“Me and fiance are expecting our first child this year, we are both heavily tattooed and they play a big part in our lives, whilst looking for clothing for our little one we were disappointed with the lack of choice especially in the UK, so as my job is art working and screen printing and my fiance has worked in several tattoo studios, we thought we should put our skills to good use and Born to be Wild was started.
I hand draw all the designs then scan them in to paint them digitally, The images are put on the shirts using high quality transfers. I wanted to keep prices as reasonable as possible so i only charge £9 a shirt.

I have two shows coming up, first is the Frighten Brighton Macabre market and the next is at the Brighton monthly Craft Fair”

You can buy”Born to be Wild” products on The Brighton Collective here.

On the 17th of September, sponsored by fetish model Ms Poppy Cock, the Buttercream Bakery, H Bar and Goddamn Media, Brightonians and visitors alike will be beckoned towards the first and only fashion show of its kind.

Some of our cities best loved characters including the Countess of Brighton and Hackney (of Come Dine With Me Fame) and Peter Jarrette are involved in this creative afternoon of colour and design.
Designs are inspired by the unity and friendliness of Brighton and its unique spirit, some politically motivated referencing recent unrest and others inspired by the simple things in life like tea and cake.

The show will prove that fashion does not need to be costly.

The only rule of entry for exhibitors is that the design was made or styled or glued or stapled in the four week period before the event.

Free entry with comlimentary cupcakes for early arrivals
4pm-8pm on the 17th of September 20011

Get in touch if you would like to exhibit or for any other questions.

Contact

mspoppycock@goddamnmedia.com
info@goddamnmedia.com

ALSO ON FACEBOOK     ‘GUERRILLA FASHION SHOW’

Nicola of my-shell-me-shell.com is looking for some people to share desk/table space.

She owns and runs a knitwear company and a leather goods company, both with very exciting opportunities and prospects. Because she mainly works alone, she is left with a large desk space area and not enough people around her…

Yellow Zone is within http://www.rodhus.co.uk/, sharing an impressive warehouse with other designers/creatives and also having access to an onsite art gallery, office and a design library, wifi, a kitchen and open 24 hours/7 days a week.

The space available has working sewing machines/pattern cutting table and threads etc, so if you are interested in sewing and fashion, then it would be great for you.

Nicola is looking at charging £6 per day, negotiable if you book blocks of time or regular.

Message her for more details or forward this link to anyone you think maybe interested.

Contact Nicola at info@my-shell-me-shell.com

When I research designers for The Brighton Collective blog I’m always intrigued to find out about their inspiration, background and how they’ve got to where they are today.

I came across afterWARD by Wendy Ward, a growing collection of clothing and accessories made from recycled clothes and textiles, and I delved a little deeper to find out more about the products and the designer’s background.

Wendy’s collection consists of neck ruffles and capelets (decorated with laser cutting and hand embroidery), neck pieces (made from fragments of fabrics) and tops and dresses made from pieced together shirts.

“I’ve always loved to sew and was taught by my Dad around the age of 12 on an ancient hand operated Singer” explains Wendy “I did evening classes in pattern cutting for a few years whilst miserably working for an insurance company in Sheffield where I grew up”. She goes on to tell me all about the fashion degree she did in Manchester, the years she worked as a designer for high street companies and how she finally found herself in Brighton thanks to a job offer from a small ethical clothing company.

Wendy went onto do an MA in Design at The University of Brighton where she continued to experiment with ways to recycle textiles. While carrying out freelance work she completed a post-grad teaching course. This has enabled her to teach dressmaking, pattern cutting and alterations to adults locally. She does this through City College and the Friends Centre and has just started her own independent classes.

Another big factor in getting her products out and selling is a group that Wendy and a friend started last year called ‘Kutac’.� It’s a group of local professional artists, designers and makers who meet once a month to discuss projects and give each other feedback.� “It’s been great in giving me encouragement and deadlines to get work done” says Wendy.� They had an exhibition during the festival this year and are planning another next year.� Wendy is hoping to expand her own collection of accessories and clothing and to build on her classes.� “The plan then is to design a range of dressmaking patterns and maybe even put everything together in a book!” she says. “Ambitious but if nothing else, my experiences have taught me that with hard work, determination and small steps you can reach the bigger goals”.

AfterWARD recycled wool accessories are currently available via Etsy www.etsy.com/shop/afterWARD and in selected Brighton boutiques: Sirene (Trafalgar St), Last (Pool Valley), Handmade (St James Street) and Imi Loa on Western Rd.

See www.wendyward.tumblr.com for more information and to contact Wendy.

I’m a sucker for assembling things yourself. I wish I meant flat pack furniture or running up fabulous home wares in the blink of an eye but I’m more thinking along the lines of fajitas or hoi sin duck wraps!

I’m also a lover of anything vintage and when I came across Robbins & Bobbins I was really impressed by the concept.

Basically, the clothes are made to measure you. You pick a vintage pattern from the website, pick the (recycled) fabric you like and get in touch. How good is that? Almost as satisfying as a fully loaded fajita wrap dripping with sour cream. Anyway, I digress… it must be lunchtime.

The brains behind Bobbins & Robbins is Katy Robbins. Influenced by her mother and grandmother she has been sewing since she was a little girl. ‘I built up my ideas for a made to measure collection gradually’ Katy tells me. ‘I had heard so many comments from friends and family saying ‘When I find a skirt that fits me at the hips, it never fits at the waist’ and things like that’

Katy was given a dressmaker’s dummy for her birthday and realized the potential of its adjustable frame. ‘When something fits me properly’ says Katy ‘I feel good about me for being me and I really loved the idea of being able to share that with other women’.

I listen with dreamy interest when Katy tells me she’s inspired by history, from Gabrielle Chanel’s creation of the modern women’s’ look to the extravagance of Dior and Mary Quant’s miniskirts.’ I love the feeling that vintage looks evoke’ she says. Me too!

The patterns in the collection, that include a 40s bodice and Peter Pan blouse, have been adapted from vintage 40s or 60s patterns from Ebay or second hand shops or put together through looking at books on vintage fashion. The fabrics are sourced in charity shops and antique shops.

Katy has a degree in Anthropology and Religious Studies which has given her an insight into Material Culture. She tells me she considered going to art college and doing fashion but was concerned she wouldn’t make a living from it. She has ended up going back to art and design because she hasn’t been able to resist!

Bobbins & Robbins products are available to order online at www.bobbinsandrobbins.co.uk and Katy will be at the Friends’ Meeting House on Ship Street, Brighton on Saturday 6th November from 2-5pm where she’s holding a Bobbins & Robbins tea party! She’ll also be at the Handmade Brighton Fair on Sunday 12th December at the Komedia from 11am selling soft toys and ready to take orders for made to measure clothing.

Written by Helen Ruff

There’s plenty of ‘knitters’ out there and more and more knitting groups popping up around Brighton. When I think of knitting groups I think of frumpy old ladies sitting round with their knitting needles, drinking tea and gossiping! My research for The Brighton Collective put paid to my pre-conceived generalisations when I found out about Tess Robinson-Lane who specialises in retro designs. Her knitwear has been commissioned for film and TV!

For me the thought of retro knitwear conjures up images of cool old fashioned patterns and magazine covers and maybe retro alpine knits, tank tops with bold diamond patterns and ‘Christmas Jumpers’ featuring reindeers! Read on for my interview with Tess:

What inspires you?

I love textiles from the 60′s and 70′s and like to use the images and styles in my knits. I also like the use of fashion trends in home textiles, such as the skull and crossbones and space invaders.

How did you learn to knit?

My mother taught me to handknit when I was about 10 years old, I then learnt machine knitting at college.

What do you like to make?

I have been knitting for so long know that I can take on most things! I like to make homewares; cushions, throws, baby blankets and tea cosies!

How did you end up making items for film & TV?

A friend of mine works in wardrobe for TV and got me involved. I have produced scarves for the Golden Compass, children’s jumpers for the Ember City, 70′s jumpers for a scottish film, and batwing jumpers for Ashes to Ashes.

How much do your pieces sell for?

Cushions start @ £35.00 each, scarves @ £25.00 each, babies blankets @ £50.00 each.

What is your background?

I am originally from London and have worked in fashion and visual display for many years. I moved to Brighton with my partner and our two pugs two years ago and absolutely love it! I am currently still doing the dreaded daily commute back to London!

Do you have qualifications in this field?

I learnt to machine knitting at Morley College and completed a city & guilds in machine knitting.

By Helen Ruff

One of the perks of being a model is meeting some amazing people. Yes it’s true, the fashion world isn’t just full of Devils that wear Prada or Willamena Slaters. A couple of weeks a go, I modelled in the Mad Hatter Fashion show and walked for Chrissie of Curve Couture. On my first fitting I was given a corset that to me looked perfect however, Chrissie’s understanding of how corsets should work allowed her to fit me with a new corset, one that showed of my body perfectly.

After the show I got in contact with the wonderful designers again so that I could write an article about her. Her answers in the interview were so perfect I didn’t want to tamper with them.

How would you describe your style/collection?

My style is all about the curves of the feminine form. I think the hourglass silhouette is the most beautiful, and my designing reflects its iconic status in my design language. Structure, clean lines and sumptuous hand finishing and detailing are core components of my work. But above all it’s sexy and sassy.

Where do you see your collection progressing to?

I don’t see my output in terms of collections, as currently all my work is bespoke only. I love the fact that I deal directly with each client as it’s really rewarding to bring their perfect dream to life. I can envisage that part of my collection will become a diffusion range collection to be put into exclusive fashion boutiques.

What is your fashion background?

Actually I am almost completely self taught. My background training is in fine art, and I think that individual craftsmanship of every article is very important. I fell in love with corsets in my late teens, and worked for several fabric retailers whilst teaching myself sewing and pattern cutting. During that time I met Mr Pearl, who encouraged me to study the art of corsetry, and after visiting him in Paris I was at the beginning of my own love affair with fashion.

When did you know you wanted to be in fashion?

When I was young I was very interested in fashion and drawing, I remember watching the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana and just staring at her massive silk dress. But my interest in actually being involved in fashion didn’t really develop until I believed my skill talent and passion could get me there.

Who were your style influences growing up?

I was totally into alternative youth culture, I loved Goth and New Romantic style. But I think my ultimate icon was Madonna, it wasn’t just her clothes, it was her attitude – I loved that. In terms of fashion designers I am greatly influenced by Charles Frederick Worth, William Travilla and the grandiose Thierry Mugler.

If you could dress anyone who would it be?

Wow, there are so many amazing women I would like to dress. I would be overjoyed if Dita Von Teese, Madonna or Siouxie Sioux were wearing my clothes.

What’s your biggest dream ?

I guess my ultimate dream is to have lived my life making beautiful clothes and be constantly challenged with new skills and techniques. It would be amazing to see my work enter the international fashion arena and be recognised. If I was totally in dreamland though I once had a dream I designed the showgirl costumes in a silver screen Hollywood film of the 1930′s, that was a good one….

http://livlaceandlust.blogspot.com/

by Olivia Lewis

My name is Helen Ruff.

It’s a horrendous name that I’ve been stuck with since birth. I blame my mother for marrying a man with such a ridiculous name.

A family friend used to try and make me feel better by saying it made her think of the ‘Ruffs’ they wore in Elizabethan days. Wikipedia explains: ‘A ruff is an item of clothing worn from the mid-sixteenth century to the mid-seventeenth century. The ruff evolved from the small fabric ruffle at the drawstring neck of the shirt or chemise. They served as changeable pieces of cloth that could themselves be laundered while keeping the wearer’s doublet from becoming soiled at the neckline’.

It didn’t stop the childish taunts.

When I discovered Esther May Springett I was delighted – someone had brought this unusual, old fashioned, untrendy item into the 21^st century!

Esther runs a Folksy shop called Cuffs & Ruffs. I was a teensy tiny bit disappointed when I discovered she didn’t actually design Ruffs to be worn around the neck but I guess – even though this is Brighton and anything goes – walking round in a frilly Ruff might not quite be the thing! Not just yet anyway…

Cuffs on the other hand are another thing entirely. What a way to set of an outfit. The attention to detail and fabrics used are really very impressive – funky, modern, colourful.

I like the green floral cuff, it’s very cute and ‘vintage’. The description explains: ‘Floral cotton cuff with a fresh yellow ruff and green felt trim. Pearly buttons fasten at one side.’ – oh so that’s where the Ruff comes in…

All the buttons Esther uses are vintage and the fabrics include cotton, linen, tweed and tartan.

The prices, £14.50 for the Blue Bicycle ‘kitsch’ cuff, include lovely wrapping, packaging and postage.

I can see these being worn in the summer with a cute pleated skirt and waistcoat.

So if you want to get in on the action and make the term ‘Ruff’ cool again check out Esther’s Folksy shop http://www.folksy.com/shops/cuffsandruffs

By Helen Ruff