FIDM Student Blog: Michelle Smith

The Bonsai Dress

    A few weeks ago for my Draping & Garment Construction 2 class we were assigned to drape a dress inspired by the bonsai tree. It was an odd inspiration at first, since we were given such brightly colored, jersey knit fabric. But we were also given a packet of information on the philosophical aspects of the plant, and used that inspiration to each come up with our own story.

    What I found the most fascinating, is that bonsai trees do not necessairily serve any "real" purpose. They are not edible, provide no physical healing benefits, and do not grow large enough for yards or gardens. In fact, their primary use is simply a sense of peace and traniquilty to both the viewer and the grower. The grower has the freedom to shape the tree to appear however they wish, but they must dedicate time to nuture the tree to ultimum health. The cultivation process provides a unique expirence with every tree. Bonsai trees are capable of growing in numerous styles and shapes, and the viewer may contemplate each one.

Our dresses lined up and ready for critique!

    The idea of such innocent, natural purpose was all I could think about. People tending over their trees with pure intentions to really just to make one smile. It sounded so pleasant, and I wanted my dress to reflect a sense of effortless joy. Something that just grew beautifully; something uniquely structured yet with a flowing, shapless grace to it.

    As you can see from the above image, it's definitely quite sheer. But I liked it that way, to keep the idea of natural beauty. It drapes over one shoulder and cascades down to a low back. Overall, it wasn't quite as unique as I wanted, but I am proud of the final look.

 

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Fall Quarter 2010

    Hey everyone! I apologize for the lack of posts, but my second year has started and oh my....has time just sprinted away from me! It feels a little wild going from a long summer to suddenly having so many requirements and expectations thrust upon me, but I suppose that is life and that is definitely the industry! I'm starting week 4 now, but let me summarize what has been going on thus far:

• Creative Design Applications -This class is where we are supposed to learn how to "organize our creativity". We apply the principles and elements of design into creating groups and collections that represent our design philosophy and creative spirit. So basically, a lot of sketching. A lot of detail (looking at stitches, embellishments, tucks, pleats, etc). A lot of color. It seems pretty interesting, though sometimes it feels like the homework load resembles more to busy work than anything else. I'm not quite sure how to even think of this class yet.

• Draping and Garment Construction 2 - Yay for draping! One of my favorite things to do is sit in front of a mannequin and pin to my heart's content, or play in lush fabrics to see how they drape and move on a human form. I'll admit that I'm not a big fan of drafting my patterns in this class, since it's quite complicated representing folds and drapery on a two-deminsional piece of paper, but it's a skill that I need to learn and I am eager to be able to produce multiple sets of the same garment!

My friend Carolyn working on her bodice for Pattern Drafting Procedures

• Pattern Drafting Procedures - Another 6 hour pattern making class....but like my last one, this one is at a perfect pace for ultimate comprehension has well! :) Our first day we played with Play-Doh and sculpted 3D creations to various themes and music genres to activate our minds, and it really set a fun atmosphere in the class. I'm working on a ruffled creation at the moment, and very excited to reveal it to all of you!

• Computer Aided Fashion Design - I'm taking this as a 6 hour Saturday class, which means I only have 2 more classes to go! Having it as a 5 week course has made it a little overwhelming since I have no prior expirience of Adobe Illustrator, but it has also made me more motivated to learn as much as I can on my own so I can produce detailed looking assignments. The bright side to this class is that it makes flat sketching a whole lot easier! I naturally have a shaky hand, so trying to create perfect flats with every neat little stitch in place is practically impossible for me. With Illustrator you can zoom in thousands of percantages, and so you can easily include any and every detail. Another problem with the 5 week version is that every week there is plenty of homework, and I usually spend the entire 6 hours of class on learning one garment, so there isn't exactly time to do much homework either. It's all a matter of preference though. If you'd like an easy pace and plenty of time, stick to the full 10 weeks. If you have expirence (or like me, know enough about computer programs to figure it out yourself), then for time saving purposes it's easier to just get it out of the way as soon as possible.

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Lanvin for H&M

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"H&M is proud to announce that its next designer collaboration will be with Lanvin, one of the most influential brands of the 21st century. Designed by Lanvin’s artistic director Alber Elbaz, and menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver, the collection will go on sale on November 23 in  around 200 H&M stores worldwide. The collection of both womenswear and menswear will be revealed to the world on November 2, just three weeks before the clothes hit the store, making the launch of Lanvin for H&M among the most anticipated fashion events of the year." -H&M Press Release

    Rumors began circulating just days because the confirmations and I remember thinking, no way. This is way too good to be true. But alas, I have never been happier to be proven wrong. What an exciting opportunity for us fashion lovers on tight budgets, hah! One of the oldest fashion houses to date (the brand was started in 1889!), Lavin is most famous for their elaborate, luxurious couture. My mind is a dizzy whirlwind just fantasizing about the garments I might just be able to get my paws on. November can't come soon enough!

 

 

 

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

 

emerging from my rabbit hole

    Hello honey bunnies! I can no longer deny the inevitability that is...my return to the classroom. *dun dun DUNNN* So bittersweet! I have been enjoying my time off immensely...submerging myself into art, bliss, and relaxation. And though I'm not exactly looking forward to overwhelming stress, I am excited to get back to work and see what all my inspiration and adventures have amounted to.

    One thing that I will take with me from this summer is the lesson of responsibility. Nothing is more attractive than someone who is responsible, n'est pas? Of course, it can be difficult to perfectly balance EVERYTHING in life, but by being accountable for your actions, your words, and your image...it makes the whole process easier. I've been taking a more independent approach to handling my own finances and living expenses, and also practicing inner strength and courage to help me make mature and conscientious choices in life. Balancing my need to live freely and artistically while also remaining respectful and productive.

    On one hand, sometimes I feel like I'm going through this "growing up" process a little too late. I can't help but get anxiety, worrying that I'm 19 years old now, and I don't own my own clothing line, I'm not dressing celebrities, and I'm not traveling the world exploring different cultures and lands. Sometimes I worry that I'm already old news. But of course, the notion is ridiculous and I try not to dwell on it. Instead, I focus on my path. I am still working on manifesting my ideal life - but I do the best that I can, so by the end of the day there are no regrets. I simply continue building on what is a solid foundation in the making. I'm still a student (and technically, I will always be a student), and by absorbing and learning as much as I can now, I can feel a delightful, warming sensation of light growing around me; growing, strengthening, nurturing...so I will deliver spectacular things in the future. Creations to encourage and empower all who look upon them. I am enjoying this path of exploration and experimentation, and eagerly await my opportunity to make all of you, who have inspired me so much, proud of me.

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

First Year Review

It still baffles me to think that I am already halfway through my career at FIDM. This time last year, I was just getting acquainted with friends I'm now close to today. This time last year, I was walking the halls utterly dumb founded. And here I am one year later, sitting on the second floor of the main campus typing this up; comfortable yet confident with campus life. The whole process is so normal to me now, that I forget how it was only one year ago I was intimidated and lost.

So far, I'd like to think my experience at FIDM has helped me approach my artistic endeavors in a whole new light. I am learning a more sophisticated, business sense to complement my outrageous, creative momentum. I'm learning how to channel the chaos of my thoughts into cohesive inspiration, and thus, I feel I am becoming more of a mature creator every day. I believe my biggest difficulty may be adhering to regulations. I'm not a rebellious person per say, but when I have a vision or an idea, I can be stubborn. Not to say I do not like constructive criticism, or input from anyone so gracious enough to it to give me. In fact, I thrive on social connections, so that is usually preferred. I suppose it's more along the lines of... I enjoy expanding minds and I detest having to hold myself back. Unfortunately, not every person appreciates or even respects such bizarre innovation. But that is life, and I'm learning to not take personal offense and how to be capable of accommodating a client while still maintaining my artistic integrity.

Though I am taking the summer off academically, my being has been turned on artistically. My brain is a flurry of fantastical images, and I've been unleashing it through experimentation in various mediums. I have been having a lot of fun with paints lately (thank you left over Color & Design Theory materials!). Something about slathering color all over white canvas tickles my imagination ever so wonderfully, and I feel quite ready to transfer that delight into garments.

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

P.S. The image in this post is a mural done by Eddie Colla. Love it!

Pink Hair Pondering

I've reached an interesting point in my path of self exploration. I wouldn't call it a "bump" or a "block", because it isn't negative, nor a hindrance. Simply a point of self reflection and pondering. The first of July was my one year anniversary of having pink hair, and I suppose that made me contemplate just what my mane means to me. I do adore having pink hair. I enjoy how it makes me easily memorable, and how it immediately labels me as someone who is just a little "odd", hehe. I love having it "kid approved", as I call it, when children squeal in shocked delight. Pink itself, I feel, captures a lot that I am. It's feminine, mischievous, sweet, and silly. It makes me think of frosted cupcakes, dreamy fantasies, and wonderfully glossed lips. It's innocent, yet versatile.

However, at the same time, it just feels sort of "unnatural" now. On a physical level, my hair is still soft from being constantly conditioned, but the ends are fried. I have to bleach my roots and re-dye my hair at least every month, and when the pink fades it's bleach blonde and my split ends are evident. I'm curious if going back to my original dark brown hair would help me, on a more philosophical sense, reconnect back to my roots. If by going back to a more natural color, I could feel more comfortable with myself, and no longer stress about covering exposed roots with a scarf, or showing too much blonde, etc. I'm afraid that perhaps I rely too much on the brightness of my hair for attention, rather than relying on the vivaciousness of my personality? After all, it's still quite possible to be a creative force of loving energy without pink hair. It's just on a deeper degree, I feel I have defined myself by it too long; I'm afraid of being forgotten when I can do longer include "pink hair" as my identity.

 

What do you think? :-)

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Multiple Campus Life

I had an amazing opportunity to travel up north for a few days to visit San Francisco, and I am completely smitten! I've always been curious about moving up there after I finished school down here. From what I've been told, San Francisco vibrates at a uniquely artistic frequency that I can resonate with, and my brief trip up there confirmed that. I only wish I had a better camera than my tiny phone to have captured the beauty of it all! I am very grateful to have been given an opportunity to explore, and eagerly anticipate my next visit.

Unfortunately, I only walked passed the San Francisco campus. But I began contemplating how student life is for you Northern peers. For me, Orange County was small and intimate. However, because of the small size, there was opportunities to make strong friendships and plenty of resources to take advantage of as needed. (I never had to wait for a computer, and the IDEA center was never overcrowded.) The Los Angeles campus is large and exciting. There are plenty of opportunities for adventures both in and around campus, but the large size makes establishing lasting connections a little more difficult. I have never been inside either the San Diego or San Francisco campus.

So, dear readers, what do you think about multiple campus life? What are your opinions on the different locations, and which one do you feel you can relate to the best??

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Class Project: Neon Clowns

For my final in Pattern Drafting Essentials, we had to create a cotton dress, with the bodice and skirt meeting at the natural waistline. All the patterns had to be neatly organized, we had to draw technical sketches of our dress, and a fashion figure in it, and write up the sewing sequence; all that jazz.

Originally my inspiration was Thumbelina's wedding dress, when she was being forced to marry the mole (Unfortunately, I couldn't find any images of this online, but it's all the more reason to check out the movie if you haven't seen it already!).

I wanted all the pieces to be alternating black and white fabric, and the sleeves to be pushed out--straight out--as if stuffed with shoulder pads. However, as I was drawing up the patterns, all I could think of was COLOR. You see, towards the end of the quarter, I was beginning to feel drained and dull. I had all this frustrated, pent up energy just building in my core, anxious to erupt, but with no proper way of doing so. School and obligations were taking up all my energies, so I never had time to take up outlets of my own. And so I used this project as a way to channel just some of that. I was yearning for an opportunity to freely explode, but I knew that a final project with so many requirements wasn't exactly the place to do it. However, to keep my sanity, I allowed my insanity to handle the dress. I wanted it to be so strangely random, that the viewer felt awkward with how much they loved it. As if you know this should be wrong, but it felt so fantastically right. I wanted it to fit well, yet be comfortable. I feel I truly accomplished all of that.

Pictures don't do it justice, but it fits and wears beautifully, (I was delighted to discover I can wear it too!) There's a hidden back zipper, and the sleeves are called "leg-of-mutton", (which you should know all about if you took History of Costume.) The sleeves were really what got me, since we never actually went over them in class, I had to teach myself with assistance from the textbook. I slaved away trying to make something so voluptuously obnoxious, however my muslin samples came out so flat. It wasn't until I put it on myself that I discovered you actually have to wear it in order to see the "poof", therefore, I was doing it correct all along. The only problem then was, because the fabric was expensive, I couldn't afford HUGE. Nonetheless, there is volume, and the rainbow pattern was well worth it in my opinion.

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Imagination

“Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless." -Jamie Paolinetti

“You see things and you say, 'Why?', But I dream things that never were, and I say, 'Why not?'” -George Bernard Shaw

    Two separate quotes both resonating with a desire for the resurrection of imagination. Sometimes we get so caught up with responsibilities and obligations, that we temporarily lose that sparkling enthusiasm that motivates us to do what we love. I personally went through a short period where I was feeling absolutely drained; running on empty, you could say. When I feel complacent it immediately sends an alarm in my brain. After a quiet moment of self evaluation and meditation, I realized this little experiment of occasional "check ins" are crucial to not only maintain sanity, but to assure that my mind is always happily open to receiving and giving; as opposed to being so focused on the to-do list. I discovered a problem, rearranged my schedule, and now I do not feel so overwhelmed. This way I have that delightful spirit of fantasizing ideals that I wish to create into reality, hehe.

What do you do to rekindle your imagination?

Spring Quarter Review

Whew! After a week of much needed hibernating, I am now well rested and able to review my final quarter of my first year at FIDM!

It felt sort of like a turbulent tumble down the rabbit hole, (how perfect for the Alice in Wonderland exhibit over at the FIDM Museum!)

Pattern Drafting Essentials: My professor, Mrs. Billings, is an EXCELLENT instructor. She went at a perfect pace, answered questions without judgments, and I learned so much about patterns and overall design. (Who knew 1/16" could make such a big difference?) I now have a better understanding, and feel quite confident, in my pattern drafting abilities. If I can give any advice for this class, it would be to take notes (trust me, even if what she is saying sounds extremely simplistic, having an organized copy of every single step will make the process painless and wonderful. It's easy to confuse measurements or orders, and taking notes will avoid that) AND make friends with the people at your table! They will be your back up ("wait - we should measure how much down?!") and your support ("umm....is this how it's supposed to look?"). Don't be shy! Thankfully, the two people at my table were also with me through Draping and Garment Construction. We were well synced up in our work ethics; not only making the six hours go by quickly (times goes by when you're having fun!), but we rarely had much homework since we got so much accomplished during class time.

Technical Sketching: For this class, just be sure to always do your best, remember every single piece of the required assignment, and pay attention to every single detail in your homework. For example, nothing can be handwritten, everything must be typed, you have to include descriptions of the garment, shading, borders around everything, etc etc. Because missing a few things a few times really adds up! Also, no smudges or crooked lines; even teeny, tiny little marks need to be eliminated. Basically, what you turn in is expected to be clean, presentable, and professional!

Fashion Seminar: Overall, this class was interesting. A lot of random techniques on discovering your design philosophy was thrown at us, and we explored them with the completion of a multitude of projects. I feel the journal was the most successful for me. I used it as storage for inspirational photos, poetry, doodles, etc. I spent hours a week writing as a way of attempting to figure out what I was even trying to find. In the end....I received my epiphany. It truly was a gratifying project. My tips for this class is to approach all of it with an open mind, as it's a great opportunity to find what works and what doesn't work for you, along with gaining a deeper understanding of yourself and your design philosophy.

Critical Thinking: I thoroughly enjoyed this class. I feel I excel better in writing that dwells in abstract concepts or personal experiences, but this class gave me crucial practice in more processional, focused writing. My instructor, Mrs. Baranick, is an absolute delight! She works in the IDEA Center, so it was a convenient opportunity to have her review essays before turning them in. Something in particular I learned is the importance of being able to thoroughly describe and discuss the thesis in an essay; that it is better to write too much and be able to narrow it down in the next draft, than write too little in the final one. My favorite part had to be watching the film, Bowling for Columbine, and then having to research and write whether we believed it deserved the Academy Award for Best Documentary. I suppose controversy has always been a fascination of mine. :-)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some more hibernating to do....

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle