AMERICAN VOGUE

“ONE PIECE WONDERS

 

Again, contrast between slim jeans and overpowering sleeves. Ruffles and flares and lots of layering is important for my styling as it wont only get across these influences of say, “Picnic at Hanging Rock” but will also achieve a very loud, almost overpowering -again- look that could come off as quite gothic. This editorial is maybe more high fashion than what my styling would be but it is good to understand how CDG had been used in multiple ways as it will help me locate how my current ideas of victorian like styling will sit too.

 

SASHA PIVOVAROVA BY CRAIG MCDEAN

 

 

I chose to show this editorial because of how CDG has been styled within it. Although the brand is so contemporary and powers its identity through reflecting future visionary, a lot of the garments remind me of victorian period pieces. For example, on the left, the large white ruffle shorts have a sort of bloomer like feel that would typically be worn in past eras but with a more modern take on them. I love how they have also been paired with a cut out blazer that is of a completely different shape and fit to the bottom half. I think the structure of garments will be really useful in my styling ideas now because it’ll help get across a specific period or this sort of vintage feel i want to achieve to the images and help me filter through my own, quite unconventional elements of styling too.

CDG S/S 97

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JANE MCLEISH

 

 

Now looking more into styling and presence of the models, i felt CDG as a brand or corporate image would be best to start of. Although they aren’t classed as a ‘gothic’ brand, a large amounts of their designs they produce have a eery and dark atmopshere to them. Maybe i think this because of their editorials or adverts or because of the nature of their large, oversized garments? However, in this editorial specifically i am interested in how the model is shown quite freely spinning and turning in front of the camera to quite clearly show off the garments. This element of freedom and possibly on the spot photography is an idea i want to continue with. Having my models in a naturalistic setting, doing realistic activities could be the most effective way of emposing my entire concept. Ill look deeper into the brand as a whole and see how they can influence me further – probably more with styling techniques than anything.

KATE BUSH ALBUM COVER

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRIAN GRIFFIN

 

Looking into similar images of how they contrast with realism and unrealistic behaviour. The lighting is somewhat different to this golden tone i want to depict, however i like how it makes the images seem very cinematic and harsh. Im unsure if this is a look i am going for for my actual final outcomes but it is still relevant. Im just interested in how even for album cover examples, they each tell some kind of story.

SEBASTIAN FAENA

“E.T EDITORIAL”

 

 

 

 

This editorial helped me confirm that i want to represent the Renaissance painting through the setting of a vintage picnic like the “Picnic at Hanging Rock”. The stylist here has been really creative in how this everyday, picnic landscape resembles quite a high fashion gothic image. It is mainly shown through casting od model and posing that the gothic appearance really shines through as the models actually seem quite scary and less glamorous than normal. The placement of props surrounding each model became very aware to me also in the way that they are positioned almost very unrealistic around the models and very on show. Whereas the models seem to be very fluent and natural amongst the composition. This idea has made me feel quite aware of composition and how i want the final images to actually look. This being that they should be quite cinematic and almost tell a story, instead of just showcasing fashion elements within an editorial, linking to the story of the Nativity shown within the Renaissance painting. To help with this, i will take careful notes of the posing shown within this and how some shots are shown with such a natural positioning. Maybe i could use something like a prop that could contrast to this realistic nature and become completely apparent and unusual within the picture that could then lead the outcomes to have quite a tense element to them?

VOGUE CHINA 2017

 

 

The location was the immediate attraction towards theme images. I am really interested in the use of props for this shoot and flowers have been particularly successful in my past projects for setting a certain emotion within the photography. The red and white roses here are so vibrant and obvious in these images that they really help set this gloomy, gothic atmosphere but with a very high fashion element. Maybe using a similar flower or one that typically resembles a gothic presentation / one that reflects my theme – lilys? roses? daffodils?

MELANIE GAYDOS EDITORIALS

  

 

Looking into various ways gothic culture can be shown through high fashion editorials. Again, without using dark colours or just black clothing you are able to show signs of this theme through many aspects of the images without overpowering with the immediate black tones. I love the styling of the mesh nightgown and further forward this garment is something i will look into as it joins together my influence of the styling from the film “Picnic at Hanging Rock” and the flowing fabric garment seen in the original Renaissance painting. I am also definitely fond of keeping this colour palette very neutral and light so i can make the setting or use of props very gothic and resemblant of the emotions felt within the painting.

VOGUE UKRAINE EDITORIAL

  

The subtleness of lighting here is the main reason i was attracted to this editorial. In each picture i have shown, there is a different structure of lighting used within it. Whether this was on purpose, it looks really effective and helps draw you to the image completely. I absolutely love how the lighting for example in the image on the left, is mainly a long line of orange clouds that be in opposition with the rest of the sky. This small detail helps draw focus onto the plain white dress which is styled because it is made so clear and highlighted off the page. I also like how the blurred corn / wheat pieces are used as almost a highlighter for the image, showing lots of golden specs at first glance that manages to brighten up the entire picture. Subtle light is definitely a feature i want to show instead of having a really heavy and strong light just so the emphasis isn’t taken away from the setting, concept or clothing.

PETRA COLLINS

 

 

Another idea for lighting could be using gel lights of certain colours, in particular, red. This is a contemporary technique for photographers now and could be a way of reflecting back on this idea of ‘modernising the Renaissance’. The colour red also makes you immediately think of danger and horror and these images remind me of a Gregory Crewdson aesthetic/setting because of the lighting and stillness in models, therefore reminding me of a gory scene.