Paper >>> Fashion

Paper cutting... correctly known as Papel Picado, is the Mexican art of papercutting into elaborate designs. The designs are usually cut from tissue paper, and themes are most commonly birds, floral designs and skeletons (my favourite). Time and practice is a necessity for paper cutting, but if you have the passion for it then amazing things can be created, as seen below.

Whilse researching for a current assignment where I will be experimenting with laser cutting for interiors, i have taken inspiration from a number of fashion designers who have been inspired themselves by Papel Picado, to create similar looks from laser cut fabrics on the catwalk.

Brazilian fashion designer Ronaldo Fraga.

Laser cut dress by Alexander McQueen.

I <3 NY

I LOVE NYC!! Its an obsession i have had for years, and one that i don't think ill ever grow out of. Its quite possibly one of the most exciting cities in the world, and my ultimate dream is to eventually move there after I graduate. Anyway, the point of me telling you this...... I decided to base one of my design projects on my admiration for NY, as well as other cities with similar character. Basically I will eventually create a collection of wallpapers based around the architecture in these cities. I just found a company that designs similar wallpapers to what I am aiming to produce. Check out a couple of there wall coverings..

What a great idea! But i want mine to be more of a design, rather then a simple (yet fabulous) picture of a skyline. I have started sketching, playing around with my sketches on photoshop/kaledo/illustrator and come up with a few designs that i would probably put into repeat to create the wallpaper. Here is a couple, they are just rough examples, but once i have completed the collection I will be sure to post the final pieces...

Hands on!

A friend emailed this to me.. dont ask why!! But anyway i thought was really clever. The detail makes it look so real.

Nightclub?

This is just a short post... Whilst looking for inspiration on a current project for university, I decided to research interior design in nightclubs... this is by far my favourite!

FIERCE!

www.noirjewelry.com

Whist interning in NYC last summer i came across a company called Noir Jewelry, and fell in love with it at first sight. They have a crazy collection of affordable rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets etc that scream raw, edgy and fierce.

Proof of their talent... check this out. They were asked to creatE a dress for Rihanna, by her stylists. This beautiful piece combines glamour, sparkle and OTT edgyness, and something that i hadn't seen ever before. The sketch below is basically an elaborated version of the necklace that was made by NOIR.

P.S. Check the shoes out too... i like!

Fashion or Wearable Art ?

I came across these beautiful designs on the web the other day, by a fashion designer called Sandra Backlund. Truthfully i had never heard of her before, but it seems that she is pretty successful, and clearly talented.

However, she classes herself as a fashion designer. I don't doubt at all that she can design clothing, but when i look at her incredibly fascinating designs i would say they are a work of art rather than a fashion piece. She uses crazy materials (ie clothing pegs/pins) and in a way she highlights the silhouette of the human body beautifully. I had a look at a few more of her designs and i guess she's an example of how artists let themselves go with their creative thoughts, and by not thinking of how practical their designs may be, instead come up with unique art, that cam be presented on the human body.

Shoplifter

Check this out: www.shoplifter.us

This fascinating website belongs to an artist/designer called "Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir," also known as Shoplifter. Not a clue how to pronounce that mouthful but believe me when i say her work is as crazy and original as her name. But for the sake of this blog, i think we should just call her HA. Born in island and then moved to study in the USA to pursue her creative career, HA uses hair, yes HAIR, as her main medium of choice in her designs.

Look at the intense and intricate detail put into the horses cover (i don't really know what else to call it.) HA has literally used hair braiding as a technique to create different textures and patterns throughout the design, creating such new effects to the human eye. This, I'm assuming time consuming process really pays of when u see the full design on the website. It gives off a rich, one of a kind quality.

This entire collection of work is said to aspire from her hair obsession

and her adoring thoughts on the power of vanity. Below is a statement she made when asked why she uses vanity and self image in her work, and i thought her answer was pretty great, and a view we dont here often enough.

" I am opposed to vanity being seen as only a negative quality. For me vanity is a powerful energy that drives us forward and allows us to do creative and amazing things. Although at times it can have negative sides, it is far from being only negative. Vanity is underestimated. It’s a beautiful characteristic and it encourages freedom of expression. I think the most beautiful element in the world is the pure desire to decorate and beautify your self."

I mean, who else takes a picture of their own ass and classes it as a work off art???

The images above are only a few of many incredible ideas, so if you think the whole hair idea is pretty cool then please check out the site, you will be amazed by what art and hair can create!