Society of Dyers and Colourists Winner

Fabric design and dying techniques have always intrigued me, such as how manufacturers get those patterns to form so nicely on the luxury fabric we like to wear. It all starts with an artist a wonderful eye for color, and

passion.

The winner of the Society of Dyers and Colourists’ (SDC) International Design Competition’s UK heat is Kelly Taylor, a 23-year old textile design student studying at De Montfort University in Leicester.

This year, the students had been asked to demonstrate socially responsible thinking in their approach to their original design or written statement which accompanies the submission and explains the designer’s inspiration or theme behind their piece. Kelly Taylor’s winning piece entitled ‘Chain mail and floral filigrees’ was inspired by the ornate embroidered material worn beneath ancient oriental armour. The collection was deemed by the judges the most innovative and creative of all the entries, showing Kelly’s understanding of social responsibility and the issues which surround the fashion and textiles industry today.

She will now go on to compete against winners from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore and South Africa at the grand final which will be held in London on October 5, 2010 at the Historical Clothworkers’ Hall. The global winner will be presented with their award by leading retail investor, entrepreneur and chair of the British Fashion Council, Harold Tillman.

“I was influenced by the pattern, texture and colour of worn ancient oriental armour and combined a variety of fabric weights, textures and techniques to create the collection. Bold pink and reds accent the soft light greys and peaches creating a sophisticated colour palette throughout the textile design work. I used digital printing on the fabrics as it is a much more eco-friendly way of printing, unlike screen-printing which uses harsh chemicals that can lead to air and water pollution. This method of transfer printing is fast becoming a popular technique for the textile and fashion industry. As well as printing I used hand embroidery and knitted fabrics which were then laser cut and foiled to produce samples inspired by metallic textures which represented the chain mail material of the original armour. Although the collection was originally designed for the contemporary fashion market – the project has now evolved and the subtle colour palette would work well in interior design fabrics as well.” - Kelly Taylor

" I am very thankful to the SDC and the judges for giving me the opportunity to move forward to the grand final of the competition.” - Kelly Taylor

Further information:

Clothworkers' Company

The Worshipful Company of Dyers

Knitwear at Warm Pixie

Zebra Crop Jumper

This lightweight sweater is wearable even in the Summer, but does indeed provide warmth for Fall and would be perfect for layering in the Winter. The quality and construction is excellent, featuring a woven in zebra design, not just stitched or appliqued on. The size Large is big enough even if you wear an Extra Large top. I like wearing it over tank tops.

"Warm Pixie offers a boutique collection of kooky alternatives to high street brands with cute n’ kitsch designs and an eye for detail. The ultimate in casual cool, the knitwear collection combines a mix of fine gauge knit and 100% cotton. Adorned with animal, heart or fairground motifs Warm Pixie knitwear keeps things fun and flirty with figure hugging, cropped and ruffled styles."

"New for SS10 Warm Pixie introduces a range of body con jersey wear with delicate mesh paneling and frill shoulders to deliver the ultimate in sports luxe. The collection includes a selection of long and cap sleeved dresses, crop tops and bodies."

"Warm Pixie is designed by Vicky Shelser who trained as a fashion designer at the Royal College of Art before going on to design for Sportmax and several UK high street brands."

"The SS10 collection is available at www.warmpixie.com and in selected Topshop stores now. Prices start from £29."

The Laden Showroom. Shop. Get Exposure.

Tye Dye Utility Jumpsuit by Ruby Rocks - £ 60.00

The Laden Showroom website, launched just a few days ago showcasing over 35 independent designers and labels, offers limited buys and style changes to the site every two weeks. This will ensure your look is as unique as you are. Speedy delivery can see items delivered in just 24 hours, even on a Saturday, perfect for last minute style dilemmas! There is also a special ‘Laden Vintage’ page where you will be able to find completely one off pieces that have been reworked using vintage fabric.

The site will also be supporting future new talent!! Online applications will be available for new designers to be considered for inclusion on www.laden.co.uk and each submission will drop directly into the inbox of the Laden Buying team.

Have fun putting your unique looks together, and thanks for supporting indie design!

Faux Finished Fashion

Feathers or Chains, take your pick. These ruched stretchy dresses are perfect for layering or wearing alone. They are both constructed of rayon, which is known for its softness and draped exhibition.

Religion Chain Print Sleeveless Dress £75.00

Religion Sequin and Bead Peacock Feather Design Dress £68.00

Discover these hot UK Party dresses and more from YogoEgo.com!

Handcrafted Chairs by Melanie Porter

Have you ever wanted to work directly with a high fashion designer to create your very own one of a kind piece of furniture?

After 10 years working as a knitwear designer for a number of international fashion brands, including Burberry and Pure Collection, Melanie Porter has turned her expertise to furniture, creating one-off contemporary designs from chairs sourced from auctions and markets across the UK. Melanie undertakes the entire process herself and everything, from the restoration and upholstering to the felted woollen panels and individual, crocheted buttons, is done by hand. The result of this incredibly labour-intensive process is a stunning and unique, but hard wearing, work of art, destined to be a future family heirloom.

“Although I loved my job in fashion, I really missed the hands-on creativity of actually making something,” explains Melanie. “I also wanted to learn upholstery – it’s something that has intrigued me since I was a child and would watch my grandfather repairing chairs. I am actually still using the tools that I inherited from him.”

Each project starts with the chair itself – anything from an antique Victorian nursing chair, to a 1970s Egg chair – which is painstakingly stripped back to the frame, before being restored and reupholstered using traditional techniques. This blank canvas is then covered with a series of hand-knitted, felted panels, especially created for each chair.

“To a certain extent, I let the chair lead the design and knit structure,” says Melanie. “I’ll sketch a rough idea but it’s quite an organic process and so I allow myself the freedom to change things as I go along.”Melanie also takes on bespoke commissions and, in this instance, the process is a bit different. “Sometimes a customer has a chair they want me to reupholster, sometimes they’ll ask me to source a frame. Then I’ll talk to them about what they’re looking for in terms of colours and designs, and show them sketches and swatches before I start work.”

For more information visit the website, or call +44 7770 941 305.

Denim: Distressed or Repaired?

Hot, ripped rock star jeans are super trendy and, in my opinion, always fashionable. Elle UK has featured a nice collection of distressed denim choices at various prices.
This cute pair by 7 for all mankind, sold at Net-a-porter, is lightly distressed, and fairly affordable.

I must admit I am strangely enamored with these white ripped jeans sold at Topshop.

~

However, some love the sleek look of smooth, richly saturated colored jeans, and how they lengthen and slenderize your hips and thighs.

K Karl Lagerfeld, classic straight leg jeans

You may have an old pair that cost you a small fortune, but you will never wear them again because they have an unsightly rip that you just can not stand. Denim repair by Denim Therapy is your solution!

"Denim Therapy’s denim assessment and reconstruction is done individually, one denim patient at a time. Every jean is different in its construction and wear. And of course, every ripped area is different. That’s why when repairing jeans, Denim Therapy does so one repair at a time. The repair is a genuine reconstruction of the original denim material. It is not a patch. It is new cotton thread and stitch applied to the broken denim area. Denim Therapy uses the MatchPerfect™ cotton thread selection process to create the best looking repair possible."

The results are phenomenal, and the cost of doing so is well worth the price, which is extremely reasonable. Check out the website for more information and images!

P.S. Click over to the Denim Therapy blog. It features all kinds of great sales on amazingly fashionable denim! I'm so glad I found it!

Quail By Mail Embroidered Details on Leather Accessories

These bags are designed by Kate Sheridan. You can purchase them on the Quail By Mail website.

Enter to win the "Splodge" handbag above, here! Open to UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands and Republic of Ireland residents only. The contest ends July 31st or at the 50th entry.