Templates and paper dolls

Above are the backs of paper dolls cut from 1950's magazines so you get abstract patterns, text, photo's and recipes. This silhouette effect would be good to use for mood boards and source books either cut from printed papers or from fabrics backed with tape to prevent them from fraying.

The paper dolls would also be a good source of templates, people collect images of them and you can google or flickr your way to great archives and modern fashion illustrators interpretations of this historical fashion pass time. The above images are from Barbara Jean's collection

Ian Addison Hall

Surreal and disturbing ian Addisons work also questions what we cover in pattern and what we don't. This question can be applied to fashion or other forms of body adornment for example tatoos.
Ian's exploration is one of science and anthropology.

"Using vintage catalog imagery, each piece in this series explores the relationship between the patterns that exist in fashion and the patterns that are found in human genetics. While a clothing pattern is designed to make the wearer look and feel different, when it is expanded over a model's exposed skin it instead represents the biological and emotional framework that we all share. Acknowledging that we are all the same encourages empathy, compassion and understanding."

"Patterns of Science is named after a program created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) shortly after World War II. The program's purpose was to prevent an apocalyptic third world war by promoting intercultural understanding. At the time many thought the fundamental cause of international conflict was humanity's failure to realize the ideals of a world community and that we are all grounded in common values."
Ian Addison Hall

Christian Tagliavini

Oh! how wonderful are Christian Tagliavini's cardboard ladies ? . . . I can feel a project coming on! (thanks again)

Stina Wirsen

Stina Wirsen's simple expressive fashion illustrations, hold the essence of the design but have a bold flowing looseness. Her works have the combination of control with structure, and yet also have the uncontrollable elements that hold the emotion of the work.

Nikki Farquharson

Nikki Farquharson is a young designer and illustrator from London. I love the bold interplay of illustration and model on this photo shoot for the former Missbehave Magazine.

International Fashion Capitals

Above: Angela Logan in new New York wardrobe, you could try this technique with cut out fashion illustrations (it's great fun!)

Above: New York Dress with unknown (lovely) model Above and below, Paris Map Clothes (made by Hazel Terry)

Below: London (origami clothes made from maps)

A 'fashion week' is a fashion industry event lasting approximately one week that enables designers, fashion houses and brands to display their latest creations. The most prominent fashion weeks are held in the fashion capitals of : New York, London, Milan and Paris. The annual events kick off in New York with the other cities hosting their events in the order given. Fashion weeks are semiannual events, January through to April the designers release their autumn / winter collections. September through to November they show their spring/summer collections. There are other fashion weeks in other cities where designers showcase specific garment collections such as swimwear. Also designers put on independent events outside of the traditional seasons.