Franklyn Seals - Vincentian

As I was researching for my Final Major Project on the Caribbean Collection theme.  I came across some paintings by Franklin Seals who was born on the Caribbean Island of St Vincent on 15th July 1952. St Vincent is where I was born and raised too. Seals attended the very sought after Julliard Theatre School in New York before appearing in Various television productions of Shakespeare's  plays, including Macbeth and the Taming of the Shrew where he played the role of Petruchio. From 1983 to 1987 Seals portrayed in the role of Dexter Stuffins in the sitcom Silver Spoons, followed by guest appearances on Wiseguy, Growing Pains and Amen. His movie appearances include The Onion Field, Star Trek, The Motion Picture and Southern Comfort. In addition to being a very talented Actor Seals has created some fantastic paintings. I am very proud of Franklyn Seals's achievements as he is one of my own country men.

This painting of Seals is called Carnival which really inspired me because the colours and shapes are alike those from my Caribbean Collection. In fact I am inspired by all of Seals's paintings and artwork.

Dressing the Queen

Angela Kelly the Queen's dressmaker has revealed that it took more than 12 months of preparation to dress the Queen for the Diamond Jubilee. She said that two identical dresses were created for the Queen's staring roll in the Olympic opening ceremony. Kelly explained that even those making the garments didn't know why two identical garments were required for the same event, as the Monarch's starring roll was kept top secret. The scene saw the Queen star alongside Daniel Craig as James Bond first inside Buckingham Palace and then apparently jumping out of the helicopter over the Olympic Stadium, with the stunt man wearing an exact replica of the Queen's dress. The Buckingham Palace dressmaker worked quietly for months and tried very hard to never having both dresses out of storage at the same time.

The dressmaker has also disclosed other Royal style secrets, such as how the Queen taught her to squeeze a fabric sample to see how badly it creases before using it and how hemlines of coats and dresses should be weighed down to avoid embarrassments in windy conditions.

Alice in Winter-land

Alice in Winter-land is a themed charity Ball put on by Hope House Children's Hospices. The magical Charity event took place at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel  in Chester last night. Hope House Hospices are proud specialist nursing care and support to live-limited children and young people from Shropshire, Cheshire and North and Mid Wales.

I attended the event wearing a garment that I created. I didn't want a traditional evening gown so I chose to make this dress from leather, lace and chiffon along with diamante breading. The lace at the front and the sides of the dress is lined with skin colour lining which gives a see through look to those areas of the dress. The garment has a Gothic look which is different to what I am used to wearing but I felt very confident and comfortable wearing this dress and got lots of compliments too.

1st Lady of Fashion

Victory for Barack Obama on the US Presidential election last night! That means for another four years we will see a lot more of the Powerful. International, Fashion Icon Michelle Obama. She is an inspiration and a role model to women around the world and every African American woman aspire to be like her in some shape or form.

Her absolutely impeccable sense of style and stunning figure with those envious arms  will be admired for another four years.

Sleeping Beauty The Ballet

Sleeping Beauty reawakens the magic of the world's favourite fairy tale in the enchanted world of castles and curses, forests and faires.

The beautiful and kind lilac fairy cast a spell to counter the curse so that instead of dying Aurora fell asleep for a hundred years. Only the touch of true love's kiss could awaken her and undo the evil spell. I have been eagerly waiting  this Gershwin production put on by the English National Ballet to return to the Liverpool Empire Theatre.  I booked two tickets for the the first evening performance and thought the production was translated spectacularly.

I drew attention to the detail of the amazing costumes adorned with crystals, beads, lace, tassels and lots of  embellishments. This has given me inspiration for my next collection. It was simply amazing!

Bond Girls Dresses

According to costume designer Janey Temime it took six months to dress this Bond Girl. The dress features 60,000 crystals all applied by hand. the gown features a sheer body covered tattoo-effect transfers, a corseted bodice and floor-length satin skirt with sheer panels - all covered in glittering crystals.

According the dress designer there were six different versions of the body made so that Bernice could change twice a day during filming, each time she changed the body had to be sewn onto the main part of the dress while she was wearing it. The couture dress is very delicate and extreme care had to be taken while handling it.

Sky fall World Premier London

James Bond Film Skyfall was premiered at the Royal Albert Hall London on 23rd October . Leading ladies Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe impressed their fans with stunning gowns on the red carpet. I think its nothing less than a fashion feast.

Naomie Harris with this edgy, see through, dazzling Marios Schwab  gown, I think it is so stunning.

These gorgeous sheer dresses so suit Naomie's phenomenal figure and flawless skin. I think the lace on the arms is particularly flattering. 

Red dress by Vivienne Westwood worn by Bernece Marlohe gives a more classic look, the dress features very fitted boned bodice to excentuate her waistline but also carried a full  fairytale skirt.

The closing night of Liverpool Fashion Week

Me at the Hilton Hotel  modelling a dress from my collection.  The nude colour lace worked well with my complexion. The fabric features lots of dimantes and glitter which gave the shimmery look in the light and with movement. The dress features a very fitted bustline with splits at the front of the neckline to reveal the custimised bra.

My daughter Gabrielle also wearing one of my designs.The shiny black fabric blend  really well with the red cotton animal print. The train on the side is uniquely flattering and gives the wearer the feeling of a long short dress also known as a high low dress.

Liverpool Fashion Week 2012

Amanda Borg- The Host of Liverpool Fashion Week 2012 wearing a dress that I have designed and constructed for the occasion. Amanda wanted a dress that is very sexy, glamourous and elegant at the same time, and this dress does exactly that.

Opening Night of Liverpool Fashion Week- Sinita and me

I met Sinita at the Fashion wk in Liverpool and we got talking, Sinita prefers to buy clothes from designers that are not very well known. Here she is modelling a dress by a young local designer. I like the triangular shape at the front of the dress and the embellishments worked well.

Birmingham Institute of Art and Design- BIAD

Birmingham Institute of Art and Design is one of the top three choices of universities for doing my top up bridge year in Fashion Design. I was amazed at how large the University was compared with my present college! I liked it because there's lots of working space. We were given a guided tour around the University and I noticed that one of their Fashion  student there has designed a dress for Lady Gaga! What a fantastic achievement!

From the shop windows of New York

It is evident that bold prints and bright colours are what the New Yorkers were wearing this summer