Beijing Mannequin

 

 Beijing Inspired Mannequin, Jan 2014

 

Probably my most favourite project so far this term was creating a mannequin based on a given country or culture. We were put into a group of 4 and assigned Beijing as ours, with around 5 weeks to complete it. We could do absolutely anything to a mannequin of our choice to reflect the culture, using any materials we felt capable of. From the generation of ideas, sketches and plans, right through to the sculpting, painting and embellishing, I feel I completely threw myself into this project and worked really hard- which I like to think shows!

 

 

 

                

We decided to focus on some iconic landmarks of Beijing- The Temple of Heaven and The Great Wall of China. We also wanted to ensure the key colours of deep red and gold were prominent, along with delicate Chinese patterns.

 

We built the wall straight onto our mannequin, using wire mesh as a frame and then covering in mod rock. I then went on to create a small castle and turrets to give the wall a more realistic feel. The wall wraps around our mannequin's back and down her front, symbolising how the Great Wall flows through Beijing. I really enjoy creating sculptural pieces like this and I think the wall is really effective.

This is the wall once we first started painting it, along with the temple being placed over the head to check it all worked together.

 

The Temple of Heaven was made using foam board discs and then covered in mod rock to give a more solid structure. Seeing as I felt most confident with painting, I also took on the task of painting the entire Temple- which did take quite a while! I wanted to include detail but given the time frame I couldn't copy the intricate patterns. Therefore, I ensured the colours were consistent and relevant and small patterns were included, as from a distance this still looked right. We then added some gold beads along each roof slope to add some vibrancy and texture.

 

We painted the mannequin a deep, rich red and spray painted some silk paper gold to symbolise iconic patterns and colours of Beijing. We also added some artificial moss to our wall to make it more lifelike, and adorned it with gold sprayed flowers.

 

Our mannequin took pride in central position of the FRA's main window at the front entrance. I think it really stands out and portrays our given culture successfully. I felt really dedicated to this project and am really proud of its outcome and how well we worked. We manage to get a lot done in a short space of time, and used a wide range of techniques. This is definitely something I would love to do in my future career!

Christmas Window Display

Christmas Window Display 2014

 

After my work placement, we were given one week to plan and then one week to implement a Christmas themed window. Working differently from the bin bag project, this display was intended to be commercial and focus on the styling and simple details which make an effective themed window. We worked in teams of 3 and mostly used found existing objects which we customised, clothes from the mock shop, and some of our own merchandise.

 

 

 

Our main concept was to create the shape of a Christmas tree using hanging glass bottles, sprayed in snow. This required hanging each bottle individually with nylon to the ceiling grid, carefully adjusting the height and depth to ensure the shape was created. We balanced the tree with 3 grouped presents, adorned with ribbon and sequins. This then suited perfectly our chosen mannequins, as we wanted to create varied heights within our grouping.

 

 

 

Our theme used silver and red as the key colours, carried through the entire window. We painted our mannequin's lips red, added red accessories and also painted 'Dear Santa' onto the back wall for a commercial, light hearted touch. The mannequins were styled in party themed clothes, and display a range of merchandise- dress, blazer, coat, shoes, bag and necklace.

 

 

 

We were really happy with the outcome of our window, especially as we managed to create it within a week. We received 90% grade for this window and it took pride in one of the larger windows of the FRA!. The one thing we wanted to do differently was to create a graphic of the 'Dear Santa' which we could stick onto the actual glass of the window, as we felt the text would have been more effective in the foreground.

Visual Merchandising at River Island Work Placement

 

6 Weeks into my course at the FRA, I was thrown into the deep end when sent off to do a 3 week work placement at River Island as part of the VM team. I was placed in their flagship stores (Oxford Street and Marble Arch branches) and given various tasks to do as part of the team. It was a great experience and opportunity to learn what it's like to work within a store in the VM team.

 

 Along with the general tasks of a VM, I was able to create some focal hot spots. Given a specific area and therefore trend, I had to pull various accessories from the stock room and create a well balanced display. This used skills such as product adjacencies, colour blocking and balancing textures. The two fixtures were for non clothing, and fitting the pastel trends and brights.

I also helped finish off overall looks for departments, such as the front zone in this store. I was given the task of finding accessories and shoes to balance the floor and link with all the corresponding garments.

This is an example of some of the mannequins I helped dress and style. This was my first time working with kids mannequins which I found really cool- especially the magnetic arms! I also helped style and dress some of the male mannequins and a mannequin for the window.

Bin Bag Window Display and Mannequin Techniques

 

During my first term at The Fashion Retail Academy, for the L4 Visual Display Course, we created  windows using bin bags as the key element.

 

We created the entire skirt using only bin bags and wire mesh as a slight under structure. We then created flowers to add texture, including ironing some of the bags to add a matt finish. The head piece used wire shaped into a circle using a gym ball as a mould, which we then embellished with white bin bag flowers. The back wall was then covered in straight lines of black electrical tape to add depth and interest.

 

 

Mannequin Techniques- First Term

This dress was created using two separate pieces of fabric. The fabric had to be kept the original size, therefore no scissors could be used. Instead, we used pins to create draping, ruching and pleats to create a quite simple but beautiful garment.

This was a simple grouping exercise, whereby we had to chose themed outfits from the mock shop and create an effective pyramid grouping.

A Few Personal Pieces

 

A collection of some of my own pieces of art, created during any spare time I have recently. Mostly inspired by my favourite artists and illustrators as a means to develop and practice my own painting techniques. Some have been done as commissions for friends and relatives. Credit goes to all artists whose work has been of reference.

 

Acrylic on wallpaper- Katie Rodger's Inspired

Watercolour and Ink, Katie Rodgers Inspired



 



Pastels, Watercolour and Ink. Katie Rodgers Inspired.

 
 


Acrylic over a photograph

 






Acrylic over a photograph

Acrylics on Canvas

Acrylic and Paper on Canvas

 




                      

                                     Acrylic on Canvas- Dean Crouser Inspired- Commision

Acrylic on Wood. Lyrics with Abstract Background. Christmas Present!
 

 



Acrylic on Wood- Dean Crouser Inspired- Comission

Acrylic on Wood- Dean Crouser Inspired

Acrylic Mural on Bedroom Wall.

Art Foundation FMP

 

Art Foundation- Final Major Project

Theatre Set Design

2014

 

 

For my final major project during my foundation year at LCCA, I chose to focus on theatre set design. Something completely new and exciting to me and therefore a real challenge as I  had little experience in the area. I created a whole project around a potential set design based on 'The Borrowers', taking aspects from the novel and my own ideas. To reach the final outcome, I drew up sketches of props and costume designs, scaled floor plans and concept sketches for the scale model.

The finished piece took the form of a scaled model, using foam board as the exterior structure. I created the miniature furniture in a mix of materials such as clay, wire and modrock. I also used textiles to furnish the set. The model was created to scale, requiring a lot of accurate measurements and planned drawings beforehand.

To compliment the finished piece, I also took a series of photographs with different lighting, to hint at what I would want the production to feel like. I also created finished costume illustrations, using pen and watercolours. Large oil pastel pieces for the textile designs, along with pattern designs created on Photoshop and illustrator.

I received distinction for my FMP, and I was really proud of the outcome. Choosing to take on something I had never really explored before allowed me complete freedom to experiment and push my skills further. I combined so many different areas of work in this project, and given the time scale of a few months, I think the project was an overall success!