A new project!

Well, there's never a dull moment at StudioSvenja! A chance meeting on facebook has me designing and making two garments for a photoshoot in early September. Just when I was having a quiet semester, along comes an opportunity too good to miss! The best thing about this that it's making me finish some half started designs. I have these leather pieces moulded and ready to dye and paint from the early days of Hakaturi. They are in really soft leather, part of my initial experimentation with the medium. I may use them, I may cut more in a firmer leather - I just ordered a couple of hides from Tandy Leather on the weekend when I received their email newsletter about some fabulous specials! Fortuitous or what?!! The first design has organza ruffles sewn over the hips, in shades or peacock green/blues - I've experimented with some off-cuts of dyed organza from this year's WOW entry. See - there's a reason to keep even scraps!! This colouring matches the lovely irridescent green/blue of the rooster feathers. Thankfully I have quite a box-full to play with, and don't have to wait to order more. It's great having a good stock of all sorts of things!! The good news is that

I think I'll be able to modify the pattern from my studio design last semester (aka the Blueberry!) as the base for the tunic tops. They're closely fitted, halter neck, and have the bubble - I think I'll just need to raise that and soften the angle. Still a lot of hard work, but nice not be starting from TOTAL scratch. Oh my goodness, I realise that in my excitement to complete these designs and send them to the photographer, I have forgotten to put the trailing tails at the back on the design at the left!
So, I know exactly what I'll be doing this week! Lucky there are no classes - it's planning week at TAFE.
Right then, I'm off for a wee drinky at the Storey Bridge Hotel with my bearded boy in the fabulous Fred the Studebaker truck!!

Wendy Makin 2015 Collection Launch and Retrospective

Svenja and Wendy 

Bunneh admires a gown

Last Wednesday Ms Bunneh and I had the pleasure of attending the 21st retrospective and launch of Wendy Makin's latest collection of gowns at Moda Events, Portside. The venue was spectacular, as the sun set over the Brisbane River, and the Lisa La Celle quintet provided a beautiful jazz background. We were greeted straight away by the delightful Wendy and Geoff Makin, and made to feel most welcome. Beautiful noms made their way around, as did the champers - ahhhh, why can't every Wednesday be like this? As the gowns of years past came out, I particularly enjoyed the projected vision in the background of Wendy Makin's success at the RAQ fashion awards, which no longer exist. SUCH as shame! As a potential bridey myself, I was able to enter the draw to win a Wendy Makin bridal gown, but sadly did not. However, I did very much enjoy watching the gowns float past and a few seeds were planted!!! I also loved the magnificent arrangements decorating the columns, by Divine Flowers.

Divine Flo

Chaos in the felting studio!

Op-shop beaded polyester...

I have spent an enjoyable past few days in the studio, trying to work on my fashion sketching. Sheesh - hard work! It's something you just have to keep doing, and doing, and doing. There's still a few alien-looking ladies in there.... but, progress! I also started working on a felt dress - for myself! I never make anything for myself,, and I'm always wearing op-shop clothes, so I'm looking forward to this! Whilst trawling through my stash, I found a collection of beaded pieces from an op-shop find,  and I've pinned it on the mannequin ready to felt together. I hope it does - it's polyester chiffon, not silk, so I'll have to be careful, but how good would this be?! I also started in on a silk skirt Maman passed on to me to do something with, and I have plans to make it into a shibori cape - stay tuned! I AM enjoying this extra time in the studio this semester. Beady, felty, scrummy goodness! Did I mention the word BLISS?!!!