...is a Big Cat now

Now that I have finished University and left my wonderful course, I am experiencing the very very very busy world of Event Co-ordination. I started a three month internship in July in the events team at The Big Cat Group and am now very proud to say they have taken me on as Event Co-ordinator for The Old Library, a beautiful and unique venue in The Custard Factory. Read more about my awsome job at http://www.bigcatgroup.co.uk/

Google Sketch Up Design for Goosebumps Event

Here are some images from my Google sketch up design for an interactive event based on the Goosebumps children's series.

Final Costume Photographs

I have completed two costumes for my Final Major Project and had lots of fun photographing them today with the help of Dann Hill and Poppy French

Final Mask

This is the final Mask for my Masked Mutant Costume from Goosebump's Attack of the mutant. It has been made using a plaster cast technique and latex. Still needs some touching up and elastic band attatched.

Some Design Development

Over the last few weeks I have begun my design development for my major personal project. I have created a few initial design ideas in photoshop, have done some collages and 3d work. Drawing is not one of my strong points so i decided to communicate my ideas in other ways.

High Priestess Finished Costume

I helped Jak out with three shoots on wednesday this week, which included dressing model Erica in the High Priestess costume I had made for the shoot. I feel that it all went very well despite the push for time. Jak and I were both pleased with the way the costume turned out :)

Lady Gaga - The Monster Ball

Its actually going to be quite hard to blog about my experience at the monster ball as it was pretty indescribable. It was everything i expected from Gaga and more. The concept was genius and the set and costumes were ........ just so gaga!! I am officialy a little monster. Didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked as i was crying shaking hyperventalating and dancing all at the same time so photography was a bit of a challenge.

Nosferatu

I watched Nosferatu today as a start to my methodological research. It is a 1920's german expressionist unauthroised adaptation of Stoker's Dracula. I enjoyed the character of Count Orlok (vampire). I feel that he wasnt overdone, he is just the essence of vampire. All he wants is blood and thats it, so good for him. Nothing too complicated and a classic costume. The eyes and fingernails do it for me. But as for the film itself... i fell asleep for half an hour...

St Mary's Hospice Challenge

The everning was a great success. I met some lovely people in the events industry and had great fun rummaging through a fantastic charity shop and creating the valentines themed window. See pictures on my flickr ------>

Tomorrow I will be taking part in the ST Mary's Hospice Shop Window Challenge where i will be joining a group of marketing professionals in dressing a charity shop window with the theme of Valentines day. Tonight I have made a piece of signage reflecting the teams message that we want to convey with our design.

Materials: Ribbon, foam board, spray paint, ALOT of UHU , paper hearts and a poundland rose

I am helping Jak Flash with a costume for his Tarot card photographs for The Major Arcana art as photography Exhibiton. We have been working on The High Priestess this week and Jak is due to shoot next tuesday. We got together today to discuss the work I had done so far and make any changes needed. All went really well (apart from me bashing the mannequin's hand into a door and the fingers dropping off.....UHU and masking tape to the rescue! They will never know!!)

TO DO:

• More thread and beading added to head dress
• Make head piece again - more like isis/bull horns - with wire/paper mache
  
  

Big Brum Charity Catwalk

I have just been sent a reply to my application to work as a stage hand at the Big Brum Charity Catwalk in May. Exciting! :)

They are looking for aspiring models, fashion designers, makeup artists, light and sound technicians, events people

To Get Involved go to

birmingham.gumtree.com/birmingham/85/52735785.html

Lycanthrope Reminiscant

In my Tutorial today, I was advised to research classic figures in horror. In looking at werewolves ( i actually typed in lycathrope as i knew this would be less scary..) i found this still from Dog Soilders. Haven't seen it for years! I love this film but the werewolves are a bit uncovincing. I think the bodies are ok (different - not your typical fur, but whats with that shine?) but the heads are stationary most of the time, the mouths never seem to open and close - a key part of a werewolf yes??

I have also now changed my idea and am very excited now that i have more of a direction. I will be designing some form of cart / travelling set which will inhabit puppets and set pieces inspired by the goosebumps stories i am looking at. The technical elements of this will be designed using Google Sketch up. I will go on then to make parts of the cart ( eg a puppet head ) and a costume for the narrator. The idea is basically to have this cart as part of a travelling show to be held at events, theme parks, book promotions, schools etc. I am currently researching carnival floats, travelling theatre companies and will find a type of puppet that will be suitable for my design.

Fancy Em

I do fancy dress. I like to create alter ego's (such as techno pirate and bass wolf) which go out and dance, rave, skank and generally feel beats. And i do see it as a form of costume design/costume sourcing as I very rarely ever spend money on my creations. I dive into my drawers and closet and maybe spend some time with my singer and become a unique character. One night only.
Halloween Bride - Eclectricity


Halloween - Dead Chav


Halloween (07) spider's bride


Halloween- Dead bride, becky's partay




Techno Pirate - STAY YOUNG LIVE FOREVER

Esmarelda - Drunken Disney

Electro boy/girl - Mighty boosh @ carling academy



Elvis - Sophie Bold's 21st----->

Goosbumps

For my major Personal Project, I am designing a costume for an event based on the Goosebumps Children's books, of which I have read 12 for the project. I am thinking about

PLANT MUTANT MAN

VAMPIRE

SCARECROW

HANDLESS PIANO PLAYING GHOST

SUPERHERO

HAUNTED HALLOWEEN MASK

EXECUTIONER

At the moment I am looking into making masks and/or head dresses with accompanying costumes. This format was particularly inspired by a costume designer and maker i discovered yesterday called Mona Kastell:

http://www.monakastell.com/

New To Blogging

I intend to use this blog for

Documenting my design work and any work experience I gain
My search for a masters degree]
Anything that inspires
Ideas
Thoughts
Notes