27th November 2010.

Antique Garage

Day 6

Today we rummaged through an Antique Garage markets, which was underground. There was multiple stalls selling goods from jewelry and ornaments to designer silk scarves and vintage clothing. As the saying goes, one persons trash, is another persons treasure. We made our way across the city through Soho in hope of finding the young designers markets. The young designers markets, however had less garments than expected, instead it was cluttered with jewelry and crafts. One designer stall did have fashion items that were half innovative, scarves with hoods and mittens?

26th November 2010.

Making a List

Day 5

Ali and I decided to further research the Vintage Stores in New York City, preparing a list last night and plotting them on our pocket maps so that we were ready to hit Chelsea, The Meatpacking district, Soho and Noho today. Yet again we were mesmerized by the quality of Vintage we were stumbling across, Chanel, Valentino, Givenchy, Hermes, Escada and the list, literally, goes on and on. One Vintage store, Sale Couture and Vintage Couture, had a dress displayed in the window that caught my eye. I tried it on not wanting to know the price of the garment, but when I fell in love I had Ali reveal it to me, and guess what... it was in my price range and I am now the owner of my dream dress, that I have no occasion for... yet.

Wondering around on foot, we came across some billboards, street art and window displays that caught our attention. One in particular had two bags featured in the window of the store, made out of clay bones, painted white and pinned together, at the time this caught my eye, as i was questioning if they were for use and if so, the practicality of the item, but when we proceeded to walk into the store, the aesthetic of the bags for sale did not suit the raw warrior theme of the displays, that turned out to be a display only.

25th November 2010.

Thanksgiving Day Parade

Day 4

Today is Thanksgiving, a traditional American Holiday. I attended the Thanksgiving day parade in times square, in the coldest winter weather I’ve experienced in New York. There were millions of people huddled within barricades to see the Macey’s parade (department store). The floats were incredible, nearly all yielding a large floating balloon resembling cartoon characters, such as, Mickey Mouse, Spongebob Square Pants and Hello Kitty. The atmosphere was festive, children were joyfully singing the theme song of which ever cartoon character was in sight, parents were wearing turkey hats and politely wishing strangers a happy holiday.

Empire State Building

With a free day on our hands a small group decided to go to the Empire State Building, to view New York City from the heights of the tallest building in the city. When we reached the top of the 381 meter building, I was breath taken by the view. I was standing on the top of the Empire State Building viewing the fast pace of the city beneath me, taxi’s were the majority of cars on the roads, black was yet again the only thing I could see people wearing and it begun sleeting.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving dinner was consumed at a diner tonight. With my not so adventurous appetite, however i did not eat a traditional thanksgiving meal like some.

24th November 2010.

Vintage Shopping

Day 3

Today was a 9am start, we all met at the Chelsea International Hostel, where Mark Neighbour (tour guide for the day) had his list and map plotted of the Vintage and thrift stores surrounding Chelsea. Our First stop was Bonny and Sherri’s Vintage, an inviting store on W 20th st. I found myself first at the jewelry cabinet, pointing out a pair of gold earrings that i wished to try, to my excitement they were GIVENCHY, and only $23. It was at this moment that I took in the rest of my surroundings to find Chanel shoes casually at my feet and Valentino hanging by the dresser. One thing I learnt today was that Australia has nothing on American Vintage.

The garments we came across today were inspiring to say the least not only were they cherished vintage goods in impeccable condition, but they were garments that displayed embellishments, detailing and finishes that I would never had imagined existed. One Vintage store merchandised by years, which was educational for a fashion student as I could flick through the variations of pants, skirts, dresses and shirts and see what lengths, techniques, finishes, styles and even colours were in trend during those specific years.

Cuban Cafe

23rd November 2010.

Times Square

Day 2

Today In a small group I made my way to the Guggenheim on foot, stumbling across Times Square, the heart of New York City. The buildings were once again overwhelming, not only in numbers but in height, when you gazed up to admire the city, it was often hard to find a patch of blue sky. Advertisements were plastered across every building, ranging from TV screens advertising movie previews, billboards advertising broadway productions, flashing lights advertising products to giant flashing chocolate bars, advertising confectionary. I had never truly experienced a city until I experienced Times Square. There were masses of people on foot, all in a hurry and all in black, I was surprised to see that The fashion students on this tour were the only people in Times Square wearing anything quirky, or wearing colour.

Fifth Avenue

On my venture to the Guggenheim, through Times Square we found ourselves patrolling up Fifth Avenue starry eyed. Fifth Avenue is where you will locate the high end fashion department stores, outlets and boutiques. Gliding past such stores, I was most enchanted with the window displays at department store, SAKS (SAKS ON FIFTH AV). The clothes were displayed amongst moving mannequins, props and sets which each felt as though they told a story. With a cue designed just to enclose the masses of people viewing the window displays, I was inspired by the interaction the clothing was having with those who were simply walking past the department store, and who 9 times out of 10 stopped to become one in that cue and take a closer glance. I was inspired into thinking of a different design approach. If i were to write a story, design a set and then design a garment that would have the power to tell this story in one frame, as if it were to be designed to be displayed, a costume within a tale. The designed garment would then be a story in itself.

Central Park

Fifth Avenue meets Central Park, an iconic New York landmark that i was anxious to venture within. As I had imagined, there were horse and carriages lined up within the park, there were buskers and performers pulling in small crowds and there were homeless people lounging on the park benches, but what i never had imagined was that there would be a Seal in the middle of Central Park or a zoo for that fact.

Guggenheim

Through Central Park and many blocks later, I finally came across the Guggenheim where the rest of the group were waiting. I was unable to take photos of any of the art work that was displayed in the Guggenheim today, but I did snap a shot of the internal structure of the building. Each level flowed through to the next, which took my attention more so than the art. The structure reminded me of a sea shell that you often find crabs inhabited within, they swirl up, however the Guggenheim did not swirl into a point, it did come to an amazing round ceiling window. I was inspired by the idea that many art works reside within a piece of art, the Guggenheim itself.

Times Square

The bright lights had me fixated during the day, so I was eager to see what Times Square was like in the darkness of the night. The atmosphere was electric, the brightness of the lights only made the city seem that much bigger.

22nd November 2010.

Exploring New York City

Day 1

Regardless of having little sleep due to jet lag, I was eager to get onto the streets of Chelsea and the surrounding suburbs to witness the city. The winter weather was bearable today, as we begun to familiarise ourselves with the local areas. While making our way through Chelsea, I was gobsmacked by the architecture, neighbouring apartments were built one upon the other, a practical system I thought, once it was brought to my attention that the population of Australia lives in Manhattan Island alone. The streets were bombarded with yellow taxi's, which did not necessarily abide by the road rules, I did not see one indicator in use today or any speed limits displayed on the streets, and I believe this is why the sound of honking horns is consistent and overwhelming.

We found ourselves walking in the direction of the meat packing district, where we discovered Alexander McQueen. To our disgust however, we soon realised that in New York the stores open late and close even later, so the closest we could get to Alexander McQueen at that stage was peering through the security roller door. With the surrounding stores also displaying 11am - 7pm trading hours and our clocks set to New York time, which read 9am, we decided to stop in to the next diner we come across, hoping to experience an American style breakfast in a classic American diner. My first bagel was consumed, nothing fancy just plain with butter (tax wasn't included) and my first tip was given.

Wondering around the streets of the meatpacking district I came across an intriguing hole in the wall, which seemed to be a shop of some sought. I had an urge to touch the walls surrounding the window that an old man stood within, and to my delight I felt an amazing texture, an array of keys, gold, silver, bronze and brown were all individually glued to the brick wall. The gold keys were placed together to form a pattern of swirls and loops. The store was a key cutting business which had me enchanted, I would come here to get my keys cut just because this man is obviously passionate enough about his business for him to individually glue millions of keys to the brick wall surrounding what would have been a very inconspicuous hole in the wall/ store. I was instantly inspired by the use and quantity of the material, as well as the texture it created and begun pondering, how can i create such a unique texture within my work?

21st November 2010.

Creative Industries Study Tour

NEW YORK CITY

The countdown is finally over, after a year of preparation, much excitement and anticipation, today I finally leave for New York City. I anxiously made my way to the airport this morning with my oversized luggage and itinerary in hand, eagerly attempting to lull my fear of flying with excitement, I was, sadly, unsuccessful. Between the farewells, take- off, the 13 hour flight (in which i was to nervous to sleep), short touch down in L.A, second take- off, 5 hour flight and final landing/ arrival into New York City, I found myself trying to pass the time by day dreaming about the shopping, food, landmarks and culture I was about to experience. I rapidly discovered my high expectations of the next two weeks, with my final year of uni approaching, I am desperately seeking inspiration for my graduating collection... What better place to be educated, provoked and inspired than NEW YORK CITY. I hope to leave NEW YORK in two weeks, with the concept of my graduating collection (maybe even some fabric).

Chelsea International Hostel