Portrait of a City

A reader asked where this image came from in a previous post... it is from Vogue Nippon, September 2008, photographed by Mario Sorrenti. Here is some more of the editorial!

You can view even more at:

http://community.livejournal.com/foto_decadent/1880638.html#cutid1

Not So Perfect...

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

Stina Persson

www.stinapersson.com

Mattias Karlsson

lundlund.com

I Blame Disney

Article Snippet:

People say things they don’t mean when they’re angry. So we’re told and will to believe in desperation to maintain ignorant bliss. But then there are those comments that seem to pop up sparingly in ‘playful’ jokes and over boozy lunches. Apparently, I am an unreasonable fantasist who expects too much. That’s been broken down and edited from several conversations and slanging matches from the mouth of my dear husband by the way.  Not to worry, this is not a Dear Deidre moment, merely an observation that got my already overworked mind thinking some more...

Rainbow Text

Rescue Yourself Riding a White Horse

Photoshoot Concept:

My Font

I got doodling last night as I usually do whilst watching (listening) to the tv... I usually write out quotes or inspirational phrases, (I confess too much). But last night I worked my way through the alphabet instead, thus creating my own font! So I have a page of 'A' s, 'B' s, 'C' s etc- here is an example of My Font put together through the adobe process...

Superficial Feminist

I'm not sure if it's the stress of the last few days, or the serious lack of sleep, or the 20+ hours in front of a computer a day (!?) but I woke up with a migraine and feeling generally awful this morning! And so I'm taking myself back to bed to watch fabulously trashy tv, (GossipGirl) and work on this article... 

I did get a slap on the wrist for writing 'bollocks', I warn you now and hope it doesn't offend! It will be gone in my edit. Here's the readable...

Ok, so lets get it all out there… Yes, I am a feminist. I am also a wife of three years and a lover of fashion. I am 24 years old and rarely leave the house without make-up. Perhaps you could call me a superficial feminist? …Or am I just putting myself down now?

Feminism is tricky to define, even most feminists struggle to agree on what it constitutes. I am relatively new to the concept, the history and the continuous battle. At my age, life as a woman seemed easy enough; education, contraception and ‘having a voice’ were a given. I think I was, as many other girls are still doing, walking around blind. The shear amount of naked female flesh in newspapers and on billboards sanitised my awareness to accept this as simply ‘one of those things’.

 In the summer of 2007 I came across a book that I could, dramatically, say Changed My Life. Reading ‘Female Chauvinistic Pigs’ by Ariel Levy was like wiping grubby fingerprints off my glasses. Suddenly everything became clear and I became, not angry, but shocked I suppose. Suddenly everywhere I looked there was an injustice, there was an elephant in the room and no one else wanted to be aware of it. I guess life is ‘easier’ if you are not.

Levy’s book was controversial because she accused members of the female sex of objectifying other women and themselves. In effect doing patriarchy’s job for it. I started actually seeing all these naked girls in advertisements and on magazines, wearing T-shirts labelling themselves Porn stars, in clubs kissing other girls while the boys watched, and on television crying because their lack of bosom was ruining their lives. I may get the evil eye but I found it embarrassing to be female. I wanted to separate myself from this, but perhaps this is where the problem began? Women do not support each other enough. I found it fascinating when I worked in retail. In a changing room so much is shared, it was my job to help women pick out an outfit that she would love, and so she revealed what she wanted, where she was going and why. She told me she was conscious of her arms but loved her legs; we deliberated on whether it was suitable to wear black to a wedding, or on how short was still suitable at a certain age… We complimented each other and laughed before it was back onto the street to the stony silence and that elusive competiveness. I am aware that women bonding through shopping is probably an unfortunate example, but one that stayed with me, and the part of retail that I miss the most. We should praise each other more and not doll ourselves up to the specifications, or for the approvals, of men.

No doubt you will be offended by that last comment and insistent that you dress to please yourself. You probably do. Although many people present themselves in the same way because society is dictating what is considered attractive. I do not exclude myself completely from this assumption. I would like to be slimmer, to have tanned skin and long straight hair. I shave or wax regularly and dress to ‘flatter’ my body shape... And I have the cheek to call myself a feminist? Well, yes. Despite considering myself to be a feminist and having come across several women and men who consider themselves to be also, I still have the awful stereotypical connotation of what a Feminist looks like and would rather not be associated with that. See, I’m shallow- but not proud! I said ‘perhaps you could call me a superficial feminist’, but perhaps you wouldn’t call me a feminist at all? I would attempt a spiel about how we live in such a visual society, but that is a bit of a bollocks excuse isn’t it really. My, actually rather testosterone-proud, husband even dabs on a bit of make-up from time- to –time, so making the most of ones appearances shouldn’t be in line with your feminist morals! Although I do fear that this frustratingly unchanging face of feminism may scare people off like it did in the late seventies!

Happy Shout!

First assessment over, crossing fingers that it went well- it makes up a third of my final degree. All the focus will go into the magazine from now so will hopefully have a lot more original imagery coming up!

Another Sandra

Designs by Sandra Backlund

www.sandrabacklund.com

Dear Diary...

Another super-rushed post! Running out to the printers and buying a guillotine earlier today I couldn't resist popping into a bargain bookstore, why I do not know- reading has become a luxury these days! But I spotted Dirty Blonde by Courtney Love, a collection of letters, images and personal diary entries from Ms Love (coolest name!).

I doubt that I will sit and read it front to back but the graphics, layouts, memoirs, paper quality, emotion, revelation, depth and history.... (i could go on, and i could have scanned every page), will keep me dipping in and out of it! However I am approaching a deadline and my semi-OCD-ness is making me post as I haven't missed a day since this journey began, so will keep this quick.... Ms Love, for the bargain of £3.99:

Classic.

Tim Walker Appreciation.

Taking a few minutes out to get lost in Tim's World.....

"Fashion allows fantasy, and I'm a fantasist. I love beautiful clothes- but I couldn't give a monkey's what's on the catwalks"

"I like capturing stuff that is disappearing- that's the point of photography. What I am photographing is an imaginary place that never existed, but is connected to something that has already been."

"I know the world that I am painting is not a reality. It is a whim, an entertainment to provoke something in people, whether as escapism or relief. I think that is very valid."

Quotes from Vogue: June 2008, Images: Tim Walker.

For a visual feast of his work put aside a few moments and check out http://ana-lee.livejournal.com/136165.html

Smile in a Panic!

The deadline for my official presentation of my magazine and portfolio work is this Tuesday! And so I am rather busy busy- even though I did squander my time this morning decorating the blog! (tut tut.)

But rather than over-stress I will take it all in my stride and smile, using these images as inspiration... Lovely.

Love LOVE?

Katie Grand's new magazine for Conde Nast is launching in 2 weeks, I am so excited and interested in this since I was a big fan her previous project, "Pop".

I'm also curious to see what gap in the market they have scouted to target!

I have mixed emotions about these covers, not what I expected but it has me keen to see more...

images from: thelovemagazine.blogspot.com

Advertising Porn

As with most magazines comes text! I have been writing about all sorts of things, although possibly not as fashion-y as it should be… I am currently working on an article that was originally called, ‘Advertising Porn’, a shorter, snappier version of my dissertation, but has now mutated into “Sell Yourself”. I’m looking at why female celebrities objectify themselves in fashion advertising, and what effect this has. Although of course this is not just limited to fashion advertising! I’m 500 words in and struggling to be honest… may have to take a break!

This is one of the images I mocked up to support the article... The blue was actually red before it uploaded onto here! I was aiming for an image reminiscent of Barbara Kruger's work. This was made using Photoshop, I also handmade a couple with the text boxes in black and white... I think visually the black and white ones may work a little better, but I do want to echo Kruger work... perhaps it still does? In case the image is too small, the text reads, "Eva wasn't sure whether she should spray or blow her new perfume". Let me know what you think!

Feels like a Sunday...

It's my husband's birthday today so have taken some time off thinking about the magazine... Sometimes it feels like such a big task I must say I feel a bit daunted by it and get a need to escape from it for a while. Well, I suppose we all have down days, I guess mine is approaching!

I am drawn to this picture for unknown reasons, its simplicity perhaps? I will be back making better sense tomorrow, hopefully!

Out-Takes!

Shoot: Friday January 30th: Photographer Jonathan Griggs

Flip Yeah!

This may come across as gimmicky, but I know it would also be ridiculously... almost went for 'cool' then, but will opt for 'fun'! A flip-book photoshoot!? Soo good! =) I went to see My Bloody Valentine last week and became obsessed with the idea of a 3D photoshoot, completely unrelated to anything I'm doing but a visual feast! Can you imagine Dame Edna-style 3D glasses??!! Ok, moving on from the 3D glasses before I convince myself that they would work... a flip-shoot, definitely something I will look into. H&M used this concept for a LookBook with Chloe Sevigny I believe . . . Check it out!

I am also debating: ..... The Perfect Cliche...... A Perfect Cliche..... or...... Perfect Cliche ........ ?

Editor's Letter: Second Draft

This is the 'clearer' update...

Welcome to the first edition of A Perfect Cliché, a new seasonal magazine produced in London.

Just as each woman varies, so does each opinion on what or who a feminist is. I have been rather apprehensive about calling this magazine a ‘feminist magazine’, because through my research I have found that there is no definite answer to distinguish feminism. A political leader will adamantly call herself a feminist as much as a pole dancer will. A man as much as a woman.

And so this is my definition of a feminist magazine, one that explores fashion and identity. I have called it A Perfect Cliché because both fashion and feminism have stereotypical connotations attached to them. Stereotypes that I will challenge by exploring what feminism means to young people today, those who consider themselves to be a feminist and those who distant themselves. I will look at fashion both as an aesthetic tool that uses beautiful clothing and people to create an otherworldly beauty, and also beneath the surface of fashion; looking at the ideas, inspirations and technical skill that go into creating this wearable art.

A Perfect Cliché also has a blog which will run alongside each issue to showcase the journey from ideas to magazine completion, an interactive mood board if you like. Here you will find ideas and images that have inspired shoots or content, or fonts and layouts, and a sneaky peek of what is happening today behind the pages of a launching magazine.

 I will hopefully have this vetted by Judith on Tuesday