Share Your Talent

On the 22nd July 2010 the government funded 'find your talent' scheme came to an end. The scheme was to encourage teens to take an interest in culture. It gave them the chance to experience new and exciting things such as DJing, dance, VJ (video jockey), fashion, singing, MCing, break dancing (to name but a few). It also gave them the opportunity to perform at the SouthBank Centre.

(I do appreciate that I am THE worst photographer ever)

I was lucky enough to be chosen to design and make the costumes for the North Somerset performance which included a VJ, 2 DJs and 15 dancers. Who were the finale piece for this event!

Here are some of the snaps from the event....

I really enjoyed working on this project as it gave me many new challenges to overcome. Such as, designing and making costumes for nearly 20 teens. I had yet to work with so many people let alone teenagers, who are renowned for letting you know when they don't like something!

I felt that the costumes had to be distinctively boy and girls but there had to be a sense of unification between the group of dancers. Each of the outfits were different, to give a sense of personality to each of the dancers, DJs and VJs

I kept the base colours rather neutral - royal blues, grey and white. I then made sure that each outfit had some flashes of the neon yellow colour. I wanted to use a fabric that would make the movement and the dancers stand out. To create a more intense visual impact i also included flashes of reflective tape to really make the costumes 'pop' whilst they were on stage.

 We were also able to adapt the lighting to act as an ultraviolet light, making the yellow flashes glow throughout parts of the performance

Overall... I had a brilliant time, The trip to London felt like a holiday, we were well looked after which made the intense work load all the more worthwhile. Also i do love a challenge and i definitely got one here!

Ooooooo New Project....

OKAY....

First of all, how glad am I to finally have the Internet at my new gaff! We haven't mastered the wireless part of it yet but it is bloody fast!

Secondly, i am super excited to be writing my blog again, how Ive missed thee!

Anyways, currently i am working on a new costume design project where I am designing and making the costumes for 20 teenagers. The performance stemmed from a a government initiative called 'find your talent' looking at getting secondary school kids interested in culture. The group from Weston-super-mare put on a particularly impressive performance with their club night 'Lush' and they have been selected to perform at the Young Talent Festival at the South Bank centre on the 22nd July.... Not long now. Here they have transformed the ideas behind the club night into a choreographed routine with DJ's and VJ's to create an exciting and intuitive piece!


INSPIRATION...

Before i had chance to meet with the choreographer to discuss ideas for the costumes i began to research ways of creating a visual impact on stage. Hussein Chalayan is an amazing designer, he creates innovative designs using cutting edge technology. I particularly like these pieces and the use of LED lighting, the shapes are so simple yet the lighting turns the garments into a work of art.

Unfortunately, I do not have a team of lighting and electrical specialists. So I began to look into fabrics that could create a similar look. I began with bright white fabrics that when placed under UV lights have a glowing effect.

Also i quite liked the Glowing effect that this fish from Bristol zoo had. Nature has some amazing eye-catching technology!

However, after looking at the floor plan and the performance space it became apparent that it wasn't feasible to make the dance area dark enough to create an impact. And unfortunately I'm not a fish!

My next piece of inspiration came from a policeman!...

These yellow jackets that are worn not just by not just police but paramedics, builders, cyclists and people who need a highly visible presence! and this is what the dancers need on the stage.

So off i went and purchased some wacky yellow fabric and reflective tape!

DESIGNING & MAKING....

Here are some of my first initial sketches and my new beautiful over locker! which has been a god send in this project.

FINAL THOUGHTS.....

Right now I am in the midst of finishing the costumes I have a few more to finish off and i intend to measure the rest of the performers today.... Insanely close to the deadline! But I'm sure i can pull it off.

Finally I'm going to leave you guys with a sneaky peak of the final costumes (which have engulfed my room) enjoy...