Zizzi Leeds The Light

I am very pleased to share my new work for Zizzi with you!! I am just one of their new recruits to the Fresh Talent Collective. I am so proud to be apart of such a talented bunch which includes amazing illustrators such as Lizzie Mary Cullen (www.lizziemarycullen.com) who came to meet us at New Designers One Year On last year to give us a pep talk! If you haven't encountered her work yet do check out her website, she is quite the amazing lady.



Off the peg guy hangin' out at the bar

So here's a little bit to explain my concepts behind my illustrations for the restaurant...

“I would spread the cloths under your feet:


But I, being poor, have only my dreams

I have spread my dreams under your feet

Thread softly because you tread on my dreams.”

William Butler Yeats

"The Cloths of Heaven," poem by W.B Yeats

So often in life, a creative steps out from the crowd and offers something new and exiting to the masses. When the industrial revolution unfolded, textiles manufacturing was at the forefront of the uprising in Leeds. It was then that broadcloth was dreamt, produced, sold and worn.


my illustration of dressmaker working on HANDMADE broadcloth dress

 A beautifully quintessential English prototype, the material was woven into the industrialised society, creating jobs, fuelling the development of crafts and offering an elegant material to suit the fashionable fillies of that time.

I can envision the hustle and bustle of the Corn Exchange and the city markets during this time, when the town’s cloth market was described as “a prodigy of its kind, unequalled in the world.”

But as we understand so well today, regardless of the innovation and hard graft that goes into a product, it can and will be produced cheaper by foreign our counterparts. And this is exactly what happened with broadcloth manufacturing in Leeds. No longer able to compete, the highly skilled work force were made redundant to create off the peg, mass produced fashion apparel instead, in a bid to somehow keep up with their competition.

This is the element I have chosen to illustrate in the restaurant. It happens too much in today’s society that skills which an area prides themselves upon, become diluted and often forgotten by our quick turn around society. Many people in Leeds may not even realise this heritage that created their wonderful city, and that is an awful shame. I am illustrating this in a quirky matter to draw attention to the subject, and to make people think twice about supporting what’s locally their own and helping it to succeed and thrive.






Leeds City Market


Leeds City Market is one piece of history which has survived the years of change and continues to flourish today. It is the largest undercover market in the county and houses around 800 traders. I felt it was very important to illustrate this fantastic Edwardian building and so it is featured prominently in my work for the restaurant.

For now you will have to make do with my drawings, I'm travelling over to Leeds next week to take some snaps of the completed work in all its threaded glory!!! I should have mentioned it was all stitched on leather panels, some of which have been mounted to chairs so it's going to be a very new way of presenting my illustrations. Can't wait to see it all!!! Hopefully some of you might get the chance to see it too if your in Leeds!

You can read more about Leeds The Light and about Zizzi's fantastic Fresh Talent collective here...

http://www.zizzi.co.uk/restaurants/leeds-2 

breaking news!!!

In resent minutes, Connolly has released a statement to insure that she has not in fact 'sold out'!!!! Just under a month after writing her passionate article, stating her passion for full time designing, love for the struggle and so on, the designer has in fact, obtained a full time job! Here's what she had to say...

"Well basically, I applied for a part time retail position in a new outlet opening in town. A couple of days later I am called for interview, and actually offered the managers position within the store. Not ideal in some aspects, but in others it is perfect because now I have the finances to start putting my lovelies into production on a large scale...something I've been struggling to do for quite some time. I've been manufacturing in bits and pieces, never enough and certainly not to suffice demand I have received.

Good side!

On the downside, I will not be able to commit to the Workhouse Studio full time...but the girls have been incredibly understanding of my new situation. Although I will not be working with them on a daily basis, I will still remain apart of the group which is absolutely fantastic because they are such a great team to be apart of. It would have been absolutely horrible to break away from the girls.
In addition, I fought to have my working schedule arranged so I can still attend the 'FAB' start your own business classes...so in all, I am not losing out so much, design time of course but I have made a nice little studio space in my house that I can work in the evenings after work...still being productive and fabulous and all that!

So, although I would love more than anything to design full time, as of yet, I am not in a position to do so. Which is okay. Because when I am...I tell you I will be such a machine you will have never seen such a thing before!!!! Stay tuned for exciting news coming in the next few weeks of a super fantastic collaboration between the Workhouse Studios and other fabulous up and coming designers..joining force for one EPIC exhibition!!!!"

Lovely stuff!!! :)

oooh, and for anyone who hasn't connected to our Workhouse Studios page do so now to keep up to date with all the news...Eily has also uploaded some very arty images of the studio so check it out!!    http://www.facebook.com/WorkhouseStudios

Lovely lovely things

My favourites folder continues to grow on my laptop... I thought it would be nice to share some of these beauties. This would probably be classified as a 'swooning' article...however, use of the word swoon make me want to vom so I will not be describing it as so! Enjoy x

I adore this outfit
Organic by John Patrick SS11



DIY Sunshine Headband kit by Mayi Carles
http://www.etsy.com/listing/46269715/diy-sunshine-headband-kit-by-mayi-carles



Fantastical Embroidery by Lou Gardiner
http://www.lougardiner.co.uk/



Homemade goodie bags
http://lovelydesign.blogspot.com/2009/02/goodie-bags.html



SO clever
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65921176/tightrope-walk-woman-on-a-bicycle



Amelie... it's the most beautiful and inspiring film I've ever seen



'Let the right one in,' also a seriously beautiful film. If you watch it be sure to get the Sweedish version, there was an American remake released last year...



Oh I could be here forever!!..

Charlotte Olympia YOU'RE KILLIN' ME......... €1014



It's FAB!!!

So I've just finished the first stage of the FAB programme. I should probably explain a bit about this wonderful initiative!... FAB stands for females at business. It is a scheme set up by the Waterford City Enterprise Board with the aim of helping more lovely ladies get in to business. It was felt that the majority of business start ups were male driven and so the aim of this programme was to put a change to this in Waterford.

Their initial call out was back in November where they held a coffee morning in the local Tower Hotel. I've been to some other networking events as of late but this one by far had the biggest response. Every table in the function room was full and they even had to draft in more seating!!! How incredible!! I think when you're trying to start something up yourself it's very easy to feel alone...but here were at least sixty other ladies all with similar ambition which was very comforting!

We discussed our own ambitions and plans for our businesses and listened to experienced female entrepreneurs speak of their journey. It was was probably the most positive and inspiring cup of coffee I've ever had!!!!

So the next stage of the programme was an idea generation workshop with Joe Kelly (local business mogul!) We were broken down in to smaller groups...less chatting and more doing, you know what a massive group of women are like! There were three other ladies in my group, Claire who is aiming to write a book, Brenda who bakes fabulous scones and cakes and Aileen who is setting up a joined venture with her husband specialising in carbon testing homes. It was great to have such a variety of business ideas bouncing off one another. This phase lasted for just three session, but it was amazing to see the transformation in attitudes by the end of it. Joe was very enthusiastic and encouraged each individual in the group. Each gal left the phase feeling confident, capable, and pretty bloody FAB!!!!!

The next stage is a ten module start your own business course during which time we will also be assigned a personal business mentor to help with our set ups. In all, this is a fantastic initiative headed by the City Enterprise Board and I am very grateful to have such guidance at the beginning of this huge venture. I think more cities should follow suit and get their ladies ready to lead us out of this recession!!!!

ALSO,


Bonzie Pendant



Before I go, I couldn't possibly blog about business women in Waterford without mentioning the fantastic Bonzie....



Ger and Bonzie Crotty



Bonzie is a local fashion design collaborative featuring Ger and Bonzie Crotty. The ladies describe themselves as 'an independent Irish design label with romantic vintage appeal.' These gals are at the cutting edge of tattered couture, creating whimsical designs that cannot but make you dream.

Their creations are incredibly beautiful and unique. Although they hold a very strong presence in the bridal market, I admire Bonzie's ability to provide fashion and accessories for a much wider audience. I dare anyone to try and find a piece of theirs that they would not love to call their own.

Last week, Bonzie received the recognition deserved as they were crowned Ireland's most influential designers of 2010.

HOW AMAZING IS THAT!!!! 

They are an incredible inspiration and are proof of what you can achieve with hard work...and a smashing personality (as opposed to the bitchy industry stereotype!) I wish the ladies all the best for 2011, keep a close eye on them and if you can invest in a piece of theirs soon...do!!! I am saving as I speak     type!



Collection of Bonzie Pendants



Bonzie Bag



Bride wearing Bonzie bolero

You can enjoy more of Bonzie's delights here...

www.bonziedesigns.com (portfolio)
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bonzie.etsy.com%2F&h=34f00wfGfQbA5hAgduK3FbaZ-BA (online store)
www.designsbybonzie.blogspot.com
facebook : bonzie crotty

Enjoy!! xxx

so...where do you work?

This is probably one of the most dreaded questions I hear lately... what do you do? Where do you work? Today I had an electritian in my house doing some work, and making small talk, he asked just that. So, I told him I was a freelance designer, based in a studio la la la and just as quick as I could inform him of my contribution to our country, I could see his bright and hopeful face fall to one of confusion and pity. How do you make money then? So you have no steady income? That's hard, why don't you get a real job (grrr that phrase makes my blood boil!) etc. etc. I could go on and on. I stayed there for a while trying to explain anyway but knew my words were falling on deaf ears.

That's the thing with being a creative...it's a constant battle to keep up with 'the real world.' One of my musician friends called round this evening, we spoke of the marvelous things we did with our day...he began writing a new song, I sketched some new illustations which for the first time this week I really adored. We were delighted with ourselves. Then my partner, who is a carpenter arrives home from work (who I must mention is incredily supportive in my pursuit of design doimination), anyway he arrives home from a hard day of grafting, covered in dirt, absolutely wrecked...and suddenly, my efforts seem so meager.

why don't the 9-5'ers dress like this?

I am a dreamer. I summon a zillion new business ventures, design ideas and adventure possibilities on a daily basis. The 'real world' may turn their nose up at this....and so, to prove them wrong I have decided to make this the driving force in achieveing all I want to do. Creative people have made the world the playground that it is. I am sure I am a very very small fish, actually I'm probably more like plankton, in a massive pond of uncertainty amoungst such types and that is a reassurance in itself!!!

Apologies for the massive rant. Creative folk I've got your back...and not so creative folk...I hope you've got ours!!!! xxx

a day of unproductive productiveness!!!

                                                  Tim Walker shoot for Vogue May 2006

So I sat down with a big mug of tea last night to trawl through my endless back issues of Vogue, Tank and Lula. I haven't done it in ages, and even though I've read through them all hundreds of times, I continue to be excited by the dreamy location shoots and brave garments that have been fashioned by some of the worlds best creatives.

Sasha Pivovarova in Chanel, January 2007

Although I have gone down the textiles route of stitching, ink is where my journey into illustration began. I spent the first two years of college studying fashion design. I never got around the precision of pattern cutting and found it quite soul destroying because I could not master it... illustration class however was where I 'blossomed.' I spent many an hour sketching class mates prancing up and down on top of tables wearing as many different textured items of clothing as possible and absolutely loved every second of it!!! The messiness and unsure nature of illustration speaks to me more than a perfectly tailored garment ever could.

messy work space!

I must say I really enjoyed my day of doodling..although that was not was I was supposed to do at all. I am (or rather should be) constructing my market research surveys and questionnaires in line with the business model I am setting up this year. My business advisor and best friend Orla Caffrey has given me a massive book on creating and conducting such things, but being the crafty person I am am finding it quite impossible to make friends with this book!! Orla, if you're reading this I'm sorry and promise to get going on it tomorrow!!!!

Tim Walker shoot for Vogue, December 2004

come to the dark side....

So I joined twitter today because I've heard it's like really important to have as a designer? I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing AND I have no friends...well actually I have one friend but he seemed to come on board pretty quick after I joined so I assume it's like a rent a friend thing twitter to do so you don't become disillusioned and leave.
Anyway, if you have a twitter account and would like to befriend me...or share your pearls of technomological wisdom please come and find me!!! http://twitter.com/ LisaThreadables


oh yes, and the illustration above is one that I drew for my final major project in uni. It was based around the poetry of Emily Dickinson, hence the morbid expression!