For the models, I used my friends Alex and Lucy who were a real life couple, whom are androgynous in both their appearance and style. They are also quite alternative; both have tattoos, unusual hairstyles and Lucy has a lot of piercings including a septum ring, ear cartilage piercings and stretched ear-lobes. This meant that my models had that desired 'street cast' look of being beautiful in an unconventional way and fitting into the current trend for body modification.
I chose to base the shoot in their bedroom/home in an ordinary suburban South London semi-detached house belonging to Alex's parents (making it look quite mundane), as this fitted my location theme of real-life/real conditions perfectly.
The theme was also largely inspired by my recent visits to the exhibitions 'ICA Off site: 30 Years of London Subculture' and 'Club to Catwalk' at the V&A museum, which showed how young people from ordinary backgrounds used extreme clothes and (most notably with men) experimental make-up to express their identity and creativity.
The make-up look which I created for the shoot was inspired by controversial androgynous 1980's club fashion icons Leigh Bowery and Boy George.
I practised the make-up look on myself and took a few pictures to see how well in photographed. I have deliberately worn a typically masculine and unglamourous plaid shirt in the pictures to create a strong contrast.
I chose a purple and black colour scheme for the make-up to match the colours used in the collection created by the design team of my group. I also view purple as an androgynous colour as it is a combination of the colours blue which is viewed as the most masculine colour, and pink the most feminine colour. I also think there is an endearing richness, darkness and sense of calm to the colour purple.
In terms of styling, I chose to dress the models in very basic, unisex clothing- plain black and white t-shirts, vests and tight black trousers. This was not only enhance the androgynous look of the models, but also to divert the focus onto the models and their surroundings rather than the clothing.
To do the shoot, I just spent a day hanging out with the models in their house, chatting, taking photos, and filming as I wanted the poses to look as natural an relaxed as possible, although I did give a lot of directions. I chose to also take photos of the models doing ordinary daily activities like smoking and eating to get a very profound sense of realism and an 'unglamourous' feel. I actually focused a lot on the models smoking, as this related to the theme of 'morals' which my group discussed.
I also took a few shoots of the surroundings and the model's possessions (and pets!). This is to give the viewer an insight to their lives and to create some adverts which are very artistic, conceptual, abstract and non-fashion related; which Comme des Garcons are well know for.
These are some of my favourite shoots of the shoot (un-retouched)
I chose a purple and black colour scheme for the make-up to match the colours used in the collection created by the design team of my group. I also view purple as an androgynous colour as it is a combination of the colours blue which is viewed as the most masculine colour, and pink the most feminine colour. I also think there is an endearing richness, darkness and sense of calm to the colour purple.
In terms of styling, I chose to dress the models in very basic, unisex clothing- plain black and white t-shirts, vests and tight black trousers. This was not only enhance the androgynous look of the models, but also to divert the focus onto the models and their surroundings rather than the clothing.
To do the shoot, I just spent a day hanging out with the models in their house, chatting, taking photos, and filming as I wanted the poses to look as natural an relaxed as possible, although I did give a lot of directions. I chose to also take photos of the models doing ordinary daily activities like smoking and eating to get a very profound sense of realism and an 'unglamourous' feel. I actually focused a lot on the models smoking, as this related to the theme of 'morals' which my group discussed.
I also took a few shoots of the surroundings and the model's possessions (and pets!). This is to give the viewer an insight to their lives and to create some adverts which are very artistic, conceptual, abstract and non-fashion related; which Comme des Garcons are well know for.
These are some of my favourite shoots of the shoot (un-retouched)
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