Ohh! What a Puddle Muddle!

Here are what were my initial ideas for the costume elements. I envisaged that we would dress all in black and then wear these kind of garments over the top to suggest our river theme. However, today we drastically changed our devised piece of drama and it has become more of a fairytale based semi-factual story with specific characters. So I'm now going to abandon these ideas and hope I have enough time to design and make new costumes. Argh!

Arts Event Review - Children's Theatre.

On Friday night I went to see a production of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ at the York Theatre Royal. Below is my review!


Bright, up beat and funny – Amanda Smith’s Hansel and Gretel was immediately captivating. The audience of young children and parents alike were spell bound by the actor’s through their various methods of story telling. The fairytale was told in the form of flashbacks but from different perspectives (those of Hansel and Gretel) which inevitably led to comical arguments between the two actors. Multi-roling allowed the cast of two actors too take on different personas – using exaggerated accents and physicality, which the children found particularly funny.

The acting was suitably melodramatic, with exaggerated facial expressions, enhanced by singing, music, poems and coloured lighting. Audience members were encouraged to participate in the action, the children enjoyed chanting and clapping and also found the use of ‘toilet humour’ most amusing. Brightly coloured costumes featuring primary colours and big patterns were eye catching. These were supplemented by other costume elements as the actors took on different roles, for example Gretel wore a head scarf to become the step mother.

Overall, I found the performance entertaining; however I opted not to take part in the chanting!

Pretty Pretty!

Here are just a few pictures of Rachel's creations, I love all of them!

An Interview with Rachel Cox.

During research for inspiration, I stumbled upon Rachel's website 'Melted Fabrics' (http://www.meltedfabrics.com/index.htm). In awe of her beautiful work, I instantly knew that she might be able to provide me with the answers to a few questions and here's what she had to say:

1. When and why did you start sewing?

I studied textiles art at school- so when I was about 13 or 14. I was terrified of the sewing machines though so I mainly used hand sewing on all my projects!

2. You’re a textiles artist, how did you get in to this type of work, what pathway did you take?

Well, like I said, I did GCSE textiles, I also took GCSE art and went on to do a GNVQ in Art and Design, from there I studied Foundation Art and Design and Costume for the Screen and Stage BA (Hons) at the Arts Institute at Bournemouth. At the end of my Costume degree I decided I wanted to just get back into textiles and surface decoration.

3. Do you have any plans to develop your career further, and if so what is it you hope to achieve?

I always come up with new ideas and things I do differently. I'm interested in exploring combining my creative writing with my textiles at some point. I'm always learning something new or finding something I want to do differently.

4. Did you always want to be a textiles artist?

No, I was mainly interested in the drawing and painting side of things originally. I considered going into psychology and, of course, at one point I wanted to work in Costume design.

5. Any tips for someone trying to do the same?

Yes. Creative jobs are hard and whatever you choose to do you have to work really hard at it. It's not just making stuff- the majority of your work is going to be promoting yourself whether online or at craft markets etc.

6. Do you enjoy what you do?

You definitely have to enjoy it because you're not going to get a regular paycheck at the end of the month and if you don't enjoy something then you're not going to feel like pushing yourself further. Why spend all your time doing something you don't enjoy when you could get an easy office job and know you're going to get paid?

7. How do you begin a project, where do your ideas come from?

Everywhere really. Sometimes I see something and think "I could make that, but how could I make it different?" and the ideas spring from that. Sometimes I'm inspired by a story I read or something I've written. Sometimes I'm inspired by a particular piece of fabric or colour palette.

8. Are you always happy with your creations?

No, I don't suppose many people are. Although if I put something away and don't look at it for a while I can grow to like it! I think we often have an image of what we want to create in our heads and when it doesn't come out right we hate it, alternatively sometimes we can create things that are better than anything we'd imagined.

9. Have you ever stumbled across a very effective technique by accident or do you prefer to use traditional methods?

I started melting fabrics by accident. I was trying to heat some puff binder on a textiles piece and accidentally melted through the layers- that's where I got the name "Melted Fabrics" from. I love experimenting and figuring stuff out for myself so I very rarely read instructions!

10. If you could create a piece of art for a famous person, who would it be for and what would it be?

That's a tough question. I have no idea. I'd maybe like to depict one of my favourite authors' books in textiles- maybe something like Holly Black's Tithe as a huge wall hanging, or Terry Windling's The Wood Wife or something from Neil Gaiman's books. Either that or I'd love to have one of my pieces in the background of a film- maybe one of the Twilight movies for maximum exposure!

Thank you very much Rachel!

Case Study: VW.

I have completed a case study on a chosen art practitioner: Vivienne Westwood, one of the most influential fashion designers of all time, her collections are closely linked to costume design.

Dame Vivienne Westwood (A History):

1970’s: Westwood opened a shop in London called ‘Let it rock’ along with Malcom McLaren, to showcase their ideas. The shop mostly sold garments made from leather, embellished with zips and chains, and slogan tee shirts including pornographic images. Her clothes were worn largely by teens and punk bands such as the Sex Pistols and New York Dolls.

1981: Vivienne Westwood launched her first runway collection (‘Pirate’ collection) at Olympia in London. This collection highlighted her interest in tradition, as well as her love of youth and street culture. It was also evident that Westwood had begun to research historical dress through her modern interpretation of their cutting principles. Asymmetric tee-shirts, petti-drawers and pirate shirts in rich brocades and ikat fabric were featured within the collection. “The collection is about gold and treasure, adventure and exploration.” http://www.viviennewestwood.com/flash.php

1990’s: Collections were inspired by ‘dressing up’ and historical periods, especially French fashions between 1890 and 1910. Westwood’s designs became much more like costume dress. In 1996 she designed costumes for the entire cast of ‘The Three Penny Opera’ performed in Vienna, created by B Brecht and K Weill.

2000’s: Westwood continues to be inspired by whimsical characters, for example nymphs and wild beauty.

Job List!

I print screened this list of career ideas from a website.

Future Opportunities.

Having researched careers involving textiles design, I found this website particularly helpful:http://www.connexions-direct.com
The study of textiles design leads to endless job opportunities including: fashion designer, interior designer, textiles technician, graphic designer, fashion stylist etc.

Specific skills are needed by textiles designers to enhance their work. They should be able to interpret a customers needs, be good at drawing, possess creativity, have good CAD (computer aided design) skills, understand fabric properties, have excellent communication skills and should ideally be a perfectionist. Textiles designers can be self employed or an employee of a company, though marketing and finances are further skills required by a free lance designer.

A textiles designer can earn between £13 000 and £40 000 a year, depending on their status as a designer (newly qualified/junior/senior/director) and self employed designers are paid a sum of money per commission. This pay is poor considering the financial crisis at the moment and design work will need to be supplemented by work elsewhere, for example, part time in a shop.

However, I think that if a designer has a real passion and love for their work they would be indifferent to their income because they enjoy their work.

Be Inspired.

Just a quick post, my water mood board for inspiration. Though I do intend to research water themed garments to give myself more ideas.

Why?

I have chosen this particular challenge because I am interested in both textiles design and acting. As I was unable to take textiles as an A level subject I envisage this task as a way to incorporate my love of fashion design into the performance, yet develop my understanding of the design process further.

During this challenge I hope to produce eye catching, whimsical costumes that do not restrict movement or create problems for the actors. I want my costumes to inspire and fascinate the audience of children, therefore adding to the magical mood of the performance.

Being a very creative person I have a lot of strengths in this area, I am particularly good at taking a design and sewing it exactly as it is drawn. I find designing comes naturally and I enjoy combining a number of techniques on one garment. My sewing skills are of a high standard and my garments always look impressive. My weaknesses may appear as I begin this challenge because I have never designed a range of garments for a large group of people before. I might also find it hard to fit the costumes to a group consisting of all shapes and sizes, as I have only ever made garments for myself.

The Challenge. Silver Arts Award.

My A level drama class at school have been asked to devise a performance for primary school children, to be performed on a boat as a part of the York Festival of Rivers. And I'm pretty excited! I have also decided to take part in the silver arts award scheme and therefore had to choose a challenge to focus on.

The Challenge:
To design and produce costume or costume elements in keeping with the theme of water for a drama production to be performed to children as part of the York Festival of Rivers.