CO-ORDINATION

Just yesterday I returned home from my first trip to Holland, Amsterdam.

I had the best three days exploring the beautiful city and now it's safe to say that Amsterdam is one of my favourite cities yet, and I hope to return later this year.

We were blessed with beautiful weather for the last few days of our visit, so whilst out shopping in the sun I popped into one of my all time favourite stores, Monki and picked up this checkered co-ord having spotted it in and amongst the crazy, colourful visuals created in the store window.

 Top - Monki | Skirt - Monki | Sunglasses - ASOS | Trainers - Converse

I was firstly drawn in by the skirt. The unique ruffled detail was unlike anything I had seen this season in stores. Then immediately my eyes drifted to the matching boxy tee and  once having tried both pieces on I decided that I couldn't leave Monki without it.

Whilst wandering through the streets of Amsterdam I paired this
co-ord with my trusty pair of Converse, to dress down and make this outfit feel a bit playful.

- A

SUMMATIVE PROJECT #2 | REBRANDING

The final section of our fragrance summative project was to individually create a promotional plan, outlining how we would promote our brand Elise in the twelve months following the brand launch.

As this was an individual task we were encouraged to really take hold of our brands created with our groups, and demonstrate our own individual thoughts, feelings and ideas as to which direction we would like our brand to take.

One of our main criticisms given after our brand launch was that our aesthetics, in particular our logo did not correlate with our brand values. Taking this into consideration, I decided to redesign our logo, and rethink our visuals for Elise.

ORIGINAL

Double Page Advertisement

To redesign our logo and promotional material I got in contact with graphic designer Lauren Coelho.

When speaking with her I explained the exact direction I wanted to take:

1. A far more minimalistic and slightly clinical approach to highlight
2. To still incorporate a woman into the visuals to fit with our brand name and values, however make this figure anonymous and neutral, in contrast to our previous advertisement of a white blonde female
3. Use the same colour palette of dusky pinks, black, grey, white and nudes
4. Create a feminine aesthetic but without it being too 'sickly sweet'

This was the result.

REDESIGNED

Overall I was thoroughly pleased with the final designs and felt that they reflected our brand far better than before.

Thanks again to Lauren Coelho for helping me out! Check out Coelho Designs here: https://www.instagram.com/coelho.designs/

- A 

BURBERRY X BOWES AND WILKIN

The worlds of style and sound are often combined, particularly by the brand Burberry who have recently employed a full-time music team for their shows, campaigns and channel on Apple Music.

Both brands are similar in regards to their heritage and values, both British and sharing a passion for music. So it was no surprise when they teamed up with Bowes and Wilkin creating a leather travel case for the brand's latest speaker that delivers high quality sound for up to eighteen hours.

Burberry has even gone ahead with recording EP's from four different artists: George Coby, Fenne Lily, Rosie Carney and Ten Tonnes, which are available for download via Bowers and Wilkin's music subscription service, Society of Sound.

Overall, I personally think that this is a collaboration that will be a great success, due to brands working hand in hand due to their common values, which will therefore appeal well to both target consumers from both brands (of which can afford the steep price point!).

What are your thoughts?

Check out the collaboration here: http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Wireless-Speakers/Wireless-Speakers/T7-Gold-Edition

Thankyou for reading,

- A

FRED PERRY SUMMER PROJECT | DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL

As first year FCP students, this year we have been asked to pick between two summer projects; one focused upon Dance4 and the other Fred Perry. I found it tough to choose between both, as I have interest in both subjects of each briefs. However, after much consideration I chose the Fred Perry brief, as I have an overriding interest into the brief surrounding Fred Perry.

To help us with this summer brief, a group of FCP students were chosen to help 'Fred Perry Subculture' at Dot to Dot Festival, a platform that launched in 2005 to work with true icons of British music and to introduce some of the very best new artists from the UK.

This festival is held this Sunday in Nottingham, however it is held in a series of three locations over three days, and has been home to artists such as Catfish and The Bottlemen, The 1975 and The Drums (to name a few!) in the past few years. I was luckily enough to be one of the team, and I couldn't have been more excited!

Fred Perry as a brand is one have admired for years, the way they intertwine sport, music and style into the look, feel and core values as a brand. Especially their uniqueness, in the fact that they were the first clothing line to cross over sportswear into streetwear.

Our main role this Sunday is to create a visual record of photographs over the day that document music and style tribes, whilst capturing the emotion and atmosphere of the event.

Here are a few photos I took across the day, enjoy!

Crosa Rosa

SWMMRS

Barns Courtney

It was so great getting to listen to some fresh and upcoming artists, a few favourites of mine being Day Wave and The Sherlocks. Definitely check them out!

Thank you again to the Fed Perry team for such an amazing opportunity, it was such a great day. It definitely got me thinking about future aspirations in terms of working in events and music.

Thank you for reading,

- A

SLOUCHY CHIC

This past weekend the sunshine finally decided to make an appearance, at long last!

I spent the day out and about in one of my favourite cities, York, so I wanted to wear something that would be comfortable to explore in and yet look reasonably stylish.

I dug out a chunky knit of mine which I had bought months ago in anticipation for breezy summer days, and paired it with my favourite boyfriend jeans.

Jumper - ASOS | Jeans - ASOS | Choker - ASOS | Sunglasses - ASOS | Boots - Topshop

Before investing in this jumper, I was never a great fan of the 'cold shoulder' trend. However, the contrast of a heavy knit with the fine detail of cut outs on the shoulders I feel works.

More outfit posts coming soon!

- A

THE BEAT GENERATION

So what is the 'Beat Generation' exactly?

The phrase was first appear in the New York Times Magazine. The journalist Holmes wrote: 'The origins of the word 'beat' are obscure, but the meaning is only too clear to most Americans. More than mere weariness, it implies the feeling of having been used, of being raw. In short, it means being undramatically pushed up against the wall of oneself'.

I feel this sums up the essence of this subculture perfectly.

The 'beatniks' were a 1950's Bohemian counterculture, often associated with berets, roll-neck jumpers and goatee beards. These individuals were considered anti-materialistic and focused upon one's inner-self rather than the shallowness of material goods.

This subculture had a profound influence upon music, even the Beatles used the word 'beat' in their name as a reference. Jim Morrison was also heavily influenced by Jack Kerouac, a pioneer of the beat generation, and even admitted with the rest of his band members that they wanted to be beatniks.

I have a great interest in subcultures, and I hope you've enjoyed reading post as much as I have enjoyed learning about this generation.

- A

FILM | FUNNY FACE

What a film!

 

Funny Face is a 1950's comedy/musical starring a memorable cast of Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson.

 

The film begins by following Kay Thompson, an editor of a major fashion magazine, and fashion photographer Dick Avery, on the hunt for an intellectual backdrop for a not so intelligent model. This is when they stumble across Jo Stockton (Hepburn). Both Avery  and Thompson are stunned by her unique appearance and offer her a modelling contract, and this is where the film truly begins...

 

The film is visually pretty amazing, filled with bright vibrant colours and beautiful scenic backdrops.

 

The opening scene of the film particularly stands out to me. Mrs Prescott announces that she could not possibly dream of publishing their latest issue as she would be letting down the American woman. Prescott's pessimistic tone soon turns to a fever of inspiration when she glimpses a pink matchbook. This begins the 'Think Pink' number, part dance, part fashion shoot.

 

A sly dig at the feminine and frivolous assumptions of the fashion world?

 

 

Another aspect that really stood out for me in this musical was the costume design, in particular what Hepburn is dressed in throughout the sequence of the film.

 

Here are a few fashion moments that stood out for me:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interestingly, Funny Face was the first film in which Hepburn and Givenchy began making fashion film history. As Audrey said of Givenchy, "His are the only clothes in which I feel myself. He is far more than a couturier, he is a creator of personality".

 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the light hearted playful theme running through this film, along with each musical number.

It's most definitely worth a watch!

 

Watch a preview of the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6VLdVrVQGQ

 

Thankyou for reading,

 

- A