London Life

So it's been a while since I've written anything on here. I've been in London for about 2 & a half weeks now. My frist week was orientation with a few classes. Then last week was my first full week of classes and this is week 2 of classes. I have class Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday, but not on Thursday and Friday. I've already spent amany hours in the library checking out books, using the fast wifi (the wifi at the flat is super slow when everyone is on it), and doing research for my classes.

Me in front of the Natural History Museum

Classes here are a little bit different than at Purdue. First off, I have each class just once a week, whereas at home I have classes multiple times a week depending on their credit hour amount. Besides that I also have to do research all the time on different topics and stay up to date with a journal. The journal is a little sketch book where we put our notes, pre class research, pictures, sketches, ideas, etc, from our three mandatory classes. I like this idea, but it's hard to try and balance everything, I think I do a little too many notes but we'll see how it all works out.

I guess to wrap this post up, everything is a littl ebit different but I'm really enjoying it so far and I'll post more when I get a chance, there's just so much to do here!

Working in the Costume Shop

During my time in the costume shop I worked on a wide variety of pieces and learned a lot of new techniques. Here are just a few things I worked on in the costume shop this semester:

Bok Choy, made for the Chinese New Year's Play

Petticoat in Process

Orange!

Finished Doublet

Back of the Doublet

Wrapping Up The Semester

This has been by far the craziest semester for me so far at Purdue. I have done a lot this semester besides classes. I've worked football and basketball games, worked 10+ hours each week in the costume shop, gone to numerous workshops and meetings, and somehow managed to find time to spend with my friends doing silly things like having a Fast & Furious marathon.

As this semester comes to an end I am starting to get more prepared for my semester abroad in London. I will be leaving January 3rd and flying back for the fashion show at Purdue in April.

I've written a little before, but I will be finalizing my schedule and classes when I get to LCF for the orientation. I am pretty excited for what this coming spring semester!! 

Besides preparing for finals week and for leaving for London, I am thinking ahead for the summer and for jobs. Since I am receiving my apparel design internship credits by working at the costume shop at Purdue this semester and next fall, I can do whatever over the summer. I am hoping to do something completely different from working with costumes, but I would also enjoy continuing working on costumes. 

Stay tuned for more updates, I'm hoping to post a lot over break & also in London!

Older Movies

I don't know why I have never seen Funny Face but I decided to watch it last night and it was wonderful! I recommend it to any Audrey Hepburn or Fred Astaire fan. I loved all of the colors and the singing thrown in wasn't too bad, same with the dancing scenes. The beginning sort of reminded me of the movie Devil Wears Prada, but with singing. I think choosing Paris to have a majority of the movie in was a great decision. 

After watching Funny Face, I started watching Sabrina, starring Audrey Hepburn. It was recommended by Netflix and I figured why not. I only got about half way through, she's at the party after returning from Paris, so I haven't seen the ending yet. I like the movie so far, however I really do wish it was in color. I love the clothes, but I think I would enjoy the costume decisions so much more if they were all in color. I will try and watch the rest tonight, but with the play starting this week I will be working another 12+ hour work week in the costume shop on top of my already busy schedule with classes and actual work where I get paid for my time.

Better Pictures

I have decided to add some more pictures from last year's fashion show. I know it's been a few months (7 months actually) but I just love these pictures and wanted to share them! 

I wrote an article over the fashion show titled Fashion Show Weekend and it covered my experiences, what I took in my bag, a few pictures, and more. Click on the title to read more about it.

The first picture is of my friend, Eric, who is modeling a pair of plaid trouser pants, a grey jersey knit top, and a lined striped vest. The lining and back of his vest is the same satin fabric that is used for the evening dress my friend gabby modeled.

The second picture is of my friend Gabby walking down the runway. I really like this picture because you can see the movement of the bottom of the dress. I chose to sew squares of the satin and chiffon to ribbons and then sew the ribbons in-between the dress and its lining. I love the whole look, from the blinged out earrings and bracelet to the black patent pumps and long gloves. I was going for a fancy Breakfast at Tiffany's feeling to both garments when next to each other. I am thrilled with how both looks turned out and how they look standing together.

Last Minute Work

Tomorrow is sort of our first Quality Control (QC) Check. We've had one, but that was for sketches and flats of 1 design. Tomorrow is a fit check so we need patterns, a muslin version, and pictures of fit. 

I am doing my sustainability project for my 1 design and I am pretty excited for it to come together. however, I have yet to actually start it...and I'm meeting with my model this afternoon too. So tonight will be spent, not doing my French homework but in the lab working on my piece. 

Since I'm using already functional garments I don't see the need to create patterns and a muslin version, hopefully this is okay. I have to deconstruct a dress and then put the skirt back together again but that shouldn't take too long since I'm just gathering it and using an elastic waistband with no zipper. the top is a different story. I'm using a striped button-down top and I need to hem it, take it in, possibly remove the pocket on the front, and change the sleeves. I do also have to pattern heart shaped pieces since I plan on cutting out a heart on the back of the shirt and also placing little hearts over the shirt in various places. It's hard to fully describe but i'll post pictures tomorrow!