Showing posts with label London. Show all posts
Showing posts with label London. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

You all deserve an update... Shoes!

Wow, it has been more than a month since I last went on this blog. Most of you know that I'm doing a course in footwear design at London College of Fashion (which merged with Cordwainer's). Assignments are coming up in a huge stack but thought of posting some of the places I have visited, items I have collected and prototypes I've made the last few weeks.

Here are some of the exhibits made from the graduates from Royal College of the Arts. These works are still under display at Victoria and Albert Museum under the name of the exhibition, 'Future Fashion Now'. Shoes, garments and sketchbooks...





Before we go further, I'll just mention a little about food...

With another group of people, I went to eat french crepes at a cafe called 'The Kensington Crêperiè' (http://www.kensingtoncreperie.com) located at South Kensington and it was the best I've tasted...no other crepes I've tried...well here anyway compare to this! Of course I had share these crepes with a friend...and I didn't get to try the first crepe on the left. If I had one crepe for myself, I would not be able to try both the savory and sweet crepes! You could smell the crepes from far!


For a few days of last month, there was 'guerrilla' ice cream store constructed at London's Selfridges. Here are the interior... Good ice cream it was..in a decent size...three flavours as pictured...I can't remember the name of the flavours though... However, the store has been pulled down as well, it is 'guerrilla'!


Alright, now to the 'fashion' side of things... This is one side of the pair of boots I obtained while I was at Notting Hill earlier last month. They cost £30. The store owner got these pair of boots from a theatre that was closing down. The pair of boots belonged to 'Rebecca Parker'. She got the shoes repaired, replacing the soles. I admit, it was difficult to walk in these shoes but I guess I need to stretch it a bit. It's the only pair of shoes I have that fit my calves. I'm wondering...should I keep the laces red or change them to purple?


This is one side of mules I constructed (with loads of help from the tutor...in case you are wondering...yes I made a pair!)...when I attended a weekend course at another school called Prescott and Mackay (http://www.prescottandmackay.co.uk/). I thought it was a great weekend course to take if you don't have the time to do a full-time course. Most of the classmates I met had a real high interest in shoe making and the class was fun. I though this class was beneficial for my research. I'm learning a different technique at LCF and it's good to learn different ways. Also, at LCF, I'm learning other aspects of shoe making like pattern cutting which was not covered in the two day course at Prescott and MacKay.


Here is a mini-mock up I did with the tissue-thin paper (the type you use to wrap presents) with my foot last. This is one of the mock-up I'm doing for my current project. I hope it works out. I normally use paper to drape and experiment with designs. I wonder if this sort of effect works with leather? Only one way to find out...experiment!


Just end this entry with this 'street art' I found while walking along Hoxton, spotted by my friend, Grace. This is a piece of work done by 'Johnathan Darby' (I have a feeling I spelt the name wrongly...if it doesn't look right, let me know!). Do you think this is inspiring?



Sunday, September 13, 2009

A Mini Update: London's Calling!

Alright, so then, I did not mention this before on this blog but now, I am in London. I will be in London for a while doing a course in footwear. Honestly, it sounds exciting but honestly, I am super nervous to start.
I arrived in London on Friday, after waiting so long at the 'First time students and dependent' queue. The queue was unbelievably jammed packed and some people kept being sent to health control...however, I didn't need to be sent there...as I had my documentations ready but I had to wait at least an hour and a half until it was my turn.

Well then, I'm here, not much has happened apart from seeing a relative and for my parent's excitiement, going to a newer mall (Westfield Mall) to shop. Yup, I had to carry my dad's item which was from Alessi and heavy...and 'broken' according to him...




by Zaha Hahid
...at least I managed to get a pair of shoes I've been wanting to get for months from United Nude! It would have cost me SGD$ 400 but I got it for I think GBP 79! My dad thought I bought some hinge to fix the window.

Finally, I've got a pair of these!

It may seem old to most people but honestly, I like the design and it is one of the most comfortable pair of heels at it supports the foot in the middle rather than on the heel. The last it made of the same kind of metal used on BMW cars. Sturdy!

Later on in the night, at the food court, I had a pie from 'Square Pie' with their monthly special, Beef rendang and yes, it tasted like the Indonesian dish itself though it was weird eating it with mashed peas (on the side).Beef Rendang pie!


Now that I am here, I hope to go and see more exhibitions, markets, shops and other cities and countries for inspiration!

Friday, April 24, 2009

London So Far...Part One

A week later into my trip, I took the train to London for my course, 'Cool Hunters' at Central St. Martins for a few days...

The first night I came to London, this was one of my meals. I love how these chips were stacked up... This is organic mince beef burger with a side salad served from the hotel I was staying at called 'Ambassadors at Bloomsbury'.

Day One

See the juxtaposition of old and newer buildings (Camden)


Bridge that's going to link to the main area of Camden.

More of Camden...

Took these two pictures while waiting...the colour of the bag attracted me...so did the flowers...

Armchair hung on the door in 'Camdem Stable Market'....

Clubbing (trance music) garments, in bright neons...the shop...out of place comparing to the other parts of Camden...

This area used to be a hospital for horses (before cars were used)

Inside 'Proud Gallery'

Horse stable converted into a bar/lounge...

Part of an artwork that was presented in 'Roundhouse' gallery.

Day Two

While waiting for the rest of the group of people to arrive...I went through a park at Hoxton Square and thought these were beautiful!

White Gallery (Hoxton Square)

Somewhere after Brick Lane...

An ornament hanging at an abandon shop...

Vintage, vintage, vintage!

Day Three

Most of the stores either shifted or closed down at Notting Hill...this isn't good...

Gallery along Westbourne Grove...

For decorative purpose I suppose...

Jewellery pieces from 'Flow Gallery'...toys and rubber...

Decorative piece from 'Flow Gallery' (these spoons are made of felt)

Non gluten and non dairy fruit cake (the only fruit cake I actually like!) from Charlies along Notting Hill. YUM!

Day Four

From a discount outlet window display...

Glasses from JCDC...made of Lego blocks that were not glued together...also, it's not for sale!

Next, it will be Milan and Antwerp (though I did go to Antwerp before London)...also, next post on London, some of the things I got...