LMFF 2012 - National Graduate Showcase 13th March.

It might be a little bit late for posting this for the fashion world. But I was just so amazed by all our 2011 Graduates during LMFF, that time is really of no importance. As many people say, including the industry, The National Graduate Showcase, sponsored by Sportsgirl is the diamond in the rough of LMFF.

The amount of talent, energy and excitement which surrounds these designers and their collections is just enormous. And rightfully so, as they are quite spectacular. This years' show was no exception and I was especially thrilled to be there to support close friends and the other 2011 graduates! very exciting! ;D

I found the show concise and compatible, which I think is difficult to attain with so many designers.  Each designer had very different collections from one another.  With some being outlandish, kitsch and humorous, others held an air of serenity, delicacy and seriousness. Yet all the collections worked seamlessly together, as all were linked by their ingenious use of technique. The possibilities of fabrication and the intellect towards pushing materials was fantastic. Every designer was an expert in their craft and re-defined how we can use materials.
I was completely blown away by their abilities. As their work not only makes a visually exciting collection for us to rave about, but really pushes the boundaries on what is physically possible (and attainable) for fashion to become.

Congratulations to everyone! ;D

Some of the Designers: Sally Edwards & Chris Ran Lin.

Some of the Designers: Young Seo, Laura Li, Steph Mcpherson

RMIT University - VIC:

Amelia Agosta, Anisha Bhoyro, Chris Ran Lin, Ju Young Seo, Laura HuiShan Li, Rica Hardian, Stephanie Mcpherson. 

Sydney Institute of Tafe - NSW:

Anna Langdon.

University of Technology Sydney - NSW:

Courtney White, Natalia Grsybowski.

Qld University of Technology - QLD:

Sally Edwards.

Curtin University - WA

Tayler Ainley.

(All Photos by HelenPappas)

LOVEhelen.

LMFF 2012 - Graduate Showcase

Photo by: the lovely Ellen Purtill.

Wearing: Pants, Singlet, Shirt all from my 2011 Menswear collection. 

Earrings, made by myself, and jewelry from my stash at home,
and Sunglasses borrowed from my lovely friend Hat, ... because I forgot mine!

Showing my support for all the amazing designers in the Sportsgirl Graduate Showcase at LMFF.
What an incredible night! I was so proud and truly astounded by the amount of work and talent on Tuesday.
It was just so wonderful, Congratulations to everyone! I just loved it!  :D :D
... a more detailed post coming very soon!


XoxoxoLOVEhelen

Masculinity and Ornament

A small editorial shoot which combines an element of restraint present in menswear 

with the ornate lavishness it once possessed. 

LOVEhelen.

Photographer: Jonathan Butler

Designer/Stylist: Helen Pappas

Model: Cassius @ Darley Management

Olé, Beatles!

Found this image while looking for traditional Spanish costume on Google. 

...Ahhh the things you find! ;D

Supposedly this image is part of a photo-book which documented The Beatles' 1965 trip to Spain.

Either way, its just great!!!!

LOVEhelen 

Black & White Cinema

The Artist (2011)

Director: M. Hazanavicius

Throughout the years film has played a great part in my creative process. 

It not only influences my aesthetic, but also my mood and direction for what I have, and will create.

I love many films, but recently older, Black and White or even Silent movies have been a huge obsession!

I've been so excited to go and see the new film The Artist (2011), and finally watched it last week. 

After seeing this (and lovin' it) I though it would be nice to share with you just a few other Black and White films that have influenced me over the past weeks, months and years. 

Enjoy the list!

xoxoLOVEhelen 

The Thief of Bagdad (1942)

Director: R. Walsh

Gilda (1946)

Director: C. Vidor

42nd Street (1933)

Director: L. Bacon

Bande à Part "Band of Outsiders" (1964)

Director: J-L. Godard

Blood and Sand (1922)

Director: F. Niblo

Reminiscing

Today I was sitting at my computer, not really doing anything productive (...to what I was doing about an hour ago), and remembered about some photos a wonderful friend had styled. 

Claire had asked to use my Fluffy Jacket which I created in 2010. It was initially designed as a menswear piece, aiming to be completely ornate and a 'little' over the top. 

I feel that its lavishly fluffy texture is just so exciting and it is wonderful to hear that others feel the same.

I love Claire's interpretation of this piece. I feel that she not only has a wonderful vision of her own, but an incredible ability to adapt to others. this shoot really captured serene yet slightly haunting mood of all the 

designers' works. 

For a glimps at the whole shoot: Click here!

Photographer: Sheree Porter

MUA: Pollyanna Bernhardt

Styling: The Wonderful Miss Claire Mueller

Model: Amy Skipper

Solarized Play

Photographer: Will Lukaitis

Over the break, I've had a little time off away from work and my work from uni. It's been nice to breath after so much energy has been placed into the collection. ...but you never really stop thinking do you.

I've been looking at some Surrealist photography, and the technique of Solarizing particularly grabbed my attention. I know that it is one technique that probably has been over used since, but it's metallic dreamlike appearance really does have so much appeal.
I couldn't resist playing with this technique, and this is what I came up with.

LOVEhelen

"Birth of Athena" 2012

Collage by Helen Pappas

...LOVEhelen...

'Hands' 2011

Collage by: Helen Pappas 

...LOVEhelen...

Graduate Collection: The Modern Tradition

This is the third and last shoot I have done for Uni. I am so happy with this shoot and how it has turned out like 1940s Hollywood Studio shots. 

Thankyou:

Kim Mennen: Photographer

Jake Lowe: Asst. Photographer

Greg Dennis: Stylist

Alicia Poxrucker: Make-up & Hair

Thomas @ Chadwick Models: Model

xoxoxoLOVEhelen

Hypothetical Collaboration

This is some collage work which I did in late March this year.

The brief was to propose a small capsule collection to the Melbourne based label P.A.M (Perks and Mini) for a collaboration project. I suggested the label work with the iconic Spanish Artist/Illustrator Javier Mariscal. His energetic, naive and Picasso//Matisse influenced style was too irresistible and really complemented P.A.M's quirky and witty design style. 

While this is a hypothetical project, I think it'll be a great collaboration, for both P.A.M and Mariscal!!!

:D

Philosophy Curiosity

Curiosity is a great philosophy. 

Interests expand and discoveries are made, in the quest to learn more from the never ending void of knowledge. 

Graduate Collection: The Sartorial Image

Photoshoot for my Graduate Collection with:

Photographer: Will Lukaitis

Designer&Stylist: Helen Pappas

Hair&Make-up: Pheobe Goulding

Model: Hayden @ Scene

The man in the suit

One of my collages which I have been meaning to post up for a little while now.

Enjoy!

LOVEhelen

Javier Piñón

Sooo I'm sitting here at uni, trying to finish off everything for end of year assessment. 

.....waiting for things to print, up-load, and "fingers crossed" please please please work out!!! 

I recently handed in an essay on my topic of Fashion and Collage, and from my research I came across the wonderful artist; Javier Piñón. 

What I find so magical about Piñon's work is his ability to blend both the dream like state with something more real, more sinister.  The combination of the Greek Myth and also the Wild West is fantastic, and truly enjoyable! It also suggestion of a more modern-day references to these ancient stories and characters like Medusa, the Sirens and the Minotaur. 

This blending of mythology and idolized figures is a collage of its own, and is only further enhanced by the use of retro imagery and Piñón's analytical eye.

 LOVEhelen

Images from:
http://www.javierpinon.com/