25th December: I'm Still Guest Posting!

Just a little reminder - I'm still Guest Posting for Fred Butler Style. (Check out the full Blog Post here) Fred's blog is one that you really should follow!

December 25th: Merry Christmas!

Monday 9th: Xu Bing at the V&A

Inspired by an ancient Chinese Fable, Xu Bing has created this installation at the V&A. The stones are collected from different locations in China, and brought together to create this mountainous landscape. Dusted with different visual treats, for viewers to find through exploration. 

Funnily, the electrics that were used to light the piece at night, were included. Electric wires and boxes were part of the world created. Bing intentionally put these there to remind the viewer that this ethereal world isn't real, and far from achievable. 

I thought that this piece displayed a really special quality, particularly because it creates a real atmosphere for the viewer to soak up. Like going to another world!

5th December: The White Shirt

I think everyone will agree that sometimes student designs can be quite outrageous- ah-mazing, but outrageous. I undertook a role last year which enabled me to complete the dressing at Central Saint Martins for The White Show. I think the example garments I had to use were a perfect example of this!

I think you'll also agree that there is a bit of a hype surrounding Menswear at the moment. Making men who want to dress in a contemporary way - like myself - so extremely happy, however making other males either extremely nervous to wear/buy, and the rest are simply amused and or repulsed! J.W. Anderson for me demonstrates the topic I thought about whilst modelling this White Shirt for a friends final photos. For me Anderson is developing a Menswear look which makes the gap between menswear and womenswear far more blurred. A look which I love. Every Mens collection I'd cut my own hand off to have! Thinking about it Lanvin's last few collections are also branching into this aesthetic of Menswear.

For me a White Shirt is a huge part of my wardrobe, I must own eight or nine...I probably always look like I'm going to work - however is such a basic component, and one which I always employ without fail. This particular white shirt designed by Katie Asbury (Fashion Design Marketing, LCF) I think breaks into the same realm that Anderson - and many others - are working inside, an interesting thing to wear for us males. Showing an interest in contemporary fashion, whilst separating yourself from every other man sporting a Shirt. Hopefully this one will be in my wardrobe within the next few weeks - whether Katie knows about it or not. 

(Photos borrowed from Parize Photography, White Shirt by Katie Asbury)

5th December: Home Truths at the Photographers Gallery

Home Truths: Photography Motherhood & Identity is an absolutely incredible exhibition. And is definitely worth seeing, although I say that for most of the exhibitions I put on here - so you guys must be busy! (This particular space is around until the end of January - so you've got time!)

After seeing Geraldo De Barros and Perspectives on Collage in this space I was so excited to get back there once more, to see what beauties they had hanging this time! "A home truth can be simply understood as a fact that is somehow discomforting to acknowledge or may cause embarrassment. The work in this show may do all of those things." This exhibit is a screaming out about Identity and Motherhood, it questions society's immediate assumptions of it. It asserts authority throughout any piece regarding Feminism or Identity with regards to children I've ever seen before.

The group of artists are: Janine Antoni, Elina Brotherus, Elinor Carucci, Ana Casas Broda, Fred Hüning, Leigh Ledare, Katie Murray and Hanna Putz.

The thing I found particularly fascinating was the way the imagery communicated the hugely demanding roles of a Mother. Katie Murray completed a video named Gazelle, which cried out the subject to me. A woman is trying to exercise with two children literally using her as a climbing frame, for me you could almost pinpoint the moment that this woman's identity left her body, and her role as a mother took over. Strangely however I found this whole exhibit constantly highlighting the complexities of this topic, however not once complaining about the role. I was left wondering whether anyone else had this reaction? Maybe it's the fact that most women enter this role voluntarily? Some of the artists in the exhibition even had quotes exploring their views on the process, communicating to me that they don't regret their decisions at all - just want the complexities of the role to be acknowledged.

Mothers, and even fathers once seeing this, I don't think you'll ever look at your children in the same way again.

4th December: Richard Wilson at the Saatchi

Anyone who knows me, or is an avid reader of this blog - fingers crossed that there actually is someone out there  - will know that an experience within an Exhibition, is something that I not only love but appreciate it as a futuristic qualities. When Art is created which places you as a viewer in a situation, I personally find you retrieve so much more than just admiring the brush strokes of a Portrait. 

Richard Wilson's 20:50 provides the ultimate scenario for the viewer. If you're a lover of Graphics, Architecture, or appreciative of Contemporary Art you're missing out hugely if you haven't seen this. The Saatchi gallery accommodate this particular piece in a room especially created to house this exhibit, and is one of the only attractions which remains permanent.

As a lover of Architecture myself, this is such a visionary space. The reflection upon the surface of the recycled engine oil is so clean at some of the first viewing points you don't recognise its presence. Another part which fascinated me, was the reaction of the other viewers. Some being repulsed by the smell of the liquid, others seeing the fascination that grew continuously on me throughout my time here. I remember one woman in particular as she dismissed the entire space calling out "Shirley this room must be under renovation. Where's the shop?"

3rd December: A Love of the Old

Even though new heights can be gone to with the Digital Dawn of technology, sometimes I like to revert back to the past. Maybe you'll find an area which someone else hasn't? 

These analogue shots I took on a Boots disposable (they're on sale - but go when you've finished reading this!) and they remind me that a super super pricey camera isn't always needed to create an image which connects to something. 

With this way of photography you really only have one chance to get the shot you want, and for that I don't know whether I love/hate it more?

2nd December: Project One.

Styling & Creative Direction: Charlie John Milton & Joëlla Vera Bril

Photographer: Jose Montemayor

Hair & Makeup Artist: Rachael Thomas

Model: Francesca Cosh

This was the shoot Joëlla and myself created, with huge thanks to an amazing team. Photography by Jose Montemayor, who was a huge advantage to the shoot. 

These images were used as the basis for a collaged image, of which the viewer would create. After being inspired by Visionaire magazine, and the hybrid media being created through Digital and Analogue means Joëlla and I really wanted to create an experience for the viewer - rather than just a glossed image. And I'll upload images of the final piece later, it's being marked currently - eeek.

The brief we worked to asked us to answer in an image 'What Makes a Fashion Image?'. Knowing that all Fashion is entirely subjective, we chose quite a minimal London narrative. It dawned on us that choosing garments we liked questioned the brief anyway?!