Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Here Comes The Sun




Well we've just got the first photos back from Sunday and are really happy them.  Mother nature decided to be on our side and broke out a another gloriously sunny day for us and now, that we've had some time to relax and digest the day I can tell you that thanks to an overwhelming response from our community we felt the whole day was a tremendous success, so thank you!
Our friends at the Clockworks we're great hosts, everyone pitched in and what can I say? Teamwork makes the dreamwork.  We had some great music, food, performances even had our own rag tag stage that we borrowed from D-man's school. 
It's been great to hear over the last 48 hours or so, that everyone had a lot of fun and there were a lot of memorable moments, like Meg jumping up and down screaming whilst Emilie Lecocq spews fiery breath in a pink handmade tweed jacket that's just the right side of the circus.  I remember feeling glad that I'm not the only one who gets that exited about clothes and I can't wait to see more of the pictures.  Don't forget that this event is just the beginning, we've got a fabulous summer planned and our Relaunch Party is already under a month away where we will be exhibiting all of our favourite photos from the day and celebrating our brand new website so stay tuned. x


Pictures Courtesy of Lawrence De Gruchy

Saturday, March 24, 2012

A Stitch In Time


So it's here finally, tomorrow is the big day. All hands are on deck and the Crooked House is brimming with people. The outfit count is up to 31, everybody's sewing cutting and the knitting machines have been whirring relentlessly all day, even I've been pulled of the computer/phone to muck in on the knitting. There have been a few hiccups but we've been doing our best to put out fires all over the place and as far as I can tell everything seems to be finally coming together. We've dropped off the stage, had hair consultations, found a new make-up artist, picked up food, tracked down decks, finalized outfits, been filmed/interviewed and called to remind just about everyone. All these bits and pieces, odd and ends are really taking form, the excitement is brewing, we're kicking this to-do-list in the ass. Not much else to say except can't wait to see you all tomorrow and we can't thank everyone enough for all their help so far.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Keep Calm and Carry On



Had a minor panic last night. Unfortunately one of the photographers for Sunday pulled out but all is not lost as I got message from Ewan this morning saying that he'd waved some kind of magic wand around and managed to produce two brand new photographers to help out on the day, so here's a massive thanks to Ewan! Also here's a list of the fine acoustic acts that will be participating, as well as some of our friends from Geofest.

The Fontana Instincts
The Longford Family Band
Runaway Jury
Luke Wynne
Tom Gourlay and more...

Not too bad eh? I've also been incredibly reassured by our friends at the Clockworks who will be making the place look lovely and pretty for us. We're looking to kick the day off around 2pm, some vegatarian food (in accordance with Clockworks wishes) will be provided earlier in the afternoon and if you'd like a drink there'll also be a bar. I can't wait to see everyone there in their festival wear. See you on Sunday! Mwah x

Saturday, March 17, 2012

One week to go!


We're now only a week away from our Crooked at Clockworks photo shoot where we will be breaking out the new Spring/Summer collection for the first time.  I can tell you that as well as all clothes being modeled by many of our most beautiful friends, this shoot will also feature some of our favourite Derby musicians and performers who will be helping us create our summer festival atmosphere. The whole thing is also being filmed by our friends at Hatch'd Magazine who are compiling a videography of the event. So I hope to see many of our friends and followers there, ready to get this Summer started like it's already here. If you'd like to be a part of it and are free on March 25th you find the event here on Facebook or you can email me here.


Wednesday, March 14, 2012

No Rest For The Wicked

Megan is working hard on outfit #17 for the new collection, I decided to have an impromptu interview with her to give you lovelies an incite into how things are going, it may be nearly midnight but she's still furiously sewing through a haze of conjunctivitis whilst I quiz her on the new stuff.

So what are you working on tonight?
Tonight I'm just finishing off a full length jumpsuit in some abstract Dali-esque fabric and then I'm moving on to a template for some Pocahontas meets Gladiator sandals.

 Are these going together?
Yes, basically because I need to give the cobblers time to sole the shows so this week I'm concentrating on outfits that need shoes.

Where did the inspiration for this outfit come from?
Well, I think the fabric really speaks for itself, as soon as I saw it I thought this would make a F***ing awesome jumpsuit and then the sandals... because I've been making the Pocahontas boots for a while I thought I'd love to make a sandal version and when I found the raspberry/fuchsia suede I thought it would be bang tidy. The jumpsuit is very much 1970's that you'd wear with wedges on a night out but because of the nature of the photo shoot I wanted to get a look that's more eclectic, something that would be fun and comfortable to wear to a festival.

Can you tell me about the new direction you have taken with this collection?
I want to get a bit more mainstream but I want to remain true to my textile roots. I've been on the Craft Fair circuit for years which tends to draw a more mature crowd but my work is so colourful and bright that people kept recommending that I take it to festivals. I really love the atmosphere at music festivals and I bought a camper van and really want to go on the road with Crooked Knitwear, this collection reflects that desire.

You're on outfit #17 now, so far what is your favourite new piece?
Maybe the boots I made last night, but it's really hard to choose. I'm just so exited about everything, I'm stressed but it's a good stressed.


What are these boots like then?
They're a bottle green suede short pull on boot with this really cool ethnic/tribal ribbon detailing and my multi-fibre fringing.

I've seen them they're fit.
Yeah (Laughs manically) I ran up your stairs and nearly woke you up to show you them.

I know you did you made me try them on in bed.
 

UPDATE*
PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR SHOWS PAGES FOR MEGAN'S SUMMER ITINERARY! 



Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Last Minute Event Added!

Hi everyone!
There's a mad rush in the Crooked House today as Megan was offered a last minute place at the Contemporary Texiles Fair in Teddington. If you're lucky enough to make it to the show you will be one of the first people outside the Crooked House to get the view the samples from the new collection which will be available made to order.  We hope to see a few of you there but don't worry if you can't make it because I will posting the dates for all the summer shows very soon so keep an eye on the events page. For those of you interested in this weekend you can find the website here.


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Feeling Sping


Things are heating up in the Crooked House and all this lovely spring weather has got us both buzzing with ideas especially as the plans for the photo shoot are really coming together. Today Megan managed to secure us a stage from her son's primary school and now we're working on borrowing a fully blown circus tent and performers have been confirmed to complete our festival themed hoop-la. I also thought I'd share some pictures from Megan's photo shoot with photographer Ewan Mathers who was also kind enough to sign up for the Clockworks photo shoot. These are my favourites but make sure you check out his page for more of his work.