Muse

From looking through my inspiration, I found myself thinking who fits in with my inspiration, who would like this too, who gets this? Many people popped into my mind, friends, celebrities etc. This is just one of many, that if i were to make a collection inspired by the things I've been looking at , within this theme, would be one of the people who would wear them. Little quirky, but not too obvious, sublte. Mysterious, with and edge, always wondering what he's thinking, like the clothes always wondering about them.

Fabrics

Over the summer I went fabric scouting, I found the places along Berwick St, London the best, and the people really helpful. I found myself attracted to coated cottons, metallic, and wollens. These are some snippets of fabrics i found. The cloth house is a definite must see, both shops, one is better than the other but there just so lovely and nice cosy atmosphere, and of course the fabrics are pretty exciting too.

Tate Modern

[  Untitled - 1979 Senza Titolo ]

On my trip to London, I visited the Tate modern, they kind of had the same stuff from last time i went, so i didn't find it all that interesting as i knew what was coming. although these on the wall interested me . They are of stuffed crows, attached to the wall by arrows, with the scenery in a line drawing. 

" Imaginary Friend "

[ Images from google.com ]

These images photographed by Ellen Rodgers, and stylist Aldene Johnson - the lady behind Florence Welch's styling. With no help from digital effects, these images are pretty outstanding. By experimenting in the dark room with different chemicals, they have given a really eerie supernatural feel.

" Hiding Is Where I'll Find Me "

[ Images from www.ponystep.com/fashion ]

[ Photography by kristina Wilson ]

These photographs from ponystep, i find very eery. I like the mysteriousness of the photographs. They remind me of all the vampire programmes and books out at the moment. I like the use of colour just to highlight certain parts of the images.

" Biblical "

[ Images from Under/Current Magazine ]

[ Photographer - Mark Borthwick ]

These images from the Under/Current magazine I find them so calming and really do live up to the title ' Biblical' .This issue of U/C I was looking at was based around the theme of 'Biblical' and different people's different perceptions of ' Biblical' meanings ' and 'Biblical experiences'.

'Simon Of The Desert'

[ Images from Under/Current Magazine ]

These images are taken from Under/Current Magazine, they are taken from the article ' Veiko Junpu's - The Fall Of Capitals Golden Age'. 

" There are no more saints around, at least not in the sense of 5th Century styrian ascetic Simeon Stylites, who spent 39 years on top of a column praying for spiritual purification and was the basis for legendary surrealist filmmaker Luis Bunuel's 'Simon Of The Desert"

" Burritos And Kidnapping "

[ Image from Vice Magazine ( volume 9, number 8 ) ]

An article in Vice magazine , by Weston Phippen, tells about a 38 year old man ' Zurdo ' who at day time works in a restaurant. His evening job is quite a contrast, he kidnaps other Mexicans who have dealt drugs without permission of the main drug dealer of the area. The worst of this is that there is no fear of the police, they only investigate 15% of crimes in Mexico and a lot of the time they are involved. 

" One gang member was asked was asked what he'd do with the body of a rival gangster he was talking about killing, he said " Throw it in the fucking street. what? You think I'm going to put it in my freezer?!" He - and all of his fellow members - thought it was a stupid question."

" Fashionable Superhero "

[ Images from dazeddigital.co.uk ]

"Artist Theo-Mass Lexileictous is set to unleash his creative attacks all over the world"

[ Text - Anna Battistia July 2011 ]

The artists real name - Alexis Themistocleous, six years ago presented ' From Evolution to Revolution '. At the Mofi Gallery- Cyprus. He explored then the possibilities offered by cloning and the consequences of faulty experiments, turning the gallery space into the "G.M" Laboratory crammed with incubators, with fetuses inside. As the years passed he developed an entire story entitled "A Superhero Is Born" that moved in Theo-Mass Lexileictous, an anagram of his real name.

Brooklyn

These images were taken from my trip to New York In February 2011. Just like any tourist I took a walk over the Brooklyn bridge into Brooklyn. This being an iconic bridge made me rather excited and see it in a different light. Where at home I would cross a bridge without really thinking, but because this was a bridge so well known i just had to stop and look, and think. The architecture is really intriguing, especially from different angles, you get a whole new perspective. The ways these intersecting lines and shapes can be incorporated into design is endless.

New York Architecture

These Images also from New York are of a church and statue, Once again looking at the interesting architecture. I dont know whether it was just becasue of the atmosphere and the place that i was in but everything just seemed better, more interesting, and definetly bigger. Because the buildings are so much taller and bigger than any you have ever seen, you find yourself looking at everything, walking slower tring to take every detail in. Just like these images there were so many more there, so many buildings that were unique and could be looked at for hours.

London Riots - Aug 2011

During the summer the London riots took place, which caused loads of uproar and mixed emotions throughout the country. I personally found it a little sad that these people felt the need to turn against their own country and neighbours. When there's so much fighting between countries the worst thing to do is to fight against your own. Maybe they felt society wasn't living up to their promises. Aren't we meant to have 'freedom' yet there are so many rules, contradictive? People are restricted to what they can be. But is terrorism within your own country the answer? Somehow i don't think so.

Richard Kilroy

[ Images From google.com ]

Richard Kilroy is an Illustrator I have recently discovered, and I really love his work. The focus on facial details to make the illustrations realistic, and the clothes drawn a lot simpler, makes the illustrations contrast and really 'pop'. Also done with mixed media and collage makes it a little different from the rest. I am definitely going to have a go of this type of Illustration.

TOAST

[ Images From Toast A/W 2010 Lookbook ]

I keep getting lookbooks and catoulouges from Toast being sent to me, but I dont complain. They are always so interesting to look through even if im not planning on buying anything. They usually consist of nostalgic photographs, poems, songs etc. These particular images are from the menswear A/W 2010.

Born To Fly

So In the summer I visited Brecon Wildlife Centre - Wales, and amongst all the craft stalls was a group of people with a collection of owls. These birds were beautiful and each so different. You were able to take photos of the birds or pay to have photos with them. Even though i did take photographs, i felt so bad. The birds seemed wary and watching every one, and now and again tried to fly off, but were pulled back by the rope on their leg. Such beautiful creatures, all I wondered was how they felt and what they thought, if they thought.

Key Details

[ Images from wgsn.com ]

There was a lot of emphasis in menswear Autumn/Winter 12/13 Key Details on WGSN. The key details that I find Interesting and that I think will be making a big appearance in Autumn/Winter 12/13, is the protection padding/ quilting especially in coated fabric and metallics. Also block bibs in contrast fabrics or colour, contrast stitching, hand tuck bibs and raw seam piping.

WGSN

[ Images from wgsn.com ]

From looking at WGSN trends for Autumn/Winter 12/13, I found myself attracted to the 'Lights Up' theme and inspiration images. Looking at the highlights of natural and unnatural lighting and shadows against the many colours of darkness. It has a very Urban and Intrusive feel. Also the Archaic section which looks at earthy colours and textures mixed with metallics.

Modern Witch - Desire

[ Music video from YouTube ]

Check this out!!!

Whilst browsing through the web for inspiration, i thought music and the films that accompany them can be very inspirational. Then I found this, I'm not a major fan of this music, although i do find it quite and interesting take on dance. It is very eary and sets a mood, but not the same mood that is usually set by 'dance' music. My main interest is the film, I could watch this forever, every time i watch it i see something new, and i just find it so inspiring. I can see this being used in a catwalk or fashion film. From seeing music films like this it makes me feel like more effort should be put into music videos these days, it can just convey so many meaning and is a form of art alongside the music.

Topman Mannequins @ Oxford Circus London

[ Images taken from Topman - London ]

Whilst on my little research trip to London ofcourse I had to pop into Topshop, and as this year I am focusing on Menswear I thought it appropriate for a wander around Topman. The difference from High street to High end in London is so comparable in so many aspects, from atmosphere and customer to the layout. One thing that really stuck with me from Topman was the orderly lines in which mannequins were placed and the use of cages throughout the store. Over the summer I have been thinking a lot about how we are meant to be 'Free' in this world, yet there are so many rules it is literally like a cage around our minds stopping us from expressing ourselves or being different due to the consequences we fear. I think I may be looking too deeply into the styling of the store, but I just feel if you were to ponder as if this was a piece of art, that is definetly how i would see it. Nevertheless the way the store was set out did give the feel of conformity along with splashes of colour and clothes breaking out.