Design research boards-Rick Owens

Just below are some of the work I had done with my group on Rick Owens an avant garde designer, We researched into some of his past and current collections in stores and on the runway, his competitors, his past and present, his inspirations taken from his work and his stores across the globe.

Group work was great fun because we were able to discuss our different opinions and reach an end solution, it was also definitely less work and pressure! We also managed to get a 2.1 for the first half of our project which i'm happy about!

For the second half of our project we are working by ourselves and we are asked to create our collection based on Rick Owens, pretty difficult seeing as his collections are very unique! I find that the style of his collections keep within the grungy yet glamourous look, very symmetrical, alot of layers and alot of monochromatic colours! especially black and white with a lot of drape and good quality fabric.

Rick Owens London store

Remember when I told you all about my trip down to London? It wasnt just all fun and games.. I went to visit the Rick Owens store in Mayfair to do some serious customer research for my design project. This is what I managed to snap up in the store.




The lightweight flowing garments (cashmere and felt) define the aesthetics, while the asymmetric and geometrically angled biker jackets take the look to a whole different realm.
In the Basement is the more directional Rick Owens menswear collection.
Elsewhere, the store provides the customers with a lot of leather jackets piled with fur and lambskin.
Colours are generally muted with black, white and grey all featuring strongly. Price point starts at the very top of luxury. Starting at £90 for a pair of socks to £2500 for his well known leather jackets, a simple T-shirt of his ranges from £100-£200 and a basic knit are £400-£600. Owens uses truly the finest materials which are manufactured in a factory in Italy.





When I entered the Rick Owens Store Based in London in Mayfair, Starting with the bit that everybody knows, the life size sculpture of Rick Owens head on the large platter just aside of the tills is something your eyes won’t miss, the centrepiece of the store, a typical Rick Owens wit and irony.

There was a very mature feel within the surroundings. There were High-quality furnishings and the staffs were very friendly and helpful.
The space is quintessentially Owens with a modern austerity. The store kept its colour minimum with monochromic wallpaper and concrete flooring measuring in at 3,8000 square feet, this links in with the ominously beautiful pieces of Rick Owens A/ W collection that was out on display.

The Women swear clothing is based on ground floor and Menswear clothing and accessories down the flights of stairs into a large single spaced room.
The Rick Owens changing rooms are worth a look too, being squared cubicles created from black curtains and very dim lighting. The store mimics the designer’s clothing with its sleek interior.
Around the perimeter, display rails are suspended from steel wheels on an overhead rail. On the ground floor there are a lot of leather tunics, overcoats with Herman Munster shoulders, flowy black wide-legged jumpsuits, snakeskin stacked heels, straight-cut tunics, and skirts in monochromatic colours of white, grey and black could be a chic addition to many grown up woman wardrobes.

Visual merchandising

Is anyone else in the festive christmas mood apart from me and harvey nichols?
Only 59 days untill christmas! Its going to go past so quick seeing as I have a heap load of work to get through because of hand in dates the coming week on friday. Eeek. And I also have this special call to make tomorrow morning (I will tell you all about it if its successful!)

Anyway, I walked past the window display of Harvey nichols and it never fails to amaze me, I love every single visual aspect of it! How it just grabs my attention straight away with all its creative and fun quirkyness mixed with dazzling tinsels and snowballs. At Harvey Nichols, the window displays have been an integral part of the store since its inception 200 years ago. I think its so important for the store to have a strong visual because that is one of the key main features that promote Harvey nichols as a brand.
And in most cases, having a window display says alot about the brand and its clothes and draws attentions to the buyers, and behind every window is a simple motivation- sales.

However.. next year it may become a little darker on the streets at night, this is because retailers of a certain size are asked to register for the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme and from next year pay for the carbon they emit. These are new rules being set to encourage High Street retailers to become more energy efficient and help the environment.

Harrods created a fabulous window display last year and I just have to show it to you because I loved it so much! The display featured a pair of red Dorophy slippers poking through Harrods front shop. These slippers were the size of a double decker bus!

Zara lover?

Hiiiii everyone ;] Just a very quick outfit post and a very blurry picture to go with it!
I tried this Lacey blouse on in Zara along with the 3/4 length peg leg trousers with belt and suede waistcoat. I love the decorative floral details and slight winkle effects around the bust area and how the sleeves are flared out just below the elbow. Not too sure about the waistcoat though because i feel that there is too much of a theme towards it?
xxx

Japanese Fashion

I made my way down to London on Friday and headed to Mayfair to do a little research on Rick Owens store for one of the projects I am doing on my Fashion course, As well as this, I had accompanied a friend to the Barbican art gallery for an exhibition on Japanese fashion!
The exhibition hosted work from visionaries such as Issey Miyake, Rei Kawakuba and Yohji Yamamoto, With two Levels to this exhibition, it explores the characteristics which have come to define fashion from Japan.
The exhibition was divided into different sections with semi-sheer white fabric; There was much fashion and art to see but it was a little dissapointing not to be able to take photographs however I had managed to snap up a few of my favourites before being told.
I really like the cream embellished dress with deconstructed tailoring, if i remember correctly, I think it was the works of Issey Miyaki.

Above image; Tao Kurihara/Tao Comme des Garçons autumn/winter 2009 Photo: BEN HASSETT

Above Collection by Issey Miyake. Who is internationally recognised as one of the most innovative clothing designers today, He is known for reinterpreting traditional japanese garments as well as his technical and material innovation.
In the Image above features Miyake's most popular and accessible collections -Pleats.





"In Praise of Shadows" Junya Watanabe Comme des Garcons, A/W 2009-2010.
The row of collection here features assymetric, deconstructed garments which was heat pressed to create these amazing pleats and shapes, these garments exemplify the power and versatility of black which was first demonstrated by Pioneering designers Kawakubo and Yamamoto.

Mediocre.

Boots from Office £92, Dress from Topshop £38, Scarf from Ebay £6, Rings from f21 £3 and Topshop £5, Bag from Ebay £18, Military jacket from Urban outfitters £55

Pink Pony

Courtesy of The style Rookie

Have you heard about the 100 bloggers awareness campaign for breast cancer? If you haven’t then you have now. I think this is a great way to promote awareness for breast cancer; this year marks the 10th anniversary of the pink pony fund, which has raised over $40 million to battle cancer in over 30 different countries.
Want to know more about the campaign? Well Pink Pony supports program for early diagnostics, treatment, education and research and hopes to support more of those in need of care. The campaign was launched in 2000 and is Polo Ralph Laurens global plan dedicated to cancer care.
Want to take part? then why not have a peek at the charity auction which runs from October 1st to the 21st. http://www.ralphlauren.com

P.s I love Tavi’s ingenious idea with the pink ribbon, what about you? Click here to view the 100 bloggers! Go go go!!