Fantastic Mr Fashion My Life

Are you ready?

-Where's the red button?

-It's on the... Yeah.

-Cool.

# Can decisions shape your life... #

This is what you did last...

-SHE GIGGLES

-Hi. I'm Isaac.

-And I'm Alice.

-Hello.

-Hi.

We're best friends and hang out together all the time.

It's too close!

Oh, and this is my mum and dad.

You will find out about them later.

Not only is Isaac great fun,

but he has been designing and making clothes since he was 12 years old.

Cool stuff like this.

MUSIC: Desire by U2

Isaac wants to take on his toughest catwalk challenge yet.

He wants to get accepted as a designer

onto the catwalk at Brighton Fashion Week

This runway show will be huge.

It's just like London and Paris fashion weeks,

but nearby where we live, near Brighton.

Hope I can do it, but I'm only 17 and still at college.

I will be up against older and more experienced designers than me.

But, hey, I'm going to go for it.

What are you drawing?

I'm just kind of experimenting,

playing around with some new designs.

Oh, do you remember the time when we painted our eyebrows blue?

-Yeah!

-THEY LAUGH

But then we do have our sensible times.

Yes, we do have sensible conversations.

We've got the right balance of craziness and...

-I think crazy kind of is like this...

-Crazy overtakes.

..and then sensible is like here.

I was always different from everyone else.

I think, with Asperger's, how it affected me mainly

was in social, like, situations.

I would often, like when I would get stressed,

I would often play up and be a bit...a bit stupid.

I think you're one of the only other people that I kind of feel

-I can be myself around.

-Aw!

Yeah. I feel the fashion has definitely helped me

overcome a lot of the problems that I've had.

Because it's something that I'm good at and I never really knew

if I was good at anything, before.

When we first met, like, I didn't even know you had it.

I didn't even think.

-You are like you are.

-Yeah.

And that's what I know you for.

-I don't really know you for your autism.

-Yeah.

-I know you as you.

-Are you nervous about getting in?

-Yeah, a bit.

Cos I want to make sure that it looks its best,

because it's such a big, like, next step up for me and my work

to be able to show there.

So I want to make sure that it's

the best work that I've done so far.

Yeah, your work is amazing.

These are some of the dresses I'm thinking of taking down to show.

-What do you think of some of these ones?

-Oh, I love these ones.

I've kind of picked them down as the top four to take

-to show her at the meeting today.

-Yeah.

So, what ones do you think? That one?

-Yeah.

-Shall I take that one? Yeah.

I like this one because I like

how the butterflies look like they're moving.

-Yeah, and also this looks like so hard to work with.

-Yeah.

-And you've done it so well.

-It was a really fun one to make as well.

-And, oh, this one.

-Yeah. I love this one.

The lace and the amount of it, as well, which is

my favourite thing about it.

Now it's just up to Isaac's dad to get him to the interview on time.

ENGINE STARTS

-Are you feeling nervous?

-Um...no, not really.

Yeah, maybe a little bit.

CLOCK TICKS

If Isaac's nerves start to show, he could lose his chance at this.

-How are you? Nice to meet you, I'm Lizzie.

-I'm Isaac.

-Lovely.

Nice to meet you, thank you.

It's all down to what Liz and Alex think.

They decide who can apply to get into Brighton Fashion Week.

So, we have got three shows at Brighton Fashion Week.

And Brighton Fashion Week has seen the success of many past designers.

The show you are interested in is the zeitgeist, the spirit

of the time, what is happening now, what we think is happening now.

It would be great to see the work.

-So, have you got some things you would like to show me?

-Yeah.

I've got some...

..pictures, from a shoot from one of my older collections.

When I design a collection, I design the feel I want for it

and the emotions I want the models to be conveying on the catwalk.

And I want the emotions I want the audience to feel.

It is a very competitive show,

we have designers from Russia, Poland, America. So...

And I often do headhunt designers

so I'm very particular that the collections coming forward

are on a level and on a par with what we expect.

Because, as somebody said to me once,

you're only as good as the worst thing in the show.

Hi, it's really not going to be as easy as I thought it would be.

There's only one person that can help me now.

And that's Alexander McQueen.

-Oh, it's at the top.

-Do you need a hand?

-Thanks.

ZIP OPENS

-So, are you excited about going?

-Yeah, it's going to be really good

to see all the dresses in the same place.

It is the biggest collection of McQueen dresses ever.

Do you think you'll be overdressed at all?

No, I always like to dress my best.

When I was younger, I didn't like myself,

so I used to dress up as different characters every day.

Now that I'm older and more confident, I love dressing up.

It makes me feel good. I like being different.

# Today is the greatest... #

Being here, seeing my hero's work is amazing and inspiring.

Alexander McQueen pushed the boundaries between fashion and art.

I want to do that too, if I get into fashion week.

Something that I relate to a lot

within my own inspiration for my designs

is in-between darkness and lightness.

And going in and looking at things that are maybe darker

and then turning it into maybe something beautiful.

# For once in my life, let me

# Get what I want... #

You might have noticed by now, I'm a bit different from other people.

My Asperger's, which is a form of autism,

can make me feel awkward in social situations.

But I don't see it as something that holds me back.

It helps me focus on what I love the most. Fashion.

So, it's all based on mental health, right?

Yeah. So it's called The Revolution Of Bravery.

And it's the idea of being in a dark place

and overcoming the mental health and learning to cope with it.

Why did you choose mental health? Is there like a reason, or...?

It's definitely something I think I can relate to really well...

with the autism and also, like, the way of different emotions

that autism does make you feel.

Even though they are more intense with other

-mental health issues.

-So they are linked to mental health?

-Yes.

So, like, anxiety... And is depression one?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-So have you ever felt really, like, sad and anxious?

-Yeah.

I'd say there's been times when...

like...especially when I was around 12, 13,

-I didn't really have any friends that I could relate to.

-Yeah.

Because it was like, before I knew you.

I think everyone goes through that, as well.

And also, the word like, "I'm so depressed" has been manipulated...

-Overused!

-Yeah.

People now just see it as an everyday emotion,

-but actually, depression is...

-Real depression is, like...

-Clinical depression is bigger than that.

-Yeah.

Like people can't even get out of bed.

I think, like, what's so good about it, is that the whole collection,

it's going to...really put a word out about mental health

because it's so common in people now.

And it can happen to anyone.

PHONE BUZZES

Yeah, I have looked at your application.

You have done a lot of research

and it has got quite fierce competition going on there.

But...

I've got some good news.

I've been accepted into Brighton Fashion Week to the...

-Oh, Isaac, well done! That's amazing!

-That's marvellous!

So, I know it's going to be, like, a lot of work, but it'll be good.

And if you could ever help with little bits of sewing

-embellishments...?

-Yes, of course we will.

-Crystals and that.

-Yes, I love doing the hand-sewing stuff.

-I can also help, too.

-That would be brilliant, too. Thank you.

-Thank you, Alice.

I'm just a bit worried that you're taking on a lot

and will you will be able to cope with it all.

You'll have to pace yourself about the workload as well

so that you don't end up working

until four in the morning, as sometimes you have done.

# My heart is starting Continues to beat... #

Right. It's nearly two in the morning

so I'm going to quickly finish off

and do a little bit of college work and then go to bed.

It's a lot of hand-sewing, isn't it?

Isaac has been working so hard

and even though the catwalk deadline is just four weeks away,

he still finds time to help out

and mentor local kids who want to learn about fashion designing.

# This is how it works

# You're young until you're not

# You love until you don't

# You try until you can't

# You laugh until you cry... #

It's great that you're here today.

And it's great that you're part of fashion school.

What you are doing is really great.

There's, like, so many of you that are starting from so young,

it's amazing the level of stuff that you're doing already.

So, has anyone got any questions?

So, what exactly are you doing for Brighton Fashion Week?

For Brighton Fashion Week, as well as all my shows, I like to not

just do a catwalk where models just walk down the catwalk.

I like to liven it up a bit.

So I like each model to almost have an emotion of their own,

to tell a story.

-Were you ever picked on at school for being different?

-Yeah.

More when I was younger.

Throughout primary school, really.

And then, when I moved school, in secondary,

I was quite quiet, so nobody really kind of paid any attention.

So I kind of, like, just... I liked being separate from anyone else

because I can kind of watch how everyone else was.

And, yeah. It's good to be different.

The world would be really boring without everyone being unique.

Being unique and dealing with bullying is something

that Alice and I talk about a lot.

Like, another thing is talking about bullying, I like to...

Because I like to look at the other side of it,

the person that is bullying as well.

-Because there's obviously something behind...

-Why they do it.

..why they're bullying, and a lot of people just blame the bully.

Yeah, it's wrong to bully and no-one should bully,

-but I like to think, why are they bullying?

-Yeah.

I think quite a lot of people bully maybe

-because either they have been in that situation...

-Mm, definitely.

..and they are not comfortable with how they are. Yeah.

Maybe something is going on and it's making them angry

and that's the way of them...

-channelling their emotions.

-Channelling their anger.

They might be bullying because they personally don't have anyone

to relate to or they've been through it, or something like that.

Mum, I've got some sewing, do you mind please helping me with it?

Yeah, how much sewing?

# It's edit, edit, edit... #

-Let's turn this...

-It's shredding...

Yeah, so just an overstitch, just along the very edge of it.

So I'm now just working on the trousers.

No, I'm not!

So, I'm now just working on the skirt.

What?! Oh, hello...

That's not right.

Um... Doing all this work has... is really starting to hit me.

And, yeah, I'm starting to get really tired. Um...

I just hope that I get it all done in time.

I really need Caroline, now.

Caroline is Isaac's mentor and a master seamstress.

So, with your shoulder there,

obviously we will have to fit this to the sleeve head,

but just in terms of just looking at your sketch

and how you've interpreted that...

-Do you want to just pin...

-Yeah.

-..on there?

-That needs building up there.

-Yeah.

-To create a really nice silhouette.

But just pin it where you feel...

So, you're happy with the way it's sitting? And you've got this...

beautiful detail at the bottom and it gives you potential,

not that you have to, and you can work on that.

It's brilliant, well done.

So, today, it's four days until the show

and I'm just about to have a look at my list of things to do.

To see if I'm on track.

I'm just about to hammer some rivets in!

It's about 11 in the evening, now.

And Mum has been working all day and so have I.

But Mum has been doing lots of hard work.

# You seem so out of context

# In this gaudy apartment complex... #

This is just one of the things she's been working on.

And her fingers are raw. Where the needle has pushed up into them.

Holes in them all over.

But she's been amazing and I am so blessed to have her.

ALARM

Morning, everyone. It's the day of the show.

It is...6.30.

And I'm going to get up

and get everything ready now for the catwalk.

Wish me luck.

Do want to put this here?

-Oh, Isaac, is this blue one to go?

-No, it's only the sequinned bag.

-Does this box need to go?

-No, no.

I'm doing the car.

Do you feel like it's a big relief, Isaac,

that you've done everything now for Brighton Fashion Week?

Yeah, I'm not worrying about it.

Now it's the really fun bit.

# Just as they play our favourite song... #

-Hi.

-Hi. Isaac?

-Yeah. Isaac.

-That's great. Thank you.

-Brilliant, thank you.

# The beat goes round and round

# The beat goes round and round... #

-Hello, darling, how are you?

-How are you? Good, thank you.

-How are you feeling?

-Yeah, good. A bit nervous.

-A bit nervous.

Just that the clothes might not fit.

The clothes are going to fit beautifully.

-Is the collection finished?

-Yeah.

There is one adjustment I need to do.

I don't like the sound of that.

All right, so, the first thing we need to do is probably

-get your girls into fittings before the styling team.

-Brilliant.

And then, straight after that, we'll probably have about 20 minutes

till three and then we'll get you rehearsing probably about 3.30.

-All right? Best of luck.

-Lovely to see you.

-Bye-bye.

-See you.

-Right, what was I doing?

-What one is this?

-That is... Yeah, that's it.

Yeah?

Right, so...

Wait a second. What one are we on?

Do you want to take the plastic sheeting off now?

-Or do you want to leave them on?

-We'll do it when... Yeah, closer,

just in case there's a disaster with a drink.

I'm so grateful that Ioanna is here to help me today.

It's going to be tough sorting out the fittings.

-So, are you feeling nervous?

-Yes. A little bit.

More nervous that the garments won't fit the models properly.

I'll see what the hair and make-up's like.

Cos I don't actually know what the hair and make-up is like.

That's a good point. You haven't been sent any of that?

Yeah, cos I need to talk to the hair and make-up team

because I've got headpieces that cover the whole head. So, yeah.

-Yeah...

-See how that's going to work.

We'll go and find the lady who's organising

and see where the model is.

Do you know when the fitting will be?

Do you know when Isaac's fitting is?

I don't know what's going on. I thought they said you were next.

-I'm going to go and hunt them down.

-I think, go and ask them.

-Get my armour on!

-Yeah, yeah.

Who should I ask? My name is Isaac.

What you need to find out, when your fitting is?

-They said about 15 minutes' time.

-It will happen, don't worry.

Excuse me, sorry.

You know, like, we're waiting, still waiting for our fitting?

We were told about an hour and a half ago

that it would be...

So we're just checking that they haven't forgotten us.

We haven't had a rehearsal or fitting or...

-I will go and speak to Jacks.

-Brilliant. Thank you.

Finally, the models are here,

but I've only got five minutes to make the garments fit.

I've got a butterfly dress for you.

-Um...

-How many models have you got?

-Nine.

-How many do you need?

-Do you want to get onto the next one? And I'll do the...

-Yeah.

-Yeah. There you go. What's your name?

-Estelle.

-Brilliant.

Yeah, you're opening.

All the garments have been inspired by different mental illnesses.

And in these, I would like you to show

that you are trapped in your mind.

This top just zips up at the back.

And this one has a headpiece.

It has to have like the hair somehow just behind, is that all right?

-Yeah, that's fine.

-Mum? Shall we just, yeah, take it in.

-This is my favourite one.

-Aw...

It would be good if you had your hair up.

I'll just check that we can see the collar.

That sits on your shoulders.

I have to ask you to speed up a bit.

You've got 15 minutes left until your rehearsal.

So does it work that we get them in the clothes, do the rehearsal

-and then they go?

-No, it's not a dress rehearsal.

-Oh, OK.

Perfect. OK.

Number one, Estelle, number two, Kiera, number three, Marjorie...

-I need to talk about poses. Shall we just go and...

-Have a look?

Yeah. Can I talk through quick poses with them,

-when they first come out, is that all right? Have we got time?

-No.

-No?

What do you want...?

Just certain ones, like, have certain poses with what

they're wearing, just to show it off in the best way.

So we go at the end and we can see, just so we can see...

The pose is one of the most important aspects.

It brings the show to life.

I just hope the models can do the right moves

to show off the clothes and my theme at its best.

Just kind of like, you've got the long cuffs

and just kind of move them.

-But don't hold on to them.

-Just move them?

-Yeah, just like, gentle...

-OK, gentle.

-But look quite, still quite fierce.

-OK.

-Yeah.

Just watch that, you're going to slip on my chainmail!

Hi! How are you?

-I'm good, how are you?

-Good.

Stressed. Well, we've got everything in order, now.

But they're an hour behind. So it might start at 9.45 now.

Yeah, get someone to show you quickly.

-Right.

-Shall we get some of these?

Yeah, yeah. Oh, no, wrong ones.

Sorry. Sorry, can we swap? That goes with that.

-We clip that on when we get back...

-No, no. We have to do it now,

-there's no time.

-Right, let's go.

MUSIC PLAYS

It was amazing. I am so proud of you.

Like, it's so different from when we were, like,

just mucking around in town and stuff. It's incredible.

-I'm really proud of you.

-Thanks so much

for helping me along my journey.

That's OK. That's what friends are for, isn't it?

-Shall we do that again?

-No, let's do something different.

It's good to be different.

# Suddenly I'm standing on a tree top, up so high

# And all the songs, and all the poems, suddenly they arrive

# And it's getting late now and we're long way from our homes

# Before you leave Before you grieve

# There's one thing you should know

# Hold me, hold me in your arms

# Oh, won't you hold me

# I can feel your heart when you hold me

# When you hold me in your arms Oh, when you hold me

# Yeah, I can feel your heart beating. #

# Oh, you crawled out of the sea

# Straight into my arms Straight into my arms

# Oh, you crawled out of the sea

# Straight into my arms... #