' REAL LIFE '

A little while ago I did a photoshoot where my models were styled to suit the idea of subtle alternative fashion incorporating aspects of different styles including mainly hardcore, skate, and pin-up. I used a few different locations for my shoot, although no studio time as I wanted the shoot to be very real and raw. The locations included elements that were broken, cracked, scuffed, separated and boarded up. I wanted the backgrounds of the photos to represent the edgy reality of alternative fashion. Olivia's make-up consisted of dark eyes and defined eyebrows for an edgier look and Chris' beard added to the rugged aesthetic. Although it was a very simple photo shoot, I really liked the outcome.

PARCHA EXHIBITION

In December 2011 I had the chance to go to the Parcha Exhibition at The Art Pavillion in Mile End, London. I found out about it through one of my closest friends/flat-mates as she was designing a small collection for it. The main focuses of the exhibition were young Nepalese designers, artists and performing artists. The designer's collections were absolutely fabulous, from both the female and male designers. Not only was there a design section but part of the show was dedicated to clothes that had been commissioned by brands such as Max C London, they were put together and styled by the lovely boys and girls that were backstage and designing for the show. Not only were the clothes fantastic, the art that was being exhibited and sold at the venue was amazing! There were also dancers and musicians at the event which was a really nice way of breaking up the shows into sections, all of which were very talented.

1ST COLLECTION.

1ST COLLECTION.

1ST COLLECTION.

2ND COLLECTION.

2ND COLLECTION.

2ND COLLECTION.

2ND COLLECTION.

3RD COLLECTION - CHHIMMI'S 

3RD COLLECTION - CHHIMMI'S

4TH COLLECTION.

4TH COLLECTION.

5TH COLLECTION.

5TH COLLECTION.

6TH COLLECTION.

6TH COLLECTION.

6TH COLLECTION.

6TH COLLECTION.

7TH COLLECTION.

7TH COLLECTION.

7TH COLLECTION.

7TH COLLECTION.

COMMISSIONED.

COMMISSIONED.

COMMISSIONED.

COMMISSIONED.

SELF PORTRAIT

At the beginning of my degree course during the photography and styling section of the first semester, we were given what seemed like the easy task of a self portrait project to start off the year - I was SO wrong. Something so simple causes havoc with me and my overactive imagination. I had so many ideas running through my head and a few things I had to consider. In my self portrait I wanted to reflect aspects of my personality, my interests and things that made me and make me what I am today. I had to consider how deep I wanted to go and expose myself, and whether I wanted the shoot to be fun or a little more serious. I wanted to incorporate more than one aspect of myself into the end product and possibly create a story and/or greater understanding of yours truly.

For my final idea in these set of photographs I incorporated: ★ MY LOVE FOR THE 1950s ★ NAUTICAL FASHION/ART ★ PIN-UP GIRLS ★ ARTIST GIL ELVGREN ★ BLUE ★ I HAVE ALWAYS LIVED BY THE SEA AND I LOVE IT - LINKS WITH NAUTICAL ★ LOVE FOR MY FAMILY = THE STRIPED SHIRT REMINDS ME OF A NURSES' UNIFORM (MOTHER) & MY FATHER WAS IN THE NAVY BACK IN THE DAY ★ ALTERNATIVE FASHION & TATTOOS ★ I LOVE BIG HAIR AND RED LIPS ★  

ZOMBIE NIGHTS

I have always been into zombie films, and when Halloween roles around, its a chance to get out the make-up and face paints for something a little different. Halloween 2011 I tried something a little bit different by adding some particularly new features to my zombie transformation: toilet paper and PVA glue. I had a little session on youtube watching some Halloween make-up tutorials, and whilst watching the zombie uploads I came across this incredible video where a girl made her whole face look like a mass of peeling, rotting, bleeding, scabbing flesh by using these two things plus normal paints, face paints and make-up. Although I didn't go to the full extreme to do my whole face, I created a slightly more subtle but still gruesome version; a fairly new turned zombie if you like. By layering up wrinkled toilet paper smothered in PVA glue, then painting over using face paints and my own make-up i successfully managed to create 3-Dimensional bloody wounds and scars on my face and neck. The rest of my make up was simple and dark, with shading to create bruising to my already pale skin. I probably should have tried this new technique before the night itself as they didn't seem to stay on all night but luckily I think i found the remedy for that. My only regrets: not using enough glue & not getting more detailed photographs.

BRITAIN & IRELAND'S NEXT TOP MODEL LIVE 2011

On the 29th of October 2011, I had the chance to go to Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model Live 2011 at ExCel in London. Not only was it a wonderful day out but I also discovered some lovely brands and an incredible designer. The VnC CocktailBar was the first stall I came to and was greeted by a delicious cocktail sample; lovely way to start the day! I had a wander around the stalls, lusting over them and hoping to own everything I came across as a girl does. There were so many wonderful stalls from shops & brands filling the venue, and TOO many beautiful things that I wanted to buy, but I was well behaved and held back and just collected some leaflets for when I had a few more pennies. 

'The Only Way is Essex' star AMY CHILDS showcased her new clothes line at a pop-up stall and on the catwalk at the event. The clothes were very girly, glamorous, sexy, sparkly and sophisticated all at the same, and all at a relatively reasonable price. Below are a few of my favourite garments from Miss Childs' collection.

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) 'AVA' DRESS, 'SOPHIA' DRESS, 'LULU' DRESS, 'BRIDGET' DRESS & 'LILLY' DRESS.

All round superstar of fashion design, hair and make-up styling JOEY BEVAN, showed his Spring/Summer 2012 collection, "Land of the Lost Toys", at the event. Although he has been in the scene for a few years now, I unfortunately hadn't heard of him before and was rather upset that i hadn't! I fell in love with him, his ideas, his designs and all round aesthetics as soon as the models came strutting on stage. Also as a person he seemed incredibly lovely and wonderfully talented all round. His latest collection was inspired by "Tim Burton with a Victorian theme" which seemed very fitting. It was very dark but playful at the same time, and the lingerie section of the show reminded me of a more extravagant and beautiful version of a Frost French 'Floozie' collection. I found the whole show incredible, every part worked perfectly from the way the models walked, the make-up and hair design to the dance performance in between. I found him to be very inspirational and would be somebody I would really like to work with in the future. 

A FEW OF MR. BEVAN'S DESIGNS.

DANCERS FOR JOEY BEVAN'S COLLECTION: APPROPRIATELY STYLED!

THE SCARLETZ: AGAIN MATCHING JOEY BEVAN'S THEME.

The Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model Show itself was INCREDIBLE! The section where it was held was huge and every seat was practically full up. The models from the most recent season of BINTM that were in the show were absolutely stunning and the male model/dancers weren't too bad either! The show consisted of sections with different themes that merged beautifully into each other with a variety of dance in between, or even incorporated into the catwalk parts themselves. It was completely magical, I never wanted it to end and wanted to see it over and over again. Everything about the show was wonderful: the models, the music, the lighting, the clothing/lingerie and the overall atmosphere. Was definitely worth every second!

SOME OF THE BINTM MODELS.

MALE MODELS/DANCERS.

This already incredible show apparently wasn't enough, so, they added some live music to the equation. What a perfect idea! The performers were merged into the dancing and catwalk and were really upbeat which worked so well with the overall performance. Although not my favourite genre of music, this was just the cherry on top of an incredible show. 

(LEFT) LUMINITES (RIGHT) BLUEY ROBINSON

LONDON FASHION WEEK - September 16th 2011

Despite not being in the media OR having a ticket, doing a degree in a fashion related subject let myself and some friends from uni get into a catwalk show at London Fashion Week for a Spring/Summer 2012 collection from Jean-Pierre Braganza at Somerset House. Not going to lie, we did feel a little smug! Although I didn't know much about him I'm really glad I managed to get into the show. I wasn't sure on my chances of managing to get into a show but I HAD to give it a go. Part of me wanted to try to get into one of my more favoured designer's catwalk, but thought it would be interesting to go to a designer's show who I didn't know much about. It was a beautifully hot day, and there were extremely well and interestingly dressed people everywhere, I felt rather under-dressed!

NOT OUR BEST PHOTO!

JEAN PIERRE BRAGANZA'S SPRING/SUMMER 2012 COLLECTION, "PRAXIS", IS INSPIRED BY THE ART DECO ERA, INDUSTRIAL ROCK, THE GERMAN ARCHITECT  LUDWIG MILES VAN DER ROHE AND ARTIST BEN NICHOLSON, AS WELL AS A TRIP TO CORNWALL AND IT'S BEACHES. HIS COLLECTION CONSISTED OF BOLD GEOMETRIC PRINTS, DRAPING FABRIC AND CUT-UP TAILORING. THE COLOURS OF THE FABRICS COVERED A PALETTE FROM MONOCHROME BLACK AND WHITE TO PASTEL TO BOLDER COLOURS. ALTHOUGH THE COLLECTION WASN'T AS EXTRAVAGANT AS SOMETHING BY MR. GALLIANO OR PARTICULARLY OUT THERE, I LIKED CERTAIN PIECES AS I'M A SUCKER FOR MONOCHROME AND BOLD PRINTS. ALL IN ALL I THOUGHT THE SHOW'S AESTHETIC WAS RATHER GOOD! MUSIC BY DAFT PUNK AND CONFIDENT WOMEN STRUTTING THEIR STUFF IN NICE CLOTHES. I'M REALLY GLAD I GOT A CHANCE TO GO TO THIS SHOW AND GET TO SEE SOMETHING NEW FOR ME.

FULL LENGTH SHOTS.

CLOSER SHOTS.

CATWALK.

FINALE.