The Doors are Open!

So... I am delighted to announce that my online boutique is finally OPEN!
To celebrate I am offering 10% off all orders placed this week, the offer ends Monday 15th October. Come and have a look around, (there is a link just to the right) let me know what you think!

MYB Textiles

I came across this lovely video today. It shows the process of lace making from one of the last surviving Scottish factories, MYB Textiles. When thinking of lace, and hearing of the high profile clients this factory supplies, the immediate ideas conjure up soft, gentle glamour, clean and white. I love how this video shows well oiled machines, strapping men all in an industrial environment. They look more suited to building ships not slowly weaving pretty lace for Hollywood costume designers. It dispels all prim and proper connotations and yet at the same time shows how much care and time goes into the process. I'll be thinking of those filthy paws that wove my lace next time I slip into some. 

Introducing...

Dear followers, I am delighted to share this piece of news with you...
Over the past few months, I have been working closely with fine artist Kate MacKay and all round hero David Anderson to transform Kate's illustrations into a repeat pattern that can easily be worked into my designs. Today, after months of hard work, I visited Tessuti Printed Textiles studio in Edinburgh, to finally set my flock of birds free. 

After a LOT of deliberating I decided to screen print the design onto a small run of fabric. This allowed me to produce a test sample, in a few different colours which I intend on running up into collars for an upcoming Edinburgh event this Sunday hosted by Dream out Loud. I'm so glad that I decided to hand print the fabric myself, as ultimately it will make my garments that much more personal. It has also given me more control on the dyes used and allows me to print the fabric as and when I need it. For the time being I think this process suits the label... And to top it all off, I absolutely loved printing my own fabric, it was so much fun.

Many thanks go out to my gorgeous gal pal Felicity Moody who came along to assist me today, I couldn't have done it without her. To Fiona McIntosh who so kindly let me use her facilities and most importantly taught us how to print! And a huge thanks to David Anderson, who has dedicated so much time helping me to reach this goal and has provided me with this lovely selection of images to document the day. I'm so lucky. 

To see the fabric for yourself come down to The Bon Vivant's Companion on Sunday 1st July and visit Dream Out Loud's debut pop up shop!

Coming Soon...

Oh Hello 2012...

For those who missed the news earlier this month, Eleanor's Riot was featured in the January 2012 edition of The Skinny! You can still pick up your free copy across Scotland, but for those who can't get their hands on one or simply cannot wait you can read the write up over here... X marks the spot. 

A huge thanks again to the amazing Alexandra Fiddes for the fantastic article. I have not stopped smiling. It was the perfect start to the new year. 

Top Ten

1. Paper Dress workshop with Kate MacKay for Fashioning an Ethical Industry. 

2. Eleanor's Riot Debut Shoot. 

3. Website goes LIVE.

4. Featured in The Scotland on Sunday.

5. OOTB Drill Hall Exhibition with Kate MacKay.

6. Framed Gallery Affordable Art Fair, collaboration with Kate MacKay and Sarah Hebeisen.

7. Packed up a rail of garments and headed to Glasgow's Bold Souls indie fashion event.

8. Eleanor's Riot garments used to advertise the following Bold Souls event.

9. Took to the catwalk for In The Company of Wolves.

10. The support from 3 top boutiques, all selling my wares. LaLaLand, Godiva Boutique & Audrey Grace. 

Click on the highlighted numbers/links to see how we made it happen. Bring it on 2012! 

Dandelion Installation

Whilst catching up with blogs I stumbled across this stunning installation by Regine Ramseier. I simply love it, although there is a child inside of me that would find the temptation of blowing all the Dandelion feathers away too much to resist. 

Thanks to Miss Moss for drawing my attention to it.