UNIVERSITY: TAILORING TECHNIQUES "CO-HABITATION"

For the final module of my second year on a BA (Hons) Fashion Design degree I was set two separate briefs. The first part involved producing half a tailored jacket and to understand the multiple processes of its creation.

Now, I know what you’re thinking ‘half’ a jacket? And yes… half! My lectures included how to craft a particular sleeve cuff or collar stand and at the end of demonstrations I was almost always told, “Oh, only you wouldn’t really be doing this if you were to make a full jacket”.

So to me the torture of making this pristine tailored half jacket was, to be honest, pretty pointless. Never the less, I remain super duper proud of my efforts and so chuffed with the end result. What do you reckon? Think half jackets will catch on? 
The second brief was focused around styling and trend forecast, we were asked to develop a package that would be suitable for trend forecasting site WGSN. Within this package we needed to include a trend book, a forecast in the form of a photo shoot or series of illustrations and also a journal to support the research.

RESEARCH

I decided to look into global population growth and also into contain-ability, this lead to co-habitation and the utilising of space. The development of this concept was mainly down to a trip to The Design Museum, London. Such an inspiring and innovative exhibition that I couldn’t help but look further into practicality; how we present, store and utilise space. 

I wanted to look at clothing and fashion in the same way, so I stripped down garments to the bare essentials and used whimsical graphic tee’s to say the rest. A lot of photography and other fashion editorial imagery lent themselves to these ideas and with those I came up with visuals for my own shoot, altering clothes so that they became transparent in places. Mirroring what it is to live with someone and having to share space and an existence. I made clothing appear vulnerable by cutting away the main body of tailored jackets, leaving behind the framework, letting the mind fill in the blanks. I made sure that the concept ran through the photographic style, creating compositions that seemed to encourage empty space, but not comfortable room for it occupants. Arched backs, tilted heads and braided hairstyles between two models creating that sense of adaptation.

RESEARCH IMAGES SOURCES

NEWS WORLD

2011 Annual Underwater Photography Contest: Winner- Tobias Friedrich of Germany.

The National Geographic

Disney Tron Legacy

SHOOT

So here's my finished photo shoot, as usual concept, styling and post production by me; set out in a WONDERLAND magazine layout. Hope you like it!?   

CREDIT:

Photographer: Talia White
Models: Ashleigh Holder & Eliza Jade
MuA: Alexandra Dyson
Hair: Josie Scott

UNIVERSITY: STYLING FOR EDITORIAL "IMPOSTOR"

This was a second year BA (Hons) Fashion Design module called 'Styling for Editorial' in which we had to develop a concept to communication trends for S/S 2011, for a particular editorial publication. I focused my photo shoot towards the fashion, beauty and art editorial WOUND magazine.

My initial concepts revolved around the film Wicker Park and numerous piece of photography and art. Looking at how light and dark could create illusion and how people can transform themselves.

As the project began to develop, I started to look into more impostor type angles, looking into real life con artists and impostors. Trying to figure out how they could get away with so much and for a time, without any suspicion. 

I also explored multiple personality disorder and in particular the book A Fractured Mind, by Robert B. Oxnam. This honest account of a life with MPD is an eye opening account of the minds ability to protect itself and how one human body can be inhabited by several levels of consciousness. It is honestly one of the most intriguing stories I have ever read!

I used all of this information to comprise what type of fabric textures to include, what sort of shadows to cast and overall encourage the feeling of more than one presence. 
So these are my final pages for WOUND magazine, concept, styling and post production all by yours truly, spilt into two individual shoots featuring models Ali Lomas & Joanna Young.

SHOOT ONE

SHOOT TWO
 

 
CREDIT:
Photographers: Abigail Morris & Hannah Beth.
Models: Ali Lomas & Joanna Young

A GIRL ALONE IN LONDON

... working as a fashion stylists assistant.

The placement/internship involved assisting established London based stylist Harriet Cotterill in the lead up to a photo shoot for a new quarterly magazine VIKTOR, that is to be released sometime during Summer 2011. 

This was the first time i had ever been to London on my own for anything other than retail therapy or to visit the V&A. I had to be quick on my feet and find my own way around ... and i did. 
The days leading up to the shoot were hectic, visiting a handful of PR companies to arrange to loan suitable designer clothes that would complement a S/S 2011 narrative. As a stylist you need to be resourceful, sometimes it will fall on you to supply visuals to aid the overall feel of a magazine spread. One of my tasks was to travel to Essex to collect a riding saddle which was to be included in the shoot the next day.  

Not only getting the opportunity to assist an established stylist but seeing new aesthetics take shape, for a magazine that hadn't even released its debut issue yet was just so exciting. 
My first time interning was a whirlwind & i have a lot to learn, my interest and excitement for the project made me sideline why i was actually there... to ASSIST. 
It was such an insightful experience that i wouldn't change, except for me being slightly more helpful next time.  

I was asked to take video footage of the shoot, that could possibly be used for future website or online media. I am a video editing enthusiast so this doubled my excitement!

Excuse the poor quality.

Holly Fulton,  

Flik Hall, 
& Lara Bohinc.

My tips for a first time intern. 

Be reliable
Be enthusiastic 
Always be ready to take notes
Use your initiative
Don't lose sight of why your there
Establish what your precise responsibilities are; this is key. 

Know what your skills are.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. 

Have manners and encourage others to put trust and faith in you. 
Respect is key.
... and don't doubt yourself!

Related links:

Photographer: Jason Ell

Stylist: Harriet Cotteril

Model: Julia Oleynik