escape way. Truth is, that is far from the truth in reality. But drugs and substances are experts in converted reality into fantasy and before you know it you're trapped. 

Luckily my boyfriend is seeking help and is being admitted into rehab, but it isn't the first time, he's one of the lucky ones, and it is better late than never. It's hard and horrible to watch the person you love and adore be pulled apart by something so unnecessary. Amy wasn't as fortunate. I sometimes wonder if we hadn't had 'Heroin Chic', super models, musicians and celebrities dabbling in bad habits would there be less of an issue now, would the younger generation still find it as fun and exciting, cool even to try?

No one can answer that.

We can only learn from mistakes. 

And hopefully, and I truly hope this everyday now, people will begin to realise that they have so much more to give if they just try, no one wants to see even more talent wasted on such a painful situation to be in. 

Amy Whinehouse once said, "They tried to make me go to rehab, but I said no..." maybe if she'd gone, or someone had done what I did for my boyfriend and dragged her there the lyrics would have ended slightly differently, now we will never know her next chapter. 

The Magic That Was Marilyn

50 years is a long time for any girl to keep a beautiful reputation going. But in true iconic style, Ms.Monroe has quite literally done it with her eyes closed.

I will admit, when it comes to iconic females Marilyn Monroe was one I knew very little about, until my very own bombshell my baby sister boo became her biggest brit-girl fan.

She, like Marilyn, very blond, naturally beautiful, intelligent and always knows how and when to use her image when necessary. I remember the first film we watched together staring Ms.Monroe.... 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' 1953 directed by Howard Hawks co-staring Jane Russel. It was beautiful. The costumes, the characters; everything. 

It's so strange to believe that a woman so spell binding and enigmatic was only with us for a heartbeat. 

Yes she was a film star, icon, business woman and mistress to many a rich man, but what really was the obsession with Marilyn. 

My personal answer, she was a real woman. All be at as I have said already a very unusually beautiful one, she was real all the same. Her big Hollywood smile was what made 'the Hollywood smile' famous, the peroxide hair, captivating curves and cheeky 'girl next door' out look on life. I don't know many women who would not love to admit the only thing they wore to bed was Chanel No'5! 

In a way that's what made Marilyn Monroe so new and beautiful, she was iconic in her own way, yes she was another Hollywood wonder of the 20th Century but her looks and personality took it to new heights. 

Even after her death in 1962 she still continued to flood people's imaginations with inspiration and idea's, Andy Warhol for example, did the piece 'lips' inspired by that very smile. 

How many women of this day and age can we honestly depend on being the next icon due to such beauty and style without them being surgically enhanced or photoshopped an inch from their life! 

No words can describe such a beauty as Ms.Monroe, except in my eye's my sister. (But that may just be a little biased...) 

Collar & Sleeve

I keep using the phrase, 'Keep Calm and Carry On' when it comes to my college course at the moment but I honestly have to say it is the most fitting. Not because it has anything to do with being British, purely because the best thing to do at a time this is to just breath, take a step back, calm down and carry on! I've learnt this probably more than anyone over the past few weeks. Yes, I admit I have needed a day or two breathing space to calm down as I was beginning to become very unwell again. BUT! We're back  on track and I will NOT be beaten.

So, a belated blog for Monday!

Pattern Cutting catch up.... My Shirt.

Again, with this I could physically kick myself as I have actually enjoyed doing it, yes its stressful but so are most things we do in life! Due to time I am only making samples for my shirt i.e the cuff, sleeve, pocket and collar. I've really enjoyed piecing it together I must say, feel like I've let the team down though once again after not going in yesterday and today but again, you yourself is the only person that can read your body and mine was telling me if I didn't calm down I'd never get to the finish line.

Monday, the collar wasn't too difficult because I had already started it so the collar stand was ready and waiting.

All I had to do was attach the colour pieces either side of the stand, flipping the top of one side over so that it's held inwards with a 1.5cm seam allowance and then continued on to sew a 1cm seam right around the bottom edge of the colour.

Flip the collar so the stand is over the top and the collar is tucked neatly underneath. Neaten any untidy edges and you're done!

The Sleeve is a work in progress to be continued....

 Preparing Shoulder of Shirt.

 Cutting the Sleeve from my own pattern of a Bishop Sleeve.

Attaching the Sleeve to the Shirt.

Feed The Birds II

A lot of people have been asking me where exactly 'Feed The Birds' came from.

Here is your answer!

Feed the Birds is a play on words which I think I have mentioned before. I was really inspired by 80's designer Katharine Hamnett once again in this brief due to how she uses fashion to put across a political matter/message. Mine may be more Gareth Pugh than Politics but it's the same concept.

As part of my research in the beginning I looked into super skinny models within the fashion industry and the issues in which role models and images such as size zero can create.

I personally don't see an issue with 'skinny' women nor do I see an issue with 'curvy' women, the whole point of fashion and good style is that it suits YOU and who YOU naturally are! But I do have an issue when you see images of obviously malnourished and unhealthy models and supposed faces of fashion parading across magazines sending out a bad message and setting poor examples to young girls and boys in some cases of how to look! It's wrong. Skinny can be sexy, but scrawny just can't!

While researching I found out some seriously haunting facts and it really opened my eyes to the reality of what the fashion industry influences on more drastic level than just how we wear denim this season! I know it did me when I was going through high school, I suffered from Anorexia for about 2 years and even now constantly battle with my weight and self esteem issues, and it turns out I am not alone! Over two thirds of teenage girls and young adults suffer from some form of either eating disorder or have an issue with their body weight and image and it more or less always comes down to what they see on the catwalk or in glossy magazines.

So, my slogan 'Feed The Birds' is a little bit like my own form of Hamnett. To bring a message across that it has to stop!

The slogan isn't just around eating disorders though, there is a lot more too it.

I don't know whether it's my nature to just accept someone for who they are or whether I have just been nurtured to always be curious but understand that everyone is always different and sometimes that means they have different preferences in life, one of which can be their sexuality.

My concept of eating disorders and super skinny models then developed on how fashion influences and hides other issues within young society.

One of the leading ones being homosexuality and other sexuality preferences. I was prompted to look further into this when I met my current boyfriend who had actually been gay/bisexual for most of his teen years and looking through his photo albums had used how he looked, especially his hair to help him figure out who he was and also whether or not being homosexual was what made him happy in life and would for years to come... Turns out it didn't (obviously) but that isn't always the case, sometimes young adults struggling to cope with their sexuality or even their gender use their body, style and personal image as a form of escape from what they know is really who they are, it's almost like a living experiment. Statistics show that almost half of young men who suffer from eating disorders such as bulimia use their weight and image as way of punishing themselves for being 'gay'. This isn't always because they're ashamed of it, quite often this is due to the amount of pressure young men especially feel to be 'manly' and often suffer horrific forms of bullying as a consequence should they admit the reality. This is all so wrong so I decided that the best way to incorporate this part of my concept would be to use the colours from the gay pride flag within my T-Shirt design. Which is why the text of 'Feed The Birds' is in the 7 colours of the rainbow.

I know it wont exactly do a lot in the sense of having an impact on said issues but it's a start and it has really inspired me, I'm not saying I'm going to be anywhere near as iconic and influential than Hamnett but it's certainly given me food for thought for the future.

Eye Spy With My Little Eye, Something Beginning With D...

And sadly I'm not talking about super model David Gandy!

D is also for DRESS! My Final Garment and Dress of Stress as I am now calling it when my friends ask me what I am currently working on, because quite frankly...IT IS! Is getting nearer and nearer to becoming complete...

Due to time I've had to modify my design and work with what I have that fits a tight time scale, so instead of using eyelets and safety pins I'm using good old fashioned braces. (Androgynous AND Affordable, what more could you ask for.) It's not ideal but nor is it an issue in my eyes, one because the braces cost £0 as they're out of my very own wardrobe and they also fit nicely with my original concept so everyones a winner!