'Sheer' Inspiration...

I just love draping sheer fabrics...chiffons and organza, and find them really inspiring. Another thing that I find extremely inspiring is Elie Saab...all of his collections are amazing. I love everything about this Spring 11 collection...the prints, the fabrics, the silhouettes and the style.

Mary Katrantzou...

This collection was more about "the woman in the room" stated the designer. "It's more fluid, more real." Katrantzou imagined the woman as a connoisseur, surrounded by objects including Fabergé eggs, Meissen porcelain, cloisonné enamel, and Ming vases. And all of these reproduced in hyper-vivid prints.

Personally, I am not quite sure about the silhouettes of some of these outsides, such as the ones that slightly resemble a lampshade. But I love the bias-cut dresses in which the print is positioned perfectly. The prints are mis-matched together to create a lot of bright, bold colour. Although I think they are a little too mis-matched for my liking. However, I do think it was a great, bold end to London Fashion Week.

Fall 2011 LFW. Images from style.com.

Elie Saab Couture

Elie Saab was as pretty and feminine as expected, but today he displayed a lighter touch than in recent seasons and the dresses were all the better for it.

'A pale palette of nude, pink and beige – as well as a new pale-grey-to-the-point-of-white shade that appeared at Chanel and Givenchy as well this week – accentuated the new delicacy and allowed flashes of green, red or black to shout even louder.' Vogue

"It was much lighter and much prettier as a result," said fashion director Lucinda Chambers after the show. "Even the embroidery was less heavy on lovely chiffon full length dresses – he has a new focus and it suits him."

I love all of his work, especially the small details and feminine touch, with draping chiffons and satins. He is definitely one of my favourite designers, along with John Galliano and McQueen.

Hand-knitted gloves

Knitwear Inspiration:


After seeing a lot of knitwear on the catwalk and around the shops for both winter and summer 11-12, I decided to design and knit my own pair of gloves (top image). Even though I need a little more practice, it is a lot cheaper than buying a pair!

Images from wgsn (Spring Summer 2012 key shapes)

Some Sketches & Samples...

Alfa Romeo Young Designer Award!

I have been shortlisted for the Alfa Romeo Young Designer Award, which I am very excited about. I am really happy to have got this far because it is such a big award. The 5 finalists will create a capsule collection for a fashion show and photoshoot, where the winner is chosen and presented with £1000, a feature in FS mag and £500 towards their fashion line. FS 2011 will provide all of its Young Designers with the opportunity to exhibit your unique design alongside Fashion Houses such as Armani, Prada, Miu Miu, Stuart Gladstone, Nicole Fahri, Elle Macpherson Intimates, Jaeger, Edun and more. This exposure draws media attention from local and national press (past coverage has included features in The Sunday Times, Harper's Bazaar, The Handbook, Teen Vogue, Pink Memo, The Sun and Country Life).

It has been featured in Vogue as ' a key event on Scotland's social calendar, is student-run organisation set up with the aim of giving young talent a platform'

Fashion Show...

This is a show that I help to construct garments for (fur coat) and work backstage on as part of my placement.