Alun Davis....

So this week I have met Alun Davis, who just so happens to share the studio with Piers. Alun Davis is a Art Director and a pretty amazing one if that, he's worked with some of the worlds biggest publications including international Vogue, Nylon and Another magazine. He's also worked on many commercial projects with some huge names and brands including ASOS, AQUA and Adidas along with many artists including Peaches and Lady Gaga. You can check out all of his work at:
www.alun-davies.com.
What I admire most about Alun is his craftsmanship and his approach towards the small details within his art direction, as Ive seen pieces which will be featuring in his up and coming installation at Dalston Superstore, its going to be pretty amazing, I can't say too much as it hasn't gone to press yet! But watch this space.
When I think of Alun I think of strong defined triangular shapes for some unbeknown reason. Throughout his work he uses a lot of helmets which he has customised with pieces of metal, nails, broken mirrors, crystals and spikes to name a few things. The helmets are works of art themselves, when you see one, you instantly want to try it on and prance around to "Born this way"! OOHH and he's did some of the costumes for the backing dancers on Lady Gaga's recent Monster Ball Tour.
Here is a selection of images which Ive pulled from his website which I find pretty inspiring.....

Work at Piers Atkinson.....

So my first two weeks at Piers Atkinson have been pretty major! Meeting and getting to know the team. Who are so so lovely and down to earth! We have all been working on orders placed by the stockists of his Autumn/ Winter 2012, "Oh My" collection, which has been really amazing as I seem to be learning something new everyday, be it a technique, design style or finishing a hat off in the correct manor. Im also starting to understand how a hat goes from the design stages all the way through to production.
All of Piers hats are hand-made in the studio so I know how much hard work, time and effort goes into each individual hat, and lets just say its a hell of a lot!

"The furries are coming to town for Piers Atkinson's AW/ 12 collection and they aren't taking the yellow brick road. Lions and tigers and bears mix with Dorothy's of all sorts for a very mammalian millinery season, hinting at fairy tale stories set in a scary, exciting forest of love and lust" Is how the current collection is described on his website which can be found at www.piersatkinson.com. Go check the ever so fabulous world or Piers out. I can guarantee you will fucking LOVE it!

Here is the fashion film to create the mood of the collection:

Rosemary Beard Poster for the Autumn/ Winter 2012 collection

Here is a selection of the hats Ive been working on taken from the Lookbook, Ive done everything from sewing ostrich feathers onto their bases, wiring and binding bear ears, sewing feathers and crystallising veils, OOOHHHH the glamour!!

Lady Gaga in Piers Atkinson....

Gaga is known for her crazy headwear, most famously the telephone hat which she wore in the video for 'Telephone' and on the Jonathan Ross show, and what better person to team it with, the fabulous Mr Atkinson. In fact she has worn his creations on more than one occasion.....

Piers Atkinson.....

So after a short trip home back to the fabulous city of Sheffield (NOT Although I had such a lovely time with my family and friends) it was back to the grind and back to a whole new chapter awaiting me, as I was to begin my new internship with Piers Atkinson the milliner. I chose to go with a milliner as I put headdresses with everything I make and for my final collection I know that I want to incorporate head pieces. I have a big idea which I want to do properly rather than me just doing it the way I think it should be done, so therefore I thought I thought it would be extremely beneficial to go to a milliner where I can learn how to do it properly using the correct techniques. 

I chose Piers Atkinson as I greatly admire his work and appliqué techniques, he is also a friend of Alex's who helped me secure the internship. (Really I owe it all to Alex as he contacted Piers for me. Thankyou Mr Noble!) Anyway he set up a meeting (or chat) between me and Piers, so that I could show him my portfolio, which he really liked and the rest is history! 

Piers Atkinson has yearly collections which he showcases through shows and different pop up stores. His hats have gone global, and are available all around the world. He is supported by Ella Dror PR company which is the same as Alex's, which is how they know each other. 

Here is the reason why I LOVE his work.....

A New Chapter....

So it's time to start a new chapter in my London life, as Alex doesn't need any assistance during the next few months due to being commissioned to do a set of paintings which only he can do, and taking a well and truley deserved holiday!
I can put my hand on my heart and honestly say that I have had the best 3 months experience of my life, I feel that I have learnt so much while undertaking an internship with him, and met such lovely genuine people along the way! I cannot pinpoint a highlight of my internship as it has all been so amazing! Although Lovebox was so much fun! It has also cemented what I want to achieve as a fashion student and a designer and the pieces which I want to create.
Im going to miss being in the studio with Alex and Saskia so so much, but Im almost positive Ill see them again

"Worried about the boy"...

Okay so I had a spare night all to myself (Bliss) and what better to keep me company, "Worried about the boy" the 2010 drama. I don't know what it is, but I find it utterly inspiring, it seems to light a fire deep inside of me, making want to create a new look and prance around the streets of London, being the person I want to be not giving a shit what people think.
The drama documents Boy George's rise to fame and his endless love of frocks and make-up. It also documents the london fashion scene and night life during the punk and new romantic movement, at the Blitz night club, with all the scenesters of the time.
The story begins before he was famous, and tells the story of him leaving home in the suburbs and becoming a leading figure on the New Romantic club and fashion scene. It ;leads all the way up to him starting Culture Club and falling in love with Jon Moss.
Its a sure watch if you have a spare hour and a half trust me you won't be disappointed!

L.O.V.E.B.O.X Installation...

So it was the week running up to the big unveiling of the Loveybee installation. Which meant we was on set from 8 in the morning till 8 at night finishing off the last bit of painting while the boys and Annie (A fabulous set designer) start making the installation a reality.

To begin with the weather was shit and we had to invade someone else's tent to carry on with the painting which all went exceptionally well with the help from some of Alex's friends. This extra help got the painting done really quick and the boards were up in no time. 

Once the main structures were erected the bad boys and my Matthew went up onto the top of the structures, arms stretched apart with lengths of ribbon tied to them. They looked like gods and defined the word fabulous! 

The whole installation was breath taking, it made you want to go into the tent and dance. Seeing it instantly made you want to get off your face and dance like Beyonce! Gotta say Mr Noble is a genius!

Here is the master piece in its full glory....