My Own Performance

Inspired by Fernando Brizio's felt tip pen dresses, showing the work of diffusion and colour, I decided to come up with the concept of 'Something I've created, creating something itself'. 

I have a youtube channel, where I'll upload more of my performance work so stay tuned!

Here are some photographs I took before and after filming...

Performance

Hans Christian Andersen has been an influential writer in my work. His magical and quite tragic fairytales were transformed into many ballets. The costumes and set designs seemed to influence and describe the craziness and madness of his tales and the emotions expressed through the performance/dance.  

A still shot from a ballet performance in the 1952 Hollywood biographical film 'Hans Christian Andersen'.

A still shot from the 1948 film 'The Red Shoes' based on the fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen.

Beautiful performances and gorgeous stage settings/designs. 

Illustration work

It could take a lifetime to perfect your very own illustrations - or perhaps never consider them to be finished and perfected. With the help of inspirational characters and figures and with practise, I've created my very own naive style. Perhaps they aren't wonderfully  'beautiful'  and perfect to some people, but how can we define beautiful? 

Gary Card

My favourite blogger at the minute, such a genius! I could look through his blog all day, a portal of information and inspiration with his vivid use of colourful wonderfulness.

Check out his blog -  garycardiology.blogspot.com/

A picture of one of his glorious maquettes and a knitwear collaboration with William Selden and Nicola Formichetti.  

'Who are you'?

I was given the task to take 3 photographs with a time limit of 5 minutes explaining myself. Difficult? Extremely. However with the help of a roll of tin foil and UV body/face paint, I present to you 3 of my photographs inspired very much by colour. 

Brigitte Bardot

Known for her sassy and bold nature both musically and physically, the legend that is Bridgette Bardot never fails to amaze me. She is probably the most influential person, inspiring most if not all of my projects. I always wish to portray her wild and brazen nature through my work. 

The Master of Sculpture

I have admired Jeff Koons and his sculptures for as long as I can remember. I adore his used of bold colour and the concept of 'trompe l'oeil' - playing with the eye. Just can't get enough!

Brushstrokes

Inspired by Gerhard Richter's screen prints at his recent exhibition at the Tate Modern in London, I couldn't resist but make another paper dress. I find brush strokes and their composition influential and exciting. 

'Ouch', Paper Cut!

So lately it's been all about the Athens born designer, Mary Katrantzou with her 'print mania', and rightly so! Her prints are fantastic and oozing with inspiration...

Her use of bold, bad-ass colours are almost hypnotic. 

And so I start my paper garment with the sweet potato...

Strange - I know, out of the blue - perhaps, however I need to use something to create prints.

Boom!

The Famous 1960's Paper Dress

In 1966, Scott Paper Company invented the paper dress, intended as a marketing tool. For one dollar, women could buy the dress and also receive coupons for Scott paper products. The paper dress, shapeless and unattractive, wasn't an invention meant to be taken seriously, but women surprised the company by ordering half a million of these dresses in under a year.

As the trend took off, companies began to experiment with style and fabric, adding other materials to the paper to make a sturdier garment that could even be washed. Mars Manufacturing Company invented a wide range of paper dresses, from a basic A-line style to a paper evening dress to a full paper wedding gown, all for under $20.

Even Andy Warhol got in on the trend, creating a design based on his famous Campbell's soup can print.

Perhaps I could try my own version...

A Blank Canvas

After purchasing a faded white shirt from a local charity shop for £1.99, I thought it needed revamped. In the words of John Galliano, 'Dressing up. People just don't do it anymore. We have to change that'. 

A little bit of natural progression...

The magic card, acrylic paint and UV body/face paint can do...