Fashion Design and Trend Prediction

For this module we had to create a trend from a list of words given to us to choose from.

I chose Everyday Utopias which through research developed into an exploration of Shangri-La - an oriental idea of utopia. We also had to choose between womenswear, menswear, casual wear and sportswear, I chose sportswear as it wasn't something i had ever done before and i was eager to explore something new.

My trend is oriental inspired sportswear with lots of hand embroidery, beading and a bright colours, the collection is quite fun and playful because of the embroidery and bright colour palette which is something quite different for me. However i thoroughly enjoyed this module and it has definitely been my favourite project to date.

Below is a link to the digital version of my trend book, for the project we had to create a physical trend book so mine had neon acrylic covers with laser cut titles and also lots of fabric swatches inside.

http://issuu.com/cianaoreilly/docs/digital_trend_book

Tailoring Project - Final Submission

Our first hand in this year was for a tailoring project. Below are some of my final submissions for this project, we had to make an outfit in calico and then choose a standout piece from that outfit to make in final fabrics. As well as many other things to hand in with this project we also had to produce an illustration. As my outfit was sports inspired and had quite an oriental look to it i decided to do an illustration of a karat pose - i produced the illustration entirely in Adobe Illustrator using a graphics tablet and a shading techniques with no harsh outlines. I have also included my line up from this project and a photo board of my outfit. Unfortunately i didn't have time or the opportunity to take professional photos of my outfit in a studio or on location but i did take some reference photos for my sketchbook of my sister wearing the outfit which i have edited using Photoshop into a photo board.

The full outfit in calico (toiles) I also made a jacket but decided not to make this in final fabrics. I made the trousers and top instead

Digital Portfolio

This is the link to my digital portfolio on Issuu.com

http://issuu.com/cianaoreilly/docs/digital_portfolio_issuu

Urban Outfitters Illustrations

As part of our Urban Outfitters brief was to produce either an illustration or a styled photograph i decided to try my hand at some digital illustration using Adobe Illustrator. I was inspired to do this after one our tutors gave a workshop on fashion illustration, which is something I have never been particularly confident in. I used a relatively simple technique to produce these illustrations - I used my photos and set them as a template on illustrator then used the pencil tool and my mouse to ''draw'' the image freehand. The result is quite interesting i think because it is still freehand drawing but because i used the mouse as a pen it looks different to freehand drawing.

I then took my illustration and made a copy of it and then used the brush tool to add some shading an colour.

These are my two illustrations that i produced from my UO photos.

Urban Outfitters vs LCA Live Project

As part of my second year and part of my PPP module we are taking part in a live project with Urban Outfitters. Our brief is to do an illustration or take a styled photograph considering the theme 'What's Leeds saying?' - the work will be show in an exhibition in the UO shop in Leeds Trinity and will be displayed on the walls of the store. We will also be producing a zine with our work in it and selling it in the Urban Outfitters shop.

I chose to take a styled photograph as I'm not as confident with illustration and i have a particular interest in styling and photography as it is something i would like to explore as a career. I wanted to create an urban grunge look as to me Leeds is all about that rough and ready vibe. I chose a longline tutu dress from Topshop in a pale pink colour as it is feminine and contrasted really well with the rest of my outfit, i also chose an All Saints leather jacket and Topshop canvas platforms to give an edgy grungy look, i topped the look of with seriously laddered tights a statement necklace, three minimal silver rings and dark lipstick - in some of the photos i also experimented with a floral crown which i made myself which also had millinery net on it to give a Gothic edge to the look but still keeping elements of femininity.

I chose to take the photos in the back streets of terraced houses in Leeds keeping an urban setting and also representing the real Leeds (or at least my interpretation of it). Post photography i kept editing to a minimum because i wanted the photos to look raw and natural. The final photo i chose to be displayed on he wall of UO is a striking image of the models legs and feet, this image stood out to me because it was really in your face and striking but not full length or a facial close up. I had some really great photos and it was incredibly difficult to whittle it down from over 200 to 1!

The final image i chose to put on the wall of UO

And these are a few of my other favorites from all the photo i took

Fashion Practice and Contemporary Context

As part of my first year at Leeds College of Art I completed a module called Fashion Practice and Contemporary Context. We had to pick another trend from WGSN - I picked Industrial Revolution. We then had to combine everything we had learnt that year all into this module so this included research, sampling, designing, digital mood boards, illustrator line ups, making a garment, making a technical pattern, styling and photographing the garment, creating a professional portfolio  and presenting our project in a presentation in front of our tutors.

As part of this module we also had to choose a brand either high street or designer level - i chose All Saints and develop our collection with this brand in mind. 

I developed my research with All Saints and Industrial revolution in mind and started to think about urban decay, with particular reference to old industrial buildings and graffiti. I designed a dress as my final garment (along with a 6 outfit collection) that i made, i also designed my own pattern for fabric and had it digitally printed. I was particularly inspired by a run down graffiti-ed area near my halls in Leeds, the print for my dress came from a photo i took of my friends climbing over a graffiti wall - i thought the photo completely embodied my whole theme so i developed and edited it in Photoshop so it wasn't completely recognizable.

I chose to make a printed dress because i think that is something All Saints do well - they have lovely prints but most of their clothing is very neutral in colour so i decied to make something more colourful.

Here are the photos of my dress which have been styled and photographed by me.

The photo that inspired my project and also from which i created my printed farbic

My printed fabric

My 6 outfit line up for this project 

Issuu Page

As part of my first year of my course i completed a module called Fashion Practices and New Technologies which was a digital module learning and experimenting Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign - the end result was an Issuu project.

We picked a trend from WGSN - i picked Modern Myth which i researched and developed into a body of work inspired by folklore with a futuristic space age twist, combining these two ideas i produced mood boards, colour boards, trend and shape, designed a collection, a line up with flat drawings produced in Illustrator and illustrations - all of this work was produced digitally with Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

Here is a link to my Issuu publication Futuristic Folklore

http://issuu.com/cianaoreilly/docs/futuristic_folklore_final_pdf

Context of Practice Blog

As part of my first year of university i completed a module called Context of Practice. As part of this module i had to create a blog and put all of my COP work on it including theoretical research, inspiration, research photos, artists, designers, my own development work and a final piece.

In this module i explored the theme of Gender and Identity through the blog and also through a series of essays.

Here is a link to my COP blog

http://cianakateoreilly.blogspot.co.uk

A Level Work

This is some work i produced during my A levels coursework and exam work.

A corset i made inspired by the theme The Man Made World. I chose to concentrate on the idea of rubbish and waste as it is a consequence of the man made world. The corset is partially constructed from real pieces of rubbish an decorated with it as well as other textile techniques, the idea of a corset was inspired by the appearance of a crushed drinks can the same way a corset crushes the waist. I was shortlisted for my college art prize for this piece of work and won runner up.

A cape insoired by the theme Mystery and Imagination, i concentrated on the theme of religion as it has always been something that has fascinated me  especially religious art, ceremony and artifacts It is a traditional style priest vestment but modernized as it has been shortened, i used a variety of textile technique to achieve a highly decorative appearance. These photos were also styled and taken by me as part of a photo shoot i arranged for my portfolio...

Ink, Brusho, Bleach and Biro illustration of an angel gravestone - under the theme of Mystery and Imagination

Painting of rosary beads on wallpaper - acrylic paint and biro

Life drawing - chalk and charcoal

Illustration of a stag beetle - Ink

A dress inspired by the theme of insects - created a dress that looked as if it had been stored away in an attic for decades and had been ravished by insects and it had become their new home. i used a variety of techniques to make it look old but still beautiful, i also made the insects themselves highly decorative as to beautify something ugly. This dress also explored an interest i have in theatrical costume.