Sunday, September 4, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
We got into the studio at last!
On February the 22nd we had a huge earthquake in Christchurch. The city has been cordoned off and after 6 weeks of worrying we were finally granted access to the studio and were able to go up for 30 minutes!
It was a very eerie experience driving through the cordon and into the deserted Red Zone. There was an awful smell in the air and it was so strange to see things like coffee cups or glasses just sitting outside on tables exactly as they would of been six weeks ago, before the quake. The library was dark and deserted, all the precious books lay in piles on the floor. The streets were full of carnage, so many badly damaged and crumbling buildings had spilled bricks, glass and mortar onto them. The railing from the viewing platform of our iconic Cathedral lay twisted and bent in the middle of the square, a cold reminder of the devastating damage caused by the quake.
We had to don hi vis vests, hard hats and head torches to prepare for our allotted time slot in the studio. It was crazy and hectic running up the 6 flights of stairs, grabbing as much as we could, throwing everything into wool sacks and then dragging them back down the stairs. Shelving, tables and even some of my heavy machines had fallen making it extremely difficult to find specific items. We couldn't get any of my big industrial machines or cutting tables but got most of my fabric, fur, leather, some portable machines, mannequins and tools! Yay so happy. I'm crossing my fingers for another go but at this stage its very unlikely. I've got a hell of a lot of things to sort through and organise but I'll be back to business sometime soon!
The car packed to the brim with stuff from the studio!
It was a very eerie experience driving through the cordon and into the deserted Red Zone. There was an awful smell in the air and it was so strange to see things like coffee cups or glasses just sitting outside on tables exactly as they would of been six weeks ago, before the quake. The library was dark and deserted, all the precious books lay in piles on the floor. The streets were full of carnage, so many badly damaged and crumbling buildings had spilled bricks, glass and mortar onto them. The railing from the viewing platform of our iconic Cathedral lay twisted and bent in the middle of the square, a cold reminder of the devastating damage caused by the quake.
We had to don hi vis vests, hard hats and head torches to prepare for our allotted time slot in the studio. It was crazy and hectic running up the 6 flights of stairs, grabbing as much as we could, throwing everything into wool sacks and then dragging them back down the stairs. Shelving, tables and even some of my heavy machines had fallen making it extremely difficult to find specific items. We couldn't get any of my big industrial machines or cutting tables but got most of my fabric, fur, leather, some portable machines, mannequins and tools! Yay so happy. I'm crossing my fingers for another go but at this stage its very unlikely. I've got a hell of a lot of things to sort through and organise but I'll be back to business sometime soon!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Major quake in Chch
Sadly my beautiful city of Christchurch was devastated by a major earth quake on Feb 22nd. My heart goes out to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones.
My Cathedral Square studio is badly damaged, I was up there on the 6th floor at the time and it was terrifying.
I'm unable to gain access to it at this stage, or infact get anywhere near it.
I will not be able to finish deliveries of my A/W11 range into shops but my samples and patterns have been saved. Sadly its highly unlikely I'll be able to produce my S/S11 sample range either due to loss of studio, equipment and materials.
There's still a small chance I'll be able to get in there at a later stage to retrieve my things so I'm trying to stay positive.
My thoughts and love are with Christchurch and its people.
My Cathedral Square studio is badly damaged, I was up there on the 6th floor at the time and it was terrifying.
I'm unable to gain access to it at this stage, or infact get anywhere near it.
I will not be able to finish deliveries of my A/W11 range into shops but my samples and patterns have been saved. Sadly its highly unlikely I'll be able to produce my S/S11 sample range either due to loss of studio, equipment and materials.
There's still a small chance I'll be able to get in there at a later stage to retrieve my things so I'm trying to stay positive.
My thoughts and love are with Christchurch and its people.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Into A Baroque Future, AW2011
A few photos from my lookbook:
For my Autumn/Winter 2011 collection entitled “Into A Baroque Future” I blended influences from the past such as corsetry and Victorian Gothic with contemporary materials and techniques then infused it all with a wee bit of sci fi in a style I call Baroque Futurism.
The collection is sophisticated and sexy in its mood, yet grounded by its wearability and bound by impeccable workmanship.
Beginning with a dark palette I built on this by using metallic highlights, diverse textures and intricate handcrafted detailing. The dark colour palette is inspired by the night sky and each piece in the collection is named after a star or constellation.
The collection is sophisticated and sexy in its mood, yet grounded by its wearability and bound by impeccable workmanship.
Beginning with a dark palette I built on this by using metallic highlights, diverse textures and intricate handcrafted detailing. The dark colour palette is inspired by the night sky and each piece in the collection is named after a star or constellation.
I used beautifully soft lambskin leather, vintage brocades, printed cottons, metallic wools, fluid viscose jersey, silks, NZ possum and calf fur. Merino jersey and velvet feature together throughout the collection in figure hugging pieces with three dimensional hand cut and plaited panel detailing. Lacing and eyelet detailing add interest and intricatelytucked bustles feature on coats and trousers.
To compliment the clothing I designed and hand made dramatic three dimensional laser cut acrylic jewellery and accessories
To compliment the clothing I designed and hand made dramatic three dimensional laser cut acrylic jewellery and accessories
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