20TEN Trent Graduate Fashion Show

I went to this show to support my friend who has been doing Fashion Design and is graduating this year! It's not that I didn't expect much from the show, but I certainly didn't expect to be wowed quite like I was.

This show really did the uni and Nottingham proud, as it showcased some amazing garments and accessories designed and made by some very talented Trent students. The setting was hip, yet chic, situated in the newly refurbished Newton building, there were lights, screens, a DJ and the programs were impressive, little flip books showcasing each of the designers, their inspiration and what their collection is all about.

The show was based around various themes, some of which were arise, awake, refresh, relax and dream, just to name a few. It really expressed the chic, chilled atmosphere of the show and my friends and I were actually blown away.

Nottingham Contemporary

Ok, so I've not blogged in ages but today I made my second trip to Nottingham Contemporary and so I thought I'd share what was going on there...also its a nice break from writing my report!!
At the moment there is a exhibit on named 'Uneven Geographies..art and globalisation' which consisted of pictures, projections, programmes and sculptures...not forgetting some very bizarre albino looking amphibians, which to be quite frank scared the life out me and mesmerized me all at the same time.
These art forms intended to show the impact of globalisation and are interesting as they are not always objective; showing the pain and unfair results of globalsiation, bringing to our attension what goes on around the world due to our desires for cheap quality clothing, for example.
I'd go and see the exhibition as it is free and interesting to see the displays literally, even if you're not interested in the deeper meaning; I have to admit I did feel a little stupid on leaving, as I tried to figure out what exactly it all meant.

Evol Heist

Ok, so this is kinda touching on what Birmingham has to offer, but as the brains behind Evol Heist is a Trent student and one of my very dear friends, I thought I better shine a light on her genius!!!

If you like one off pieces...or jewellery and accessories of limited availability and that WONT break the bank, then check out Evol Heist on Facebook..... http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/EVOL-HEIST/111195712241626?ref=ts



The image of the brand resonates a kinda cool that doesn't make you sick, but makes you want to be apart of it....god knows how it's done!!
The products being limited and often one offs, really buy into that idea of being apart of the club and having something exclusive.....it has definately made me think twice about buying from the highstreet and the exclusivity and quality has really enticed me to be a loyal customer!!

I have requested so many pieces from here that I have turned into a walking campaign and I'm not ashamed to say.....Hi my name is Katie and I am addicted to Evol Heist!!

Pictures by Madz Machete

Welcome to the Candy Shop

A candy wonderland opened on Saturday 27th March just off Nottingham's market square.
The shop is called Sugar Cane it can be found in one of those quaint little buildings by the Flying Horse Arcade.
Along with the opening of the store, was a display of a local artist's work who is inspired by and uses sweets in their work. Their colourful, playful artwork was even used as invitations to the stores launch party!! This collaboration has made the sweet shop seem more upmarket and more of a big deal than the rest of the sweet shops that line Nottingham's streets; the publics preconceptions of art and galleries had definately given the sweet shop a touch of class, which widened its available target market, as there were people of all ages and backgrounds clutching at their childhood favourites.


The store is brimming with old school favourites and amazing candy gadgets attracting you to all corners of the store with its yummy displays. Giant models of some of the more well known sweets decorate the store and really give it this candyland atmosphere, also taking some of us older customers back to their childhood when we were convinced everything was a great deal larger than it is now....it gives Willy Wonka a run for his money!!

In the back of the shop is a more sophisticated side with homemade chocolates and truffles which were oh so tempting!!


And to really to test you is a milkshake bar where you can make your own chocolate and sweet inspired milkshakes, calorific and delicious!!
Its a must see, so i'd check it out, before everything is devoured!!

Incognito

Incognito was a charity event in aid of the Haiti fund, which took place in Escucha on the 21st March 2010.
There was an array of talent to entertain those who had come along to support the cause, from local designers to rappers and burlesque acts......and all for the small contribution of £5!


I helped a local designer, Callecia Brown, organise and dress models backstage.....Callecia described her clothing line as 'Embodying the sprite of the 1940s and Hollywood glamour, with an emphasis on tailoring' and her pieces really did steal the show.
The models walked the runway to dubstep music, which really gave the fashion show the urban edge the general event evoked.


Also showcasing their talent was Jemma, a designer for Kindred Spirit in Nottingham, who's pieces were dainty, elegant and beautiful. Very Alice in Wonderland!



A quirky performer was Captin Ron, a hip hop belly dancer, who plesantly surprised the audience; who was a little dubious, as to what a hip hop belly dancer actually was!!



Nottingham rappers, Two-Tone also performed.......

And Bantum Clothing's Simeon Hartwig also supported the cause sporting a homemade tophat and cane!! It was all happening that night!!

Pictures by Sam Kirby

I heart Nottingham too!

As I live in Nottingham pretty much 365 days of the year, it seemed to make sense that I make a few entries about the wonderful and sometimes weird things that go on here! Nottingham is a multicultural city and there's lots to see, away from main stream stores and stuff you can see any old place!!
From museums to fashion shows, theres actually a lot of hidden little gems in this city, so I thought it would be nice to share some of them and improve nottingham's reputation; from crime ridden to the city full of gems that are hidden (cheesy i know)!!

Snibston Fashion Museum

Moving away from Birmingham now......and on to the wider world, well UK!!
I recently went to Snibston Discovery Centre, as I'd heard it had one of the biggest clothing collections in the Midlands. Its defo worth a look, if you can get past the tragic flash backs of being dragged to places like this on school trips or by your parents, desperate to do something 'educational'.

Showing genuine pieces of clothing and uniforms from around the last 150 years and costumes imitating fashions from times long before that, there were iconic designer pieces from Vivienne Westwood to Chanel to the late Alexander McQueen.
Not only does it provide a fashion timeline, but also focuses on fashions that can alter specific parts of the body, with its extensive displays of corsets and crinolin cages which are the most famous examples of body transforming garmets.


The interactive screens within the museum were also pretty entertaining, especially when it came to the section where they'd been asking random people about their style, to which one man replied 'ummmm....chav?'
The centre has been well thought out and is cleverly designed to appeal to both adults and children; with its use of various mediums to both educate and entertain.
And of course we cannot forget the display of Nottingham Trent's very own Fashion Design students work, keep up the good work guys!!

The Mailbox

After following the multi-coloured pavement that lead up to the Mailbox I was stunned by the overall look of this building.
You are introduced to this artistic looking area of Birmingham by a light display at the foot of the Mailbox steps.


This contemporary side of Birmingham houses some of the more high end stores in the city, as well as Harvey Nicols department store.
The Mailbox is a shopping eutopia, minus the hustle and bustle of the Bullring, where the tree lined alleys in the Mailbox lead you to these chic stores and galleries.