Watermelons

I then thought that it would be important to see if Watermelons ahve been a source of inspiration for any sort of garment or trend.

I did come across the vans in the three different styles they have to offer.

This gave me the idea to experiment with every part of the watermelon, which included experimenting with seeds.

I then started to see what I could do with seeds, so I glued some on in a certain way to make them appear as a belt-like accessory or I would sew them onto fabric with different coloured thread to see what kind of effect could be created. Overall, the seeds became my main focus as I thought that there were more fields I could enter with using seeds than rather sticking to watermelon skin.

Watermelons:Introduction

I LOVE WATERMELONS

So I was tidying up my room baring in mind that I had no inspiration for my next Unit that I had started. Picking up stuff, I came across the watermelon skin left on my floor.(don't ask why)...I thought wow, I could use this as a source of inspiration as Charlotte said find an inspiration in anything.

So I went along and saved some watermelon skin and used them to see what kind of experiments I could do and what I could create out of it.

I then went on to do some research on watermelons to discover that they come in different shapes:

These are watermelons produced in Japan which are grown in square glas containers to make it much easier to stack on shelves. They are known for their difference in shape a well as cost twice as much.

I was a bit sceptical about using watermelons as a main source of inspiration as I was not sure how much I can derive from it.

However I was proved wrong.



My New Jewellery Box

Overall, I am very impressed with the outcome of the box as it could be used for something personal. In this case I have chosen to make it my new jewellery box! I tought it would be perfect to gold all ym numerous accessories. I think the colour is just right and my jewellery seems to all fit! yaaay
I think the box is very showy and garish which is a perfect thing to have for a jewellery box.

The Process of My Box Making

Well I firstly purchased the box from the chartitybox and sawed down the surface of the box inside and out.

I then painted the exterior of the box white to ensure that I had a good starting point.

I started to use the material to measure out the material to fit the box. This was a crucial process that I had to make sure was done properly.

After I had measured up the material accurately, I used a staple gun to keep the material in place.

I thought keeping the material the same way wouldn't be very ideal as it would still look boring and sombre. I decided to spraypaint the whole box gold.

With the buttons being placed on beforehand once spraypainted it created a very couture and luxurious effect. I thought gold often associated with wealth; it made the box appear as if it was a treasure box.

Buttons being my main theme I thought played a whimsical effect on the box and also managed to give the box an elegant touch.

Pearly Kings & Queens

The London tradition of the Pearly Kings and Queens began in 1875, by a man named Henry Croft.

He was very fond of the Costermongers who were a tough market traders.

He got to know more about their way of life, their generosity and their fashion of smoke pearl buttons sewn on the piped seams of their trousers, jackets, waistcoats and caps.

Costermongers were generous and they looked after people who were sick and less fortunate.

Croft wanted to follow these footsteps and decided he would like those who were less fortunate than himself. This included the orphanage where he had spent some of his life at.

He knew that in order to collect a lot of money he needed to draw attention to himself. So as Henry swept the market streets he started to collect all the pearl buttons he found that had fallen off of the clothes of people visiting the market, and when he had enough he started to sew them on his cap and then continued until his entire suit was filled, the very first smother suit.

Because Henry was an orphan he had no one to help him with his suit so he had to learn how to sew. It was this that started the tradition, which is still carried on by descendants of original Pearly Families, that the Kings do all the designs and sewing. Designs on suits tend to run in families but here are a few that you may see and recognise:

He knew that in order to collect a lot of money he needed to draw attention to himself. So as Henry swept the market streets he started to collect all the pearl buttons he found that had fallen off of the clothes of people visiting the market, and when he had enough he started to sew them on his cap and then continued until his entire suit was filled, the very first smother suit.

Because Henry was an orphan he had no one to help him with his suit so he had to learn how to sew. It was this that started the tradition, which is still carried on by descendants of original Pearly Families, that the Kings do all the designs and sewing. Designs on suits tend to run in families but here are a few that you may see and recognise:

Horseshoe = Luck
Doves = Peace
Heart = Charity
Anchor = Hope
Cross = Faith
Wheel = Circle of Life
Symbols of Playing Cards = Life is a gamble
Flower Pots = Costermongers
Donkey Carts = Costermongers

The Pearly tradition has survived for over 125 years and hopefully it will continue for many more to come. We still have a few families who can be traced back to the original generation of Pearlies. Henry Croft's family still carries on the tradition with his Great-Granddaughter wearing the title of 'Somers Town'.

I thought his work was very inspirational as he wasn't a very rich person in the beginning but because he dedicated himself to something he achieved I think more than he expected.

I thought his idea about buttons was very creative and eventually created a handprint on the fashion industry.

I thought his excessive use of buttons created a very garish effect on his clothes and it just showed how the simplest types of embellishment can create the most glamourous look.

Embellishment:Velvet & Lace

Looking at a small part of the dress I am very intrigued by the Designers use of different decorative details. The designer who is unknown has used a variety of materials: woollen face cloth, velvet and lace. This gown was most likely designed for springtime wear. Woollen face cloth was a very fashionable material during the 18^th century. The sleeves are exotic, created with lace and the colour scheme is very exquisite- a creamy white which makes a very harmonious composition and fits perfectly for the Spring Season.

Day gown,

Woollen face cloth, velvet and lace

English or French, 1903-5

Given by Lady Hoyer Miller

Circ. 175-1961

Embellishment:Buttons#6

The thoroughly detailed pocket flap on this tailor made day outfit in charcoal grey wool and mohair are completely decorative. There are no pockets on these garments. Each pocket has two pairs of bold fastening, large velvet buttons and decorative frogging made of velvet rouleaux.

I like the classy grey material used. It looks very rich and I really like the black velvet with grey stripes. I thought the idea of decorative frogging was very smart and makes an even better decorative detail.

Jacket, woven woollen cloth, denim

Culture Shock (Yuzun Koga and Jeannie Macarthur)

English, Summer 1986. Label: Culture Shock

T.149-1986