Uniqlo's new Heat Tech clothing: Not such a new concept

Techological fabrics have been around for YEARS but when I saw Uniqlo's advertisements that they had managed to use them for something fashionable. As it is they do simple tops and jumpers that are pretty standard to be honest...just your basic winter clothes.  Ok so rather than the expensive price tags you usually get in outdoor shops (where you'll find the best fabric technologically because outdoor pursuit's actually require it) prices start at just £7.99.



Part of me is screaming that it must then be rubbish!  I don't really know because I haven't actually given any of it a go.  What I do know is that the lovely jackets and trousers you see on the adverts are not Heat Tech...they're just clothes.  I think I might save £10 and just put on a proper coat.  After all, winter's all about finding the perfect winter coat.

Tree Life

As I have already mentioned I won an award at Graduate Fashion Week for my project Eden Village.  Revolving around sustainable tree houses the idea was that consumers could experience truely sustainable living to see how easy they could adapt.  From simply planting your own vegetables to designing an entirely sustainable house.

It was inspired by The Cool Hunter's Tree Life exhibit...and it's coming soon.  They first announced it in 2008 and have given 2010 as the kick off date...which, in case you haven't realised, is not too far away.  I'm still waiting for them to tell me which city will host Tree Life's launch but I have my fingers crossed for London.

"This event will showcase innovative and creative sustainable architecture, and illustrate that green can co-exist with urban city life." ...pretty much the essence of my entire project.  The biggest names in architecture, design and art will come together to showcase cutting edge eco-design.  Marvellous.

Eolo Perfido: Personal Projects

French born photographer Eolo Perfido has a rather impressive portfolio of imagery, including high profile advertising campaigns for the likes of Pepsi.  However, for me, the creative soul of a person is expressed through personal projects not directed advertising campaigns.

It appeals to that ethereal mood I mentioned in my last post.  Striking and sometimes surreal each of his persoanl images seem to tell a story.  I love it.  Now based in the very beautiful Rome he can't be short of inspiration, which has got to help with his oh so perfect advertising imagery.

Check him out.  You won't regret it.

Inspiration

Inspiration is the source of all creativity in my mind.  Something sparks/clicks/pops in you head, triggered by a sense.  You see something in a magazine, you read something in a book, your friend tells you a story... The other day someone told me my blog had kind of inspired them to write their own.  Kind of or not I though this was lovely.  It did make me wonder however where my sources of inspiration have disappeared.

Whilst at university I was led by trend books, my tutors, my course peers.  Now I have friends that mostly have no knowledge of fashion...though one of them said the other day that we call subconsicously walk north westerly and in an area (not actually north west compass wise) and that's why fashion stores are laid out how they are.  He seemed baffled I didn't know this...I assured him I did not study retail.

Anyway...the point of the story is that I miss that kind of creative inspiration.  I need Viewpoint in my life...in particular this is what I miss...for reasons like this:

Long live Future Lab...no wonder I was so stressed when I was interviewed by Christopher Sanderson (Future Lab's co founder) at Graduate Fashion Week for the Strategic Marketing award.  I have other images, many others, but these in particular give across a current mood of mine.  Whimsical, wishful, ethereal...now I just need a project to focus these.  Suggestions on a postcard.

I'm employed...wooo hooo

This is obviously a regular topic of mine but it is one that currently seems to baffle everyone.  A friend of mine wrote as her Facebook status the other day: "I'm employed!!! Wooo hooo!! :)"  Everyone that read this was of course over the moon and asked what job in the police she had got....as this was her aim.  Rather than replying that she had got Christmas work in a department store she merely said she had only got a temporary post and was still pursuing the police full time.

Now, she should not be ashamed of something she was so excited about.  Indeed, at the moment having any kind of job is marvellous.  People don't seem to understand that though.  Graduates feel they have almost failed, despite not actually standing a chance, whilst non-graduates feel sympathy for those poor 'young ones' wasting the talents that have got them into so much debt.

I can't lie, sometimes I wonder why I am not doing what I dreamt of.  Or in fact why what I dreamt of doesn't necesarily seem like the right thing for me any more.  When in the midst of those dark moments I have a little moto "at least I'm employed".  Doesn't sound like much but hundreds of gradutes have gone back to bar jobs, work in Topshop/River Island/Debenhams or do as I have and relish an opportunity thrown out by family/friends/acquaintances.  After all, it's better than nothing.

I do have something to dream about though...I am going to meet Peter Ruis from John Lewis and Fred Uribe-Mosquera from Burberry next month.  God bless Graduate Fashion Week.  After all, blogs don't pay the rent...not even Sophie Power's amazing Trendspiration.  She was invited to London Fashion Week as a guest of Canon and could only make one day as she had to work...typical!

Masks are the way forward...

My wonderful flatmate at university was scared of masks...well IS scared of masks.  In first year Halloween came and she refused to leave her bedroom just in case.  Good job as one of the boys we lived with decided to prance around in a Michael Jackson mask...not good.  Needless to say, when we became all girls we didn't wear masks so she could at least partake in the getting ready.

Well now she doesn't live with us I am relishing in the idea of a mask, something that has never appealed before.  Whislt I want to go masquerade (though my costume may never arrive...in which case I'm going to be a doll) I couldn't help but be inspired by The Cool Hunter's 'Creative Halloween' article.

From simple cardboard cut outs to 3D masterpieces... My idea of a mask has been well and truely put to shame.  The green one is my favourite, it has a Wicked Witch of the West feel to it, though the lightning bolt concept is sheer genius.  Maybe I should bugger off the masquerade idea and get inspired with weather...I could make a cloud outfit right?

Miss Led: Celebrating two years in Dreamland

iss Led, who I have recently wrote about, is celebrating two years of her fabulous Alice in Dreamland series of images.  Alice has often featured on walls within boutiques etc and she has now made it to print.  Following new interior successes a wall piece from D & Me boutique is now available for a limited time...You can purchase new, colourful Alice imagery at Miss Led's store or read more about it on her blog.

 

 
It's very psychadelic, reminding me very much of what the smoking caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland might see.  There is something surreal yet lovely about Miss Led's Alice...

Alice in Dreamland for Meg Matthews, February 2009