Russian Fairytale Inspired Designs

Photoshoot at Narrow Water Castle, Co Down, Ireland

Gown, Hair, Make up and Photography by myself.

Indian Culture - Final Piece

Inspired by the work of Ashi Studio, Rami Kadi and Manish Malhotra I longed to create a piece of work which combined traditional Indian techniques, patterns and craftsmanship with Western styles, laced with a modern and sleek elegance,

For the top, I chose flesh-coloured mesh with an intricate patterns embroidered in royal blue with details of silk painted appliqué and beading. This is to create the illusion of a tattoo on the skin; keeping with the idea of traditional Indian henna tattoos.

For the skirt, I chose neoprene (a thick foam-like fabric which is used for wetsuits) and manipulated large panels of the fabric to create a modern and unorthodox shape. I laced the skirt with hand painted silk, beading and hand-drawn designs with silver gutta; paying attention to the importance of detailing in Indian garments. 

I am pleased with my final outcome, especially considering the difficulties I faced using such difficult fabrics like mesh and neoprene. Using such contrasting fabrics kept my work interesting and I learned many lessons in dealing with problems I was faced with; e.g. sewing heavy embroidery into fine mesh, resulting in rips and tears so I had to learn how to manage this and prevent it. 

Please click on the link...

Please click on the link below to visit my blog for my current project on the Indian culture.

www.sionatorleyindia.blogspot.co.uk

Thank you!

Belfast Fashion Week '15

Belfast Fashion Week SS15

Working as a backstage crew member at fashion week opened my eyes to the world behind the scenes of the glistening runway. The experience of early mornings and late nights, pushing myself to my limits, being constantly faced with new challenges, and working with a whole  industry of strangers for 4 days, reinforced for me that I belong in the fast-paced fashion industry. Although many young girls may think the things I just mentioned are negatives, I found them not only to be beneficial to me in regards to learning but also that I thrive in a challenging and adrenaline-filled environment. 

It was honour to be given so much responsibility during fashion week, and I now fully believe that being "thrown in at the deep end" is the best way to learn! We were given the responsibility of basic tasks such as; filling 'goodie-bags', but alongside the easier jobs we were given the responsibility of managing backstage during the show, dressing the models and organising and styling the outfits for the runway.

One of my favourite aspects of fashion week was the networking and (having gone on my own) meeting so many people who contribute to the industry in different ways. I was fortunate enough to make friends with a few of the designers whose work was featuring in the show and whom i still keep in contact with now!

Although I adored every second of this exciting experience, I realised that fashion design is the career that my heart desires as I found myself wishing that it was my creations that were being shown off on the runway! I feel having this experience behind me I am now much clearer in my mind as to which aspect of the industry I want to work in! 
I will definitely be returning to the amazing backstage crew team for fashion week SS16!

Creating my own Formal dress

 Designing and making my own formal dress was an amazing experience. I decided on using royal blue satin for the borders and royal blue velour for the bodice and skirt, sourcing the fabric from CraftsWoman Fabrics. Before creating the gown I made the decision to cut the fabric into panels, so that when the dress was made the different panels would catch the light in various ways - creating the illusion that they were slightly different shades of blue.
I was overwhelmed with the outcome and found this experience incredibly rewarding as it was the first garment I had created which was wearable in 'real life', and also because I was wearing it to such a significant event in my grammar school life.

"Personal Statement"

Some people call me quirky. Why? Unlike most girls my age, I don't want to merely buy and wear someone else's designs, I have a desire to design and create custom garments for people who seek originality the way I do. I am in the process of appling to university, which is a fundamental step in my journey to creating the next cutting-edge designs in the haute couture industry.

I have studied Art & Design since the age of eleven and obtained an A* at GCSE, an A at AS Level and I am aiming for an A* at A Level. Throughout these years I have studied and specialised in sewing and embroidery, silk painting and ceramics. I embrace technology and understand the need to showcase and market my skills; creating an online blog for which I do my own photography, I find it an interesting way to chart the progress of my projects and also connect with other designers and bloggers from all around the world. I also have an independent fashion and design blog, displaying my projects, design ideas, what inspires my work, and designers which influence my work (for example; Rami Kadi, Manish Malhotra and Valentino).
For my work placement I chose a bridal store that designs and alters wedding gowns. The staff recognized my passion and skill level, offering me a part-time job with the dressmaking team. I am still gaining invaluable knowledge and experience from this job in tailoring and working with customer demands.

Volunteering as a backstage crew-member at Belfast Fashion Week was an extremely rewarding experience. I dressed the models and was given the authority as a stylist to coordinate and accessorize each outfit to enhance the collections. I loved working hands-on backstage, dealing directly with the models and the clothes and found myself thriving in the adrenaline-fuelled environment. This experience further cemented my desire to work in the fashion industry.

I designed and created my own gown for my school formal, immersing myself in every step of the process, from my design sketches and sourcing my fabric to sewing on the final hook and eye.
Mentoring younger students in art (specifically silk painting) and tutoring art to children with special needs at a local primary school is very rewarding and teaches me how to work with people of all abilities. I attended a Print Workshop where I was taught how to dry-point etch, this course widened my range of skills throughout the various mediums of art and design. My interests and hobbies include Irish dancing (I am a former Ulster Champion), gymnastics (I am a former Ulster Champion) and I am also a member of the school choir. I am currently pursuing
the Pope John Paul II Award (voluntary work within school, parish and local community) and I am a Eucharistic Minister. Within school: I am a Senior Prefect; a fashion editor for the school magazine, having recently written an article about my interview with the owner of one of Ireland's largest formal dress stores; a member of the CASS (Care & Share Society) and a member of the Fairtrade Group. Embracing the opportunities presented to me has taught me to be
disciplined, to focus on time-management and to fully commit myself to each endeavour. I enjoy my life being busy, energetic and challenging, reassuring me that I will flourish in the fast-paced fashion industry. I love working with others and being a part of a team, but I also see myself as a fair and effective leader.

With my particular interest in the traditional style of design and dressmaking, I feel that my ambition would be well served if I travelled outside of Northern Ireland and based my studies in a city that is enriched with culture and inspiration.
I look forward to challenging myself and pushing not only my own personal boundaries but also the boundaries within the couture industry. I feel that in my chosen course I will be able to listen to my own creativity and do what haute couture designers do best, take a simple thought and develop it like a piece of art, with its own unique story.