Fashion Illustration: Photoshop

I hope everyone has had a wonderful christmas and will have a fantastic new year. I have recently been experimenting with manipulating images on Adobe Photoshop. This illustration is one of my most recent and favourite. Instead of filling the selected areas in colours or fabrics I tried focusing on a designer label. Chanel being a well recognisable label, I thought this would be really effective as I could achieve a good print with this symbol. I achieved this look by simply selected the chosen area which I wanted to turn into a pattern, so I selected the Chanel symbol then clicked edit, define pattern. I then went to the illustration and selected the area of which I wanted to place this pattern. Then I went to the bottom right hand side of the screen and selected the tool 'pattern'.

Merry Christmas And Happy New Year!

Have a wonderful christmas everyone, will not be posting as I will be busy stuffing left over christmas junk and playing with the presents!

Happy Holidays!

X

Versace for H&M

Originally I did mark this date in my phone calendar, when Versace for H&M went live in stores. To my dismay I found out that this collection wasn't coming to every H&M. As I was planning to go a que outside the H&M nearest me which would be the Touchwood, Solihull store. Due to much laziness I did not want to endure the masses of people in the Bull Ring I did miss this wonderful event, but as now I have seen the collection, was it a great loss me missing the opening?

At the time I did think maybe it would be just nice to purchase something small, like one of the cuffs or necklaces, as I was far too broke to buy the wonderful studded splendour of a jacket.
Looking around the very few people that have purchased pieces from the collection happen to be male!

"The men's wear collection was extremely well-received by customers and most of the collection for men is already sold out," a spokesperson told us this morning. "In womenswear all leather jackets and the leather dress; all studded and chainmail dresses; the black dresses with the gold buttons, both the strappy and cap sleeve versions; and most of the jewellery, scarves and bags have also sold out." (Vogue.com November 18).

Versace is not particularly my style but a selection of the statement pieces are quite something and being affordable to the every day working class joe, I am very much in favour of. As fashion is so very highly priced right now it's wonderful that everyone can have a designer piece.

The second collection available only online on January 19th will be something to look forward to as there will be no need for an uncomfortable bus journey, barging through endless amounts of people and waiting out in the cold. I can browse through the collection in the comfort of my own home. Bliss.

Classic Readings.

Not that this has anything to do with my normal fashion ramblings, but as a reader, I have been browsing the Amazon world for books. I have just purchased Wuthering Heights and Candide by literary genius Voltaire. Rather excited for them to arrive in the post as I felt it needed to stretch my reading abilities away from such girly but nevertheless wonderful reads. Will report on how I find them :)

 

Styling for editorial - Youths The Word.

The module I am currently doing at university is 'Styling for editorial' which basically entails, styling up sets and models for photoshoots. Since going away and researching into what kind of theme that I wanted to do I found that the photographer Joseph Szabo really appealed to me. His work really captures the essence of what youth culture is really about, managing to keep the feel of the photographs relaxed and natural. This then backed up my ideas of what kind of setting I wanted. The image below is particularly powerful and controversial, being on of my favourites, this provided a good starting point for my theme.

When I began to look into youth culture, I started by looking at the obvious things such as the riots, drug and drink abuse. This seemed quite a blatant concept so I delved deeper into past youth culture such as 'Mods', 'Skinheads' and 'Rockers'. Each of these sub cultures have a completely different message but are still very much the same.

For my photoshoot I thought it would be interesting to include the present day youth with the pasts youth. So, this could include a present day setting styled with 'Skinhead' clothing or 'Mod' clothing for example.

To start brainstorming ideas I put together three presentation boards of ideas and images that appealed to me, whether it be a piece of clothing that stood out or a backdrop that would suit my theme.

So, I have began asking around for models  for my photoshoot and have had confirmation from my wonderful boyfriend and his friends so I should have a maximum of four boys posing for me!

Backdrop: I've decided for the backdrop to be a graffitied wall in the centre of Birmingham, possibly one of the more deserted back roads to give a present youth feel.

Clothing: I have asked the guys to wear pretty much what they want on top although I have been specific in asking for them to wear jeans with boots. I will supply braces for their jeans as this is where the skinhead influence will come in.

Hair & Make-up: Obviously there is not much you can do with make-up for a guy but fresh faced is the way forward for this shoot. Hair will be a mixture of short crop styles and slightly longer to reflect the mod style.

Final Note: I have also ensured that I have a mixture of ethnicity's throughout the models to give a slight edge which will give the traditional 'Skinhead' rules a bit of an ege.

More to come: Progress of the shoot.

Phoenix Dance Company at The Clothes Show Live



Phoenix Dance Company who I currently dance with every week and have done for many years, was dancing at The Clothes Show Live the 3rd December. We were asked back for the second year to dance on The Spirit Stage infront of the Clothes Show audience. 50 dancers shook their behinds to some of the latest tracks and hot beats. Really enjoyed the day, it was a fantastic experience and great promotion for the school.

Many thanks to Vicki Scott and Amy Morris!

Here I was snapped mid dance to Timbaland-Throw it on me. Wearing: White Converse, Black knee high socks - New Look, Black sequin shorts - New Look, Black and white stripe top - TU Sainsbury's, Black sequin headband - H&M.

Photography

 Here is just a selection of some of the photography I have experimented with, whether it be holiday snaps or just from sheer boredom.

This image is one of my favourites as the effects that I have chosen give it a retro feel. By sharpening the colours of the wrapping and dimming the background, it really makes the Jubbly ice lollie pop.

 Over the years I have collected a range of magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Baazar, Marie Claire, Elle, Cosmopolitan and Glamour, to name a few. One day I was clearing my room and found myself having to pile them up and put them to oneside because they were in the way. I thought this would be a fantastic photo as I found there was something quite beautiful about this image. If not, it really showed my obsession with magazine buying...


As I had just recieved this through post from Ebay, after waiting two weeks for it as it was coming from Iran. I had to capture the sheer immaturity of this buy, by taking a photo on my phone into a mirror. Too old for Hello Kitty? Definitely not.









I had just discovered these fantastic fake nails in Bodycare to find that they really are quite something, for such as low price. Everyone seemed to comment on them when I had them on so I thought they deserved a little snap. Using different effects to tone the background and a nice border to really make the inner image shout out.

 Just to prove how well these smart phone cameras really work now I visited Coughton Court and forgot my regular camera so I thought the iPhone will have to suffice. To my amazement I got some pretty amazing images from it. Only having to fiddle with them ever so slightly, with the sharpness etc.

 This is another from Coughton Court. Absolutely love this one - it has a secret garden feel to it. From the way it is shot it almost appears as the path will go on forever. This one I didn't edit at all as I thought it said it all anyway.

 Coughton Court - Really love this image as I have edited it on my phone using the Phototoaster app, it has really made the flower heads stand out without taking too much of the real colours away. The green of the leaves really stand out to me too, they have an almost dewy quality.

 This was taken on my most recent holiday to Salou, Spain. One of the days we stayed there we took a trip to one of it's older towns, Tarragona, which has sights to see such as old derelict buildings, churches, old arenas etc. This image was one of the fountains that I came across when walking towards the main centre of Tarragona.

 This was a house further into Salou, or shall I say mansion? Gaudi style mosaic tiles all over the house. Absolutely beautiful, one of the most wonderful houses I have ever seen. The house was the large I couldn't quite get it in the whole image but you get the picture.

 This was a photograph I took sitting at the Salut beachside bar. Just a typical photography type image but still beautiful all the same. The lighting was just perfect so editing was not needed.

 Another Coughton Court wonder. This statue was found inside one of the tiny flower gardens that they had. I particularly loved this aspect of the gardens as I have always loved 'The Secret Garden' and this really gave that magical feel.

 Although this building is very simple, but stylish, I had to get a quick photo as me and my family saw the most amazing sights going in and out of this building. The millionaires of Salut I take it. Aston Martins, Porsche's pulling into the garage underneath the building. How the other half live.

Another Tarragona shot, This building was simple gorgeous. The wonderful thing was, it was merely a cafe underneath all of those beautiful floors. I would have loved to see the inside.

Finally, a quick arty farty snap next the jacuzzi at Salut.

Balmain - Pierre Balmain

http://pierrebalmain.com/looks-Spring-Summer-2012-12-w.html#3

Whether labels are starting to realise that most fashion lovers do not have a thousands of pounds to spend on beautiful high fashion pieces but Balmain being one of them, has created a lower priced branch of the main label. This being called 'Pierre Balmain'. Still in keeping with the labels usual rock 'n' roll esque pieces you'll expect to see leather, zebra-printed denim, metallics in the form of varsity jackets.
Although you will be looking at jeans being priced at just over £200, this still being something to save up for, I do respect them as they seem to be heading in the right direction. It makes it that much easier to get our grubby student hands on a high fashion piece!

Barbour-Brilliance.

Since Autumn arose it is safe to say that the 'Ole Mcdonald' look is in. Beginning with Kate Moss and Alexa Chung, farmer chic is well and truly here to stay for a while.
I think I first set my eyes on this padded wonder when scouring through a magazine to find that everyone was suited and booted in Hunter wellies and Barbour jackets. This indeed was the new festival look.
As I have finally purchased one myself I can honestly say I love it, what doesn't it go with? The look really shouts practical but yet still has that air of relaxed coolness.

Being so versatile and on trend the look manages to cater to all ages as in my experience, the jacket can be seen on 10 year olds-50+.

http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/dos-and-donts/style-and-fashion/2008/03/03/country-casuals

http://www.priceinspector.co.uk/p/barbour%20jacket/c/137/Clothing-Accessories/Mens-Clothing/f/desc,True/

Hollister Co Opens - Touchwood, Solihull.

                                          birminghammail.net

For someone like me who lives smack bang in the middle of Birmingham Town Centre and Solihull Town Centre, it won't take long to guess which one I would prefer to shop at. Solihull, easy. It's a sixth of the size of the 'Bull Ring', therefore, much quieter. As much as i love shopping, I can be extremely impatient. So, elbows in the ribs and pushchairs being forced into the back of your ankles just isn't on the list when I go to zero my bank balance.
Yes, Solihull is much more pleasant on the barging front.
To my delight I soon discovered that we will be finally opening a 'Hollister Co'. As a huge preppy/surfy fan, I coudln't be happier! No longer will I have to pay the ridiculous postage and packaging fees to order online or treck to the 'City centre of hell!', I can travel within spitting distance.
Of course, Solihull has a decent range of stores including River Island, Republic, H&M, Bank, French Connection, New Look, Zara, Schuh etc. But, Hollister being the cherry on the cake, makes Solihull that much more loveable.
Although, I can't help but think the rather tall, half-naked model standing outside promoting might have something to do with my love for the store?

http://www.styleinkhk.com/2011/04/see-you-in-august-hollister.html

125 Magazine

http://www.welovecolophon.com/archive/?mag_id=1115

As a magazine enthusiast, I try to keep well in the loop of the editorial world. Although some will consider me boring I do tend to stick to the Conde Nast Publications, but hell to them, I love Vogue, Harper's Baazar etc.
As I am currently experiencing styling for editorial (taken as a module at Birmingham City University) I have been forced to broaden my horizon of the magazine world. The task was to go out into the crazy bustling city centre of Birmingham to find completley random magazines that we had never heard of or even set eyes on. 
125 magazine being one of the publications I stumbled across. My word. What a magazine. Slightly falling away from the title 'magazine', this could well be a book of various art works in it's own right. This is a truly eclectic, diverse read.
Not only are you able to poor over the extremely glossy pages and fantastic imagery but it is possible to read rather informative and cultural articles.
Just a selection of the names that are featured in the latest issue. 18: Nicola Formichetti, Susie Bubble, Sir Peter Blake and Paolo Roversi.
An absolute amazing purchase if you are a photography/fashion/art/style buff.
Well and truly recommendable.