The White Project - Update

I'm now on the fourth day of making my toile and I have four front panels and sleeves in place! I'm going to begin work on the back tomorrow afternoon after much needed sleep, these late nights are killing me but I suppose that's the price you pay for being a fashion student.

Also, the toile needs a serious press over so please excuse the creases!

 
As previously planned, the front consists of four panels - two of the left, two on the right. These panels all flow towards the right hand side of the garment.
There are bust darts in place to give form and fit to the coat without distracting too much from the seam line panels.

(I have plans to see if I can turn the darts into seam lines but that's extra detailing that
can wait until the base is fully finished)

I created two sleeves based on the kimono style. The sleeves attach above the bust dart to what I can only describe as a yoke.

The sleeves lead to a panel that runs down the side of the coat - I'm currently in the process of working out adding an inside panel from cuff, under arm and down to the hem on both side. This will match along with the slim panel running from the the shoulder down to the cuff.

The back is currently up for debate, at the moment I am considering adding in another panel. Half way between the neckline and the yoke line, fitting in with the under-arm panel.

My goal of finishing the base of my toile by the end of next week is looking promising with the rate it's going!
Please keep popping back to track my progress for this project!!

I also have a Facebook page that runs along side this blog with regular updates and info please like and share with your friends!!

Unbrilded Trends - Facebook

Big loves,

Samantha
 xo

The White Project

My first University project is entitled 'The White Project' due to only being able to use white fabrics when creating our final garment.
I just wanted to share with you all a few snap-shots from my sketchbook and my first pattern draft for my garment.
It's a work in progress..

The project began with a trip to Creswell Crags, a beautiful limestone gorge filled with caves. Stone tools and remains of animals have been found within the caves which archaeologists have dated back to the last Ice Age between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago.
This sparked off thoughts of future Ice Ages and how we would have to adapt to survive.

I started looking into futurism and the futurist movement - I got to watch a heck of a lot of films, primarily Blade Runner and Metropolis for their take on the shiny, modern future we may find ourselves in one day.

The still seen within my sketchbook was taken from Blade Runner. For those of you who haven't seen it - it's a wonderful 80's film, directed by Ridley Scott starring Harrison Ford set in the future. Man has developed the technology to create replicant human clones used to serve in colonies outside Earth. Each replicant has a fixed lifespan. Set in LA in 2019 Deckard (Ford) is a 'Blade Runner' a specialist cop who is tasked to terminate replicants who have left the other-worldly colonies and have found their way back to Earth.

The still above features character 'Rachael' in her trade-mark 40's style shoulder padded, tailored jacket. This then developed into looking at creating an over-sized sleeve changing the regular silhouette into something more strong and dominating.

There was a lot of umm-ing and ahh-ing in regards to fabric choice.
After much thought, I decided to have a go at working with Leatherette. Leather has been used for centuries as a form of protective fabric which whilst on the topic of creating a strong shoulder for dominance fits perfectly with the need for survival - would keep the wearer warm, dry and due to it being a thick fabric would hold it's shape nicely.

I also wanted to add extra structure to the shoulder. Shoulder pads are brilliant, but I wanted something that would stand it's own - I went for plastic coated steel corset boning (7mm thickness).

There are/were a lot more processes, developments and experimentation's that got me to my final, but here it is!
I intend on making a jacket/coat. I've been working on drafting a pattern for the front right side of the garment for the past couple of days and I've finally got the in's and out's sorted.

There is a lot of masking tape and bits pinned together until I get the pattern pieces drawn out this evening. The front right consists of two panels
1st - Centre front panel that cuts down into the bust and rounds at the bottom to create the scooping as seen on the drawing above. There is a small bust dart to give shape and fit to the garment.
2nd - This panel counts as a side-seam too. It rounds out to the side encompassing a previous sketch based on changing the silhouette and also being functional (all will be reveled in another post at a later date!)

It's a long way off being finished yet, but I am aiming to have it toiled by the end of next week - the problem solving bit is my favourite ;) and completed with lining and details in my chosen fabric in three weeks time!

Please keep popping back to track my progress for this project!!

I also have a Facebook page that runs along side this blog with regular updates and info please like and share with your friends!!

Unbrilded Trends - Facebook

Big loves,
Samantha
xo

Badger Boutique

When a close friend of mine, Megan Holland, told me about wanting to open a boutique in our hometown of Chesterfield I couldn't have been more excited for her. 

Chesterfield isn't known for much except our crooked church spire, and I'm sorry to say that isn't much to brag about! 

But it's time for a change. 

Up the road we have Sheffield, home to stores and indie clothing brands such as Alice Takes A Trip and Syd and Mallory. These have been on the radar for a while now and always push the boat out each season with new reworks and new designs. 

Chesterfield hasn't ever seen anything of the same magnitude in a long time. 

Until 'Badger' came along.

Whilst Chesterfield does have a small handful of independent fashion and beauty stores; Three Boutique, M's Gallery, and Dolled Up, to name a few. We no longer have an alternative clothing store.

Badger aims to provide alternative and reworked vintage clothing, breathing fresh air into the life of Chesterfield along with supporting local bands by providing a place for them to sell their merchandise - tshirts, CDs etc.

Since our independent record store, Hudsons Music Store, closed down two years ago after 105 years of top quality service; I've not been aware of anywhere that has provided a platform for local bands to sell their merch.

It's about time we had that again.

Now, it may be a little while off opening; HOWEVER, I know for a fact that the first batch of stock has been ordered in and there will be a market stall to kick start the Badger Hype! 

Whether you're local to Chesterfield or not, you should get involved with Badger.

Support local and independent fashion business! 

Support Badger on Facebook!!

Big loves,
Samantha
xo

Pantone Colour of the Year 2014

"Pantone is the world-renowned authority on color. For nearly 50 years, Pantone has been inspiring design professionals with products, services and leading technology for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity."
The mighty Pantone have released their Colour of The Year and yet again, as every year, I am more than impressed with the choice!

Not only is it a gorgeous colour, but it inspires confidence, joy, love and health a tone which will be well received as we are now into the new year.

In terms of fashion and beauty trends; the rosy undertones will create a healthy glow for S/S - much needed after the horrible winter we're having at the minute!

Apu Jan's S/S '14 RTW Collection encompasses all shades and hues of the 'Radiant Orchid'

 

 Beautiful use of florals, colour and cut. Simple shapes repeated onto different areas of the body changing and shaping the silhouette into something either tailored, seen in the left column, or loose fitting, seen in the right column.
This is just one of many examples from the catwalk for the upcoming season.

After a hunt through a few High Street stores, I came across this skirt in Topshop - Lilac Floral Double Split Midi Skirt.

I thought this was a beautiful find for S/S '14! The mid length is super cute and a favourite of mine. It provides the perfect excuse to don the heels/wedges or even the chunky block heel biker boots!

I'd team it with cut-out biker boots, cropped long sleeve white tee and a denim jacket for chilly S/S nights walking back from the country pub.

Big loves,
Samantha
xo

Unbridled.

Hello lovelies!

I've been going on for ages about starting a fashion blog and made it one of my 2014 goals.
I am a Fashion Design student at Nottingham Trent University so this will double up as showing off bits of my work too.

I have a personal Instagram account, feel free to follow me: @ink__heart

I'm very new to this whole blogging lark so please bear with me!
I hope to keep you interested and updated with all things fashion based going on in my life!

Big love,

Samantha
xo