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The Fashion Lab

Newcastle Upon Tyne

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About
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The Fashion Lab
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Featured…

Twinning leopard print with the inspiring, humble and all round fabulous woman that is @itsmeluluguinness 😻💄✨ lots of likeminded women gathered today for this brilliant event hosted by @smartworksncl, supporting local women through job interviews and building confidence through interview coaching and wardrobe styling. I’ve adored Lulu’s designs since I was a teen, so having the opportunity to meet her was a surreal and amazing experience, even more so to find out she shares my love of hand embroidery and regularly practices in her spare time! Words of wisdom to take away include “being who you are is going to get you where you want to be”, (to look stylish on a budget) “wear lipstick, and keep applying” and to remember to enjoy the process and look forward to each day, rather than worrying about what you can tick off your to-do list ✌️ big thanks to @smartworksncl for organising, to @weddingdaydresseruk and Sharon MacArthur (The Red Handbag) for being great company, and to Lulu for being so approachable and sharing her experience and advice ❤️
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#smartworks #smartworksnewcastle #luluguinness #lunchwithluluguinness #womenempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #womensupportingotherwomen #inspiredaily #inspired #bossbabe #ladyboss #empowered #confidence #style #stylish #leopardprint #fashion #highplaces #lipsticklover #newcastle #balticmill #melaniekyles

Day 7 of #septtextilelove is texture. I collaborated on this piece to celebrate the reopening of our bejewelled neighbors at @goldsmiths_uk flagship in 2015 with Jonpaul from @ampersandinventions and Nick from @incubate_printmaking 💛💛 I love the story of the famous @rolex kissing clock, that is said to be topped up with coatings of 22 carat gold, and gets its name from couples that would get engaged under the clock before going into Northern Goldsmiths to choose their ring 💍💕 after being illustrated by Jonpaul Kirvan (aka JP) and screenprinted by Nick Christie using metallic ink, I applied gold leaf, a mix of Swarovski crystals and pearls with seed and bugle beads, and fine gold threads to create smooth textured embellishment 💫💫 the bespoke artwork is now displayed at the top of the grand staircase inside Northern Goldsmiths, continuing to celebrate its legacy 🙏
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#collaboration #collaborate #creativecollaboration #collaborationovercompetition #swarovskiforprofessionals #swarovskielements #luxe #luxelife #gold #goldenhour #inspired #heritage #landmark #newcastleupontyne #localartists #nefollowers #northern #artwork #embellished #needlework #illustration #printmaking #throwback #reflect @seam_collective

Day 6 of #septtextilelove is history (I know I’m catching up!) and I found it difficult to choose between these two projects! The first isn’t the tidiest, but it’s a snapshot of where my love of embroidery properly started 8 years ago. I was in the second year of my textiles degree and we were asked to follow a brief by the brilliant @handandlock_theprize where we were challenged to keep to the materials we already had. It was the first time I’d really experimented with needlework and totally fell in love with it, and it also brought to my attention how much textile ‘waste’ exists. The second is from 2014 where I opened @praxisgallery with my solo show ‘Holier Than Thou’. For these artworks, I used vintage pages from 1920’s art books on Da Vinci and Botticelli and added dimension using enamel, silver leaf and hand embroidery/embellishment 💁‍♀️✨ both of these projects are major throwbacks, the first is displayed in my studio as a little reminder, the second is homed in a gorgeous mansion down south ✨✨
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#heritage #history #embellishment #embroidery #embroiderylove #beadwork #inspiretocreate #textileartwork #embroiderylove #embroiderylover #embroiderylovers #embroiderersofinstagram #needlework #botticelli #embroideredart #upcycle #reuse #reworkedclothing #secondhandseptember #wastenotwantnot #make_more_magic #create #creativefolk #vintagebooks @seam_collective

Day 5 of #septtextilelove with sketchbook! This is a little bit of what I’ve been working on ❤️ I’ve always loved fashion that’s expressive, fun and colourful, such as the designs of Schiaparelli, Vivetta, Lulu Guinness and Alice & Olivia 💫💫💫 a lot of my sketchbooks actually tend to be in black and white, as I experiment with colour once I’m at the sampling stage using the materials I have, but it’s great to branch out from my usual pen and ink from time to time 👩🏻‍🎨❤️
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#colour #colourpop #colourmehappy #inspiredbycolour #sketchbook #workinprogress #wip #colourmyworld #inspiretocreate #hands #fashion #style #nailfie #artistsoninstagram #artistlife #embroiderer #embroiderersofinstagram @seam_collective

Day 4 of #septtextilelove ❤️ damage and repair. Visible mending through hand embroidery is something I’m getting more into at the moment, and it’s something I wish I’d started sooner! It combines my loves of contemporary embroidery and sustainable fashion, and I’ve always been really into the idea of celebrating the imperfectly perfect (because where’s the story in something totally unblemished 🤷‍♀️ you only have to look at how beautiful #kintsugi repair is to see its value). Later this month, which is actually perfect timing for if you’re doing #secondhandseptember or digging out your old fine knitwear, I’ll be running a 1 hour visible mending class as part of @binge.fest so you can give your clothes a second life that is personal and unique!
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#sustainablefashion #slowfashion #fashionrevolution #lovedclotheslast #ethicalfashion #slowfashionmovement #ethicsandaesthetics #wearyourvalues #sustainability #consciousclothing #fashionactivism #fashion #clothing #workshop #visiblemending #newcastle #newcastleevents #embroidery #handembroidery #melaniekyles @seam_collective

I’ve been running my ‘Introduction to Machine Sewing’ for a couple of years now, and it’s still a popular class with seats going quickly! I think it’s fantastic so many people are keen to learn how to sew, as not only is it just a really handy skill to have for mending and making, but it can also open up doors creatively as it is so versatile! Each one of my classes is 2 hours long, all tools and materials are provided including quality organic cotton and recycled PET threads for a more sustainable session, and you even get a free hand-out to keep you on track once you get home 😃👍 there’s just a couple of tickets left for my next date (link in bio for tickets!) 17th Sept, 6-8pm.
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#eventsinnewcastle #newcastleevents #eventsnewcastle #workshop #class #learn #make #makeandmend #lovedclotheslast #secondhandseptember #lovenotlandfill #skills #sewing #machinesewing #social #creative #newcastle #newcastlegateshead #NEfollowers #inspire #studio #studiovibes #smallbusiness #supportwomenownedbusinesses #supportwomenowned #ihavethisthingwithpink #floral #vibes #rosetinted #melaniekyles

Day 3 of #SeptTextileLove - influence. I’ll start off by saying there’s all sorts of things that inspire me, from the glitz and graphics of Warhol’s ‘Silver Factory’, to the gorgeous colour blocking and patterns of Memphis Group, to the romance, beauty and craftsmanship of Alexander McQueen. I’m inspired by Pre-Raphaelite paintings and the stories they tell, the colour palettes of Wes Anderson and videos by Chanel and Dior of their ateliers (see previous post). When put on the spot about what inspires me I’ve always ended up saying older women. I think what I mean by this, is women who have reached a stage in their life who feel completely at ease with their creative unique selves, who are a breath of fresh air in a society that has so many expectations of how we should be! One which I adore is the legendary @iris.apfel, who continues to break the mould not only for older women, but for fashion and self expression in general 🙌🎉🎉 Image promoting Iris @grandinroad collection.
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#icon #iconic #irisapfel #happybirthdayiris #inspire #inspired #inspiration #style #styleiseternal #embroiderer #embroidererofinstagram #influence #colourpop #colourcrush #make_more_magic #createtoinspire #create #creative @seam_collective

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