Matthew Brodie - Paper Dresses

The paper dress editorial by Matthew Brodie for Madame Magazine is nothing short of incredible. Once again I am looking at large scale props being used in a fashion context. Here the image are celebrating these hand made props whilst selling accessories such as bags and jewellery. The brilliant thing about fashion photography is how it sells a life style and here you want to become this woman dressed in paper. I think the images do hold some kind of childhood nostalgia, with the pencil sharpening dress or the flowing crate paper. The props bring you back to a scissors and glue craft project, yet the studio reminds you that it is a fashion image. Brodie's blog post shows the making of the props and you can see the work that has gone into them.

I think the lighting is really interesting, in the studio they could have been shot against bright white, however this adds to the quirkiness highlighting certain areas. I think the model fits with the style of the images, some what unconventional. I don't know if I'm a fan of the hair styles though out the whole series but I do really like these three images. I think they show that doing something your self can pay off and inspire me to really pull out all the stops in my project. 

Guinevere and Knitted Cars

GUINEVERE AND KNITTED CARS
SUFFOLK, ENGLAND, 2006

I remember when I first saw Tim Walker's work at college I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I ran straight out and brought Vogue just to look at the photos again. Years on I still admire his work, however I don't find myself looking at it that much. When I decided I wanted to include knitting in my photography I was brought back to his images and this is one that I could use in my research.

The image works as a whole, without the title you still know it is rural England. The cloudy sky, 50mph sign, location and telegraph pole give it context, not to mention the obvious car props. It does have a very country feel to it, the use of the white yarn is simplistic but also shows off the complex cable patterns. If a darker colour had been used you would not be able to see the detail. The model's stare into the camera makes the moment believable, as if you were the owner of the other car or a passer by. As she is holding the steering wheel I think it was her that caused the accident, maybe the other driver saw how beautiful she was and couldn't keep their eyes on the road? The image has a narrative, the quintessential model stranded after the accident raising many questions. The styling is consistent, the cable on her jumper and on the cars, also the skirt's lines work with the telephone wires. Everything is very contemporary despite having a vintage aesthetic. The cars are brilliantly knitted and you truly believe the world this is taken from is covered in knitwear. I think the type of knitting used here is something I can aspire too with my shoot, however I do need to consider the time frame I have if I am to create all the props myself. With my project I should be considering the whole environment and how the final images communicate a message to the viewer like this image does.

Image Makery

Okay, so I'm back at uni and its killing me. After an 'easy' second year I've pretty much got to up my game to a whole new level. With my sketch book I'm researching and showing my invested time, however I am also going to include my blog into my project, updating it everyday so it is an online log of my work.

My new project:
Recently we had to give a presentation on our idea, we had to talk for 6 minutes about our concepts, context and content. I'm not great at speaking in front of groups so I spent hours writing down exactly what I would say, which inevitably was time waisting as half way through I realised how dry it was and that I had not really explained my idea at all. Here are a couple of points from it:

Erwin Olaf

laboral escena, gijon

I will be looking at the style of Erwin Olaf, his work is always a source of inspiration. What attracted me to these photos were the painting like quality and how they follow the same theme I am interested in. The way the female model is portrayed in the fur denotes wealth and the pheasant hanging places you in a rural environment. I enjoy the way his work plays with the real and the unreal, how you can almost be convinced it is a painting and the skill that has gone into lighting and post production.

Elaine Bradford

Sweatered Elk

For my next project I will be combining my knitwear with my photography, although I am incredibly interested in knitting I must remember that I am the photographer and that the props really have to come second to producing the images. Looking here at Elaine Bradford's work it links into my project as I am hoping to produce a hunting themed shoot using knitted props as substitutes to fur and other traditionally cruel animal products. I will be producing a fashion editorial (8-12 images) with a vintage feel, combining textile props and fashion accessories to trick the viewer into believing, at a glance, the objects are real.


I have finished making an antler, it has turned out slightly different to what I expected, however I am happy with it (excuse the terrible photos)! I wanted to knit it in one piece but it has become more textured because I have wrapped it around itself, which fits into my style a lot more, hopefully my friend Ben will guide me a little bit in the prop making! I've got one more to do, which should take about two days. My whole life is being consumed by this project, but I've got a few elements sorted and I'm just piecing it all together.

Todays Research:

Today I have been looking into documentary photographers. I am trying to gather as much information I can on hunting and how to portray the models within my images.

David Chancellor

Hunters

"This body of work explores the complex relationship that exists between man, and animal, the hunter, and the hunted as we both struggle to adapt to our changing environments"

I believe by looking into the real I can draw more inspiration than looking into other fashion images. We have been warned away from looking at other contemporary fashion photographers because we will just reproduce what we are looking at (which is totally ironic as fashion reproduces everything and everything and is not as conceptual as portrait or documentary work). Although this series is looking at Africa it does give a good insight into the hunter's life and the situations they face day to day. What I do struggle with when looking at images such as these is how real they are. With fashion you know it is contrived and selling a product/lifestyle, but with these why are the posed? Why does the hunters stand there proud showing his prize? What is the reason behind the photographer capturing the moment and what did he have to say to get the subject to stand there like they are? The subjects do show an uneasiness which raises two more questions: are they uneasy about their work or because of the photographer?

With this series there is a strong link between the photographer, viewer and subject. We are interested in the subject because it is the 'real', we are interested because it is human nature. Seeing the results and 'trophies' is shocking and I personally cannot believe it is real. Although the series informs does it take a side? From the series I do feel inspired despite my image making being completely different. It raises questions on how I will be producing my work. I can draw from the poses and the emotions the subjects are showing.

Things to look at:
How to position the model in my images: looking into how the subject and audience interact.
How do I present my work without promoting hunting?
How to raise awareness within my images? Do I want a connection between the props and the model?

Zed Nelson

Fox Hunting 

I have decided to look into Zed Nelson's fox hunting series for ideas on styling.

This is the write up from the Institute For Artist Management website that accompanies the work:

 The British tradition of fox hunting is viewed by many as an elitist and cruel past time for the rich. The battle between those who call for an outright ban and those who demand the right to hunt has made it a major political issue. Hunting with a pack of hounds was banned under the previous Labour government, but hunting on horse back with a single hound remains legal and a frequent countryside activity.

Anti-hunt saboteurs continue to harass and disrupt fox-hunters wherever they gather, but ‘pro’ fox-hunting lobby groups have mobilizing their own supporters, and are digging in to defend their right to hunt. The hunters have become the hunted, but they are refusing to go down without a fight.

Once again by looking into the real I do have a good idea of how to produce my work. I have a meeting my stylist tonight to discuss the idea further, I do really like the Alexander McQueen 2012 Resort collection, which is really tailored and plays with gender roles.

Basic Shoot Outlines:
Farm House. Hunting. Knitted Props. English Feel. The Representation of Women. Time Setting - looking into 40s knitting patterns and how the women are portrayed. Tweed. Role Reversal.

Next:
Look into how women were portrayed in the 20s, 30s, 40s (stitch in time) look into knitting patterns - the style of images.
Look into the roles of women during those times and how to cross over modern androgyny with vintage appeal.
Look into the real and the unreal and how to cross over in my project.
Look into how to produce anti-animal cruelty images without encouraging it. Vanity vs. Welfare. Fashion fixes.

Skinny Love

Its officially the end of my summer and what a way to spend it. After months of sitting and knitting my cruel and ironic finale, by the fate of a knitting needle, leaves me sitting and knitting for one more week. Honestly I needed this summer, almost to repent and rediscover myself as an individual. For two years I've been very caught up with these ideas of love and 'soul' searching, the fear of being single and the depression that came with losing friends. It may have taken some time but I do feel at peace and all those moments that felt like the end of the world wash over and I can just smile.

The combination of some very good friends, knitting and learning about a different way of life has done wonders on my personality. I may have seemed hidden away but I'm about ready to get back into the world. Going back to university excites me as I'll be working on a different game plan.

I have so much to blog about and patterns I'd really like to post but I drove myself crazy knitting my dad a hat for his birthday. As I was ill for it I wanted it to be lovely for him and staying up till 4am may have warped the design slightly. So watch this space for all my new uploads, but for now I've gotta go back up to Bournemouth and make the most of my student time.

Dads Hat 

Pattern I made and worked from

Where The Wild Things Are hat designed, made and modelled by me! haha

The reason behind my 'accident' was this hat here. My dear friend Kris asked me to make it for him and whilst knitting it the trauma occurred. I don't blame him for what happened.... much! 

Spongebob Design

So when I was last at uni, April some time, I was knitting a jumper for some guy I was seeing (rookie mistake, stick with quick knit hats or scarfs for men with potential). I stopped knitting it but picked it up last week when I was ill. I had the back made and the start of the front, however had lost the pattern. The result in shape is a little mis-match, however designing the face was fun and a prototype really. I'll upload the picture design as soon as I get a chance to digitalise it!

Finished front, the back looks a little crazy! 

Finished the embroidery on JC and made the back on my machine! Just need to stitch that together! 

Also this week I've been making a red fox to send off to America, I've got its ears to sew on then its ready to go! Just want a lovely box to put it in!

Grumpy and hard at work!

Three foxes!

My work room I'm sadly leaving. 

 Soooooo I'm sorry if my postings a little all over the place. I've gone into over drive as I've so much to do and no time! Click click see you in Bournemouth!

Three lovely days and a trip to a&e

Friday

On Friday I went up to Hylands House to be a wedding photographer, something I had never done before. As I knew the bride and groom it was quite nice, a real Walker day out as my mother did the hair for the bride and my father shot along side me. The wedding was beautiful making it a pleasure to shoot!

Saturday

On saturday I went back up to Hylands to do a shoot. Thanks to my friends Truly Madly Vintage we had some lovely pieces to shoot with, as well as sneaking some of my foxes in!

Sunday

Sunday was my day out with I Knit London, however things did not run as smoothly as I had planned. With my sister Kate we headed up to London on a slow train making us 20 mins late and missing the special train we had tickets to go on. As Kate predicted everything worked out and we had a lovely day on vintage trains, busses and looking at beautiful classic cars. We also headed over to the V&A to see their exhibition 'The Power of Making' which was amazing. They had a giant piece of knitting which only furthered my want for 28mm needles. My favourite exhibit was the crochet bear, I think it was to scale but I couldn't be sure! It was beautifully done and an inspiration for my next project. I believe when you see what you truly love doing exhibited in a way such as this you do feel a pride of being apart of the knitting community.

Monday

Monday started off well, I saw an old friend and later my parents dress rehearsal for the show they are currently starring in. A while ago my sister told me if I ran my knitting needles through my hair the grease made it easier to knit, so as I knitted in the dark with a vintage pair of 3 3/4 needles and the wool being a little tough to knit with I misjudged my head and stabbed myself in the ear.
With an explosion of pain and a ringing I never knew existed off to a&e we went. Luckily I had only made a huge hole in my ear drum and not destroyed my inner ear, however It's not healing too fast :( I'd like to be in Bournemouth for Friday so I'm praying it'll be okay!

So here's a little update on my knits this week:

And finally Happy Birthday Dad :) had a lovely meal at Frankie and Bennys despite my leaky ear! Going to make you a fabulous scarf and hat once I can walk in a straight line :)

Patterns and Patterns and Patterns

Although I knit everyday the items I am knitting are only really seen by my facebook friends. As I receive requests mainly from friends I don't worry too much about promoting myself.  However, a couple of days ago a friend from Bournemouth asked if I could knit her a cat for her mothers birthday on Sunday, so with a day and a half to do it I recorded the pattern rather than free handing it. She sent me a couple of photos of knitted cats she liked and the real life cat I was basing it on. Luckily I had a ball of smoking black wool so I could start on it right away. Here are some photos of the cats transformation and you can see the final project on my free pattern page. I sold it via Etsy, so it is my first 'official' sale! I have now submitted the pattern to Ravelry and another website so I hope people enjoy it! 

Yesterday I started on a snowy fox I could use on a shoot on Saturday! I need to get the body finished, but will do that on my machine! I also wanted to do another red one for the shoot however I may just have to take my first one! I've got a busy weekend ahead, a wedding tomorrow, fashion shoot saturday and day out with I Knit on sunday! I really hope the weather is nice!

Blue Tits and Spaceships

Knitted Tie Fighter 

I'd like to think I could knit most things by hand, free handed even, however knitting a Star Wars Tie Fighter was a real challenge. After being shown some photos of one by my new friend Ben Swalies I had to attempt it. I knitted 4 versions of the outer pieces: the first in separate shapes, second and third free handed and the forth I had to digitally make the pattern to finally get it looking somewhat presentable. Other versions I have seen of it have all been crochet, so if I was to attempt it again I wouldn't knit it! (well maybe chunky wool on small needles rather than DK to make it stiffer). He seems to like it so it all turned out okayyy!  

Outer Piece Pattern

So with my new friend Ben I braved London for the day. I wouldn't say I am a massive wimp when it comes to cities, but definitely need some assistance when bumbling around them. We had a nice day, visiting Brick Lane where I brought two beanie babies! I also saw this jumper, which was a nice bit of inspiration! Simple but really lovely! With the cold and rain just round the corner the wooly jumper will rise again and I'll get to see loads of beautiful designs where ever I go :))

Lovely Jumper in a Brick Lane Window 

After Brick Lane we visited the Natural History Museum and I got to see the amazing animatronic dinosaurs, I'm not too sure if they were to scale, they seem to be different sizes in different parts of the museum, and a lot bigger in Jurassic Park. Despite having some beef with the sizes of the exhibits and the lies about the dodo bird it was a lovely trip. Looking at all the stuffed (and model) animals it did give me some ideas for my knitting and I learnt an awful lot!

Long Neck

Getting some ideas for future knitting projects. 

On my train journey I was working on a baby hat I had been asked to knit, I still have four more to do but I think this was a good start! I first attempted to do them on my dpns however it did not give as nicer finish as just working on regular needles. Working with one of my favourite colour wools I created this. It could be a monkey or a bear cub, however you want to see it! I finished it yesterday and will get started on the rest tomorrow. 

Monkey/Bear Cub New Born's Hat

After finishing the newborn hat I was thinking about going back to uni and what to shoot. I began looking into animal cruelty and the use of animals in fashion. I wanted to knit something that would ultimately fit with my faux foxes. I found a pattern online for a blue tit and started working on it but changing the colours to oranges and browns. I thought about the use of birds in fascinators and thought I should try out a pattern before designing my own. I was quite happy for a nights work, however it has let my arm in a support bandage and clicking like crazy. Ooopps. I'm getting in quite a few orders at the moment so I'm moving between machine knitting and hand knitting to keep my bones from snapping! 

Blue Tit Knitting Pattern 

Working on Four Needles 

Finished Bird!