Pattern testing continued...

So, earlier today I was making a calico of the jacket body, I have just finished pattern cutting and playing with sleeve shapes. Here is a couple of sleeve head shapes I have put into the armholes of the jacket to get a feel for the pattern cutting.

 

On the left is a gathered side sleeve with a fit-in sleeve head. This was an experiment with a style I haven't used before but was curious at the outcome:

Not entirely sure what I was attempting to acheive, but I'm not that taken with it so I move on to a gathered sleeve head:

I do like this, it is neat and I'm a bit fan of extended sleeve heads. But really...I think I can push this even further so I'm going to try a style more flamboyant, particularly liking this example:

So the next sleeve I try will be more full on, but I am stopping well short of the full leg-o-mutton sleeve, such as this one:

Catch you for the next blog where I should have the final sleeve shape inset.

The Engineerium

Ah, I am so lucky. I have got permission to shoot my Couture Brighton outfit at the British Engineerium - the very Brighton icon that has inspired my whole project. Woop woop!

It was so much more sumptuous than I imagined and I was lucky enough to be shown around by a lovely gentleman who has worked there for many decades. Talking to him was fascinating..I wished my Grandfather was still around, he was a total steam fanatic!

This is Pete, his enthusiasm for the place was contagious. He is stood in front of the water pumping engine which stretches the height of the building and sinks far into the earth.

This next shot is the other end of the room. The photograph in no way reflects the majesty and size of the room. Those Victorians sure knew how to build something unashamedly beautiful as well as functionable.

The outside is as incredible as the inside, it has a lake with carp in it, an overgrown but fantastic garden which will also be fully restored to former glory. The next shot is taken from beside the lake looking up the hill.

 

Apparently there are even a pair of peregrine falcons that use the chimney as a look out post. How cool is that?

Amore Morte Halloween Fashion Show special

Its always a tricky escapade to create a 'fashion show'. There's trying to fit in the extra work in an already brimming over schedule, theme, music, choreography, accessories, lighting...and that's aswel as making the actual clobber.
But I love it, pure and simple love it! As soon as my girls are on stage the pressure is off me, and on them, phew! And then its all over...party time.

But, back to the beginning....

My inspiration for this show is deeply infused with the Victorian era, its shapes, colours, artists, texture, character. I am totally turned on by dark pinstripe, herringbone wool suitings, contrasting with brogue leather and bright rich silk with lashings of decadent trimming. I have been scouring costume sourcebooks for inspiration, adding a twist of pure seductive glamour and quietly nodding at steampunk for this collection. It has taken a few weeks to compile, simmer and reduce it down...and now it is almost realised...

The dead dolls poppy, absynthia and laudanum will be brought to life by their nefarious master and her dark magic and be commanded to strip to their fabulous underwear for her evil pleasure.

Hope you enjoy the show...