Jean-Paul Gaultier 1988

Hi all,

So, with new access to lots of lovely fashion books at college I am working my way through them one.. by.. one..
I just want to share a few things with you now and again, whenever I come across something that catches my eye :)

So here is the first one.. Jean-Paul Gaultier Leopard Evening Bodice Spring/Summer 1988 (taken from 'The Historical Mode-fashion and art in the 1980's' by Richard Martin and Harold Koda.

I love this top. I am sure many people might disagree, but the sleeves are absolutely amazing!!!

Till next time...

xox Niamh xox

My Week in Ceramics

Hi all,

So for my first workshop on foundation I chose to do ceramics. I had never really done any work in ceramics before, so most of what I was doing was completely new. The workshop was for 2 weeks, the first week had some interesting outcomes. Many little oddly shaped pots and jugs. I have only just glazed them, but I will show you them when they are fired. 

Below are two things that I am quite proud of (neither has been fired here) The first was a pair of mugs for my mum, with a curved handle, and carved leaves. I have no idea if they will actually function as mugs (I have a feeling that one of them might leak!)

The other thing I made was a trio of vases. I quite like the shape, and I again inscribed them with a leafy pattern. I am looking forward to glazing them an adding colour.

Prepare yourself for some very... interesting shaped things. I had a got at throwing pots on the wheel. It was my very first time doing so, so I wasn't expecting miracles. It was a lot harder than it looked. My first pot ended up with a hole in the bottom as I pushed too far through the clay (hehe) Then my second one was a slight improvement, but I was unable to maintain the thickness of the wall, so its a more... artistically shaped bowl :)

So what do you think of my attempts? (Hehe)

xox Niamh xox

Rose Sanderson

Hi all,

Let me be the one to introduce you to the work of Rose Sanderson. I discovered this artists work in an exhibition 'Unnatural Natural History' at the RWA in Bristol. She produces really beautiful pieces of work, layering paint and wallpaper as a base for her detailed bird paintings. I love the colours and textures in her work. Take a look at her website to see more of her work: Click here

Here is a little sneek peak of the things she has produced... 

'A Displaced Existance'

'Azure' 

'Crested Tit'

'Rise'

'Swallows in Flight'

xox Niamh xox

Pattern of the Week no.13

Hi all,

Pattern of the week again. Here is a vogue vintage model pattern for the iconic 1940's militaristic utility look. The A-line skirt with the sharp shoulders. To bring this pattern into this era I would loosen the skirt a bit making it less regimented, by adding a few more pleats, or gathering sections. I also think that this pattern would lend itself to a more colourful patterned fabric. Maybe mixing using a lighter weight fabric, such as a georgette .

Thats just my personal opinion, what would you do?

xox Niamh xox

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Hi all,

So about a month before Kate and Wills visited Singapore Botanic Gardens we were there. It is truly a beautiful place, and for someone who likes to take flower photos (me!) it was a dream come true. The orchid garden was amazing, I have never seen so many different colours, shapes and sizes of orchids. I took so many photos its not even funny! But I have filtered them down to a few select pics to give you a flavour of what we saw.

Unfortunately whilst we were there it did rain... buckets. We had to wait a while for it to ease off, but it only meant that the flowers all had water droplets on them, which were quite pretty. It was so humid there. (note no pictures of me included, the humidity meant my hair went like Monica's from F.R.I.E.N.D.S... frizzy! Not for the public eye!)

Enjoy...

xox Niamh xox

SAM - Singapore

Hi all,

So, over the summer during our travels we visited a lot of places. Now as an art student I am constantly looking out for new exhibitions and things that could inspire my work. So when in Singapore we visited the SAM (stands for Singapore Art Museum) It was really interesting to see new works of art from different cultural backgrounds. There were a few exhibitions ongoing in SAM, one of which was 'Seeker of Hope' works by Jia Aili. He is a Chinese born painter, and his work focus on the dramatic changes in Chinese society since 2000. His work brings about a lot of environmental issues, as well as China's space programme. 

There were lots of other interesting pieces by various artists. One thing which really grossed us out was a performance piece which made fast food even faster. It was a video clip in which a man took a burger, chips and coke from McDonald's, put it in a blender.... then drank it!!! (Gag)

Anyways, if you ever get the chance, definitely pop in for a visit

By Jia Aili, there is a hidden figure in this painting... can you see it?

Serbonian Bog, by Jia Aili. The gas masks are quite unnerving! 

Untitled 2010, by Jia Aili

By Jia Aili. This painting is huge, and incredibly photo realistic.

Jia Aili JAL 175. My mum really liked this one. The shine of the metal has been captured perfectly.

By Zero CMYK soft sculptures. I was so tempted to sit on them :)

Nasirun, 'Bajaj Pasti Berlalu'. How amazing would it be to drive around in one of these?

Agus Suwage 'I want to live another thousand years'. I took it as a personal challenge to try to name all of these people... I failed :( Can you do it? Comment their names below if you know them.

I was amazed by this one, so many buildings upon building. 'Impressions of Shanghi'

Another Jia Aili painting, 'Always by my side' I love this painting, the sea is really amazing.

Hope you enjoyed :)

xox Niamh xox

Pattern of the Week no.12

Hi all,

Wow, its been ages since I last posted a pattern of the week.. but I still have loads to show you :)

Here is a Vogue pattern by Victor Costa. I am guessing its from the 80's. I think the contrast between the very geometric upper part of the bodice really contrasts the fuller skirt. I am not too keen on the dropped waist, I would had the waist line higher and make more of an hour glass shape. I think the way it is wouldn't be very flattering on pear shaped figures as it would just emphasize the hip area.

xox Niamh xox

Colourful little birdies

Hi all,

So, during our little trip in Australia we saw a lot of wildlife. I have always loved birds, and there are some truly beautiful birds all over Australia. I managed to take a few good photos, capturing some of the colours that the birds have in the feathers. I think that nature is so inspiring and I aim to mimic some of its features in my work.

I can't remember exactly what kind of bird this is.. but if I were a bird, I would be this one. It looks like a dove that flew into a paint box!

This little fellow was so cute. Little bright blue kingfisher

These two lorikeets were real posers!

Mr.Parrot is bright green, red and blue

And this is Mr.Parrots Misses. She is red and blue. I think I prefer the colours of the male (but don't let her know!)

Although in the dark his feathers look black, they are really green, purple and burgundy in colour.

This is the cassowary. Quite an imposing flightless bird, with a killer sharp inside toenail. (and this guy isn't so little)

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of the colourful wildlife :)

xox Niamh xox

Alice Springs - Wearable Art Awards

Hi all,

So when we were in Alice Springs I discovered something called the wearable art awards. Unfortunately it was on the week after we left, so I didn't get to see it, but they had a few pictures advertising it, and of outfits from the last years entries. They are amazing! Outfits are made of anything the creator can get their hands on.. twigs, leaves, feathers, egg shells, shopping bags, tin cans, the list goes on...

Every outfit is completely unique, and amazingly detailed. Here are a few examples that I managed to find, to give you a flavour of what the event would be like...

Egg shells!!! No joke

I wish I would have been able to see the actual event.. :)

xox Niamh xox

Helen Kaminski

Hi all,

Has anyone heard of Helen Kaminski. If not, you are about to... She is a really well know hat designer in Australia, and is based in Sydney. The company has been producing high quality headwear for over 25 years, using materials that are both luxurious and in many cases natural (which is always better for the environment). They do two seasonal collections, Spring/Summer which contains mostly really cute straw hats, in so many different styles..(visors, boat style...) and the Autumn/Winter collection which features felt hats (something a bit warmer for the cooler months) 

After browsing through her website I pulled out a few hats that caught my eye. If you want to see more then pop over to her site: www.helenkaminski.com.au

I did actually get one of these hats when I was out in Brisbane, which I am absolutely in love with. I am going to do a separate post on it.

xox Niamh xox