NEWS APP

For as long as I have been following the news; I have always had an individual app for each source, or had to go online to read specific articles. Since the new update on the iPhone, one app in particular has caught my eye- the 'News' app. This app allows you to choose topics you are interested in, keeping a feed of recent articles all under one roof. The more you read the articles, the more tailor maid it becomes to you, as it begins to notice your reading patterns and interests- eventually over time, showing you specific articles. It's a great free app which has everything in one space, instead of having to use multiple platforms and apps to keep up to date!

TOPSHOP BRONZER IN SALUTE

For a while I have been looking around to find an alternative bronzer for everyday use. As being a student, I feel I can no longer justify or afford to use my favourite luxury bronzer Nars Laguna on a daily basis. As an alternative to this, I have been trying to find something that allows me to save time when doing my early morning makeup routine, and find something that multi-tasks as both a bronzer and a contour. After trying a few, I came across the Topshop bronzer in 'Salute'. 

This shade is very warm in tone. In the packaging it looks almost orange, however when you blend it out onto your skin, you find it is the complete opposite. It is a pigmented product therefore you don't need a lot if you are looking to just add a healthy bronze to the skin. However this is very build-able due to the smooth and creamy texture. By building it up layer by layer, and consistently blending, the product creates a more intense and darker contoured effect, but still looks like a natural hollow due to the matte finish. 

If you are looking to create a more intense look, it is crucial to set your base makeup with a setting powder before applying as it can almost clump together in places where the foundation is still setting resulting in the bronzer looking slightly patchy. However, if your base is set, it applies very evenly and smoothly, lasting all day. Another great thing about this product, is that it doesn't oxide throughout the day. When trying out other low end products, I have found that this has been a problem and never looks the same 2 hours later after application. 

To apply a light dusting all over the face to add warmth, I like using the Mac 187 Stippling Brush. It picks up a small amount allowing you to build your desired coverage. When I want a more intense look, I like to use the Real Techniques Blush Brush, as the slightly tapered end to the brush distributes the product directly where I want it, and then I am able to blend it upwards- creating a natural contoured face.

For £9.00, this is an affordable alternative, which does everything that I want it to. 

Buy the products mentioned by clicking:
Bronzer, Mac 187 Stippling Brush, Real Techniques Blush Brush

PLASTIC SURGERY - JI YEO IMAGE ANALYSIS

During our lecture last week, we began to learn about Semiotics. To start with, we talked about meaningful communication through images. Below is an example of my analysis of an image. I have denoted the literal meaning behind the picture, followed by the connotations that we can take from the denoted information.


"People find beauty in the most difficult circumstances, during chaos and disorder..."
- Ji Yeo, Beauty Recovery Room

Ji Yeo is a Brooklyn based artist who graduated from Korea in Visual Communication Design, followed by a master’s degree in Photography at the Rhode Island School of Design.

This image is from a series called the ‘Beauty Recovery Room’, produced in 2014. The series is about the wounded faces and bodies of the women who have recently undergone plastic surgery in Korea. By taking these shocking images, it shows the physical cost and pain plastic surgery causes just to adhere to social pressure in Korea. For women in Korea, it is typical of the culture for women to have to look a certain way. The only importance and priority is for them to be beautiful and look perfect at all times, this forces these women to undergo these huge changes to conform to social expectations.

In this image, we see a woman in a nude body suit. The purpose of this body suit is to protect and conceal. It morphs to the shape of her body to suck it in. Her underwear is still on show so that we can clearly see her exposed cleavage. By covering herself up in this body suit takes away and hides the fact that she has just undergone plastic surgery. It is like she doesn’t want anyone to see her new body, which is ironic considering she has been through so much pain at an expense to look this way. The irony and the fact that she doesn’t want to show off is reinforced by the nude colouring of this body suit. This colour suggests a skin like look, so that it blurs in with her natural self, this allows her to appear to be much more natural and pure.

The idea of hiding yourself away is strengthened further through this ladies face being hid and not shown. The fact that she is hiding her identity suggests that she is ashamed and wants to protect herself, because even after all the surgery she is still not comfortable or happy. To the audience, this point contradicts the purpose of plastic surgery. It is always perceived to be a good thing, as it will make you feel and look better. However, I feel by hiding the fact you’ve done it contrasts to this point, as it shows an element of denial.

On the other hand, the posture of this woman is almost forced as she is stood with her hand on her hip. This pose is almost provocative and exposed; like she wants to show off, yet not be seen.

Whilst viewing this image- it is initially shocking, yet we come to terms with the fact that this is the reality. Yeo’s main message by creating this series is to expose the truths and pain of plastic surgery. We can clearly see this physical pain through the bruising on her right arm. This makes you wonder is it really worth the pain that you are putting yourself through all for a social ideal? Yet even though she did go through with this, it is suggesting that she is still not happy. Although their body is perfect, the rest of them may not be. You can’t change everything. By looking at this image I feel that these women in the series are not in a mental state of mind due to the pressure. They live in a culture where they are so pressured; it becomes all they can think about. And when you only want to be perfect all the time, it makes you even more uncomfortable with yourself, hence why this women would rather hide and only expose the positive things. Which in her case are her breasts.

The reality of this culture is overwhelming yet it is happening everywhere. Plastic surgery is becoming so socially normal, people do it so often, to the point it becomes obsessive. This has made me think why do women feel like they have to do this? No one has the perfect image; it is just created to look like there is a perfect look due to models and celebrities being enhanced with software such as Photoshop. These representations that are thrown at us through the media are not a real representation. People fail to remember that we only see an end product as a consumer of the images shown to us in the media.  There is a huge process that professionals have to go through before the final end image is produced. By viewing this image, it confirms my beliefs that plastic surgery does not fix everything, instead only leaves more scars; both mentally and physically. 


view more of Yeo's work at: jiyeo.com

PITCHER & PIANO

In the heart of the lace market, and next to the Nottingham Contemporary Gallery lies the Pitcher & Piano - a pub, bar and restaurant. This stain-glassed church with an elegant and stylish, yet rustic interior is the perfect hang out place with a chilled atmosphere. It offers everything from small bites to pub classics and from beers to cocktails - it is appetizing to everyone's tastes. It is a great place to go if you ever find yourself stuck for something or somewhere to go. Here a few photos from my visit with Lucy who is also on the same course as me. A link to her blog is here.

BALMAIN X H&M

           

         On the 20^th October, the fashion and Hollywood elite joined forces in New York to celebrate the launch of the collection. With only 14 days until we are able to purchase the collection, the 29-year-old creative director Olivier Rousteign hurled a night that was all about his visions of fashion, music and pop-culture; showcasing the collection. With the likes of Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Jourdan Dunn – the faces of the collaborative campaign – alongside other impeccable models such as Karlie Kloss and Bella Hadid walking the show, you can only imagine the excitement and power this show has within the industry.

For months we have had previews of this collaboration through campaign images, music videos and look books, the eagerness to finally see the full collection has been unbearable.

Womenswear in this campaign is major. With the support of some of the most influential industry professions to the likes of the Kardashian/Jenner family, this collaboration has been in my eyes ones of the most promoted; however with every reason too. The collection does not disappoint, it includes garments that will suit every type of woman, something that is important to Rousteign. Although this is a main priority and focus, the level of detail is also transferred to the menswear collection. Both visually similar- in pattern, detailing and tailoring- it picks up on the equality that both women and men have, as they too can dress alike.

The beaded jacket for example, retailing at £299.99, is almost a new and rebellious take on the suit and tie look. What would have been a tailored jacket has been transformed by beading and a lower neckline. Juxtaposing the original purpose, Kendall Jenner made a statement by wearing it as a dress, at the Billboard Awards earlier this year.

Oliver Rousteign himself has been interviewed over and over for and about this collection; however one of my favourites features Alexa Chung visiting his store in Paris. This short film gives us an insight into the past and future of the brand and his visions, whilst seeing his charming personality shine through.

PHOTOSHOP & COLOUR PALETTES

Continuing from our lecture the other day, we began this week by looking at colour theory. From the research that we had done and collected on our Pinterest accounts, we had to use Photoshop CC to create a colour palette and strip based on the image we had chosen.

Before the session this afternoon, I was one of the few people on my course who had never used Photoshop before. Everything from inserting an image to filling a block with colour was completely new to me. However, the only way to develop these skills is to persist with practice until I get to grips with the software.

The task involved selecting around 5 or more colours by using the 'eyedropper tool' on the image we had selected. After choosing our colours, we then had to arrange them into an order that made sense to use and showed a relationship between the colours. The simplest and most obvious way is of course to arrange them into some sort of colour order. Following that, by adding a new layer, we adjusted the proportions and volume of the colours depending on what we wanted to advance forward, and recede backwards.

The above image explains my thought process on how I have grouped and come up with the colour strip. Below are a couple more examples of my other practice palettes. 

I feel that I have managed to grasp a basic understanding of Photoshop even after a few hours of practice both inside seminars and outside during my own time. Doing this task has made me excited to further my knowledge on Photoshop and using it more in the future.

THE ROW

“We’re not reflective, we just keep going,” Mary-Kate Olsen

It doesn't seem five minutes since Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen were on my TV screens and in my favourite children films My Lips Are Sealed and When In Rome. However, 15 years later and sadly no longer on my TV screen; both have grown up, and have been in the fashion industry for 10 years, with their successful label 'The Row' launching in 2007.

Leading on from my previous post of a Wonderland themed narrative, I feel that their Spring 2016 collection represented that fantasy well. With the flowing material reflecting a magical notion to the minimalist colour theme gives an atmosphere of cleanliness.

The Olsen twins have always inspired me style wise from a young age. The familiarity of their style and collections is wearable and distinguishable. This consistent trend behaviour is unique in comparison to bigger luxury brands. This makes it almost comforting to the consumer of the brand, as you can always recycle and reuse, and still be stylish.

Linens, silks and chiffon's in an monochrome palette brings a new classic to spring. The use of 'tone-on-tone' is elegant and sophisticated alongside the subtle textures. Overall, I feel this collection brings an exciting and different outlook to spring trends.
Images: Pinterest

FASHION NARRATIVE TRENDS

Fashion trend is a broad theme that covers all aspects of fashion. From fashion styling to fashion photography and from fashion PR to advertising. All aspects of fashion follow a trend of some sort. In today's lecture, we were asked to start thinking about fashion trends in terms of fashion image; and how brands use prop or narrative in their shoots. 

These trends got my thinking on how brands contradict their focus and message. The point of every brand is to compete to be different and original. However, as quoted in Fashion A Philosophy by Lars Svendsn, fashion is "completely taken up with recycling itself", as all it consists of is copying and reusing what has already previously been done. This applies to the purpose of a trend and raises the question that if everyone is doing it, is it really unique?

Whilst looking through Porter Magazine, I noticed that the first 5 advertisements that I saw all contained the location of the beach, a nautical themed narrative. Whilst on Pinterest, I created a board called 'Fashion loves the Beach', I began to notice all the different themes within the beach location. From lying on the sand to being on a boat. One thing that I found particularly interesting is the use of colour- dirty pastels complimented by the wintry cold hints of blue in the background create a calming, winter wonderland effect. What is nice about these images and this trend, is how there is almost a new take on the pastel colour trend, as instead of being cute and pretty, it is much more grungy as there is an element of dirt and filth to the colours used. Below are a few examples of this...

link to my pinterest account:
https://www.pinterest.com/hannahlcole97/

link to Pinterest board 'Fashion loves the Beach':
https://www.pinterest.com/hannahlcole97/fashion-loves-the-beach/ 

EXPLORING NOTTINGHAM

To get to know Nottingham, our course leaders set us a task of looking around all the different shops, cafes and back streets which they felt showed us what Nottingham has to offer taking photographs along the way…

BILL CUNNINGHAM

Bill Cunningham is a fashion photographer most known for his candid and street style photography. Wondering around his home of New York, he captures the city in a unique light through the clothes that catch his eye; posting his findings in a regular post featuring in The New York Times. 

During our induction week, we went to the Broadway Cinema to watch a documentary about Cunningham himself. Just by watching him in his daily routine, can you grasp and feel inspired by the passion and dedication Cunningham has towards what he is doing. This energy that he gives every day, at the age of 86 is overwhelming. This made me realise the importance of finding your passion and striving to pursue it.

We learn just how influential Cunningham is in the fashion world. He knows exactly what he is looking for, and it is a privilege to be photographed by him. From Italian-American photographer Editta Sherman to Anna Wintour amongst his biggest fans, the followings and relevance of his street style trend spotting is a crucial way for industry professionals to understand how everyday people are wearing the trends that are portrayed to them.

By watching this documentary, I have gained an understanding of the importance of fashion photographers, and gained more of an insight into how the industry works, just by following around an exceptional photographer in his daily routine.

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