A Fashion journal of an aspiring Fashion Designer

Don’t you remember the moments you walked on the beach looking for sea shells ? The soft breeze blowing away the hair, the smell of salty sea and the white sand from the beach coated all over wet feet..sigh. Well, the shells I collected, some of them, are still in big glass jars, like memories stored carefully. The colors of nature, the designs and iridescent shades on shells are just an awe and inspiration..

iamges via here and here

Toulouse Lautrec’s bold and bold striking silhouettes and Gustav Klimt’s elegant captivating females in gold accessories and beautiful textiles … These artists have always been an inspiration to many fashion illustrators around the globe. Toulouse Lautrec’s Divon Japonais via google and Gustav Klimt’s Judith1 via google.

It was shocking to hear the news and see the first images of the destructive tsunami that hit Japan. It was horrifying .The tsunami catastrophe was one of the largest that hit Japan in its history of earthquakes. The monstrous wave had wiped away millions of homes and families. And to top it all the nuclear power plant explosion has created an even greater fear. The  beautiful country of Japan we all know of, a country with warm people, greatly disciplined with a beautiful tradition and culture, sushi’s and samurai’s !…Japan  is now in a state of crisis.  I pray for God’s blessings for Japan. May the people of Japan find the courage and strength to move forward in peace and confidence. Let us all pray together and help Japan.

This illustration and photoshop-ing was a rush job...but my deepest and heartfelt prayers are sincerely with the people of Japan

xoxo

working on a collage art piece

I’m working for my solo exhibition 24×7 nowadays and I thought it’s only fair that I share some of the pieces with my Famushu readers from time to time! The art exhibition is about ‘fashion’ and I will be exhibiting different kinds of art pieces and will display work using techniques such as water color, pencil colors, tempera and mixed medium. Fashion illustration itself is a very broad form of art that gives the artist full liberty to use any technique whether it be water color or collages using different materials.

I always drift away into the world of collages when making collage art pieces. The possibilities of creating outrageous and beautiful imagery is just infinitive! But one must have these two key ingredients to achieve a successful piece : “Imagination” & “Creativity”! Pour cette post I’ve put up a picture of the collage; made with selected magazine clippings, cut into forms to suit the final image, painted certain areas and one eye is pencil colored on a separate paper and included on the final piece later. I love to go through many experiments before I achieve the ultimate final art work. Hence this collage piece is among those experiments that I had made under this particular technique.

"JUST SMILE" 2010 - collage, using magazine clippings, tempera and pencil colors

Goofing around with magazine cut outs!

Well then lovelies, i will be posting some more works soon, till then A’bientot! xoxoxo

armani prive

As I stared into the jpeg images of the finely tailored garments of haute couture fashion week, I kept on sobbing inside for not being able to see the clothes for real, feel the richness of the fabric and the delicately made embroidery in my hands. This year, the haute couture fashion week presented a sense of elegant minimalism (a style which I greatly admire and follow in my designs) Designers like Stephane Rolande, Givenchy, Chanel and Valentino displayed minimalism – of course minimalism does not mean a shallow approach to design, especially in haute couture it is natural to expect excellence in design and great amount of craftsmanship.

stephane rolande

Thus the designers like Chanel and Stephane Rolande had beautiful gowns and coats: Karl Lagerfield used embroidery on the Chanel coats that were heavy with translucent crystal beads.  Stephane Rolande’s artistic gowns in beautiful earthy tones with huge sculptural brooches were breathtakingly beautiful. The most captivating show from the fashion week, to me was that of Armani Prive by Georgio Armani; there was fine tailoring and futuristic minimalism. The models looked like shiny elongated beetles with iridescent colors glistening on their handsomely tailored silhouettes.  Such beauty! His collection was so perfect! I just wish I could be in Armani’s fashion house, working with the team experiencing each step they take and how the tailors work on the garments, be part of the creative process!

Valentino and Jean Paul Gaultier

Through the minimalistic collections in the fashion week, it was refreshing to see Galliano and Gaultier exhibit flamboyance through their collections. I was quite surprised and eager to see the garments that John Galliano presented for Christian Dior this year; as his inspiration was the great fashion illustrator Rene Gruau! Ah! Gruau is a pioneer in his field, his illustrations created history in fashion illustration and they still inspire young fashion illustrators (like me!)

“The most dramatic effects were chiaroscuro—the interplay of light and shade, duplicating the wash of Gruau’s watercolors and the shadows of Irving Penn’s classic couture photography. Where it seemed that hand-painting fabric would have been the simplest way to achieve the desired result, Galliano and his studio used seven layers of tulle to create a shimmering depth of dégradé.” Style.com

Christian Dior and Ellie Saab

Galliano is also one of those designers who epitomize haute fashion! And as another exciting fashion week  ends, I just remembered all those designers who have exhibited on the haute couture runway –

I salute them all!

images from style.com and here

Hello! Bonjour! After a long absence from Famushu I am back again! I have been away for long as I was totally tied up with a project here in Male’ Maldives. A long break after work has boosted my spirit to continue on my own project which is at the moment my solo art exhibition! And I’ve come back to Famushu with a new category called “Current Inspiration” – it’s where I post my new inspirations – whether it be a photo, video or piece of poetry! The variety of imagery, sounds or literature that I experience every day, play a strong role in my art and fashion design works – and I’m always excited to share it with my Famushu readers!! Currently, my inspirations are; the bright red traditional Chinese paper cut designs (images here and here), African tribal masks – beautiful and colorful with striking bold geometrical designs, famous model Iman and ‘thundu kunaa’ designs of Maldives – a traditional matt weaved in Maldives with organic colors and designs that look similar to those found in traditional African craftwork.

chinese paper art

Model Iman

Hello everyone! Ah! Yes I am back again with some hot trendy news right off the fashion oven! This time the limelight is on the silk turban and turband!

worked on an illustration for the turban trend

(Please empathize with me on the amateur quality of this illustration, as this is the first time I’ve used adobe to color one of my works in detail) I always see the turban as an accessory synonymous with women who are confident and elegantly poised. I’ve posted here some pics from the recent runway collections and from the stylish streets of NYC and London. Pictures from here, here, here and here. Mind you, the runway and street pictures could be deceiving; the ladies could be all glowing wearing the turban/ turband but it is a difficult look to pull off, you need to accessorize carefully with the right garments, even tying the turban requires a bit of a skill and most of all… you’ve got to carry it well! You could donne a lovely balloon sleeve cotton shirt and black harem pants, accessorize your look with   a turban or turband and you will achieve a simple chic look! Before we get all carried away with turban styles let’s take a short trip down fashion’s memory lane. The turban is known as a classic piece in a woman’s wardrobe.  Paul Poiret (1879–1944), known for his exquisite designs, dressed women in elegant silks made them feel confident and beautiful; he often used the turban in his designs and j’adore his illustrations of Persian princesses in starlit nights…sigh!

pics from here, here and here. Turbans were a must-have accessory in the 70’s and the 80’s as well. So that’s it from here now, hope you will try out the turban! If you need help in styling a look with a turban don’t hesitate to bug me!

got hold of some vintage 70's magazines

Salut all my lovely fashionable Famushu readers !I’ve had some wild working weeks lately and finally got a day to sit down comfortably and post on my latest works. This time I’ve been inspired by the worn and torn look, It’s a simple DIY look that pretty much anybody can make (not to mention with the right tools and material). The torn and worn out look has been heightened  by Christophe Decarnin for his Balmain Spring Summer 2011 fashion collection.

Balmain Spring Summer 2011

Pics from style.com Inspired by the biker chick he created tee’s with torn holes that were held together by safety pins. There were bleached jeans and studs adorned the signature Balmain jackets.  Considering the economic situation affecting the fashion industry only a handful of designers have really experimented richly with their collections this year. Christophe Decarnin’s  exhibition was very similar to  last seasons Balmain collection and looking through them I felt like watching a movie that I have seen ten times; knowing ah! that’s what’s going to come next!.  However, the collection is safe enough to keep Balmain’s regular customers happy; and who could ignore those jackets which are to-die-for!

worn and torn look on white t-shirt

the torn t-shirt

silver and leather accessories with black skinny jeans

I’ve posted here my latest crazy work, it’s a torn look given to a white t-shirt that I sew. And believe me, the first reaction I get from many people are: “WTF is she wearing?!” This look is rebellious  and perhaps a viewer discrimination could be necessary  This is the kind of grunge /punk look that I love to wear when there aren’t any formal meetings to go to but to just hang out with friends and be oneself. Silver jewelry goes like bread and butter with this outfit and if one wants to extend the rebellious look they could try black leather skin tights with the t-shirt and wear killer heels with spikes or studs. Here are some additional varieties on this look from ASOS (was browsing through the site and these are the most kewl looks I noticed)all pics below by ASOS

Well, that’s it from here! Ta-ta for now !  

We can be inspired by many things -It could be a person or a thing. It could be lifeless or something imaginary. Sometimes I’ve come across people who say that they were inspired by a person’s character. Hence, for my new design, I was inspired by a couple of things. I’m sure my fashionable readers would know the Belgian designer Dries Van Noten.His ‘style’ in mixing various textiles and colors became one of my inspirations. Dries’s spring summer 2010 scored a 10/10 among customers, editors and fashion bloggers; as his designs were seen everywhere on the streets and gala events. It seemed that people can’t stop talking about his creations and everyone  wanted some part of it, whether it was jewelry or the clutches. The other element of inspiration was the orchid (in fact, the different colors and shapes that they form into) One could point out “Orchids are so cliche, everyone seems to be inspired by that flower!” But hey! nature never fails to awe us humans. Have you seen John Galliano’s recent creations for Dior? pics from style.com They are absolutely breathtaking. Clearly his designs have been influenced by the beauty of flowers such as orchids! As usual for a design, I begin with sketches and realise it through sewing . The main focus of my outfit is the appliqued work. The appliques play around the garment to bring a feminine shape.

The shapes that form in the center of each design embodies my idea of the orchid.

the design

the neckpiece also takes the form of an orchid and is made with beads, cloth and thread

I’ve got to sign off for now, I hope this post was enjoyable and hope to keep you all updated with my new creations and news from the fashion world + Big surprises are still to come

Ciao xxx

Reliving Joan Collins and Madonna, the eighties shoulder pads and power dressing are back as a trend on the runways. It has  been almost an year since shoulder pads of different sizes are seen sported around the streets of big cities like Paris and Milan.

shoulder pads in trend

Count me in as one of those who are obsessed with the sharp shoulder padded jackets!  Power dressing is all about Female power. The femme fatale who (unlike in the past centuries) have an authority, a strong hold in her work and her personal life (women being bread winners of the family is no alien concept now).  So, with a little  bit of help from my mom (with the sewing bit) I managed to get a jacket done…of course with shoulder pads! Inspired by the Balmain jacket which caused such a buzz in the fashion scene this jacket ; much like the balmain jacket, is toned down around the shoulders (  the 80′s  shoulders gave a huskier masculine look to the woman’s jacket) I believe that’s the best part about fashion is when we bring back something from the past – it’s always refreshing and never boring! J’adore this fabric i scoured from a fabric shop in the ever-so-crowded-with-shops Male’. I chose this fabric as it reminded me of the Tibetan fabrics in turquoise blues and bright reds. I’ve added some accessories that I made myself, like the multi-chained necklace and silver ring.

Though the World Cup in South Africa has ended (feels like it happened a century ago) I’ve decided to keep the African spirit high by showing you all my new African outfit. Here I am wearing an African smock or termed specifically a “Juper”.

This was a gift by a  friend from Ghana and the Juper is traditionally worn by the menfolk. Needless to say, I am breaking the rule once again: I’ve trimmed down the smock  around the sides to give it a more feminine shape. The bright multi-colors and the beautiful ethnic designs just blew me away. I’m constantly inspired by the colors and designs of African culture.

the original African smock

image

XOXO

A big Thank you to everyone who voted and commented! I really appreciate it. Although, I didn’t get the big prize I am grateful and happy to have the support and encouragement of all my friends and family members. This competition had been a good experience and as it’s said “the show must go on” I will be working towards my ‘bigger prize’ and with all your love and support I hope to achieve it very soon.

Love you all xoxoxo