Last week on Tuesday it was my final day of placement year! It has flown by, and these were the new styles that were going into Topshop towards the end of the week. With more sheer criss cross dresses and lace flares which the sample had been made the previous week and i had tried on in the studio,  they are a really nice fit and perfect for summer or a night out. 
There is also a Suedette top that I worked on with Debbie on my last day by tracing and altering the pattern. It was ready to go in a few days later! Running up to my last week we were looking at ideas for AW which would be going in around August and looking at collections, colours and fabric samples to get an idea of what will be popular. So it'll be nice to see what goes in later in the year when I go back to Uni. 

Can't believe that this year is all over!

New Arrivals

Last week there was a photo shoot for new arrivals so Lately I've been making more of the Print two pieces. I made the first sample in the new fabric that is floral and orange and they look really nice in that print and have been selling really well, perfect for festival season or holidays.

They are still in Topshop Liverpool, whereas the brown floral print ones are just on the website. Other new arrivals include one in paisley and an off the shoulder dress.

I've also been working on the pattern for a black bodycon dress that will hopefully be out in a few weeks. it was really good to be more involved in that as I made the sample as well to see what needs to be changed and tweaked and next week I'll be helping grade the pattern for sizing. 

I'm also going to be carrying on with research for Autumn winter for what can begin to go onto Topshop  mid summer so its good to be looking ahead ad seeing what colours and fabrics are going to be used!

LolaLoves

'The Plastic Age' Editorial Shoot

A few weeks ago I got asked to make some garments for Grace Kenny Who has recently completed her degree in BA Fashion promotion with styling at Uclan. 

Her shoot for her final project was based on the 'Plastic Age' and how plastic is valuable for our future ans how much it is used.

So after looking at some of her inspo imagery and colour palettes i looked at fabrics that would suit and made up a skirt, bralette, dress and jacket (worn backwards in the shot)

Its really cool to work with stylists to see how the garments made will go together in the shoot, with the set and accessories. 

The photographer is also a Uclan student, Emma Louise Carney and the shots have come out really nice.

I really enjoyed helping out with this project as it was good to work with different fabrics and have a deadline to work to.

Check out Grace's other work on her online portfolio: Gracekennystyling and her instagram: @gracemkenny 

Past few weeks...

Its been nearly a month since I last posted about what I've been up to in Liverpool.

It's flown by been there for just over 5 weeks, so before I head there today I'm gonna update this just to remind myself as well!

Its been all about festival fashion and summer coords like these two in the lovely bright prints. The pink one is currently in Topshop Liverpool priced at £28 for the top and £23 for matching shorts.

I've mostly been making things to go into Topshop concessions such as the crochet tassel tops and other summer items.

Its a fast paced place to work there's always things to do. At the moment we're having a think about whats gonna be happening for Autumn Winter.... Already!

I always get asked to try things on to test fit and how they look, not always the greatest person being annoyingly small cant really get a decent idea of the right length when doing samples haha. 

For my next post i'll try get more photos of what i've been doing!

SS15 Lola Loves

At my second week at Lola loves, on the Friday we had a photo shoot, we so the morning was manic getting everything ready for the shoot and garments prepared to go into Topshop Liverpool.

It's a lot more fast paced and there's loads to do which is really good because you're always busy, and getting told handy tips is really useful too. I get to input ideas too which is nice and i've had to try a few things on to check sizing and to see if Debbie thinks it will look right.

So these are some of the final edits from the shoot and they look really cool with the hippie vibe ready for the summer. 

First week at Lola Loves

"Lola loves started out in 2007 selling ready to wear and bespoke garments from a small studio space in the city centre. It quickly gained a host of devotees from many of Liverpool's most stylish and fast became one of the most sought after brands in the city.
the ready to wear collections pose elegance with edge and have a certain style that compliments the female silhouette. Think semi sheer floor sweeping dresses, skater style dresses and structured collars, ruffles and frills, with attention to detail being paramount. Glamour with a little edge is the look, all with unique flair. Perfect for individuals who like to stand out from the crowd."

So this is my first proper week starting at Lola Loves in Liverpool and I've been really enjoying it, so its been a while since I've had chance to do a post as i haven't been doing much other than working in Abakhan until i found a new placement. I'm really looking forward to the next three months or so as I am in a really good place in myself at the moment and I can't wait to get back to learning new skills.

I went a couple of weeks back to meet Debbie and to work in the studio and i can tell i will learn alot,  She's really helpful and got so much knowledge, It's going to be really hands on which I love.

It's also great to be back on an industrial machine and not a domestic one that plays up, so it will be good practise for fourth year!

So in my first couple of days I've been sewing and finishing off garments that will either be sold in Topshop Liverpool or online.

Firstly I started off with these paisley gypsy tops that are so on trend for the boho 70's vibe this summer, so i was sewing the seams and then finishing off with the elastic and the cord bow, and they were posted on instagram - Lolalovesboutique

The other post is of a customer wearing the cattie tassel top that i have been working on by applique sequin flowers on. Then they just need the fringing to be attached, they are so nice and pretty much completely backless which is perfect for summer!

WWW.LOLALOVESBOUTIQUE.COM

Mesh Coords now online (Fashion Prescription)

 Over the past couple of weeks i have been making samples of mesh co-ords for the brand Fashion Prescription.

They have now launched online as of Wednesday, Which is really exciting as they have a huge following of over 36k followers on instagram.

Its also really cool to see the pictures being posted all over their website and social media!

Something i have made is available to a huge market and I've already received orders.

The outfits are perfect for summer to just throw over a bikini or for a more out there festival look!

So I'll be busy making these to send off to the company. They've been really great to work with and really easy to keep in contact with about what they want, so I'd definitely advise anyone to contact them and see if they want anything making!

www.fashionprescription.org

I'm now a freelance seamstress for Fashion Prescription!

An up and coming brand, Fashion Prescription, we're looking for freelance seamstresses to work with them so i go in contact and they want me to work for them!

They want me to produce mesh coords for the summer, The stuff they stock is really cool and great for summer! They also have fab footwear that i wish i could afford right now!

So at the moment i'm in the middle of making and sending them samples for their website which is exciting!

Here's a link to the website www.fashionprescription.org you should check out all their stock!

Spring/Summer Rework

Over the past couple of weeks i've been working on different items to rework for the shop for SS15 and here is a few examples... They're vintage dresses and playsuits atlered into two pieces. they're fairly quick and easy to do and will hopefully be big again this summer to wear to festivals and holidays!

New mid season rework

With it still being pretty cold we've decided to rework vintage sweats by cropping them, and I've been adding the band back on to the majority of them and they have worked really well, They're being sold for £22 in store at the moment and are a perfect piece for the mid season rework range. They come in all different colours too! There will be more to come and more reworked items too.

Trend research...

After the Christmas break I've been looking at the biggest trends for SS15 and these are the ones!

I've created trend boards with my favourite looks from the catwalks and i can't wait for the weather to be better to wear some of the trends and also to get started on some new designs that will be inspired by them for Lily Vintage. The trends are so varied from the more feminine tulle to the not so Utility! So it looks like spring will be full of cool looks. I'm also going to be looking at what the high street and online clothing sites are going to be offering for the coming season!

Hentsch Man styling shoot

Before Christmas i was asked to help a Girl from my uni Elena Matlock, who's on the fashion styling course to make garments for her Hentsch Man inspired shoot. They needed to be big on print so i sourced fabrics that would suit and check them over with her, Elena needed 5 looks for the project so this consisted of three shirts, three shorts, a blazer and tie and bomber jacket.

Although it was manic getting it together before Christmas sorting out sizing and stuff it was good to make different things and to work to a deadline, I'm pretty proud of the collection, as I'd never made a blazer before and not had experience of doing menswear so i was chuffed when i was asked to help out and hopefully you think it's turned out well! These are the final edits of the shoot!

Check out and follow @elenamatlockstyling on instagram she's gonna be a fab stylist.