PEEK: The Lady Friend

I'm still in a quandary over what to do with this blog! Perhaps up-sticks and re-blog about my whimsical love of fashion, london, culture and pretty things at another station... hmmm!?

So in the meantime, while I try to produce an obscene amount of work for my portfolio hand-in on monday, I shall share another slice of the mag, devoted to yet another blogger- (I do love you guys!) - Barbara Frankie.

INSPIRED BY: just because you're cool.

Inspirational imagery... I can never get enough. Will be spending the next two weeks finishing pieces for my portfolio, and pulling together all the bazillion pieces of paper, notes and print outs to create my research book for the magazine. I'd like to put the blog forward as my research too though- a lot of the images in the book would have debuted here- in chronological order too which is pretty cool! The images above reflect all I love... rough edges, layering, tears, big blocky letters.... yum.

Perfect for sketchbooking...

what's underneath that counts

My favourite images are those that allow light to seep through, so dreamily, like these from Lula issue 4...

in bad taste.

Okay, so the idea of this blog was to give a background to the development of my magazine, which includes of course the inspirations for different things! And so, this isn't the inspiration for the concept I had necessarily, but I came across it and thought it was in the same vein. The shoot I want to do is based on style blogs such as The Sartorialist and Facehunter, who capture streetstyle at its best. Steven Meisel is a really great photographer, but I am not keen on this shoot he did for Vogue Italia in 2005, entitled Hollywood Style. Based on paparazzi shots of the street style of celebs, I think they forgot to make it ironic in the way that the fashion is actually good. I get the 'humour', but it's still a fash mag, no!? But that is my humble opinion...

movie magic

I hate to call any part of the magazine 'a filler', so instead... a cutesy interlude?? Haha, that was probably even worse!

Anywho, I'm planning a feature page on films that have inspired/inspiring styling. It will be very visual, minimal writing... let me know your suggestions. Here are a couple I have thought of already...

Clueless, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Desperately Seeking Susan. Three very different but worthy contenders!

image control/manipulation

Changing times...

Oops, I have been so busy and feeling bad that I haven't been posting much, but I don't want to post just any old thing for the sake of it. Hmmm... is nothing better than a half-hearted something?

At this moment I am working on a feature that highlights the change in female body shape that has occurred over the past century. It's a bit of a challenge as I set out for it to be an 80% visual thing, but there is also so much to say, I'm trying to strike a balance...

Check out this image Judith sent me of the type of mannequin used by Vionnet and Lanvin in a Paris exhibition in 1925...

and here's the more familiar model... 

It probably is best if I let the images speak for themselves...

I'll also incorporate magazine covers and celebrity images into the feature.

Layout Inspirations

A huge issue that I am having, and did not even expect, is the laying out of the magazine... And it seems so easy! I am struggling to give the mag a strong visual identity, and that is what it is craving! I have worked so hard to get strong, interesting content, I need a look that will do the content justice. And so, as well as finishing the few interview questions that I have to prepare, and finishing a couple more written features, the layout is something that I have to seriously take into consideration, and in effect spend a couple of weeks on! gah,,, so so much to do!!! Anyone in London willing with knowledge to help out- please please do so!

Exx

images from Nylon & Lula, among others

Splodges and Spills

I have to start thinking properly about layout and style. I am drawn to paint effects, handwriting, tears and wears. I want the magazine to look tactile, (and of course be tactile) with depth. Almost like a sketchbook feel, but done in a clean, sophisticated way. I guess to put it in a word, personal.

Here are some inspirational images taken from some of the magazines in the csm library, I think these are a mix of I.D and Rubbish...

Colour Compliment

I am thinking to use this whole picture as a colour palette.

Love It.

I don't drink T

Actually a true, but rather random fact. Here is the point of my pathetic play on words ( I love alliteration!)... so far, so-so... 

edit: the image doesn't click to enlarge so:

Coolly defying the fashionable trend of what’s hot or not each season, the t-shirt is the ubiquitous garment that is only second to a pair of jeans in terms of classic wardrobe staple.

Whatever we happen to wear feeds those looking information about ourselves, information that can easily be misconstrued in the cultural stream of ideas. T-shirts became a symbol of rebellious youth in the 1950s, inspired by the on-screen presence of Marlon Brando and the original rebel without a cause, James Dean. A plain white design was then very much a male item and enough to signal a rock ‘n’ roll sex appeal. In the years that followed, the white tee gave way to the printed tee to provide a non-verbal but powerful opinion on everything from the wearer’s musical tastes to sense of humour. One of the most prevalent t-shirt trends that still demand attention today is that of the provocative variety.

And also considering the magazine title... how does this (very rough) possibility grab you?

Delving into the Archives!

The previous post got me digging round to find my original sketch book for this magazine project from a year or so ago. As I may have mentioned on regular reader and commenter, David Abstract's blog, I have an interest in psychology and why people make certain decisions. 

Enrolling on a fashion degree such as mine: Fashion Promotion with Communication- and with it being at Central St. Martins, a uni (or art college!) famous for allowing students creative freedom, I have been able to bring my personal interests into the mix and interpret them within fashion. 

I have always had a curiosity of what thought process goes on when people get dressed each day. Each item we pull on goes for a reason... Is it colour orientated? Black to look smart? Yellow because it's sunny? Because its new? Or it's so old you forgot you had it? Because it's raining? Because he likes you in that top? Because you feel comfortable/sexy/confident/cool in that certain thing? Because it has memories attached? Or just because it was clean?

Who made up fashion rules? Why do some people abide by them religiously? Why is it so fun to break them?

I'm thinking of doing a photo shoot which focuses on breaking every typical fashion rule... Navy and Black... Double Denim... Socks and Sandals anyone!!??

I am very aware that these illustrations are terrible, do not judge me :)

What the F?

 I have a weird fascination (there I did it again...) with the letter F. 

Not consciously, I'm not that strange, but I do keep coming back to it. I am in the midst of trying to figure out a new title for the looming magazine, and all the words flying around in my brain at the moment begin with F.

Frolics, is the one currently being thrown around, which brought back me to a random phrase that I drew and illustrated, "Can there be frolics without the fun?" Which took me back further to my original idea for the magazine... yes, F.

I was going to call the magazine F*Fashion. Everything in the magazine would stem from F, it was all very exciting-F is a good letter! (Note fashion and feminism) The F would simply be a letter, or the obvious other- 'Fuck'. Yeah, a year ago I actually found this cool. Ok, honestly I don't actually hate it now. It meets my thoughts of not taking fashion seriously, it's style that I am inspired by anyway!

When I first pitched the idea to my tutors for the project, Hywel & Iain (R. Webb!!!) I was met with a such a reaction that made me think that the idea was absolutely awful so quickly forgot about it. A little while later, when our class was all together- which is a rarity in the final year, I realised another girl had the similar idea, but pitched it as a fashion dictionary. That must have been the reason for the tutors' horror after all! sigh... what could have been! The other girl is starting at the beginning of the alphabet with  A, it's a shame that F won't get its deserving chance in the fashion spotlight! :)

Well that was rather self indulgent!

Power to the T

I am currently researching for an article I want to do about T-shirts and the messages they convey. Which can be self-expressions of political ideas & beliefs, they can also be ironic slogans, a parody of a brand, or simply a brand statement. T-shirts have drawn a deliberate link between fashion and the serious issues circulating in society.

Girls on Trains

Photography by Steven Meisel:

I smiled when I came across this editorial... I have been pitching a "Girls on Trains" beauty shoot earlier this week to those I am working with, and like many of my ideas, I was met with curious frowns. Well check it out, even legendary Meisel has got his hands dirty on public transport! =)

The shoot I want to to is more young and playful though, the girls here are evidently not impressed at being on the underground!

Just Words...

I still haven't got a title for the magazine frustratingly. My mind is whirring from so many 'still have-to-do's that I am just writing down words that grab my attention and hoping one pops out to be declared 'the perfect title'...

Heart of Glass Resisting Flourish 

Quote/Unquote Repertoire Blank  

Astound Me Necessary Evil  

Contradiction

So yeah, help with suggestions still needed... so do comment- even with just words you like the sound of- you can remain anonymous if you like...!

Red.

Lily Cole photographed by Tim Walker

I just finished a piece about Red as a symbolic colour within fashion. Its pretty short, so I am thinking of doing a 'red' shoot to give the article more weight. That and I adore red hair and will use any excuse, not that I need one, to feature red hair in the magazine! The best 'excuse' really is being able to post these incredible pictures! 

Karen Elson and Maggie Rizer photographed by Craig McDean

Not So Perfect...

A Perfect Cliche is no more... magazine title suggestions needed!

Rescue Yourself Riding a White Horse

Photoshoot Concept: