March is here, and with it comes a batch of Contrado’s new artists online, all ready and waiting for you to meet. Art is in the eye of the beholder, and our extensive online market place is filled with a plethora of amazing talent, covering all areas of the art spectrum. From pattern and surface […]
What is Chenille? You know the fuzzy lived-in quilt that has been handed down to you by your grandparents,? Or the fluffy new throw adorning your couch? They are probably made of Chenille. Among the gamut of fabrics that we encounter in our lives daily, how many of us have an answer to the question […]
What is Velour? Velour is an incredibly soft, plush textile which is very similar to velvet (albeit much less expensive). It’s characterised by a wonderfully soft-to-the-touch finish with cut fibres that follow the stroke of your hand, and drapes seamlessly. But what is velour, and how does it actually differ from velvet? Read our guide […]
If you’re only just embarking upon your sewing journey or you’re a well-seasoned stitcher, chances are your machine has more to offer than you think. Sewing machines can have anywhere from 8 to 100+ types of stitch settings alongside other tips and tricks, and the more elaborate your machine is, the more it will have. […]
A History of the Miniskirt The iconic history of the miniskirt is anything but short and sweet, with rebellion, sex and sixties hedonism at its core. Hitched-up hemlines can date back as far 4700BC, but the miniskirt we know and love today was born out of a youth culture movement that strived to deviate from the […]
5 Spring Trends Dominating The Catwalks Typically, Women’s Spring fashion tends to conjure up images of floaty floral styles and dusty tones across the board. Delicate laces and ditsy prints, with models dripping from head to toe in lashings of sugary sweet pastels. Although 2018 naturally featured a few of these classic looks in a […]
What is Mesh The world of fashion has seen the popularity of mesh garments soar within the last few years, but exactly what is mesh, and why are high-street stores and designers alike fawning over it? This sheer, soft fabric with tons of tiny holes has been loosely woven or knitted to create the signature […]
With a new month comes a new chance to meet another group of super talented Contrado Creatives. These are the artists who make up our online market place, filling it with must-have products, original designs and a lot of colour and character. Several months on from launching the market place, it is now filled with […]
Gaining exposure for your art or design work can be incredibly difficult, particularly in such an over-saturated market. As well as having a strong online presence, attending live art events such as exhibitions or fairs will help open your work to a new audience and bring further exposure. We’ve compiled a list of the biggest […]
With the Oscars fast-approaching you’re bound to see some fabulous outfits hitting the red carpet. Stunning gowns, dapper suits and glamour from head to toe. Even if you’re not one of the lucky ones with an invite to the most prestigious award show in town, you can still look the part with the perfect suit. […]