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.

Toile Review and Trend Book Update

Tuesday was the groups deadline for the research boards, sketchbook work, jacket toile and business plan. Myself and Sarah wrote the business plan, and we got help from Matt Desmier and Sarah Charles. We decided that it would be best to write half each and then combine it together before our tutorial. We found it quite hard to write, especially the finance section. The crit went well though. The tutors were pleased with our new research boards and Zoe and Leannes toiles. They both fit in well with our theme and looked as though they could be in collection together.

I have developed my trend book further in the last couple of weeks. All of my designs have been drawn using Illustrator and i am now about to create colour palettes for each trend. I have wrote information to go into the book and have all of my images. This week i am focusing on putting everything into InDesign and making sure that its well presented.

Tutorials and Workshops

The first tutorial i had was with my group and we met with the tutors. Myself and Sarah had re-done our four boards and the designers were showing their 100 designs. As a group we got to look at all of the designs and decided which ones best suited our theme, Castaway.

The second tutorial/meeting was with Matt Desmier last Wednesday. Myself and Sarah attended the meeting and he gave us useful tips on how to write our business plan and what we need to include in it.

I have got a lot further with my trend book project within the last week. I have created the layout of the trend book using In Design and I have also started to draw my designs for each of the trends using Adobe Illustrator. I have also considered colour palettes for each of the trends, patterns and prints. Last Wednesday we were introduced to Kaledo, which is a similar program to Illustrator.

Styling Unit

Last week we were introduced to the styling unit of the course. I was excited to learn about styling and to be given mini projects as it is an area in fashion which i am very interested about.

The first project that we were given was to pick an era or fashion trend and style a photoshoot with this theme/trend. I was in a group with Steph and Melissa, and we decided to have a '60's Chic' style photoshoot and an '80's Power Dressing' style photoshoot.

60's Shoot

We decided that it would be cool to shoot the 60's Chic look in the woods. The 60's was famous for its hippy style fashion and bright bold colours. The woods was a prime location for this style as hippys were into nature and the bright bold colours stand out against the greens and browns of the woods. Here is a list of what I wore:

• Orange and brown dress
• White tights
• Gold peace symbol earrings
• Lots of bangles and wooden bracelets
• A brown chunky bead necklace
• Three large rings
• A black headband
• Large sunglasses
• Brown peep-toe wedges

Here are some of the final photos:

80's Shoot

We decided that as the style of the shoot was 80's Power Dressing, we thought it would be cool to take the photos on the university roof. The roof showed a sign of confidence and power, therefore the style of the shoot fit in well with the location. Melissa had a long black cardigan, which had bright blocks of colour on the front of it and huge shoulder pads, which was typical of the 80's. She teamed it with a black top and skinny trousers. The accessories Melissa wore, was a long gold necklace, brightly coloured bangles, large round earrings and a bright purple quilted bag. She wore electric blue heels which completed the 80's look. Here are some of the final photos:

Second Project
The second project we were set, was to choose either a friend or relative and take them shopping and update their style, choosing items that flatter their body shape. I asked my friend Rose if i could give her a new style and she happily agreed. We went shopping in Castlepoint and looked around many different high street stores, such as Miss Selfridge, H&M, Next and Topshop. I wanted to create serveral looks; one eveningwear outfit, one daytime outfit and one outfit which could be turned into an evening outfit by adding an item of clothing. I took into consideration that as she studies Acting at AUCB, the daytime outfit that i would style her in should be comfortable and easy to move in. I asked her a series of questions before we went about her likes and dislikes, what items of clothing she usually wears, what accessories she wears etc, in order for me to get an idea of what her current style is. I took before and after shots to show the difference in Roses style.

Here are the final styled photos:

I wanted to create an evening outfit for Rose to wear on a night out, which was slightly different to something she would usually wear. The Glam Rock look is in trend this season, therefore a lot of black, glitter and lace is being seen in shops. I gave Rose a black figure hugging dress with gold glitter detail and a low cut back to try on. She has a slim figure and a big bust, therefore a tight dress fit well with her body shape. I also gave her a leather biker jacket to throw on top, which completes the Glam Rock look. The shoes that I have chosen tie in with the Glam Rock look also and they have the gold detail on them, which complements the gold glitter in the dress. A long gold necklace is enough for accessorising the outfit and a black with gold glitter purse completes the overall evening outfit.

I wanted to create a daytime outfit that Rose could wear to university and be comfortable in her acting classes. She mentioned in the set of questions that she liked wearing stripes; therefore I chose a top that was black and white striped but had the detail of a bow on it. I particularly liked this top as the black and white striped bow, contrasts against the vertical stripes. The trousers were tailored with a slim leg fit. As Rose likes wearing jeans, I thought that these trousers would be a stylish alternative.I have accessorised the outfit with a black chunky bangle, as Rose mentioned that she likes wearing bangles in particular. I have also chosen black circular earrings with a gold edge, and finally black pumps with a gold button.

I wanted to create an evening outfit that had been transformed from a daytime outfit. I picked a simple, yet stylish pearl coloured jacket to add to the previous daytime look. The same accessories can be worn, as well as the pumps, however it could be dressed up even more by adding a pair of heels. I have picked a rectangular clutch, as it goes well with the boxy style of the jacket.

Once i had styled the three different looks, i had to write a report, explaining what i did, why i chose the items, how it flatters Roses body shape, a personal comment and a comment from Rose.

Third Project

My third project is to style a contemporary photoshoot, either with a historic or futuristic influence. I have to source the clothing, shoes and accessories and find a model and photographer.

Day of Presentations

Monday was presentation day, and i had to give three. My groups presentation was first, where myself and Sarah had to present our research to the designers and the tutors. As we had looked at the wrong season, the trends had to be changed and we had to re-do the boards.
On Tuesday i came in and told the designers I had discovered a trend named 'Castaway', which is going to be seen in Spring/Summer 2010 collections.

'A raw and rugged effect is achieved with beaten, crinkled fabrics and sloppy layers that wrap around the body. Details include an island-stuck feel in various stages of undress, highlighting simple tie closures and exposed undergarments.'
Here are a few of the images that i found which have inspired the designers in my group:

My second presentation, was where i had to tell the class; how i got into fashion, how i found the first year of the course, why i chose promotion and where i want to go next.

My last presentation was were we had to go in either pairs or groups of three and make a business plan for an item from Modip. Jenelle and Ivy were in my group and we had to make a business plan for a stylish bottle opener. We had to present it 'Dragons Den' style. Here are a few of the questions that we answered:

1. What is the big idea? We have created a stylish modern bottle opener, which will be a massive hit, especially with young professionals and families. We have only got the bottle opener to show you, but we plan to design and make a whole range of stylish kitchen untensils, similar to the bottle opener.
2. How would you develop the product? We would develop the product by introducing a whole kitchen utensil range, including a can opener, salt and pepper shakers, egg timer and jar opener. We could also design and make a range for pets and bathrooms.
3. What have you named your product? We have named our product Billy the bottle opener, and our tag line is 'Don't let Billy be a no mate' therefore there is possibility for developing the range.