Moroccan Tiles

We've been looking at tiles for our bathroom floor.  Kundra at Moroccan Warehouse in Cape Town sent us these photos of some of our favourites.  Although we're worried about how trippy they might look (especially after a 'night on the tiles' - cringe), we've finally decided on the second geometric, blue and white pattern. 

'Potato' Printing

I've had this idea for potato printing for ages.  This was actually my second attempt after meticulously carving out the perfect 'p' only to discover that I'd done it back to front, (obviously I then grew despondent and put the whole idea off for a while)!!!!  So chuffed with how it eventually came out.  Not sure if the dappled effect has more to do with printing it on grass than just the potato itself.  Need to do some more experimenting with printing on a hard surface, otherwise I'll be spreading the lawn with rolls of white fabric.  I've put the potato in the freezer to see if it will keep.  Got big plans for this print...

Painted Dresses

I almost wish I hadn't found these pictures of painted dresses, whilst experimenting with painting my own fabric.  I was discussing just recently with some friends, how there is a fine line between being inspired without being overly influenced by someone else's idea and subconsciously copying it.  These vintage dresses by Hermes are beautiful and humorous.  Hopefully I can be inspired by them to produce some modern and also tongue-in-cheek textile designs.

To see the full story see The Vintage Festival Facebook page.

Nesting

Some girls spend their whole life planning their wedding (ha, not me we didn't even tell anyone), for as long as I can remember I've been saving images and dreaming about my first home.  Finally the h-bomb (still not comfortable using the word husband) and I have purchased our first home!  Excitement aside it is definitely a project albeit a small one...

It's currently being used as an office.

It's a super old building so there's a bit of a damp problem and an old fashion skylight in the ceiling otherwise known simply as hole.

Measuring out our new bathroom.

Original floor detail.

It consists of two rooms, one big and one small!  We're hoping to install a mezzanine level in the large room with open plan living - otherwise know as; shit where you sleep!  In this case it will only be cook / eat where you sleep as we're going to put the bathroom in the smaller room in the back of the building!  We're aiming to keep the style of the space fairly industrial and we've already started to attend auctions and flea markets to find mid-century, vintage furniture.  So my blog might be taking a more renovation diary direction for a while, as I fill it with all my inspiration for our first home and the 'before and after' shots.

Painting fabric

I've been meaning to paint this David Hockney inspired pattern onto fabric for ages now.  It's quite a literal interpretation of Hockney's swimming pool paintings / photos, but as it's my first time experimenting with fabric paint, I'm ok with that!  I'm definitely going to try doing more of this, it was great fun and really easy to do.  I just need to wait and see if it's going to dry stiff or not and test it in the wash.  Then I think I'm going to make it into a skirt.

I also wanted to see if the paint would run on wet fabric, which it does, hopefully this will lead me to a more adventurous design next time...

Getting started again

It's been a while and thankfully the old brute that is my sewing machine, still works!  It's moved house and been left slightly unloved and unprotected whilst walls were knocked down around it!  But I dusted it off and filled her with lovely clean oil and she started up like a dream!  Now I have no excuse...

Well except for that fact that I don't really have a studio and I keep getting distracted by the gorgeous cross stitched flamingoes......and tea and mince pies!

Craft work

At the moment I'm trying to make some sheepskin boots and I'm really enjoying learning all about shoemaking.  I came across this little video and it totally rang true with my obsession with learning how everything is made and not only that but making things properly, by hand to a high standard.  It's great that you can get so much information off the web but it gets to a point where to learn the most about a craft you need to actually talk to someone.  I'd love to apprentice for a traditional shoe maker or a tailor to get first hand, hands-on experience.  I'm starting to get a bit fed up with all the courses for this, that and the other and I can't afford to pay for one or give up my soul to live in London.  Give me a wing to tuck under in some tiny workshop and I'd work my heart out to learn a traditional skill that's been passed down through generations, lets see if Google can find me that.....!

A-symmetric shoes

I love a bit of A-symmetry, especially in surprising places.  These shoes by Koji Horigome are incredible.  I could happily design a whole collection of garments around these.  I do have a small obsession with shoes, more than clothes.  I'm super fussy when it comes to their shape and don't even get me started on trainers - the toe has to be the right length and width, laces must be wide set, etc, etc!

Check out Koji Horigome's shoes and an interview at Not Just A Label.  I particularly like his sources of inspiration;

"The shape of orthopaedic shoes, 1960s artificial limbs, vintage medical equipment, military outfits, processes of traditional shoe making, the film "Ghost in the Shell" and abandoned buildings."

Fashion film

I came across these videos by photography student Lucy Hawes.  I don't usually have much of an attention span for fashion collection films, but I think I like this one.




She's done a brilliant job of capturing the atmosphere and style of Paris fashion week.  I look forward to seeing what else she produces in the future.  Take a look at Lucy Hawes' website. http://www.lucyhawesphotography.com/

Neon

Super happy for my friend Elsie's new website; http://neonwetsuits.com/.  Based in Cornwall she makes the most gorgeous wetsuits for women and men.  You can pick a style and then your own colours for custom one of kind swimsuits, bottoms and tops, and they're not just for surfers!!

Neon recently got featured in Vogue too!

The Coat

Photograph by Rudi Geyser

Charcoal by Rudi Geyser

Feather shrug, KLuK.  Leggings, stylist's own.

Trousers and top, off.kilter.  Shoes, model's own.

Coat, off.kilter.

Faux fur coat, Zara.

Blouse, KLuK.

This is the second shoot including off.kilter clothing.  We had access to an amazing loft style location and some fabulous clothes courtesy of KLuk CGDT.

Photographer, Rudi Geyser

Assistant, Tim Atkins

Model, Jenna at Max Models Cape Town

Stylists, Pippa Williams, Klaudia Dedekind

Hair, Melissa Van Zyl

Make-up, Marya Hardwicke 

'..alive alive-oooo..'

'Singing cockles and mussels alive, alive-ooooo', or not so much in this case!  I haven't painted properly for years but I have wanted to pick up a paintbrush again for ages now.  It took my husband to start doing some painting to motivate me to have a go.  

You booty!

 Visited a South African car boot sale today and wasn't disappointed!  Found this gold mine of vintage patterns, and love practically all of them.  Can't wait to make some of these and they're also great inspiration for future off.kilter projects.  Need to check out just how small the patterns come up - as the ladies back then were so petite!

These are some of my favourites.  I love the maxi dresses and coats.  The pattern in the top left has a great sleeve / shoulder detail which might crop up in a future off.kilter garment and those stripy flares will definitely be added to my wardrobe - maybe in a chunky navy corduroy.  Look at that fabulous wedding dress!!

Check out my vintage seventies fabric here.

Off.Kilter Clothing

 Dress, Off Kilter.  Necklace, Klaudia Dedekind.

Jacket, shorts and top, Off Kilter.  Bag, Titch.  Belt, vintage.

Dress, Off Kilter.  Shoes, Office.

These are the clothes I make.

Photographer, Rudi Geyser.

Model, Mia at D&A Models.

Stylist, Pippa Williams.

Hair and Make-up, Marya Hardwicke.

Mmm minimal bunting

Found this interesting art installation through the Dezeen magazine.  Whilst trying to find out whether the bunting was made out of recycled plastic (don't think it is which is a shame), I found the designer's website.

Some nice stuff by Philippe Malouin.

Frida

Ever since watching the biographical film of Frida Kahlo, I have been gaining a small obsession with her.  I've been meaning to find out more information about the Mexican artist, when I came across these photos from The Vintage Festival Facebook page.  You can see more photos from the new exhibition being held at the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico in this article by The Daily Mail.  It turns out some of the clothes on display are by designers who have been inspired by the artist including Ricardo Tisci and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Charity shop finds

Purchased this collection of beauties from the local charity shop in Portugal.  Each item cost 1 Euro!! 

Vintage fabric

Photo by Rudi Geyser

Found this lovely seventies fabric in Portugal.  Soon to be a pair of high waisted shorts with a scalloped hem.