I put together this little embroidery of Moomin Papa recently.
(image source)
In conversation with Pat Albeck at the Fashion and Textiles Museum in
London was FANTASTIC. She is such a remarkable lady and a design
inspiration, I enjoyed every minute of the lecture from the front row. It was
a fascinating lecture and I learnt so much about life, her artistic
development and her colourful career.
I would highly recommend a visit to any of the events put on by the FTM it
is such a brilliant resource.
Written by Clifford Ross and Karen Wilkin
I have had this wonderful book for many years now, I purchased it from a great
comic book shop in Nottingham called Page 45, I used to go there to buy comics
and other interesting books when I was younger.
Edward Gorey has always been a source of inspiration for me, I love the dark
humour of his short stories and his quirky illustrative style. I recently read a re
print of his fantastic book ‘The Evil Garden’ and read the whole thing through
in the shop.
This book is a fantastic insight in to Gorey’s world, his inspiration, interests and
line drawing technique. A lot of his work is set in the Edwardian and Victorian
period, his work is filled with monsters, cats, bizarre creatures, children, elegantly
dressed ladies and gentlemen and the strange and often ghastly events that
occur.
Gorey’s use of texture in his illustrations has always interested me, but it wasn’t
until recently that I started looking very closely at the collection of some 200
illustrations in this book, that I became curious about how many different types
of lines he regularly used. I began to put together an Edward Gorey texture
library to record all of the different strokes and marks used to create texture,
depth and light within his work.
I also draw in a heavily textured style, and have found this book and invaluable
source for new ideas and textures to explore and experiment with. I now use
the different examples I have found within Edward Gorey’s illustrations to help
develop my technique and record all of the different lines and marks that I use
within my own drawing.
For anyone that has never encountered the work of Edward Gorey, do so! He
was a truly fantastic man.
Atsuko Kudo gown worn by Georgia Frost with dresses by Hardy Amies and
Worth of London. Lent by the designer. Carlos Jimenez, © V&A, 2011.
19 May 2012 - 6 January 2013
Fashion Galleries
Room 40
Admission charges will apply
‘From spring 2012 the V&A celebrates the opening of the newly renovated Fashion Galleries with an exhibition of beautiful ballgowns, red carpet evening dresses and catwalk showstoppers. Displayed over two floors, Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950 will feature more than sixty designs for social events such as private parties, royal balls, state occasions and opening nights.
The exhibition will cover over sixty years of a strong British design tradition that continues to flourish. Eveningwear from the V&A’s vast collection, by designers including Victor Stiebel, Zandra Rhodes, Jonathan Saunders and Hussein Chalayan, will be on show alongside dresses fresh from the catwalk shows of Alexander McQueen, Giles Deacon, Erdem and Jenny Packham.’
Info from the V&A Website.
This looks like an incredible exhibition, I cant wait to go and see it later this month.
I have just booked myself in for one these fantastic lectures coming up
at the Fashion and Textiles Museum in London later this month. I am
headed to ‘In Conversation with… Pat Albeck’.
For anyone else that is interested there are three lectures in the
Designing Heroines series:
In Conversation with… Pat Albeck
Thursday 17 May, 6.30-8pm
In Conversation with… Mary Katrantzou
Thursday 24 May, 6.30-8pm
In Conversation with… Zandra Rhodes
Thursday 31 May, 6.30-8pm
Embroidery Project: Tove Jansson
I came across this beautiful illustration by Tove Jansson, author, painter and illustrator. She is perhaps best known for her Moomin characters from her books and comic strips.
I have always loved the Moomin illustrations, and in particular Tove’s unique drawing style.
I have found that her drawing style translates well in to embroidery and I have already embroidered two of her illustrations in black and white. I have decided that this particular illustration of Moomin, Thingumy and Bob and the kings ruby will be next embroidery piece.
The second image is the first embroidery I made of the Snorkmaiden and the Fillyjonk from Moominsummer Madness.
My siamese cat ornament that lives on my desk, I found him in a charity shop during my foundation year. (Taken with instagram)
Ted Baker Florals
The ASOS magazine came through the post this morning and whilst flicking through I came across this great page. I was drawn to the Ted Baker floral dress instantly, I love vintage style dresses and this one features a fantastic print. On closer inspection it is a layered photo-floral print of botanical style book plates.
They have brought out a number of pieces in this print, check out the rest of the Ted Baker range on ASOS here. Alternatively the ‘Bequil’ dress is available on the Ted Baker website.
Glass Bottles
(Taken with instagram) A collection of vintage glass bottles in a cabinet at the Western Australian Museum.
Leafy Dreaming
I bought this beautiful necklace by ‘eeva margita’ (designed by Niina Aoki) at a craft fair in Perth a few months back. I kept thinking about it and knew that I had to go back and buy it after passing by.
It is hand painted on to mahogany and finished with vintage charms and beads.
Head on over to Niina Aoki’s blog or etsy for more vintage and scandinavian inspired work.
(Taken with instagram)
Designed by Debbie Powell for M&S.
In a previous post I featured another biscuit tin from Marks and Spencers, they
have recently released three different limited edition tins by different artists to
celebrate the British summer and the Diamond Jubilee.
I love the use of texture and the composition of the different elements within
Debbie Powell’s crown design. The colours she has chosen work together very
well, I wish this was available as a screen print - I would love to frame it on my
wall.
The London tin (from my previous post) was designed by Phil Hankinson, the
two jubilee tins were designed by Debbie Powell and Kate Forrester.
I purchased this M&S tin last year by Kate Forrester to celebrate the royal
wedding - I seem to be getting quite a collection now!
The tin with the little dog on was also designed by Phil Hankinson for M&S.
