We Make London

Nov 30, 2009

Nov 29, 2009

About Candice Wren:

My name is Candice Wren and I am a textile designer. I graduated from the University of Portsmouth in 2007 with a BA degree in fashion and textiles. I started my label in the following year of 2008. I work using the traditional silk screen printing process; most of my designs are hand drawn by myself. I like to print my designs directly onto pashminas. My style is girlie quant with a twist of quirkiness. I print my designs in different colour ways and on different colour pashminas so that there is a verity and one to suit for everyone.

Inspiration:

My inspiration for the current collection of pashminas came from old fashioned children’s books and the dreamy illustrations inside that perceive a perfect world. The pictures make you feel secure, young and happy free to be whoever you want to be I want my pashminas to make the wearer feel the same! I particularly fell in love with cut out costumes and cardboard dolls so I printed these cute dainty out fits onto the edging of a shawl and then I embellish every single one I make in a different way using beads, ribbons and bits of lace. Other designs include perfume bottles and high heels. The perfume bottles was inspired by memories of looking up at my mummies dresser with pretty bottles of scents that smelt of roses and the high heels I wished I could one day walk in!

Best sellers:

My best seller is the blossom design which is printed onto a duck egg blue shawl. I also print tiny butterflies around the blossom and it seems an all round classic which everybody likes. I think it’s a safe option and suits all ages and all out fits; It’s not too much of a crazy design like some of the others and I think you need a commercial design for those who don’t fancy quirky.

www.candicewren.co.uk

Nov 28, 2009

Bee Smith Designer Feature

About Bee Smith:

….So I’m Bee. Nice to meet you! I’m a handbag and accessory designer, specialising in using recycled clothing and reclaimed fabric throughout my work. I graduated from Winchester studying BA Fashion (womenswear) in 2007. My graduate collection of elegant 'femme fatale' inspired evening dresses, was made largely from deconstructed menswear. The success of this collection has influenced the development of my current accessories range, combining bold colours with surreal elements of deconstructed clothing.

Inspirations:

I find inspiration everywhere….I love English eccentricity, people watching, the bizarre and unexpected. I wish I could have met my idol Elsa Schiaparelli. I always try to keep undertones of the surreal in my work. As my work is made from ‘found’ objects and materials I spent a lot of time at antiques markets and charity shops. These random finds influence my work, but I like to combine them with the more traditional. I worked briefly for Hardy Amies and loved the traditions of Saville Row and tailoring details.

Best Seller:

My best seller at the moment is my Barbie shoe jewellery, all very brightly coloured and always a different way to find the perfect shoes to match your outfit.

We Make Christmas:

I am about to launch my Autumn/ Winter collection which includes my favourite: Tweed Fox head Scarves. Don’t worry no real foxes were harmed in the making. It is just my fox friendly alternative to fur stoles. Alongside these will be my tuxedo clutch bags and my ‘eye’ shoulder bags…..I am having a photo shoot this weekend so all images will be on my website before ‘We Make Christmas’.

Website:

www.bee-smith.co.uk

Buy online at:

www.folksy.com/shops/beesmith

www.beesmithaccessories.etsy.com

I also sell at Spitalfields Market, London, every Friday: www.spitalfields.co.uk

Nov 27, 2009

Rosie Wonders Designer Feature

About Rosie Wonders:

I come from a family of creative people. My Mother was an artist working with silk screen and etching when I was growing up and my Aunt was a knitwear designer, my Godmother was a weaver. They ran their own businesses and sold products to shops. So I guess somewhere along the line I picked some of this up. This is my 2nd career – I studied Broadcasting at Leeds Uni and went on to work in TV. But when I thought about a future of making TV programmes I knew it wasn’t creative enough and I had to find something to fit my personality

I had always made cards for friends and so started to design cards which were very handmade with lots of collage work and took ages to make! I sold initially to local shops and would send samples to the buyers at Paperchase and Selfridges. I knew I was doing the right thing because when they rejected the designs I took it on the chin and said ‘oh well, one day I’ll get it right’…and I did!

Once I had taught myself Photoshop and found a distributor I applied for a start-up loan from the Princes Trust and came up with a range of Valentines cards that were bought by Selfridges. Selfridges are still buying my cards.

The jewellery came after the cards, I somehow have a technique involving embroidery and ribbon bead work and vintage bits and pieces. I have no idea where it came from and it does take a long time to make but I think it works so I don’t really mind. As each piece is unique its always fun to make.

Inspirations:

I can pick up inspiration anywhere really. At the moment I do focus a lot on dolls and funny looking little characters. I have always been quite ‘folky’ in my work. I’ve featured Russian dolls since the start of my business around 4 years ago, though at the moment the Folk trend has become so popular that I am wanting to move on. I’m not sure if that is possible as it is so integral to my work. I am driven by wanting to make something original or unexpected. I think I’m fairly eclectic and am not worried about mixing things or putting things together that are a bit jarring.”

Best Sellers: