sophie coulson visual design: a portfolio
an intro. my name is sophie coulson and this is my design portfolio. i specialise in producing design for print. i am a ba student and move between birmingham and london.
@sopheycoulson sophiecoulson.tumblr.com sophiecoulson.wordpress.com
find me:
magazine work: TRASHION DECEMBER/12
Henry Holland: “Prince Harry should wear my pants”
your guide to vintage shopping in london
Rise of the Cool Craft Kids
E
ver returned home from an evening of merriment and wondered what it’d be like to crawl through the front door with a cupcake instead of a kebab? What if you were to come back with newly-learnt skills instead of having obliterated the majority of your brain cells with Michelle McManussized sambuca shots? Have we gone completely insane? We’ll bet you a bag of wool we haven’t. This wonderful phenomenon is the nouvelle vague of the social scene, more widely known as the Craft Night.
“the nouvelle vague of the social scene”
The Rise of the Cool Craft Kids written by Joe Bloggs
Gone are the days where a flash of the free bus pass was the solitary requirement for entry to a soiree of knitting and china teacups; these nights are strictly 18+ and welcome the un-wise mind of youth with cocktails, crayons and more paper than you’d find in Peter Stringfellow’s Pre-Nup.
Filtering through the depths of the dim lights and back streets of London, these Craft Nights are finding their way from the men’s working clubs of Bethnal Green to the high streets of Caledonian Road.
Drink, Shop & Do is a prime example of an establishment that embraces almost all forms of crafts activity, ranging from the ever popular ‘Play with Clay 80s Style’ to the more ambient ‘Scrabble Sundays’ with a sprinkling of ‘Cocktail o’clock’
in between. As if that wasn’t enough to convince you to whip out the aprons and curl up your fringes, this old Victorian bathhouse sells products from emerging designers as well as vintage furniture and homewares, meaning that you could potentially alarm housemates and family alike by leaving a smart armchair by the front door instead of the usual neon traffic cone.
“Play with Clay 80s Style to Scrabble Sundays”
But don’t think that the capital is the only place ‘where it’s at’; plenty of cities are getting in on the act- including TRASHION’s base! We might not be the cultural hub of the universe, but Birmingham sure does know how to give Kings Cross a run for its money with the emergence of new Craft Nights popping up from Kings Heath to the city centre.
One such night is A Crafty Beer, the brainchild of local lady Katie Moran who came up with the idea as she gazed around at her friends sewing and drawing at the bar, whilst she was in fact knitting. Running for a year and a half at the famed nineteenth century pub The Victoria, boasting a feature in Glamour Magazine and recruiting newcomers with every stitch, after little more than the equivalent of Facebook Chinese Whispers, A Crafty Beer shows no sign of retreat, embracing the
ever innovative creative community of Birmingham. Whether you’re replenishing your jewellery box, stocking up on next winter’s homemade Christmas presents or seeing how many beers it takes before you begin to colour outside the lines, it seems this free, monthly night is not to be missed. And there are plenty more like it around the country!
So there you have it. There really is no reason choose between culture and a healthy social life. Here’s to the ‘Coronas and Cross-Stitch’ revolution.
Have we gone completely insane? We’ll bet you a bag of wool we haven’t.
The great thing about vintage clothing is that it has history and character. Vintage adds that extra edge to anyone’s wardrobe, whether you wear it head to toe or mix and match with one or two pieces, it never fails to make a unique style statement. Every girl would admit to that secret enjoyment we get when the compliments start rolling in and the reply is simple; “oh this? Well, it’s vintage.” It’s that pleasure of sitting quietly in the safety that no-one else will look like you. Of all the fashion capitals in Europe, London has to be the epicentre of vintage finds. From Brick Lane to Camden Market, there are thousands of square feet of the city dedicated to finding that amazing one of a kind piece to perfect any wardrobe. The first thing you need to note is that the majority of the best vintage stores are out of the main city area so Oyster card in tow, it’s time for an adventure . . . If you’ve got a heavy purse and a fair amount of caffeine packed into you, then head for Brick Lane in the Shoreditch area and, in particular, the side streets surrounding it. Rows upon rows of vintage boutiques hidden in little nooks and crannies will greet you so keep your eyes peeled. Your first stop however must be Beyond Retro on Cheshire Streeta 5,000 square foot warehouse store stocked with racks upon racks of vintage garments. Ten years after opening, it still holds the title as London’s largest and most diverse vintage store; an East End institution
The Trashion Guide to: Vintage Shopping in London
worshipped by stylists, if you’re in the mood for a rummage you’ll no doubt find a bargain here as it’s renowned for its extremely reasonable pricing. If you get the chance to visit on a Saturday, there’s the chance to listen to live music whilst rifling through clothes too.
Brick lane has a fashion pulse of its own; you name it, there’s no doubt that you’ll find it here. From quaint Edwardian collector’s pieces (try The Vintage Emporium) or the perfect floral playsuit to frolic around in the sun (hit Rokit), there’s so much temptation so be warned, you’ll certainly come home with a dwindling bank balance. But there’s more than the bags of goodies to look forward to, the people are as eccentric as they come around here. Forget trend magazines, you’ll get plenty of inspiration from people watching. If it’s more the high end, designer side of vintage you’re after, then Annie’s in Islington’s Camden Passage is your next stop. The fashion set adore this boutique, from Kate Moss to the late Alexander McQueen, many-a-name has frequented this place for inspiration. With a window display always reminiscent of ‘My Fair Lady’, here you will find treasured investmentsdelicate dresses, feather capes, embroidered shawls, the selection is impeccable. Most items are sourced from markets in and around Paris, with each piece feeling like it has its own little story behind it; Annie’s has to be the epitome of classic vintage. Make sure you potter around the rest of Islington too, as there’s a cluster of carefully sourced designer vintage in the area. Next on the agenda- markets. Camden, Portobello and Spitalfields are the three must-know collection of stalls. It’s usually best to head down at weekends; each market has its own website though so check online for the best times to go. Boasting more than just clothes, these markets are the perfect rummage-fest for quirky interiors too! A lot of the vintage you
come across in the capital can be horrendously overpriced so this is your best chance at getting a real bargain so don’t be afraid to do a little haggling either.
You can find a handful of vintage shops in the city centre too. Try Pop Boutique and Blackout II in Covent Garden, a smaller Beyond Retro and Marshmallow Mountain in Soho, and definitely any charity shops you pass along the way. They’re a little more expensive than what you’re probably used to in your hometown, but they can house designer pieces at snap-up prices. If you’re eager enough, get there at opening time for the best choice. Tube maps at the ready, before you head off, here’s a few little tips to claiming the perfect find. When you’re heading to these areas keep a lookout for little signs stating ‘vintage’; they often lead to hidden treasure troves of cheap, quality vintage. Also, make sure you have enough cash on you. Some stores do take cards but it’s usually when you find the gem that they don’t, so to save you traipsing around for a cash point that charges ridiculous amounts for withdrawals, keep some notes on you. And last but by no means least, take your time and enjoy ityou’re in London baby! Even if your boyfriend has to go and find a chair to cure his boredom (and aching feet), flick through each rail and if you’re not sure, don’t buy it; they’ll always be something waiting for a new home in the next shop.
business cards:
bright ideas:
cd covers:
grid layouts:
design in bham:
“Design is like a mum, nobody notices when she’s around, but everybody misses her when she’s not.”
. for my imagery and design work please visit www.sophiecoulson.tumblr.com
thank you.