Angles...

I found this video on Style.com, It stars the models of Love magazine, the new issue is dedicated to the naked human form which is brilliant for our film. The models strut around the streets, showing off their assets as such. I really like the use of the camera angles, and as Geraldine showed us the way filming helps to show a passing of movement in time, without breaking the flow when the camera angle changes. I especially like the cut angle when Pixie Geldof is on screen, how it goes from her removing her trench to reveal her underwear and straight up to her face.



TTFN
xoxo

Halston Halston Halston Oi Oi Oi

Rosie and I are not using Marios Schwab at Halston as inspiration for our film, but obviously I have had a look at the new collection it doesn't make sense not to. I really like this collection, but do not feel its as strong as Schwab for his own label, this is obv down to the brief and not having complete creative direction. I think he's doing a brilliant job at reviving the brand and hope he continues to do so...

Halston Womenswear A/W 2010



TTFN
xoxo

At the moment it seems...

My favourite thing to do is google interviews with Marios Schwab, Im starting to think I either a) fancy him or b) want to be him...who knows? I found this video today describing his thoughts on his S/S 2010 collection. Possibly my favourites of his collections. From this collection we took an element of Romanticism and how it can effect people and the human body, and Marios describes this in his video...Perfect



TTFN
xoxo

Stunning and Sick...

I found this video today for a music artist called Cake on Cake, I think the song is lovely and might even be nice for our film. The video on the other hand is shockingly disturbing and not expected. When watched on mute the film makes me feel a little nauseous yet when music is played over the top, the whole concept comes together. Teaming something so dark and shocking with something so soft and beautiful. This is obviously the same concept me and Rosie have chosen to portray, and I love that I've managed to find something rather similar. I'll let you watch and decide for yourself...



TTFN
xoxo

So today im in a MOOD....

Soft, Beautiful, Blurry, Distoreted, Magical, Mystical, Whimsical, Romantic, Untamed, Pretty, Dark

TTFN

xoxo

Papercuts...

Today I've been having a lazy days as I wasnt really feeling to productive...Therefore I've been submerging myself in all of my magazines ( and thats alot by the way)..I've been collecting tearsheets helping me with inspiration and finding anything which relates to mine and Rosie's 3 main words and concepts. I'll scan some in and post them soon....

Here's a Little Video for You...

I came across this video whilst researching into Schwab's lifestyle and inspirations. I think its brilliant, he talks about his inspirations for his A/W 2009 collection. Its a true insight into how his mind works when putting together a new collection.

From this video I have been able to gain an insight into why Marios Schwab focuses on the body and what he loves about it so much...

• Wanted to focus on expansion
• Playing with shape and silhouette of the body through garments
• Creating exaggerated silhouettes
• Adding curves to the body
• Inspiration from fashion in the 50's

I had already thought about looking at 50's pin up girls, as a way of showing how the human body is portrayed. So my new aim is to look at this...

When I grow up I want to be Geraldine...

I absolutely love Geraldine, and Im so glad she has given up her time to teach us and pass on all of her valuable knowledge to us.. It really annoys me that people aren't turning up to her lectures, why would they not want to learn this information...Surely its going to help students get a better grade in this project which is all what we want...

Anyway rant over.. This afternoon 4 of us turned up to Geraldine's lecture (Brilliant for us)..Geraldine helped us with something I really needed help with. HOW TO TURN ON THE CAMERA... this seems silly, but it was something I didnt know how to do until yesterday..Geraldine showed us how to focus the camera and to set the white balance..Something I would not of had a clue about before the lecture.

Once we had all had a go and gotten to grips, Geraldine recorded some short footage for us, and taught us how to use Final Cut pro...

Im feeling a little bit more confident about this project and are really hoping me and Rosie can pull this off..

TTFN

xoxo

Kim told us to look at this Vid, Very inspiring...

Kim Howells...

I am in love. Kim is one of the most helpful and enthusiastic people we have ever had to help us with one of our projects, and I'm really grateful for her time. We started the day with a styling day where we bought our clothes in, and Denis taught us how to think outside the box when it comes to styling, and to remember to test outfits as they will look different on film then they will do on camera. There are some pictures of this above...

We ended the session with one on one tutorials with Kim and she told us some really helpful things and ideas to look into...

On my to do list..

• Look at House of Organza
• Use Organza to create outfit model can rip off
• Shedding layers to show her restriction
• Movement of energy
• Finishes in restricted/tight dress (Very Marios Schwab)
• Look into how much skin we want on show
• Look into using underwater camera to take stills
• By having a dark concept look at soft colour palette
• Keep colour palette soft and neutral (Must go fabric shopping)

Thankyou Kim

Inspirations of the Day...

I have been listening to Grizzly Bear non-stop, they have so many different options which would be brilliant for our film... I'll post some more vids soon. Above are some photos ive found for my research book which I thouht I would share with you...

TTFN

xoxo

Music Suggestions....

Found this brilliant track and video today, its called Service Bell, by Fiest and Grizzly Bear...I feel its really haunting but has such a beautiful melody. I think a track like this could be perfect for our promo...My new aim is to keep searching for beautiful songs until I find the right one. I love the video as well, I think the softness really coorespondes with the music, this is someting me and Rosie have talked about doing.

Check it out...



TTFN
xoxo

Some Snaps

Here are a couple of snaps we took at the styling day with Kim Howells...

Sky Ferreria...

Today we had a brilliant lecture with Kim Howells and Denis. I'll post more about this later as this is just a quick post. Today Kim asked us the question, which celeb would we love to have as our model for our film, my answer was Sky Ferreria.

I found this video which I thought I would shave with you....Enjoy, I certainly did



TTFN
xoxo

The Beaches and Ginger Hair Dye...

Me and my lovely housemate Kayleigh Firth are cuddled up on the sofa watching The Beaches, for work reasons obvs. I think the styling is very honest of the time, and so far im quite enjoying it, hopefully its not too much of an tear jerker. I'll let you know what I think about it tomorrow, Im too tired to think about it now ...

Im also in the process of dying my hair ginger...yum yum, who would know Bette Midler would be such a style icon

TTFN
xoxo

Interview with Marios Schwab from the Gaurdian...

Congratulations on your new role! How did it come about?


I was approached by Bonnie Takhar [president and CEO of Halston] who had been searching for a long time for someone to fill the position. Floriane de Saint Pierre [iconic head-hunter for the fashion industry] actually put us in contact. She's a very clever woman with regards to putting the right people with the right brands. We talked and signed the contract one month ago so I have had to keep it a secret. It's such a legendary brand with a very loyal following and for me it was very tempting to look at the brand again.


Who is the Halston woman?


She's the girl who wants to have fun, she is individual and looks for the fantasy of fashion which has been lacking for a while. My first memory of Halston is of Bianca Jagger riding the white horse into Studio 54 on her birthday. It's such an iconic image. She defined the brand.
Who would you like to see wearing Halston now?
This is something I don't want to answer right now because I'm building up its DNA and beginning to shape the future of Halston. It is one of my dreams come true and so the woman who represents the brand I want to keep as a surprise.


What do you hope to achieve with the label?


Although I love the history of the brand I want to bring a modern twist and we have to move on. Roy Halston [the founder] wouldn't still be repeating what he was doing in the 70s now. I want to bring a fresh element to it while cultivating the true DNA of the brand. All aspects should be modern and fresh. Clothes are a communication tool and I want to create something special.


Can we expect a sexier "Marios Schwab" silhouette?


Of course, it's always about sexy.


What kind of brief have you been given?


They have left me the creative freedom. Bonnie shares lots of my opinions about the brand. She completely understands my world and we fit perfectly together.Are people still spending money on designer labels in the recession?
You have to create something that the customer feels an emotional attachment to when she looks at it and wears it. Individuality is such an important key to brands today and one of the reasons London fashion week did so well this year. The craftsmanship and creative freedom is so important at the moment. By being innovative you can keep customers.



How do you get inspiration for your labels?


It's a very different process for each one. Marios Schwab is a conceptual label and remains feminine and desirable and has elegance with a twist. Halston on the other hand is glamorous and about the fantasy. It is effortless, cool and elegant; that's what first comes to my mind, that decadent lifestyle that I want to be a part of Halston in the future. It's such a unique label. I want to give the fantasy but in a way that the girl feels free to bring out their own personality.


Do you worry about the extremely short amount of time (only one or two seasons) creative directors are given to make their mark?



It's very important to find the perfect match. I wouldn't commit to something if I wasn't honest with myself and the brand first. It's important to connect to what you do especially when you are a creative. This [his collaboration with Halston] is the perfect match and ideal partnership. It was an honour to be asked. Nowadays there is a lot more movement from one fashion house to another but that's interesting. It's good to see different perspectives and to see how different people view different brands.


What's exciting right now in fashion?


Going through the recession means that people are having to shape their own opinion and that has definitely been lacking recently. Instead people have been looking up to specific people that they would aspire to be like but it's not being themselves. Innovation is such an important tool. There is a change every 10 or 15 years and that is what is happening now. It's exciting to go through because people are more likely to push the boundaries and I always love taking risks. It's really interesting at the moment. It's evolving very fast. In any business at the moment you need to be sharp and have an innovative way of doing things.

Goodbye Ink Cartridges...

I have been printing out all the insirational images I have come across and saved on my laptop, in order to stick them in my researchbook. It is such a brilliant feeling to see just how much you have found once its printed off. I meant its horrible for the bank balance, but as my research book starts filling up I know im really getting somewhere...

My aim for this weekend is to get everything I have in my researchbook and make sure mine and Rosie's idea is finalised. This includes location hunting on Sunday. I'll let you know how it goes...

TTFN
xoxo

A Ceaser Salad and Cold Pizza with Rosie...

Rosie and I had another meeting today in order to sort out our final concept and ideas...We have decided to represent a beautiful suicide, We came to this decision after finding a contrast between our 2 favourite Marios Swarb collections. We decided to take something so disturbing and dark and create a beautiful romantic film. We want our film to depict...

• To be filmed in a soft way/Blurry/Distorted and Surreal (I will post inspiration images of this soon)
• Involvement with water (Model Drowns, so we can show silhouette in water, use of water and bubbles to create an effect on camera)
• The perception of the body (Why the model has decided to do what she has done)

We started to storyboard our concept and have found some minor details still havent been finalised. This is something we need to work on. Later on today we are going to have a search for locations...

TTFN

xoxo

Location Hunting with Rosie...

we absolutely loved this location, the reflection of the trees and surrounding area on the water creates a beautiful effect, which I feel would look brilliant in our film.

By using a slow shutter speed we managed to create these beautiful soft and blurry images, we want to find out how to create this on film. A question to ask Geralidine.

The area gives a feeling of desolation, there never seems to be anyone around. The concept of our film is a 'beautiful suicide' and I feel this feeling of desolation will help with filming, suicide is possibly one of the most isolated concepts, and I feel both would work well together.

Today Rosie and I went and had a look around Mote Park in Maidstone, as a possible location for our shoot. We both really loved it here and think it would be perfect. The only downside about this location is the health and safety, we would want our model in the lake and there are many problems to consider...

• Healthy and Safety of model


• Gaining permission to use lake


• Insurances


• Maybe even having to pay for location
  

We will carry on looking for other more suitable locations as there are many problems to consider with Mote Park, but at least we know this location could still be a possiblility. Above are a few photos from the day...

TTFN

xoxo

Autumn/Winter 2010 Catwalk Show

Enjoy...

TTFN
xoxo

LFW...

As I've said before I've been eagerly awaiting Marios Schwabs new collection in the hope of something beautiful. I found this video today of a backstage interview with Marios...



From this film I have taken the key words as

• Creating a flattering shape
• Can be worn from day to night
• Luxurious
• Shows lots of skin (Neck and Legs)
• Experimental approach
• Wanted to create a warm feeling from iridescent fabrics

Im making sure to keep a note of all of these, to show Rosie at our next meeting. At the moment I feel were both pretty up to date with our work. I've been spending all my free time flicking through magazines and blogs, tearing and saving. I have such an excessive amount of cutting and sticking to do thats for sure.

TTFN

xoxo

New Collection...

Here are a couple of my favourite outfits from Marios Schwab's 2010 A/W collection. To be honest this is not a personal favourite of mine, and do not think it is as daring as some of his previous work, but none the less I think its feminine and pretty...He sticks to what he's known for and creates such a beautiful womanly silhouette with every piece he makes, and sticks firmly to making garments to accentuate the human body...For this I salute him...

There are alot of different trends present in this collection...They include

• Ladylike
• Suits
• Prints
• Draping
• Lingerie
• Cocktail
• Embellishments

More from the collection can be found in my research book and I'll post the video up of the collection as soon as its put on youtube

TTFN

xoxo

Shoot from Lula Magazine...

Clickity Clack, What is the use of Hiding Alone in your room? Come hear the music play...Photographer: Laura Sciacovelli, Styling: Elisa Nalin.

I came across this shoot in issue number 7 of Lula Magazine. I was instantly drawn to it due to the use of shadows, Me and Rosie decided to look into shadows used within Photography to help develop our idea of the bodies silhouette. I also love the way such a simple shoot has been turned into a beautiful set of images, using different angles on the body. What a little bit of inspiration...

TTFN

xoxo

Ellen Von Unwerth...Photographer...

Ellen Von Unwerth is a photographer I came across whilst flicking through the pages of Lula magazine. I instantly loved the use of black and white in the images. After looking through her personal website, I noticed Unworth focuses alot on the human body and how it can be shown in different positions...I find her images really sexy and powerful.

I have included a few photos and have gone into more detail of this in my research book...

TTFN

xoxo

How I hate J'adore Dior...

Last week were set a mini project by Geraldine to in our pairs recreate the J'adore Dior commercial. Me and Rosie really struggled with this. It looked awful. We tried to edit it in camera and it really didn't work. From watching the clip on youtube we felt we had taken note of when cameras cut etc. But obvs not, when Geraldine showed us the clip and analysed it properly, it really hits home just how much is involved when making even a 30second clip... We deffinately have our work cut out for us...

Sorry I don't have a copy of our film to show you, but honestly its not even worth showing...I'll leave you with the real version instead

Tutorial with Denis and Geraldine 2...

Today was by far the most helpful lecture/tutorial so far. I really love it when an idea starts to come together. It feels so liberating..

We brainstormed our idea to both tutors.

• Human body as main focus
• Marios Schwab, body conscious as main focus
• Difference between previous and present collections
• Dark/Gothic vs Nude/Sheer
• Wanted to incorporate feelings of distortion/wild/ripped

Our first thoughts were to create a contrast between the two collections, i.e. dark/distorted/ripped/mutilated against shy/conscious/sheer/floaty...We wanted to incorporate different body perceptions for example good vs bad.

We explained our idea of using the two different moods and feelings by proposing a beautiful suicide. We want to take something so dark and disturbing and film it in such a beautiful and pretty mood. Geraldine and Denis seemed to love this idea, so were going to go ahead and use this as our final concept. They told us a few things to look into...

• Location choice (Rosie has a swimming pool, lakes, swimming pools)
• Health and Safety of model
• Need to find such a differently pretty model

We better get cracking on this then

TTFN

xoxo

Today's Lecture...

Was the most POINTLESS thing in the world. What use has a film on Leigh Bowery's life have to do with how to make a 2 min fashion promo film...If I could answer that I wouldnt have wasted 2 hours of my life. I wish I had stayed at home and worked on my sketchbook...Oh well there is always tomorrow

TTFN
xoxo

Lectures with Geraldine and Denis...

I just wanted to take the time to tell you how pleased I am with the set out of 'The Cut's' timetable..I have in particular found thursday the most helpful...Lectures with Geraldine and Denis... So far we have learnt...

• How moving images are different to still images
• Create a concept strong enough to carry you through the film making process
• Watch as many films & commercials as possible and break down and analyse
• Try as many different things as you can
• How to be ambitious

From Dennis

• The visual character
• Meaning of genre
• How fashion is seen through film
• How characters are portrayed through clothes

Im going to watch lots of films...and im sure ill see them differently now..

Also me and Rosie mention our idea to both Geraldine and Dennis and they both seemed to like where our concept was going....

• Contrast between collections
• Silhouettes / Human body / Ballet / Bondage
• Wild/ Wilderness / Untamed

Blue Orchid...

As I've said in previous posts I aimed to keep researching into videos and short films which helped reflect the mood we wanted to portray, I remember Blue Orchid by the White Stripes very well, and remember having such a daunting feeling left over me as soon as I had watched it. I think it is absolutely terrifyingly beautiful. The way the model is portrayed is brilliant and haunting. I definitely feel incredibly inspired by this and hope to take aspects of this video through into my project with Rosie...

TTFN
xoxo

Requiem for a Dream...

I watched Requiem for a Dream today directed by Darren Aronofsky, to obtain a broader outlook on how people, objects and locations can be filmed. The film shows the 'hopes and dreams of 4 ambitious people, which shatter when their drug addictions spiral out of control'








Heres a few notes I took on camera angles and dramatic effect:

• Shot in two screens
• Creepy music chosen for effect
• Fast cuts between frames
• low angles
• Point of view shots (Shows what character is looking at)
• Extreme high and low angles
• Fish eye lense
• Birds eye view
• No vocals (is speaking but you cant hear)
• Makes you think you shouldn't be looking (Shot through keyhole)
• Horizontal split screen
• Distorted movement
• Spinning screen

The film has helped me understand different filming methods which I think I will take further with me during this project. The next films Im going to look at are, Eagle Vs Shark, The Royal Tennanbaums and Motzart and the Whale.

TTFN

xoxo

Cake Bake Betty...

During my meeting with Rosie I was telling her about one of my favourite artists of all time Cake Bake Betty. The singer has the most haunting voice I've ever heard, and I feel alot of their songs reflect the mood we are trying to recreate. Obviously its too early in the project to have anything finalised. But I am in love with these songs... I feel by thinking about the music so soon to the start of the project it will stand Me and Rosie in good stead for the next couple of weeks, its definitely helping us get an understanding of how much is involved in putting together a short film...





TTFN
xoxo

Meeting with Rosie...

Tuesday 9th February: This evening I went to Rosie's house to brainstorm for our project. I felt we had a productive evening. We have managed to make a start on what to both look at next and what direction we want to take this project in. We also watched a couple of films from The Cut in previous years. This has helped me and Rosie set ourselves aims to achieve and set a level we want our film to compete on.

Our Brainstorm included:

• SILHOUETTE - looking into the meaning of the word...The naked body/Corsets/Underwear as Outwearer Trend/ Perception etc
• WILD - untamed / Crazy / Out of Control
• MARIOS SWARB - research further into his collections, from first impressions our favourites are S/S 2010 and A/W 2008. Need to look further into the difference between the collections

Aims for this week: Continue to look into Marios Swarb collections.

Look at photoshoots and editorials that use silhouettes and the human body

How can we encorporate wild into our promo video?

TTFN

xoxo

Quote of the Day...

"There are no rules, no one fashion anymore—this is the way of dressing now," - Marios Schwab...

I love this quote by Schwab, it shows his personality and helps me to relate to him and his work a little bit more. I am really looking forward to analysing Swarbs collections in more detail and finding a little more out about what inspires him and why he does what he does. I think the only downfall of being given an up and coming designer is that there is not much news on them and I think it may be difficult to find inspiration from their life, only their collections..Eeeeepppp I better get researching then

TTFN
xoxo

First Lecture with JVD..

After our briefing, we had an afternoon lecture with James as an introduction into film screening. We looked at 2 short film directors, Bill Viola and Anton Corbjin. I liked the work of Viola, a little weird at first but once I got used to it, I found the films very clever and weirdly nice to look at. Corbijn's work was also good, and he has directed music video's for a couple of bands I enjoy listening to.

I found it useful to discuss and break down how films are filmed. Im sure I will be looking at films and everything I watch from a different perspective now. Thanks James....Heres a little of what we looked at...






TTFN
xoxo

Inspiration...

I found this shoot on a blog today and absolutely fell in love with the way it has been protrayed. The colours are really mystical and draw the audience into the photograph. I also love the location in which the model is shot...Overall I feel these images are really inspirational towards my thought processes, and I really look forward to seeing what comes out of my head in the next few weeks.

We have our first day of lectures tomorrow with Geraldine and Dennis, I'll let you know how it goes.

TTFN

xoxo

My Aims and Objectives...

After freaking out over how exhausting this amount of work is going be, and how I am going to have to become a social recluse over the next 9 weeks. I decided the best way to accomplish what I wanted to achieved and in order to get my work done in an efficient maner. I have decided to set myself different aims as the project goes on...

My first aims are.

• To research into Marios Schwab, his collections, lifestyle and inspiration
• To research into the words Silhouette and Wild, and think of different meanings and takes on the word
• I must ensure I continue to work on this project preferably everyday as I need to ensure I stay up to date at all times.

Well I better get started

TTFN

xoxo

The Cut...

This week we were briefed on our new project...The Cut. Im really excited about this new projct as I feel this is going to be a brilliant creative escape. I have nothing done anything like this before and I am really excited to be able to try new things and broaden my abilities.



The project is in pairs, I have choosen to work with my friend Rosie Day. I have never worked with her before, so am excited to see how our ideas work together... We had to pick an up and comming designer, a mood and a technical effect out of a hat. We chose Marios Schwab, Wild and Silhouette. I really like the words we have been given and really look forward to getting started on my reseach into this project.



I'll keep you updated with how we get on
TTFN
xoxo