A Foxy Gentleman

Right, as Caroline has said, we should probably start to post our project summaries. So, this is mine......I am Ellie from Fashion 1 by the way.

A Foxy Gentleman

I wanted to explore something traditional and quintessentially English for my final project, so decided to look into Fox Hunting. The stereotyped upperclass, country gentleman associated with this sport captured the tailored and classic feel I wanted to incorporate, whilst still allowing me to create contemporary and wearable menswear.

The initial points of inspiration for the project were the Fox Hunting garments within the V&A's Fashion Collection. I then used the online catalog to search for related artefacts within the archive, and was intrigued to find several interesting items within the Asian collections, despite choosing such an 'English' theme. One particular artefact that I used as a source of inspiration was a wall hanging depicting a Colonial Fox Hunt in the Himalayas. I loved the colours and the vibrant graphic quality of the design. Although I had intended to use the red/orange tones of fox fur as my main accent colour, I actually found that I was more interested in exploring varying shades of green, predominant colours within the hanging.

As the project developed, the Fox itself became the focus for the majority of the project. I was particularly inspired by the imagery in the recent adaptation of Roald Dahl's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', and also visited a furrier to look at vintage fox furs. I then used the shape of the foxes face to create a printed and stitched motif, as well as to inform panelled detailing on my garments.

come on guys...

..it really is about time that we post about what we're showing, so we all have a better understanding of what this show will look like. Thank you, Francesca, for taking the lead! I'll go next....I'm Caroline from sculpture.

My piece is titled You Can Hide But You Can't Run, a product of a long study of the habits of women--mostly pertaining to vanity, but from a more anthropological and psychological angle. In the V&A, I referenced a sculpture of a flawless young girl, called The Age of Innocence by Alfred Drury. I then drew the connection to Edith Wharton's novel of the same title--one written after the sculpture was created, and one which is about women quite opposite to the girl in the V&A. That was my starting point, though there is almost no evidence of my inspiration in my final piece, as my process and many other pieces created along the way led me elsewhere.


The object itself is a life size woman, which is actually made of a polyurethane foam mannequin covered in tissues on which I've collected the makeup off of the faces of a few female students of CSM. I asked them to take off all of their makeup for me and trimmed them according to the natural shape of the colour, and assembled them sort of like a puzzle to the surface. She is buried into the wall, as if she is pulling herself out--the idea is that she is a direct product of her environment. In order to execute this in the Sackler Centre, I will most definitely need a false wall, as the base of my piece must be directly build and plastered onto a flat surface in order to be effective.

Voila! Your turn!

Group Exhibition Information :)

Hi Everyone!

I remember us talking about everyone maybe doing a short summary (about 150 words or so?) of what their final exhibition was like and how the V&A is a part of our work personally, so since as far as I know... no one else has posted theirs up yet, I thought I might kick it off.

Look forward to hopefully reading other people's too :) - I think this way it will make things a lot easier to organise when we have a better idea of what the whole group's work involves:

Francesca Leung, Graphics 2

CSM Exhibition Title: ‘The Dreams and Ambitions of Francesca Leung, and the Real Life That Got in the Way’

My project is about the infinite possibilities of daydreams and ambitions, and whether these can be achieved in Real Life when there are practical obstacles that can get in the way. I’ve looked back at all the things I’ve ever wanted to be and how they have turned out, or rather, not.

My exhibition reflects how the V&A has been an influence in the various ambitions I have had so far. When I go to the museum, I always make time to visit the things I like most- the samurai swords, couture dresses, Rodin’s ‘Age of Bronze,’ the really old world maps and cast sculptures, as well as the outside courtyard fountain- and when I was younger as well as now, it has been these things that have made me want to be a swordsman, a fashion designer, a sculptor, a pirate explorer, a writer. They have influenced me not simply for this project, but as the basis of the dreams and ambitions theme- and what I have included in subject and content in relating to this theme in my research and exhibition.