Exhibition Review: 'Fashion Rules' at Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace is one of my favorite museum spaces in the city, up there with the V&A! The approach their curators take to presenting their exhibits is lovely, for old and young alike, because it draws out our inner child. For a site with such a rich history concerning the English monarch, it makes it interesting. For instance, their wonderful ‘Enchanted Palace’ exhibition some years ago I still remember for their intriguing and, yes, magical displays, combining history, fashion and art installation. Weaving together memorable stories of female monarchs, in each room in the palace they had different designers decorate, including Vivienne Westwood. They make fact seem fantastic, flashing descriptions of the displays on the walls with projects instead of the typical laminated description. You can almost imagine little fairies hiding around you, secretly watching the public as they wander the walls. And their lightning always has an air of mystery, and what better way to get one’s interest than adding intrigue?

I’ve already visited the Fashion Rules exhibition before, but on this wet cold November morning I wanted to experience that nostalgic wonder Kensington Palace holds. Going on until summer 2015, the exhibit is another of many to present dresses worn by royals, including Princess Di, highlighting the changes in the attire of the royals, the leap from regal to chic. 

Working from the 1950’s to the 80’s, it was interesting to learn again how the mind frame of the royals changed when their place in the public’s eye shifted their approach to fashion. Sure, they’ll always have stunning gowns, such as these featured by Norman Hartnell. But it was interesting to look at the wardrobe of Princess Margaret who, unlike her sister, had a little less pressure to look the part in the public’s eye and therefor was at liberty to be more fashion forward-even risqué, like this number!

Of course, there was a whole room for the late Princess of Wales, one of the most fashionable monarchs in history. It was interesting to learn how her wardrobe was influenced by the ‘bigger is better’, ‘power dressing’ prerogative of women in the 80’s, ergo forging a flashy, fabulous collection of gowns.

The exhibition is insightful, well curated, and not the first of the museum’s collections of royal gowns-and surely not to be the last. I say go, not just to see this exhibit, but the Museum itself for a wonderful day out for all the family!

Eliza Wray Brand

For the first time in years I visited the Spirit of Christmas Fair in London. First, to finally get a jump start on some gifts, and second because the stalls are wonderful inspiration for festive decorations.

One stall was truly memorable, the Eliza Wray stall. Formed by two country neighbors based in Surrey who share a love for interior design, the brand has been seen at several fairs and shopping evening events. However, at once I recognized a subtle rustic aesthetic, that seemed to have some Scandanavian influence! The adorable pastel palette is so refreshing and welcoming.

Although the majority of their products consist of home decor (picture frames, lamps etc.) but for the fair they mainly presented their toy range. And they were gorgeous. The idea were simple and charming, but the quality amazing. I bought several to decorate the table for Christmas, in refreshing shades of silvery-grey blue and beige, that have given me some ideas for little felt birds for place settings...

What I loved their play sets. One such item was the little box holding a simple wooden bed piled high with mattresses and a little knitted pea for a rabbit Princess. Another was an inviting circus, complete with a standing tent and a full colorful cast. But the cutest had to be the wooden match boxes with beds inside for their tiny occupants! 

That’s what I found so delightful about their products, how they drew back to simplicity and natural materials, and didn’t need expressive colors to blare out! It’s times like these I wish I had kids of my own to pass these beautiful play things onto. So for all mothers out there looking for gifts alternative to today’s high tech products and complex machinery, I totally recommend visiting Eliza Wray’s site at www.elizawray.co.uk and enjoy!

November Book Review: ‘Day of the Dead’ by Kerry Arquette, Andrea Zocchi and Jerry Vigil

Recently I’ve been really intrigued by the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertes, or Day of the Dead on November 1st. First, because it’s a brilliant continuation of Halloween! Second, the amazing colors and traditions offer so much scope for some wonderful craft projects. And finally, but it’s lovely and heart warming, the idea of a time to reconnect with those who’ve passed on. I’m even really looking forward to seeing the film The Book of Life!

This year I finally added to my Burton Halloween movie collection Corpse Bride. One my favorite parts in the film is when the Dead come up to the sombre Land of the Living. While the villagers are screaming in panic at their other worldly visitors, a single boy walks up to a zombie, embracing him after recognizing him as his late Grandfather. The terror at once is a replaced by sheer joy as the villagers are reunited with their departments friends and family members! And that really is what is so heart warming and appealing about this holiday-how it has power over death by taking away the fear of it.

Sorry to go off target there! The point is, anyone would like to celebrate this holiday. And this book provided some great insight in the festival and its traditions, from the calaveras (skeletons) and ofredas (an altar dedicated to a lost loved one.), giving the projects a little more significance. 

True, I was a little disappointed that most of the projects centre around making calaveras, which are a big part of the holiday. And I was disappointed not to find anything on papel pivadoes, or the paper streamers. But the projects range over many things, from a sugar skull recipe I’m revved to try, to building a basic ofredas.

Final Score: 5/5 (a perfect balance between a fun teaching of Hispanic culture to some great craft projects)

October Book Review: 'Drawing for Fashion Designers' by Angel Fernandez and Martin Roig

This isn’t your typical Learn To Draw book, but more a guide to putting together a design portfolio. And the authors do a great job, acknowledging that every designer’s style is different, and therefor no strict format that should be followed as to show to present one’s work. While I was studying at the London College of Style, my tutors encouraged that professionals prefer seeing the end result of a design rather than the research, the many sketches and mood boards, but some people seek the path of thought that goes into that final product.

The book, true to its title, goes offer some great tips for fashion drawing, not just some tips on life drawing. My technical fashion drawing-fabric folds, draping and more, has vastly improved. Fernandez and Roig also highlight how drawings don’t need pencil and paint, but present the possibility of collage and such to illustrate a design. 

And again, this book doesn’t simply offer drawing tips, but also great insight for fashion design, such as a glossary of fashion terms. 

So not technically a craft book, but a great insight for upcoming designers, students and professionals, for several options in how to best present your creative work in the industry. 

Overall Score: 5/5 (excellent layout and content)

Exhibition Review: Horst, Photographer of Style at the V&A Museum

All the photo shoots I’ve worked on have had the same atmosphere in common: hectic, rushed, and desperate to be the cutting edge. The place is so tense, you could slice through it with a knife. So while wondering through the Horst exhibition at the V&A, seeing the effortless lighting and how the models in each photo look so serene and relaxed, I started to wonder how photo shoots have evolved.

Horst was one of the leading figures in fashion photography, since he joined Vogue in 1931, up there with the greats including Patrick DeMarchalier. His strength was in his lightning, set up to create a 3D effect that was well rounded composition around the subject of his photos. The effect made his models, ranging from royalty to Hollywood sirens like Rita Hayworth, look like pristine sculptures, so centered and relaxed long enough to take the shot. 

Going in, I was a little disappointed at the initial layout of the exhibition. The trouble with photographs is that it’s hard to hold a public eye on something so small. However, as the exhibition shifted to show his further career I was pleasantly surprised to find larger, bolder prints. Today Vogue still owes much of it’s roots down to the gorgeous glossy covers he provided.

Offering some interesting insight into the history of fashion photography, a must see for photographers. The exhibit runs from 6th Sep until 4th January next year.

September Book Review: ‘In This House; a Collection of Altered Art Imagery and Collage Techniques’ by Angela Cartwright and Sarah Fishburn

I just got back from a massive cross country trip around the States for my friend Kelley’s wedding, attending her bachelorette 2 weeks before the day, then spending the time between visiting relatives. I spent a lot of time sitting on planes, waiting in airports, being shuffled about...other than my usual on-the-go knitting projects, I started wondering about other fun travel crafts. This book gave me an idea for a ‘Travel Collage’ book project, carrying a book every day adding things to remind me of my trip-tickets, pamphlets, magazine clippings (I went through a LOT of magazines on this trip!) What I’m finding so alluring about collage is how it can continue to grow and morph as you keep adding to it.

This book is a collaboration of various artists coming together to make accordian style booklets based on the theme of ‘Home’. How did they define ‘Home’? A place for rest and relaxation, a idea of the coming together of loved ones...they each had the same template of a house outline to work from, embellishing the pages with photos, fabrics, paint, the possibilities were endless. Each chapter is dedicated to an in depth look at each collage house, and the artist’s insights into it’s design. Each house had it’s own address, making it seem all the more real somehow. One house was dedicated to an artist’s late sister, in a dreamlike atmosphere where they’re reunited. 

In general, a great inspiration for the endless possibilities of collage crafting. And it makes me want to have a look on the sequel, ‘In This Garden’-if this is what artists came up with for houses, just think of what they’ll make of a gorgeous setting like one’s garden! Beautiful layout and visuals, and in depth tutorials on the artist’s techniques, this title is a must for all collage crafters out there to feast their creativity on!

Final Score: 5/5

Mini Eraser Pendant Necklaces

When I saw the designs of the Tokyo Toy Store Matinee Necklace from Tarantino’s ‘Sparkle Factory’, the idea seemed kinda kitsch so I gave it a pass as a project. But yesterday when finding these mini eraser in Paperchase, I got an idea; a version that uses a singular rubber as a centre piece, instead of using the erasers en masse.

The selection I chose I wanted to be vibrant and personal, but in colors that would mesh well with the metal for a more versatile look. For example, the grey koala version looks great amongst the silver, while the bright orange monkey blends perfectly with gold. The ice cream cone had a nice angular oval profile, so I added the bead and pearl eye pin detail dropping from the cone.

A fun,  gift idea for the upcoming holiday season, and takes about 10 minutes to make.

Project budget: ￡1 (per eraser), though the metal work costs may add-I used left over materials.