Conclusion

Once the garment and shoots were finished, I completed my blog and paper work. All signed, sealed, delivered and handed in. 

I really enjoyed this project! It was by far my most favourite, and I am actually sad it has all come to an end. I have learnt so much about my technique, time keeping, materials and keeping my priorities  set on the end result. I know these are lessons I can go back to in the future.

My nan is one of those people that have always been in my life and always been there for me, but I think, because she is not one of my parents, it's easy to overlook her and forget to tell her how much I love her, and how important she really is. She's a really special person, and I don't think she realises how big of an impact she has had on her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The morals and standards set for her as a child, have stuck with her, her whole life and been pasted down through generations. At any family event, or opportunity we get to actually all be together (because there's so many of us), sometimes I take a moment to look around the room, at my; aunts, uncles, cousins, my mum, my dad, my brother, my sister, and then my eyes draw back to my nan, and I just think; wow, we're all here because of you. And despite the fact, we might not all be living in five million pound houses, or driving the latest sport car, earning hundreds of thousands of pounds a week, or own our own private jet. We really are the richest and luckiest family in the world, because we all have each other, no matter what! we all have our health, we're all comfortable  with the lifestyle we have and we're all happy. That's because, my nan has always expressed that they are the most important factors of life, and you are nothing without them. It's your family and health first, nothing else matters. And as July approaches, I am so proud to say my nan will be turning ninety years old this summer! She's still has smart, funny, brave and beautiful as she's always been, and I couldn't think of anyone else I would want to pay tribute to with this project.

Week 29 - Final Major Project - Week 8

TUESDAY

I spent the weekend, and today completing my garment. Despite the fabric not working with me at first, luckily everything came together, and it is now completed. I explained before that I would be making; a collar, skirt and top for my final outcome. Once the whole outfit was completed, I felt there was something missing. So I decided to buy some more fabric - pink lace. I cut the flowers out of the lace and added them to my collar. I felt the outfit itself was modern enough, that I could add something traditional, just to take it back to my nan.

Also while I was making the skirt, the fabric was far too heavy to create the frill I wanted. So I went back to designing, and created a little ruffle to add to the back of the skirt.

I felt this was enough, without taking too much attention away. It's cute and traditional, without looking too much like a costume. 

WEDNESDAY

Everyone was back in on Wednesday for a photoshoot. We were all in charge of creating the look we wanted. That included; hair, make up, and the model. 

I had thought long and hard about who I wanted to model. But since I was going to be doing my own photo shoot as well, I decided to model this one myself. The project is personal to me, so it felt right that on this occasion I would model. 

Looking back on photos of my nan, she always looked presentable, but was never one to over do it. So I kept my hair in its nature state and put on very minimal make up.

The whole experience of the photoshoot was so much fun. I loved it! It's definitely something I am looking forward to doing again. 

THURSDAY

I used the start of Thursday to do my own photoshoot. I asked my friend Lauren Page to model for me, she's been scouted by Storm and Next modelling agency, so I thought she would be perfect for the job. 

The location of my shoot was the Hoxton flower market, located down Columbia Road. My mum and nan would shop down there all the time! And there's still a lot of the original shops, so I felt this would keep to the concept of my project and help bring my nan's stories to life. 

Week 28 - Final Major Project - Week 7

TUESDAY

To get my fabric, I went to Dalston Mill Fabrics, down Ridley Road. This is a street, and shop my mum and nan used to go to all the time! So while getting my fabric, I have also kept to the concept of my project. 

The fabric I gathered, consisted of neutral tones, because after looking back on the stories my nan told me, I found she is not materialistic in the slightest. She prefers the simpler things in life and is content with the basics. What is important to her, is that those closest to her are happy and healthy. Which is why my material had to be simple. 

My final outcome will be a garment. It consist of a;

• Collar - A collar, was always going to be very important to my final garment. My nan has often told me stories about; how the collars could be removed from her dads shirts, and the importance her family always and still put on having a clean neck. Having dirt on your neck, was always a massive sign you were from a working class background - when the men were at work they would only wipe their face after a long day, leaving behind dirt all over their neck. Wish is why, even now, I am still told by nan, to always clean my neck.
• Top - I am going to make a halter top for my final outcome. Looking through old pictures, I can see my nan has always been reserved in her choice of clothing, so that's something I wanted to respect in my garment. But, I also have to bring this garment into the year 2016. The last thing I want, is to make a costume, or have my garment look that it was made to be worn in the 1940s. So despite the top being a halter, all the back of it will be open and laced up. 
• Skirt - For the skirt, I decided with a pencil skirt. A pencil skirt is both something my nan would have worn then, and something I would wear now. With this pencil skirt however, I will have a frill going around the centre of it. 

WEDNESDAY

Starting on my top, I drew the design out in my sketchbook. I sketched it, and measured out the fabric on the stand to make sure it fitted a standard size 10;

I have spent all of today making the top, since I need to have my whole garment finished for next week. But so far everything is going to plan, and I am happy with the top so far.

I am going to use this week just for my garment, I still have next week to finish anything off in my sketchbook. 

THURSDAY

I am so happy I completed my top today! That's the first part of my garment done, and now I have to complete the skirt and collar. 

As I began to start my skirt today, I noticed the material was just not stitching together. Holes would be made, but the thread would not hold. When I went back to the fabric shop to ask what was going on, they explained to me, I would need to purchase a ballpoint needle to use instead. It's the only needle that would hold my fabric together. 

While this is very frustrating, considering I need this garment completed by next week. It is definitely a lesson learnt. This is all about trial, practice makes perfect, and I will know for next time. 

Week 27 - Final Major Project - Week 6

TUESDAY

As it is getting towards the end of the project, every minute counts and is so important. With that in mind, I really wanted to have a day of no distractions, so I stayed at home. This way, I did not have to worry about getting to and from university, all the resources I needed were at home and I could start and finish the day just doing my work without stopping for anything. 

So I used the day to finish off my most recent design boards, ready for my tutorial tomorrow. 

WEDNESDAY

I started the day with a tutorial. The tutorial consisted of my tutor, and one other student. We explored each others work, and gave each other advice on where we could progress from here. They both said how much they liked my most recent designs, and felt they would be a massive benefit towards my final outcome.

The tutorial was most helpful though, because my tutor expressed to both of us that it was time to actually start on the final outcome. If we both wanted to make garments for the deadline, we really have to make a start this weekend. 

THURSDAY

Considering I have decided to make a start on my garment this weekend, I need to pick my final design. I have looked through all the designs I have created, and narrowed them down to my favourite 5:

From this final 5, I completed a total of twenty-five more designs based on these original designs, just to see if I could develop them any further. 

This helped, because from this I picked my final design, which meant I could get to work on actually making my final outcome, my garment.

Week 26 - Final Major Project - Week 5

TUESDAY

We are just a week over the half way point, so an assessment was due. The day started with a brief self assessment. Taking into account; how much work overall we had completed, what resources we had used, any problems we have had to resolve so far and where we need to progress. Once that was completed, our work was peer assessed. Giving us all the opportunity to see where other students had taken their projects. It was then our tutors looked at our work, giving us a realistic idea of what the final mark of our projects will be. I was predicted a PASS, for this stage of the project, which I find completely fair. 

This style of assessment was extremely useful. I had the opportunity to see what other people were doing and trying, which will be a massive help in pushing my own work forward. Also having an assessment from my tutors gave me a realistic idea of my the work I have currently complete, and what I need to do with the next stage of work. 

Having said this, after my assessment, I know I need to be more experimental with my work, and some fabrication is definitely needed. 

WEDNESDAY

After having had my assessment, and knowing I have to include fabric samples and experimentation, I decided, it would be best to finish off my designs as soon as possible so I could move on. I felt there were a few more designs my sketchbook needed, so I completed some more pages of roughs.
I now had more than enough designs to pick from, although there were other methods of design I could venture into. I started looking through magazines, and revisiting stories my nan had perviously told me. I felt I could dig a little deeper into them, and expand what I had done up to this point, since I felt everything I had done so far was only touching the surface.
This should help, connect my designs closer to my project concept, and give those looking into my project a better understanding of the tribute I am making. 

THURSDAY
After gathering images from magazines, and exploring the information I already had further, I used Thursday to develop more designs.
These designs were a lot different compared to the ones I had already completed. These designs consisted of exploring; fabric, silhouette, shaping and explored my concept in more depth.

This really helped me, especially since I am now coming up to the process of having to finalise my work, and pick a final design.
These design pages have gone into so much more detail than anything I have done yet. I now have so much more option to make my final decision with.

Week 25 - Final Major Project - Week 4

TUESDAY 

Unfortunately, I was very unwell during the weekend just gone. Due to this, I was not able to continue with my work over the weekend. With this in mind, it was very important I sped up the process and continued to work through my design work. This meant doing more stand work. I always find, the more stand work I complete the better. This will give me more variety when it comes to sketching out my designs, and therefore more variety when it comes to pick  a garment to make. 

It is a massive step back that I had to take the weekend off. But unfortunately, with a project that takes 8 weeks to complete, things like this are bound to happen at some point. The best thing I can do now is carry on, and make up for the work I should have completed. This means more stand work and designs have to be made!

(My own photo)

... continued to WEDNESDAY

As well as using my day to carry on with yesterdays work, I spent the afternoon having a one to one tutorial with my tutor. My tutor and I, discussed the comments made about my work, from the session last week, and spoke about how it would be best for me to move forward. 

Obviously, the lack of design work was discussed. We also said; it would be a good idea for me to look into patterns, and a nice side to my main project could be a small photo album I make myself. 

Leaving my tutorial, I felt confident in where I wanted my project to go. I was also, thankful for the ideas on what to do next and how to expand my project. 

THURSDAY

By Thursday, I had done more than enough work on the stands. It was time to start working on the designs. Luckily I had loads of photos of stand work, to design form. This made the design process very easy. 

I have completed page, after page, after page of design, and still plan to do more. Despite doing a lot of stand work, I could still do more and therefore complete more designs. This is very beneficial to me, because I can always see the improvement in my work with the more stand work I complete. 

However, despite stand work and designs being important, I also need to complete patterns and my photo album. This will provide another type of media to my project, and make it more interesting to those viewing it.  

Week 24 - Final Major Project - Week 3

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY

Over the weekend, I added more research to my sketchbook. This was more about finalising my research. I wanted to put the finishing touches, on the most useful pieces of information I had gathered, so I could then move onto design. This included, adding more detail to my favourite quotes and stories from my nan, considering the photos I had, and deciding which would be best to use, and making rough designs and annotations to my second sketchbook.

I found this was useful, because my research was a mess! I really had to finalise it, present the basics and make it clear what my project was all about. 

However, I have spent a lot of time on my research, especially considering I can come back to the research process whenever I want. It's important now, that I move on to the next part of my project, which is design! I will definitely be designing as soon as possible.

(My own photo)

THURSDAY

Looking at the photos, quotes and secondary research I had gathered, I then decided to create shapes based on this evidence, that most relate to, or at least reminded me of what I had gathered. These shapes were to be used on the stand. I moved and manipulated the shapes, to create different inspirations for all the possible designs I will be able to come up with. 

I found it was useful to use the whole day on the stand, because I should have started my design work a lot earlier. I can go back to research whenever I want, but I had to begin the design process as soon as possible. 

I always find my design work to be ten times better once I have been on the stands. The stand, definitely gives more possibilities to design work. My designs never look as good, as once I have been on the stand, all the more reason it was best for me to use the whole day. 

I would like to do even more stand work next week, although I know the importance of getting on with my designs. 

As well as working on the stands, I also had a group tutorial. I always find tutorials really helpful, they provide an opportunity to see where other students are with their projects, as well as gaining more welcomed advice and getting about 6+ more open ions on your work. The group expressed how much they liked my project, although made it clear it was now time for me to move onto designs. 

(My own photo)

Week 23 - Final Major Project - Week 2

I used the beginning of this week, to finish off my primary research. This included filling my sketchbook with my own images and stories from my name. But I needed more research, this took me to look into museums and galleries for secondary research. 

I attended the Imperial War Museum. This visit was extremely helpful! Not only was I able to learn more context behind the war, but I also found an artist who's work is based on the war, I found many items of clothing and even managed to buy some postcards and books, that will be useful in moving my project forward, from the gift shop. 

                                  (My own photos)

Looking around, I was able to find out things that linked to what my nan had already told me. As well as adding further knowledge to what I already knew. 

I found quotes from people who were there at the time, pieces of furniture, clothing and laws that applied during the Second World War. All of which should help with my project. 

While looking around the museum, I also managed to find an artist;

(My own photo)

I had never heard of Peter Kennard before, but his work was beautiful! His work was incredibly dramatic, meaningful and thought provoking. Definitely something I will be taking inspiration from later on in my project. 

The Imperial War museum describes Kennard as; "...Britain's most important political artist whose imagery has become synonymous with the modern protest movement... has consistently confronted issues in world politics and British governmental policy both at home and abroad..." I was lucky to find an artist that linked so perfectly, his work is something I would like to revisit later on. While I was at the Imperial War museum I also purchased postcards and books. The postcards were of posters used as propaganda during World War 2, while the books I purchased included; CC41 Utility Clothing, Fashion in the 1940s and Style in the Second World War Fashion on the Ration.   

The rest of this week included gathering my secondary information and deciding what was useful enough to put into my sketchbook. The books and postcards I got proved to be very helpful. I was really happy with my visit to the museum and what I managed to find, although I feel it would have been even more helpful had I visited more than one. Despite wanting this to be my final week of research, I cannot help but think, my project would benefit from another museum or gallery visit. 

Week 22 - Final Major Project - Week 1

When first presented with the 'Final Major Project' concept, I knew I wanted my project to be personal. I just felt, I would be more enthusiastic and committed to the project if it was something I had a personal connection to.  Keeping that in mind, I started brain storming ideas. After giving it a lot of thought, I decided to base my FMP on my nan. My nan is an incredible woman, she's quick witted, independent, funny, loving, brave, smart and extremely caring. 

The part of my nans life I find most interesting is her teenage years. When my nan was thirteen World War Two broke out. Coming from a working class family in Hackney, my nan, along with her 4 sisters and 3 brothers all stayed at home throughout the war, never being evacuated. For as long as I can remember, my nan has told be some of the most unbelievable stories about her time during the war, they have always fascinated and entertained me, so I knew this is the time period I wanted to base my final major project on.
To begin with, I searched our house for any photos of my nan I could find. I had great success! I managed to find photos of my nan, my granddad in his Navy uniform, My nans brothers and sisters, her parents and the street party their street held after the war, among many other beautiful photos; 

(My own photo)

Being able to find as many pictures as I did, means my primary research is strong to start me off on my project. As well as gathering photos for my primary research, I spoke to my nan. Asking her as many questions as I could possibly think of about the war, I was lucky to hear some incredible stories about her life. All these stories were summarised and written in my sketchbook, I also have a separate sketchbook purely for stories and quotes from my nan.
Her stories include; how her family got food, what they would eat, what she did for work, what her siblings did for work, what it was like working during that time, clothing, and more.
With all the information I managed to gather, including what I already knew, I spent my week putting all the information into my sketchbook, through imagery and mind maps.
So far I am happy with the progress I have made in terms of my primary research, my sketchbook is fall of images and information. It's important I keep this up, asking my nan, as well as her siblings for more stories and quotes, I would also like to find more photos. But next week, my main focus is going to be secondary research. I am planning to attend museums and galleries to strengthen my research. 

Week 21 - 3 Words - Week 2

TUESDAY

After doing some research, I found hallucinations can occur in those that suffer from mental illness, or those that suffer from substance abuse. Either way the one thing both scenarios have in common is they're both an internal struggle, that the suffer has to face alone in their own head.

Considering this, I started to think of the best way I could portray that. I wanted it to be obvious something was going on in someones head, without it being obvious as to what.

(My own photo)

WEDNESDAY

Wanting to keep this an internal struggle, I started to sketch out humans head at different angles. I want to create the illusion of someone trying to shake the evil and nightmarish images in their head. 

I could have surrounded the heads with images of real things people find frightening - which I did consider - but people who suffer from hallucinations go through that alone, and I thought by drawing the actual images would make it too relatable. 

(My own images)

THURSDAY

I spent the final day painting my final piece. When it come to the fourth column, I picked painting over garment for 2 reasons. The first being everyone was very busy during this last 2 weeks, with interviews and our final major project being first introduced to us. That I honestly didn't think I would have the time to make a garment I would be proud of. Secondly, I thought it would be a nice change. so far all my projects have been fashion based. I've done the mood board and final line up, that I thought this would be a nice change. 

In my final painting, I kept with my idea of the moving head, adding colourful skulls around the faces, to symbolise, despite someones outer appearance, you have no idea of the hell thats going on through their head. It's everyones own personal struggle. 

(My own image)

I am happy overall with this project. I did honestly try my very best. But again, it was a busy 2 weeks, and I can't help but think I could've got so much more done had I not been as busy. 

Week 20 - 3 Words - Week 1

TUESDAY

As stated as the '3 words' project, we were given a list with 4 columns. We had to pick 1 word from each of the first 3 columns, and then an outcome from the final column. From the first column, I picked; words from favourite song/book/poem.For 'words from favourite song/book/poem', I picked the lyrics "I fell into a burning ring of fire", from Johnny Cash's song Ring of Fire. Just because it's an old song that I can remember often being played in the background of my childhood, especially in my nans flat. From the second I picked artist; Takashi Murakami, and finally, I picked mismatch, from the third column.

(My own photos)

I picked Ring of Fire, just because it's a song I heard a lot growing up, and a song I like. Even now I am more than happy to still listen to it. 

I brain stormed with the lyrics "I fell into a burning ring of fire", noting this is a song about someone who falls into a heavy drug addiction with no way of escaping it.

Really, once I made sense of what the lyrics were about, the rest fell right into place. I considered looking at hallucinations for my project. Since the lyrics are about drug addiction, Takashi Murakami's work is images of what we see in dreams and nightmares, which is similar to the reaction and effect of drugs. Then I thought 'mismatch', would be an interesting way to explain the inner torment  and effect of those hallucinations that can start good, but turn into a nightmare.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
Having decided that hallucinations, was going to be the main focus of my project, I thought it would be wise to do some research of hallucinations. So I spent Wednesday and Thursday gaining as much information as I could on the topic.

(My own photos)

Week 19 - Politics in Fashion - Week 2

TUESDAY
I used today to start off my rough designs. By doing this I took a shape from the whales skin, photocopied it 8 times and used them photocopies to then manipulate shapes on the stand. It was from these photos of my stonework, that I developed my own rough designs, selecting my favourites and drawing them out, as a possible selection of my final line up.

(My own photos)

WEDNESDAY

I attended an interview at Middlesex University, so was unable to get much of my work completed. However once I was home I did manage to complete some frankensteins - I thought it would be good to consider some silhouettes before I make the decision of my final line up.

(My own photos)

THURSDAY

Overall I wish I had more time to work on this project. When the final day came round I had completed everything I needed to, and had a final outcome ready to be seen:

(My own photos)

But I can't help but think if I had more time I could have made something amazing! Or at least my project could have been that much better. It really didn't help that I had to have 2 days off out of the 6 days I would have been in, but I'll take that as a lesson learnt in time management. There's going to be times when I miss sessions or have a busy week, and I need to be able to work around.

So overall I was happy with this project, although I wish I could have spent another week on it.

Week 18 - Politics in Fashion - Week 1

TUESDAY

As soon as I was told this project would be based around any politics of our choice, I knew exactly what I was going to do. A few years ago I had watched a documentary called 'Blackfish'. The documentary highlighted the poor and cruel environment orcas are placed in at the hands of American business Sea World. I have never been more repulsed by a documentary, and promised myself I would never go back to Sea World.

I started this project by creating a brain storm. This was filled with information I already knew, as well as information from the internet and the documentary 'Blackfish'.

(My own photo)

WEDNESDAY

Today I had an interview at East London University, so I was unable to get much work done. However I managed to print off images I can use to create mood boards tomorrow. 

THURSDAY

As I was searching images and looking through my brain storm, something that stood out to me was how imprisoned, uncomfortable and tight those tanks must be for the orcas compared to the ocean. With this in mind I considered bringing the idea of bondage into my work, as well as the whales:

(My own photos)

Moving on as quickly as I could to the design part, I traced the patterns on the side of all the whales in my concept boards onto one sheet. Then photocopied it multiply times on one sheet of paper, before cutting this out into shapes of garments. I noticed the pattern I had created was similar to something called 'racking'. 'Racking', is a sign of aggression when a whale drags its teeth along the skin of another whale, cracking and ripping the skin. This is something that happens a lot when the whales are in captivity. 

(My own photo)

Week 17 - Deconstruct/Reconstruct - Week 2

TUESDAY

I completed my rough designs over the weekend and got straight into actually making one of my designs, out of 2 shirts and a blazer. I spent todays session making my top and continued to do so once I was home.

Having always just drawn out my designs it's exciting to be making it. Obviously the only problem is I haven't given myself much time to finish it and I don't want to rush it. I want it to be perfect for Thursday.

(My own photo)

WEDNESDAY

I managed to complete my outfit during todays session, which meant I had more than enough time to take some photos of it, as well as with me in it - just to show it is wearable and functional. I am happy with the fact I managed to complete the garment,. I can now use my time to complete a final line up, as well as drawing out my final design.

I was really happy once my garment was completed and it was ACTUALLY wearable. That was something I was really worried about. But I managed to complete it and take some photos:

(My own photos)

THURSDAY
Since today was the last day of the project, I had to make sure my sketchbook was complete with everything I had done up to this point, including; frankensteins, roughs, final designs and photo shoot.
I've enjoyed this project the most out of all of them so far. I think working on Vetements in the last project definitely helped, since this whole deconstruct/reconstruct is very similar to what they do. It almost felt like I was continuing the same project.
I was really happy with my research process, I think that's the hardest I've worked on any of these projects so far, I was also proud of my ability to make and model a garment. Every time we make something I feel my skills are developing more and more in that area.
One thing my tutor mentioned I could have worked on more in this project was my attention to detail. When reconstructing the garments I brought it, I was looking too much at what I could do with the whole garment rather than smaller details, such as; the collar or cuffs. But this is something for me to consider next time.

Week 16 - Deconstruct/Reconstruct - Week 1

TUESDAY
As soon as we started this project I wanted to create some frankensteins, since I thought it would be a good idea to consider the numerous different silhouettes I could create with this project, since I find using frankensteins to be inspiration when it comes to making new designs.

(My own photos)

From my frankensteins, I went straight onto the stands. I had brought in a variety of old clothing of mine, including; jeans, a blazer, shirts, jumpers and skirts, all of which I could use to manipulate on the stands to create a line of clothing that was deconstructed/reconstructed.

                         (My own photos)

I find working on the stands incredibly helpful. I always used to hate it, but now - especially since this project - I've come to realise how important and useful stand work is. I honestly believe my research for this project and enthusiasm was so strong, because of the amount of stand work I completed at the beginning of it.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY

While my stand work was still fresh in my mind, I used the photos from yesterday to get straight into my rough designs. I used all my photos and got as many designs out as possible. This was great because I've never produced so many roughs before, I was full of some many ideas.
I spent both Wednesday and Thursday drawing out rough designs, knowing I would have more than enough to work with next week.

(My own photos)