Hanzipan

Dazed & Confused!

2011-11-02T21:16:00.004Z

The very nice people at Dazed & Confused have this month included a feature on me in their November issue, which includes a little interview I did not so long ago. You can have a look at it here or pop to the shops to grab yourself a copy!

Again not so many updates on here as I'm a busy bee at the moment working at Burberry assisting on the men's knitwear team! I'm a little slow on emails at the moment but still feel free to get in touch, it just might take a little longer to get a response. Promise more blog updates on my daily goings on soon!

Press!

2011-06-05T13:09:00.011+01:00

Wallpaper Magazine:

Telegraph.co.uk Fashion

Fashion156.com

Metro.co.uk

Not Just a Label

Yahoo news

Articles:

Idolmag.co.uk blog
Telegraph.co.uk Fashion blog

Vogue.com

2011-06-04T15:32:00.004+01:00

I was rather excited to discover a feature on RCA graduates on Vogue.com! Can you spot my creations?

My Royal College of Art Menswear MA Collection!

2011-06-04T15:16:00.019+01:00

You may have been wondering where I've been recently - well, I've been knitting away just in time for the Royal College of Art MA Fashion Shows, where I showed my collection of 8 entirely knitted outfits on the 1st and 2nd of June. Here's some pictures of it in action incase you couldn't make it, courtesy of Catwalking.com:

RCA Work in Progress in Vogue Italia!

2011-01-15T13:06:00.002Z

Vogue Italia have done a feature on this years Royal College of Art Work in Progress exhibition and have featured the work of a few of us Second year Students, including mine! Click here to have a look, and if you're in South Kensington you should head over and check out the work of all the Fashion, Textiles, Photography, Mixed Media, Goldsmithing and Jewellery students - The exhibition is open daily until the 19th of January!

Umbro 2015!

2010-06-14T19:45:00.004+01:00

Last week was the Royal College of Art's Fashion Show, where the 2nd year students showed their Graduate MA collections. It was a fantastic few days, and over the past couple of months I had been working as part of the Umbro team on our project for 'Umbro 2015', where we designed and produced a capsule collection for them based around our future predicitions for the brand, and was the opener of the show. Lots of hand knitting has certainly kept me busy! More pictures can be found here. Below is a mini version of what my initial ideas were for the team back in March:

He is the ultimate football 'fan', wearing a jumper made entirely of his favourite teams scarves as in 2015 we may still be in the recession, and so what better way to keep up with your favourite team's colours than to have your gran whip up a knitted football kit for you?!

Victor in a Jumper, he's not strange, he just wants to live his life this way

2010-04-14T15:16:00.004+01:00

Here is my dad Victor wearing one of my latest knit pieces from the technical knitting project I did last term, styled by himself in a pair of comedy glasses we had when I went back home! It forms part of my 'Tailoring' project lineup, of which I still have to knit another outfit for. Today has so far been a day of paperwork, technical drawings and pattern cutting so the garments can be my main focus for the rest of the week. Knitting at home always looks a bit chaotic I think you will agree!

Under the Iron Bridge

2010-04-14T15:04:00.004+01:00

The Smiths performing a really good version of Still Ill on a programme called The Tube in 1984.

There's no place like home..

2010-04-14T14:51:00.005+01:00

With it being the Easter Break at the RCA, i took a few days off to go back up North and recharge my batteries. First I went to visit my Aunti Mitzi, who is almost a fully qualified nail technician for her to manicure my nails.. every knitters needs to look after their most important tools after all!

I also dabbled in crocheting some 'granny squares'..

My brother Thomas turned 25 on Easter Sunday too (Happy Birthday Tomlette!)

And whilst I was visiting my mum, I noticed she had this really old picture of the two of us when we were about 4 or 5 and I was a bridesmaid and he was a pageboy, which I thought you might quite like to see.

All in all I had a really nice stay. Now its time to get cracking with the knitting again!

Spring!

2010-04-14T14:44:00.004+01:00

With the recent lovely weather we have been having, I thought it was time to get some plants for the balcony I have in my flat. You can't beat a bit of colourfulness, especially when it comes to springtime flowers! Here are a few close-ups:

Lovely Petunias, daffodils and hyacinths. Who needs plantpots when you can use extra large mugs?!

Superknit!

2010-04-14T14:39:00.003+01:00

In addition to working at the RCafe in the RCA, I have had a little job at Superdrug on High Street Kensington for the past couple of months. My new name badge came the other day, so not only am I a knitter but I have now become a Beauty Specialist..! Can you beautify knitting do you think? Below is a sneaky pic of the wall in the staffroom!

The Wall of Pointless knit

2010-03-11T02:13:00.002Z

Fellow RCA knitter Cheri and I have been distracting ourselves from
work by starting to fill the wall which our desk faces in the Menswear
Studio with a rather strange assortment of visual delights and knit-
related treats. A recent addition taking pride of place is a v-neck
jumper I handknitted for Jeremy Barr, our old college lecturer from
Ravensbourne, with matching trousers Cheri made from Morat fabric. So
If you're reading this Jeremy we hope you don't mind, you were just
looking a bit chilly!

Knit twit!

2010-02-19T00:35:00.000Z

Here is quite a familiar view of mine at the moment. I thought I'd try
some new stitch ideas out for the garment making project we've got at
the moment, where we are required to make nicely a cut and sew garment
and a fully fashioned one to brush up our technical skills. There's
than one week to go until the deadline and there's still another to
knit, link and trim so I had better crack on whilst the night it young!

Tinker-Taylor

2010-01-25T00:08:00.008Z

I am settling back in at The RCA quite well, so I thought i'd share with you some sketchbook pages from my tailoring project which was set last week. My concept is still in the early development stages, including choosing my colour palette, yarns and designing silhouettes. I'm making it a challenge which is quite exciting, as I want to have a bit of fun pushing mens tailoring in the realm of knitwear - a bit of a leap from oversized cardigans and sweaters. Let the knitting commence!

--Pssst - click me!

I will be on duty at the exhibition this Saturday!

2010-01-14T17:11:00.000Z

Just to let you know, it is my turn to be on duty at The RCA's "Work
in Progress" exhibition this Saturday, and here is a sneaky peek at my
display. I will be there from 12-1pm so come down and say hello as
there's lots of exciting work happening, and I will be more than happy
to show you around!

RCA Work In Progress Exhibition!

2010-01-13T15:40:00.001Z

Rushing around doing finishing touches as it is the Private View for
the RCA "Work in Progress" exhibition later tonight. All of us level 1
and level 2 students are displaying a little taster of our work for
your viewing pleasure, as it is, in progress! The exhibition will be
on daily until the 22nd of January so put on your woolies and do come
down and have a look around!

A..

2010-01-11T23:00:00.003Z

..very grumpy bear.

Drawing Away Cobwebs..

2010-01-11T22:41:00.006Z

Snow keeping me indoors has made me feel like getting lost in a sketchbook and do a fair few illustrations over the past couple of days. Slowly but surely I am trying to get back into the swing of things after a sad, wobbly end to 2009.

S'no(w) Joke!

2010-01-11T22:20:00.005Z

Talk about Chilly! Up North it's DEFINITELY balaclava season at the moment, we have had inches and inches of snow and nearing -22 temperatures which mean the snow doesn't seem to want to melt away! Unpredictable weather has meant undrivable roads and unpredictable trains, and delaying my return to London.

All of this snow hasn't gone to waste however, as Victor, my brother Tom and I set about making ourselves a rather fine Igloo one night last week, which I am proud to say is still outside and 'functioning'!

Hannah Taylor for River Island - in stores now!

2009-12-03T21:59:00.013Z

Back in October was the press launch for the collection I designed for River Island. It was really exciting to see the garments at last in the flesh, which are currently on sale in all River Island top-stores in the UK, and it can also be found in their online store.

Initially it was going to be just a menswear collection, however its appeal to the tastes of both River Island's male and female customers means the range can be found on both the Menswear and Womenswear floors in the store.

Within the range is the 'Tommy the Turkey' sweater:

The colourful intarisa 'Victor' Cardigan:

The flying duck scarves, 'George' and 'Mildred' (named after my pet ones of course!)

and hats and balaclava's - 'modelled' below by Danny & Donny

I'd appreciate any feedback on the range, and feel free to send any pictures of you wearing it if you've managed to hunt it down! It was fantastic working with the design team and I'm already really looking forward to working on a small collection of ideas for spring-summer within the new year.

Fashion156.com

2009-12-03T21:56:00.004Z

Fashion156.com featured the Nigel Jumper in one of their shoots for the 'Maximalism' Issue not too long ago, you can go and have a peek at this amazing issue here !

Fair Miss You, Us

2009-12-01T04:14:00.013Z

In Memory of James Lawler, my little rock and the good egg.
17th March 1981 - 3rd October 2009.

Guineapigs in tabbards

2009-09-29T21:15:00.001+01:00

Day two of the RCA, lots more tours and being shown around all the
lovely knitting machines! It feels strange being somewhere new,
there's SO much to take in, but very exciting! Tomorrow we get our
first project brief, but tonight i need to keep working on my summer
project for Thursday..

Back to School..

2009-09-28T15:46:00.000+01:00

Today I enrolled for my MA at The RCA, and so it begins.. Not too much
to report as of yet though other than nerves I have about what is to
come, a summer project crit on Thursday and judging by the two
timetables I've got (one for menswear, another for knitwear) I'm going
to be a very busy egg indeed!

The Results are in!

2009-07-21T18:39:00.010+01:00

This is a very short update just to let you know that this week I found out I achieved a 1st in my degree! Yay! I am now officially Hanzipan BA Hons!

Cuddlyness for all!

2009-07-19T21:23:00.005+01:00

At the moment I'm really busy working on.. a mini collection for River Island! It's based around my collection from Graduate Fashion Week, 'You'll Grow Into It', but with a few nice seasonal surprises and should be due in their stores around christmas. How Exciting! I'll update more later on this week, I won't be revealing all just yet but heres a sneaky peek at what's been going on so far..

Goin Up North!

2009-06-24T01:24:00.006+01:00

With my portfolio coming together (the above is a new illustration, hot off the press!) I am getting rather excited about being able to return up North as often as I like over the next few months! Bring on the Black Pudding, flat caps, pigeon sheds and Yorkshire puddings. I cannot wait to see my pet ducks, my brother and of course, Victor!

I've even bought another knitting machine & ribber to keep up there so when I return I can still knit, as the past few weeks since the show - although have been exciting - have made me itching to get knitting once again! But what will I be knitting you ask? You'll have to wait and see..!

Dogs with Blogs!

2009-06-18T00:01:00.007+01:00

In a distracted hour away from my scissors and paper portfolio concocting, I came across a new fact - some Guineapigs have blogs! Ponderings of Two Guineapigs is updated regularly by Ginger (seen below) and Wiggly, and in recent news not only did their Mum get them some yummy Kale to munch on, but she also bumped her head in search for one of the family pet kittens.

Dogs have blogs too, Sassy Sasha, the Loveable Shih Tzu is a rescued dog who keeps us updated with her daily happenings online. At the moment she is getting ready for the official 'take your dog to work day' in America on the 26th of June, how exciting! And here in this picture, it would appear she has found herself a new bed.

Here she is hiding from thunderstorms:

And here she is again, but this time looking very pretty with clips in her hair!

Are there any more animals with blogs I wonder?

Replacing Knitting Needles for Pritt Stick and Crayons!

2009-06-17T21:32:00.004+01:00

At the moment I'm currently spending my days with colouring pencils, paper and scissors, cutting out and putting together things for my portfolio. Its quite nice as I haven't had chance to sit down and do this for a while and I forgot how much I enjoy it!

Although it does feel a bit odd NOT to be knitting.. and as I miss it, i've been thinking of getting some more guineapigs on the go in the next few weeks, in addition to launching my shiny new website so keep your eyes peeled for that. By the way, feel free to get in touch and say hello and let me know who you are out there - it would be nice to hear from you!

Mary Portas - Queen of Charity Shops!

2009-06-16T15:56:00.006+01:00

A little while ago the good old Mary Portas came to Ravensbourne to speak to some of us fashion students to see if we could help her assisting with a re-vamp of a charity shop in Orpington.

I found this delightful screenshot of Mary stood next to a Hannah Taylor and a Hannah Buswell 'pre-collection original' in the studio..!

The idea was to get local people involved in not only donating goods but to offer services to widen the shops appeal. I offered to hold knitting groups and my friend Calum Harvey volunteered to sell his 'Long Life' clothing range, where goods are made from recycled materials.

I'm not too sure what footage they've chosen to use, but you can catch it tonight on BBC 2 at 9pm!

Slow Knitting

2009-06-14T14:36:00.003+01:00

The lovely Jojo caught Slow Loris in the act, enjoying the Nigel guineapig jumper a little bit too much! I think it suits him.

If you haven't seen Slow Loris before then you should have a look at him below!

Guineapigs in Windows!

2009-06-14T14:09:00.008+01:00

After being part of the Gala show at Graduate Fashion Week, I was contacted by River Island to say they would like to put my collection on display in one of their shop windows for a week after recieveing a special mention in the awards ceremony. And here it is!

So if you fancy going to have a look at some knitted guineapigs, pigeons, foxes and ducks then you should head over to Westfield shopping centre in Shepherds Bush where they are all currently enjoying themselves in the River Island store until the 19th of June!

*PENTAKAIDECAGON

2009-06-13T17:05:00.002+01:00

Come down to the Ada Street Gallery in Hackney, E8 4QU this weekend to
see a showcase of work from 15 fashion designer graduates at
Ravensboune. It would be nice to see you!

Hannah Taylor - Graduate Fashion Week 2009!

2009-06-12T21:36:00.018+01:00

The past 9 months reached their pinnacle on Tuesday when us Ravensbourners held our show at Graduate Fashion Week. 19 of us were fortunate enough to let loose down the catwalk our collections that we've been working so hard on since our final year began in September. Exciting!

For the first time you get to see what's been keeping me so busy knitting for months on end! Here's a few pictures (courtesy of catwalking.com) of how the collection looked on the big day, my little army of balaclava'd boys in lots and lots of knitting went down the catwalk to a bit of the notorious Northerner George Formby, followed by the William Tell Overture performed on synthisiser by Walter Carlos!

Outfit 1: Fair-isle cardigan with hood, Pigeon jumper.

Outfit 2: Smaller, hand-knit balaclava jumper

Outfit 3: Oversized cardigan with flying ducks, shrunken fair-isle jumper

Outfit 4: Vincent the 'shirley-bassey' Fox jumper!

Outfit 5: Larger Hand knitted balaclava jumper

Outfit 6: (and also my favourite) Nigel the Guineapig jumper

Now for some close-ups:

The final line-up:

I was in tears backstage when I saw my little 'babies' on the monitors going down the catwalk for their very first time! It had been such a tough slog and in particular the past few weeks were very intense but everyone got there in the end, even me - although I did still have a spot of linking to do an hour before the show was due to start!

Row 159, Pannel 3

2009-06-08T09:03:00.001+01:00

Doing big garments means they dot fit the width of the machine, so I
am having to do them all in sections! I've been up since 3am doing
this one, listening to Morrisey a little too loud in order to keep
awake! A few hundred rows more and I can start the last one. Hope my
neighbours haven't minded the noisy machine! Oops!

Row 374.. But what the heck is it?!

2009-06-07T13:11:00.000+01:00

I'm feeling pretty tired today as you've probably had the same amount
of sleep last night to what I've had in total this week! The
excitement is keeping me going though and at present I am working on
my last outfit left to knit. I like to live on a knife edge it would
seem - there is only one day until the day of the show!

Coming to Life!

2009-06-05T00:21:00.002+01:00

Today was the Ravensbourne in-house Fashion Show, where i premiered 4
outfits from my final collection. To see the rest you'll have to come to
the show at GFW in 4 days time! I only have one more outfit left to
knit, but also a few other little surprises for the catwalk so I have
a feeling that, in a typical Hannah style I'll be knitting right up
until the show itself!

It's on tuesday the 9th of June at Earls Court, London - contact me for discounted tickets.

Teasel Shaped Knitters!

2009-05-30T21:24:00.001+01:00

We've got a new knitroom technician thanks to Miss Buswell! She is
about 3 inches tall and goes by the name of Tiggywinkle. Shame she
can't hold bigger needles though or we might get things done for the
show a bit faster, it's in 10 days time! Eek!

Small Girls in BIG Jumpers!

2009-05-25T11:47:00.006+01:00

The lovely Jojo recently borrowed one of my pre-collection pieces for a womenswear photoshoot called 'Small Girls in Big Jumpers', where a handful of tiny girls are playing around in really big, oversized knits. To see more, go and check her blog!

Row 48 of 102!

2009-05-24T21:30:00.001+01:00

Frustrated by yarn winding I decided to cast on and get my jumper
underway. I am currently working on the front, only 54 rows to go!

The Aftermath

2009-05-23T22:53:00.001+01:00

After dying 21 hanks of yarn to match my colour palette, I am now
faced with the delightful task of re-winding them into knittable
balls! Unfortunately for me, they seem to have felted slightly whilst
in the dye bath so it's a bit of a spaghetti junction. Wish me luck!

Strike a Pose

2009-05-21T21:49:00.002+01:00

Today was another photoshoot, this time for Italian Vogue. There's just not enough hours in the day at the moment, especially when I have some serious knitting to be done! This Bank Holiday will have to be work work work..

Still (Knitting) Crazy Like A Fox!

2009-05-20T15:27:00.001+01:00

Intarsia, Row 280!

"About turn fella's, we aren't allowed in 'ere!"

2009-05-16T16:20:00.000+01:00

Worried by the moth I saw in the flat this week, I purchased some
lavender scented protective bags to ensure any others don't assume my
collection is on the menu for dinner! You can't be too careful hey. I
am slightly confused as to why this was printed on the bag though - do
moths read symbols nowadays?

Drown me in knitting!

2009-05-14T22:26:00.001+01:00

Here's a sneaky peek of the photoshoot that took place last Friday in
Hackney with the very first of my collection pieces that I have made so far. More to follow soon!

Time for a Bigger Bathroom

2009-05-14T22:13:00.001+01:00

At the moment I'm drying one of my latest collection pieces by
keeping it in the warmest place in the flat.. The bathroom! It just
about fits.. Phew!

Nice Weather For..

2009-05-14T01:17:00.001+01:00

Mika came in to the studio today to do some colourmatching with my
roving, and a wonderful job she did! With her she brought in this
fantastic sweater that an ex boyfriend's mum hand knitted once upon a
time, that she said reminded her a bit of my collection - a good
steal, I think you will agree!

A Peep!

2009-05-08T01:29:00.005+01:00

Today I recieved an email introducing me to Elizabeth, who is a rare Austrian Mangalitza Gilt breed of Pig. (Have a look at Pig Paradise Farm in Wiltshire for more information..) Apparently she was sold for £250 at a livestock auction in Lancashire, where farmer Tim Fitton bought the pig for his daughter. Isn't she lovely? Perhaps I am biased though being a knitter..

Sketchbook Snippets #2

2009-05-05T23:19:00.002+01:00

I Can Sew, Too!

2009-05-05T18:44:00.002+01:00

Meet Marmaduke the cat. He is made from a nice herringbone trouser
fabric that no longer fits my collection, but i felt it needed to be
put to good use. I made him for my friend's birthday today, yet i was
reluctant for us to part ways as he's such a cutie! I'm hope he is
having lots of fun in his new home.

A Spot of Light Mathematics on a Sunday Afternoon

2009-05-03T14:52:00.003+01:00

What a week! I finished the jumper for the photoshoot on
time, only to discover that morning that it was being postponed until
the week after. Sod's Law isn't it? Onwards and upwards though, and
This afternoon I have been calculating a hand knit pattern for Outfit 3.

My old high school maths teacher Mrs Davidson would be happy to
know that I am still in touch with Trigonometry! Now, time to get
knitting and put my accuracy upto the test..

Late Night Linking

2009-05-01T02:21:00.001+01:00

I've been really busy lately trying to prepare my outfit for the
Ravensbourne photoshoot tomorrow! It's 2am and I am still linking
strong.. One sideseam left to go!

Tricot Machine

2009-04-25T00:33:00.006+01:00

In the studio yesterday, we were joking about current television programmes that could substitute the word 'knitting' in their title, such as 'Knitting on Ice', 'Britain's got Knitting' and 'Have I Got Knit For You' - Today I came across this amazing video by a Canadian band called 'Tricot Machine' who's name translates to as Knitting Machine. I thought my intarsia was time consuming, but these clever devils used 700 stills of knitting to form the animation, have a look it's incredible!

Tricot Machine || Les peaux de lièvres from Dare To Care Records on Vimeo.

Sketchbook Snippets #1

2009-04-24T01:49:00.002+01:00

277 Rows Later..

2009-04-22T20:42:00.002+01:00

I am feeling all knitted out!

174 Rows Later..

2009-04-22T15:08:00.002+01:00

2009-04-20T22:26:00.005+01:00

Even though today was lovely and sunny, my evening journey back from university was still a little chilly. Perhaps I could do with one of these:

It's a knitted turkey hat by Catirina Bonet Designs. There's nothing in her shop at the moment though, but I'm already excited to see what she will come up with next..

Run for cover..

2009-04-17T15:12:00.008+01:00

I'm itching to get this beast going on my needles in the next few weeks. It's going to be one heck of a sweater!

A new type of yarn

2009-04-17T13:17:00.002+01:00

I was slightly startled thisafternoon when I returned from making a
cup of tea and noticed my ball of grey yarn had suddenly grown a face!
Perhaps Ollie wondered why these colourful stringy things were more
important than going for his walk and decided to investigate.. Knit 1,
Purl 1 hey Ollie?

Pictures..

2009-04-16T23:15:00.001+01:00

That my friend found Sean found in a bookshop in Warrington Circa 1935.

We have no idea who these people are. It reminds me of the time I once bought a camera in the charity shop which still had film left in, so I decided to have it developed. It must have belonged to an old lady who took the camera with her and two friends on a day trip to Blackpool back in the 70's

Dog-sitting.

2009-04-16T22:23:00.002+01:00

At the moment I am looking after Ollie the dog! He's a little terror sometimes though, balls of yarn are NOT for doggies to play with especially when they are attatched to my knitting needles!

- Posted using Mobypicture.com

Hello, Bee

2009-04-16T21:43:00.001+01:00

Sorry for the lack of updates recenty! I've been in a bit of a busy busy world, knitting knitting knittting! I am indeed a busy bee.

I DID however make time to see some friends last night, and we played Scrabble. As you can see, we are not very good, especially by the end when we could only make 'so' and 'by'. There were some minor discrepencies over some words, however on the whole it was a good match, and I came 3rd with 117 points.

For some exciting news, back in January applied to do the Menswear MA at the Royal College of Art in September, specialising in Knitwear.. and last Wednesday I found out that I've been offered the place! So the next two years will be filled with more knitting delights, exciting hey?

Now time for more tea and to get the knitting needles out!
- Posted using Mobypicture.com

Pandog!

2009-04-16T21:29:00.001+01:00

A dog that looks like a panda! Pandog!

- Posted using Mobypicture.com