Galliano Style!

I had a tutorial on Friday regarding my final major project this year. I had orignally planned to study the work of Dior and then create a photo shoot in the style of Dior during the 1940s, The New Look. Discussing this idea with Jo and Sarah, I was inspired to change my idea slightly and I am now focusing on when Galliano took over, and the style, fabrics and colours he uses. Here are a few images and collections that have inspired me:

a/w Couture '05 (left) , s/s Couture '07 (centre), a/w Couture '09 (right)

Essay: Norman Parkinson

Alongside Nick Knight, I have also been looking into the work of Norman Parkinson. He was a renowned photographer from the 1930s till 1990. Here are a few of his best photographs:

Trafalgar Square, 1949 (Left)

Wenda Parkinson in Hyde Park, 1949 (Right)

Jeannie Patchett, Vogue 1950

It is very easy to distinguish the difference between Norman Parkinson and Nick Knight's photography methods and styles. The main difference is that Norman Parkinson took his photos using a film camera in black and white, whereas Nick Knights photos introduce bursts of colour and have been digitally enhanced. However, another huge difference is that Knight has produced photographic work that is shown through a new medium, the Internet.

Essay: Nick Knight

Whilst writing my essay, which is about the effect technology has had on fashion photography, I came across these interesting and inspiring images by Nick Knight:

Devon, Alexander McQueen.

Jil Sander 1992

Vogue, December 2008

The inspiration to write this essay, came from visiting the two exhibitions held in Somerset House last December:

SHOWstudio: Fashion Revolution, by Nick Knight

Norman Parkinson: A Very British Glamour

FMP - Iconic Designer: Dior

Here are a few pages from my sketchbook of work I have done so far for my fmp. I have chosen to show these particular pages as they outline key points for my brief including; who my chosen designer is, information about the New Look era and the V&A exhibition The Golden Age of Couture.

Fashion as a Forum

We have just started our Fashion as a Forum unit. This unit requires us to write an essay based on the statement:

'Discuss the role that new media technologies play in the promotion, exhibition and display of contemporary fashion'
'Make reference to individual designers as well as recent exhibitions of fashion and textiles'

Last December, we had a trip to London where we went to an exhibition in Somerset House. The exhibition was called 'SHOWstudio' and it is led by one of the worlds most influential fashion image makers, Nick Knight. The exhibition held a number of different interactive, digital and live media.

Styling/Photography/Magazine Project

The project was to style and carry out a contemporary photoshoot. I decided to base mine on 1920s fashion. I looked into the flapper era, daywear, evening wear, how the 1920s has influenced fashion and designers today, makeup and hairstyles etc. By gathering all of this research, it enabled me to go out and buy 1920s style pieces. The shoot took place in my backgarden, against bushes and in the greenhouse. It was a good location as i wanted to show a contrast between fancy, formal outfits and a simple, untouched backdrop. Here are a few of the photos that were taken:

The best photos will go into my magazine article about 1920s fashion. Most of the photos were taken in black and white, as i wanted to portray the historical style.

Professional Project

I have chosen the 'Iconic Designer Brief' and have chosen Christian Dior as my designer to study and research. I will be looking into Dior's New Look and the effect of Gallianos take-over. I will also be looking into Dior's current Spring/Summer collection for inspiration and ideas for my fully styled photoshoot in the style of Dior. I will be producing a research and development book about the designer and 6-8 A4 prints.
I have written a draft learning agreement, which outlines what i will be doing for this project. It includes aims, learning outcomes, synopsis of study and a time plan.