Month: January 2022

In this session, we explored the application of makeup in fashion and created unique looks.

As preparation work, we used face images as a model to brainstorm our makeup looks. Using a variety of mediums such as make-up products, acrylic paint, pens, pencils, markers etc. I created three looks that showcase my creativity and aesthetics. I tried to break the beauty boundaries and played with different shapes and textures on the face. This task was interesting as it allowed us to explore the power of makeup and how different looks can convey a different meaning/atmosphere. This also gave me the opportunity to use the face as a canvas to express artistically in a fashionable way. The outcomes I’ve created were quite conceptual as I incorporated many media and played with the structure of the face.

In the second half of the session, we started to recreate the illustrated looks on our own faces and take pictures. The makeup look I created in this session mainly focused on the upper section of the face, specifically the eyes. I utilised brown and gold eyeshadows and dragged them down to create a ‘melting’ and ‘dripping’ look. I also used liquid shimmer as I imagined the glitter will reflect nicely in the photos using the flash or natural sunlight.

In this session, we focused on styling and creating editorial pages using different clothing pieces that would form an interesting outfit.

Using a mannequin, we put together outfits from combining the clothing pieces that each of us brought. This was interesting as everyone has very different and individual style, it was a bit difficult to put together outfits but that is what made them unconventional. Before wearing the outfits, we had to arrange them on a clothing rack etc. so it creates a setting that would be used in the trends page. It was also important that focused pictures were also taken as it shows the details and colours more clearly.

The outfits I created overall conveyed a sort of Victorian vintage style, so we decided to take the picture in the backyard of the college as the surroundings were mostly bricks, concrete etc. Additionally, there was really good natural lighting so we utilised the sunshine and played with the position of the light. When it comes to editing the pictures, I tried to mimick the ‘old-fashion’ photography style. I experimented with different editing software and layered yellow and brown filters, as well as increasing the grain of the picture to create texture. I also overlayed some scratches etc. to reinforce the atmosphere of vintage photos.

Through this session, I was able to recognise my strength in styling and photography. I find myself considering the overall colour coordination and style before just putting clothes on a mannequin. In terms of photography, I was able to explore different angles and lighting and as a result some interesting images were created. However, I think I would definitely improve on my editing skills as I found it difficult to format a clean layout for these editorial photos.

In this session, we studied and analysed magazines and the relevant content.

During the Christmas holiday, we selected two different magazines that are quite contrasting to each other; one being more commercial and the other focusing on artistic photographs. I chose to analyse Vogue and i-D and created some mood boards dedicated to the potential customers. It was interesting to see and consider the reasoning behind the choices of the magazine design including the front cover, layout, font etc. as the different styles of the elements can communicate a different atmosphere. the i-D magazine is very simplistic and conceptual in comparison to Vogue that focuses a lot on commercials and promotion. The major theme of i-D is black&white and minimalistic in my opinion; Vogue on the other hand is a lot more straightforward and clean layout as it does not focus as much on the artistic expressions.

In class, we used post-it notes to section the different contents of the magazine such as editorials, advertorials, advertisements, beauty page etc. so it is easier to understand the design behind each page; organising it also helps with the analysis. I was able to learn a lot of new keywords and terms that are useful in the fashion media industry that would potentially help with my future career. Using the knowledge we acquired in this session, we formed a page that would simply label and describe the different features of the contents in a magazine.