Barbarella (1968)

I've recently been on this movie Craze!!! and I have to say, it's AmAZING!!!!!
One of my most favorite movies so far has been the 1968 film staring Jane Fonda as Barbarella; a space agent who has been sent on a mission to save the missing professor Durand-Durand.

Visually just so exciting, the costumes and set are wonderful. The 1960s designer Paco Rabanne -one of my favorites- worked on the costumes for this film. You can see his style come through, and the costumes really are wonderful. A hybrid of futuristic Femme-Fatal style with the iconic experimental materials of Rabanne, the combination works like a space-age dream; creating Fonda into the infamous 60s sci-fi icon.








LOVEhelen

Some Slinky inSsspiration.

Last night (while attempting to do some readings for uni), I was watching some amazing Indian dance clips from the 60s, and came across this beautiful gem stone! It's a little snippet from one of Fritz Lang's (the genius behind Metropolis, 1927) films called; The Indian Tomb (being one half of Lang's Indian Epics).
This scene stars the wonderful Debra Paget, as the sensuously slinky snake charmer, and her incredible jewelry seduced my mind! This snake rings slipped into my thoughts and quickly slid into a desire.

......I just had to have one! So, for today's procrastination, I made one!!

And here she is!!!

On holidays in the Tropical Ocean
AND
In the Amazon, her home town.






LOVEhelen

{Collective:Collage}

For the past three or so months I have been traveling, exploring and learning so many new things. I am now currently in Amsterdam, and felt this great desire to start creating again!!!

This is a collection of my favorite collages I have made through my time traveling around Europe and New York.

LOVEhelen

In celebration of our hard hard work, My good friend Christina M, decided that we should have a little fashion show. We both showcased our design creations from over the past year. I included my Decorative Technique Mod Dress, Menswear and Ornamental Menswear. While Christina (her label; EXIE) exhibited her Stretch-wear, Tailoring and her AMAZING Accessories!

Here are the photos of my pieces, and Definitely take a look at the whole collection and Christina’s work. It was a small intermit show, and super fun!!!

LOVEhelen











Click here for all the Photos from the show!
Photos Taken By: An Architect Photographed my Undies
Who works for: Design Federation

Country Road Styling Workshop

I've been BURSTING to share this exciting news with you for AGES!!! But was sworn to secrecy until the release day.
That day is now here!!!!!

On Friday the 21st of May Country Road proposed that 10 fashion design students from RMIT would collaborate with them, in styling 4 looks for the Spring Summer 2010 Collection.
Being one of these 10 students, I was lucky enough to be briefed (and given a sneak peak) of the range. After this introduction, we were left to practically play dress-ups for a few hours with the entire collection, and create approximately three looks each. This was a dream come true! Dressing up really has to be one of my favorite games to play! ….maybe even the only game which I do play!

After the end of this fantastic experience, the Country Road team selected only four looks from the entire day. These four looks have been photographed by the Fashion Photographer Daniel Jackson in New York, and are also included in the current Country Road Catalog.
I am Thrilled that myself along with my other friends (and great students) were selected not only for this wonderful experience, but also the opportunity to work with Country Road. Myself along with the other three finalists are currently in the Spring Summer Catalog for 2010.







The top image is the Selected styled look, photographed my D.Jackson. And the remaining images are my own, showing the other looks that I developed.

All garments and most accessories are from Country Road, some accessories are my own.

LOVEhelen


http://www.countryroad.com.au/#/catalogues/spring_summer_2010/26

http://www.thevine.com.au/tv/watch/country-road-workshop20100723.aspx

Displays of Luxury

Today I finally took myself to the new (well at least new do my eyes) Chadstone.

I was extremely impressed; the entire centre was modern and very exciting. Considering the shear size of Chadstone, being it’s own suburb, it was surprisingly very easy to navigate around. With snazzy touch screen computer maps, shop finders and “how to get to the store your looking for” maps!!! (I needed this one!), it was a nice change from my usual street shopping in the City and Chapel street.

But what I was most exciting for me was the Miu Miu store. It kind of was the reasoning of me going!!
While I am aware of the reasons why high end Luxury Giants are reaching further than just the upper-class consumer. It really is a cleaver move, because little fashionistas like me come in and swoon over everything, while product consuming broadens. Win Win!

I love the store, the exterior, the interior, the window display, the product, the atmosphere. It really is a luxury store. The window display mannequin was beautiful. Reminiscent of the Surrealist inspired, Cristobal Balenciaga perfume window display from the 1950s and the popular fashion mode mannequins also from the Golden Age.
Very Clever Prada!

LOVEhelen

2009 Opening Party, L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival

While my life seems to be particularly hectic and busy right now. I’ve just had the luxury of a free hour to myself, with nothing too urgent needing to be done. Well…. Nothing urgent that I could think of!!! =S

So during this lavish time of freedom, I as usual, began doing a little internet browsing, looking at fashion, and other exciting creative things! And I reignited my fondness to one particular fashion show which I had previously worked on.
During L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival in 2009 I was lucky enough to not only be helping out as a dresser for the show, but was also a Stylist’s Assistant and a budding Volunteer. It really was a great thrill to be working in this festival, and a great privilege to be working specifically closely with the Opening Party.

What I Love about this 2009 Opening Party Fashion Show was that it really embodied all the incredible talent which the Australian Fashion Industry offers to cultural society. I was completely blown away when I was dressing these girls, as the immaculate detail and consideration to craft, construction and technique amazed me. I feel that the pieces selected for this opening show really illustrated how wonderful the Australian Design circle is, and how much our style is able to be freely interpreted. What was so lovely and cleaver about the styling, was that it not only celebrated Australian Designers, but also beautifully Illustrated the progression of style through time. I truly love this representation of history, and I feel that this show was styled particularly well. It is such a shame that the second show with these garments (for the public) was so poorly and limply executed.

Here are my Favorite Looks!!!!!
LOVEhelen











All Images from:
http://www.lmff.com.au/index.php?do=gallery&galleryCategoryId=36
Sunday March 14, 2009
Government House, Melbourne

Transgressive Collage

After the long and technical process of designing, thinking, and making, it is always fantastic to wrap it all up with a conclusive poster. For the final presentation of the image I decided to create a collage utilizing images of city buildings. I chose to do this as the notion of the men's suit seems to be this repetitive, standard uniform for the city business man. And through repeating and cutting the image of the Business Man's Building, the concept which drove the garment design now drives the 2D direction. As, cutting up all these images of buildings is reminiscent of the slashing of the seams.
Enjoy!



Collage Art: Helen Pappas
Model: Tim C.
Photos: Helen Pappas
Garments: Helen Pappas

Transgressive Ornament

It is always lovely to share. And I would love to share with you all what I have been working hard on for the past few months. This is some of my work from my main studio subject at University. Enjoy!




During this past semester I undertook a design subject called "Ornament and Transgression". Through the course of the semester we analyzed the meaning, power and philosophies behind the art of ornamentation. And through this research I came to consider ornament to be something that is special, sacred and in a way, a holy means of linking both the real and the extraordinary worlds. This realization lead me to the drastic need for men's wear to be again released back into it's full power of excess and lavish masculinity. The current social suppression of men's wear is a rule which needs to be violated. Through the physical slashing of the seams in the traditional men's suit, allowed the ornament of the shirt to penetrate through to the surface, and ultimately challenging the notion of acceptable men's attire. I am very pleased with the outcome, both conceptually, decoratively and technically. I hope that you enjoy viewing the outcome as much as I do. It really make me smile!!!







LOVEhelen

All Work and Photos Property of Helen Pappas 2010.