Liberty of London: S2 E3

The third episode of Liberty of London's second series was aired Wednesday at 9pm on Channel 4, and showed a new and somewhat unheard of aspect of the store. Focusing on the Liberty Oriental department, this episode introduced us to Bruce Lerpre, the oriental carpets and rugs buyer. After working at the store for decades, Bruce has a specific working environment which he refuses to change, making the department appear and feel like the atmosphere he experiences when visiting the traditional Marrakesh markets that sell these gorgeous antiques. However, managing director, Ed Burstell has decided it's time for change, sending in new head of visual identity, Liz Silvester to work her magic and make the department less cluttered and "more shoppable". 

This is a task that isn't made easy for Liz though, with hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of stock, Bruce will not let her take anything off the shop floor, demanding that all his hard work of buying over the years is still available to all his customers. Therefore, whilst Bruce is away on a buying trip in Marrakesh, Liz creates a new display system for Bruce's department, setting coloured blocks on which to hold these breathtaking products. However, when Bruce returns he is not pleased with what he calls the "Selfridges" yellow visual merchandising. Reaching a compromise, they decide to recolour the blocks a colour more suited to the Marrakesh theme, whilst still making the store airy and more accessible. 

Although I understand the need to rearrange this department of the store, I actually preferred the market atmosphere that the store had before the re-vamp. In my opinion, the old look gave the department a unique aspect, and made it seem authentic and very cultural, something with other competing department stores are missing. These beautifully crafted rugs, carpets and vases looked more at home when they were stacked around the store, creating a very realistic Marrakesh shopping experience for all buyers of the antiques.

Inspired by Annie Leibovitz

After watching Vogue: The Editors eye, and writing my take on it for my blog post yesterday, it made me think back to work I did during my photography A level last year. I have always been interested in fashion photography, and for this project, I wanted to use a deeper narrative behind my images in order to create depth and meaning, sometimes every cause controversy.

I used the shoot described in yesterdays blog post of Alice in Wonderland as inspiration for one shoot during this project, using the photographer, Annie Leibovitz as a main inspiration throughout. Annie Leibovitz has always caught my eye with her photography, creating elegant and beautiful fashion images with a fantasy theme behind them - perfect for my project which I decided to focus on fairytales and children's literature including Humpty Dumpty, Goldie Locks and the Three Bears, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Alice in Wonderland. I thought I would share with you my final piece from this work which I organised in the style of a fairytale scrap book to represent the abstract take on a few of these images, as think they really linke well to this documentary. I really enjoy organising and taking photographs and can't wait until we get to do some more later on in the course!

 

#fcpreflection

In Vogue: The Editor's Eye

 Vogue is probably the most iconic fashion magazine, but do we really know what goes into creating such an inspirational collection of fashion page? In Vogue: The Editor's eye takes a look deeper into the world of Vogue, especially into the work which the editors, both past and present, do in order to create this piece of art work. 

 

Babs Simpson, Grace Coddington, Polly Mellen, Camila Nickerson and Tonne Goodman are the amazing, iconic fashion editors behind this astonishing fashion magazine from the past to the current day. Although they all have a very unique idea as to what their role was as a fashion editor, they can all agree that it was a stressful (and sometimes lonely) job role to fill, having to help with the production of powerful fashion images which not just look pretty, but tell an amazing story. Fashion imagery has gone way past the studio images, and now have to offer more to consumers in order to appeal to the newer, more demanding audience. After planes were available for travel, Vogue has constantly used culture and location in their fashion shoots, but as this documentary shows, this is just the beginning...

One of the shoots from the documentary which really stood out to me was one that current fashion editor, Grace Coddington, helped to create. Using Alice in Wonderland as her theme, the images are very enchanting and mystical. But not is all as simple as taking images of a pretty girl in a blue dress. After deciding the theme, Grace spent months reading every single word of the story, analysing every single illustration from the book and even giving the novel to the lucky model, Natalia Vodianova, to read to ensure she really understood the narrative behind the shoot. This preparation all combines to allows the photographers, stylists, directors and models to really live the storyline and creates inspiring connotations behind these images. But with this shoot, Anna Wintour came up with a cunning idea, adding even more depth (and a sense of humour) to the shoot. They decided to cast some of the worlds most influential designers such as Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagarfeld as the character in the novel, really adding a new concept to the story; plus an added extra for those fashion conscious readers who live for these designers work!

I really enjoyed these aspects of the documentary, and thought it was really inspiring to see the effort that goes into creating these images. I loved learning about the history behind the magazine, and it's really great to compare these new images to the older issues, where the first colour image was used in 1932. It definitely shows that technology has allowed us to do magnificent things, and I think that this added tool which is colour, has allowed us to intensify emotions and story lines further in fashion photography. 

#fcpreflection

Photoshop manipulation

Using Photoshop for a couple of years now, I feel comfortable with the software, but I was very pleased to hear that I would be learning something completely new during a seminar today. Looking at techniques in order to make ordinary fashion images much more dynamic and interesting, I learnt how manipulation can utterly change the whole concept or ideologies of a photograph, adding texture and depth to a otherwise plain fashion photo. I wanted to share with you some of the work I did today during the seminar, and I can't wait to try out more of this and experiment with new styles to expand my knowledge of the software even further!

Motion Blur

 Stroke

I hope that I am able to use these again, incorporating them onto my moodboard and in my streetstyle brief.
#fcpreflection

Liberty of London: S2 E2

Episode 2 of Liberty of London's second series hit Channel 4 this week, and id didn't disappoint! This week shows the rush of New York Fashion week with managing director, Ed Burstell, feeling completely comfortable back in his home town. The programme showed Ed and his team busy in the Big Apple attending shows and meetings with designers in order to find the perfect items to stock in their store for the next season. But with the same old's and the unsellable's (like worn-look £300 shoes- surly you'd want new-looking ones for that price?!), having very little luck Ed turned to a new market. 

Back in the UK, Ed had been looking for the perfect opportunity to contact shoe maker brand,Terry de Havilland. Making bright, eye catching wedges from hand, Ed approached the brand owners with a very tightly timed task of creating 6 different styled wedges to stock in the famous Liberty of London store, working with the official Liberty patterns. Of course Terry de Havilland could not turn down this offer, but with hundreds of fabrics to choose from, and only 6 weeks to create the footwear, time was not on their side. Flicking through the fabrics was mesmerising, and for a viewer, I didn't realise just how many prints Liberty owned; but there was definitely a few that jumped out to the shoe designers which they envisioned to look amazing. Luckily, after non-stop labour, the shoes were complete - and by Ed's reaction to these beautiful accessories, it was obvious a long-term partnership was about to commence. 

Meanwhile, this episode introduced us to another member of the team, Stelios. As part of the vintage section of Liberty of London, Stelios lives and breathes fashion, especially collectible pieces ranging from various century's. The pieces were beautiful, and with a traditional approach to shopping (meaning no website or adverts) the department is known as London's best kept fashion secret. Being a passionate collector since the age of 16, Stelios had built up a fabulous collection of garments, with an extensive knowledge of every single item of both his personal and in store products. So when a bride appears with only three weeks till her wedding and no dress, Stelios is very quick to jump to the rescue! Taking a long, white, hippy-style dress, he pinned away to create the brides perfect dress - even if it was two sizes to big. But with his factory workers able to do speedy alterations, he made her dream come true - whilst also impressing Ed by up-selling with a headpiece too!

This episode was filled with many different issues, including problems with the DJ at the Vogue night out event in store, but with professionals and an outstanding reputation, Liberty never fails to impress its dedicated shoppers. I hope all continues positive for the store in the next episode, where I also would LOVE to see more of Stelios! He's such an adorable character and I really think he adds a huge personality factor to the series!

Christmas Adverts 2014

So we've had a couple of weeks to soak in all the Christmas adverts the huge superstores are offering this year, and well there are some breathtaking ones as always! But which really stands out as being the best Christmas advert for 2014?

Of course there's hundreds of adverts we could talk about, but this year there are two in particular that have really got the public talking. The John Lewis advert has always caused a massive emotional wreck of people with their adverts, and this year took a completely new concept to warm people's hearts. The advert follows a young boy, Sam, and his pet penguin, Monty. Showing their adorable relationship in the winter lead up to Christmas day, the elegant musical background and the strong connection between the two of them really shines through, making the viewer feel an immediate love for the two characters. But something isn't quite right. Sam begins to notice that Monty seems distracted and very down whenever he notices a loved up couple during their days together, and Sam really wants to fix this (as show with his cute confused face he pulls throughout the advert which has got us all to fall in love with the young boy!). So for Christmas day, Sam's present to Monty is the gift of love! Monty receives a new female friend, and they instantly connect. But the best bit about the advert comes at the very end, making us all reminisce and feel so weak at Sam's amazing imagination - if you've seen the advert you'll know EXACTLY what I mean!

 If not, then click here to see the advert everybody is talking about!

But although this advert has had a heartwarming affect on the whole family, there's still one other advert which has really got me thinking, and taught me something I had never known before, but definitely should have been taught in the past! The Sainsbury's advert this year really touches on an amazing and breathtaking true story from Christmas Eve 1914, World War 1. I could explain the advert, but I think it would just do the film making no justice, so take a look at it below...

The 4 minute long advert touches on an awe-inspiring moment in history where all is forgotten, and two soldiers can become friends for a short amount of time. I feel this sends out a beautiful message about Christmas time, how it should be a chance to forget all the things that have happened in the past or may happen in the future, and a time just to share love with each other and feel happy. I love the bravery behind this story and think that Sainsbury's have truly shared a story which everybody of all ages should be aware of. Absolutely mesmerising!

Alevel Photography Work

As some of you may know, I studied photography at A-level, and I really enjoyed getting more creative with photography and developing new techniques I had never even heard of before sixth form as well as helped me fall in love with the syling and art direction aspects behind the photographs. I just thought I would share some of the work I did throughout the two years, mainly following the fashion, lifestyle or portraiture genres, which took inspiration from many amazing photographers such as Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot, Tim Walker, Annie Leibovitz, David Lachapelle and so many more who create both beautiful and shocking fashion images! 

Underwater

Silhouettes

Decades of fashion

 Fairytale Inspired

Victoria's Secret

 

Victoria's Secret have finally given all of us fashion lovers a little hint as to what we can expect from the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2014! The sketches show a very extravagant and over the top idea of outfits and styling the models will be wearing, which of course is to be expected from the glamorous past of the show. Last year, one theme included 'British Invasion', which gave fashionistas an idea that the 2014 show may be held in London for the first time ever, and this did not disappoint! This year we can expect outfits oozing drama, enchantment and a hint of attitude as models hit the stage in the form of mystical creatures, travellers, fairies and angels. I can not wait to see the exquisite staging and captivating atmosphere on December 2nd, and if these drawings are anything to go by, the show will be beautifully enchanting!

Liberty of London S2 E1

 
So it's back! Liberty of London, one of the UK's most prestigious and luxurious department stores has allowed Channel 4 a look inside as they create the second series following the store and events that happen inside. Stocking some of the most glamorous brands such as Versace, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen, the store attracts aspirational shoppers who all want the most unique and most fashionable clothing and home products possible. 

During this first episode, American managing director, Ed Burstell, introduces a traditional US concept in order to try and discover unique and inspiring products to stock in store whilst also bringing Liberty into the future. This involved an open call pitch for absolutely anybody who felt that their product should be stocked inside Liberty of London, a process which was often used in the 60's by some of the largest US department stores such as Macy's and Bloomingdale's. Ed and the Liberty team find Nancy, who has created a new idea surrounding the nail varnish market, a polish that will smell delicious (Nancy's nails). They also come across a completely new market which would stand out in their store from Baker and Bray, a company who aims to create stylish and practical dog trench coats to sell in the store. The episode follows Ed's meeting with the two hopefuls, as he works with them to hopefully make their dreams come true!

 This episode also touches on the visual merchandising and window displays of the stores, as new head of visual identity, Liz Silvester has the task of restyling the store, in order to create a buzz - particularly with the scarf hall. Scarves have always been a central focus point for Liberty of London, and it's pretty much written in their DNA, so there was a lot of pressure put on Liz in order to impress and make herself stand out, especially after a disappointing start on window displays. But using an army of mannequins draped in scarves from head to toe, the hall is transformed, looking modern, breezy and also somewhat controversial.

 

I can't wait to see what the rest of the series holds for Liberty of London, and love the idea of this documentary as truly allows you to get to know the employees and each of their roles in the store, perfect for someone like myself who is just trying to figure out what exactly it is I want to go into within this huge and complex industry.