I'm growing up...

It's been a very long time since i've wrote a post!

To be honest, I wanted to start a new blog but i couldn't find the delete button... Plus, i recently wrote a post about my life story, which was a big hit, the biggest i've had! Over 800 views actually, and that may not be a lot to some people, but it is to me. I received so many pleasant messages from people thanking me for helping them and opening there eyes to the world. I guess i had shown a lot of people how to think positively, it was really nice to know that i had helped and it made me feel happy that i was inspiring people :)

So, i thought i could just start again from here instead of deleting my whole blog! 

I'm not entirely sure what has brought this on... I did have my hair cut quite short today.... New look, new me! You know what they say.

The truth is, i feel like i need to take my own advice when it comes to thinking positively, it's easy to help others but when it comes to yourself, taking your own advice is harder than it seems sometimes. Some of you may know that i have been at University studying fashion and design, that's all over and i'm graduating on the 25th November, ITS SO EXCITING!!!!! 

I know i'm not alone when i say, i feel completely lost! What do i do now? Whats next? Please let me know if you're in the same boat!

It seems so hard to find a job in the fashion industry, i just want to be a fashion designer in London or New York already but i just have to remind myself that you've got to start somewhere, whether it's just somewhere small, somewhere that i can work my way up!

Im just wondering if there's anyone out there with any advice?
It's daunting! Exciting too though, without a doubt. I just have to have faith in myself right?
There's something out there for everyone.

I feel under a lot of pressure to be successful, i'm being pushed to do well and to make something of myself by my family and friends and thats because they have faith in me. Its nice to know that i've got that support and maybe that push is what i need, as stressful as it can be sometimes.

If you follow me on Instagram, (daryl_ivyana) you will see that i've started doodling designs again! :) Practise makes perfect!

Let me introduce you to my new collection, Bouquet

Hello everyone, I hope we are happy and well?

As some of you may know, i'm in my third year at University at the moment studying fashion and design, with two weeks left to go! Scary. I mean, all i've ever known is being in education and now i'm about to go out into the big wide world! It's really exciting but so daunting at the same time. I have set myself big goals though, i don't want to be one of those to leave university and not do anything with their degree,  it's taken me 4-5 years to finish this degree as i had to take a year out and re-sit a year due to family circumstances, so i'm going to try my very best to get a job in the fashion industry, possibly an internship! Fingers crossed.

I'm here today to write a blog post for my business studies! And as i already have a blog, i thought i would write an updated post about my collection. Which finally has a name by the way... 'Bouquet' What do you think? It took me ages to come up with it as i wanted something that really connected with my collection. I sat here wondering if i could adapt it. For example, i was going to call it 'Day-Glo Bouquet' but i thought that was too much. In the end i thought i would just keep it nice and simple!

I've made a lot of progress this last week or two!  I've almost finished sewing my collection together and i'm hoping to have it finished by this coming week. (I'll be sure to post finished pictures!) Today, i've sat here and done all my design boards, i've constantly gone back and forth making improvements and although my illustration skills are not the best, i'm really pleased with how my boards are looking.

Mood Board

Final Line-Up Board

For my collection, i first began by looking into the 1960's! It's an area i've always been interested in. Straight away i knew i wanted to do shift dresses, further research took me into playsuits! So i decided i would do two of each. However, i wanted to put a twist on my designs. Doing my trend research i came across a trend forecast called 'Soft Pop' which was really colourful and bright and it really had caught my attention, at this piont i had a lot of idea's flowing through my head but i still wasn't 100% sure. Until i came across a designer called 'Kate Spade' who was a really big inspiration. One of her collections involved block colours with floral prints and florescent colours and i decided i wanted to do something a long those lines. Taking into consideration the rest of my inspiration, i decided i would try and create floral panels onto these simple silhouettes. As you can see from my designs above, i thought i'd go that step further and add in some bright colours.

These are pictures of my collection in progress, none of them are completely finished in any of these pictures, but definitely are not far off. Hopefully when i write my next post, i'll be able to show you pictures of the finished product!

Until then.

Take care Readers!

Daryl Ivyana Richardson x

New Logo!

Hello everyone! Hope you are all well and staying positive? :-)

Today, i received my new art work for my Brand - Ivyana
Im absolutely in love with it!

Really big Thankyou to my lovely friend! 

Credit: Rachel Louise Carter

Too much excitement!

Hey folks! I must apologise as it's been a while, but as you know i'm in my third year at University and there's a lot to handle! On this note, i've recently handed my notice in at work so i can concentrate more on my studies. Hashtag GEEK. ;-)

A little of what i've been up to? My brother previously got married and i have the best sister-in-law i can ask for. No really, she's ace! We all had a lovely day, surrounded by family and friends. It was really nice and i cried a lot... my sister-in-law looked absolutely stunning, especially when she walked in wearing the most beautiful dress. Her and my brother are just adorable, he twirled her around as they did a little dance down the isle! I cried throughout the whole thing... I'd like to think i'll get married one day and be that cute with someone. My brother reckons it'll be to someone Irish... (Some of my close friends here at Uni are Irish) while i just think i'll turn out to be some sort of crazy cat lady! Hm...

Anyway, It's coming to the end of the academic year (way too fast for my liking) and there's a lot to be cracking on with and this is where i start to panic... pretty sure it isn't just me!? right? There's quite a lot of exciting thing's going at the minute. As some of you know, i've been working on my 'Final Major Project' designing and making a collection and it's going very well.

Last night, i threw some quick drawings together of my Collection, these are not the final drawings... i was just curious to what they would look like together.

I've always had a big interest in the 1960's and the Shift dress, so i can used that shape in two of my collections, then inspired by designer Kate Spade with the colours and patterns. Followed by two playsuits. 

Here are three of them, almost finished. I just have to put the zips in and sew hemlines with one more design in progress, starting off with a toile of course.

And the last one in working progress...

It's such a good feeling to know that i'm nearly finished. Not only that, one of my best friends is currently working on a new look for my brand and logo 'Ivyana' 

EXCITING!!!!!

Follow me on Instagram for more work and designs.

                                                    #Ivyanafashion #Ivyana

https://instagram.com/missdarylivyana/

Took advantage of the sale at Boohoo

Hello Readers!

So, It was christmas time and my wonderful Aunt bought me a £30 American Express gift card, She's quite possibly the best Aunt you could ever ask for! :-)

At this piont, i had no idea to what i was going to spend it on... I'm a bugger for saving! I had to spend it straight away and i couldn't think of anything super important to spend it on until i came across the Sale on the Boohoo website! I've never seen so many pretty clothes for such a good price! and being a fashion student, clothes are pretty important.... right? Right :-)

Here at some of my purchases! Thought it was the perfect opportunity to use my pretty turquoise 'Selfie Stick!' (I had to join the club)

Above, are my first two purchases! 

Kerry Tassle Cardigan £6.00 Boohoo

Nicola Check Turtle Neck Shift Dress £15.00 Boohoo

Megan Floral Print Woven Shift Dress £8.00 Boohoo

Love a bit of colour and it went perfect with the new bag i got for christmas! 

Abby Oversized Pleated Back Sleevless Shirt £6.00 NOW £5.00!! Bargain! ;-)

If i was rich, i was would buy so many of these shirts! I have quite a few already but i love them! They're so comfortable and they look good with quite a lot, both summer and winter styles! 

I especially like styling mine up with my black boots and black bowler hat! :-)

So these are just some of my recent purchases! 

BUT there's more to come, so keep checking!!

Have a lovely day!

Dee xox

General Update!

As most of you know, I'm studying my third year at the moment doing fashion design and I'm trying my hardest not to panic about the mountain of work i have! staying stress free... or trying!

Here's what i've been doing today... 

Working on my 1st design for my Final Major Project...

I then came back after Manufacturing to this... 

Books and research for Dissertation!!!

Kill me now, please!?

But then i had this... 

Yummy!

And then i saw this that i took the other night at Hull fair, it was such a fun night! and what a pretty sky it is!!

Just thought it was something that should be shared :-)

xox

Ready for student lock in at Meadowhall.

Denim shirt dress - £19.99 H&M

Cardigan - £45 - Urban Outfitters

Boots - £65 - Schuh

Denim Jumpsuit

Cheeky purchase from Primark! I was curious to whether I could pull it off. What do you think?

It's so comfortable to wear! A lot of people say it something my mum would have worn when she was my age! :-) I like that fashion goes in circles! 

Converse (more shoes!)

I went to Schuh a day or two ago to buy some new squeaky clean converse! As mine are past their sell by dates now :-( I'm definitely a converse girl rather than a vans girl. There's just so many too chose from though, don't you agree? 

I didn't want the plain white ones because everyone buys them, they're the most popular. However at the same time, they do go with everything and look really good! I bought some tribal ones, they really caught my eye! they had pretty pink flowers on them! I'm not really all that girly though if I have to be honest but they were different and ... Quirky! :-) that's a word I love! 

Check them out!

And I bought the White ones too! Oops! Best of both worlds! :-) 

I will wear both of them though, they're super comfortable and I wear them with anything from jeans to dresses! I love a good maxi dress and a denim jacket with my converse! ;-)

New purchases!

Do you ever buy something and then feel guilty? Especially when you get home and your parents are looking at you and asking what you've bought? so ... like you've gone and convinced yourself that you NEED these items, your now trying to convince your parents! They're essentials... Right ladies? ;-) 

If your anything like me, you spend your wages before you've even recieved them... All the time! I only got paid last week!!! And I'm now having to be careful, which is always the case! But I just keep reminding myself we get our student loans next week!!! Yay!! :-D

But no, seriously. I need to stop! For now... 

Anyway! I thought i would share some of my recent purchases with you, I've been meaning to do this for a while but I've just been super duper busy! I'm sorry. 

1) High waisted Joni jeans from Topshop! (The best jeans I've ever owned! Very comfortable and stretchy!) Dad didn't see these come in the post, so I didn't have to explain! Not that I should have too anyway, because it's my money! But, i think it's just my way of justifying it to myself maybe...

2) Black Leather 'Outlaw' Chelsea style boots from Schuh! £65 (will add a link here soon!) My reason for these was, I needed some good leather boots for the winter days, and that they're a very good price! 

3) Black and White Nike Roshe's! £70 from Schuh! (Can you tell I work there?-will add a link here soon!) These are my ultimate favourite trainers when it comes to comfort Wow! <3 <3 <3 Dad says these are the most sensible pairs of shoes/trainers I've ever bought! Paha! No seriously, They are pretty fit though!

4) Tan coloured 'Reggata' Schuh shoes, from Schuh! (Believe it or not!) £30! (Will add a link here soon!) These are my casual shoes, they go with almost anything. This is the second pair I've had because I adore them! 

5) Victorias's Secret pamper collection! It was £13 for 1 or 5 for £30... So yes of course I went for 5, even though I did only go in for one but I thought I was an opportunity that couldn't be missed, I saved £35! And this is the day I told my friend not to let me buy anything!  Fail! 

(The bodybutter makes your skin feel lush!)

6) Treat myself to some new lipstick didn't i, I hardly ever buy lipstick... So thought I would treat myself. (Exact words to my dad) Remmel London No.720 Notting Hill Nude Lipstick. (2 for £10 on all products at boots!) It looks really good if I do say so myself... ;-)

7) Remmel London BB Cream 9-IN-1(on the 2 for £10 offer at boots!) I bought this to wear on a every day basis! It gives a healthy glow and doesn't give that 'too much make-up' look! (I bought a new foundation brush too!) 

8) So this was last months big purchase but I lost my virginty to MAC. I bought the MAC Studio Sculpt foundation, this is now for special days though, like when I go on a night out or to a special event! (normally I couldn't face spending £25 on something like this, but I was curious and my friend uses it all the time and her skin is flawless!) 

9) My black cardigan from Urban outfitters! On sale for £25 reduced from £45. It was love at first sight... 

10) Red or Dead Heels from Schuh on sale for £19.99

11) and to go with the red or dead shoes, I bought this pretty pink open back dress from boohoo! 

So as you can see, I've been spending a few penny's here and there! And it probably won't stop here! Hehe! ;-)

My work, My style, What I love, What I don't and What inspires me! Can you help me?

So, not only do i have my blog site, but i have my Facebook page where i have albums full of work, designs and art - good and bad! as im practicing hoping to get better at painting and illustrating in general.

I almost have 200 likes on my page... So so close!! I've figured, i need more connections with Artists and Designers, maybe someone who can look at my work and give me some advice or help me in any way possible!

So by writing this, im really hoping people will like my page Ivyana and possibly share it, to hopefully achieve more likes along with more support!!

Pretty please with sugar on top? :-)

Becoming a shoe addict!

I work for Schuh, and i LOVE my job! (Even if it doesn't do my credit cards any favours!) I guess you can say i'm a typical female! I love shoes! ...Most of the time, i've spent my wage before i've even received it! Don't tell my dad... If mum was here, she would totally understand!! ;-)

Recently i've had my bedroom re-decorated! When it came to moving back in and unpacking my shoes, id almost forgotten that i had some of them which made me really sad, as they'd all been living in a box at the bottom of my wardrobe but i had nowhere else to fit them, and this isn't a way to treat shoes! So this lead me to buying a 10 tier shoe rack for my bedroom, so now every morning, i can decide what shoes i can wear with what outfit knowing what i've got because they're all neatly lined up in front of me!

So last month, i bought a pair of shoes, ok maybe two pairs... But it's so hard working at schuh and being surrounded my all these amazing, pretty shoes!!!! My wishlist is never ending! However, my excuse was that i was going to Greece and needed new shoes, obviously! It's not like i have another 1000 pairs at home is it................. Ha!

Here's a little sneak peak...

These are my most recent pair! womens schuh 'ice cream' sandals - not something id usually go for, but the more i looked at them, i thought they'd look cute with certain outfits! My favourites being my denim dresses! And they are probably one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes i own believe it or not! 

These, womens schuh 'day trip' sandals, i bought for my holiday to Greece! I thought they'd look cute with almost everything! 

Yet again, another pair of my faves!! womens schuh 'sunshine' sandals. They come in three different colours at the moment, Black, Pink and Natural. I chose the Natural ones as i thought they would go with a lot more, although it was a hard choice between the pink ones also as they are a very summery colour! I bought these to go to Greece in. I'm not a girl who can wear heels all day everyday, i really don't know how some girls do it... However, i have incredibly flat feet so heels aren't very comfortable for me, so these were the perfect alternative as you can wear them for casual and dressy occasions with them being so pretty!!

So, please excuse my stupidly wonky feet, but these i also love! womens schuh 'getaway' sandals. I remember a few years ago, the gladiator look being a big thing and it seems to be sort of making a come back! And this when i spotted these! They are so comfortable and they look cute with dresses or leggings!

Ok, I loved the cut-out trend! womens schuh 'expose' boots. These are very cushions so they are quite comfortable also! Don't wear them so much with it the weather being so Lush, but i can't imagine i'll ever get bored of these! They look good with Jeans and a nice blazer! ;-)

 

I was on a hunt for some boots, that i could wear in the horrible cold weather. After finding some gorgeous Knee length boots, it turned out they looked a bit silly around my legs, as all boots do, my legs are too skinny! Makes me sad sometimes! Anyway, i came across these womens juju jellies 'chelsea' boots. I thought these were a perfect alternative as they we're almost just like little wellies, but with the Chelsea look, which was a big trend, probably still is! Not everyone's cup of tea, but i love them!

JELLIES! Wow, i was so surprised when these came around again, My mum used to make me wear these all the time when i was a little girl! womens juju 'jellies babe' sandals, I thought they'd look cute with my dungaree dresses and most of all, they were and are still a big trend and high on demand, i had to buy some! And i plan on buying more! 

So this is it for now! I have Soooooooooooooo many more!! And obviously, i'll keep you updated on my future purchases from this moment on!! Wait till you see my wishlist, its NEVERENDING!

xxx