Tuesday 18 October 2011

Portfolio feedback - Nicky Sharp

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Image 4

Image 5

 
Recently I spoke to Nicky Sharp, a freelance designer (who I also met a few months back) about improving my portfolio and what kind of styles and themes my work is suited to.
I found her comments and advice extremely useful especially from a designer who has worked in the industry as well as freelance work. Below is a snippet of Nicky's comments about three pieces of my work (which I have posted above)


Image 2 - It is a bit stiff but I like the watery quality of the petals. Perhaps create more images and create an allover. I have attached a jpeg (idea 4 for image 2). I like the splashy flowers at the top and bottom of the image and like the way flowers overlap and flow into each other. Put new images on to separate transparent layers in Photoshop and try over lapping them see if it works.
Image 3 - "I like this and it has a lot of potential. It would be nice as a vertical trail repeating. See jpeg (layout 1). The simplicity is nice but it could also be developed further by building up the trails with the addition of leaves and maybe some outline imagery. Put new selected images on separate transparent layers to see how you could work them together."
Image 4 - "Could be nice developed as in jpeg (layout 3 for outline design). Could add background and texture for extra dimension and depth."
Image 5 - "This is nice. I found an image that is similar that you could use for a layout, jpeg (layout 2). It could also be developed as a vertical trail."
Nicky also emailed me a few images (below) as inspiration and ideas to help me form certain styles, also to visualize how patterns/motifs can be applied in garments or interiors.





Idea 4

Layout 3

Idea 2

Layout 2
       

Wednesday 5 October 2011

London Fashion Week - Mary Katrantzou




                                                     Mary Katrantzou, Spring/Summer 2012





I came across a new fashion designer whilst having a peek at shots of London Fashion Week, Mary Katrantzou. She Studied at Rhode Island School of Design and recieved a BA and MA at Central Saint Martins. Her all time design heroes are Coco Chanel, Balenciaga and Miuccia Prada, which these influences can be seen in her rich and elegant garments.
What I love about her clothes, (especially from the spring/summer 2012 collection!) are the shots of bright colours and combinations of different patterns in her garments. Whilst these designs look very scattered and busy there is an elegance and beauty to the eclectic colour combinations and varied shapes and patterns, lots of sheer and delicate detailing. She is very daring and experimental not just with her kooky patterns but where she applies them to, jackets, mini dresses, maxi dresses, trousers, mini skirts; which may seem a little extreme. However these wild patterns speak for themselves and are what make the garment(s).
There are many floral and nature themes within some of her designs and very feminine prints, though it seems like such a different and abstract like take on the floral trend with the mish mash of contemporary colours and opposing patterns.
Her kooky, unique style of colours and patterns has helped me to be more daring with colours and combining different images or motifs, in my designing for my fashion print.
Also what is so beautiful about Mary Katrantzou’s garments, are the luxurious and flowing, sheer fabrics which give her edgy and colourful designs a gorgeous, flowing and exuberant feel. I just find myself staring at them for ages! I think I’d really like to start experimenting with some silk screen printing and transfer printing after seeing such free and amazing, colourful designs!http://www.londonfashionweek.com/marykatrantzou