It feels really strange writing here nowadays as I am so ridiculously different to the little fifteen year old who started this page back in 2012. That and I think some people from uni might see / read this and that makes me feel weirdly uneasy...I've shared so many things here and on the internet over the years but suddenly it has begun to make me feel increasingly uncomfortable and spied upon. I will still continue of course as it is pretty much all I have (and all I know).
University has been fun!! Starting a one year art course an hour and a half away from my home has been a huge change, however I settled into my commute and the cosy hum of morning train rides, and managed to meet people to travel home with so it's all worked out strangely perfectly. We spent six weeks trying out all different forms of art, and I've just recently specialised in fashion, as I want to study Menswear for degree. I've been so busy - my university encourages you to go out and see as much art and attend as many events as possible, plus the socialising needed to make friends and treat yourself after a busy week means my sleep schedule is very lacking in order and I can't remember the last time I had a "relaxing" day in, but I love being so busy and am finding it really inspiring.
The above photos were taken by the super talented Georgia Fay Williams in the summer, just before the holidays ended. We spent a day shooting in the bright sunlight at the Barbican centre. I bought the red fishnets at Camden market on the way to meet her; since then, they've become my staple (and somewhat obsession). I painted the red jacket myself, the denim shift dress is from Freckle London and the rest is a mix of random vintage finds.
I also attended fashion week for the seventh time (how time flies) in September, and was so lucky to have the opportunity to model in Phiney Pet's SS17 show. It was an amazing and super empowering experience celebrating being a young, confident woman in the city in 2016, and it was so lovely meeting such a lovely and inspiring designer and being able to walk alongside my friends and other inspiring ladies!
Various college work and photos from the Molly Goddard "What I Like" private view at the Now Gallery with some of my friends from University. We were able to drink fruity wine and embroider some of Goddard's beautiful pieces, and of course I had to start some dancing later on. You can't have a fashion event without dancing.
We had a drawing trip and displayed all of our work on Halloween, before my friends and I went out for the evening to celebrate (plus start off my birthday, which was the day after). I've really enjoyed freeing my fear about drawing and not being scared to draw messily or badly. The above photo is from another thing I am yet to update you on, which was being shot for School Of Doodle's "Between the Lines" zine, which they used my face for the cover! You can see the full issue online here, plus read an article on Dazed Digital about it here.
My birthday was so much fun, it felt like it lasted about a week as we had the drawing trip, a mini halloween celebration on the Friday (and the Mushpit magazine launch) and then Halloween and the day itself the following week. Above and below are a mix of random photos from those two weeks, including some diamonté g-strings over business suits worn whilst dancing, fragile tape (another of my recent obsessions) and some outdoor art-ing.
Below are some photos from my first and then my most recent fashion briefs. The first was to create a "functional" garment, however I played with this a bit and made a crazy outfit inspired by the urban environment, drawing reference from paving slabs and concrete, abandoned metals and scraps, wallpaper patterns lying in a heaped skip and those bright blue netting bags that hold oranges at the off-license. The lace was printed by rolling a tire fabric painted in ink over it.
My latest brief was a 4-day styling project based on "Positive Action." I chose to play with the idea of embracing who you are and by that I mean every aspect of yourself; there's no need to put yourself in a box, you can be whoever and whatever you want whether that is solid, or whether it fluctuates from day to day. The very talented and wonderfully enthusiastic (and so much fun) Eddie Langham modelled for me and helped with the styling, and we used the example of partying all night but turning up on time to uni the next day to work as a metaphor for being all rounded and not taking anything too seriously.
Today I was out on a trip with my class, and have some cool photos and notes from the exhibitions we went to however I'll save that for a later date...I hope you are all well!!!! I'll be updating this page more regularly with my work I promise...have a lovely week!
