This week I’m thinking about clouds, real and fake and how best to incorporate them into my upcoming shoots.
I’m also working on my winter collection and wishing I was better at digital art and that I owned a blue bunny.
I realised I haven’t done any shopping/wish list type posts for ages so I’ve put together a board with my top 10 affordable gift ideas (a lot of which are on my list too).
I wanted to put together a little board showing some of the affordable gifts available through my website. Usually, people who have seen my clothes automatically assume that everything I sell is expensive. This isn’t true, my products have a very low mark up compared to other companies, some of them just happen to be quite labor-intensive. I like creating elaborate outfits but also understand there is beauty in simplicity and a cute piece to finish off an outfit can be uncomplicated and inexpensive while still looking great.
I created Eustratia to make my vision accessible to customers of all budgets and feel like I’m well on the way to achieving that.
1. Stripey folded hair flower, £15.
2. Moth-girl T-shirt, £12.50
3. Avalon head chain, £18
4. Unicorn headband, £15
5. Latex bow cuff, £6.50
6. Stocking toppers, £10 (or 15 with trim)
7. Bow earrings, £13
8. Tote bag, £6.50
9. Standard fingerless gloves, £18.50
10. Standard latex pasties, £18
Toria Brightside knows how to put together an event. Vau Vau was good last year but it was evident that the concept had been ironed out at the edges and the execution was more professional, while still remaining fun and full of character. A fashion show promoting sense of style and independent designers.
I got help with the stall because I knew that I would hardly have a change to be there.
This is my mum in a latex blazer. I think it suits her.
One of the designers pulled out at the past minute, giving me the opportunity to showcase a few pieces from my upcoming non-latex range, Vanguard. I used chainmail pieces by Richard Ayres to add edge and detail to the outfits and I thought the worked really well together.
My favourite part of the show was still the finale though. The dolls house, created and erected by Richard Ayres was used as a backdrop for the whole show but was only functional for the finale. A lot of guests commented on the fact that it puzzled them for the whole night and I liked that added element of intrigue.
The presentation and subsequent range was inspired by dolls and the show started with a pair of models draped in sheer fabric (evoking a dust sheet), as if they had been left in a forgotten room for a number of years.
The second pair of models appeared from inside the dolls house in much more current but still doll-inspired outfits and proceeded to uncover the first set of models before walking down the catwalk.
The rest of the models emerged and descended at regular intervals. Two held ornate trays filled with dried petals which the scattered along the catwalk as the went and rest carried vintage bird cages, hanging off poles and filled with fairy lights and flowers or ivy.
My girls had Make up by Jack Tyson and nails by Vamp.
Models in order of appearance: Tessa Burton (vauhaus), Lauren feather (vauhaus), Vex Ashley, Bethany Lauren (vauhaus), Jennifer Joint, Amber Dennet, Briony rose, Harlotte Wonderland, Asphazia, Biomechanina.
All Images by Emily bailey of ENB photography, who also reviewed the event on her blog. I had a lot to write about my own involvement but if you’d like to see more of some of the other designers you could also check out Vague.
I especially loved the magical video by NVS Films, it really captured the atmosphere of the show.
If you’re into current and quirky fashion, chances are you’ve heard of Dolls Kill.
The thing that appeals to me the most about the brand is the fact that they have dolls/muses that represent the styles they cater for. I decide on the items I put into production for my own label in a very similar way!
Links to the dolls and their current ranges can be found here.
I was approached about selling some of my products, that had a Dolls Kill vibe, through the site so I made a board with a selection of Eustratia products for each of them.
Mercy.
Willow.
Darby.
Coco.
Outfits to fit each doll’s style were then selected and I created illustrations to show how they would look together.
I then went on to create the garments!
After a lot of faffing around with couriers and customs the garments finally arrived and were added to the site.
There is now only one outfit left on the site and hopefully they will stock a small range of Eustratia products in the near future.
I don’t usually do such “worky” posts but it’s something I’m thinking of introducing so let me know what you guys think. I would have loved to be able to read about other people’s projects while I was at uni. so I hope others will find this useful.