... Cross My Heart

One of Dundee's hidden gems is The Howff... a burial site that has some of the most important collection of tombstones in Scotland. Established in 1564 and the last burial 1857, this small graveyard has quietly tucked itself in the middle of the city centre. Its gothic style tombstones should of sectioned itself off from this technological advanced city. What is ironic about this special place is despite the fact that it is a place for many resting souls for the dead, it actually somehow brings life too. 

The word Howff  in Scots meaning "the meeting place" 

The cross grave the most interesting one. It is unique compared to the rest of the graves and I believe that this key spot has provoked ideas or thoughts for students and young designers based in Dundee?  You get the sense of all your negative feelings being washed away, being reincarnated into someone who is positive again just like Christianity. The Howff comes across as a dure place to be, in fact in some ways it brings life. 

The cherry blossoms branch out above the graves to show the contrast of life and death.

People visit The Howff, needing/looking for inspiration and the outcome is creativity and productivity. Considering it is a place that is so still you would not believe that it was situated in the city centre.

  At the moment we are going through a double dip recession- no jobs, no money and no hope. Is it any wonder why people throw themselves into religion? It gives us something to cling onto when we have lost faith in everything else and something to runaway to when things are tough. The key is: instead of looking at a grave and seeing death, in fact what you should see is that there was life once before. That is something to appreciate and feel grateful towards. Because of this I reckon that The Howff has may been a source of inspiration and a sanctuary to many young designers and students. 


With Gothic features on runway shows, particularly on crosses: is urban street wear "borrowing" the cross from religion? Is it other factors and issues that drive us towards comforts such as faith, or is it truly down to catwalk style?

Shannon, Psychology Student, Dundee, T-shirt from Topshop,  I describe her style  as "quirky and Topshop"

Katrina on crosses trend "I really like it  because I am not a really religious person but it reminds me of  Vivienne Westwood and how she took something normal and made it rebellious"

HOLY CRAFT!HOW TO: CROSS MOTIF ON  DENIM SHORTS
.Firstly, you need: .fabric for your cross could be tartan, or lace (etc) (how much fabric is up to you, depending on how big you would like your cross to be).
.Thread (whether it matches your fabric that you will be using the cross is up to you)
. A needle, if you do not own a sewing machine
. A square bit of card or cardboard
. Ruler
. Light coloured chalk
. Fabric Scissors 
. With my cross, I will be using a black faux leather, however you could use stretch jersey from and old pair of leggings.

.It might be an idea, depending on your fabric, you might want to iron your  sample first so you can get a crisp shape when it comes to cutting out.
. Get your card or cardboard and draw with your ruler how would like to have your cross. Then cut out your cross shape and place it on your fabric as a template, using a light coloured chalk to draw round on the wrong side of your fabric (the side that will not being showing).

. Using your fabric scissors, cut out your cross shape. Ready to sew!

. Choose your thread, it is up to you whether you want the colour of thread to match the colour of your cross. However I am going to use blue thread cause I like the idea of contrasting colours.

. You can place your motif anywhere you want however putting the cross motif on the missing pockets seem to be within the trend.

. Whether you are sewing form hand or machine it is ideal so sew between 0.5 - 1cm round the edge of your cross. If you are on the sewing machine an idea to continuously sew would be to "pivot" round the corners.

.If the cross does not sit exactly straight, not to worry as your pocket takes the shaping of your bottom and would curve.

. To do this on a t-shirt the rules would be the same

OUT OF THE BUBBLE:

Maria Francesca Pepe A/W12

http://www.fashionising.com/pictures/p--MariaFrancescaPepe-AW-12-Look-Book-13652-1839032.html

http://www.fashionising.com/pictures/p--MariaFrancescaPepe-AW-12-Look-Book-13652-1839033.html

Versace A/W12

For the love of god -will we continue to worship this new religious trend?