A Brave New World

 “Yours is a history frequently marked by the greatest of trials and the deepest of sorrow. But yours is also a history of proud and defiant endurance. Of a nation that kept alive the flame of knowledge in dark ages; that overcame occupation and outlived fallow fields; that triumphed over its Troubles - of a resilient people who beat all the odds.
And, Ireland, as trying as these times are, I know our future is still as big and as bright as our children expect it to be. I know that because I know it is precisely in times like these - in times of great challenge, in times of great change - when we remember who we truly are.” – Barrack Obama addressing Ireland, 23^rd May 2011

It is no word of lie that in recent years Ireland has hit a bought of depression. Our green isle has run a ground. The economy has been brought to its knees and its angry and frustrated citizens have lost faith in the leaders. Ireland was in need of a desperate revival, to restore the faith. This change came slowly and it firstly began by a fresh set of faces, a new government. This unique power-sharing government set about the arduous task of restoring hope within the people. They brought new methods and new attitudes so that the corruption of the past years would be nothing but a thing of the past. 2012 represents a change, a fresh start. The encouragement of this new positive attitude is everywhere to be seen; and to a recent discovery of mine, especially within the fashion world so it seems.

Showcase is an annual event that promotes the talented craft market of Ireland. It is a four day show that exhibits the hottest new designers and artists in Ireland. It attracts many consumers from all over the world therefore helping the exhibitors to catch their big break. It is also helpful in the manner that showcase offers a list of seminars. They operate through-out the day and offer business advice on what is new in the world of craft. However it was a seminar given on the fashion trends for 2012 that grabbed my attention. I found it a truly inspiring moment as I suddenly became aware of the influence and importance of the fashion world. I have been pretentiously ignorant of the influence that fashion wields in society. I can now see how this new positive, strength that is been induced by the political world is also eminent in this year’s fashion trends. As each of the four trends are described a pattern within them all can be seen.

Savage Beauty

This trend is of a botanical theme. With the tribal flare of geometric bold prints it hails the excitement of the idea; ‘The Savage New World’. Bright, bold and blary; it resonates an influence of South America. There is a play with colour, clashing strong hues of yellow and orange against rich, leafy emerald green. There is an infectious excitement within this trend that entices us to explore the weird and the wonderful. One is encouraged to explore this new and vibrant world.

Ordinary Hero 

This trend explores the subdued. It carries a romantic feel delving in to the subtle nudes and dusty pinks and greys with a natural delicate look. It celebrates the underdog, the average Joe. A hero inspires hope and encourages a positive attitude that grows and develops through many.

Twisted punk 

This colour clashing trend dominates the Autumn/Winter collection. It uses the traditional tweed and Aran knits and a ‘twisted’ flare to them. It revives street culture, an Irish street culture as it explores clashing bold red and yellows with subdued mustard yellow. This edgy look adds a flare of confidence and gives courage to be different and innovative. It celebrates 'Irishness' with a fresh new look.

True sophisticate 

With its use of warm metallics a sophisticated air of luxury is created within this trend; luxury without being ostentatious.  It celebrates the classical look but now with a new found simplicity; giving a strong image of solidity and humbly simplistic. Its sleekness gives a smooth grounded ‘sophisticated’ confidence which is the powerful image that we want to promote to countries whose faith in Irelands success has wavered.

 

 

There is an overall injection of confidence and power as is the suggestion of strength within them all; ‘savage’, ‘hero’ and ‘true’. There is a clear push to inspire hope within the people which reflects the rebirth and revival of our Irish politics. It is a new start, but instead of being fresh and beautiful, its promotes strength and confidence to jump into this new year and only look forward. Like the reformation with the political world, the fashion world also commands a new fresh positive attitude to be brave and face the tough times ahead with faith in each other, faith in a better time, faith in a new world. Only time, patience, faith and baby steps will return our nation to its former glory and the confidence and positivity will make this happen.

“In dreams begin responsibility. And embracing that responsibility, working toward it, overcoming the cynics and the naysayers and those who say "you can't" - that's what makes dreams real.” –Barrack Obama

Milliners in the Making!

The ladies on fibre art had the wonderful opportunity to learn the art of millinery. Under the instruction of the very talented Jamie Mc Eleney they took part in one-day workshop on the 14^th of January. It was a very constructive day that gave a focused crash course on the basics of millinery, showing them how to make fascinators and sinamay hats.

The girls saw the introduction of a new fabric called sinamay which they worked with for the entire day. This is a fabric traditionally used for hat making due to its manipulative properties. Sinamay comes from the abaca plant which is then woven to give a gaped straw fabric. A photo of which can be seen below.

 

The fabric is first wettened which loosens the fibres so that it can be manipulated and moulded. There is natural glue within sinamay that means that when the wet reshaped fabric is then dried it regains its stiffness. When it is used for millinery purposes the sinamay is sculpted over a head. This process was taught t the ladies by Jamie and can be seen step by step below.

Here we can see Jamie pin a wet piece of 10” by 10” sinamay to a polystyrene head. The fabric was pulled and stretched over the head without over-warping and distressing the fabric too much.

He then placed another piece of wet sinamay in the opposite direction stretching and pinning it into place.

The layered sinamay was then pinned in an oval shape, which can be seen below.

Once the pins were secured he then dried the fabric using a hairdryer.

Once the sinamay was dry and stiff he cut around the oval shape and hemmed it with bias-binding.

 Bias binding is a strip of fabric that has been cut on the bias and folded. It is ideal for hemming hats due to its natural bend. However it is also used for decoration in millinery.

Jamie also showed the girls how to make their own bias binding. To make a standard sized bias binding he cut a 2” strip of sinamay on the bias. He then folded edges in towards the centre so that the two edges met. This can be seen in the photo below.

The strip was then folded along the centre line and the binding was complete. This binding has a finished edge and carries a lot of structure and bounce. Therefore it is ideal to create some ‘drama’ in a hat or fascinator. Examples of Jamie’s use of bias binding as decoration can be seen in the following photographs.

 

 

An enjoyable day was had by all and it is fair to say that a lot was learned. 

They only need someone to get married now so that they can show off they’re talented work!