Paolo Roversi is also another key example of this type of photography that i want to aim to produce for the shoot. Whether this be shot on film and then post edited similar to Roversi’s, i want it to seem very dark and have this old, organic feel. This image on the left is probably the most relevant to my intentions where it has a golden, yellow toning that contrasts with the extreme dark areas of the hair or parts of the chair. I also like how the images are quite blurred and very on the spot which helps highlight the intense dark shadows against the golden tones. This type of action shot would work best for the idea of a picnic or outdoor setting so it becomes more realistic and less editorial; like the past influences i have shown.

 

 

After discussing this gothic theme to my tutors, we decided that it could be beneficial for me to start taking my own photos – just so i can begin to experiment with certain techniques that could match the overall styling theme. As the concept is surrounding a victorian, sort of goth image, Steven Meisel needs to be highlighted and act as a key inspo for this piece. His work within Vogue Italia religiously showcases a dark, stained-like appearance that creates this really vintage glam but almost vulgar or scary feel. He seems to play on shadows and specific shades of tonal lighting throughout his photography so studying how he does this would be most effective for my images – especially as i am taking lighting or shading from the original Renaissance painting. Im not sure at all how i would take photos like this as my confidence with a camera isn’t great, however post-production could be an amazing opportunity for me to filter through Meisel’s techniques into my own work. I also like how the layouts within Vogue show the editorial and then almost a sort of still life example next to it, using the mannequin heads and other relevant props. I definitely feel this could be a creative idea to consider for the shoot too as it could help put across the gothic sense i want to portray much more clearly. It could also be a unique way of showing accessories and smaller styling garments.

 

   

 

Taking place at Westminster Abbey, the outcast for this Gucci show completely portrayed the English tradition and heritage it wanted to. When asked why director, Alessandro answered with “to drive into the sea of gothic inspiration”. This quote definitely evaluates the outlook of English heritage fashion and the sort of look i want to show; although “Picnic at Hanging Rock” was actually set in Australia, the looks are nearly identical. Gucci has portrayed my past spoken about wedding dress image perfectly in their own culture. Managing to bring forward such historic periods and meanings into the future of high fashion and this is exactly the theme i want to run throughout my entire FMP. The complete head to toe looks that cover the entire body whilst still managing to stay quite feminine and fashionable at the least, is a technique i will take away. The light coloured tights in replace of nude legs or even long frilly socks to highlight the focus on traditional patterns and ruffles that we all know to be common in English history is really effective. The longer ruffled dresses is also again highlighting this idea of very exaggerated, very over the top structures of clothing and will be ideal to use to contrast against the everyday picnic setting i want to show.

  

 

The McQueen collection was based on sisterhood, womens milestones and rituals; birth, christenings, weddings and funerals. The garments were designed to show strength but also to showcase a side of vulnerability. It shows, to me, a very traditional outlook on this sort of victorian image, very typical of McQueen’’s image. Burton was inspired by a key item of a vintage wedding dress, sourced from Portabello market and you can see this influence majorly throughout. I should look into this sort of vintage wedding dress shape that appears religiously throughout my research, which will perhaps help exaggerate the image i am trying to get across. It could also be a really playful technique for enhancing quite an odd setting and outfit.

  

 

After reading the coverage from the spring summer runway for Galliano, coincidently; the entire season was based around the film “Picnic at Hanging Rock”. Knowing this now, you can see the huge resemblance between the film stills and the garments on the runway; straw hats, lace dresses and ruffled collars – completely showing the look i am going for. The pinafores were coated with small beads and pearls highlighting a wanted aesthetic that all boarding school girls of the time that the film was based on would have dreamed of. The entire runway shows a major theme of nostalgia and even just having the models walking down a runway, sets the scene of what i want to convey in my own pictures. I want to pay careful attention to detailing for this shoot, focusing on the fabrics of the clothes and the patterns within this. Close up shots of this detailing will be necessary to showcase this in my final layout book. The boots here are made to reflect a working environment and styling based around a farm life, however boots like this are a huge trend currently and would be effective to use to help bring the Renaissance theme into the modern day. I also love the use of layering, particularly in the fourth image where the dress and under garments seem worn and almost a bit destroyed. Using similar aesthetics to this for my looks will help me pull through my key inspiration of the Picnic film.

  

 

This editorial is probably most relevant so far on the type of styling and outcomes i want to achieve. I love the all white fashion, it depicts every past inspiration i have shown and is also very individual to Petra’s photography style. It showcases large dresses with high neck detailing and lace layering – all elements that need to be highlighted in my outcomes of styling to help portray my main influence of “Picnic at Hanging Rock”. I am really interested in how expressive the outfits are and feel that overall, having my models positioned doing  ‘everyday’ activties just at an ‘everyday’ picnic, could be really effective in such outrageous garments.

“JIWINAIA”

 

The styling used in Petra’s work is always an influence of my everyday and my work styling techniques. However, here i feel that i can really take away a contemporary vision for a typical white dress, especially with the use of layering. The styling is really creative using various sheets of fabric thrown over the body to create a sort of wedding gown. I also love how it is sheer and you can again see the individual layers of say, lingerie, stocking socks, briefs and then the skirt. It all depicts quite a gothic look but with all white clothing; something that i aim to achieve. Almost like a ‘runaway bride?’

“WOMAN ABOUT TOWN”

 

This is styled by one of my favourite stylists, Rubina Marchiori, who’s brief definitely wasn’t to set a gothic appearance however, in terms of textures and typical colours that i want to stick to for my shoot, this editorial seems perfect. I could take examples from this such as flared trousers and ruffled tops to help maintain this on-going theme for another model as it could be a unique way of modernizing typical victorian dresses. Why not turn a dress into a pair of trousers that still reflect the same vintage feel? I also thought this editorial was relevant because of the outfit’s structures. Like i said previously, structure and fit will be highly important for my styling techniques and balancing the right around of ‘goth’. I love how the balance of the styling on the left is really obvious and parallel on each side. Im unsure yet of how i can construct this within my own garments, but i do know that is something really effective and noticeable in good styling so i want to try and provide this.

   

 

I have very obviously chosen Celine to show just because of the brand’s simplicity in designs, yet still manage to seem quite flamboyant and differ from current normal trends. I particularly like the fourth image’s silhouette and how the top half sits on her chest. I think this is really obvious of past periods influence such as the Victorian time where the neckline is very specific. The neck line here is much more gentle than typical victorian standards becoming very delicate and allowing her chest just to seem very feminine and soft. Shoulders and necklines like this is a definite must for my theme to help portray a much more “delicate goth” appearance. I feel like small details of the garments and styling techniques are going to be very important for this shoot as i have become very aware that there is such a small line – for this gothic theme – of fashionable and just plain costume.