Showing posts with label paper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label paper. 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?



Saturday, January 31, 2009

Tearjerking Valentine...

Jeffrey Rudell is a paper artist who has a background in graphic art. He has a fascination with traditional craft techniques using mainly paper. He quotes; 'I strive to make work that has a strong sculptural quality, is drawn from organic shapes, and has a sort of crisp lyricism.'

His work has been featured at Tiffany & Co. (Fifth Avenue), Mish New York, The New York Botanical Garden, and also has some works the pages of Elle Decor, Brides, Receptions, and Good Housekeeping magazines among others.

Recently, he has added a tutorial on how to make a Valentine from an onion. He shows how to create textural surfaces (decoupage like).

The tutorial feature on this link: http://www.craftstylish.com/item/39402/how-to-make-a-valentine-from-an-onion

Photo source: Craftzine

Amazing what you can do with onions either than sauté it...or cry when peeling...

PS. More craft ideas on his profile page: http://www.craftstylish.com/profile/Jeff_Rudell

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Preview: 'Shoes'


Today was one of the most intensive days in terms of shopping (ha ha! More about my adventures next time!). In the end, I spent a lot more than usual and at the same time, I got the book I wanted!
This book is going to be my guide to my personal project for the up coming days (or weeks depends what's my schedule is like!).


Title: 包み紙でつくる靴 (A shoe made of wrapping paper)

Link (In English, about the book): http://8tokyo.com/2008/01/08/shoe-made-of-wrapping-paper/ (credit this infomation to Craftzine and 8tokyo.com)

This is a Japanese book full of shoes made out of wrapping paper. It's gives you the pattern of the shoes which is pretty much self-explainatory although it's written in another language!

Speaking of shoes, while shopping today, my friend Grace purchased one pair of shoes which looked similar to the one featured in the local (Singaporean) version of 'Cleo'.
Picture One (the feature on 'Cleo' May 2008):


Note: In case you can't read the small print, it says 'Ankle Strap Heels, S$1550 from 'Celine''

Picture Two (the shoes Grace bought (thanks for the picture Junia!):


Note: The colours were a lot brighter and a little more neon like, similar to the shoes from 'Celine'. It cost S$147. The shop assistance told us that they got it custom made in Hong Kong. Grace said it's comfortable to wear! She bought these shoes from a concept store called 'Egg3' (link: http://www.eggthree.com (note: click again to view the website as it's operated using flash) near to Ang Siang Road.

Looks the same doesn't it?

...darn! Why did I end up with another pair of shoes!? Well, at least they were on discount from Nine West!

Read more about our shopping adventures on Junia's blog: http://www.whispersweetmemories.blogspot.com/ (read entry dated on: Friday, April 18, 2008)