Summer project.

If I could I would..

For our summer project we were asked to follow a brief. Titled "If I could I would". We had to research a listed Makeup Artist and pick a look that we would if we could transform ourselves and state a location. I found this task interesting so I got stuck  in as soon as it arrived!

The first thing I did was research such an inspiring Makeup Artist of course `Pat McGrath`. I wrote a profile on her background, and  her most famous work. Her influences and  how she started out. I found this interesting as she was not trained as a makeup artist and uses her fingers to create looks sometimes! 

 I then went online and tried to find previous vogues of which she has written a column in. She writes about how her mother influenced her love of makeup. Her fashion inspirations.

I discovered a Newspaper article on an archive online (Stephanie Merritt,the Observer, 2.11.08) This was  fascinating as she talks about her time with Pat. 

Here I analysed the newspaper article as I found  a number of,social and political matters at the time. When Pat broke into the industry, that could of had a huge impact on her career at the time. She mentions how there was a lack of makeup for black people making her almost frustrated provoking her interest in makeup even more. She mentions how unjustifiable society was for her in the 1970s says how only "posh,skinny, white girls"(Pat Mcgrath,Stephanie Merritt,the Observer, 2.11.08) were accepted into the fashion industry and it felt impossible to get a job in the industry. She speaks about when she was going to give up, and the she receives that life changing phone call. This article inspired me to not give up! Even the best in the industry face rejection.

Here I went to the library and found some makeup industry books that had quotes about Pat Mcgrath. Mentioning her dramatic climb in her career and how amazingly talented she is! (Julie A Willet, page 192, The American Beauty Industry) It says it all in the title of the book she is  internationally known.
The second quote I found mentions Mcgrath as being a "renowned as a editorial and catwalk makeup artist"(Crystal. A. Wright, The Hair Makeup&Fashion Styling Career Guide). This just shows that she is extremely popular all over the world influential not only for makeup artists but also to designers, stylists and artists.

 Then I researched images to get a feel of her reoccurring looks. Particularly for Dior Couture shows. What I noticed was the makeup to me seemed as though it is influenced by drag makeup. Purely for the elements, blocked out brows,strong contour, strong highlight and brows, big lashes,elongated eyes. It is fabulous! I also noticed that some may of been influenced by eras by the use of colours. Different textures used, the glitter eyes and mega glossy lips. So exaggerated and genius looking.

 I continued researching for more of her work this one more recent for Italia Vogue 2012. This image I analysed in more detail as it provoked a fair amount of controversy (I love it). Around the image being stereotypical to white American women. Some would say it conveyed the message of white American women to be `trailer trash`. Ghetto, manly,convicts,tacky.

Its a invigorating image to analyse, technically, and symbolically.

Here is a look I said I would transform into (John Gallianos Spring Collection 2008). I see this look as being potent, full of energy and very theatrical. I said it reminded me of a circus clown. With the strong eyes, lips and cheeks on a fair base. I loved how the hair just blended in with her face making it one dramatic look. I said I would wear it if I was a character In `Cirque du soleil. Because its dramatic it could of been interpreted for most the acts.

The second look I chose was this ghostly look again from a John Galliano Couture show. I am fascinated by this look as it looks enchanted, it reminds me of fantasy fashion. I think its flamboyant, yet innocent. It reminds me of a bride with the vale, possibly a ghostly bride, haunting someone. A ghost of the past? It also reminds of the film `Great Expectations` when the bride never marries and stays in her wedding dress.

I said I would wear the look to a tea party, with huge personality and catwalk coach Alexander.J, as he is always strutting around in gowns and I can imagine that he might love this look especially because of the vale.

Overall I found the project interesting and it helped me get into the mind set of what i should be wanting to achieve when I (hopefully) graduate!

                                      

Read and Review.

As part of our summer project we had to read an article on surrealism, and analyse an iconic image. Below you will find my 500 word analysis on what I thought the image interpreted using my own knowledge of what I  knew about the person in the picture.

Wallis Simpson.
Link:twirlingclare.blogspot.com
Viewed on 08.10.13
Created:06.05.11

  

 The famous ‘Lobster dress’ designed by  Elsa Schiaparlli with assistance from Salvador Dali, was made in 1937 and famously worn by Wallis Simpson in a photo shoot taken shortly before her marriage to Edward VIII in Chateau de Cande.

 The `Lobster dress` is a floor length white silk dress with a crimson waist band and art work of the lobster that appeared in many of Dalis art work.

I believe that this photo shoot was organised and was intended to change the public’s view on this controversial figure by having traditional royal engagement photo shoot. To encourage the public to see behind her past persona and persuade the public to respect and fall in love with this reinvented woman.

  This image holds many possible unintended connotations. In this image Wallis Simpson looks in discomfort. I get this impression from her body language the position she is standing in and holding the twigs looks unnatural. Which almost implies that this shot is intentional, possibly the photographer has given her direction. Possibly the `dipped hip` makes a statement that she is careless about what the public think of her at this current time. Yet the face seems to hold a worried expression; maybe trying to show that she is self-conscious of the possible outcome. Her head is held high to the side which shows off the jaw line which is quite a strong yet unfeminine pose supporting `Colin Mcdowell’s[i]` text on androgyny .  Which shows she’s a strong, controversial character which considering the situation shows a lot of willpower, and commitment.

The dress is such a substantial statement whether it is intended to be or not; it sure caused uproar in the 1930’s. When women did not have rights society was purely patriarchal.  Dali painted the lobster on the sexual organs could possibly encode a connotation that the dress is maybe a mockery of her; as she is known for being a bit of a loose woman, hence being divorced twice. This was frowned upon in the 30’s. The lobster holds sexual connotations of passion, seduction, and sexuality according to Dali. This could have been seen as a scandalous act for Wallis. The lobster could even be conveying Freudians[ii] Psychoanalysis theory of `penis envy`. As she is portrayed as a strong character; men were usually portrayed as being strong, not women. Which makes me think that the lobster could be representing the phallus which holds connotations of power, being inferior; men may feel threatened by her.

This image is intended to be harmonising but back fires due to the sexual innuendos. The photo being from a lower angle manipulates the image making her appear much bigger, taller perhaps being metaphorical. The dress was perhaps an attempt for Wallis to gain cultural capital by being ahead in fashion. She is creating cultural implosion, by her being high status and the dress being a piece of art yet it being mixed in to pop culture with fashion. Wallis is not ideologically pretty so possibly the lighting is flattering drawing attention to the dress and scenery.

 Overall this image has created a representation of the socialite to be extremely distasteful when factored in with her background, a woman who wants to cause more controversy so it seemed at the time. The king being with Wallis led to him being demoted from a king; this made it seem as if Wallis was nothing but trouble.

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[i] Collin McDowell surrealism article.

[ii] Freudian psychoanalysis 

Words 560.

Introduction.

Step into my mind.
The Blog you are about to read is based on The Elizabethan Era.This blog will eventually take you on a journey of how I accomplished my final outcome/image. You will see my trials and  a tremendous amount of errors. A lot of relevant experiments. A tremendous amount of research and my own perspective and contemporary view on everything I discover. From this brief I hope to gain knowledge of the eras fashions, historical events, and Elizabethan everyday rituals. I hope to gain confidence to be able to express my ideas through make-up. I hope to create a memorizing, character that has a face that tells a intriguing story.