First Samples! There’s nothing better and more rewarding then when your sketches comes back as first samples ready to be fitted, discussed, edited or accepted just as they are. In some cases you’ll have to do a lot of corrections and perhaps even
change your own ideas what works and not. I have had a meeting with my dressmaker and had a fitting of one top and a pair of pants that I designed. The pants was just like I imagined if not better and she added a ‘invisible pleat’ that looks stunning. I’m in luck this time, having a dressmaker that makes gutsy changes and tailors with perfection. She’s also open to discuss the fit and change things around.
The top is designed to be shorter in the front and longer in the back and double lined. After trying it the sleeve was slightly too tight, the lining perfect and I liked that you could see a glimpse of it (she asked if it was okay that the lining poked out from underneath to avoid tension on the side cut) “yes I said, as I studied it.
There is a lot of decisions to be made, from top-stitches to french pockets and width of lapelles. The only thing that needed to be changed was the front length (or lack of) on the top, so I decided to lengthen it while giving her another two designs to work on, yay…finally I’ve found someone just as nuts a myself:-)….
I thought I’d show you some pieces from the latest collection-2012 (pictured above) and my take of a ‘mood board’; a mix between fashion illustrations and fabric cuttings… /xx Alice
photos that needs to be organised. But it’s a great way to get some exposure and try out an audience while getting some vital questions answered “what does everyone else think about my designs, the style and am I good enough?”. Being judged is though but can be a learning experience and I it’s like the saying; “your only as good as your latest designs”…I’ve started working on 3 pieces for a Collection section of the Hokonui Fashion Awards, there is a long list of entry sections like “Jeans”, “Mens Wear”, “Street Wear” etc. Admittedly I entered last year, a placement of 31 out of 100 (isn’t much to brag about) with that said I’m not giving up, I’m braving this challenge with the hopes that a mention and better placement.
For Australia and NZ designers fashionexposed.com has a Debut Competition really worth while, more designing then:)…So, I’m putting the question out there, have you had any experiences of a Fashion Competition and what’s your opinion about it?
It’s healthy to contemplate collections, change and scrap or add things to each piece and looks. As you venture into your own ‘bubble’ making a collection you will also appreciate the magic of “editing”. Editing meaning giving your garment a second glanze to see if there is anything that doesn’t need to be there or if something needs to be added, it could be a simple zip changed to a slightly chunkier model giving the garment a raw edge? The art of editing is sometimes best done by others as they’ll inspect it with a new pair of eyes. I have spent all day browsing through Elle longing to get started with a new fresh collection and love to be inspired and get that “must have” feeling, nothing beats it! I then asked myself, “What would I buy and would I design something like that?” As for the picture below, Isabel Marants quilted jacket the answer is YES. There is nothing wrong with feeling passionate about a different garment, the important thing is to feel passionate about YOUR garment, the one your working on and imagine that someone else will feel that too…
I only wanted to say just right now, I'm so happy that there is this forum now to learn from each other… what a great idea! 
