Our last design project was to create a design philosophy, taking inspiration from The Shakers. I found this project very exciting because we could do what we wanted to do and what we believed fashion should be like. It also helped you discover what kind of designer you are.

We had a design project based on Eastern European Folk costumes. Initially from researching Folk i was not inspired by the costumes but i looked at little details an shapes of the garments which i found interesting. To know that all these garments would have been hand made was incredible for the amount of detail that was in them.

We went to the V&A museum in London to see the Fashion V Sport exhibition. I expected it to be a little bigger. I am not very interested in sportswear so i didnt find it that interesting. I enjoyed looking at peoples work but i am not looking forward to our next project based on sportswear.

There was a presentation by Wayne Hemmingway about his lifeand how his career started and where he is today. He was very inspirational and gave a great talk that was inspirational and funny. He was very lucky to get such a big order from Macys New York. It just shows you how you can start anywhere and still be successful and you should always take any opportunity you can get. 

One of the things he said was not to specify yourself as a fashion designer but to say that you are a designer. Otherwise you will be closing your options off.

It was a great opportunity to meet someone who was so motivating and exciting. He is the type of person who makes you want to go out and be successful.

We had a presentation from Peclers. This told us what the trends are for 2009/2010. The four main styles were Streamlined, Daily eccentric, Arctic attraction and Made on earth. 

Streamlined was based on cubism and art deco. It is modern, sophisticated and sleek.

Daily eccentric was influenced by gender confusion and personalising outfits. Fluid, graceful with loose layers, more print and comfort,

Arctic attraction focuses on the environment, organic, neutrals, clean and sharp.

Made on earth looks at bio synthetics, natural. Whats real and whats not.

The key shapes were wrapped, rounded, moulded, streamlined and squared. The key colours were  lightness, solorised, pastels and pop brights.

For summer 2010 The key styles were Whisper, Endurance, Universalis and Tune my life.

All the trends were based on the fact that there is a credit crunch so there is a natural and recycled theme.

The presentation had a lot of information that was given very fast. I know for next time to listen to the key details so i can take more appropriate notes.

Yesterday we visited London on a fabric sourcing trip. This was very knowledgeable to find out where the fabric shops were and what kind of things they were selling. I found that some of the fabrics were very expensive and overly priced but they had a great range of up to date fabrics. Some of the places we visited were called Clothhouse, Textile King and Soho Silks.

For the brief of our second design project we were asked to complete a mood board and research the word 'Organic' and the current A/W trends and sketch some design ideas from this. We then had to get some fabric and create a piece that incorporated ruffles and folds by draping on the mannequin. I loved doing this and think that it is a very good way of knowing how fabrics drape and look on the mannequin. This also helps your design ideas because you know how things will work. 

After the second week it is going very well and is very enjoyable.

- I have kept up with my work so far and have also been doing some of my own work.
- I need to organise my things a bit more for when i start getting more work even though i haven't forgotten anything yet.
- To keep up with what is going on in the fashion industry, i have been reading the drapers magazine.
- I have got a digital camera so that i can take pictures of anything that inspires me.

- I believe i have used my time wisely including work and social activities.
- I have also used my spare time developing my personal sketch book.

I asked three people who were not studying fashion three questions.

1) What course are you studying?
2) Would you work with people in the fashion industry?
3) Where do you see yourself in ten years time?

1) Illustration.
2) Yes there is fashion illustration, photography and film.
3) To have completed a graphic novel, animating and hope to be amazing and a millionaire.

1) Animation.
2) Yes, They have already worked for H&M and they could do an animated film in the background of a catwalk show.
3) Owing their own studio or working for someone like pixar.

1) Fine Art.
2) No because he was ignorant to the fashion industry.
3) Artist but it is very hard for a fine artist to be employed.

We were given our first design project, which was to complete a mood board on the choice of four words, which were classical, rococco, surreal and spice. After researching all four words i decided to use the word surreal as it was the one that inspired me the most. the images that i found were both weird and amazing. I chose to go with the more mystical side of surreal that had an element of fantasy.

I was very disappointed to find out that we were not going to design any garments from this mood board but i have already started doing this in my spare time.file:///Volumes/3162103/Photos/surreal.jpg

From the induction week at the AIB i feel very keen and ready to work. To make sure i do this to the best of my abilities, my goals are:

- Always keep up with the work.
- Be organised and well prepared.
- Try and do work to the best of my ability.
- Keep up with what is happening in the fashion industry.
- Always keep my eye open to anything that inspires me.
- Try and improve my English and use of words.


- To use my time wisely.
- To manage my money appropriately.
- Use my spare time to look at fashion related issues and do my sketch book.
- Get involved in an extra curricular activity.