Hello. Made out of a patterned pair of jeans which I think I wore in the late 80s(!) is this handy bag. It's slightly larger than some of the other recycled ones and with a matching strap. The lining is a bright blue and black print from my vintage pile and the inside pocket is embellished with a small blue rose and vintage button!
Hi all. You may recall my comments on Linda Florence. Her exciting floor design for the Millenium Gallery in Sheffield has been shortlisted for the British Design Awards, as featured in the October issue of Elle Decoration magazine! Please do vote for her! :)
Darlene is made from a beautiful soft scarf that I've had so long and yet never worn! Already I prefer it in it's new state and am looking forward to making a more golden version (other side of the scarf) with bronze clasp.
The wallpaper and floor designs of Linda Florence always draw me back for another look. A wide variety of traditional and more modern techniques give a real richness to her work, her use of matt colours combined with bronzes and silvers creates real depth to her layers. She's clearly not afraid to experiment!
My only concern with her wallpapers for Ted Baker is that I'd be more interested in the walls than the clothes! I especially like the bold teal floral design over a geometric triangular design, really striking. Another piece that caught my eye was a beautiful decoupage screen for the Swarovski Unbridled exhibition in Paris.
I confess I would never have considered flooring to be that interesting but now see it with completely different eyes and am intrigued by Linda's installation floor designs. The designs are dramatic and vibrant such as the 'Meta Table Setting' installation at the Millenium gallery in Sheffield or the unusual 'Articulate Landscape' design in the grass at York Saint John's University. I am now open to the unlimited possibilities after seeing the hand printed slate flooring for the Scin studio showroom and the 'sugar' floors...
It seems a travesty that the sugar flooring designs will be ruined as they are so temporary, yet at the same time, this adds an ethereal effect (making them more a piece of artwork if anything). I particularly love the image of two dancers at the 'Out of the Ordinary: Spectacular Craft' at the V&A (October 2008), this could be perfect for the first dance at a wedding?? Just spotted this video on the website... I also like its use for the design set around a chair and table for the flooring book 'Grounded', simultaneously invoking both a rustic and contemporary feel. Am lucky enough to have been invited to visit her studio so looking forward to that :)
http://www.lindaflorence.co.uk/main.html
A more delicate bag made from a lacey item previously purchased from Brick Lane. The lining is also from a second hand skirt. The frame and chain attached are more ornate inkeeping with the feel of the bag.
From the same skirt as Mabel I have also made the clutch bag 'Mabeline'. Using the original zip and button fastening, I've also added a velvet green ribbon down one edge and embellished it with a secondhand sparkling yellow rose.
Finally I've made a few recycled bags, the start of many more! Mabel is made from a second hand teal leather skirt I got in Camden many years ago. Very fond of it but simply too small now and had to be the first up for an extreme makeover... I've used the original lining and attached an antique style frame and chain, I've already road tested it for daily use :)
To my mind, the installation pieces of Maiko Takeda were the focal point of the St Martin's graduate jewellery exhibition. By shining light through 'simple' holes in the jewellery the shadows created beautiful images on the body and I had to go back for another look. The attached picture is taken from her website and is also on a flier I keep on my ever evolving 'mood board'...
PS the first pieces of my recycled bag collection will be here very soon.
Another model looked stunning in an ensemble put together by Ismat Jaffer and Ruweyda Dool. Izzy made the striking waistcoat and Ruweyda made the jazzy tie.
Also in the picture is a wallpaper exhibit by Juliet Sitaram, beautiful bird images that I'd be more than happy to have in my home! A display of large tiles by Kate Lovell also caught my eye, they looked really fresh and elegant with their layered images with selective detail, these oriental style tiles would look great inside and out.
A couple more unusual exhibits included a boldly decorated car bonnet by Cassie Pittaway and some ornate designs on guitars by Amie Petrou.
The end of year exhibition has now been taken down. Just wanted to pick out a couple of outfits and some beautiful exhibits. If somone had described Rukia Begum's outfit to me I might have raised an eyebrow, luminous pink and yellow together with shimmery lettering?? However, as you can see it works really well and is not only eye catching but very stylish!
Tomorrow this bag will be strutting its stuff on the catwalk. The end of year show for Surface Design at the London College of Communication takes place where graduates will be exhibiting their beautiful and wide ranging works. The catwalk will include streetwear T-shirts and will be accompanied by some performers.
My bag was inspired by SKIPTheatre and has been designed to attach a hula hoop (this is OPTIONAL :o). It's easily detached and the bag is made out of a soft grey jersey material and covered in beautiful floral images and a sketch of Pina Baush (a German performance artist) which has been flocked in black. More of this bag design will be produced very shortly. I do have a small waiting list but do let me know if you’re interested.
Thanks for visiting. I'm intending this blog to observe what's going on in the world of print and textiles, with reviews of designers, magazines and exhibitions, and of course draw your attention to my label too!
I made a bag for my Foundation in Art and Design at Wimbledon College of Art in 2008 which proved very popular. It was themed on Billie Holiday's life and music. The bag was hand painted, screen printed and embellished and I called the label 'Kinda Blue'. Like many people I love bags and this was the first I made myself.
Now studying a Foundation Degree at the London College of Communication in Surface Design I have been working with some inspiring people. A recent project involved working in a team as 'Betty's Revenge' where we created a range of clothing, accessories and jewellery for the artists of SKIPTheatre. SKIPTheatre are three Goldsmiths arts graduates who perform in clubs in Shoreditch and elsewhere plus festivals including Glastonbury. Their performances are very theatrical and interactive and have a brilliant party atmosphere.
I nearly called the bag above Mabel! Ismat Jaffer came up with the name Betty's Revenge and has kindly let me keep it for my own label. I love all the traditional 50s names such as Betty, Agnes, Rita and especially love Betty as it's my nan's name (my nan was also a fashion/illustration fanatic). Betty's Revenge adds a more modern edgy twist :o). Izzy already has her own website, you can check out her brilliant designs and illustrations at www.ismatjaffer.co.uk. Ruweyda Dool was also in the team and I'll be giving you more details as soon as she has a website, she already designs beautiful dresses and very funky ties.
My bags will be pictured here, I'll be making more...they're all designed, hand printed and made by me. I may well do some digital designs too. Other ranges include hand painted purses and RECYCLED fabrics plus a combination of recycled with new prints. I never throw fabrics away and have been donated several bags of beautiful prints and vintage along with quality plain textiles.
I am particularly inspired by music, poetry and theatre, I love the 50s and 20s but like to mix it up a bit and add a modern twist. The designs are for casual dailywear but are a bit special too with a touch of glamour for a fun style.
Betty and I will also be keeping an eye on any open studios, workshops etc going on and keep you informed.
