Patisserie Lesson

We had the best girls' afternoon at Arona&Michoco, learning how to make Mont Blanc cake at an "Atelier de Patisserie", drinking tea and making the most of having a decent kitchen to cook in (and an OVEN!!!)

first [proper] jacket

I mean, I've made a few before, but always quick and easy, nothing tailored. Totally love it - Burda magazine pattern 5/2009/102 (GREAT issue.. so many cute dresses). But I digress. I found both of the fabrics in a random op shop in Palmerston (South) aka the middle of nowhere, for $2. Score! I fused the navy with coat fusing (all pieces) to give it firmness as it was really light, then did extra interfacing on top. Pretty much used the pattern straight as it was, apart from taking in the princess seams a bit to give it a slimmer, more tailored look. So yeah, it was pretty straightforward. I used The Sewing Book by Alison Smith to give me a bit of help with the instructions for the collar, as per usual the Burda magazine instructions are rather brief. It was the first time I actually did all the “bits” – shoulder pads, sleeve caps, full lining; stoked that I know how to do it all now. I took a few weeks to slowly make this and it's turned out so much better than my usual quick furious sewing session! Photos courtesy the very talented Elizabeth Myra who just got a new lens and was keen to try it out in the beautiful lights of Wellington. Thanks Liz!

Wow.

Image courtesy of AlexiaSinclair.com
I've admired the NZ Opera's Macbeth advertising in a BIG way - it's just stunning. I always wondered just how they got that hair like that. Anyways, after a bit of web tripping through various design company websites I came across Alexia Sinclair. She is the super talented photographer and graphic artist behind this shoot (and much much more awesome, award winning stuff - check her out asap!). The icing on the cake was finding this video, with the photography and post production - it's amazing, especially for someone into costumes, photography, design, theatre... wow.... watch it now!

Alexia Sinclair: Behind the Scenes - Macbeth from Sultana Studios on Vimeo.

Project Funway

A cool little Nelson competition in which entrants had 2 weeks to make an outfit out of a white sheet! I created a cute little summer jumpsuit/romper, with hood and cutout back. Did some dip dying to give it a fun look. Even managed to get in the paper!

Collaboration!

These were Jess's hairstyles for the Wella Trend Vision competition. I think the hair is AMAZING! And my outfits match the hair, I hope! My painty dress from a month or so ago makes an appearance with a [once massive] vintage blue wool coat that I reworked into a little bolero jacket, and shoes from Taylors. The other is a crazy midnight ballerina look! With a super intense black tulle skirt and satin asymetric top. And crazy hair, love it.

Pro-photos

These didn't scan as well as I'd hoped.. but they still look cool! This is the dress I made (from recycled circles of fabric) for the Nouveau Design Awards in January - it looks so much better on film than on the stage I reckon.
This last one is a beautiful dress I was given by Barb, I shouldn't really call it vintage coz she's not old! But it's from the 70s and so gorgeous - gold paisley. It had a few holes but I fixed them up and put a gold ruffle on the neck.. Goes well I think!

Design competition inspiration

Ridiculously gorgeous. I have a bag of paint test pots in pretty colours sitting around... this could be fun! I'm entering a fashion design competition in July and am attempting to get started now, cos otherwise it won't happen!

Another day in paradise...

I am inspired by...

Cutouts & textures.


Crazy colours & fabric painting & puffy skirts.

Tim Walker & beautiful couture made from household objects. How awesome is this?

Pretty dress

Gold and white dress I designed for Jess's hair comp... shot by Daniel Allen.

Frame makeover

I can never find frames I like, so I decided to do a little vintage makeover... I find it very soothing! Found this old frame (with glass) at Richmond Antiques and Curios (favourite antique shop).



It's pleasantly surprising what a bit of paint can do! I primed the frame, spraypainted it with a standard black paint, then got a piece of white mounting card for $4 at the local art suppliers and used a [very sharp] builder's craft knife to make nice little square windows in it. Then put my beautiful medium format graduation photos in (courtesy of Adrian) and there you have it! Nice little Saturday crafty job.

I'm for sale!

Woop woop! Finally, got my act together and selling stuff online, after a year of messing around. I'm selling through Felt, an NZ online website for all things handmade. Click here to check it out. Here are some pictures from the photoshoot for the clothes. Briony King took the photos... I'm stoked with them. Thanks Briony!

Shoot sneak preview

I'm really excited. We did a photoshoot yesterday involving four girls, a mini-roadtrip up the back of nowhere, a field with waist-high grass, a little old church, abandoned car (with guard dogs) and several wrong turns. Such an awesome day :) Photos to come.

Professional photos!

I can't believe how much of a difference it makes seeing my stuff in a decent photo rather than sitting at my house thinking how much I hate the piece and how over it I am... makes it all worthwhile :)

From hair comps last year.

From Nouveau Design Awards - Photo: Nelson Mail.

Christmas time [almost]

Major baking session. Gingerbread - yummmmmm. Procrastination for when I should be finishing my Nouveau Design competition entry...

New business card!

An attempt playing with a real camera (a Nikon D70). I can't believe the difference in image from a standard digi - it's amazing. I get to play for the whole weekend!

flickr beauty

Waterfalls in Jamaica

Red bathing suit

Photos from Tom Palumbo. He has an amazing fashion collection of photos from the 1950s and 60s for magazines like Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. Beautiful images, but I may just be excited about reggae and beer at the Summer Beer Fete tonight, and swimming in the weekend. Happy Friday!