Designing with Flowers

I've never been the best at drawing. My fashion design strengths much lie in the manipulation of fabric; creating shapes and forms by draping, as opposed to communicating my ideas through brushstrokes and pen marks. However, as I'm headed to pursue onto a fashion design degree come September, drawing is something I'm having to come to grips with, and to really just get over it.

I love using organic lines and flowing forms in my fashion design experiments. Towards the end of my previous project - titled 'Drape' which I based around flowers - it occurred to me to use the actual form of flowers to inform my fashion designs, their own natural shapes illustrating the way in which the fabric would be draped.

What I wore to London Fashion Weekend

Victorian frills, turtle and roll necks, this Winter I've really been getting into the high neckline trend. I recently discovered this lightweight crepe high frill neck dress in the ASOS sale and it was one I just could not resist! The loose fit allows the polyester to hang softly over the body, gently creating small folds which stem from the subtle gathering just under the neckline. The frill neckline is soft, gently complementing the small puffed sleeves. These are secured at the wrist with a cuff, keping a smart and flattering style.

I teamed this with my long sleeveless jacket from the brand Mela Loves London sold at Dorothy Perkins. I wanted something to wear over the top of the dress with a bit of print, yet with not too much colour that would clash with its tobacco tone, and this grey grid print seemed the perfect combo!

You can see what I got up to at London Fashion Weekend here.

How are you embracing the high neckline trend?

Dress - ASOS Petite

Sleeveless Jacket - Dorothy Perkins

Boots - Topshop

London Fashion Weekend and Holly Fulton SS16

Yesterday, I joined the excited hustle and bustle of fashion flyers over at the Satchi Gallery for London Fashion Weekend. The event celebrates the end of the prestigious London Fashion Week, exhibiting high-end designer stands to shop, industry talks, makeup experiences and runway collections fresh from LFW's catwalk shows.

Beautiful floral embroidered suede jackets would go perfectly with skinny jeans and over the knee boots.

Mesmerizing prints and glorious lace detailing.

Cute sheer cropped shirts are a lovely transition into summer-wear. I love the quirky floral print subtly adorning these.

Fun and abstract printed sweaters with such intriguing textures.

Luxurious fur coats and guillets in so many wonderful colours

Fun and vibrant floral prints brighten up any dark winter day!

Who didn't love trying on all of the sunglasses at sunglasses hut though?

Maybelline were sporting LFWend with stocks of makeup and a photobooth too!

Being great admirers of her beautiful craftsmanship and the chic feminine silhouettes which she chooses to create, we opted to see Holly Fulton's runway show.

Swirls of ruffles and geometric floral prints began for a collection of eccentricity. Abstract shapes further accompanied, primarily inspired by British Surrealist Art. The collection was greatly influenced by the 70s, featuring embroidered denim jackets and wide leg jeans with popping bursts of colour. Skater skirts, pencil dresses and sleeves with flared cuffs were another massive feature in the collection, elegantly placing delicacy in the feminine silhouette.

You can find the showcased designers here

Up to Date: Foundation Year

Since settling into an entirely new world at uni, I've been a little AWOL on the blog lately. In September, I moved to Epsom, Surrey, where I am studying an art & design foundation diploma at UCA. Having never lived anywhere other than my tiny seaside hometime, of course it took a little getting used to. Trains run every 15 minutes! Can you believe it?!

Although the foundation year is not compulsory, a lot of fashion design degree level courses do not like to accept many applicants straight from A-level, allowing you to build your portfolio of work before interviews for BA courses. Prior to applying for the foundation course, I didn't fully understand why the extra year of further education was seen as so necessary. However, after visiting a few open days, I realised that the foundation year really builds and improves your creative skills, allowing you to really gain the confidence you need in your work.

The course begins with five rotation weeks, where you have the opportunity to experience each art and design pathway - Fashion/Textiles, Fashion Promotion, Graphics, Fine Art and 3D. Even if you know before starting the course which pathway you wish to succeed in, the rotation weeks are a fun way to explore new mediums, and the skills you learn from each of the weeks are transferable to every pathway too. Upon completing the rotation, you then begin your chosen pathway, in which you'll stay for the rest of the year.

Are you thinking of doing the art and design foundation year? Take a look at what I've been up to so far this year.

Creating fashion collages was a great way to 'loosen up after A level', generating surrealist pieces that challenged the norm.

A draping project inspired by the forms of flowers

A project using white non-dressmaking materials only, inspired by coral and shells

Print designs inspired by music

From the Fashion Promotion week, advertising Emma Watson's He for She feminist campaign