The problem with plus size

Is there a problem with using the phrase 'plus size'?

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I feel like I should let you know that to get me in the mood I am listening to Mika 'big girl' (you are beautiful).

I recently posted a question on my Facebook and Instagram page asking for feedback on the term plus size. A question I posted most innocently but one that also received heated responses, which made me think that I really ought to address it.

So let me give you some background information which may explain where my position is on the whole thing, because I too wear clothes...

I tend to wear a UK size 16, which is often the starting point of 'plus size' sizing. However, being a size 16 means that I have never found it too difficult to buy clothing, other than bras. I can walk into TopShop and come out with a frock or pick up a tshirt from River Island without much problem. So as much as I have some insight I can't say I have a total understanding first hand.

When designing and building on my brand I am keen to cater for every body. Whether you are a size 2 or a size 32, 4ft6 or 6ft4, age 16 or age 76  I have the genuine belief that every single body deserves to feel beautiful. It is important to me that I can carry through some ethics into this crazy industry, and body love is an issue close to my heart.

I think I have an advantage in designing clothes for ladies over a certain size because I have experience in theatrical design where costumes are made for all body types, and also because I know the cuts and shapes I like to wear, and also the obstacles I have found with clothes shopping. Especially in regards to the downfalls of availability for great bridal and event wear.

So, I was overwhelmed with responses, and very passionate ones at that ranging from, 'yeahhh plus size is fine by us' to 'why don't you call it a human range so you don't discriminate against bodies'. Body discrimination and presentation in fashion/media is a topic I could literally write about for days and days. This ranges from why it is easier to use very slim models in catwalk shows, to why I feel it's important to encourage women (and men!) to embrace themselves just the way they are and also how Photoshop can be used in a positive way. Yes I said that.

I don't want to go on too much about this, but I also want to provide you with a bit of a summary of what I found from all of your views.... You don't want to be labelled, and hey, neither do I! But, for the purpose of my SEO and to use standard fashion lingo terminology 'plus size' is the way to phrase this. When I was looking for 'bigger' models, I knew the models I needed to search for because they call themselves plus size. It isn't a negative phrase, but it is practical. So in conclusion I will continue to say that Rosie Red Corsetry & Couture produces bespoke clothing for all bodies with zero discrimination (no labels) but also for the purpose of Internet searches I will continue to say that I provide 'plus size options' (practicality).

But you, yes you reading this right now, you're gorgeous and I could create you something truly magical...♥

Let's talk about secrets...

I am good with secrets: keeping them, having them. All kinds of secret related things.

This year I had several big secrets I had to keep, and at times it was so tricky. mainly because I was bursting with excitement. In an age where we are constantly being demanded of for new current information and unique selling points, it can be hard and too tempting to keep things secret. But, I do feel that it is crucially important. Maybe like a first date, you don't always want to give everything away right away...

I began to really up my social media game after meeting with Helena Bonham carter and her right hand lady Donna. Donna said that I really needed to built on a brand and get people involved through social media. She is this incredible power house of a successful lady and ignoring this advice would've been down right stupid. At first I was reluctant it all seemed so demanding constantly. The internet, what a brilliant tool it is, has many plus and negative points. For example we can all now be contacted at all hours of the day as we are connected internationally. Someone is always awake and always online. Fabulous. But, after waking up with my phone stuck to my face too many times I realised that I needed to discipline myself, and that actually sometimes a short wait is totally fine too.

I am also a self confessed instagram addict now (@rosieredcorsetry) I had never really understood it or the draw to it before, but I *totally* get it now. Still not a big fan of Twitter, I think it's the lack of visuals.

So here are some teasers for secrets that I will not be telling just yet...

1. I may or may not have heard back that someone wants to work with me which could lead to possible exciting things

2. I may or may not have booked a driving test

3. I may or may not be planning a pretty huge collection for the new year with a ridiculously exciting team of people

4. I may or may not sometimes be the hardest on myself and have to remind myself, "come on now lady, you're 23, you've had a pretty good year. Lots accomplished. Well done you."

So it's a big yes to social media for the best part. I would love for you to follow me and keep up with my story as I feel that I am only just at the beginning. I can't to see where this journey takes me...

Bodies don't scare me

That's right, bodies don't scare me. Skinny bodies, fat bodies, top heavy bodies, bodies with scars, acne, stretch marks or saggy bits. I love them.

At 13 I was already 5ft 7, and it's only in the past few years I feel I've finally caught up with my body (now 5ft 9). I myself have been 'plus-sized' for a while at a UK 16, but I haven't seen this as a disadvantage or burden to carry. It hasn't hindered me, and as I dabble into the world of fashion, it hasn't intimidated me either.

When I gradually released my first Wild Rose images of Miss Deadly Red and Rosie Pigott, it was the first time I have ever received negative feedback. I decided to take this as a huge compliment, negative feedback meant that I was starting to get noticed. I was asked why I had chosen to use such skinny models, models with fake boobs showing an unrealistic reflection of women. In my opinion, I hadn't. The boobs weren't fake, but shouldn't we be asking ourselves what's wrong with fake boobs anyway? We all have personal choice, we all have ownership of our bodies.

Deciding to extend my Wild Rose Collection into plus size was easy for me. I met a gorgeous model with the most incredible personality and confidence this August, and she cemented the idea firmly in my head, I needed to do this. There was another lady I had been following online who I felt that one day I would have to dress, and as these things seem to work out magically, they both were keen and I set about creating pieces for Evie Wolfe and George Horne (Fuller Figure Fuller Bust) to wear for me in the most idyllic setting of Nether Winchendon House and shot by the most brilliant photography team, InaGlo.

Studying Costume Design at university gave me a further understanding of bodies. We had to cut for all body types and shapes. And, in regards to plus size wear, I thought all the time in my head, 'what would I love to wear'? Evie commented on the shoot that she was thrilled that a designer had chosen not to hide the body away, but to really show it off. Bodies deserve showing off. When these girls stood in front of me all corseted and swathed in tulle you could see how they felt shining through. Just stunning.

I can't say enough times that I feel every body deserves to feel beautiful.

I am planning and scheming new things at the moment, and feeling excited and inspired. I have never wanted something so much before, and I can be pretty relentless... ❤

Selfies were obviously manadatory. Evie and George ❤

http://www.eviewolfe.co.uk/
http://fullerfigurefullerbust.com/

The Dentist

I have never had a problem with the dentist. I don't suffer with any fear of injections so the idea of having sharp things put into my gums, doesn't actually bother me too much. This year was the first year I have had to have any dental work, and I walked into my new dentists to find he was this gorgeous stubbled man with a voice like Ewan Mcgregor. I confidentially told him that it was just a check up, and that there would be no problems here... Possibly the most embarrassing moment this year was when I was actually told that I was so far from being right, further work would be needed. But this really is rambling off the point...

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I try, as a general rule to be kind to everyone I meet. Sometimes it is more trying than others, but it is a mantra I try to live by. I also really enjoy talking to strangers. I find it really interesting that each and every person is on their own journey. Everyone has had tragedy, have dreams and hopes and their own back story. Recently I even found out that there is a word for this: 'sonder'. It's now a favourite.

I'm pretty sure I got this skill from my mother. For anyone that has met her, she has this encapsulating warmth and is always drawn to new people. You could see it as the ultimate form of networking. Somebody always knows somebody else who is keen to help and get involved. So when mum went to the dentist and bumped into an old friend over 5 years ago they exchanged their current contact details and got speaking about what they were up to with their lives.

I have a super exiting shoot coming up in just over a week, expanding my Wild Roses collection into Plus Size. I'm sure I will get a blog together about this soon, why I feel there's a need and in particular why I want to cater for it. But in the meantime let's just say: I really love all bodies.

Stuck without a location, and the weather being untrustworthy and moody in November, we were all racking our brains and then suddenly this contact came to mind. Now we have a fantastic location lined up, and many future projects starting to brew because after meeting the Lady of the House she was so enthused with what I was up to... 

It just goes to show that you never know what or who is round the corner, so always show people the best version of yourself ❤

For behind the scenes shots and to see my work in progress, check out my Instagram: rosieredcorsetry

Saving for best

When I was a little girl my mother had the softest loveliest mohair cardigan in the world. It was milky cream coloured, and cropped into a little bolero with long sleeves and just touching it made you feel decadent. It was hers, and yet she hardly ever wore it. I couldn't comprehend why someone who owned this magical piece of clothing wouldn't want to wear it all the time and show off all of its loveliness to the world. But she told me it was for best, and to the back of the cupboard it went.

As I grew up I started to realise that more and more things were 'just for best', nice shirts and suits, the pretty table mats and even summer dresses. Although I had grown and so had my ideas of the world, it still made no sense to me that these things should be packaged away. What good were they doing anyone stashed away? I washed the items get moth-holes, be outgrown and the owners simply fall out of love with them. What a waste. I made a pact to myself that nothing would be kept for best.

So why share this story? I think it's because I have been considering bridal wear a lot lately, bridal wear and fancy lingerie. Don't get me wrong, I love brides and I always say that 'I love love', bridal commissions are among some of my absolute favourites. But why should posh frocks and naughty lingerie be saved just for weddings? Clothing has this amazing power to communicate and to lift and change our moods. I feel it's something we should be embracing far more.

We have seen a shift in attitudes towards clothing and how we purchase, but I really think the best most spirit lifting thing we can do is just wear our best, more. Have you ever stayed in to watch a movie but worn a cocktail dress or gone to bed with your favourite book dolled up in a negligee and stockings, just for your benefit? It might sound a bit on the eccentric side, but I promise it really is worth a try.

That mohair cardigan is no longer in the back of the wardrobe... ❤

The Time I went to OCOC

I knew that this was a blogpost I would write, way before I even attended the Oxford Conference of Corsetry (OCOC). However, I wanted to leave it late so that it didn't get mixed up in the chaos around the event, meaning that it could be dragged out for as long as possible.

Now I am a really social person. I am the kind of person that if I have been working all day on my own I will take any opportunity to pounce on possible company. I even had quite a long conversation with a man coming to sell fish at the door the other day, until he realised I was vegetarian and that no sale would be made. But in all seriousness, my social life is a key part to my happiness. The reason I say this is because my social life barely ever includes talk of corsets and corsetry construction. I am the friend with the 'corset stuff', and maybe the slight oddball...

But OCOC changed all of that and flipped it on it's head. I remember saying that it felt as though you had taken every slightly eccentric/kooky character and popped us all in one venue to discuss the super geeky aspects of corsetry. And this was the bit that I enjoyed the most. All of these names that I had seen on Facebook and through social media were here, and real physical people (who would've thunked it). My disappointment was that I didn't have the chance to meet everyone properly, but there is always the future.

Oxford is my hometown, and despite seeing inside some of the colleges, Jesus College where this was set, was one I had never been in. In fact I had to embarrassingly google maps where it was. Unlike some of the other colleges it is super central, so an ideal venue. It felt very Harry-Potter-esque which is always the best feeling possible. Particularly eating at long wooden tables and benches, facing a top table and being stared down by portraits hung on the walls, I was slightly surprised they didn't start moving...

This was my first experience of OCOC, as it falls on the bank holiday in August which is traditionally a busy weekend in the year for me with family birthdays, and an annual meet-up with long distance friends. I would happily recommend it to anyone. Prior to going I wondered if I would be prepared enough, if I would fall below par and basically not be ready. But, this was not the case and I would recommend the experience to anyone interested in corsetry as a fabulous networking event. Maybe you're a photographer, a model, a hair and MUA or perhaps you just are really passionate about corsets, this event would be entirely suitable for you if you fancy an alternative to your summer vacation. I was able to 'network' and exchange contacts with some fabulous people, and can now confirm I will be doing a collaborative piece with model Evie Wolfe very soon. On top of this meeting Threnody in Velvet in the flesh felt huge for me. The image of her wearing Miss Katie's bridal corset was the one that set the ball rolling for me, and lead me to my first internship all that time ago. It's an image that has stuck with me, and she is just as flawless and beautiful in the flesh. It's almost quite unbelievable.

Julia Bremble the Organiser, and Mother of the whole event is a dear friend and I am in awe at how she was able to arrange this, run her business and make corsets alongside. And we can't forget that she is an actual mother as well as wife and owner of the most adorable Marley. Multitasking superwoman comes to mind.

As much as I can't fully say what the future will hold I feel that I will know I have really  made it if I get invited back as a motivational dinner speaker, let's give it 5-10 years ;) ❤

To see the official website: http://www.conferenceofcorsetry.com/

Photo Credits for Laurie Tavan Photography. 
See some of Laurie's work at: https://www.facebook.com/LTlaurietavan

One Month

I had a conversation last night with a good friend. We covered the standards of what am I doing now, what's my big plan, where am I looking for jobs or am I setting up on my own...

Now as a society we are fast. We are all about the speed and the now. We want a quick fix immediately, no patience required. We want fast food, fast gratitude and fast fashion. In my opinion, this has lead us to get all of our timings in a muddle. Now don't get me wrong, I am prone to want a takeaway, but I also love putting the effort into preparing a homemade meal, and as much as I nip into Primark for tights like the next person, I actually now invest in pieces, and shop predominantly from vintage and charity shops. I like to think that I have my 'speed balance' in perspective for the best part. 

The thing with wanting super fast speed means that we all get impatient and want the next thing immediately. I have been feeling lately that, what am I doing? Seriously it has been foooorrreveerrr since the whole Vanity Fair gig. This must now mean that I am massively under-succeeding.

One month ago. This was one month ago. In fact it was featured in the September Issue, and what month are we still currently in? September. 

The end of this month marks a year since I started my six month contract working for Cancer Research. This means I have been out of 'normal' work for nearly six months. That is no time at all. In six months I have made wedding gowns, prom dresses, lingerie sets, written for online mags, completed a full collection and had it shot, made two corset gowns to take for my meeting (one which is still top secret), dressed HBC, had a full page photograph in Vanity Fair and had my work shot by Mario Testino, carried out a radio interview, multiple press interviews, been to Norway and dressed the Editor-and-Chief of their big fashion mag 'Costume' and I am now working on a special extension to my Wild Roses Collection...

This is not a brag. This is me telling you that you are doing better than you think. So give yourself a pat on the back please. Time goes by quickly, but not as quickly as you think. Be patient and celebrate all of those successes. And maybe invest some time into the things you care about, life isn't all about the fast.

So to let you all know what I am doing right now I am eating a banana and drinking diet coke. But in seriousness, I am currently working on extending my Wild Rose collection into plus size. I met a lady this summer who just inspired me beyond belief and I thought to myself, I need to dress you. This lady was Evie Wolfe. I can also reveal that I will be dressing one of my personal 'online idols' George from Fuller Figure Fuller Bust. But more of that at a later date...❤

 

 Models: Evie Wolfe Modeling and Georgina Horne (FFFB)
Photo by: My Boudoir - Make-Over Boudoir Photography
H&MU: Sarah Elliott - Hair & Makeup Artist
Appearing in: Volup2.com 

Creativity in a suitcase

So I guess I always had a bit of a fear. The fear that I could only be creative in one place: the kitchen of my childhood home.

As a child I was always super creative, which thanks to my parents seemed encouraging of this. The philosophy that a kitchen was to be a messy place so long as it was tided away after was the best. It showed me that creativity wasn't necessarily a fragile or organised thing. Sometimes *POW* the creativity strikes, and normally a trail of chaos forms in it's path. That's one of my favourite side-effects.

So it started with finger painting, and potato stamping and then I drew a seal on the wall once which I hadn't twigged was out of bounds. I soon learnt that drawing on the walls wasn't what we do. But it was a very good seal. I progressed to dressmaking and 'costume' making before I had learnt all of my times tables, and it seemed like the kitchen was the place where everything and anything could happen. 

As a teenager I did my college work in the very same kitchen, and as the portfolios grew bigger and the projects advanced it seemed like this was the place for me. I had access to a computer, the radio, a table, a set of drawers full of art materials and my sewing machine was constantly set up. Everything I could possibly need was around me. Then I applied for university.

There was no way I was going to be living at home. After turning down an interview at Wimbledon partly on the basis that the student life of Birmingham had stolen my heart already, a bizarre thought crossed my mind. Could I be creative outside the kitchen? What if I went off to university and I was rubbish? My whole surroundings would be totally different, I wouldn't have the access to everything I would need and maybe my creativity would just frazzle out.

But it didn't. I soon realised that my creativity wasn't linked to an environment or a place, but that creativity is just an integral part of my being. Drop me on an island in the middle of nowhere and I can guarantee finding some way of stitching leaves together so I can sport a fetching bikini with matching headdress. My creativity is like a little internal suitcase I carry around with me, and sometimes I need to remind myself of this. It is still a concept that occasionally freaks me out, maybe my version of performance anxiety?

Sometimes we convince ourselves of silly wonderments as a way to prevent us from taking risks, and we could all do with the occasional helpful nudge from time to time.

Those who dare, win. Right?... ❤

 

Rocking my Little Mermaid Costume

'Great things never came from comfort zones'

I think that we are all faced with uncomfortable situations every day. I'm just using the term uncomfortable to describe anything a bit out of our ordinary 'norm' or something that makes us feel nervous or unsure.
I have just had the great pleasure of dressing the absolutely gorgeous Hege Aurelie Badendyck, Editor-in-Chief of Costume Magazine, Norway's leading fashion mag. The shoot was a collaborative piece for a new exciting company Prefall that will be launched soon. As part of the Prefall website (an online platform to sell vintage and pre-worn clothing and accessories) there is going to be a feature editorial style piece on Hege, and my clothing was seen and chosen to be worn as part of the shoot. But this was an opportunity to really push myself out of my comfort zone.

I went absolutely voluntarily, I could've easily declined, couriered my garments out there with a covering letter of 'how to wear'. I made the conscious decision that this was an opportunity I had to make the most  of. Although it was 'work' related, I actually haven't had a holiday for what feels like forever, so it made sense that I should take this as an opportunity to do some sightseeing and have a break away. It also meant I had the opportunity to spend some proper time with my gorgeous Norwegian cousin. Our family has always been a bit all over the world, so this was such a lovely opportunity. She is the ultimate cooler older cousin, and from the rapper boyfriend she had as a teen (as a child I was convinced he was Norway's version of Eminem) to the fact her wedding cake topper was Hello Kitty and a Ninja turtle, I knew it would be such a great time to get to know someone better that I has always looked up to so much.

So these were my uncomfortable things:

1.  I have never flown on my own
Doing new things can be frightening. Not only had I not flown for over 5 years, I had never flown alone. What if I couldn't get through airport security? What if I lost my passport, my permission to carry sharps and was arrested and and and. Nope. Instead I enjoyed people watching, buying duty free gin and catching up on some reading. Being on my own was surprisingly peaceful. It also made me realise that I don't need to be dependent on someone. Lightbulb moment.

2. Going to a country where I speak none of the language
So people do this all the time, but I think I am one of these people who like to be in control. Not knowing the language of a country can instantly make you feel vulnerable. What are these people saying? How will I communicate? Well it's not surprising that as with most European countries, English is taught in schools so is also pretty widely spoken. Reading signs was often quite alright as the occasional word has similarities, but some of the pronunciation of the words did baffle me. I did however have a great sense of pride when I managed to have a day solo-sightseeing that involved working out the tube system.

3. Getting lost
I am not one of these people that have a built in compass. In fact I am pretty guaranteed to get lost anywhere. I like to think when I am travelling with someone that they are the directions person and I am the company. Not entirely fair is it? It did however make me realise that I am actually rather observant and good at following signs. I got around no problem.

4. Shoot day
Any shoot can be pretty nerve-racking, but normally in the most exciting way possible. In fairness, this was no different. When the day began I felt nervous, which isn't a feeling I get too often and I think I put it down to the fact that everyone was obviously chatting away in a language I had no grasp of. As the day went on though it was clear that everything was going brilliantly, and speaking to the whole team was brilliant and insightful. I think Having Helena Bonham Carter on your business cards is a pretty good talking point as well. There will certainly be more news to follow...

I can whole heartily say that I have had a brilliant weekend. On this year's 'list' I wrote that I want to travel, among with many other goals. Another pretty big one was to push my comfort zone even further. Networking in person is such a valuable tool, and I cannot wait to receive the images. On a personal level I came back feeling indestructible, this really is just the beginning...

Last week I received a couple of really exciting emails, but less on that for the meantime. Although I can say that I have just agreed to be a 'Spotlight Speaker' at event later this year. 

Speaking in front of over a hundred people. Comfort zone: well and truly shattered. Lemme at it! ❤

 Top: Innovative styling
Middle: Polaroid of me, courtesy of Prefall
Bottom: Collaborative work

The meaning of words

I really like words. Aside from textiles and drama (I managed to sign up for a costume design module) at school, English Literature was my absolute favourite. I think the big appeal was that you were able to explore the way language can be used to different effect. It seemed so creative and open-ended that you could actually paint a picture with words. When I am designing I often start with a piece of creative writing to get my ideas down. Words give us such feeling and emotion.

My love for words certainly helped with my university studies, as costume design often directly relates to translating written text into something 3D and touchable. I think we learn heaps from reading, and definitely from reading varied sources. So maybe put down your fashion mag and pick up a classic like 1984, or put down the theology papers and pick up Bridget Jones. You are guaranteed to learn something.

This post is actually about certain words I have had used to describe me and my character. Words that seemed so 'un-cool' and undesirable whilst at school, and words that I have only just started to appreciate.

1. Kind
Being called 'kind' in the school yearbook was a way of saying that you hadn't done anything memorable to have something else written about you. It was the word teachers used to fill in a blank gap. Maybe they chose the word 'kind' though, because as adults they valued and already understood the importance of kindess. Now my yearbook is hidden somewhere under the bed, but I have a feeling (along with the terrible haircut) I was described as something like 'kooky, fuzzy, motherly'. As I look back now, I would much have preferred to have been called kind. When I left the last place I worked, I was asked to give a piece of life advice, I said something along the lines of 'always be kind, you have no idea what that other person is coping with right now, and you might be able to add a little spot of sunshine for them'. I understand 'kind' so much more now than I did as a teenager, and I can safely say that everyone should strive for being able to be called kind.

2. Sensible
I wanted to be wild and fun and outrageous. Being called sensible did my head in! How could these people not see how brilliantly ridiculous I was? I think the turning point was when my best friend called me sensible, and then explained what she meant. It didn't have any effect on my fun capacity, but it did mean that I was the kind of person to have my head screwed on enough that I wouldn't forget my keys to creep back in after a late night so as not to disturb everyone. It also means that on a night out I always have a £20 stashed in my bra, so if I want to leave at any point in the night, I can do just that and wont have spent all my money and have to rely on others. It's a great life tip, I advise it highly. Being sensible is something I had to learn when I was pretty young, but it's done me well. Also, being sensible has zero impact on how 'fun' you are.

3. Mature
'Oh you're so grown up for your age'. Great. Just bloomin' great. So I can't hide the fact that I am tall-ish, and don't really have any young girly features about me, but you don't need to make the snap decision that I'm mature. This one kind of ties in with being sensible. I still sometimes struggle with the fact that people call me mature, but they're right. I multitask lots every day, as many people do, but this has made me grow up a certain amount at a quicker pace. Being mature also means that I am able to switch between different personas when need be, dependent on who I'm speaking to. Maturity ties in pretty nicely with independence.

So I now strive to be the kindest I can possibly be, whilst being sensible with a splash of maturity. But, another word I picked up along the way is 'authentic'. And it's my fave. When you find those people you can be your Authentic Self with, you don't need to justify your quirks.

Authenticity is being your genuine original self, without apologies. Embrace it as a person, and it will follow you through to your design work and everyday life❤

The Great Escape

This is what I am planning right now. My great escape, and my next step. I think this is my most frequently asked question at the moment 'what's your next step? Where do you go now?' Well, it's a good question and I have my answers ready to whip out when need be.

Having just had my collection shot by the fabulous InaGlo Photography, I am now waiting for the high res images to get turned into a look book ready to send out to everybody. 'Everybody' covers all of the people I want to dress and want to work for. In the meantime I have super updated my CV, am taking on freelance commissions and working on all of the 'background stuff', and there's talk of a possible exhibition... The website still needs work, and I am trying to give this social media thing all of my gusto.

Amongst all the funny things printed in the Daily Mail, the best possibly has to be how I am 'living at home to stay grounded'. Ha. This is not the case. I would describe myself as a pretty grounded human, but I'm also someone who gets extremely excited and carried away with things. And moving out is a high priority right now. I think I have an addictive personality trait, this drives me forward with impatience to keep working on something on and on and over and over. It's also the reason I have never tried smoking. I am living at home, the same way many of my peers currently are, because living away from home is just too expensive on the minimum wage jobs we have all been able to get.

No don't get me wrong, as well as being 'grounded' and excitable, a personality trait I pride myself on is being grateful. I am so grateful I had a home and family to move back to when I finished university, and I know that I will always have a roof over my head and not go hungry. But right now, all I want is out. There are so many adventures waiting.

I was in London yesterday, I seem to often find myself there, and picked up a Metro. In the back of Metro, is a 'what's on' section. Perfect I thought, I'm going to get my cold calling face on and call all of these theatres. After about the 6th phone call I realised I was just heading to the box office each time, to the same poor woman. I find it hard to get embarrassed, but this was borderline for me.

So why am I sharing these 'struggles' publicly? Because I sincerely hope that it will give someone else the boost they need to keep at it, and to keep cracking on. Often the things worth having never come easily. 

The Daily Mail has also said that I am on the brink of international stardom. I am (I hope). I just don't know how long it will take to reach that tipping point... ❤

All the work while crying

I feel like I should first put a disclosure that anything I write here are purely my own views. You are more than welcome to disagree with what I have to say. Whether it be a little bit or a lot.

'All the work while crying' is a phrase that first cropped up first for me when a meme was shared in my final year university class. I think the majority of people don't understand quite how stressful meeting a deadline can be, and for a lot of vocational studies the workload includes both a huge chunk of practical and written work. And on top of that you are battling with these strange adult things you haven't had to do before. Cooking dinner? Fine, but if you hadn't had chance to buy any food to actually cook with, then it was another night of (own brand) Special K and conspicuous left-overs. Laundry? No problem, but if you wanted to wear your favourite undies the next day hand washing them in the bath and praying they would dry quickly was the only option. To then go and have to draw a line up of 250 mythological characters to later get critiqued and torn into in front of an audience, makes the crying/work thing totally reasonable.

My tutor used to carry around a heart shaped handbag filled with the essentials. A main handbag ingredient  was makeup wipes. Makeup wipes for all the times we would inevitably break down and burst into tears. At the time she first told us we all laughed that this would ever happen to us. But it happened. Some cried heaps, some cried a tiny bit, and I cried, well I didn't cry. I don't want this to come across as a heartless thing, trust me I do cry. But I reserve my tears for ultra romantic/tragic movies (See the Fault in Our Stars/ My Sister's Keeper), and of course for the other serious crying reasons people have.  In regards to most other things, I giggle. Maybe it's a defence mechanism.

My work, where it has lead me, and where I hope (plan) for it to lead me isn't something I intend to shed tears over. I fully accept that as a young person not everyone is going to like and appreciate my work, and people may even slant it. Also, by the time I am 60 I hope to be 60 times greater and improved than I am now. I am a work in progress. When an article was published in the Daily Mail online about my latest news, I was thrilled. I hadn't been asked or even interviewed by them, so it came as an utter shock. Now the comments section can be a pretty cruel place, and I had my fair share of 'looks like a student made that' and 'HBC's was nice, shame about the rest, shows a student made them'. I could've cried, but I giggled instead.

The images they had used had been made by a student, they were bang on. I am dead chuffed that my second year work made it onto such a popular news site. No one was going to pee on my parade that easily.

Doing all the work while crying isn't something that helps me, life is far more fun when you giggle. Maybe in a year or two I will look back on this with hindsight and feel ashamed by my naivety, but for now I think I'll just laugh... ❤

Daily Mail link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2729691/Designer-22-gets-big-break-Helena-Bonham-Carter-wears-dress-Vanity-Fair-s-best-dressed-shoot-initially-ignored-email-star-thought-scam.html

Real Women

Real Women. This blog post was actually going to be about something entirely different, but then I read something and it inspired me to change direction.

There is a particular phrase I have seen bandied about the internet, in magazines, basically all types of media. It is a phrase that has always really got under my skin. The phrase is disguised as a little saying that makes you at first want to sympathise with it and get all female empowered, until wait. You re-read it and you find that this phrase is  misleading, actually it's body-shaming. This phrase is 'real women'.

I have not yet had anything negative (that I know of!) written about me or my work, but since I have had a  boost in viewings due to my recent news, I can now see some slight negativity creeping through. It actually makes me feel like it's quite a good thing. Not only this, but sometimes, if I feel passionate about it, I like to challenge that negativity.

Last year I won a design award for plus size bridal wear. For those wondering what 'plus size' means, it is a category of sizes, that varies between shops, normally UK size 16+, but in high fashion and on the catwalk this is normally UK size 14+. I love all bodies. I love the elegant lines of collar bones, and that bit of extra soft flesh on your hips and freckles down someones back. On my website I have my mantra, that I believe every 'body' deserves to feel beautiful. My creations don't discriminate, and neither do I.

Now let's go back to the problem of calling women 'real'. A friend of mine once spoke to me about creating a range of clothing for 'real' women (I'm sure she wont mind me sharing this). This was going to be for busty ladies as we both had an issue with getting top-notch occasion wear to fit our knockers. I told her that although it was a great idea, what made us more real than someone petite rocking an awesome athletic body? We had no right to call our bodies 'real' over the next lady's. Suddenly her perceptive was changed.

My latest collection Wild Roses has been cut to sample sizes. This is standard practise because if it generates some interest they are ready to go!




All women are real, except my mannequins, pretty sure they're fake women... ❤

The first Wild Roses 'teaser' image released of the gorgeous MissDeadlyRead, shot by InaGlo Photography. Visit rosieredcorsetry.com to find all of my social media links, and Follow the Story...❤

Going to the moon

Bear with me for this one...

Imagine you have always wanted to go to the moon. As a child you wrapped a funnel in tinfoil and put it on your head pretending to be a spaceship, you grew up drawing stars on your bedroom wall and reading every book you could on the moon and stars. Your main goal was to get to the moon. If you told people they would chuckle and say 'oh wow, yeah maybe one day', others would be straight up doubters claiming it an absolute impossibility, and tell you to dream smaller. Then there would be a very select few with this absolute belief that if someone was going to go to the moon: it was gonna be you!

You went and studied physics and aerospace technology, worked to your maximum capacity and then worked some more. Then one day you get the call: you are going to the moon! The preparations are shaping up and as you prepare for lift off, you cant quite believe this moment is happening, There are plenty of other wonderful aerospace technologists out there, how come you've got this opportunity? You are going to the moon! You! 

When you get to the moon, wow, it's just incredible. The moon is everything you could've hoped for and more. People are going to want to hear all about this, and you're still in total shock that it's happened to you. It's all just fabulous.

And then you get back to Earth. This weird feeling sweeps over you. How are you ever going to live up to this again? People are going to expect more from you, more importantly, you're going to expect more from you. This opportunity has to be built on and not squandered. But what on earth (pun intended) are you going to do next?

*

When I returned from Meeting HBC and her fabulous PA, this was the feeling I had. I hadn't expected that at 22 I would already have achieved one of my big dream goals. I had dressed Helena Bonham Carter, but what was next? I certainly hadn't expected to have this odd self-pressure feeling either. I needed to built on this experience. Then, without any confirmation from Vanity Fair that the outfit would be featured at all, I set about making my first full, self-funded, collection.

I guess it's time to explore the whole galaxy now...❤

Extraodinary

When I graduated from university and took up a position working in a job unrelated to my degree course, I came up with a bit of an ‘adult list’. No, not like that…  I came up with a list of tick boxes as to what I thought being an ‘adult’ meant, and things I needed to achieve pronto. With the power of hindsight I now realise how ridiculous this actually was, but I will talk you through my list anyway.

1. Career: As an adult with a degree I fell into a category that the media harps on about as being able to get better paid jobs, and well, just jobs in general. Here I was with a total passion, and the technical skill to back it up, but no one wanted me. I had applied to so many jobs, had some interviews and been turned down flat for others. My career box was not ticked.

2. Own Home: To clarify, I didn't expect to be a homeowner at 22. I did however expect to be living in a shared rented house, away from my sleepy village and having the best time with some new housemates. Maybe we could even save for some rent-to-buy scheme if the career was working out. No, I was still living at home.

3. Relationship: My parents, the wonders that they are, have been married for over 38 years. Which also means that my mum was married by the time she was my age. Not only was I still single, the dates I had been on seemed pretty hopeless, I just didn't want t get involved with anyone I didn't totally want to commit my time to. Apparently commitment scares me a tad. Maybe I should consider putting together a PetPlan savings account for all the cats I would have.

4. Driving: I started learning late, certain complications got in the way, beyond the powers of my control. Then I had lessons, realised that although I consider myself pretty calm and collected, tests scared the life out of me. Yes, that is plural. I did tests. Then I failed them. On top of that, my theory test certificate expired.

But then I found something I had written on a piece of paper: 'I want to have an extraordinary life'.

This was my goal, why had I placed so much emphasis and allowed myself to be so dragged down by these ordinary things I hadn't yet achieved? They weren't my real goals, and this mental tick list was dreamt up by a girl to taunt herself with when times were harder. I noticed the people around me filling in this tick list quite nicely, but these things weren't for me quite yet.

All of those jobs I wasn't offered, guided me to find paid work which insured I  was able to save up the money to fund my latest collection (coming soon!) Working for a charity and managing a team of people taught me skills in humility that perhaps I wouldn't have gained if I had walked straight in to my dream job. It also taught me to want it more, to show these people that they had missed out. They would want me, they just hadn't realised it yet. Living at home still wasn't what I had planned either, but I felt grateful that my parents welcomed me back and supported my choices. Not only this, but I was able to save that bit extra by not moving straight to London and spending every penny on rent and living. My previous relationships and dates hadn't worked out the way I thought they might, but we're not stuck in a Jane Austin novel. I think at 22 I still have a bit of time left! Meeting lots of new people taught me my value and has set the bar. Furthermore, not being able to drive has meant that I appreciate public transport more, I love people watching, maybe a bit of occasional eavesdropping and having a railcard means that I am unstoppable (or so I think).To add to this, I have just started learning again, so here's hoping.

This year, a week before my 23rd birthday I have dressed Helena Bonham Carter, had photographs of her modelling taken by Mario Testino and these will be featured in the September 'Style' Issue of Vanity Fair.

I think I have started to live that extraordinary life... ❤

 

Just a bit of proof- because I am still unsure if this has really happened... ❤

Here is a link that makes me pretty excited: http://www.vanityfair.com/archive/helena-bonham-carter?&page=1#type=articles

Just Add Bunny

I am so blessed. Blessed that I know and have the chance to work with some incredibly talented and ambitious people. I feel that I have this awesome support group of people around me, and we all want each other to thrive to their full potential. Basically, its lovely.

When I was thinking about web designers I wanted to use, it was vital for me to work with people who would understand me, my brand and my personal style; and also people who wanted to work with me, and allow me to have my own creative input.

It took me a little while to consider the whole head shot issue for the 'about me' section on websites. I definitely wanted to have something to show ‘me’, but felt like a selfie or just a picture of my face all ‘bio’ style could be a bit cringe. I also quite liked the ambiguity of not have a photograph. Another key point was that I see my work, and my website, as telling a story that you can follow. What better way would there be than to have a piece of artwork.

Laura from Just Add Bunny was totally superb. I think it helped a huge amount that so many of our interests overlap, I knew that she would be the person who could do this for me. Laura’s work can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/justaddbunnyillustration and it might not take you long to guess the style we were aiming for. Her pin-up drawings are just spectacular, and as we share a big love for them, it seemed like the perfect direction to go in. Call it vain, but I just thought having a cartoon-ised version of yourself would be the best thing ever!

I could not be more in love. Chris D’Mask (https://www.facebook.com/chris.dmask.artwork), another exceptionally talented guy, designed my logo, which she has skilfully worked into my hair style. All the little details have been totally considered, and in the process I sent over a zillion head shots for her to work on. I genuinely feel flattered! I am over the moon!

So I am presenting to you: Rosie Red, my pin-up cartoon alter ego! Go and check out  https://www.facebook.com/justaddbunnyillustration  immediately! ❤ 

It will be out soon...

This was by far the most surreal moment I think I have ever experienced. They say that you shouldn’t  ever meet you ‘idol’, don’t they? Well here she was offering me a cup of coffee and keen to see all the bits I had brought with me.

She could’ve been a total diva, killed all love I had had for her, but she wasn’t. She was the kind of person you want to go to parties with and only ever wear your clothes again. Not only this, but she was the most encouraging woman. It feels bizarre to even be sharing this story, as if I cant believe it really took place. Some of the details will just be little memory pearls I keep to myself. Privacy is so hard to come by these days. I hadn’t known the reason she wanted to see my work, or that I would even meet the lady herself, but it was all unfolding. Nearly a year out of university, less than a month out of working in a warehouse, and here I was.

She had a photo shoot coming up, and asked if I would let her take my garments with her, she thought they would be perfect. And they fitted! She was standing in front of me, wearing my creations and twirling up and down the staircase to see the way they moved. Of course she could take my things, the answer was obviously yes. I was over the moon. That feeling you get when every single part of your being feels totally glowing. How was any experience going to live up to this again?

Then I found out which publication it was for and who would be shooting it. The question was would they like it? Would they shoot it? And could this be the catalyst for far bigger things to come…

The magazine comes out incredibly soon, and then my secret is out and I cannot wait to shout about it from the rooftops ❤

'I thrive working in a team, but can also work independently’

I felt deflated. But more than deflated, I felt tired. For anyone that has trained for anything big, or built up a huge amount of energy and effort for something, when that is suddenly taken away, there is a sort of nothingness.  I came to the conclusion that maybe this opportunity had just been too surreal to ever actually manifest into anything real. I fully understood the need for  postponing (or as I saw it cancelling) this was a ridiculously busy woman, she had children, a family, a huge career. Without being given another date, it felt like this was it. Grateful I hadn’t shouted about it or spoken about this opportunity to more than a couple of loved ones, I finally slept.

*

I flip backwards and forwards, between tight brackets, of my dream job. Which sector I want to be in: film, lingerie, pure corsetry, bridal, red carpet wear etc. Although I feel specialising in corsetry gives me a bit of an edge.

I’m sure it’s on everyone’s CV, ‘I thrive working in a team, but can also work independently’. It really is true. I would describe myself far more extrovert than introvert. I adore meeting new people and would always rather grab a coffee with someone than speak over the Internet. Despite this, I do crack on well when I have a deadline to meet and can hide myself away. Someone described my personality type as, ‘someone who expels energy when on their own, and recharges in the company of others’. They couldn’t be more right.

So what relevance does this have? Well I really want to work as part of a team. Film and theatre are the leading choices at the moment, with my own freelance work on the side. I really need to win that BAFTA… I just love being able to make ‘something out of nothing’. Taking a piece of cloth and transforming it with careful cutting and stitching is real magic.

*

I rested for a day, re-watched some favourite movies (Big Fish and Blade Runner worked their magic) and then I received another email. Her PA had been so fabulous, and she had kept to her word. This time I had a date, a time and a location.

With the car stuffed full of garment bags, G&T cupcakes and look-books we headed to London. As we entered the gate, I certainly had first date butterflies.

She was standing there, right in front of us, barefoot and guiding us into her parking space. Was this actually happening?

If you have yet to see Big Fish, go and watch it pronto...

First Date Plans

I had a date. I knew next to no details other than she ‘loved my work’. This woman I had always admired had actually looked at my work, had a conversation about it and held one of my look-books. How was this happening?

I remember the first time I ever became really aware of her. I was a young teen who was trying to develop my own identity and sense of style. My mum used to save me cut-outs of magazines and newspapers, anything that might interest me. There was one in particular that hugely inspired me. As a memory , I believed that the article was a red carpet review type thing, but when I went back to try and find the article, I realised that it was actually more of a ‘what not to wear’ look. These incredible shoes with a pogo stick spring type heel. I was captivated. This was a woman I would want to dress. There’s something so utterly refreshing about authentic originality. I love people (and things) that are interesting to look at.

This date meant I was going to be having an audience with someone directly connected with the lady in question, I had to take full advantage of this opportunity. I spent the next two weeks tirelessly creating two gowns with corsets. Looking at photographs to get an idea of sizing and just thinking ‘please please let this fit’. 4.30am wake-ups to get cracking before the rest of the world had woken up, and hermit-ing myself away seemed to be the only way I would possibly get all of it done.  

I was getting nervous. Nervous that this was a once in a lifetime kind of chance, the most surreal opportunity that had ever presented itself to me. I so didn’t want to mess this up. I don’t think I could have lived with having to tell people that I had this fantastic platform, but I missed my chance, screwed it up. There was no time for all of this worrying, a proactive attitude was the only way forward.

And then my meeting was cancelled…

Close up detail shot of one of the corsets specially created for my meeting...

The start of the story

This summer I should be at a camp near Boston, wearing a polo shirt with shorts and allowing my hair to be natural and lion-like, whilst trying to suppress my British sarcastic humour with a tinge of the inappropriate…

When I graduated from university, I exhibited work in different places, won a Young Designer to Watch award, took commissions and a part time assistant job with the fabulous Sew Curvy. I also had a bit of a summer break. When September hit, having applied and written to more companies than I could count on all of my fingers, I decided that I just really needed to earn some real and reliable money. Not only this, but winter was coming, and as medieval as it may sound, other than Christmas (probably the biggest Christmas fan) I have a fear of winter. When the nights get dark early, I don’t find anything romantic or cosy about them; I find them really grim. I took a job managing a team of men in a Cancer Research warehouse and retail store. Some things are just really character building…

 The guys I worked with were fabulous, and I only wish them all the best in the world, but my contract was coming to an end and I had no intention to renew it. I kept telling myself that I would not be one of those people who did an ‘artsy’ degree and then never pursued it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with deciding that the degree you did now isn’t the path you want to follow, but this just wasn’t applicable to me. I have always wanted this, so I just can’t stop now. Without another job to move onto, and desperately wanting to move out and travel, a great friend of mine put me in touch with a director of a camp in America. Whilst filling out piles of paperwork and emails, and discovering my medical insurance would be £800+, which the camp would not cover, it was a pretty big decision. Everything seemed to start to be pushing me in the other decision.

Feeling a tad (maybe an understatement) undecided about everything, and having a bit of a commitment crisis (you never know when something else might come along) I went to stay with a friend, someone who is just the best with advice and challenging/encouraging the way I think. She said to me, where do you honestly see yourself this summer, America or London? I replied, ‘London’ and the next morning I had a new email in my inbox from an address I had never seen before, the email was inviting me to London...

“Dear Rosie
I hope this finds you well. Your dad sent your details through for [insert special name here] to see you work, which she loves!”

And that was the beginning…