A Dairy Piece

Hello! 

I thought it time to have a little reflect on how things are at the minute with the brand and see where I'm at on a personal level as well as a professional level. 

I've been a busy bee of late trying to sort new customer orders out which are all very exciting along with liaising with new customers that I will be working with in the pipe line. Though out this experience I am learning how to get things organised and how to simply be some what a businessman. I always like to sit and have a moment where I'm thankful for all that I have. The support, the connections and the opportunities that have come and will be coming my way. 

At 20 years old I never thought I would own my own business and would be dealing with various customers, writing for a magazine and dealing with a Spring and Summer campaign (coming soon!). If I had told a 15 year old me that all of this would happen I would have simply laughed in my own face and told myself to stop dreaming. Told myself that these things happen when your 30+ not 20. But look! 

It's thank to the connections I've made and the opportunities that these people have given me that I was able to start this journey and start the birth of a new icon of fashion. This blog does act as a diary of sorts. It acts as a vent for me and gives you the chance to see what it's like to own a small business in fashion, what goes on and how it feels. I'm not going to lie and say that it' all glitz and glamour because it definitely isn't at all. Even on the small scale. Its hard. Very. It's all calls, emails and messages between customers, sorting fabric sources and then finally getting to create the clothing. Then praying that the customers loves the item that all your blood, sweat and tears have gone into over a number of days or sometimes weeks. 

I'm in the process of finalising my next project which will be my first campaign shoot! The first photoshoot with my own connections helping out. Each having their own businesses that we will all benefit from with this project. It's stressful and it's hard with it being a one man band type set up but it's all good. All icons had to be stressed to be great right? 

Shop the S/S 15/16 Collection Now!

A Sunday in Sheffield.

It started with waking up at 7am. A sunny day that I knew would turn into a blur once it was over. It's show day and I started the day manufacturing the final dress. This turned out to be a life saving idea later on.

I arrive dat the venue, Soyo Bar in Sheffield at 2pm. The day was filled with nerves, smiles, fittings, make up meetings and run throughs. It was interesting to make connections with models and get to talk with them about future work. This resulted in me being able to have 7 new potential models for runways and campaigns! In particular I have one that I have already asked to work with in an up and coming project with more details coming soon!

It was a great day. The outfits looked amazing, even if I do say so myself and it was then that I felt like a real designer. Only then. It felt real. Getting to see the clothing that I have slaved over for such a long time for on women, seeing them fit, seeing the women smile and compliment the looks simply warmed my heart. It made me feel proud of what I had accomplished. After the fitting was complete I had time to become organised. I had the opportunity to finalise my line up and work out who was changing into what next and if it was at all possible. Shoes sorted along with hair and make meant that we were free to sit and relax for a little bit. This was around 5.30pm.

It was at this point that I thought to myself 'this is what every designer had to do. This is what Coco had to do'. Each great label started somewhere. Yes it was only a small collection. But it was made out of love and each garment had the right amount of care and attention that it deserved. It was also at this point where I started to feel scared. Scared of the fact that there was a possibility that no one would turn up. Sharing this moment with non of the people closest to me was something I was scared of.  A feeling that if I'm honest isn't too new to me.

People started arriving at 7pm and it turned out that the first two people through the door were my parents. This was great as it meant that I had the chance to talk to them and it was nice to feel the support. The room started to fill and it was time for the first runway show to begin. I was the last designer to show a collection and I was happy with this arrangement. It meant that my looks would be the freshest on people minds.

9.15pm and my models were all dressed and ready to go in their first looks. It felt like I had a butterfly nest in my stomach. Look after look my collection was shown and to walk out and feel the applause from the audience was simply amazing.

After the show I got the chance to network with people in the audience and I made a business connection with a potential new event sponsor. The event was put on by Eleganza Events and helped raise £335 for Sheffield Children's Hospital.

An amazing experience.

You can shop the collection now! Use the links below with more of the looks being added very soon!

Draped top with a herringbone pencil skirt 

Seedling print shift dress

Ikat print shift dress

Black shift dress

Check out the Facebook page for more! www.facebook.com/RPDesigns
Any further information please email pilkingtonsdesigns@gmail.com 

Thanks,

Ryan x

Designer Scenarios.

We all love a good advert right? Seeing the vision of the designer come to life in various scenarios. Below I've compiled my favourite ad campaigns for spring and summer 2015. 

Below there's adverts from Dior, Lanvin, Balmain, Balenciaga and Oscar De La Renta. 

Enjoy!

McQueen Brings Asia

Hello!

One of my favourite designers of all time is Alexander McQueen. After his passing the fashion world looked to Sarah Burton to see what she would accomplish with the label. Season after season I waited in anticipation to see what direction she will take the name.

Her collections have wowed me I have to say. I have loved the different styles she has shown from previous collections and this season brought Asia to the runway. The collection was inspired by a personal collection of antique kimono's. Floral prints and embellishment adored the looks in an array of array of fabrics including wool, silk, marquetry leather and even hand cut floral ruffles. Modern, feminine, dark but stunning all at the same time. Its a gorgeous collection. Full of floral influences from Asia with traditional styles with modern contemporary twists. This to me is the idea of classic with twists. This may become my choice for best collection of the season!

I abosoutley love this collection! It took a while but i've chosen 5 of my favourite looks from the show. Below is also an illustration i did of a look from the show also! Hope you enjoy! 

#AlexanderMcQueen #SS15 @WorldMcQueen

What do you think? Comment below! Remember to "Always Be Classic"! Until next time! Bye!

Oh Chanel!

Hello!

Now I don't know if its just me or does fashion power house Chanel never disappoint? Inside that Chanel house there must be secret gold dust that Mr Largerfeld sprinkles onto each look of each collection before it goes out. Season after season Chanel has never let me down. Always something new, exciting and unexpected from the label.

Spring and summer 2014 brought us the 'arty' looks with fabrics in paint brush prints, colourful woven and beaded fabrics to make up a 90 look collection that was fun, loud and interesting. Each look had hidden details that you didn't notice the first time around. The set was stunning as always from the house. The venue was transformed in to a large art gallery with large Chanel logo's recreated in various media and the famous No5 bottle being recreated in marble. Amazing. The models even followed the theme through with the accessories with some of the models carrying clipboards and paintbrushes!



Autumn and winter 2014 Chanel brought the supermarket to the fashion lovers. The shelves were stocked with 100,000 mock branded Chanel food products!  Long coats, mixed and matched prints and textures and Chanel this time followed the trainer trend that has been huge for the past few seasons. This trend fro me isn't great or I'm at least in the fence with it. Not being the most sporty person ever I cant say I can do the trend much justice but I'm not a fan of women wearing this trend. On men done properly with some skinny jeans and a great jumper in a cool print or texture then I think it works a treat but on women I like to see more feminine shoes like the classic heel. Not chunky metallic trainers. Chanel lost a mark because of this for me so it gets a 9/10. However what's interesting to see is that even a major fashion house has to follow the street trends to be able to sell products and make profit. Designers now are having to design to sell not design to make art. If they make art that sells then they've hit the bulls eye.

As you can see Chanel has made me fall in love with it all over again this year in fashion and I cant wait to see what will come next from the worlds biggest fashion house!

Check out videos here:

 

Spring summer 2014

 

 

Fall winter 2104

Until next time! Remember to Always Be Classic!

Bring It On!

               

 

 

It's summer and we all know what that means! Summer bodies! I'll be completely honest and say that I do love to be active and excersise and healthy but I am lazy when it comes down to it. I need something quick, easy and simple that I can get done without dreading the amount of time it will take up. I just want to tone up a bit and to bulk a bit that's all. I'm not asking for an Greek god figure. That's where the 7 minute workout appcomes in! Everyday for 7 months you do a 7 minute workout and the app tracks our progress. You win achievements as you go along to keep you motivated too!

Here it goes! 

Back To The Grunge

One of the major spring and summer 2013 trends for menswear is the 90's grunge trend. This trend takes a step down memory lane and revamps old styles and looks from everyone's favourite decade! This is a trend again (for the second time) is one of the best for spring and summer for men. It gives a real nostalgic feel to your look. 

With this trend try wearing acid wash jeans and check shirts for a grunge edge which is essential for this style. One of the most major trends in the 90's was tying a shirt or a jacket around your waist. This has now become a summer trend yet again for summer 2013. I have seen this at Sheffield TramLines festival and on the streets. This look is very easy going and casual. I will warn you that this trend requires very little outfit preparation. Do not plan your outfit bit by bit otherwise your look won't have the right feel to it and it will look contrived which is not what the 90's look is all about. Comfortable. Simple. Easy. Three words to describe this style. Add the grunge edge by wearing skinny jeans in black and extreme fades. Check shirts and stacked bracelets take a vital role. Tip: why not even try investing in 90's inspired knitwear that you can layer up next season! That way you can wear this trend into next season too! 

If your stuck for cash and think you can't afford to wear this trend then think again. You can recreate this style without spending a penny. Simply go through your clothes and think about the trend and you'll soon find clothes that fit. Then tie something long sleeved aground your waist and your set to go! 

Don't forget to check out my eBay store for great deals! (ryanpilkington5)! 

 

Jog On!

Summer is well and truly here! Finally. That means its time for trend after summer trend hitting stores, each giving us different looks and styles to suit every customer. I have looked at the menswear trends and one of my favourites is the sporty trend. This is a trend that for men and women comes around for summer every year. Recently I have being wanting a new bag, there's nothing wrong with the bag I had but it was becoming a dump where I just threw everything in it and it was getting too messy, so I bought a sporty overnight bag from Avon and its one of the best things I have bought in a long time. For £11 it's amazing, various pockets, navy blue in colour, handles and a shoulder strap! I love it.

Like the bag, the sports trend items go with basically anything you already own. Think varsity prints, sweaters, joggers and trainers. This trend can easily be turned "Chavy" but the trick is to not wear too many brands such as Adidas. Sure yeah wear some Adidas trainers but don't go full on head to toe with it. Think Americana. Casual and relaxed with bright colours. Numbers and logos make up a large part of this trend. Simple. We can all look sporty with this look even if we hated sports in school! 

Don't forget to check out my ebay store (ryanpilkington5)!

 

Mulberry Must See Show

Watching the s/s 13 shows I came across one of the great British fashion brands Mulberry. This show is always one of my favourites to watch because if their consistency within their style and design. They are a label that always stays true to their look while still showing us something new each season.

This show was filled with leather, knit and sheer. Colours stayed neutral and natural in white, black, green and tan to tie in with the all natural theme the runway and backstage area had been designed in. Also every Mulberry show wouldn't be complete without a poodle! The fashion was stunning, it embodied the British summer with flowing dresses and maxi skirts in pastel colours and then layered over we're biker style jackets complete with signature gold flower buttons, metallic prints and tweed. Just in case it rains in summer you can still look amazing. I loved all of the looks in the show. Can't wait to see what Mulberry will give us next season!

A Nude Summer

Nude is a trend that comes and goes every year but never fails to become a major hit. It's easily wearable and simple to do. No fuss. Nude has been seen at the Burberry S/S 2013 show in garments such as crop jackets and dresses. It's a classic trend. Easily worn from day to night, from office to drinks. Tones such as blush, pinks and skin tone colours are key for this trend. Wear form fitting dresses to give the illusion of wearing nothing at all. Cheeky. It's easy wear because nude doesn't need a lot of work. The idea is that your supposed to be as naked as possible with out at illy being naked so minimal accessories are needed.

If your not wanting to wear nude coloured garments then why not try having a nude bag or an amazing pair of nude coloured shoes. For shoes, a high court shoe is best. If you can walk in platforms then this is also best. This is because the nude court shoe will give the illusion of longer legs with them being a close colour to your natural skin tone and because of the style of shoe. Perfect. If your wanting a very sophisticated look then try wearing a pair of nude leather gloves. Short or long these will look stunning. These are also practical too, just in case the rain makes a visit to the good old British summer.