A History of the Miniskirt The iconic history of the miniskirt is anything but short and sweet, with rebellion, sex and sixties hedonism at its core. Hitched-up hemlines can date back as far 4700BC, but the miniskirt we know and love today was born out of a youth culture movement that strived to deviate from the […]
What is Mesh The world of fashion has seen the popularity of mesh garments soar within the last few years, but exactly what is mesh, and why are high-street stores and designers alike fawning over it? This sheer, soft fabric with tons of tiny holes has been loosely woven or knitted to create the signature […]
With the Oscars fast-approaching you’re bound to see some fabulous outfits hitting the red carpet. Stunning gowns, dapper suits and glamour from head to toe. Even if you’re not one of the lucky ones with an invite to the most prestigious award show in town, you can still look the part with the perfect suit. […]
What is Fleece? Fleece is a man-made wonder product, if there is such a thing. Despite being named after the ‘fleece’ coat on a sheep, it’s 100% synthetic and derived from plastic rather than a fluffy sheep’s coat – despite being fuzzy to the touch. The super soft, warm and breathable nature of this magic […]
From one of the most iconic pieces of military uniform, to one of the most iconic pieces in fashion; the trench coat is so much more than an accessory. The history of the trench coat dates back over 150 years, and we are going to delve deeper into the folds of this stylish and essential […]
Chiffon is synonymous with elegance in the fashion world. This floaty, sheer fabric is often used in luxury garments such as evening wear or lingerie to add a touch of class as it drapes well. Chiffon has a lightweight texture and a semi-mesh weave which is what gives the fabric a chic transparent appearance, as […]
What is Denim and what is it made from? Denim is a sturdy cotton twill fabric, generally used to make garments such as jeans, dungarees and other clothing. It is typically blue in colour. However, it can have a multitude of different finishes such as being stonewashed, striped, faded, napped and indigo. Traditionally it is […]
Where to Start Sewing for Beginners When it comes to sewing for beginners, where to start with your sewing kit can often get overlooked. Needles? Check. Threads? Check. Ready to go? Not just yet! There’s a whole array of other useful things you should have in your beginner’s sewing kit from day one, allowing you to breeze through your first craft […]
Types of Applique What is Applique? Whether you’re a seasoned fashionista or an experimental designer, the art of applique is sure to come up in your textile practice. Applique essentially means applying one piece of fabric to another – usually shapes or designs on top of a fabric background – and it can be a […]
What is Neoprene? You’ve probably come across Neoprene before without even realising. But what is Neoprene? Neoprene was the first ever successful synthetic rubber created, dating back to 1930. It can be found on tires, wetsuits, hoses, and as well as being a particularly useful material its now also made its way onto high end […]