Inspirational images:

Green dress was the first I ever made, before I learned to sew. I designed it, painted the fabric and had it sewn up by Hue Lee Designs. Artwork My fiancé and I have created. Gothic/dark imagery. Skulls, lace-up, red and black. Sensual imagery. Jacquard prints/designs. Dark make-up. Texture.

Cultural influence
Music:

In Perth a lot of fashion trends are inspired by our local musicians, bands like “The Creptter Children” and “The Book Of Lillith”

“The Creptter Children” influence their audience with fashions inspired by 80’s glam rock and a little dark Goth. Wearing feature corsets, bright makeup, black jeans, tight spandex, all black outfits and often clothes made by the lead singer. I am personally inspired by that last one and love the fact that Iballa Chantelle designs her own outfits.




“The Book Of Lillith” are a more Gothic style band which influences their audience to dress in black with torn stockings, heavy corsets, huge boots, heavy dark makeup, the occasional splash of bright colour in contrast to the black and dark outgoing accessories.

On a wider scale there are larger more well known bands that have a huge influence on fashion. “Marilyn Manson” has had a massive impact since he began his controversial reign on “Goth Rock” in 1989. A dark and sometimes morbid eroticized style, often men and woman can flaunt the same garments and makeup. Powder white faces, heavy dark eyeliner extending out around the eyes, nail polish and red lipstick and often a controversial mix of lace, leather and neo Victorian attire.

From the 1980’s until now the “Goth” look has become a major part of fashion lifestyle. A more “underground” subculture rather than mainstream, but prominent non the less.

Some people don’t have the confidence to go all out “Goth” and so take elements from this style and mix it up with more conservative garments. For example I often see people wearing Goth boots over black skinny jeans with a loose fitting casual top. When out at a gig its not uncommon to see someone wearing a feature corset with jeans, simple boots and soft makeup to minimize attention. This type of outfit is purely about the corset and nothing else.

A good example of the kind of outfits seen at a gig with dark gothic and rock influence:

From 10:00am to 11:30am we had to create a garment from a pile of recycled clothes. I worked with my classmate Sherine. Our overall design ideas tend to have similar styles and techniques so it was easy for us to work together to create something from nothing. Our design is inspired by a Rock/chick theme, leather-look bodice and a skirt with funky stitching. Using the zip on the outside and creating the button-up back are both features you mite find on any punk/rock outfit. As this was a pressure test we did not focus on quality sewing or seam placement :) This is our design . . .

After conversing on what we mite like to do with an old “Supre” faux leather bodice, faux leather belt and cotton skirt we decided to make a dress.

We Rouched the side seams on the bodice then cut the zip out to allow us to make a button up design with more rouching.

Then we cut a “V” in the center front for design and rouched a little down the center front for a better look. The gathers worked really well but the material wasn’t the best to work with, it often ripped.

The zip became a design feature on the front of the dress.

We then attached the skirt to the bodice and added a small gathered line up one side for added texture.

Sustainable fashion

Many fashion trends are recyclable and circle around about every 20 years or so. For example at the moment a lot of 80’s trends are resurfacing like the shoulder pad, beading and blazers. Many designers draw inspiration from old trends adding twists to create entirely new designs. Another excellent example is the corset. Originally a device for shaping women's body's to achieve the ideal “Hour glass” shape. Now we often ware a corset on the outside as a feature piece to an outfit.

Sustainable designs and fabrics are the future of the fashion world. They are better quality, last longer and have a much more practical feel.

7 Ways You Can Support Sustainable Fashion

1. Try op-shopping. Browsing through vintage stores and op-shops is an adventure, you never know what you will find! And you come away feeling great because you always get a bargain.
2. Now you’ve been to the op-shop, think of all those clothes you have at home that you don’t wear anymore. Are they in good condition? Donating to the Op-shop will continue the cycle.
3. Buy natural fibers. Using natural fibers is better for you and the environment, these fibers tend to breath more so they react better with your natural body heat and movement while synthetic fibers tend to itch and hold heat and sweat to the body. Some examples of natural fibers include: hemp, cotton, bamboo and silk.
4. E-bay. Shopping online is a wonderful experience and a great way to breathe knew life into garments that are still in great condition but for one reason or another are no longer wanted or needed by their previous owners.
5. Have clothes in your closet that you just love and no longer fit into? Learn to sew and create new garments from them. You will have fun turning your old treasured garments into new funky designs.
6. Check out eco friendly brands when buying new. Supporting eco friendly designers will encourage people to continue using sustainable fabrics and designs.
7. Always remember you can re-ware anything you have in your closet. Mix and match old items and don’t forget to experiment, you don’t need a whole knew wardrobe to get a new fab look. Just go through what you already have and get creative.

There are designers and scientists working on new and better sustainable fabrics. Blends using coconut husks, banana peels and other fruits have been developed while other ideas are still in circulation.
Australian designer, Sonja Baumel, has conducted experiments to create a sustainable fabric using skin bacteria on the human body. The growth creates complex fiber layers that can then be crocheted, or woven into fabric and garments. She is currently working on a project called “ Invisible membranes: life on the human body and it’s application’s”It sounds confronting but Sonja says the human body is host to large amounts of bacteria anyway so we might as well use this and ware the sustainable clothing that can be created from it.

Example of woven fabric :

Example of bacterial growth :


Examples of crocheted fabrics :

“crocheted membrane” is a visualization of the growth of bacteria to create complex fiber layers. An organic body hugging silhouette. Displayed concept in Dutch Design Week.

STREET TRENDS

We have been sent out onto the streets of Perth to see what you’re all wearing! I do have a few favorites but in general I found a lot of interesting and well dressed Perthians :)
Bold, rock, punk, and classic styles are in. I notice a lot of brightly coloured hair cuts and rock inspired outfits. You’re not afraid to express yourselves with fashion! Getting colourful with makeup and experimental with piercings you’re a much more expressive city.

Bold hair colour is in, dark red is my personal favorite but I have seen a lot of Blue and Green lately and on the right people it looks awesome. I like this outfit because it’s that pin-up girl look yet dark as well. Also this is a full piece outfit and I don’t normally like them on principal but this just proves that worn on the right person it’s a garment that can look great :) Looking fabulous Bonnie.

A perfect example of dressing to suit your body shape. The diagonal stripes angle in drawing attention to a beautiful curvy figure while minimising the bust. The fullness in the skirt accentuates Nicole's figure even more. A classic style that never fails, simple and flattering in all the right places.

Bold makeup and colourful streaks through hair, very 80’s glam rock. A trend that’s coming back, gotta love the fun you can have with this style. Piercings are on the rise as well, again on the right people they can be an appealing accessory. Love the bat necklace by the way Ashra, very different.

Art-deco fashion is another great style that’s becoming more popular on the streets of Perth. Diane has accesorised with silver chunky art-deco ring , bracelet and chunky shell necklace, looks great :) I love the pleating of the fabric. Notice the seams are on the outside. Gives an arty/crafty look to the dress, simple with that abstract touch.

WOW who look's amazing!? This girl has it goin on! best hair cut I've seen in Perth yet! and her gettup? well that just speaks for itself. Hannah's entire outfit sais confidence, sensuality and fashion. This is the kind of outgoing style we should all aim to achieve. perhaps its not entirely you but take eliments: bold hair, confident top and colours you love. Don't be afraid to wear 'YOU"

Fashion. An expression of self. An art form. A way to show yourself and the people around you who you are.

It’s impressive how many of us are finally gaining the confidence to wear who we are.
The people of Perth are more often venturing out in public wearing the clothes they have normally locked away, gathering dust in the hopes that one day they can drag them out to wear to an APPROPRIATE event. Hooray for Perth! congratulations on this wondrous realisation.

So this week my top 10 fashion tips are:

1. Anything topped off with a bold corset. But please ladies, wear to your body size! If you’re of a larger build avoid over the top frilly skirts poking out of a corset 3 sizes too small.


2. Black is back. But try to break it up with a splash of colour even if it’s just a bright accessory :)


3. Shirt dresses! Love them! But be careful to pick a shape that suits you these can easily become a don't.


4. Boots. They will always look hot, but remember we aren't in a scene from "Pretty woman". Dress to impress ladies, don't give away the whole package.


5. Rock chick styles. Studs, faux leather, denim shorts {Please no pockets hanging out}, skinny leg jeans, military style jackets and rock print shirts topped with a cool pair of dark sunnies. Hot no matter what your build. (IMAGE - Me and Iballa Chantelle-Creptter Children, Made her own rock outfit. Chrome spandex is back. Just use it wisely ;)


6. Vintage. If you've got the figure, flaunt it. Larger ladies stick to vintage accessories, not garments.


7. Skinny chicks. Gotta love those tights and long shirts that almost pass as dresses, you’re lookin fab in the city girls.


8. Punk chick. If you’re under 18 and rockin a frilly black skirt with studded belt, tartan/rock print shirt, wrist bands and messy hair, you’re looking cute. However if you’re over 18, its not as hot as you think, you can keep the accessories but change the garments, maybe skinny black jeans and a rock print shirt? (see 5.)


9. Posh dress. Fitted business-like dresses with hot little heals and your hair up. Very swanky, however do try to remember there is such a thing as "Too short"


10. Arab pants. Worn well they can look fantastic. Combine with a tightly fitted or layered top.