Author: toco

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Process of the bespoke service…

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The process of the bespoke service…

I live with you, so understand the lifestyle has changed now…

I was brought up in Japan.

My mum used to make my clothes including  jumper,  School Uniform ( Hand knitted, machine knitted, occasion dress, jacket, coat, and cape, hand embroidered napkins for my school lunch and bag. )  everything from scratch for all 4 kids…

So I couldn’t buy the clothes until my teenage. ( I know I was so spoiled to have a wonderful mum who made all my clothes. )
I am used to designing my clothes and my mum make them for me.

Most of the clothes took 2-4 weeks, but she never did like her job, just for family members.

Perhaps, that is the reason, I can’t help making stuff.

I have the desire to buy things.
Most of my clothes are from the supermarket ( recently ) or charity shop never from online…

Occasionally I alter my outfits to make it completely different.

Bargen from the high street retail shop.

It was a dress but Length was not my style, so I chopped and made a top. Rest of the fabric became matching flat cap. I got complements many occasions from the people when I wear them even at the supermarket.. lol

 

I used rest of the fabric and added similar faux leather. And I wear a black leather pencil skirt to finish!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That way, not wasting and keeping a style for you, too. 🙂

People’s conscious is changing slowly and big way.

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Fashion brand? Collaboration is non stop!!

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Fashion…..there is no more brand credibility?!

There are licensing and branding…

As a designer, all of them need to care…

Marketing, sales…also need to know…If you can do everything yourself, you will be great in the fashion business.

Because the world changed for the lifestyle, Buying style, big fashion brand need to consider their way of marketing!!

H&M×MOSCHINO

H&M image collaboration with Moschino will sale November.

https://www.wmagazine.com/story/moschino-hm-runway-show

https://www.fashionsnap.com/article/2018-10-11/hm-moschino-look/

Hat off for the genius business mind!!

I would even run to the H&M for these 🙂

I like creating things for the customer who needs their own style…..Just letting people know if you need some help! 🙂 x
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Just thinking about the fashion…..

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Hi,

It was great to showcase my designs in Edinburgh kids fashion festival 22nd September 2018.

https://www.facebook.com/kidsfashionfestivalinternational

It has been a long time to decide on the venue…
I had one opportunity that I was really looking for that had to cancel for the great reason.

It wasn’t anybody’s fault, just as it happens sometimes because we are not selfish!!

As a designer, people think you should be aiming for Paris Fashion Week for where all the best buyers gathering.

But in my mind saying, it is not my venue…

The reason why I was thinking that way because I really don’t want to go into the trap in the bad wheel of the

fashion industry.

The big brand is just wasting their energy for producing new, but same time burning them,

to protect their brand credibility.

I would rather serve my energy to people who need for. Waste not want! 

So I feel good when I did my show in Edinburgh with part of Cancel Cancer Africa Charity show with my dear friend

model who should shine in the huge stage like in the Cinema, or Paris Fashion Week!

The background is my fantastic models who walked the catwalk at Surgeon Hall with Edinburgh Kids Fashion Festival International. White Dress with headpiece is my beautiful friend Mhairi Waddell. In gold outfits is Layla Burns both did fantastic job actors/models talented girls who have a bright future!! Image by Anne E Milne

 

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Show time….

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Hi, there

There are many big fashion shows like NFW, LFW, MFW, TFW and PFW….

There are so many many to choose from….,

I mainly design and make hats and outfits for adult ladies.

I am supporting this charity with my dear friend model, Mhairi Waddell

I am showing on catwalk my designs at kids fashion festival international

next week along really talented actress/model Mhairi and more in Edinburgh.

Please come along and enjoy The show and support Cancel Cancer Africa🙏

Saturday 22nd September 2018
@Surgeon Hall Edinburgh
2:00-4:00pm ( doors open 1:45 pm )

https://www.facebook.com/kidsfashionfestivalinternational/

Thank you!!

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Production for A/W

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Hi.

The world is round and every season is everywhere…..

Anyway, I am currently making lots of Scottish Wool, British Wool, and Waterproof hats

for A/W fashion accessories must have items!!

And they will be available in SDX in Glasgow from October or you can order from my site directory for your size!

Handpicked from Hawick Tweed company “Lovet” product is showerproof and very quality 100% Scottish Wool!!

Photo : Ian Coyle Model : Shannon Martin MUA : Rachel Miller Hat and Dress : Toco

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Casual on the way….

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Hi,

I am lucky to be invited to stock my design at an exciting artist portal.

It is very exciting to hear the news!!

Lynzi Leroy got her idea for the Scottish Design Exchange from an outlet in Cape Town

Lynzi Leroy got her idea for the Scottish Design Exchange from an outlet in Cape Town Lynzi Leroy got her idea for the Scottish Design Exchange from an outlet in Cape Town   MARK K JACKSON

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/glasgow-opens-doors-on-ikea-for-artists-to-escape-costs-of-galleries-and-department-stores-l2zkfrkmh

I was once stocking my design in Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh…but
This time in Glasgow.

They hold independent designers and creators original designs and arts.
It will be fun to visit there once the shop opens!

SDX is opening in Buchanan Gallery in Glasgow.

Unit 21-22, Buchanan Galleries, Buchanan Street, G1 2FF

The 2nd floor just outside of John Lewis.

My all different casual designs are available at the shop!

We had a great shoot with these items the other day, and for the editorial reason, can’t share right now…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned for the news!! 🙂

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Kimono and dad….

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During the Summer holiday, I went back home.

It was a bittersweet trip back, since my dearest dad past away

before we went back to see him….My son had so many things to talk to you, dad…

My wedding day with my mum and dad at The Russell Hotel in London.

Kimono

I was so lucky to wear this £30,000 worth Wedding Kimono on my wedding day

loaned by Philip Treacy when I was working for him.

Inside this red Kimono, I made white silk bird embroidered dupion kimono lined with gold embroidered silk satin with Shu-red Kimono sash belt.

I was so proud of my design of white kimono ( hiding the dress from Kevin, while I was making it till wedding day ) and styling, but dad said, so glad you got this Red Kimono because you looked like a bamboo doll without it!! (lol)

The headpiece was a generous gift from Philip, the fresh bouquet was made by my friend Mika.

Net gloves from my mum’s old one, Nails were light blue, silk bag and 50’s style sandals from Angel’s Antique market where I used to live nearby….

I made you bring 2 decorated barrels of Sake all the way from Japan…
I made you big speech in front of people who don’t know much about…but your speech was wonderful and so many compliments from work colleagues, friends and family made me so proud daughter!!

But I couldn’t speak in front of you, because I burst into tears before finishing all and trying to hug you before leaving, you were so embarrassed. (lol)

I made you so anxious because I live far away from you….I didn’t return anything back to you, dad.

I will try to get home at least once a year to talk to you and mum, I promise.

My lovely dad in rest in peace now….

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Lady’s Mantle

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Hi,

What a lovely name of the flower!!

Lady’s Mantle…….Alchemilla Mollis

They are the delicate lime colour with the small star-shaped flower.

The reason called Lady’s Mantle, leaves are tacked in and once it opens shapes like

Mantle.

Waterproof Lady’s Mantle by Toco Italian Cotton with Waterproof treatment in Black and Silver grey. 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found them on the walking route, and seems the end of a flowering season,

so I picked a small branch.

Alchemilla Mollis. Lady’s Mantle is the shape of leaves….Pretty flowers and lady’s friend!!

According to the plant’s guide, they are lady’s friend.

 

Herbal remedy, the purpose of using the leaves for herbal tea.

They are highly recommended during the period and bleeding womb.

Very safe to take and even preventing miscarriage.

I may try herb tea myself,

once I get the flower in my garden next season!!

 

 

 

 

Reference : Richard Whelan http://www.rjwhelan.co.nz/herbs%20A-Z/ladys_mantle.html

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Iris

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Hi,

My recent things are keeping the flowers in the house.
I buy some for myself or bringing some from the woodland walk.

flower at the moment…is Iris

Purple Iris……. I just love displaying flowers in my Japanese Iron tea kettle!!

 

Symbole of Tennessee

 

Purple Iris bring a message of wisdom and compliments.

Another resource is saying….

Ancient Greece, Goddess Iris acted as the link between Earth and Heaven…

It is very much like matching in my feeling.

That is why I love flowers. Reflect and share the feeling.

Also inspiring so much for creating designs and smells nice!!

 

 

Refrence : http://www.flowermeaning.com/iris-flower-meaning/

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Designer

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Hi,

Starting blog entry again!! I will keep up! 🙂

Yesterday we were planning to see the family then going to the cinema as a family day out…

But end up, we came home and watching the video after seeing the family.

Anyway, the film that we were thinking to see was ” Incredible 2″, so we decided to watch the original “The Incredible”.

We all love “The Incredible” !!

Story and Characters are wonderful and never dated because we watched tonight original one.

There is a strong designer character called “Edna Mode”.

Edna creates all the super hero’s costume! And they are very functional!! and she has a strong character 🙂

Her character is modeled by Edith Head.jpg Edith Head.

Edith designed all the beautiful film costumes for the beautiful Hitchcock actresses/actors and golden time Hollywood films.

She designed for – Elizabeth Tayler, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn…. So many beautiful actresses!!

She got a job as a designer ( She borrowed her classmate artwork to get the job!! 😉 in Paramount pictures until her 70’s and later

she joined Universal and worked until 1981 of her death (84)…that is incredible but she must be very powerful and energetic for her job.

Her later jobs are…..The Sting, Colombo, Bewitched,,,,,

I admire her jobs so much even now and her determination of work!! 🙂

Vimto by Darryl Haase

Reference : Wiki –  Edith Head  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Head

Wiki – The Incredibles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredibles