Stop, Start, Continue: Look back and reflect

It's crazy to think I've finished my first semester of uni already, it's gone so quick! As much as I would like to say that I enjoyed every last second, it unfortunately wasn't the case. For a good couple of months since starting uni I really struggled to adjust, and even sometimes questioning whether this was the right decision for me. The main thing that forced me to persevere however was knowing that I had the opportunity to study and immerse myself in what is more my hobby and passion than work. Also knowing that I had worked so hard to get to uni in the first place, I didn't want to throw it all away. 

But like I said, a semester has passed, and I have learnt so much in that time, not just about the course, but about myself and my own abilities. 

For me I think one of my biggest accomplishments, which may seem small to other people, has been my ability to 'master' (I use the term lightly) Photoshop. Coming from someone who didn't even know what the Adobe suite was, I am now the proud owner of the whole thing, and this is quite a big deal to me. I want to keep developing my skills in Photoshop whilst also moving on to InDesign and eventually even Illustrator. I like that there is a physical representation of things I'm learning, and whats even better is I can utilise these skills in employment. 

But looking forward into a new semester, there are certain things I aim to stop, start and continue to do. 

My biggest one for me that I need to stop is procrastinating! Netflix is my best friend but also my worst enemy when it comes to getting any work done. After the many alnighters I had to pull to get my last module done and handed in on time, I'm promising to myself that I will not leave it to the last minute again but keep on top of it the whole way through (even if that means saying goodbye to Gossip Girl for a bit).

Something I want to start doing is establishing myself with a professional and FCP orientated online presence. That means having all my social media linking back to my blog, and having an instagram account exclusively dedicated to regularly uploading trend and fashion reflective images, and not the pictures of cocktails and cakes that is currently my personal instagram. 

And as for continuing, I started well with this blog, but sadly lost enthusiasm for it, seeing it more as a chore than something I wanted to do on a regular basis. But now that I'm starting to get back into it, I want to set myself the challenge of uploading at least 3 posts a week, and in doing so, I'm hoping I'll find my rhythm and motivation to continue it happily. I also want to spend more time regularly adding to my work book, including all my lecture and seminar notes, and using it as a place to store all my ideas and not just magazine cut outs, though I will definitely still be using it for that. The aim is to be more creative and hands on in my approach to the course.

I think the goals I've set myself are both realistic and achievable, and I hope to be able to look back at the end of the next semester and almost use this post as a check list of what I have and haven't done or kept up with. Wish me luck!

A Trip To Remember, New York, New York

I've wanted to go to New York ever since my Dad took my Mum 10 years ago and I threw a massive strop that they left me behind. So when sitting on the plane, destination JFK, I almost cried with joy knowing that the city I had longed after for so many years was finally within my reach! 

A ridiculously long flight later and we could begin to see the lights of Manhattan glowing underneath us, and…touchdown. Welcome to America!

Right in the heart of Manhattan on 31st and 5th was our hotel for the week, The Wolcott. We couldn't have asked for a better location, mid town would be the perfect starting point for exploring, and with the shadow of the empire state towering over you when you stepped out of the door, I was definitely happy.

The Return of Galliano

After his controversial departure from the fashion industry for years ago following his anti semitic and racist comments, it looks like John Galliano has officially returned. Choosing to show case his new collection during London Collections Mens, his first collection as the creative director of Maison Martin Margiela and first collection since he was fired from Dior back in 2011. Kate Moss, Christopher Bailey and Manolo Blahnik were all there on the front row, proving he’s still respected as a designer amongst his peers. 

The collection itself was in true Galliano style: surreal and flamboyant, an ‘elaborate fusion of fine drapery and war paint, of sci-fi shoes and the kind of frontline evening dresses that could be used to go into battle.’
Many of the clothes were embellished with junk metal jewellery, while a leopard print leotard was decorated with shells and beads, and a tunic dress adorned with black plastic toy cars. 
In the past, Galliano was all about fantasy, his Dior days about whimsical, unattainable and extraordinary couture. And he has very much returned with the same aesthetic. 

While I’m not a fan of his personally, (actually to be quite frank he repulses me a little) I can’t deny that as a designer he is something rather special. His innovation and experimentation is admirable and his designs memorable. There is no doubt that John Galliano is back to stay, and back with a bang. 

The entire collection was based on black, red and white.

The creative genius that is… Nick Knight

Nick Knight is without a doubt one of the most successful photographers of all time. You may think it a bold statement, but with a career spanning over 30 years and countless achievements under his belt, it is one I am happy to stick to.
He is one of the worlds most influential and visionary photographers, with a reputation for pushing boundaries both technically and creatively. I love that despite predominantly being a fashion photographer, he still challenges the conventional idea of beauty.
His first book 'Skinhead' gives an insight into the 80s culture, the origins and the progression. A subculture that don't necessarily fit into the conventional beauty bracket, Knight presents the Skinhead worldview in all its ambiguity.

Photography is about having an impact on whoever views your photos, and that's exactly what Knight achieves.

This is taken from the shoot Knight did of Lady Gaga for her Born This Way album. It looks like she's covered in a combination of entrails, slime and a squid in there somewhere too. It's fairly disgusting, but isn't that the point, if a photo doesn't stir a reaction, then really is it any good?

This is one of my all time favourite photos ever. I love how in one still image, Knight has been able to capture so much movement and energy. It looks more like a still frame from a video than a photograph. As well as being visually abstract, it is also abstract in meaning, playing on Knight's surrealist background. It's a busy image that flows effortlessly, as if the models themselves are suspended in water. 

An image is worth a thousand words, and these are just a few of my favourites. 

Stylists get over it… Animal masks

If one more stylist sticks a rabbit head on a model and calls it fashion I swear I'm going to scream! Is it just me that is completely sick to death of every editorial shoot looking like scene from Watership Down (rabbits seem to be the masks of choice). The bit that annoys me about their repetitive use is that they just seem to be completely unrelated to the shoot in question, and have just been thrown in a the last minute because the stylist realised their look was boring. Well news flash, the head of a farm animal doesn't make it that much more interesting. Can we all just agree to leave the heads right where they belong, on the body of an animal, not some Shoreditch model. 

Fashion in Hollywood

A little while ago we had a lecture on iconic film stars from the 19 hundreds. I was familiar with a quite a few of them, mainly the obvious ones like Audrey Hepburn, James Dean and Frank Sinatra, though I did manage some of the more obscure lesser known ones too!

This for me was a really enjoyable, interesting lecture, one that gave a huge insight into an area that influences fashion so much. 

Ever since silent pictures, Hollywood has been paving the way for fashion trends for decades. From the wide collars, flared trousers and vivid colour dresses of Saturday Night Fever which reflected the disco scene at the time, to Breakfast at Tiffany's with the perfect little black dress.

And it's not just looking at  how specific films influence trends, but also how these iconic film stars and models, and their signature looks have inspired fashion shoots and editorials of today. 

Keira Knightly as Twiggy with her iconic eyes and lashes.

Michelle Pfeiffer as Louise Brooks for Vogue 1991
Deco, angular beauty

Giselle recreates the famous Brigitte Bardot pose

Amber Heard as Marilyn Monroe for Guess

Fashion is constantly borrowing from the past, and Hollywood is one of the biggest contributors to that. The influence films have on trends is one that may have wained with more modern films, but the classics and the icons of the day still continue to have major impact on fashion image of the 21st century. I hope it is something we never stop being influenced by, because seeing these types of editorials is a reminder of a whole different era and lifestyle, one I wish I could have seen. 

Stylists get over it...

To go along side the collections of boards I have on Pinterest, I thought I would create a little series of blog posts discussing trends we are so bored of seeing in fashion image, and that have just been worked to death. 

First I want to start with frames. Circa 2007 they were still vaguely original, with Tim Walker still shooting with them for Vogue, so they must have had some appeal. But the more they diffused to be used in non high fashion editorials, the less acceptable they have become, being regarded more now as an amateur prop. 

Worse still they have become the newly weds cliche, the Pinterest pose of choice. No self respecting stylist would now even dream of using them for fear of the ridicule they would face from their peers, or you know, just thinking they're a bit stupid ;)

The only way I can see them working now is for the mockery and irony opportunities. Though unless the stylist realises it's ironic, then really it's just tragic.  

Looks like frames have had their day (well had it a while ago), time to chuck them on the fire, the wood makes good kindling!

Here's my Pinterest board on frames, plenty more pictures on there.