Lydra Clutch Purses - Launch

This is the official launch of the Lydra clutches that are going on sale at the Evo Shop in Chadstone and also Camberwell markets on the 31st May. Please visit my website www.lydra.com.au to shop online.

All clutches are made from recycled materials that are all sourced locally and in need of a new lease on life. So if you are in the area, check them out! Please email me if you would like to purchase any (info@lydra.com.au) and I just bought heaps of awesome fabric, so stay tuned!

Playing around with Clutch purses

Sunday afternoon I had a bit of spare time up my sleeve so I have been playing around with how to make clutch purses. A purse that is good for when you are heading out on the town and can hold your mobile, cash and make-up.

This is what I came up with:

The design is still very much in progress but it came up pretty well. I have decided that I am going to source fabrics from OP shops. So any old shirts, table clothes, bed sheets(for the lining), old buttons to put the purses together.

Here is what I found at my local OP shop:

Fashion Gala Exhibition

After the Fashion Gala most of the designers were part of the Exhibition held at Chapel off Chapel which ends on the 2nd of May 2009. We were able to set up our own space with our garments and free artistic license.

Have a look at the following pictures to get an idea of what it was like:

My First Article, Melbourne Weekly April 1st

Click on the article to have a read.

Expression Fashion Gala & Exhibition

The Expression Fashion Gala was held at Chapel off Chapel on 3rd of April.


Sponsored by City of Stonnington and Butterfly Foundation during Youth week, it was an opportunity for Young designers to show their garments and experience what the industry involves.



I have been working on the committee for the last 2months and it has been a great opportunity to see what is involved in preparing for a fashion parade and also being able to have my input. I have also been able to meet like minded people.


Here are a few photos from the night and my designs:

For more photos and a review on the event:
http://stylemelbourne.com/2009/04/event-expression-fashion-gala-2009/#more-1415

Archi-style

For my folio I wanted to show the link between Architecture and Fashion and the similarities in design principles. I created 'Archi-style'.

I designed a skirt that showed the connection through placing Architecture designs printed onto a skirt. The skirt itself had a very classic look to it and I used white satin silk to make the designs stand out. I placed black tulle on top of the skirt to soften up the images and a Japanese style bow around the waist.

A good reference book is Skin + Bones- Parallel Practises in Fashion and Architecture.

OP shop revamps

A good way to be sustainable in fashion is to recycle old garments from OP shops or clothes that you have lying around at home.

The following are a couple of examples of dresses that I bought at OP shops and revamped:

This was a simple gather and hand stitch to create the layers and I used pearl strings to create a shoulder strap for more support.

The following is a traditional Japanese dress and I revamped it by cutting symmetrical triangles into the bottom of it and using satin, tulle and pearls to create a feature.

This dress had an Indian feel to it. I cut a V-neck in to the bust to have a more feminine feel to it and created a V shape into the back with a golden tie up ribbon.

Here is a list of a few good OP shops in Melbourne:

St Kilda Sacred Heart- 90 Inkerman StreetSt Kilda, VIC 3182(03) 9534 3514
Grey Street Op Shop - 87A Grey Street, St Kilda

Chapel Street Op Shop - 86 Chapel Street, Windsor

Brotherhood of St Laurence- 82A Acland HG St Kilda VIC 3182 ph: (03) 9593 8168

Footscray Savers 33 Albert St. Footscray, Victoria, AU 3011

Salvation Army
183 Clarendon StreetSouth Melbourne, VIC 3205(03) 9682 9553
SOUTH MELBOURNE

Chapel St Bazaar
Category: Secondhand Dealers
217 Chapel StPrahranVIC, 3181Australia
Ph:(03) 9529 1727

Savers on Sydney rd in Brunswick
Smith ST- heaps of OP shops

Marbling

Creating your own fabric lends for a world of opportunities and experiementation. After much research on the internet I found the receipe for creating marbled fabric. Please click on the link provided for more detailed information.