Jean Paul Gaultier - Barbican

Hi all,

I had the opportunity to go and see the amazing Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition at the Barbican in London. To my surprise photography was permitted, which was great, as there was so much to photograph.
The exhibition was huge, spread over two floors, with various room like areas brimming with his creations. It was an incredible privilege being able to look so closely at so many of his designs. I was overwhelmed by the mass of detail that many of his pieces had.
JPG is known well for his corsetry details, (seen in his fragrance bottles) and there were many examples of how he has brought the corset forward from previous centuries. The denim corset was particularly interesting, with a rib like look in distressed bleached denim, which is actually silk. Another one that caught my eye was one constructed from many ribbons, the ribbons then making up the entire dress.

There are so many that I would mention, but instead have a look at a few of the highlights...

The denim silk corset with printed top and leggings. 

Gaultier transforms the wearer into a bird of paradise. Feathers of great vibrancy flow over the shoulder and down the arms. I would feel like I could fly if I wore this!

I can't even process how long it must take to get into this laced up creation. A while, is my guess. 

Got a few old ties hanging around? Sew them together and make a dress or skirt! JPG did!!!

This incredible leapord dress does not have a real skin draped over it, but instead the entirety of the animal is created by hundreds and thousands of bead!!! Amazing!!!

The mask like face emerging from the dress bodice like a three dimensional sculpture has so much character.

xox Niamh xox

Creative White Shirt

Hi all,

As one of the first projects on my course, we had to take the basic pattern cutting skills that we developed, and exploit them in a creative white shirt.

I chose to base mine on containment, and the ideas of Victorian life. I created a shirt that buttons up the back with a row of pearl buttons, it has a wide high neck and exaggerated sleeves. There are external panels that wrap over the sleeves, limiting the arm movements of the wearer.

The lower part of the shirt I developed a pleated feature, which I lined in a satin lining to emphasize. 

I definitely wasn't thinking 'wearable' when I designed this, but I wanted to explore elements that could then be extracted and adapted into something slightly less dramatic.

It's a little crazy, and I probably won't be wandering down the high street wearing it any time soon, but I had so much fun making it, and I am really pleased with the outcome.

xox Niamh xox

Cobweb Textiles

Hi all,

Let me introduce you to a mini project I did, involving the colour pewter. I chose to explore cobwebs, as they become visible when they are covered in frost in the early winter mornings. 

I translated these images onto fabric, first dying the fabrics then working onto with angelina fibres and free machine embroidery. The angelina fibres helped to give a reflective nature to the pieces, and look different colours as they move. 

xox Niamh xox