How I Made A Velvet Cape/Shrug Type Thing

Some fabrics are so beautiful it's really difficult deciding what to do with them. Then it's really painful when it comes to cutting them up. This pink devore encrusted with crystals is one such fabric. I've had it a while (originally picked up from Khushboo Textiles in Birmingham) but just couldn't make my mind up about what to do with it.

I toyed with using it as an interiors fabric or in my wardrobe. In the end I decided it had to be worn - but at the same time I thought it would be wasted on a specific garment like a top or skirt so I turned it into an article than be worn with different things while remaining the focal point.

So I made it into a shrug/cape type thing, short at the top to show off the jewels...

and long at the back because the fabric drapes so well.

The cape required minimal construction, but as the fabric is transparent and soft it needed a lining.

I started by folding fabric around a mannequin and then pinned it where I liked the shape and this translated into the fabric I cut out as a template to make the lining.

I then joined the lining to the fabric and folded over the top to create a pocket, but only stitched the edges 

together. This created the arm holes.

It's still a bit of a work in progress. The shrug can currently be worn but also I could still emphasise the folds and draping more or even fasten it at the front. It's incredibly regal and reminds of the kind of gown a fairytale king might enjoy wearing! 

It also a bit strange and actually I think the crystals are upside down to what they are meant to be but I like the fact it's unique and there is nothing like it in the whole world!

Book review: DIY Fashion Photoshoot Book

Photoshoot in Brighton 2010 Image by: Nick & Jolekha Shasha

The aspect of Selfie culture I like the most is these days the average person is so much more creative when it comes to taking photos. It's no longer just about standing in front of a building to remember you went somewhere, even if you're not a photographer, photography is an accessible form of creative expression. I'm not on Instagram but I do enjoy taking and starring in photos; especially when there are colourful backdrops involved. A few years back I directed myself in photoshoot just for fun one Saturday afternoon in Brighton (my brother-in-law and sister had the honours of being behind the camera.) This was a random wall we discovered down a random street, which just happened to have half my name on! Sometimes you can't plan for when and where a great photo could take place....but with a little help from this brilliant new book, you can make sure you're prepared for it. 

Aimed at the teenage market this is the book I a) wish I had when I was younger and b) wish I had written! Filled with kooky, crazy pictures and ideas, craft projects and inspiration about creating your own fashion shoots, it's the ultimate book to put to use over the school or college half-term holidays. It's written by We Are Photogirls, an organisation that engages young girls through the media of fashion, style and photography and is run by Emily and Celia who met at art college. Printed on sketchbook style matte paper and with a clean yet quirky design, it's good for flicking through as well as reading page by page.
These are some of my favourite sections. Be warned. After reading, you most likely will want to grab the nearest camera and take some photos!

MANIFESTO

The first page in the book sets the tone. There is no right or wrong in photography, it should be treated as a full-on creative experience without ever feeling intimidated by the professional industry who they point out is all airbrushed anyway. It's a positive message and one you can read over and over again.

IDEAS

Every page in the book has ideas but the one that I remember the most is this - taking a drawing and trying to recreate it just because of this remarkable example - a live installation of what was originally a children's sketch. I absolutely love this concept. 

MAKE-UP

Make-up isn't just about contoured cheekbones and false lashes...I've always been a fan of make-up but for this age group, it's often not explored in the right way. Instead of copying celeb looks as most mainstream magazines talk about, the books looks at make-up in a much more creative way like experimenting with face-painting techniques. 

Craft Projects

There's also an informative section about Art Direction which explains about the visual composition of an image like considering whether it's indoors or outdoors, what backdrops may be needed and if you can't source the props, tips on how to make them yourself. 

ORIGINAL CONCEPTS

It couldn't have been easy deciding which imagery would make it into the book but their choices are spot on. They've selected some seriously cool pictures to provide the visual eye candy. 

INSPIRATION

I love this concept too. Rather than just keeping scrapbooks filed with ideas from magazine clippings they, suggest taking one photo a day of something that grabs your interest. No need for flashy snaps either a quick mobile phone pic does the job. I need to follow this advice myself.

STREET STYLE

Finally they haven't overdone the street style element. They could have filled pages with it but limited themselves to the best street fashion in the world, Japan....oh how I wish I had a rubber duck necklace!

DIY Fashion Shoot Book by We Are Photogirls is out now and is published by Laurence King. 

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside...