Course Review - De Montfort Univserity contour short courses

So I got back from these courses a few weeks a go and should have done this sooner as promised... better late than never right? I took two courses: the Advanced Bra Making and the Bra Pattern Cutting, Grading and Sewing.

The Advanced Bra Making was only a two day course but it was very hands on and the group size was small - 6 students and 2 tutors. We made two bras which used different techniques and a range of DMU's impressive industrial machines. One was a fairly simple balcony bra without padding and the second was a padded Wonderbra style plunge with removable padded fillets. All in the obligatory lovely white fabrics that you wouldn't be seen dead in!

The Bra Pattern Cutting, Grading and Sewing course was also great. Again the group size was small - 5 of us and one tutor. This course was much more theoretical. We spent three days mastering the ideas of bra pattern cutting for various styles in a standard size and learned techniques to change the style or shape of the bra. I found out to my cost that one tiny error can put out the measurments of a whole pattern entirely! At least there was a tutor on hand to help me out. On the fourth day we drafted our own pattern for a bra (based on a certain wire and a 3-piece cup) and then spent the afternoon actually making it. This might not seem like a big thing but it is an amazing feeling knowing you have made a whole bra yourself from scratch... again in lovely white synthetic fabrics. We spent the final day learning how to grade a bra pattern - which is surprisingly easy when you know how! Overall a tiring but fun and informative week!

Being at the university in general was very impressive. The staff were great, the machine room was very impressive, the other  students on the course were all very interesting and diverse and there was so much amazing underwear everywhere. I have to say I very nearly decided to take the contour degree at the end of it!

Overall I would say that I'm definitely glad I took these courses, but it was a hell of a lot of money to pay out for 7 days tuition. If you are serious about going into this industry then you would be stupid not to - especially the pattern cutting and grading aspects. If you are not and have a few thousand pounds lying around then maybe but I am glad I did it, despite owning my parents money for the foreseeable future.

Any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Perfect pants!

I was thrilled the other day to find that Frantic About Frances has somehow found a way to link my three favourite things - lingerie, pin ups and afternoon tea. I does NOT get better than this...

Ellen Von Unwerth

Feeling the pressure after a long week as I'm sure everybody is. Here's some lovely Von Unwerth images to perk us up... enjoy!

Most Wanted: Agent Provocateur

My current object of desire is this beautiful set but agent Provocateur. It's both classic and sexy, but has the right amount fashion-forward assertiveness. This set would be perfect for any occasion and will NEVER disappoint. You can find the bra, suspenders, thong and brief at Agent Provocateur's website.

What Katie Did: Jubilee Lingerie

What Katie Did is releasing a jubilee collection over the coming months to honour the Queen's diamond jubilee. The set - comprising a bra, suspender belt and 2 styles of knickers - will be released in a different colour each month.

The range will sell in red throughout May, white from 1st June and Navy blue from 1st July. I might just have to get the red set! Click here to see the range for yourself.

Photography: Elisabeth Frang

I love these images by Elisabeth Frang. They make great use of texture and sensuality in a limited colour palette - just the ticket! Also some great use of lingerie in the everyday wardrobe.

How to Digest an Image

Gaby over at Hopeless Lingerie wrote a very interesting blog post about art history in reaction to our fickle viewing of images with no real thought to the meanings and historical contexts behind them. Much as this hasn't crossed my mind hugely since I graduated from university, it is a really good point and much of the literature about visual culture – especially in blogs – does not help this 'fast-food' type culture. My background is in criminology so this will look a little different to Gaby's thoughts on the matter...

So, like her, I feel it is important to think a bit more in depth about how we look at visual stimuli. In the modern age, we are bombarded with so much information that it is beyond our capacity to take it all in. My undergraduate dissertation was actually on a topic very close to this one so it is hugely interesting to me. Even with information so shocking as that of serial murder or kidnap, we are able to let it pass through our minds and remain relatively unphased. This kind of denial is a basic tool applied by all of us in some measure to neutralise the kind of information imparted to us on a daily basis so that we can continue with our day-to-day lives relatively free of paranoia or trauma.

Part of me thinks this is a little to serious for a blog post, whilst part of me strongly disagrees and feels that without the intellectualisation of daily life, we would continue into oblivion, unaware of the reasons behind our actions. Maybe I should stop over-thinking things and lighten up? Anyhow, there's a thought for the day...

BIG news!!!

So I was wondering what I could possibly do next when I saw an internship advertised on the university's careers section. Despite being ademant that I would not get it, I thought it best to apply if I were to stand some kind of minimal chance. I sent the application off on the Wednesday. The next day, I got an email asking me to come in for an interview on the Friday.

Anyhow, the position was not actually an internship. It was actually a trainee machinist position with luxury lingerie brand Nichole de Carle.  They will train me until I can produce lingerie to professional standard and then they will start paying me. This will start as soon as my course finishes for the year. it could not be more perfect.

Whats more, the lingerie is modern, sophisticated and sexy. Check out some of these bad boys:

SO excited to be making these beauties and working with such a great team.

Why am I here?

I thought today, I might take a minute to explain why I have started this blog and some of my aims - both long and short term. My plan is to set up my own independent company making lingerie. Companies of this nature are springing into existence in various places around the world and I can't wait to be part of this exciting movement. I want to do this for several reasons. The first is that I love to be creative and keep myself challenged. The second is that I feel it is important to have and to support small businesses and the individuals behind them rather than buying from the corporate giants (whilst trying not to sound too much like a hippy). Finally, I cannot stress enough how important I think it is for there to be individuals out there who possess knowledge in every aspect of their business. Too much focus is put on profit margins rather than people and this leaves everyone detached from the final product and the range of processes involved.

In the short term, I am looking to start up my company. To do this I need to gain as much relevant knowledge and experience as possible. However, I am currently facing several hurdles in doing so. The first is the lack of practical training available to fashion students. Whilst design and context are seen as hugely important to the big fashion schools, actually being able to make the products which you conceive is lower on the agenda than you would ever imagine. Now I realise that the majority of people who study fashion will not necessarily end up making their designs reality on a day to day basis, but without a knowledge of construction many ideas would be impractical as actual garments. In my chosen field - which is obviously lingerie - it is possible to do a degree at two universities in the UK: London College of Fashion and De Montfort in Leicester. Unfortunately, because of the recent exorbitant fee rises and the fact that I already have a degree in criminology, it would be impossible for me to fund such a course. The only alternative to these extortionate three year courses is to take various (also extortionate) intensive courses which usually only last about a week. Of course I am doing as many of these short courses as possible and hoping to pick up as much practical and theoretical knowledge as possible, but there is not much I can do without spending a good solid amount of time just practicing sewing to get it perfect -ideally working with a similarly minded independent lingerie brand.

In the long term, I know that I will be able to set up my company and produce garments to a high enough standard for the luxury lingerie market. I want my label to be young, fun and a perfect mix of practical and desirable. I want to make an adequate living and enjoy what I do and maybe even employ other people eventually. But first I have to overcome the experience hurdle without a fashion degree whilst still paying the rent...

Simplicity is the new black...

So at the moment I am feeling that simplicity is the new black. That said black is also black so simple black pieces keep really catching me eye. I love the fact that pieces like this can be worn under anything, especially with semi-sheer white tops. (And yes I would hate myself if I heard what I am saying a few years back) but it creates such an edgy effect. 

These lovely pieces are from Stella McCartney, Lascivious and The Lake and Stars - All three of which I am currently obsessing over somewhat - especially the final knickers which I even had a dream about the other night!

An ode to big pants...

At one stage - like most of us - i absolutely despised big knickers. Lately, I find them more and more appealing. That retro look is so sexy but not too revealing. There are some simply wonderful examples of these knickers out there at the moment...

Here are just some examples from Hopeless, The Lake and Stars, Lascivious and even Topshop

Need more conclusive proof? Check out fuckyeahgrannypanties

Carine Gilson - S/S 2012

Some new beauties in the pipeline from Carine Gilson. I am as excited as ever (despite not being able to afford them and having to settle for staring longingly) about this! Some lovely bold colours for the summer season - blue, pink, red and yellow