Taking a hiatus and a note about 2011

The reason a hiatus is required.....
It's just about time to have my baby so I am well round with puffy hobbit feet and all those wonderful symptoms experienced by women the world over (some how that doesn't make it any more enjoyable and I'm seriously over having friken indigestion). Anyway it's only a matter of days and I will be meeting the little tyke who's been hanging around in my womb - my partners so excited he can barely contain himself, and I have 2 siblings here experiencing the same excitement. With the big gap in age (they're 9 & 11) I can see that they will both be really great helpers, particularly my daughter who has a very homely nurturing nature (such a gorgeous wee Taurus she is).


A note about 2011
Really it's been a crazy year all around (earthquakes, pregnancy, multiple relocating and all the stuff in between), the opportunity for growth has been so extreme, my goodness big learning curbs were definitely the order of the day! Oh yes 2011 may just take the top position as one of the most unforgettable years of my life thus far!! That said I can honestly say I feel more at home and comfortable in my relationships then I have in my entire life, without all the hardships and opportunities that came my way I doubt I could have learnt to be as conscious of it as I am now.
I feel blessed by the amazing support I have from my friends and family, they're really all the magic and richness anyone could seek!!

*As I am writing this my children are dancing around like flaying Leprechauns playing the Harmonica and Ukulele - the dog is whining loudly in horror LOL and this is it - my wonderful amazing wayward life!

Sampling - Dragon Scale Maille

Since we've had another big relocate (explains my absence) back home to Christchurch, and I'm close to the end of my pregnancy I have had to settle for small creative projects as opposed to big sewing orders or indepth work......so I've taken to 'sampling', it's  a  great way of keeping my creative mind active and my hands busy :)

I've been doing embroidery/flossing samples for a while (I'll do a post about that latter), but more recently I've taken to playing with dragon scale maille, trying various techniques and figuring out how to acheive the effects I want.

Tradition Chain Maille Weave

Crochet & Scales

5 Petal Flower

Earrings

*The earrings are sort of the beginning of my DIY Christmas gifts (excuse the blurry shot).

Plaid Basic 'Curvy' Corset

Remember how I was  planning another version of the 'Steampunk' Set in tartan/plaid?  If not check the original post here:- http://forgefashion.blogspot.com/2011/05/oxblood-leather-accessories.html

Anyway I ended up using my Basic 'Curvy' pattern (now that it's been perfected).........but of course once it actually came together I found I wanted to make a few changes. The main being I wasn't as partial to the 'Ox Blood' leather with it as I thought I would be, so I ended up going black instead.......

 

I have cut out the 'Octo' Collar as well, though  I have yet to make it  up plus I'm also thinking about doing a skirt (I have a complete vision in my head so why not - it also means once I get back to Christchurch I can plan a photo shoot for the entire set) :)

UPDATE

*On another note I'm starting to think about next year.......I've been looking through my many sketch books, thinking about the piles of original designs I have that would be amazing to actually manifest (I would really like an opportunity to do more creative work). So I'm thinking a complete collection, with a Fashion Show or Exhibition perhaps.......at the very least the satisfaction of starting work on some of my dream projects - it's a long list after all so it definitely time to get a start on :)

Vogue Italia - September Issue 2011

Now onto the exciting news........Forge Fashion was contacted by  Stylist Elin Svahn (Karl Templer's Assistant) looking for a collar for a photoshoot/editorial inspired by the notorious Ethel Granger.
The shoot was for the September Issue of  Vogue Italia:-

Cover Vogue Italia September 2011

Photographer: Steven Meisel

Model: Stella Tennant

As currently seen on the front page of the Vogue Italia Wepage:-

Click pic above to see photos and video of the shoot

Collar By Forge Fashion

Forge Fashion Credit

Editorial 'The Discipline of Fashion'

Photographer: Steven Meisel
Fashion Editor: Karl Templer
Model: Stella Tennant

My collar appears in the editorials full spread (details and pics above click to enlarge), you can't see it overly well because Stella Tennant is planking across 2 pages as you can see....but hey my names credited on the page so there you go -Forge Fashion is definitely in Vogue! Very amused and excited!!

PVC Lace Corset & Collar Set

Here's some more recently completed work:-

CORSET STATS
-3 Layer Construction(strength layer included)
-Combination of 16 Flat & Spiral Steel Bones
-Contrast Lace Overlay
-Heavy Duty Hook & Eyes
-Satin Binding
-2 Piece Metal Eyelets in Silver
-Appropriate Length Black Lacing

Both the Corset & Collar are available in my ETSY Store:-

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Forgefashion

Basic 'Curvy' Cameo Corset

I have a huge love of Cameos, you  may have guessed if you've looked through my work......I've used them all over the place, cuffs, collars, hats & corsets of course!!lol.....

YAY- Eyecandy!! Here's my recent handy work featuring a cameo:-

Click pic to goto ETSY Sale

Click pic to goto ETSY Sale

So the adaption of my 'Basic Curvy' cut corset was a success (remember how I ended up with a demi bust on my first sample instead of full overbust), so I have made a few different sizes in this style. The first (above) a size 20" with stunning detailing & a wonderful cameo, another in tarten, size 24" which I'll be sure to post soon.

And just because it fits so perfectly check out this recent ETSY Treasury featuring this corset:-

CAMEO CRAZED

UPDATE

I am always busy trying to do something (like most of us are) - right now it's trying to finish up various odds and ends, from things laying around half finished from eons ago, to more recently prepared samples.......it ultimately means I can put it all up for sale in my ETSY shop for the period while I'm not taking orders. *Lets just say with another move planned (back across the Islands) and a new baby arriving I have to be on the ball where possible!

Tumblr

I love Tumblr (I have already faved hundreds of images, talk about daily visual fix), so I have made an inspiration blog featuring some of those faved images and the occassional promotion of my own work. It's more a visual storage space with references and images that inspire & interest me with odd comments as opposed to an actual blog.

So feel free if your on Tumblr to add me if you want to see the corsets, costumes and fashions that tickles my fancy :D.......

TUMBLR