Caro Emerald live at Hampton Court Palace

Last week, me and my better half went to see the 1940s style singer Caro Emerald at Hampton Court Palace in London. I had bought the tickets quite a while back and was really looking forward to it-and it didn't dissapoint!
I love the building of Hampton Court Palace anyway but I loved it even more as a beautiful backdrop of a vintage style concert. The concert was right in the middle of the grounds the only negetive of the evening was that it was situated in the open air-and it rained! Worse still; everyone had plastic rain macks and I didnt, so sporting the wet look was the aim of my evening!
Caro Emerald was amazing-she sounded so good live and I loved the 8 piece band with her including trombone, saxophone, piano...etc.
She was so warm and thanked eveyone for staying even though the rain was coming down. I really enjoyed it, even though her album is quite a sofisticated jazzy album towards the end of the concert everyone was up and dancing in their seats-me included!
I was suprised though that I seemed to be one of the youngest people there-I would have thought that more vintage inspired youngsters would be there.
Caro was dressed all in white, a embrioded fitted top with a sofisticated knee length skirt-very of the 40's era and completed the look with a white bere which I loved with her hair to one side and white heels which were swapped for wellies half way through due to all the rain!
I really enjoyed the concert and got into the 1940's vibe! Here are some photos I took of the evening.

The beautiful settings in Hampton Court Palace.

Caro Emerald and her band.

Everybody enjoying the atmosphere.

Towards the end of the night-notice her matching wellies!

Graduate fashion week.

Sorry this hasn't been posted sooner, last week I went to Graduate fashion week up in London.
I have visited the show previously and found that this year seemed to be a little smaller than last year-I didn't know if this was because the novelty has worn off of visiting the fashion show or with the credit crunch things now need to be justified before spending.
I walked up and down the aisles, trying to pay attention to what other colleges and universities were showcasing. I was however, very impressed with the Colchester Institutes stand, positioned right in the middle of the floor and with a big bright sign visible for eveybody to see showcasing this years graduates. I thought the stall was really good and displayed all the collections well on the rail and I thought the video continuously playing in the middle of the stand was a great idea for buyers and potential clients to visualize their work moving on models.

Colchester Institute Stand at Graduate Fashion Week.

Walking around the stalls; there were things that caught my eye but in general I was a little disappointed as my expectation was very high and I only saw a handfull of things that inspired me.


One garment that did catch my eye, was a garment made form what appeared to be cut pieces of hard plastic cut into size proportion beaded together to create a structural form which I found really interesting. It is made by a designer named Jousianne Propp who was not there at the stand when I had seen the garment, but I found it so different to anything I had seen at the show which I really liked. I may use this as inspiration towards my final year as I find it so amazing.

Jousianne Propp's design in Graduate Fashion Week.

Another stand that caught my eye was Northumbria University-there was three mannequins situated on the end with the most amazingly constructed garments. They were reminiscent of Japanese origami and Shingo Sato design; with very intricate folds and pleats. I also loved the black and white-which I feel added to the structure of the garment.

The designer of these garments is a Simone Wilkinson, who states in the universities brochure "it is an edgy but exquisitely feminine collection for a power dressing woman". I think it certainly did that and I thought the collection was amazing

Simone Wilkinson's designs for Northumbria University.

Also during the day, I was lucky enough to squeeze into one of the cat walk fashion shows which were fun. I enjoyed it but yet again I didn’t find anything that I felt I really connected with. The first collection I saw was by Jenny Plaster which consisted of a collection which had a metallic gold square structure introduced into various garment which formed unusual shapes. I also liked the sheer fabrics which were quite alluring but intriguing at the same time. The accessories were very original as well, they appeared to be laser cut metallic back shapes which finished off the overall look.

Jenny Plaster’s catwalk collection.

The other designer that stood out was Jade Clark who created an amazing menswear collection. It consisted of what seemed to be metallic fabrics, plastic and tul style fabrics in candy pop colours and was all topped off with the models wearing what seemed to be a “gimp” masks!

I found it really shocking-but I liked it, she stood out of the crowd with her collection which  I think it’s a good attribute to have and it is what I’ll be aiming for next year.

Jade Clark’s collection on the catwalk.

Union Jack Doggy Coat made by Toni Anne Everitt

Over the Jubilee weekend, last week, I was lucky enough to go to a local Jubilee Carnival!!
I was hoping to wear the dress I have shown on my last post but it was not finished in time so I ended up wearing a regular red dress but my star attraction was my little pooch who I took with me to the carnival.
My little baby is a 4 year old british bulldog called Elizabeth-named appropriately after the Queen! So I took her with me and my Mum, sporting her new doggy coat hand made by me especially for the Jubilee and the Olympics which is all happening this year.
It wasn't measured very well (as Elizabeth wasn't too co-operative!) and had to have some tweeking around the neck area and the elastic straps around her front, but on the whole I think it was quite successful-everybody made a huge fuss of her and she was the centre of attention.

The jacket/dress was made from a cotton mix fabric I had previously bought around Shepherds Bush in London. It's constructed of a square(ish) piece of fabric lined with my favorite Pleather and then three ruffles sewn onto the back to add extra femininity!

It's attached by a piece of elastic under the tummy from side to side and another two pieces of elastic crossed over at the front-I thought it wouldn't compromise her movement.

It is also toilet friendly and acts a little modesty panel!

For a first attempt, I am content with my little creation and I think my model wears it well!

If anyone likes it or has any comments, they would be great to hear. Thanks.

Couture Dress made by Toni Anne Everitt

I am now finishing my second year of my fashion and textiles degree and the last thing I have made is being handed in today.
The focus of this class has been learning new methods of Transformational Reconstruction pattern cutting! To begin with, I found it hard to get my tiny brain around, but now I think I'v conquered it and it's amazing! Most of what I have learnt wouldn't have been possible without the tutor that has been teaching the class- Claudette Joseph, who is a Couture Designer in her own right-visit her web site.
She's influenced by a japanese designer called Shingo Sato, who "invented" so-to-speak transformational reconstruction therefor it has been included into my work.
I have been taught the method of the one seam bodice; where there is only one seam from the front of the bodice to the back which takes away the shoulder and waist darts. So with this, I have made my own interpretation and added a bit of extra detail with the Pattern Magic books-which have also been a great help, although you need an encylcopedia to understand the methods!

This is my Jubilee inspired dress-made from red Dill-which is apparently similar to Twill but made from 100% cotton; which is a heavy fabric, keeping its shape, good for structuring or like this showing off seams.

The shoulders are made from Pleather :) my favorite! I like how it hardens the look of the dress. Bones have been inserted into the shoulder seams and around the armhole to keep them structured and pointed. Very Cruela De-Vil!

Then of course the look is complete with the Union Jack printed cotton mix on the back of the collar. The collar is a double collar-from the Pattern Magic books, it shouldn't totally look like this as I have sewn the back of the collar upwards when it is supposed to be sewn downward-just a little showcase that you can make things your own!

I sadly didnt wear it for the Jubilee as it was not quite finished but at least we have the Olympics this year so it can come out again!

Jubilee Concert

Just watched the Jubilee Concert on BBC-I have to say I'v never been so proud to be English!
Granted their where areas that were not as good as others-I did feel for "Cheryl" (you can't pull off just a first name unless your Cher or Madonna!) who I did cringe a bit for.
Tonight was the first time I worked out what on earth twitter is! And started oogerling what people where saying and tweeting-it wasnt good for Cheryl ot Will.i.am.
I did however love her dress-It was nice to see someone make an effort.
I thought it was a beautiful tight fitted dress with a mermaid tail which looked as if it had been dip dyed making it paler. I also liked the pleather/plastic effect of the dress and the contrast of the cups in a black matt fabric.
I thought she looked really quite elegant.
Another artist that amazed me was.... Grace Jones!! If you ask my friend Jacqui Stanard she will tell you how influenced I am by both Annie Lennox and Grace Jones; and to see them both perform live on stage was my little ideal heaven!
Im not sure of Grace's age, I believe it is 64-which is amazing, when you watched her preform the entire song Slave to the Rythm whilst hola hooping!! I find her fashion taste amazing-she's the original Lady Gaga!
If I can squeeze into a PVC style bodice with legs like that when Im 64-I will be happy!!
Her attire seamed to be an all in one ridged plastic black and red bodice with a back skirt that came out from the thigh to the floor. To complete the look was the black long gloves and the out-of-this-world pleated volume red face hat!!
I know everybody thinks shes as mad as a hatter-but my Dad always loved her-and I think that rubbed off on me; I love her own sense of style-she is a bit fruit and nut but with those legs she can pull it off!
As for the Royals on tonights occassion, I wasn't dissapointed with HRH the Queen.
 When she first arrived, The Queen sported a black cape with front gold buttons. I did wonder why black as she usually likes her bright colours, but I understood that it must of been getting cooler in the evening aswell.
 Then by the end of the night she unveiled her beautiful what appeared to be gold silk dress with an embossed detail right the way over the shoulder making it a distinguished dress. Teamed up with a pearl necklace and pearl earings, she looked every bit regal.
As for Kate, I could not really see what she was wearing but I found from twitter that her shirt is from Whistles at the lower price than her McQueen dress yeasturday, of £110.
 Kate cheering on at the concert.
The original Whistles top-Available from John Lewis and if you were wondering.... yes, you can only dry clean.

Duchess Kate at Jubilee Pageant.

Yesturday, after work I was able to watch the end of the flotilla on the Thames.
I must of missed the main part as I only caught a few boats few and far between... but what I did notice was the Royals all standing togther watching the pageant.
I thought the Queen looked marvellous in her white coat and dress with gold, silver and purple flecs by Angela Kelly and matching hat. It was planned to be based apon her original corination gown and apparently took 12 months to create.

 HRH The Queen in her Angela Kelly attire.
Also Kate Middleton; The Duchess of Cambridge, suprised me with wearing a beautiful vibrant red dress-very patriotic. I was glad that she had pushed the boundries a little and opted for a colourful red.
The dress she wore was a version of an Alexander McQueen designed by Sarah Burton for her 2010 collection. The original McQueen dress was sleeveless and shorter than the version wore by Kate but still had the same details of the pleated skirt and square panel at the front.
I think the Duchess looks radiant and finishes the look with her signature nude heals and accesories such as the matching red hat and bag.
If your interested in all her other accesories including her scarf and brooch she was wearing, I'v found a facebook group called My Small Obsessions, which is a site created about the fashion and accessories worn by the Royals-it's amazing! It has all the nitty gritty bits that I doubt other reporters would of found out!
 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving yesturday at the Thames for the celebrations.
Tulisa and Kim Kardashian wearing the original McQueen dress.
I think Kate wears it best! I have no idea what Kim thought when she looked in the mirror!

Happy Diamond Jubilee

With the buzz of the Diamond Jubilee and also the London Olimpics this year-You'd have to be living under a rock not to notice!
I have just watched a couple of programs on tele such as "Elizabeth: Wife, Mother, Granmother" and the Queen never fails to amaze me.
I am aware there are people with very differents views of the monarchy, myself I am a royalist and proud to have a queen.
Reflecting on myself; a soon-to-be 24 year old, Princess Elizabeth was onlt 25 when she saddly heard the death of the father and became queen. Not only that, but soon after her coronation traveled to most of the commonwealth countries as part of her new duties and had to leave her two young children for over 6 months; Charles and Anne; who was only 3 years old at the time.
Looking at her now I don't think many people appriciate how hard it must be to make an effort to visit all these contries: open all their parlaments, visit all their tragedys aswell as read and sign all the documents given to her daily in the " Red Box" from ministers and members of parlament. She also meets with the priminister weekly to discuss the goverment and the country whilst being the head of the Armed Forces and the Church of England. On top of this she has also brought up four children, which after watching programs like this, both her and Prince Phillip seem to be very hands on parents.
And always carry themselves with such poise and gracefulness.
The Queen is the epitome of englishness with her stiff upper lip and her head down and get on with it approach.

She is an inspiration for women; becoming a leader in generaly a mans world at that time, to be thrust into a life and job she was never ment to have whilst holding a family together.
She inspires me, she has shown what women can do and how elegant and in control you can be whist doing it. I believe our Monarchy is something to be proud off, Queen Elizabeth II is one of only 3 lone queens to stand on their throne and all three have been historical: Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II.
So this weekend I am hoping to finish a dress to ware to a jubilee party to celebrate 60year's of our Queen. I'v also got flags on my car and and hoping to put bunting every where!

September 1950-before she was coronated Queen.
I love how she has a naturalness about her and sence of style.

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 1947 

 

 

1947-Princess Elizabeths engagement to Phillip Mountbatten.

They  bothe look so very young and gracefull.

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1988-The Queen and Princess Anne at the Derby.

I love how their matching each other in very-of-the-time 80's fashion. Bright daffodil colour.

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2008-Opening of Parliment. Glorious sumptuos fur and a regal tiara-every bit a Queen.