Knitting ...

This afternoon I went to a sewing shop bought some wool and knitting needles and then went on to see my grandma and she taught me to knit. I still can not cast on but I can vaguely do a line of knitting. I need a lot more practice! Never the less my grandma was very proud and said with a bit more work I could make a scarf. So I could potentially knit one of the items in my clothing range.

The Italian market

I stayed in a place called Servigliano in Italy for a week. While I was there I visited various places from which I gained an insight into the fashion in Italy. However, I only stayed in a small area within Italy and cannot make an assumption regarding the whole of Italy's fashion market from this. So I will have to look on the internet and in Italian magazines. I focused on women’s fashion.

In Servigliano there was a market on Monday morning. From looking around the stalls I saw lots of dresses being sold. There were strapless, small, striped dresses being sold for 10 Euros. This stripe trend is running through both Italy and England. Also on another stall long maxi dresses were being sold. There were a range of coloured maxis selling for around 15 Euros. Floral leggings were also being sold in the market - they were similar to the ones sold in H&M at the moment.

While in Italy, I visited a school and saw what types of clothing the teenagers were wearing. The girls wore a t-shirt, jeans, trainers and a big rucksack. There were very few who wore something different, and only a couple of students wore leggings.  While I was wearing a skirt for the summer, they were wearing clothing suited for colder weather.

When I went out to dinner and night time attractions, the women were dressed in a very sophisticated way. Most wore very high heels or wedges with either a smart dress or white jeans and a nice top.

I visited Italian boutique clothing shops which were cheaper than London shops which sold little dresses and vest tops. Some of the things sold could not be bought in London. For example there was a white vest top with the back laced.  However there were a few shops which were starting to copy the trends that are seen in H&M and other chain stores found in London.

Although I thought the clothing would be different due to the weather differences, this was not the case.  In Italy, the locals do not seem to dress down for the heat. So while the English go for short sleeves etc, the Italians still wear jackets and blazers – just like everyone in London.  I think there were less differences in clothing and more similarities in both Italy and London. Globalisation is causing the world to shrink and fashion in different countries is becoming similar and much less unique.

Italy

Tomorrow I am going out to Italy for a week. While I am there I will carry on looking in fashion magazines but will also look at the fashion out there. I will compare prices of clothing and the styles. I presume that due to the climate difference the fashion here and there will vary. For example, there may not be any jackets being sold on the market in Italy but there are light trendy coats here. However there may be similar trends and designs that appear in both markets and are universally fashionable in both European countries. So I will look out for those similarities.  

Knitting research

I visited the residential home this afternoon where my grandmother lives to discuss knitting with the residents. They were shocked I could not knit as when they were young it was what every body did. They told me about casting off and fair isle knitting. However, apparently it would take me a while to be able to get the hang of knitting and a long time until I could make any clothing items. I would need to start off with an easy pattern and large knitting needles around size 9 as the small sizes would take forever to make anything. They explained a pattern to be an instruction book and a guide to how much wool would be needed. They were surprised to find out I did not even know the terminology they were using. I have a lot to learn. Next time I visit my grandmother will teach me how to knit she is a very skilled at knitting and will hopefully remember all the techniques involved.

How to go about making clothing.

I have been looking at youtube videos that demonstrate various methods of making clothes here are some:

This one is for summer dress making:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsSZTHyCLyU

This one is for a blouse:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO9m2YQ1UNQ

Ruffled skirt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2ntDIHHz6E

I can use these demonstrations as an outline for making my clothing range although I am aiming to make something original so will try to make different designs. Most methods I have seen involve sewing machines. 

Looking into the summer 2011 fashion trends

Today I went up to Oxford Street to see what types of high street clothing was being sold and if there where any recurring trends in the shops. From looking in Top Shop, H&M, New Look, Primark, Jane Norman, River Island and TkMaxx I could see that there where lots of floral designs on dresses, skirts, tops and bikinis being sold. All the summer wear is out and there are lots of bright coloured clothes on the market. Long maxi dresses are being sold again this summer as well as jump suits. There are lots of tasselled items including cardigans and bags. Also crop tops which tie at either the front or both sides of the top are being sold in all of the main chain stores. Denim jackets, waistcoats, brightly coloured raincoats, capes and blazers are being sold in most of the high street shops. The summer clothing being sold is similar to last year’s but there are a few new trends as well.

From looking on the internet some key trends are outlined for summer 2011. These are: 70's glamour, biking clothing, punk fashion, 60's ladylike, festival fashion and stripes. The 70's glamour comprises long high waisted trousers, elegant dresses, smart blouses, high platforms, hot pants and jump suits. Biker fashion consists of biker jackets of any colour but especially shiny silver, zipped and buckled sleeves, quilting, leather pants and motor cycle leather pants. Punk fashion involves wearing studs, heavy boots and safety pins. The 60's ladylike trend takes the form of housewife fashion with below the knee pleated skirts and long dresses. Festival fashion includes; fruity and floral prints, lose fitting croquet and hanging fringes. Stripes are in this summer and bold, brightly coloured stripes can be seen on all types of clothing, particularly long dresses.        

From looking in the Sunday Times Style magazine and at the Telegraph fashion sections, the same trends can be found. For example, the long maxi dresses and denim day dresses, blazers, tropical and animal prints on tie up blouses, stripes, long pleated skirts, flared trousers, feathered jackets, short suits, floral print and lace. The interesting question is who sets the trends is it the public demand, the journalists, the designers or the retailers? In my opinion it is the designer who sets the original trend with their creation which is then copied by the high street retailers and the trend either succeeds or fails depending on the public demand.       

Glossary:

 http://www.fashionising.com/trends/b--60s-dress-1960s-full-skirt-4446.html

 http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/trends/2011-spring-summer/110411-festival-fashion-2011.aspx#/imageno/20

 http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/hot-topics/302/fashion-trends-spring-summer-2011.html

The Research begins ...

Over the next few weeks for my research I will:

• Visit relevant museums to learn and be inspired about fashion.
• Interview people who have been in the clothing industry.
• Look at fashion magazines to see the trends and types of clothing on the market at the moment. 
• Search the internet and books for information about materials commonly used for clothing.
• Find out about various methods of clothes making i.e. knitting, crochet and using a sewing machine.
• Talk to a range of people about the clothing they like.