Draw Me David Downton

I think sometimes fashion illustrations are overlooked as just being a tool in the process of creating a final outcome. But to me I think they can be acknowledged as art in their own right. David Downton for me is one of the most talented fashion illustrators of today. His illustrations are so simple, yet come across as being much more detailed and creating these beautifully delicate images.

What I enjoy about his work is that it's so loose and so free, with the quick brush strokes really identifying with that sense of spontaneity that can sometimes be forgotten amongst the regimented production of fashion garments.

Love all the colours, textures and transparencies. Every image has so much dynamism yet still retain the look of simplicity.

Commercial clients include Tiffany's New York, SAKS 5th Avenue, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Burberry and the British Fashion Council, so his prestige is one that is regarded by almost everyone in the industry.

I just love how in these digitally driven times, David Downton's hand drawn images capture the femininity and glamour of fashion that I love so much. 

Photography essay: a little experiment

Finally have internet back, and finally can upload the little examples of my photography essay that I've been playing around with. The theme for me is how as couples, how their style evolves to match each other, and whether that statement is actually true. However there is a twist, and the pictures here will show you what I mean…

I've taken it a step further, and used a stylised approach to exaggerate the trend of couples 'merging' into one another. This particular example is my face on my boyfriend's head and I do find it rather hilarious. This is just one of the methods I'm going to use on photoshop. 

This is just a very small preview for now, don't want to give it all away too soon, but I will more than likely upload the entire finished photo essay.  

Festive Cheer

Home for Christmas, and what better way to start the holidays than an evening of carols, mulled wine and festive little stalls. Every year the town of Arundel (near where I'm from) puts on Arundel by Candlelight, a day of festive fun, mince pies, hog roasts and  lots of shopping that goes on late into the evening, and for the first time in years I was actually able to go enjoy it without working!
It's such a traditional little town, and it really manages every year to encompass the essence of a truly traditional Christmas. This post is mainly just to gush about how excited I am for the festive season (seriously I'm like a little child) and just to share my photos to get others in the Christmas spirit.

Merry Christmas everyone x

The Object Of Desire

As a sort of nice easy task before Christmas, we were set the brief The Object of Desire; to create a photo that somehow was  linked to this theme. For me when I think of desire I think of what is it that we desire the most. For a lot of us it's the desire of beauty, to be perfect in our appearance. The theme also brought to mind the idea of sexual desire. I think a red lip epitomises these two reflections perfectly, with the red lip being considered quite a sexual and provocative image as well as the seductive way in which the lips are parted. I think it also demonstrates how we use makeup to beautify ourselves, showing how we are never happy with our bodies natural appearance (something I explored in much more depth in a previous blog post on body image.) I also used the mirrored affect as a way of reflecting the vanity that this desire causes. The repetitive nature of it I think comments on the 'selfie society' that we live in, that this photo reflects that moment before a hundred selfies. 

As well as trying to create a photo that really screams desire, I also found it a good opportunity to have a play around on Photoshop, using skills such as blur and brightness enhancing, as well as discovering some new ones. I'm really trying to get in as much practice with using Photoshop as possible, as it's going to be something I'm going to rely on for my street style photo essay brief (of which I will post the finished product here), as well as countless other assignments in the future I'm sure. 

Finished product: my 'object of desire'

Fashion On Film: Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorf's

We all need fantasy, and it can be found at Bergdorf's on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. Scatter My Ashes delves into the dream and desire that fashion evokes in all its lovers, and follows to objects and people that have led to making Bergdorf Goodmans the success story it is today.

While the film itself is slightly lacking in depth and detail, it doesn't prevent you from becoming utterly enchanted with dream like world of Bergdorf's. It's a place to escape from reality and step into this fantasy land where anything is possible. At one point in the film, Robert Verdi states: 'Being able to shop at Bergdorf's is an aphrodisiac', it's a place for pleasure and nothing more high brow than that. And I think that's what Bergdorf's prides itself on so much, that escapism, a safe haven of all things fashion and luxury. And what could be more luxurious than the shoe salon! Just the name itself makes you envisage a setting so lavish and sumptuous designed for the most pampering of experiences, and this is all within a shop! Though I should really be disciplined for referring to it just as a shop. It's an elite destination for designers and discerning clientele alike. 

Designers & Fashion Elitists

From the very start of the film we are introduced to countless designers, celebrities and some of the most influential people in fashion, all of whom gush at how amazing and iconic it is. Much of that success has been from discovering and nurturing new talent. No one else could have done what Bergdorf did for their careers, and they know that. It's a benchmark for designers, that is where their aspirations lie, having their designs showcased in Bergdorf's is the making of a designer. In the words of one of the interviewees, 'If your clothes are not at that place, then your clothes have no future.' That seems to be the general consensus amongst most of the cast of the film. Everyone one of them when they spoke was both radiant and animated, showing the utmost adoration for Manhattan's most magical emporium. 

One of the most emblematic characteristics of Bergdorf's is the huge window displays that every year capture the eyes and hearts of thousands. The status of the windows means that the clothes are designed to fit the windows instead of the other way around, with designers sometimes being commissioned to make dresses especially for the window, that's how prestigious they are. They're so full of action that often they look like stills from movies, not installations ultimately designed for selling clothes. It's a huge attraction for tourists, and I myself have every intention of visiting when I go to New York in January! 

Just the most incredible visual merchandising ever, these windows are stunning!

While the documentary itself wasn't exactly academy award winning, more like one very long and ostentatious commercial, it has opened my eyes to the fascinating inner workings and remarkable untold tales of the history of the iconic Bergdorf's Goodman's. 

It's luxury, It's glamour, It's so Sex In The City

Horst P. Horst

My favourite museum in London, and a showcase of one of fashion's favourite photographers. The Victoria and Albert Museum payed tribute to Horst P. Horst in an exhibition of his work from his illustrious career spanning 6 decades. A legend in his field as well as in general, his photographs have become iconic statements of elegance, style, and classic movie star glamour. Much of his style reminds me of a lecture we had on icons of fashion. That old fashioned Hollywood charm speaks through his many of his images, especially the very elegant, black and white portraiture photos. Everything about his photos are dramatic and memorable. The black and whites are so minimal, just concentrating on contrast and light to achieve the perfect picture. The simplicity of the images makes the skill behind them even more admirable and the results even more beautiful. 

I find there is something very romantic about his style. When walking through the gallery I couldn't help but be transported back to a time of sophistication, refinement and champagne saucers. 




94 original Vogue covers shot by Horst were displayed at the exhibition, each of them beautifully preserved, more like pieces of art under the glass cabinets, not magazine covers. His sketch books were also laid out on display, like windows into the workings of the mind of a truly talented and creative genius. 

Vogue cover August 1957

There was a lot to take from the exhibition, the fact that I had only ever regarded Horst as a fashion photographer before, and knew nothing about his work with Surrealism, Nude Photography, Travel documentation as well as prints and patterns that he also photographed. It definitely gave an interesting insight into all of his work, and walking around the actual exhibition room an incredible visual experience that left me feeling a sense of longing afterwards…I want to be photographed by Horst. However that's not possible, so in the meantime I'm just going to satisfy my desire by learning and absorbing as much as his work as possible. Ultimately I would highly recommend visiting the exhibition, even if you aren't interested in fashion, you can still appreciate the remarkable talent of a man that provided so much influence to photography today, and that's something pretty special. 

Colour Mood Board - Brand Research… Zadig et Voltaire

As part of my brand story mood board, I have created a selection of small, basic photoshop compositions, visualising areas of brand research as a way of allowing myself to fully understand the image they are trying to convey. In turn i hope this will assist me in being able to create a suitable colour mood mood board truly conveying the brands aesthetic.

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