A gem in the forest....Bangladesh final day

Jungle Fever....

On my final day i visited a newer mill in the countryside region of Dhaka. 

After seeing the mill, it's incredible new technology and impressive mega structure i was invited to take a stroll around the beautiful serene forest and lakes that surrounded the giant mill.

The views were picturesque against the backdrop of the Bangladesh capital.

I was so surprised to see local men fishing in the lake traditionally with nets, and even more thrilled at the thought that they were catching one fish too cook for me for my dinner with the team, i love fish so this was a real treat and it was so delicious!

Below are some images i managed to snap when we stopped off on the way home later that evening for something to eat in good old Pizza Hut!!

These give you a feel of the street scenes in Bangladesh, the people and the pretty designs on the most popular mode of transport in Bangladesh - the TukTuk.

As much as travelling with work is really tiring it does with every trip expand your knowledge of your role, gives you great life and career experiences, as well as letting you visit many places in the world you may never have had the chance to visit yourself. 

Muchios V x

Back to Bangla.... Factories & Mills

Keeping up appearances

The office showroom electronic display
welcoming me to the fist meeting of the trip

Following on from China i caught my flight to Bangladesh, rounding up my trip with five more days of factories, mills, shops and in car sight seeing!!

This time i didn't have as much pressure on me than as my last visit to Bangladesh. I had no new styles to put into work and was just there to push developments, discuss future plans, and to keep contacts with the people i had met on my last visit.

This kind of visit is vital in order to maintain a strong working relationship in order to ensure everyone works to the same page to get beautiful samples.

 Below are some images i took in the factories and mills. The scale and technology of some of these machines is magnificent, its amazing to see how a garment is made from start which is cotton in its purest form to the finish.

I was also there to view new mills and factories. To explore what their abilities are and what they can bring to the table in terms of quality and newness.

Some factories have the ability to produce some really cool dying effects and washes.

Below is my favourite garment wash of the trip by far. A psychedelic sprayed skinny pant that the manager has promised me a pair of!! Sadly i  wont hold my breath,  when you visit mill and factories as a designer they will tell you anything to get your business when all you really want is for them to make your samples...on time...and correct!!

These trips are always so educating and fill me with enthusiasm and idea to go back and keep on designing!!

Muchios V x

Fabric Mayhem - China

Days 2-4  in China

Most of my days in China were spent in the factory going through all of my samples and checking out anything new, but on my last day before i left for Bangladesh i had to go to the fabric markets to get some vital swatches and fabrics needed for work.

When i say markets please wipe the thought of one little row of market stalls selling fabric out of your mind and think more Oxford Street.... replacing all the stores with fabric stalls..... also add five malls five floors full of shops dedicated to fabrics, accessories and equipment!!

It is literally the most unbelievable and daunting sights...how do you get around all of that!!

The answer is you dont. You go in with a clear mind of what you need, you find it, buy it, and get out before you end up buying the lot!

I was like a kid in a candy shop and loved every minute of it. The vast array of fabrics they have is amazing and compared to the UK they cost next to nothing, especially if you buy bulk.

To try to capture the size of this area is impossible, but i have collected a few images to illustrate the general look of the stores.

Muchios V x

All of the lights....China Day 1

Canton China Day 1

For just over the last 8 days ive been out of the office travelling to China for four days then from China i went to Bangladesh.

This was to visit the factories where my samples are in work to check everything is going to plan and they will be meeting my tight deadlines!!

I dont usually get to see any of the countries i visit, other than from out of the plain, car or hotel window, so many of my pictures are blurred visions of sights ive passed whilst on the move. However this time i had a great colleague take me to the fabric markets, shops and also a very important game of football agains Shanghai- the team Drogba and Anelka now play for!!

It was at this football match i got to see China by night- a beautiful lit up beacon of bustling city life!

one of the tallest buildings - the Canton TV tower

China is like a prettier version of the images i have seen of Las Vegas. The buildings are alight with pastel neons and luminosity - so on trend!

Their underground i something London should aspire to....Air-conditioning people!! no sweating and no cramming onto the carriage, its operated by an electric door so single file only - blissful travelling!

All of the lights: the beautiful raindrop effect lights hanging
from every tree on the main sidewalks

 The football fans in China make the UK fans sound like they are whispering, they are so loud and so crazy!! the atmospher was amazing and the game ended 2:2 so the fans left satisfied at the score but thrilled they got to see footballing geniuses like Drogba and Anelka play.

Guangzhou V Shanghai football game

Muchios V x

5 @ 5 @ Rosso's

5 at 5 with friends at Rosso

Before i had to go away with work i met up with some of my best friends from home when they came to Manchester for the night.

It was nearing 5pm which in Manchester for me means only two things: home time and cocktails at Rosso!!! It was a Wednesday evening and would have been rude not to!! :-)

I had the passionfruit mojito and it was lovely. Rosso know how to do an amazing cocktail so get yourselves there guys 5pm weekdays for cocktails at only £5!!

A little tip - Wednesdays are ideal...to get you past the weeks halfway point and rolling onto fridays!!

Muchios V x

My Second Home.....

Portugal.......

Have not had chance to even get on my laptop lately to blog, its been all go!But i am making sure i set time aside to upload post regularly from now on!!

I have had chance to relax though and got away to my home from home Portugal for a week.

I really feel relaxed the minute i step off the plane and that baking sun beams down on me.

me - ready for the night
dress:ltd M&S,shoes:stradivarius,necklace:primark

Jungle feaver- dress:miss selfridge, scarf:portugal market,bag:portugal market,shoes-stradivarius
necklace:sample from work.

I went out this time with my family, with me and the boy leaving them behind to enjoy the sun for a few more weeks! 

....Did not want to go home at all, this time more than ever. I think with me living alone down in Manchester away from my family, it made me really homesick and i didn't want to come back to reality!

The week was full of laughs, good food, relaxing, jet ski's and some shopping of course!

Yummy!!!! chocolate fudge brownie & sticky toffee sundae's 

Jet Skiing on the Algarve coast

Uploaded some pics for you all to have a look, hope you enjoy :-)

Muchios V x