My Experience as a Backstage Dresser at Graduate Fashion Week 7th June

So, this post is long, long overdue but I thought I'd finally publish it anyway - better late than never!

Even though I officially finished my first year of Uni on 27th May (this year has gone craaaaazy fast), I volunteered to stay a bit longer to help out 3rd years with their collections ready for Graduate Fashion Week, and worked as a dresser backstage on day 3 of GFW for the BCU show.

I actually began helping out a 3rd year student from March right up until the day before she left to show her collection in China in May with a few other students, which was great because I really got to see the process of how her final collection came together. I was involved with every stage of making her garments - god knows how many hours I spent hand sewing, but it was worth it in the end because her collection really was stunning.

The week before GFW, it was a mad rush to get everything finished and pack everything into boxes, and each first year helper was given a model and their outfits from each designer which we were responsible for and had to organise.

On the day of the show, we unloaded the boxes backstage and organised the rails with the order of outfits with the correct shoes and accessories to go with each one, had the chance to meet our designated model and have a dress fitting. Fortunately for us, our model was lovely, and made the effort to chat to us before she had to rush off to other fittings - obviously a true professional.
When it was time for the BCU show, the adrenaline was insane, everyone was running around like headless chickens because we had about 30 seconds to get our model changed into an outfit, whilst ensuring they were wearing the right underwear, everything was styled exactly how the designer wanted and the clothes were pressed to perfection. Some outfits proved to be a nightmare to put on the model because the fastenings were really fiddly or had multiple layers, and coupled with the time pressure it was fair to say my heart was beating like crazy! Everyone worked so well as a team even when the event organisers were screaming at us to hurry up whilst the heavy bass of the catwalk soundtrack blared out of the speakers around us. After the show was over, we had about a minute to have a breather before it was another mad rush to pack everything back into boxes and load them onto the van. Although most of the day was pretty stressful, I honestly loved every minute and am so glad I had the opportunity to do it - I didn't realise how well I actually work under pressure and how much I enjoy it - I'd definitely recommend being a backstage dresser to any first year fashion student if you get the chance!

Throughout the whole day I think we had about 15 minutes to look around the other Uni stands with students work and portfolios on display, and the talent was absolutely insane, it really motivated me to work harder next year and confirmed that my goal for 3rd year is to try and get into GFW and be able to showcase my work there. Anyway, here are some photos I managed to take during the day, as well as 4 of the 5 outfits I dressed on my model Ieva (photos from GFW website).

Outfits 1, 2, 3 and 5 on Ieva.

Em x

My Red Carpet Style with The Black Tux

With the GRAMMYs tomorrow and the Oscars later this month, awards season is in full swing, and although all eyes are usually on the best dressed female celebrities, now new male fashion trends are attracting just as much attention. Together with The Black Tux, the 'not so traditional online suit and tuxedo rental company', I've created three red carpet looks which reflect my own style and compliment three suits/tuxedos from their collection.
The Black Tux offer quality, convenience and value for money, and so I've scoured the web to find three affordable dresses which would go perfectly with the three suits I've chosen, considering the style, cut and colour of each one. I've then styled each dress to show how I'd personally wear them on the red carpet.
 The suit/tuxedo and dress combinations below could inspire your own 'red carpet look' whether you're planning what to wear at a prom or other special event, and if you're interested in finding out more information about The Black Tux, visit http://www.theblacktux.com/

Shawl Collar Tuxedo

Keeping with the monochrome theme, I've styled this classic black tux with a white embellished dress to create the perfect balance for a couple's red carpet look.

White is classic and timeless for the red carpet whatever the season, and this dress from ASOS' Red Carpet range is a real showstopper, classy with the leaf embellishment detail, yet still sexy with the thigh high leg slit. To compliment the detail on the dress, I've styled it with simple silver Kurt Geiger shoes, and accessories from ASOS. To finish the look I'd wear a matte red lipstick like Ruby Woo by MAC to add a pop of colour and a retro feel. 

Wandering Around The Custard Factory, Birmingham

 

Long time no post!

 

This month has been a very busy month, especially the past two weeks since I moved from home in Sheffield to Birmingham for Uni. As part of my induction week I had to do a group project all about exploring and getting to know Birmingham, and as part of the project our group decided to each take photos of an area of interest in the city and document them on a map. Before moving to Brummie, I had a look online of places to go and The Custard Factory in Digbeth was number one on my list just because it seemed like a really cool, artsy place with vintage shops galore -  somewhere definitely up my street. It did used to be a custard factory and is now home to quirky independent shops, sculptures and amazing street art.

 

Just because I enjoy posting photography related posts, here are a few photos I took whilst having a wander around.

 

Corfu Style Diaries - #4

After a long delay here's my final outfit in the Corfu Style Diaries which I wore on our last night on holiday. It features this gorge bargain jumpsuit from H&M which I managed to pick up in the sale for £7. It's super comfy, flattering and effortless - the perfect holiday piece. Unfortunately, when we were walking back to the apartment I managed to deck it and rip a small hole in it :-( (a few too many cocktails I think haha). To style it I added silver jewellery and a chunky belt to synch it in and add definition to my waist.

Paleokastritsa & Lakones Village

Here are a few photos taken in in and around Paleokastritsa as well as Lakones Village that I thought I would still post about after a long delay (oops).

Anyway hope you enjoy x

 

Corfu Style Diaries - #3

This is definitely one of my favourite outfits I wore because it's a DIY I did before I went on holiday. I made the skirt last year from a tutorial and wanted a matching top to make a co-ord from the material I had leftover. After searching to try and find a tutorial for a boxy crop top I couldn't find one with the kind of shape I wanted, so I adapted a top pattern from a New Look pattern I already had, by cropping it to the waist, adjusting the darts and enlarging the sleeves so they were looser fitting. I'm really happy with how it came out and how it looks with the skirt - I'm definitely going to makes lots more of this style of top in different prints and decorative touches, it feels so satisfying wearing something that you've made yourself!

Corfu Style Diaries - #2

So here's the second instalment in my style diaries, which is almost head to toe Primark. I absolutely love this monochrome printed top, and I'm so glad I managed to find it, I definitely think it's either hit or miss in Primark, or my local one anyway. The maxi skirt is an old purchase from a few years ago, I found it in the back of my wardrobe and had only worn it a couple of times, but I thought I'd go really well with the top so I decided to take it - not going to lie it made me feel a bit sassy swishing around in it haha. The skirt has some shorts attached (just to let you know I'm not actually showing off my underwear ;-)).

To tie the look together I added turquoise accents in my jewellery and wore a pop of pink lipstick to add a bit of colour.