Silver

My collection

 

After a great show, I was asked to collect this:

 

 

The whole REMIX experience was awesome! And I'm so glad that I met all the other designer-kids with whom I became really good buddies. Thanks for this opportunity to IFF, MIFUR, ITALIAN VOGUE and BFTA. I loved it!

Showtime!

Then the show began! And then I saw HUGE Altynai on the screen.

 

 

The movies that we all made previously in the studio were shown on the big screen.  Here is mine!

 

It was really exciting to see my designs on a real catwalk. Facing the judges earlier was intimidating, but it all was forgotten when the show began. I wondered if Franca liked my designs...?!

 

 

Backdrop and models

This was my backdrop for the show. I Really loved it! 

When people started to gather for the show, the backstage was hectic. But everyone knew what they were doing, and we were holding close to our models to make sure everything was worn properly. No drama. It was more exciting to be backstage! 

 

 

And I had the most beautiful models! Chiara, Rita and Karina.

 

 

Day of the REMIX Show

The day of the show was approaching quickly and we had full on schedules. On the day of the show we managed to see the MIFUR exhibition. It was huge and crazy.
 

By late afternoon we all were at La Pelotta and the place was transformed for the show.

It was fantastic to see on each chair a feature on REMIX detailing all of the finalists
http://www.vogue.it/en/magazine/daily-news/2014/03/remix-2014


The fresh grass was laid down and vogue goodie bags were on the benches. It looked awesome!

When people started to gather for the show, the backstage was hectic. But everyone knew what they were doing, and we were holding close to our models to make sure everything was worn properly. No drama. It was more exciting to be backstage! 



 

Amongst all the buzz backstage, designers were chilling.

Fittings with Italian Vogue

Afterwards we had to drop off our garments and attend fittings with Italian Vogue stylist Alessandro.

Everyone was blown away by La Pelota space... it simply looked HUGE.

 Here are some images from the fittings. And of course, I had to adjust several things on the spot.

 

 

 

Making a Movie

Next day was lots of fun as I got to experience how it feels to be a model in front of the camera! My hair and makeup was done by the coolest Italian duo Roberto and Claudio from COTRIL. I really liked what Christian Helmer came up with...a short black and white video shot about each contestant with a voice over to be shown to the audience as an intro before one's collection. Really smart.

 

Fun in the studio

 

Morning in the studio

 

 

 

Arrival in Milan for REMIX

 

Trip to Milan for the REMIX final was more than I expected.  I have met so many amazing people and the finalists were from all around the world. We were treated to the best Italian pizza in town upon arrival.

 

It was worth going through all that visa drama and 12 hours flight marathon just to experience good food with a great group of people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exciting Times :) I have been selected as a finalist for REMIX

 

So much has happened since my last post! I was so pleased to hear I was selected as a finalist for the International Fur Federation REMIX competition. My BFTA Competition entry was submitted and I was selected as one of 12 finalists. I am so happy to be jetting off to Milan for the Final. REMIX is to be supported by Vogue Talents!

Next steps………….

Today I finally got back from Kyrgyzstan and will head to Hockley studio tomorrow to star working on the design. SO excited! 

Results :)

After a few days of waiting, I got an email saying that I won...it felt great! 

I'm so excited and honoured to be chosen by the judges and would like to express my gratitude.

Looking much forward working with Hockley team on my final design and traveling to the Saga Fur Design Centre in the near future! Woooo hoooo!

Here is the winning design! It is a seamless felted coat with a massive mink collar, which i'll be printing over with pink paint. 

Final Judging

When I was submitting my final designs to BFTA, I was faaaaaaar away in Kyrgyzstan... felting. It was impossible for me to submit my final designs in person, so I've sent everything to my friend and assistant Julia van Ijken, who like a fairy (and she dresses the part too!), delivered everything on time to BFTA office. Thank you, Julia! 

Fur Workshop

Fur workshop was fantastic!!! 

As a finalist of the British Fur Trade Association's Fur Design Competition (BFTA) I was invited along to a workshop.

It was divided into two parts. First part was an introduction, I've really appreciated an insightful presentation from Hockley and BFTA representatives: Tina, Izzet and Andrea. Their speech was a great introduction to the fur industry, its benefits and challenges, and I've learnt to better understand its role in the fashion industry and learn about Origin Assured. Then, the Head of Design & Innovation at Saga Furs, Dorte spoke about Saga Furs and showed us unbelievable fur samples brought especially for the 8 finalists to see. We were all amazed by how much you can do with fur and what a generous material it is to work with. I was inspired to be more creative and experimental with my own work with fur. 

My most favourite samples were: 
1) The degrade shaved emerald coloured fox! I couldn't keep my hands off it. 
2) Fox strips sewn onto jersey. It was weightless and stretchy fur - unbelievable! 
3) Burberry's Haymarket check in fur - anything is possible! Sam Towner couldn't let it go either! :)
After seeing all the samples and getting inspired, we had delicious lunch and proceeded to part two of the workshop.

The second part of the workshop was more technical: we were shown how to use the fur sewing machine and were introduced to various furs available at the warehouse.

Personally for me, one of the most useful part of the workshop was a one-to-one tutorial with the judges. Speaking about my ideas and designs to professionals, who gave me critical feedback, helped me a lot. 

After the workshop, i had two weeks to design and submit the final designs. 

About me and graduate collection:

Hi, My name is Altynai Osmoeva and I'm a final year fashion print student at Central Saint Martins, originally from Kyrgyzstan. My graduate collection is inspired by: felt and traditional crafts from Central Asia, nomads, raw materials like leather and FUR! As of print, i'll be iron branding seamless felted coats that i had produced with Kyrgyz felters and screen printing on fur. I am really excited about what's going to come out of it!