Eco - Fashion Show

So, I went to my first Fashion Show on Friday (21st May 2010) - it was an 'Eco-Fashion Show' and it was held in St Clements Church, Chorlton. I went with my Friend, Emma, who was covering the event for 'Manchester Fashion Network'. As I am still trying to add strings to my bow, I took my camera along, I wasn't really in a great spot and I could probably have done with an external flash but I thoroughly enjoyed the show!

Here is the article: http://www.manchesterfashion.com/c/19/391/fashionable-friends-of-the-earth/

Most of the clothes are from Boutiques and independent shops in Manchesters Northern Quarter.

One Womans Trash, Anothers Treasure??

As fashion is ever changing, we often find that designers look back in time and pick up timeless creations and update them, and from this vintage clothing appears to be increasingly popular. From people looking for unique, one off items to those trying to be individual, anything NOT to look like a Topshop Mannequin or have the dilemma of some else having the same dress on as you in a bar (this happened to my friend recently). In respect of this I have been out shopping to vintage fairs and charity shops over the past few months to see what they have to offer and what looks can be created and yet still be contemporary.

I found that Charity shops often have pieces that are quite up to date and from high street shops like Miss Selfridge, New Look, Topshop and Marks and Spencer’s, I even found a DKNY top that was going for £7.99. Through these trips and rummages through Vintage Fairs and parents lofts, wardrobes and boxes we did a mini shoot based on what we found. I think you will be surprised at the outfits thrown together using pieces that other people have discarded!

From this I decided to do a shoot based on our finds, I kept it pretty simple using the area around my friends home, it was getting later in the day so the sunlight wasn't great but some of the images are quite pretty!

Portfolio Editing

For our final Year 1 FD project, we have to edit down our work into a portfolio - over the past year we have done 4 photographic assignments and 2 written Assignments.

The first Assignment was: Digital - Based on 'Space' - I chose not to put this into my portfolio because it was weak, my knowledge of photoshop was limited and the work I attempted was more intermediate, I basically threw myself into the deep end but still did well.

Second Assignment: British

Third Assignment: Consumerism 'I consume therefore I am...'

Fourth Assignment: Portraits

Here are the images chosen by Tutors and Course members:


Portrait Assignment: This based on the day to day life of my Nana, it was inspired by Kay Lynn Deveneys work - I am most pleased with the images from this assignment in comparisson to my others - these are the ones chosen by the tutors for my portfolio - I agree that there are 3 that are pretty strong - I'll leave you all to your own opinions...







Consumerism Assignment: 'I consume therefore I am...' - Personally I wouldn't have picked these images but they felt that they were all similar and therefore flowed better - the project was based on how fashion magazine influence a persons shopping habits and what they buy, even if they don't suit them or are way over the top.




British Assignment - This was based on the local Working Mens Club - I decided to show the venue rather than the people who attend, especially as the number of people attending such venues is dwindling dramatically!

Margaret Armitage - The Book

I finally finished my book based on my Nana, it was inspired by Kay Lynn Deveneys work (see previous posts). I spent 2 weeks documenting my Nana from her day to day chores and a couple of day trips. The book looks very professional and I am happy with most of the images I chose, although if I had the time I would remove a couple. I showed the book to a couple of people before I handed it in and they felt that the book had a 'sad' feeling to it, this wasn't intentional but I understand where they are coming from.

I have posted a few images from the book below:

Bonny Scotland

I have just enjoyed May Bank Holiday weekend and I went to Scotland for it, I stayed on a farm in 'Auchtermutchy' (I think thats how it's spelt) in Fife. The farm only kept cows and even though I was on a break I took plenty of photographs over the weekend (a few below). We visited Edinburgh and St Andrews, and all in all a very nice weekend, except now I have lots of work to crack on with for college - I have my portrait assignment due in this friday (7/05/10)I have decided to create an actual book so I need to get it sent to the printers and the 'industry and practice' assignment is due in the following week which involves lots of research and the final needs to be an essay and a presentation based on my interviews and research.