90's Grunge

I Must Create A System
by Paige Ryan

Fashion for me encompasses more aspects of life than what we percieve stereotypically in our society. We are living in a generation who have access to everything through the internet and because of this 'normal people' can achieve fame through sites such as blogger, tumblr and lookbook; the fashion we before would of just seen on the streets has become something and more importantly someone that we can obsess over and take inspiration from through these sites. My collection is this concept of street style and how through the internet we no longer need to think of our own ways to style outfits because there is a such a variety that we have immediate access to, we can be whoever we want to be through fashion.
For my collection I looked at the 1970's how punk emerged through an economic crisis and how this movement allowed people to find a clique that they could belong to, the outsiders found a place to belong and music, fashion and lifestyle choices were an effect of this. I wanted to contrast the harshness of where punk was born with the childlike quality of disney, Malcolm Maclaren famously said the quote 'who killed bambi?' relating to this feel of the 70's that fairy tales were dead and we need to accept the truth of our culture.

'I Must Create a System or Be Enslaved By Another Mans' (William Blake)

To find out more about I Must Create A System for Refreshed by Paige Ryan check out her Facebook page by clicking the link below: 
https://www.facebook.com/IMustCreateASystem?fref=ts


Alice Chaplin

by Alice Chaplin

My collection for this assignment is based on 90s grunge and customisation, using mainly bleaching and studs. The collection is made from up cycled clothing provided by the Cyrenians. I wanted to use studs to also give a punk element to the clothes. The colours I used throughout were also taken from the grunge style by keeping quite a murky palette of greys and blues with abstract prints.

As a designer, I enjoy making clothes which are wearable and appealing to the younger generation. My own style influenced the collection showcased the way I like to dress by creating garments that I would enjoy wearing myself. I also enjoy drawing and illustrating fashion as well as designing. In the current project I have also put my hands into styling and photography.

I find interest in upcoming designers and new interesting ways in which technology and print is being used. One of my favourite designers at the moment is Mary Katrantzou, because of her use of prints and symmetry throughout her designs. I love how she creates new clothing silhouettes through the use of print and fabric. She inspires me as a designer because of this and influences my own style through her own inspiration and designs. Other designers that I find inspirational include Christopher Kane, Erdem, Marc Jacobs, Prada and Rodarte. I enjoy seeing what these designers will do in their next collection as their style develops and new inspirations appear.

To find out more about Alice Chaplin for Refreshed you can email 

chaplina-x@hotmail.co.uk

Aida Arabiyan

by Aida Arabiyan

My grunge collection is driven by the 90’s Grunge era, giving my collection the authenticity required for displaying and selling at the Windsor’s and Refreshed, concept store. The collection speaks about the culture and heritage of rock music during 90’s portraying untidy and bizarre clothes which were later accepted as “FASHION” worldwide. Grunge gives the feel of uniqueness thus, bringing a certain kind of interest among the consumers to carry the look with ‘non-caring attitude’. Grunge culture never give emphasis to their appearance or try to follow any trend, they themselves are the trend. The band Nirvana was among the few to begin the grunge during its era. Grunge trend consists of looks such as ripped, tattered and layers. 

The collection is made from up-cycled clothing and comprises of colour palette such as forest green, blue, indigo, white, orange, grey, maroon and black along with different appearances such as bleached, ripped, torn, frayed, shredded, etc.  In order to give an intriguing manifestation, I added few embellishments such as dissimilar shape and colour studs, safety pins along with paints splashed upon the garments. 

As a Fashion Designer my work speaks for myself and therefore, my focus and determination is towards becoming an ace Avant-Garde Designer. But to relate to my latest collection which is based on grunge era, it was challenging and different from my usual interest. Apart designing and creating Avant-Garde, I take an interest in designing and styling other genres in order to be categorised in versatility. I embrace complexity as it pushes me to a different level as an up-and-coming designer. 

My favourite fashion designer ‘Alexander McQueen’ and his peculiar and larger than life approach to designing. Collections that have really transformed me and my reckoning towards fashion are his spring 2010 collection Plato’s Atlantis, women fall/winter 2003 “Scanners” and women fall/winter 2004 “Pantheon as Lecum”. These collections had an intrinsic value to it as his designs were very evocative, eccentric and rare. His vision was clear and concise to unparallel transformation of fabric and fashion into exceptional outrageous mortals. Apart, late Alexander McQueen, Avant-Garde designers such as Gareth Pugh, John Galliano, Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake and Maison Martin Margiela are my authentic aspirations. 

My current interest is in prints basically, intricate prints and structured garments along with playing with accessories and turning them into fresh ones. I have recently put my hands into recycling and up cycling of garments as it exposes me to challenges and innovative thinking.

To find out more about Aida Arbiyan's Fashion for Refreshed you can email her on aida_arabiyan@hotmail.co.uk

Willow Jams

by Besma Mjw

Fashion has always been a part of my life and it has fascinated me all the time. I loved how

the clothes enabled to express the personality of individuals and how different trends have

been used to capture people's characters, as well as to satisfy their needs. This made me see

the beauty of fashion and the transformation in all the designs, as well as the creativity in

the different patterns that are available. All the details and patterns of shapes and colour

that went into designing a piece of garment captivated my attention. One of my favourite inspirational new designers is Zac Posen, due to the fact that we have

similar taste in styling and designing. With this project I choose to go with 90s grunge style because of the grunge style is about hugging dresses, maxi skirts, graphic tanks, lumberjack shirts, cropped tees and super skinny jeans. People brought back to us the smell of the 90s and proved that statement by wearing distressed jeans, a leather jacket, tomboy graphics and finish this look with chunky biker boots.

To find out more about Willow Jams for Refreshed by Besma Mjw check out their Facebook page by clicking on the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Willow-Jams/111644845709360