See, Love, Forget, Find, Love Again!

I saw these lovely ladies in the window of T-S last year! J'adore!! Then I forgot all about them... and have just rediscovered them, and duly fallen for them all over again!!

No idea who's they actually are...but if I am not mistaken, I have seen similar such loveliness of lady-ville lurking amongst the rails of Browns Focus, South Molten street...any detectives out there know who drew these beauties??

My paper ladies have definitely found some new friends!x

Lu Flux

Today I met the lovely designer behind the ethical fashion label Lu Flux. Her designs are wonderfully crafted out of beautiful and friendly materials, and offer a glimpse into the magical world of Lu Flux! I love the references to creatures and the very English vintage prints! What a treat and inspiration, just showing that if the world you want to live in doesn't already exist...you can make it yourself! ....Now, back to making my world!

Colour inspiration..

These are the images I took that inspired my colour pallet for 'Holly Berry'.

Who thought such visual stimuli could be derived from the delights of Elephant and Castle!? Well for those of you who don't know....south east London is the new centre of the world! My world that is!

Return of the Paper Dolls!

The paper dolls have finally gotten their hands on my new 'Free as a birds' collection samples! Currently being developed into a luxury new micro-collection of 'add on's' to add a little magic to your wardrobe!

Earth hour fun tonight at 8.30!

Don't forget to turn your lights off tonight at 8.30 for Earth hour!

What will you do for one hour in the dark? Here's some ideas.... canoodle with your love! hide and seek in the dark, lie in the bath, meditate, spy on your neighbours, listen to the building, watch the stars, enjoy a candle lit dinner or simply just go and put your feet up for an hour! Be imaginative! end enjoy!

Margo Selby studio exhibition and launch!

Thursday night saw Margo Selby launch her very special collaboration with the Old Curiosity shop, in the form of some wonderfully unique but ultimately wearable shoes, adorned in here luxurious woven signature cloth.

Alongside this Tref Davies and myself hung our final lengths from the Mastercrafts programme, for people to get up-close and personal with, as they're even more magical in the flesh than they were on TV! Our fabrics will be hanging for another could of weeks so please pay Margo and her beautiful shop a visit and have a gander.

Among the woven wonders, the magical shoes and the flowing champers, there were lots of lovely people to talk to and it was the perfect opportunity to confirm that the wonderful world of weaving is one I shall envelope my self in completely!

The following day a hangover was conquered by another visit to Margo Selby's, but this time winding a warp for my special throw samples in her basement studio. Getting lost in warp and mathematics there was no time to dwell on head-aches! Now for a weekend of getting said warm onto loom!

Think Act Vote launch at Ascension!

“if politics was a fashion brand, nobody would wear it!”

If this were true, then tonight the tide turned! At the launch of the Think Act Vote T-shirt campaign at Eco-fashion boutique Ascension on St Christophers Place, London. This campaign is designed to really harness the collective power of our communities and inspire us to use our ideas and communication skills to start revolutions and change the world we live in by influencing the political system we are part of. It's supposed to represent us after all!

It's like a said on my blog post earlier about consumerism... we can use our people power and turn things that we dislike; consumerism/politics/policies/education... and turn these things into powers of positive change! REVOLUTION!! I'm feeling a bit rebellious today!

Politics isn’t just something that happens in the houses of parliament and voting doesn’t just happen every four years.

Every day we make choices that shape our world.

It was my first visit to the Ascension store too, and was great to see rails of fashion that doesn't compromise on sustainability with a multi-faceted approach; fair trade, intelligent materials and multi-use products, amongst books, bags, and treasures! The proof is in the pudding! It can be done!

Scary consumer...POWER!!

Even before I vowed on this blog, not to buy any new clothes for the whole of 2010, Oxford Street, central London was not somewhere I was drawn to hanging out! Masses of frenzied shoppers, bombarded with advertising, saturated in plastic bags! AAaaaggggaagghh!

On Monday I spent a significant part of my day wondering up and down Oxford street, observing the madness! Tourists, office workers, yummy mummies and students cramming in as much shopping as they could, but what is this pursuit of more really about?

It's business, creating needs and desires that don't exist, in order to sell us more 'stuff'. 'Stuff' with no soul, no history, purpose or longevity. I'm glad not to be part of this system of simulated greed any more! I understand it's a leisure activity, something we do to reward ourselves and treat our friends, we deserve it right? But is this the nicest way of rewarding ourselves? We are lining the pockets of the already rich, and investing in things that I don't think we even value!

I saw a group of four female shoppers, who had so many full carrier bags of new clothes, that one of them had to stand outside of a shop looking after the bags, whilst the others went inside to look around, then the others came out carrying new bags, to relieve the bag-sitter allowing her to go and shop for more! What were they buying? what could they possibly need? Were they satisfied with their purchases? why did they need more?

After this experience, and more wondering around endless department stores crammed with 'quirkily' packaged plastic merchandise, I had to question myself as a designer-maker; do I want to add to a market that is saturated with mediocre, mass-produced things that we don't need? How can I survive in a market like this? How will my work and products survive?!

They will survive because they are different! The experience of buying them is different. They have spirit, history and a story!

Every time we shop, we vote with our wallets! We can say no to un-fair trade, to pollutant plastics, to over-packaging, we can say yes to our local artisans, yes to clever use of materials and yes to spoiling ourselves rotten because 'we are worth it'! Consumerism doesn't have to be bad, it can be wonderful! Heck-if we all stopped shopping the economy would grind to a halt! But I feel that we deserve better! Real luxury doesn't have to come at a cost, it can come in the form of a pleasant experience, a market, a one-off, calling a designer and asking to visit their studio, building a relationship with the products you choose to buy will ensure a long and happy relationship with that product and act as an end to our mindless fast-fashion and throw away culture.

Start a revolution, vote with your wallet!

Fashion, textiles, sustainability and YOU!

I am currently conducting some exciting research into sustainable fashion, textiles, ideas and YOU! If you'd like to be involved, please complete my short ten-question questionnaire here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/972967Y

Please ask your friends, families and colleagues too, so I can gather a really good idea of peoples thought sand feelings on these issues.

And now for the exciting bit!!! If over 100 people fill out my questionnaire each person will be entered into a prize-draw to win one of my luxury woven throws!!

Paper Dolls made it onto Marie Claire

http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/lifestyle/447529/politics-gets-fashionable.html

Woven comfort-blankets!

Don't you just want to envelope yourself in a colourful cocoon! Coming soon; Holly Berry's Morse-code double cloth comfort blankets & throws!

I am very excited to be able to say that I have got the balls swiftly rolling towards getting my hand-woven cloth made into some very special throws!

Due to the lovely support and kind response that I have received since 'Mastercrafts' aired last Friday on BBC2, I have been overwhelmed with interest, so have started a waiting list for people keen to own a Holly Berry, double-cloth throw, with hidden Morse-code messages within the design, spelling out 'LOVE'. Please get in touch with me if you'd like to be added to the waiting list and mailing list, so that I can ensure to let you know more details, when they will be ready and to get yours on its way to your home. I aim to have them ready for when the weather next turns chilly, so plenty of time to save up!

If you still haven't managed to see the show, it is on i-player for 26 days:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rl51q/Mastercrafts_Weaving/

Quilty Pleasures

Here it is!! The five wonderful patchwork blankets by my friend Katherine May for Liberties London! to be exhibited alongside the much anticipated V and A patchwork exhibition that I have mentioned in a previous post.

What's great, and close to my heart, is that Katherine has interpreted this traditional and historic craft, in a contemporary and personal way, pushing preconceived boundaries of 'patchwork'. These textiles pieces are an inspiration!

I have planned to finish my own piece of patchwork next month when I visit a secluded cottage in Scotland for a week of rest, I am going to loose myself in a patch-working zone!

Mastercrafts Exhibition!!!

Exciting News!!!

Mastercrafts exhibition in the beautiful 'Margo Selby' shop. Opens today! If you enjoyed Mastercrafts on BBC2 last Friday, it is well worth a trip down to Margo's studio and shop, to visit her amazing woven work and also catch a glimpse of the work that myself, Tref and Momtaz achieved whilst studying under Margo's instruction for the programme.

We used the softest cashmere and merino wool, that could never fully come accross on the TV, and is a total treat to touch! With my own work, you can also check out the Morse-code message hidden in the double cloth design; spelling out 'Love'!

See my Mastercrafts adventure on BBC 1-Player:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rl51q/Mastercrafts_Weaving/

'care' labels...

In my recent investigations into what care labels to apply to my new fashion collection and woven textiles pieces, I have stumbled upon an environmental and social problem!

Would you believe that the majority of a garments environmental impact occurs during the washing and so called 'care' of our clothes! We wash our clothes too much! (I'm not a soap dodger FYI) we do intensive washing machine cycles when sometimes all we need is a little sponge-clean in the sink!

This causes more damage to our planet than the production of the raw materials, the dying and weaving/spinning of said materials, the energy used when cutting and sewing the garments and the shipping and eventual disposal of our clothes! This is because of the electrical energy and water we waste when washing our clothes, and harmful chemicals released into the water stream during the wash.

So maybe, if you just don't think you're into 'ethical' fashion, but you have a social or environmental conscience...you could just wear your clothes for longer, look after them better and wash them less...to do your 'bit'. That's my excuse anyway!

On my garments, I think I will have a specially designed label stating 'sponge clean regularly, dry-clean/hand wash in emergencies'.

www.hollyberryprojects.com

www.hollyberryprojects.com

L.O.V.E

My double cloth design spells 'LOVE' in Morse-code to enhance the emotional connection between the wearer and the cloth... and to communicate my passion for weave!
In a fashion industry that thrives on insecurity, I aim to promote a feeling of comfort and love through my woven cloths, using the softest yarns, and incorporating Morse code words such as 'Love', 'Comfort', 'Happy', 'Warmth' and 'Desire' into the design of the cloth. 2010 will see me developing this hand-woven textile into comfort-blankets, body-cloths, throws and accessories.

Due to an overwhelming interest in the availability of my hand-woven cloths I have started a waiting list for those of you who are interested, just get in touch, and then I can let you know when they're ready to buy. x

My mastrcrafts!

I had such an amazing time, and I learnt so so much! I loved every moment of my experience, and I will be a weaver whatever it takes!!! I'm overwhelmed by the lovely support that I have received and will share my journey with my new (and somewhat temperamental) loom that I have recently welcomed into my home. Weaving is in my blood now but I couldn't do it without the lovely Margo Selby and amazing Mr Tref Davies!!!!! xxxx

www.hollyberryprojects.com

Holly Berry new website!!

I am looking forward to quite an important day tomorrow! The episode of Mastercrafs that I took part in is broadcasting on BBC2 at 9pm, and will show my emotional and wonderfully colourful journey of how I learnt to weave last year! And when this airs I will then be able to share with you all of my images and work from the time on the programme (filming was in October and November last year). I will be putting up images here on my blog, and launching my official 'Holly Berry' website, featuring my fashion collection, my woven-textiles work and details about my workshops and education programmes! I shall post the official launch here, and please get in touch if you'd like to be added to my mailing list to receive all new details of up-coming events, offers, exhibitions and new designs!
A very important Friday! And I just can't wait to share my experience with everyone!
(warning; I cry like a baby, and am a bit of a drama-queen I think during the programme! It was a very intense and emotional time!)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rl51q

D.I.Y

Have a look at this amazing new site, to learn how to make your own clothes from scratch! I love it! More people should do this! Why don't we have a party at mine and everyone can come over and make things? I've got loads of old vintage patterns!? Wine, music, pins, party?
www.diy-couture.co.uk

Peckham Pop-Up phenomenon!

I am loving the current trend of the 'Pop-up'!
Shops, bars, galleries, cafes and boutiques, they come, they conquer and then they go, leaving me wanting more! A great way for artists, designers, bakers and candle-stick-makers to test out a new product, idea or design! I love the genius use of space, the inclusion of local communities and the guerrilla style taking over of wasted buildings and areas, put to use for creative good!
My favourite 'popping -up' was the F-bar in my favourite place Peckham last year! Situated at the top of a multi-storey car park, customers were drawn up through levels of art-objects, sculptures and oddities until they reached the bar at the top with amazing views of London!
Maybe I will pop-up somewhere myself this summer!
Also see 'space savers' who organize similar events in empty buildings, recently taking over an area of Brixton Market and filling it with fun!

Out of the Ordinary

It is one of my pet-hates that 'Craft' has become a dirty word, implying messy, unrefined, novice-style home-making, instead of the true skill, patience, years of learning and historical connections that actually make true Craft. The Craft-Council are dedicated to upholding the true value of craft, and reviving the importance and desirability to this often under-valued form of making specialist objects of beauty. I know from experience that a true craft takes years to perfect, and it's only then that the skills of these crafts (weaving, paper-cutting, lace-making, knitting, ...) can be used to interpret an individual creative flair. These are images from last years 'Spectacular Craft' exhibition at the V&A, where skilled crafts-people from around the world, were brought together to display their work and dispel the myth that 'craft' is just for hobbyists, novices and church halls! All of these people have mastered their crafts, are making a living by interpreting these methods in thoroughly contemporary manner!

If you missed the exhibition, I really recommend the book: Out of the Ordinary: Spectacular Craft, by V&A Publications and the Crafts Council