A Fashion journal of an aspiring Fashion Designer

Hello everyone! Yes, I am back after two whole months in Malaysia and back to blogging again too. But rather than rejoicing this reuinion I would like to express my deepest condolences to Alexander Mcqueen’s family. He was always one of my biggest inspirations and fashion-designer-idols, it’s devastating and I’m still in shock to hear that he has passed away at the age of 40. I hope to see his collections  in Paris this year… and for the years to come of course… but it will never be the same, it won’t be how Mcqueen would imagine from his beautiful creative mind…

R.I.P McQueen

Hey everyone! I am off to Malaysia to visit my brother and do some sight seeing too. Hopefully I will post you about fresh taaza news on fashion (if I do get the time that is :p hehe) I will be back in the Maldives after one month.

And I just found out that my post “In harmony with nature” has been featured on Global Voices and two more other sites:

http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/12/14/dispatch-from-copenhagen-demands-for-climate-justice/

http://elitestv.com/pub/2009/12/dispatch-from-copenhagen-demands-for-climate-justice

http://add-links.eu/blooog/2009/12/14/dispatch-from-copenhagen-demands-for-climate-justice/

Have a fashionable holiday you all!

XXX

fast sketch - 80's look

I used pencil colours to make this sketch and it is inspired by the 80’s looks, with the make-up and big earrings reminiscent of the 80’s Joan Collins.

Joan Collins 80's

image credits

A sketch: 'in harmony with nature' - hoping that the cop15 summit becomes effective

The COP15 summit has begun at Copenhagen, Denmark  and everywhere around the globe the same voice “save our planet – seal the deal” echoes.  My home Maldives is one of those helpless and fragile countries that are  at the frontline to be affected by global warming, at this very moment we can only hope that the COP15 summit becomes effective, ‘cos the responsibility rests on the shoulders of those countries who emit large amounts of CO2. However, each one of us should take the responsibility to care and nurture for our mother earth – switch off the lights, chargers etc if you are not using ‘em, plant more trees and walk, ride a bicycle or use public transport systems : opt for a ‘greener life’ everyone.

Can you talk about your jewelry all day long? Well I’m sure if you have a little history behind that necklace or bracelet then it will be a conversation starter. I was browsing through the National Geographic website the other day and saw this section below on their home page: ‘clothing and accessories’ – the first thought that occurred to me-: “what the? What is this doing here??!” I mean this is NatGEo after all and the last thing that could occur to one is ‘clothing and accessories’. But, I was glad to see it there anyway.  It is understandable since NatGeo documents the livelihoods of ancient times and different parts of the world and jewelry and clothing are vital aspects to the documentation.  So as I went through their all-around-the-world jewelry collection, I was simply blown away by the array of traditional jewelries from Bhutan, Egypt, China and Kashmir! They were so yummy that I felt like trying all of them on! The best part about it was that they had given a brief description on each piece regarding it’s traditional historical origin and how it was made.

I’ve posted some pictures of the pieces that I loved from the National Geographic jewelery collection:

last emperor vintage jade earrings

The maori stone jewellery. As I mentioned  earlier each piece comes with a little description of it’s history, for this one it’s said :

“The koru spiral (left) is a stylized fern frond and represents new life and rebirth, growth, and a deep connection to the earth. The moana (right) is a repeating pattern based on the ocean waves and serves as a reminder of the importance of being in harmony with nature. Each carved stone hangs from an adjustable waxed cord.”

tibetan blue sky jewelry

silk road bracelets

Carved Chinese cinnabar bangels

“These ornate cinnabar bracelets are reminiscent of those once popular in the imperial court of China. An ancient art form, the creation and carving of these lacquer bracelets is an intensive process requiring much artistic skill and patience…”

personalised egyptian cartouche pendants

Himalayan earth and sky necklace :

“In Tibet, turquoise (called gyu) and coral are two of the most highly valued materials. Turquoise has been used as currency, and coral is a precious trade object in this landlocked mountainous country…”

gold-vermeil roman glass jewelry

carved jade chinese necklace

kashmiri floral bangles

Conversation starters can of course be your jewelry; like those times when you are surprised by your excited friend who shows off a shining white diamond crowned on a silver band and screaming “He asked me to marry him!!” and this can start off a huge conversation.

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But the history behind that one beautifully cut diamond that was bought to adorn the finger of a lovely lady can be quite appalling. Ever heard of ‘conflict diamonds’ or ‘blood diamond’? No? Then here’s the thing:

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There was once a time when people did not bother to find out about how the sparkling white diamond on the engagement ring originated. The many innocent people who died because of that diamond was unseen;  until on December 1^st 2000 the UN general assembly adopted a resolution to stop the role of diamonds in building conflict among the different parts of Africa – like Sierra Leone. The brutal rebel groups who slaughtered families and took children to train as child soldiers are fuelled by the funds they gain from selling conflict diamonds. They use the money they earn from these diamonds to buy arms. Once these diamonds are brought to the markets their origin is so difficult to trace since it has been infiltrated by then. Asking the jeweler whether the diamond you  are purchasing is ‘conflict free’ and checking whether they have a ‘certificate of origin’ is a good way to support the abolish of diamonds that are at the cost of  many innocent people’s lives.

So, as NatGeo says-:  “think again”

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Hey everyone! I am back from Srilanka or ‘Serendip’ as the  Arabs call it. I hope to tell you guys more about the experience but I have to sign off now as I have some pending work. I just created my twitter account (so excited about it) !! So follow me on twitter too as I tweetterrrrr around

http://twitter.com/famushutalk

bonne journée

Bonjour all you fashionable lovely dhoonees!

I am off to Colombo, am attending an environmental conference for 4 days in Piliyandala a small suburban area.Well I won’t be blogging for about a week at least so I hope to see you guys soon with new posts

Au revoir

et Abien tot!

Bronze black and silver chains mix up to make this recent necklace of mine. I have been getting tired of seeing and wearing the same kind of simple jewellery and I wanted something quirky, different and stylish. So, it was back to hunting down my box of glittery shiny beads, cords and laces . I was inspired by Kelly’s  (the Glamourai) accessory designs, especially her lovely necklaces. This blogger has created a world of her own with her jewellery and it’s her necklaces especially; that i love the most.  The use of vintage chains in bronze and gold entwined with black grosgrain ribbons are a total heart breaker! They look so chic and elegant and we are talking about vintage material everyone! whoever said old is trash – it’s awsomely trendy here!!! Kelly was also called to style Rachel Roy’s clothes. Well,  bloggers today influence the trends of fashion.  So getting back to the necklace I made; it’s a combination of three chains: silver, bronze and black. Some fat black ribbon and transclucent beads. My tools to make this necklace was a pair of scissors, a needle and thread.

some bronze, silver and black chains with black ribbon and a pair of scissors

I was having this imaginative fairy tale story as an inspiration to the  whole creation of this piece: a princess living in this grand castle and she cries for her prince who is at war, wishing he was back with her. The tears that fell down her cheeks froze on the chains of the enchanted necklace that has tied her to the castle chamber. ( sounds a bit too over dramatic here)

After having sewn the chains onto the ribbon a knot is tied using the ends of the ribbon.And the transclucent beads (which can also be the tear drops of the princess ) are attached. And voila my necklace is done.

the tear drops froze on the bronze chains...

I have always loved jewellery and making them has always been a passion for me, besides designing clothes and illustrating that is. Although, I haven’t done any professional jewellery designing as yet,  it is a small scale/ home made thing for me at the moment (you must have already seen by now, the accessories I made posted on Famushu). I remember, my dad making small bracelets with beads and leather strings and I would sit beside him watching him carefully arrange each bead. I suppose that is how I really got inspired and got into making little ornaments on my own. Today, I manage to  get some time off and do research on what is hip in the accessory world. And as I was googling I spotted the works of jewellery designer Rachel Roy, she is quite a celebrity and was re-known as the wife of Damon Dash the hip hop businessman (they are now  divorced after a 4 year marriage). Her designs are worn by many celebrities and featured on magazines like Harpers Bazaar and Marie Clair.

rachel roy's jewellery inspired me this sketch

Her site  Rachel Roy has some really lovely accessories along with her clothing line. The necklaces and earrings shown  had this look of modern coolness, I loved the spiked earring and necklace especially. Her collection definitely had a punk twist in it. I’ve posted some pics below for you to see.

Necklaces by Rachel Roy. I have a big crush on that dark silver spiked one – it’s coolness is at nirvana.

These are so funky and lovely-spread the peace and love eh?

Her earrings are so cool and elegant. I am sure that any girl would want a piece from her collection.

Rachel Roy is and looks like she will be the queen of jewellery designing for the many fashionable years to come. Her ever youthful collection is an inspiration to me and for other fashion students too.  To work with her would be a dream opportunity for sure

I have been updating you guys about the trends ruling the fashion scene. Here is yet another one of the current trends, which is actually one of the most feminine of  all the trends of 2009 : The use of sheer and lace fabric. It is a trend that might look a bit revealing and too overtly sexy, but here’s the thing; you can always make it look modest. I believe that anyone can make any trend, whether it be clothing or an accessory work for one’s self. It is very simple. Alors, getting back to the “sheers and laces”; I have picked out some designs from the runway of spring summer 2010 from style.com. My small collage below exhibits the designs of  Iceberg, Dolce and Gabbana and Antonio Berradi.

Iceberg, Dolce and Gabbana and Antonio Berradi spring summer 2010

The sheers and lace trend is a hit in the fashion scene and it’s a must-have at the moment. One of the most reknown fashion bloggers today : Karla of Karla’s closet had posted a picture of her lace top paired with a jacket. A really sleek and sophisticated look. 

karlas closet

Inspired by the lace and sheer look I sew up a top in dark blue lace. It is very simple and this is a way of using lace in a modest and simple way too. You could try this. It is quite  similar to the lace top that model Anja Rubik was wearing – as posted on Knight cat. For the photo I paired my top with a necklace I made using ribbons and vintage chains ( I will post be posting some detail pics of the necklace soon )

I'm wearing my sewn blue lace top and the necklace I made

Here is Anja Rubik on Knight cat wearing the current trend of lace.

Anja Rubik wearing lace

Have a wonderful day ahead everyone