COM'ON PROJECT WINNER 2009

I have just spent 3 and a half wonderful weeks in beautiful Como, Italy, as part of the Com'ON creative project. Linked with the TextPrint scarf competition, the three winning scarves and three runners up visited Como to learn about the famous silk industry. Part of the prize were exciting trips to Ratti, Canepa, Gucci, Alberta Ferretti and Jean Paul Gaultiers, museums, print studios and latest collection viewings.

After the first week when all the other award winners had left, I stayed to work in a small studio for two weeks where there was alot to learn. A little slow at first, I feel I got better everyday and was doing up to six designs a day by the end. I think with another week or so practice I may have been up to the standard of the other deigners in the studio who created 8-10 a day! The experience was invaluable.

View the Com'ON project at http://www.comon-co.it/ 

and my profile

http://www.comonco.it/Dynamic/Designers,intLangID,1,intCategoryID,51,intItemID,295.html.

The winning scarves of 2009's Como at the loom cafe in Como.

Alberta Ferretti's latest collections in Milano.

Work Placement at Mosaic in Como, Italy 2009

While I was in Como in Italy I spent two weeks working in a studio called Mosaique, during the time I created contemporary (some conversational) prints. The studio used photoshop as a means of creating all of its designs and were quite tradional in their style using alot of florals and animal prints. The boss Mr Mario was quite open to new ideas and asked me to create anything I wanted but in my usual contemporary style and colours. The designs were printed and the sales persons are currently looking for buyers all over the world.

These three conversational pieces take on old ideas with damask and toile de jour as their inspiration, however they are all made contemporary in different ways. The first has ghost like shadows/ silhouette's breaking up the background. The second and third have unexpected objects and animals, some reflecting todays culture. The green print below is a simple mirror repeat with an added circle motif. The shape insinautes a target creating conversation through linked imagery.

Prints for Men's wear - Designed @ Mosaic by Me

Alas more Flora and Forna - Designed @ Mosaic by Me