G R A D S

BeckyLouise Cooper -Wincester School of Art grad. Digital printed for the apparel market, love the colour combo of the first print with the golden honey yellows and royal purple.

Kerry Mcveigh -Leeds University of Art grad. Great hand rendered illustrations mixed into digital repeats.

Natalia Maghdoori -LoughBorough University grad. Laser cut mixed media embellishments.

A S H L E I G H Smith

First up I'm going to gush about Ashleigh Smith grad from Heriot Watt Uni and her colourful contemporary digital patterns. LOVE THEM.

One thing that was glaringly obvious with all of the universities -they have really pushed the boundaries of Digital design which is great but it actually made you think oh no there's too much of it, everyone is doing the same thing! So I found myself drawn more towards the simple digital repeats like Ashleighs above which tend to focus on vector geometric imagery rather than the collaged photo techniques many employed. (However I'm not going to bash it too much as there were some AMAZING pieces of the latter).

NEW D E S I G N E R S

Trawling though the net late last night and came across the New Designers webpage. They showcase graduate designers from around the UK and just happened to have a showcase running this week with the last day being today! So I quickly snapped up a ticket online and got super excited for the day ahead and rightly so!

WARNING! excessive posts to follow!

H E J!

I WENT TO SWEDEN!

Gothenburg City to be exact and I got my very own Dala Horse! (figurine, key chain and tote bag...)

Such a beautiful city and country, very much like New Zealand in the amount of people vs land mass, much fresher and cleaner than London too!

I'd never been on a roller coaster until we went to Liseberg Amusement Park, and I will probably never go on one again. Panic attacks on all three. (yes three! I went on three!). My favourite ride was the one above. Simple, predictable, rotating fun.

We were only there for one night so didn't really get to go around any of the art and design museums but I will be going back there! Stayed with friends so got a less touristy type of look around the place which was so much more interesting.

I love that Sweden is pretty much the design capital of the world -everything is practical but in a modern very designerish way -yes new word can't think of actual words to explain this right now so this will have to do (please view disclaimer to the right of your screen...).

Came across a few illustrations which kept popping up over the city -no idea what they are for or who by, a form of graffiti?

W H O O P S

Well it's been a while since my last post but this time I actually have a pretty good stand up excuse! I broke my pinky. I know you're thinking -so what your pinky... but it really does limit your activities! I haven't been able to write or draw and find buttering toast most difficult especially when in half a cast that goes almost to your elbow... yip they put it in a cast. For a pinky. All's good now though have pretty good use of it now out of cast and only have a few wires in it which will have to be removed but other than that Bring on the posts!

N W 3

Hobb's sister store NW3 has some really fun and quirky patterned dresses in at the mo, I visited their standalone store in Westfields -Shepherds Bush today, had to walk out before I bought them all though! Especially love the shape of the skirt above -perfect for a girl with hips! Love their take on charm bracelets!

J E W E L S

London Jewelry week started today! It's being held at Spitalfields Markets -I may/will have to go two weekends in a row! There are some very talented designers showcasing their wares including Xiomara Orriols (above) from XI Designs -originally a textile designer she makes some stunning pieces incorporating her textile skills.

I K E A

I've never been to Ikea... I'm going to go tomorrow, I think I should leave my wallet and credit card at home though! They have some great fabrics I need to buy okay don't need as such but want!

C O L O U R

Check out these great lippies from LimeCrime! Such wild opaque colours I wish I had the confidence to wear... well in public anyway! Actually when searching for info about the company it didn't come out all sparkly and sunshiney... hmmm I like the colours and packaging but am sure I could find them elsewhere without the drama, aparently Mac do some good bright colours now too...

TO M A R K E T TO MARKET...

Last one for today I promise. Sacha Allen is another contemporary designer I stumbled upon at Spitalfields. She creates beautiful handmade leather bags and clutches as above. Check out her Etsy store if you can't make it to the market!

I L L U S T

Two wonderful illustrators from Spitalfields, Karin Akesson and Ros Shiers.

J & P

Another fab designer duo selling their wares at Spitalfields, Jenkins & Power. All fabric for their bags and clutches are hand screen printed by them. Stunning! espcially as they print on leather, suede, pvc, all sorts!

C L A R A

I've been visiting the markets today -Specifically Spitalfields. Came across a couple of very talented crafty designers. Take a looksie at Clara Francis -she makes these crazy beaded necklaces and has become pretty famous for them selling them all over the world however she won't forget her roots where it all began at Spitalfields.

C O R O F L O T

Some more fabulously talented designers from Coroflot (online design portfolio hub).

K N I T

Found the most amazing Knit designer whilst exploring Coroflot today! Marina Popska has created some brilliant pieces for her final year project -I believe through use of a digital kniting machine (far too advanced for my years at Uni... well in NZ anyway). Love the colour combinations and lively garment illustrations!

O N C E MORE

Okay, promise this is the last Luella post I do... but I can't get over the gorgeous colours, fabrics pleats, ruffles and silhouettes which make up Luella -I mean really look at those skirts! Had to have a friend talk me out of buying the amazing Doris dress from the 2009 collection this weekend by telling me 'that's a weekend trip in Europe some place...' -found the perfect fit and style at TK maxx but sadly hung it back on the rail...

tear.

T E X T U R E TIME

A few stunning inspirational textures from Kew Gardens... Go crazy!

P U R D Y

Church St markets just happened to be on the way to Joel & Sons so of course I felt the need to find me some bargains... Found an amazing jewellery stall most of it was glitzy and cheap but there were a few good finds amongst the lot -I just wasn't willing to pay the prices they were asking UNTIL I saw the bracelet above. Instant love, had to have, had to try my hand at bartering! Saved a whole 5 pounds!

E X C I T I N G!

Had the best day today! Back track to Tuesday when I picked up my trusty copy of Stylist, flipped through a few pages and came across a mention of Joel & Sons Fabric store on Church St in Marylebone. Joel & Sons is an amazing couture fabric supplier and supplies fabric for the queen!

I've been dying to see a massive fabric store in action and decided today was the day so I missioned my way to Joel & Sons this afternoon (after a trip to Kew Gardens -my I have been busy!), and lost myself in the rows of gorgeous fabrics for every occassion. After wondering around (taking sneaky photos...), I hear a 'Can I help you miss?' and I cringe thinking oh no he's going to tell me off for the photos... but nope he just wanted to help, phew!

So we get to chatting along the lines of Me: no thanks I'm just having a look at this amazing store blah blah studied textiles blah blah amazing blah blah, Him: oh well come this way -we print all our own fabrics in Italy on a blah blah (fancy digi printing machine I didn't quite catch the name of) and many of my own designs are here (spreads out several roles of beautiful digital fabrics and he lets me take non-sneaky photos!), we buy many designs as well (wink wink).

A few roles of fabric and photos later and I'm up at the counter being handed his business card with the offer of an interview for a saturday job in the store! Turns out it was Joel I'd been speaking with the whole time, so am going to work on a few digi designs and see what he thinks!

B O W

I want this pillow.