Thursday 28 August 2014

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


Monday 18 August 2014

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...

Monday 11 August 2014

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...




Thursday 7 August 2014

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...


Tuesday 5 August 2014

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

Sunday 3 August 2014

'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...

Friday 1 August 2014

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...