Le Ballon Rouge

Today in College as part of our styling breif, we watched the 1965 Le Ballon Rouge directed by Albert Lamorisse.
The film is just 34 minutes and follows the adventures of a young boy and his balloon, as there is no narration the music tells the story which makes the film even more interging.
The boy in the film appears lonely and isolated and so his balloon takes on a friendship role e.g. as the boys at school the balloon waits for him outside. There gradually becomes a strong relationship between the boy and balloon, I also see a mother and son bond.  In one of the scenes the boy is crossing the road with the balloon and grabs onto its string as a mother would hold onto there childs hand. It is almost asif they are both dependent on one an other and need eachother as a child needs his mother.
The colour of the bike also contains significance, the balloon is red which indicated warmth, love and security which is definatly portrayed through the scenes. However there is also a mischeivious side to the balloon and almost playful which is also the charcteristcs of the colour red.

Many films, adverts, paintings and music video's have been inspired by this film. Such as Mark Ronson - ride my bike, in this however the bike replaces the balloon and there is a connection between Ronson and the biek.
Adverts such as Miss Dior; Cherie by Sofia Coppola have also had clear insparation from this film, where the multi coloured balloons are let loose and at the end of the advert the model is being uplifted by the multicoloured balloons which cearly reflects the ending of Le Ballons Rouge.



http://www.youtube.com/embed/rVELTxKRoHA

Styling Breif

This week in College we where given our new brief... styling!!
I look forward to this project as it is route/direction I would like to progress to in the future, for our first task we where given a word which was explosion in which we had 24 hours to respond to.
Here we had to style the images including hair, makeup, pose, background and camera angles. It was a task which required detailed planning as every aspect had to be considered in order to produce a successful image. However it was a task which I was exited for and definitely enjoyed! It also gave me the opportunity to have an insight into the tasks and roles of a stylist.

These are some of the pictures taken from the shoot.

(From left Megan, Me, Holly, Annie)

I will update this post with the final image.

Sophie

x

Today I took Bella (dog) on a walk through the forest, It was a lovely winters day despite the mud when we got back in!
Here are some of the photo's...

Jumper - Ralph Lauren, Jeans - Very, Wellingtons - Hunter

Year 1 Major Project Photo Shoot for Beth X

These are some of the shots taken from a photo shoot I did on behalf of my friend for her college project, in which she designed and constructed the head peice.

William Tempest

William Tempest is a British Fashion designer from Cheshire, he studied a National Diploma in Fashion at London Road, Mid Chesire which Is the same course and college I am completing.
He then progressed on to work for Giles Geacon and study at the London College of Fashion where he got a honours degree in womenswear before moving to Paris and launching his label during 2009.


Tempest's look focus's on tailoring, innovative cutting and experiments with shape. His designs have been worn by celebrities such as Kate Moss, Emma Watson, Lilly Allen, Leona Lewis, Victoria Beckham, Jameela Jamil and my favourite syle icon ALEXA CHUNG!


Tempest has also collaborated with high profile supermodels such as Kate Moss, to launch a new fashion exibiton held at Kensignton place in London a pace with Vivieene Westwood, and has been featured in magazines such as Harperz Baazar, Elle and Vogue.


Whats more exiting, is that he is visiting OUR college during the month of December, this will give us the oppertunity to ask any questions we may have regarding how our course was of benefit and any general questions about his experiences.
I will update once he has been.... EXITING!

These are two of my favourite designs from the Spring/11 collection which was inspired by a painting by John William Waterhouse, in which alot of his work featured mermaids and the sea.

Throughout this collection Tempest has worked with georgetts and chiffons placing them on top of a structerd layer, which keeps in sync with his signature.

 



The September Issue

Today in College we watched "The September Issue" this features a documentry fim showing the behind the scenes of Anna Wintour and her staff during the construction of Vogue's September issue.

I enjoyed this film as it gave me an insight into what goes on behind the front cover of the magazine, and the effort that is put in by Wintour and her staff. Every detail counts and everything had to be percise, Grace Coddington the creative director who was a model until the age of 26 where she was involved in a car crash and had to undergo plastic surgey,  is amazing throughout the film. Despite the nock backs and her ideas being cut out, she carried on and took it in her stride and this is something in which I have found inseperational.

Anna Wintour is very powerful and aunthoritive (which scared some designers), and despite her cold attitude and percise(ness) it is essential as the final production is always amazing and definatly worth it! I completely admire her and her work!

Now I have watched "The September Issue" when reading the magazine I will appreciate it more, as I have had an insight into the work that is put into the production. It has also made me determined and inspired to become a stylist, but has also taught me that it is a very tough and competitive industry.

Art and Eat?

I have recently visited Manchester's "wagamama" and was intrigued by the "artandeat".
This is a collaboration between Wagamama and Moniker Projects to showcase some of Britain's best emerging artists, which displayed throughout the restaurant in the form of unique place mats and bookmarks.

One artist that took my interest was Pam Glew from Brighton best known for her own bleaching technique on flags which allows her to play with icons and culture.
Glew is inspired by film in which she references throughout her work by using actresses, models and musicians.  After further research it was revealed that Glew has also collaborated with labels such as Armani, Red Bull,  Ralph Lauren, MTV and Mitsubishi Bank.

She is definitely one to watch out for!

Alex Turner's Elvis inspired Quiff

Having just got in from an (amazing!) Arctic Monkeys gig in Manchester, I was intrigued to see that the bands front man Alex Turner has been inspired by 1950's Rock & Roll legend Elvis Presley.
Even today this era is still influencing the formation of the music culture, as Turner appeared in a leather jacket and jeans trading his lengthy hair in for a quiff.

Timeless British bands such as The Beatles, The Clash, The Smiths and The Stone Roses have said to have been of influence for the foundations of the Arctic Monkeys, however Turners love for 60's rock has also provided the roots for the three albums and has definitely been the grounds for his new look!