Amelia’s Magazine | Yifang Wan, Fashion Scout Merit Award Winner: London Fashion Week A/W 2013 Catwalk Review


Yifang Wan A/W 2013 by Gabriel Ayala

Fashion Week A/W 2013 got off to a cracking start on Friday, for anybody who actually turned up. I didn’t, thanks to the effects of an anti-Valentine’s cocktail binge, instead spent the evening in bed with fish and chips and half a bottle of Rioja. So it was Saturday morning where my season started, heading as I did to this season’s Fashion Scout Merit Award winner – Yifang Wan.


Photography by Amelia Gregory

Previous Merit Award winners including David Koma, Felder Felder, William Tempest and Leutton Postle have all gone on to establish successful labels and the pressure of such previous acclaim must be terrifying — but its effects weren’t evident in this polished collection by Yifang Wan.


Yifang Wan A/W 2013 by Dom&Ink


All other photography by Matt Bramford

Record numbers packed the ‘white room’ of the Freemasons’ Hall, and so my view of the show was framed by a diminutive Frenchman wielding a vogue.fr microphone like a maniac and a very excitable girl with masses of hair. Her head was all over the place trying to secure a good shot and I was forced to perform a strange sort of swaying dance with my zoom lens, not unlike an Emperor penguin.


Yifang Wan A/W 2013 by Dom&Ink

I’d briefly taken an interest in Wan‘s work when the Merit prize was awarded at the beginning of the year, and her previous collections draw inspiration from her Asian heritage and long, draped silhouettes dominate her previous outings. So it was no surprise, in the best possible way, to see these themes continued for A/W 2013, with inspiration from performance artist ‪Marina Abramović‬, most famous for sitting in a smock and staring at New Yorkers in the MOMA for 700 hours.

Only four rich colours featured in this collection – deep blue, green, red and black in thick fabrics. Jackets came with triangular slices removed almost with abandon as fabrics draped asymmetrically and architecturally. Almost every piece skimmed the floor, while fabric swayed and draped in different directions with emphasis on Far Eastern cuts. Each piece was accessorised with intriguing angular sculptural pieces, some worn around necks, others carried almost like weaponry.

Yifang Wan is no stranger to awards, having won the L’Oreal Professionel Award at Saint Martins as an MA student. Her £25,000 prize this season will hopefully propel the designer’s label in the direction it deserves.

Categories ,A/W 2013, ,A/W’13, ,catwalk, ,Central Saint Martins, ,East, ,Fashion Scout, ,Gabriel Ayala, ,Kimono, ,marina abramovic, ,Matt Bramford, ,Merit Award, ,Orient, ,review, ,Yifang Wan

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Amelia’s Magazine | Ji Cheng: London Fashion Week A/W 2012 Catwalk Review

Ji Cheng AW 2012 by Geiko Louve

Ji Cheng A/W 2012 by Geiko Louve

Chinese designer Ji Cheng’s first show in London was held at Vauxhall Fashion Scout on Tuesday 21st February, the last day of London Fashion Week’s womenswear. Jumping ahead of the queue I had a chance to examine my front row goody bag – a proper mini version of some of the bags that later appeared on the catwalk designed by Ji Cheng, not a tote! – and to look through the slides projected on the wall at the start of the runway. The slides showed models dressed in Ji Cheng’s designs posing at striking Chinese landscape locations, mixing with traditional Chinese life activities or getting intimate with some sexy Chinese pottery makers in their workshops. Some showed traditional pots at a rough, unfinished stage that made them look more like minimal, contemporary western pottery.

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 by Love Amelia

Ji Cheng A/W 2012 by Love Amelia

Indeed Ji Cheng has a passion for Chinese traditional culture, but her collection, according to her ‘combines the essence of classic Chinese art with modern Western techniques and tailoring’ and she wishes to emphasise through her work ‘the combination of Eastern and Western culture’. For example, Chinese inspired elements such as Kimono wrap dresses, short stand-up collars and thick embroidered belts were on show, but so were some minimal skirts, blouses and shirts fit for a nine-to-five job in the office.

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 by Deborah  Moon

Ji Cheng AW 2012 by Deborah Moon

The designer from Shanghai named her A/W 2012 collection Zen Awakening and one could easily see that some of the smoothly draped overlapping lines on the garments and the loose way in which they fell over the body were influenced by Zen monks’ robes and cassocks. This influence was further evident in the model who opened and closed the show, with a striking shaved head like that of a Zen monk. In the press release Ji Cheng made an effort to explain the title Zen Awakening using some rather heavy zen philosophical phraseology such as ‘thought is not thinking’ and referring to ‘higher states of unity’, which I rather enjoyed reading in relation to a fashion show.

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Somewhat relevant to the above, the colour scheme of the show was presented in groups of colours. It started with a focus on a traditional Chinese vermilion, then it moved on to more earthly, brownish hues, followed by a number of mainly white pieces, then a number of mainly black ones and finishing off with the last two numbers which had an iridescent, silver hue. In that way it was a bit like the clothes were following the developmental stages – represented by the different colour groups – of a soul on its journey towards Zen Awakening. Scattered here and there were flashes of fluorescent green or orange, like little moments of realisation along the way.

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

The pure vermilion, so characteristic of Chinese culture, did not only make an appearance on the clothes, but also on the models’ faces, whose make up was a very toned down, western version of the reddish make up applied on actors taking part in Peking Opera productions – a theme which has been an inspiration for a previous collection by Ji Cheng.

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 by Dana Bocai

Ji Cheng A/W 2012 by Dana Bocai

Quite a few of the dresses and blouses featured a very interesting back with cut out panels or huge statement bows. Some of the models carried in their hands really beautifully shaped clutch bags and the shoes had a fabric front, held in place by long ribbons which were tied around the calves in a zigzag fashion. A lot of them left the heel totally exposed, which I thought was not so fit for the modern woman.

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

Ji Cheng AW 2012 photo by Maria Papadimitriou

This was a pleasant collection with an interesting philosophy behind it, so I hope to see how Ji Cheng’s brand La Vie develops over the following seasons showing in London.

All photography by Maria Papadimitriou

Categories ,Chinese, ,Chinese Fashion, ,Chinese Opera, ,Chinese Pottery, ,Clutch Bags, ,Collars, ,Dana Bocai, ,Deborah Moon, ,Eastern, ,Embroidered, ,Fashion Design, ,Fluorescent, ,Freemason’s Hall, ,Geiko Louve, ,Goody Bag, ,Ji Cheng, ,Kerry Jones, ,Kimono, ,La Vie, ,london, ,London Fashion Week, ,Love Amelia, ,Maria Papadimitriou, ,monks, ,Peking Opera, ,Shanghai, ,Silk Blouses, ,Silks, ,Slideshow, ,Vauxhall Fashion Scout, ,Vermilion, ,Western, ,Wrap Dresses, ,Zen, ,Zen Awakening, ,Zigzag

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Amelia’s Magazine | Central Saint Martins: Ba Fashion Graduate Show 2011 review. Knitwear.

Shengwei Wang Woollen Dress by Fawn Carr
Shengwei Wang Woollen Dress by Fawn Carr.

Knitwear is something very close to my heart – I nearly studied it for my degree and I love a good chunky knit jumper more than anything. The maxed out knitwear on show at the Central Saint Martins 2011 graduate show was particularly strong.

Central Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Shengwei Wang photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Shengwei Wang photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Shengwei Wang photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Shengwei Wang photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Shengwei Wang photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Shengwei Wang photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Shengwei Wang photography by Amelia Gregory
Shengwei Wang. All photography by Amelia Gregory.

My favourite was the amazing oversized textured monochrome collection from Shengwei Wang. Ripples, medicine oblong abstracts and chequerboard squares featured in this simple yet beautiful collection, salve one which I would actually be able to wear, although of course the glorious irony of maxi styling is that it only ever looks spectacularly good on very thin girls.

Central Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Lowell Delaney photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Lowell Delaney photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Lowell Delaney photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Lowell Delaney photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Lowell Delaney photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Lowell Delaney photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Lowell Delaney photography by Amelia Gregory
Lowell Delaney.

Lowell Delaney presented bright coloured oversized knitwear over nice stripy tailoring but the styling was frankly frightening. Wan death mask make up and limp hair don’t do anything for me at all.

Central Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Juhee Han photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Juhee Han photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Juhee Han photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Juhee Han photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Juhee Han photography by Amelia Gregory
Juhee Han.

Juhee Han showed a seriously orange collection of Grecian inspired draped dresses with more oversized cardigan coats and lots of beaded fringing.

Katie Jones by Rebecca Strickson
Katie Jones by Rebecca Strickson.

Central Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Katie Jones photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Katie Jones photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Katie Jones photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Katie Jones photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Katie Jones photography by Amelia Gregory
Katie Jones.

Katie Jones opened her show with a teepee dress over neon netting, which was followed by a series of overgrown crocheted creations that encased the wearers in mounds of wool.

Kim Traeger by Rebecca Strickson
Kim Traeger by Rebecca Strickson.

Central Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Kim Traeger photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Kim Traeger photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Kim Traeger photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Kim Traeger photography by Amelia Gregory
Kim Traeger.

On the more nutty end of the spectrum Kim Traeger showed rabbits fishing for carrots in knitted masks in a collection heavy on accessory detail.

Ryohei Kawanishi by Harriet Alice Fox
Ryohei Kawanishi by Harriet Alice Fox.

Central Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Ryohei Kawanishi photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Ryohei Kawanishi photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Ryohei Kawanishi photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Ryohei Kawanishi photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Ryohei Kawanishi photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Ryohei Kawanishi photography by Amelia GregoryCentral Saint Martins Ba Show 2011-Ryohei Kawanishi photography by Amelia Gregory
Ryohei Kawanishi.

Ryohei Kawanishi went all out in the nuttiness stakes, with social commentary writ large on his outsized mobile knitted homes. A camouflaged tent backed with cardboard uzis was followed by a man mummified in a patchwork homage to our love of Facebook, Twitter and ilk. Totally uncommercial and totally necessary stuff.

More to come soon…

Categories ,Central Saint Martins, ,Facebook, ,Fawn Carr, ,Graduate Shows, ,Harriet Alice Fox, ,Harriet Fox, ,Juhee Han, ,Katie Jones, ,Kim Traeger, ,knitwear, ,Lowell Delaney, ,Rabbits, ,Rebecca Strickson, ,Ryohei Kawanishi, ,Shengwei Wang, ,Social Media, ,twitter

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Amelia’s Magazine | Beautiful Soul presents Olivia Rose A/W 2012: new season preview interview

Olivia Rose by Emma Ostcliffe
Olivia Rose by Emma Ostcliffe.

For the past few years designer Nicola Woods of Beautiful Soul has been exploring the potential of a design driven ethical fashion business. Since her appearance in my book, Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration, I’ve watched her label grow and flourish into a beautiful Ready to Wear line. Her latest collection, Olivia Rose, features beautiful, wearable dresses and trench coats in a strong but pretty colour palette of navy, red, fuschia, dove grey and turquoise. There’s an unmistakable 70s influence but these are timeless pieces to treasure. I talked to Nicola about the inspiration for Olivia Rose, and the best ways to grow a sustainable fashion label.

Beautiful Soul AW12 Mi Dress-British lace
Beautiful Soul AW12 by Madeleine Lithvall
Beautiful Soul AW 2012 by Madeleine Lithvall.

With your new collection you really seem to have hit your stride. What do you think epitomises the Beautiful Soul brand in 2012?
Thank you so much. Constructive feedback inspires me, be it positive or negative, it hascertainly helped me to evolve as a designer. The Olivia Rose A/W 2012 collection features timeless silhouettes brought to life through exclusive prints, adding a twist of English charm. The collection offers a mixture of classic and contemporary shapes to offer the Beautiful Soul woman a choice of stylish, feminine pieces to suit her mood of the moment, giving her an alternative, more ethical choice that does not compromise luxury.
 
Beautiful Soul AW12 Mi Dress-Megan
Beautiful Soul AW12 Rina Dress Short-Poppy Turq
You have named the new A/W 2012 collection for your two grandmothers: Olivia Rose. Why did you feel drawn to them for inspiration this season, and how did their lives affect the way you designed?
The relationship I have with my family is incredibly special. I lost my last remaining grandparent (my grandfather) last year and I wanted to translate the positive impact that they had on my life and the stories they shared with me. I drew inspiration from the love letters my Grandmothers (Olivia and Rose) each wrote in code to their sweethearts (my Grandfathers) whilst separated during the war and as a sign of remembrance, the unique Beautiful Soul London print this season, features the poppy which was a favourite flower of both of my grandmothers and a symbol of the British Legion campaign which all of my grandparents supported.

Olivia Rose AW 2012 by Jane Young
Olivia Rose A/W 2012 by Jane Young.

The poppy flower is your key print signature in Olivia Rose – how have you taught yourself to create prints? Has it been a relatively easy process once you know what you want?
I approach design with a very open mind and the best person to translate the ideas in my head is me, so I am learning quickly! It adds to the challenge and Beautiful Soul London’s unique signature. I am a firm believer of ‘giving it a go!’ and jumping in at the deep end!… hard work always pays off!

Beautiful Soul AW12 Nao Dress-Briti#84185E
Beautiful Soul AW12 Sakara Blazer-Megan|Scarf-Poppy Navy
Beautiful Soul A/W 2012 by Natasha Knight
Beautiful Soul A/W 2012 by Natasha Knight.
 
You recently discovered the most amazing British lace makers, based in Nottingham – how has your sourcing ofmaterials for the collection helped other small British businesses?
Beautiful Soul’s ethos includes supporting the regeneration of UK manufacturing and textile production. Sadly one of our British lace suppliers in Nottingham made the decision last year to close their family owned business after 60 years in business. I visited the supplier in Nottingham and discovered a warehouse stacked full of the most amazing British lace produced over the years. I knew I had to help in some way and I put a campaign together to help clear the stock.  I am still actively engaged in the campaign and have spread the word to everybody who will listen! Joining forces, we can make a difference.
 
Beautiful Soul AW12 Michiko Shirt-British lace|Kin Skirt-Olivia Rose
Beautiful Soul AW12 Midori Dress-British lace
Olivia Rose British Lace AW12 by Jane Young
Olivia Rose British Lace A/W 2012 by Jane Young..

You have recently managed to grow your business with the help of some key sponsors – how hard has it been to get to this point, and do you have any advice for others in a similar position, who might be wondering where they can find help to growtheir label in a sustainable way?
Firstly, a big thank you to our sponsors: HL & HL Antiquities, Hyperion Technologies, Creative Dynamic Print, AVCWeeeco and ESS Recycling for believing in me and supporting the growth of Beautiful Soul. I started Beautiful Soul after I graduated (2008) with very little experience of the fashion industry and without a plan of action. I confess: I was not prepared. I spent the best part of 2011 developing Beautiful Soul from a business perspective andunderstanding the brand. I have learnt to re-evaluate my priorities, balancing the business and creative responsibilities, building a firm foundation and more importantly, a sustainable future for the brand. Developing Beautiful Soul’s first Business Plan was a daunting task. I considered stepping away for a season. I persevered and managed to do both. I continue to knock on doors and slowly they are beginning to open. Perseverance is key and I can now see a bright flicker of light, at what once seemed a verylong tunnel. This is part of the brand building process and I am learning about every aspect of the company. When I have the funding in place to have my dream team, I will delegate theduties!
 
Beautiful Soul AW12 Mio Dress-Olivia Rose
Beautiful Soul AW12 Misaki Trench-Olivia Rose
You still produce your beautiful bespoke Kimono Collection: why is it so important to you to keep this aspect of Beautiful Soul alive, and where do you think it willhead in the future?
Beautiful Soul came to life sitting under a cherry blossom tree, in the heart of Tokyo. It was life changing moment…and Beautiful Soul’s Kimono Collection was built on this premise. The Kimono Collection is Beautiful Soul‘s bespoke collection for men and women, and is now available to buy all year round. We can accommodate small wholesale orders regardless of the season. One of the world’s most fashion-focused museums, London’s V&A, has stocked Beautiful Soul’s Kimono Collection since the labels launch and we are actively seeking international stockists. Watch this space!
 
Beautiful Soul AW12 Rina Dress Mid-Poppy Navy
Beautiful Soul by Charlie Rallings
Beautiful Soul by Charlie Rallings.

Finally, any wishes for 2012? Where would you like to be at the end of this year?
Olivia Rose A/W 2012 is our third RTW collection. Our library of sustainable fabrics is ever-expanding and it’s my second season of designing my own unique prints. I am building relationships with international buyers and receiving valuable feedback, which helps me to grow. The response at Paris Fashion Week was very positive and we will be stocked globally from September 2012. Our dream stockists are watching us! 

Beautiful Soul AW12 Rei Jacket-Megan
Beautiful Soul AW12 Takara Blouse-Olivia Rose|Kin Skirt-Olivia Rose
Beautiful Soul by Charlie Rallings
Beautiful Soul by Charlie Rallings.

A luxury fashion brand requires an incubation period in which to flourish and the next 12 months is a crucial time for growth. I will learn what I need to learn and move forward. My objective is to secure further investment (and retain ownership) and build on and develop a strong brand, identifiable to its target market and the wider consumer fashion arena. We will seek a private placement once the brands recognition has developed. I have my head around this process and it adds to the challenge. I am currently working on my first collaboration and hope to have my first solo event during London Fashion Week in September 2012. I will of course return to Paris in September and also hope to explore New York. I am also hoping to dress a number of Beautiful Soul‘s muses and secure orders with our dream stockists. My long term objective is for Beautiful Soul to form part of the British Fashion Elite, whilst maintaining my strong commitment to transparency.

Beautiful Soul AW12 Sora Dress-Poppy Turq
To learn more about the top ethical fashion designers working today check out my book, Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration.

Categories ,70s, ,A/W 2012, ,ACOFI, ,Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration, ,AVCWeeeco, ,Beautiful Soul, ,British Legion, ,Charlie Rallings, ,Creative Dynamic Print, ,Eco fashion, ,Emma Ostcliffe, ,ESS Recycling, ,Ethical Fashion, ,HL & HL Antiquities, ,Hyperion Technologies, ,inherentlyi, ,interview, ,Jane Young, ,Kimono Collection, ,lace, ,London Fashion Week, ,Madeleine Lithvall, ,Natasha Knight, ,Nicola Woods, ,Olivia Rose, ,Poppies, ,sustainable, ,va

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Amelia’s Magazine | Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan – an illustrated report by Emma Block

emma_block_tea_ceremony
Illustration by Emma Block.

In the wake of the tsunami that hit Japan in March, malady the online community rushed to find a way to help. Illustration Rally, run by Natsuki Otani, began the Ganbare Nippon Appeal, which translates as Don’t Give Up Japan.

emma_block_kimono  Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan
Illustration by Emma Block.

As part of this appeal, Illustration Rally held it’s first ever event, Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan, which I was lucky enough to attend. It was held in the super trendy The Book Club in Shoreditch, and was organised by a host of illustrators. As I walked in, I immediately saw a bunch of lovely ACOFI illustrators that I recognised, and sat down for a chat and green tea cup cake (first of many) with Jenny Robbins and June Sees.

Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan making cake
Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan making cake prints
Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan making
All photography by Emma Block.

Armed with paper, paint and pencils, these two talented ladies were offering live portraits of guests at the party. At the same time some painting was happening on a much larger scale as Mr Millerchip, Kristian Jones, Seb Burnett and Stephen Chan worked on a live drawing across one of the walls.

live drawing
june sees Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan
June Sees with her artwork.

erica_and_natsuki   Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan
Erica Sharp and Natsuki Otani who were running the show looked beautiful in their traditional kimonos, and after a cake or four, I decided to try one on myself.

The process of putting a kimono on is more complicated that I could possibly have imagined. Things were expertly wrapped and tucked and tied and twisted around me for quite some time, in order to create the finished look.

Emma Block_in_a_kimono   Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan
If you were feeling creative there was origami-making with Erica Sharp, and zine-making with Lea Wade. There was also a fantastic raffle – with prizes including some lovely ToDryFor goodies – if you were feeling lucky.

origami Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan

One of the most special parts of the day for me was being involved in a traditional tea ceremony. Milk and two sugars it was not. We knelt as green tea was carefully prepared, and the first person to drink bowed as they received it. They placed the bowl on their hand and turned it two and half times before drinking it in three sips, then turned it back two and half times, and placed it down and bowed again.

emma_block_green_tea_cake Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan
Illustration by Emma Block.

All in all it was a wonderful day, and I hope Illustration Rally have another event soon! You can find out more about the Gabare Nippon Appeal here, and visit the fundraising shop on Etsy. The resulting zine can now be bought online here for a £3 donation – go on, it’s for a great cause.

Categories ,ACOFI, ,Biscuits, ,Cake, ,Don’t Give Up Japan, ,Emma Block, ,Erica Sharp, ,Fundraiser, ,Ganbare Nippon, ,Ganbare Nippon Appeal, ,Green Tea, ,illustration, ,Illustration Rally, ,japan, ,Jenny Robbins, ,Junes Sees, ,Kimono, ,Kristian Jones, ,Lea Wade, ,Mister Millerchip, ,Natsuki Otani, ,Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan, ,Sen Burnett, ,shoreditch, ,Stephen Chan, ,tea, ,The Book Club, ,ToDryFor, ,Tsunami

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Amelia’s Magazine | Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan – an illustrated report by Emma Block

emma_block_tea_ceremony
Illustration by Emma Block.

In the wake of the tsunami that hit Japan in March, malady the online community rushed to find a way to help. Illustration Rally, run by Natsuki Otani, began the Ganbare Nippon Appeal, which translates as Don’t Give Up Japan.

emma_block_kimono  Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan
Illustration by Emma Block.

As part of this appeal, Illustration Rally held it’s first ever event, Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan, which I was lucky enough to attend. It was held in the super trendy The Book Club in Shoreditch, and was organised by a host of illustrators. As I walked in, I immediately saw a bunch of lovely ACOFI illustrators that I recognised, and sat down for a chat and green tea cup cake (first of many) with Jenny Robbins and June Sees.

Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan making cake
Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan making cake prints
Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan making
All photography by Emma Block.

Armed with paper, paint and pencils, these two talented ladies were offering live portraits of guests at the party. At the same time some painting was happening on a much larger scale as Mr Millerchip, Kristian Jones, Seb Burnett and Stephen Chan worked on a live drawing across one of the walls.

live drawing
june sees Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan
June Sees with her artwork.

erica_and_natsuki   Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan
Erica Sharp and Natsuki Otani who were running the show looked beautiful in their traditional kimonos, and after a cake or four, I decided to try one on myself.

The process of putting a kimono on is more complicated that I could possibly have imagined. Things were expertly wrapped and tucked and tied and twisted around me for quite some time, in order to create the finished look.

Emma Block_in_a_kimono   Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan
If you were feeling creative there was origami-making with Erica Sharp, and zine-making with Lea Wade. There was also a fantastic raffle – with prizes including some lovely ToDryFor goodies – if you were feeling lucky.

origami Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan

One of the most special parts of the day for me was being involved in a traditional tea ceremony. Milk and two sugars it was not. We knelt as green tea was carefully prepared, and the first person to drink bowed as they received it. They placed the bowl on their hand and turned it two and half times before drinking it in three sips, then turned it back two and half times, and placed it down and bowed again.

emma_block_green_tea_cake Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan
Illustration by Emma Block.

All in all it was a wonderful day, and I hope Illustration Rally have another event soon! You can find out more about the Gabare Nippon Appeal here, and visit the fundraising shop on Etsy. The resulting zine can now be bought online here for a £3 donation – go on, it’s for a great cause.

Categories ,ACOFI, ,Biscuits, ,Cake, ,Don’t Give Up Japan, ,Emma Block, ,Erica Sharp, ,Fundraiser, ,Ganbare Nippon, ,Ganbare Nippon Appeal, ,Green Tea, ,illustration, ,Illustration Rally, ,japan, ,Jenny Robbins, ,Junes Sees, ,Kimono, ,Kristian Jones, ,Lea Wade, ,Mister Millerchip, ,Natsuki Otani, ,Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan, ,Sen Burnett, ,shoreditch, ,Stephen Chan, ,tea, ,The Book Club, ,ToDryFor, ,Tsunami

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