Just One of the Kidz

Meet Anne, a 19 year old Arts student, part time cook/kitchen hand and my little sis. Call it favouritism but I have come to admire her sense of style. From early begging’s where she was dressed by our old lady, forced into very girly pretty in pink ensembles to her  rebellious stage of dressing like aTom Boy, she has come a long way.

These days her look is very much reflective of the music she is so fond of, Rock with a hint of Alternative. But since me in my sis have always had a strong connection to Art and Design, we’ve always gone for a slightly weird look, not edgy, just weird.

Most times she rocks quite an androgynous look but has developed a keen sense of wearing vintage 80s frocks. Most of which is sourced from our old lady (aka mums) closet as well as our Op shop ventures. As Im fat and my sis is ‘average’ sized Im extremely jealous of her many bargain basement finds. Like a sniffer dog of vintage, she sifts through the crap, ultimately finding hidden treasures and the odd ‘label’ piece priced like a bag of peanuts!

Look 1; Op Shop- Mark Spencers Men’s collared shirt, Glassons- denim Capri shorts, Dads closet- navy belt, My jewellery box- Gold skull necklace, Kmart- canvas shoes and shaded by a friends fake Ray Banz most likely from the $2,3 Dollar Shop or Cotton On. 

Look 2; Warehouse- White tee, Cotton On- Men’s Check shirt, Glassons- Skinny Jeans, Ruby –Knit bennie, My Jewellery Box- Cassette Belt buckle turned necklace and G’almor – Hand Cuff necklace turned bracelet with Kmart- Flats.

 Look 3; Dress stolen from mums closet, Ozzy Ozbourne Chucks, Fake Ray Bans, Warehouse- Hat, Diva- Gold knot necklace.

Look 4; Op Shop in Oz- 80s dress, Cotton On- Cardi, Dads Belt, Converse- Ozzy Ozbourne Chuck Taylors with rubber word engraved bracelets.

Leather (without the Lace)

Meghann Hemming – BA Art and Design Honours

This just looks interesting to me, when I saw it I thought instantly of Lady Gaga! But delve deeper and read her conceptual statement you understand why the pieces are constructed the way they are;

“Leather New Zealand: A Reborn Aesthetic

This practise based research project explores the unique characteristics embodied in the natural skin shapes of tanned ostrich and cow hides.

This project investigates implementation of a sculptural approach to garment development and the exploration of processes that may contribute to a reduction of fabric waste by utilising the entire skin within the body of the garments.

The outcome of the research is the creation of dynamic fashion collection that challenges traditional perceptions of garment design, particularly leather garment design to enhance the sensual experience of wearing leather.”

I think these days, especially with youth- maybe more along the line of younger adults, who tend to be educated beyond the text books and have money because their working, are more socially aware of the earth’s plight against pollution. I like to think we’re getting on the band wagon of not only been aware of these issues but been conscious of ourselves and the choices we make. Things that we think twice about doing, such as littering, leaving appliances on standby, switching off lights when you’re not even in the room (I mean come on, what the fuck you need every room in your house to be lit up like an xmas tree!!!!) light pollution is bad enough in major cities, what you gone bring that shit to the (su)burbs, how the lil kiddies spoz to sleep and go to school the next day when they look like they’ve been clubin all night long on K Rd, the strobe light affect. Mind you, take a stroll through town on a Saturday night, it seems half the punters out there are the aged 17 and under. Waterfront been the Mecca for the under aged with questionable tops that barely hold tits in and boob tube skirts that don’t leave anything to the imagination. But in the reality of day light, we’re all making small changes, that eventually become routine and students are finding loop holes in the way we construct, to improve on in the hope of creating less pollution and utilising everything to its fullest potential. But yea, these leather looks are interestingly cool; a loose yet somewhat of a sculpture aspect that demands attention for been original or at least different from the usual chain store get up.

Kidz of the Future continued...

Dis is work by Roshannah Bagley, one of six textile design graduates currently exhibiting at AUT.  Her work caught my eye instantly; first the patterns cut out from the leather were just beautiful. The closer you got the more detail you could comprehend and really appreciate the intricacy that went into it. From out of the patterns, forms appear and instantly you think architecture- and you’d be right! Its work like this, which is appealing to a wide range of audiences, as you don’t have to have had years of art/design education to get what you looking at. These pieces were (at least to me) clear in concept and brings the viewer into the realm of form- 3D. But her work can be best summed up by the designer herself:

Roshannah Bagley

Fabric and Form: Art and Architecture in Textiles

An exploration of intricate patterning in surface design takes form in a series of digitally printed silks and laser cut – or laser engraved- leather fabrics. The project stemmed from a fascination with ‘window’ detailing: a concept whereby both the two and three-dimensional fabrics enable the viewer to consider multiple sides or to look beyond the surface.

Brian Dettmer’s complex series of book sculpture alongside Antoni Gaudi’s groundbreaking church Sagrada Familia acted as design inspiration for the unit.

The kidz are our future

On Wednesday 10^th of November Auckland University of Technology (AUT) held their annual student exhibition. This year unlike the previous, the whole of the Art & Design School held their openings on the one night, giving the visitors a chance to take a tour through the many departments including Spatial Design, Visual Arts, Graphic Design, Fashion and everything in-between. –Smart conscious move on their part as this week is also Auckland Art Week!

Anyway bla bla, making my way through the Fashion side I came across these works which I thought should get honourable mention. First is the works by Monique Laloli, Fashion student. I love the graphic trippy print tee teamed with the bold colours layered under/over the tee. My fav been the left outfit (above) as the print itself is such a strong piece that the dark grey turtle neck gives a causal flavour for an easy every day look.

....And above her work photographed in action, wind blazing, “look mum, invisible bike” pose, its cool!

Alysha Gover, Master of Art & Design

Angela Sumner & Claire Morrison and to the right again Angela Sumner, while the right side outfit with the bright orange reminds me of a road side worker but each piece is made extremely well. Propz to your technical skills coz I got A.D.D sewing skills! 

Claire Morrison. Now me and my friend Sose were somewhat torn between this get up. I liked it because it’s like Granny’s check dress and cropped tweed jacket but with the belt buckle adds a rock, hard edge twist. The Lime tights adds a pop of colour and a bit of weirdness whilst my mate, not too keen on the “Im wearin my Gran-Mamas gear” look.

Now this is an easy going look, the detailing on the shoulder which although its a trend that is either in or has been in all major retailers you still cant beat it. Especially for the Pear shapes (which I am) the detail broadens the top in line with the bottom, balancing the lower half creating a more proportioned shape....An Hour Glass figure.... or so Ive herd. Either way I’ll turn to the side and BAM- my lady gut, but that’s off topic....but the long singlet with the pockets, O for Osum! Handy for those with idle hands and those prone to the cold!