Making Life more Beautiful
Ta da! I have made it up. That was an exciting project. You may remember my sketch, toile and fabric. Design I was required to create this dress as part of my college course. I really liked the opportunity to … Continued
I usually love going to the V&A – it is one of my favourite places in London. So an exhibition of underwear had lots of appeal. It is impossible to study the history of fashion without also studying the history … Continued
Recently there has been some excitement on the internet about the Liberty collection at Uniqlo. Before I start on my review of the offer here are three disclaimers: Liberty is my favourite shop I generally dislike Liberty prints because they … Continued
I wanted a nice fitted blouse for my SWAP to coordinate with my 1960s outfits. While the predominant silhouette of the 1960s is slightly boxy and shift-like I prefer a more fitted top. So shaped 1950s blouse is nice way … Continued
Who was Biki anyway? Actually Elvira Leonardi Bouyeure was a grand-daughter of Puccini. Fancy that! She was born in 1906 and died aged 92 in 1999. She was famous for designing for Maria Callas and apparently numbered the items so … Continued
I have a big confession to make. I won the SWAP contest in 2014 and 2015. I haven’t told many people, but of course the world of sewing is quite small and many of you found out. But that is … Continued
The story is quite funny really. As you know I have been testing the Birkin Jeans, which call for stretch denim. There is all manner of denim available in shops and on the internet but I could not find what … Continued
Design, alteration and materials I covered these issues in the previous post. In this one I will deal with the issue of how I made jeans. Construction I had never used denim before. I thought of it as heavy, hard … Continued
I just knew it! It is very, very hard in November – when the trees turn yellow and brown, and the nights are drawing in, when it is dark and cold in London (and snowing in Lancashire) – to turn … Continued
This marvellous 1993 Mario Testino photograph of Christy Turlington, dressed head to toe in Vivienne Westwood, is so evocative, beautiful and brilliant. The stripey feather in the soft, shapely cap; the stick she holds at another angle; the mad jazz … Continued