July has been all about keeping cool. Early morning walks, looking for the breeze and watching the fields turn from green to lime, yellow and now nearly white with a swathe of rust red docks running through. Its beautiful.
Somerset is known for its abundant green grass, I've never seen it so golden and can't help thinking about the fires in Europe. This beautiful landscape can be so fragile.
Curating the vintage 'high summer' collection had a focus on white Edwardian and Victorian cottons, linens and natural textures. I had a wonderful time styling them along with the seasons must have bloomers. In this heat bloomers seem obvious, the Victorians were good at practical and pretty design. 
I love these Rene Gruau illustrations of Christian Dior's Southern Chinese Douli inspired hat. I imagine this was feathers? 
The grass bags and straw hats are fitting with the environment I see out the window and I see grass in a whole new light as a material to design with. 
My little square of flax was harvested as part of the 'Frome the Source' project. I also dug up the dress I buried with a blatant result, natural fibres return to the earth. 
Designing and making the pieces has as always taken longer than planned. Part procrastination, part fear, part enjoying developing designs further and taking time. The bamboo jersey is beautifully soft to work with and I want to create some beautiful pieces.
There is grecian goddess drapery and I must remind myself that it's always better to create and fail or take longer than to not create at all.
This week is about finishing these pieces ready to share as soon as possible. 
A recent photoshoot reminded me of how much I loved creating bridal gowns and after a 6 years hiatus, I think I'm ready to explore wedding dresses again. This time on my terms so I don't burn out too fast.
Inspirations are coming in thick and fast as always. There really is inspiration everywhere.
This Boue Soeurs 1920s dress is really inspiring me right now. 
A zine / photobook workshop at the Common Room in Weston with a group of photographers. Everyone produced a gorgeous zine, each entirely different and wonderful.
David Sedaris at the Bristol Beacon. His books have been such a joy for me but I should have resisted getting a book signed. Never ever meet your heroes, unless you're lucky enough to be working with them. He was wonderful, I was weird.
Royal school of drawing workshop at Hauser and Wirth in Bruton - I tagged along for this and had a great time just drawing unexpectedly without any pressure. Playing with materials and mark making.
What I love most from workshops is seeing other peoples wonderful work, and it really is ALL wonderful. Everyone can draw, make a mark ....
Open mic night at the Book Cellar. Once again, people are so talented and it makes me really happy.
Deadly is the female - Tea dresses in navy dots, I must find more navy dot fabric, its such a classic. Navy floral print and a rusty warm orange dot crepe. The final dresses of this Summer. Now on to A/W fabrics and back to reds. 
Photography - lots of walking on hill, photographing nature.
Watching -
The Odyssey - epic, goddess draping, fire lighting and dog tears. Lovely screening at the Everyman in Bristol. Look forward to some goddess inspired dresses coming up.
Back Rooms - creepy handles
Mermaid Film - cool. so cool. Beatnik carnival mermaid.
Fake or Fortune - have I ever mentioned this is my favourite programme in the world. Faberge this season. I want to create the textile dress versions of Faberge. The lily was surely real with that history and such a great story of the Romanian Princess.
Reading -
Vogue - what great photography this month.
Nuno Felting by Liz Clay - learning about the delicacy of felt for upcoming work.
Thankful for - my routine colonoscopy - all clear and once again so thankful to my wonderful consultant and incredible NHS staff. I wore pink plastic shoes with rhinestone bows.
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