#costumestudent

[katrinesthimble]

O' wonderful velvet dream!

O’ wonderful velvet dream!

So, let’s get to it!

The first thing I had to do was fit the bodice to myself, challenging on your own, but I managed and ended up with a decently fitting bodice.

After fitting.

I then proceeded to place the last two eyelets on the rig (the pieces of the bodice that laces together). Since I didn’t have an eyelet machine like we do at uni, I did these by hand, and I did some stitches…

View On WordPress

[katrinesthimble]

I haven’t posted in a while, but here’s one of the things I’m currently doing: a half Victorian bodice, and it’s all by hand this time so my stitches and fingers are getting a workout!

Fortunately I had that lovely fabric lying around and it was enough for the bodice and most of the bias bindings, except the sleeve, so had to dig around for something else for that one.

It’s a bit odd having to do my coursework at home, but making the best out of it!

[tilleymarrencostume-blog]

Presentation Skills

Presentation skills are needed a lot during my costume course, as it is used within the industry whether that is conversing with a fellow colleague about plans and ideas or to a potential client. Presentation skills are something that are needed during my course as we routinely have group critiques in which we talk through out work in front of a group this helps us prepare for the industry. However, it doesn’t come naturally to all as i have experienced. It is something that i need to work on throughout the course as it is not my strong point. 

When looking at what makes a good presentation i looked at key areas;

- Being loud and clear when speaking, This is a very obvious one. However, when nerves kick in they tend to make it hard to convey exactly what you are trying to say. 

-Limited use of slang, This is a tough one, as in every day life you don’t think about this or even take it into consideration when talking. But it does make you sound more respectable and less 

- Don’t cover your mouth, This makes it hard for people to understand what you are trying to say. Also shows negative body language, Which can indicate lack of interest.

- Don’t Slouch, This gives of negative body language, which could show a lack of interest or care. Sitting up straight will also help project the voice so it is not muffled and quiet. 

- Give eye contact, This is to help create a sense of positive body language. It also shows interest in the subject that your talking about. 

- Try to not fidget, This shows how nervous you are. To combat this breathing techniques could help with calming nerves. 

- Enthusiasm, This is essential in either an interview or presentation because it helps show the audience that you know what you are talking about. It is also essential as it helps show that you care about the topic.

- Think before you speak, This is ideal as it helps getting lost in thought. It also helps to plan some talking point or to have a prompt (text or images that you plan on talking about) as you don’t want to be lost without something to say.

This is something i need to work on throughout my time at university as well as in other aspects of my life. Using tips and techniques like these will help during group critiques and also one to one tutorials.

[tilleymarrencostume-blog]

Why do modern day bras have a bow in the middle between the cups?

Modern day bras have bows in between the cups, is it just for aesthetics or was there a practical purpose in history?

Looking back in history you can see a pattern of where it was used for aesthetic purposes as well as for practical purposes. 

The image above is of two corsets in the regency period. One is a long-line corset shown on the right and the other is a short stay which is shown to the left.

The bow lies in the middle of the bust where the busk is. The busk is the metal or whale bone in the middle of the bust which lies down the centre front of the corset. The metal or whale bone was fixed in to the corset with a bow which meant that the corset and stays could be washed and then the bone or metal put back in. The bow shown in this corset is used in modern corsets and lingerie even though the busk has now gone. 

The bow is also a feature of wealth and status as it was common to embellish and adorn corsets for the rich and higher classes. The lower classes would have had minimal decorations on their corsetry.

The bow still remains a popular feature within bras, corsets and other areas of lingerie.

[berniecostumes-blog]

Photoshop and Illustrator

Credit Kelly Smith available at: http://www.illustrationweb.com/BarPage.aspx?artist_id=3438 I have recently have started to learn how create digital designs using Photoshop and illustrator as part of my design project. I have found learning to use a digital medium to create designs has been important as it has allowed me to experiment with my own stylized drawings and add to them with the use of texture and colour in a way I couldn’t with other mediums. It is also widely used in industry, so it is important to become comfortable with digital design as I am interested in the design side of the costume industry.

Credit Kelly Smith available at: http://www.illustrationweb.com/BarPage.aspx?artist_id=3438

I looked at other artists to get an idea of what can be achieved with the use of Photoshop and Illustrator. I found the work of Agata Wierzbicka who is an interdisciplinary designer based in Warsaw interesting I liked her use of heavy detail alongside simplistic shapes and block colours I find it looks striking, I also like the way she makes the fabrics look very realistic and the way they are not stiff but have movement in them.

Credit Agata Wierzbicka available at: http://wierzbickaillustration.com/

I started by using one of my hand drawn designs and scanning it into illustrator. I liked illustrator as it was easy to create outlines of my design and created a brilliant outlined drawing of my design.

I also used illustrator to recreate a jumper texture/ pattern for one of my illustrations. I think it worked well and although I did at first find creating it tricky, I was pleased with the final outcome and also, it’s a lot easier than trying to create the pattern freehand with the pen tool.

I then uploaded my designs from illustrator onto Photoshop and used it to add textures of fabrics to my designs such as sheer fabrics and sequins.

I liked the use of this a lot as it allowed me to see how the design would look in a particular fabric and would make it easier to choose fabrics if I was to create these designs. I also used Photoshop to create skin tone and features as the blend tool as it was easier to blend out then to build up blocks of colour in illustrator and it is a lot quicker.

Overall, I really liked the mixture of both of the two programs together as there is a lot of things you can do on each one to enhance your designs but if I was to use just one I would probably opt for illustrator as I liked the bold outlines and the fact it takes a lot less time to create a finished design.

[deliciouslymagicalface]

I need some second opinions on my theoretical music video designs. This one is for Ben Barlow the front man of neckdeep. Im still working on the other designs but they will soon follow. So which do one do you all like best? #neckdeep #neckdeepuk #benbarlow #costumedesign #art #design #aub #costumedesigner #costumestudent

[mollyfrancescostumes-blog]

Symbolism

Within my embellishment module, we look into the symbolism of animals and symbols. I have chosen to use a crane on the back of my kimono.

In many cultures, the crane symbolises longevity and when in twos, was the symbol of love and marriage as they mate for life. They are also the symbol of the wish for happiness in life, and happiness within relationships with the hope that they are long lasting. The feathers of the crane symbolised old age. In Japanese culture, the crane was believed to bring good fortune and was a symbol of longevity, similar to the Chinese symbolism. When in twos, the crane symbolises undivided love as they are one of the few animals to mate for life. These cranes are often embroidered and used in modern fashion but were originally mainly used in traditional Japanese kimonos and Chinese robes.

(source1-an embroidered crane  https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/19703317096116440/ )

Butterflies are also used widely in kimonos and are powerful symbols of transformations and represents metamorphosis of the mind and how someone can develop as a person to being a better version of them self. They also represent rebirth and renewal with the process and changes a butterfly goes through. People also make links to butterflies with their souls and the symbolism of resurrection. Throughout a butterfly’s life, it goes through a number of changes, also making it a strong symbol of change. It is also thought to bring hope to those wishing to make changes in their life, hope of a better way of life. They also have a spiritual meaning as when they enter your life, it brings important and needed changes to you which challenges you both emotionally and physically but with this, allows you to change your life into one you would consider higher. Butterflies have also been used in ceremonial clothing, often used in weddings as a symbol of a beautiful journey through life, and symbolising life itself and the paths we choose. 

(source2- an embroidered butterfly  https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/299700550176363005/ )