'Night' Catwalk Shoot

Here are my favourite edited images of my catwalk shoot:

    



Positives

Overall, I am really happy with how these images came out. Firstly, in terms of photography, I found that the practice and asking Simon for advice on how to light my images perfectly was extremely beneficial. When going into the studio, I knew exactly what equipment I needed and what positions to put the photography equipment in, meaning that I was able to get everything set up in half an hour. Once I started shooting, the photos came out exactly how I wanted meaning that I had the optimum amount of time to take photos, leaving me with a lot to choose from. However, having not used the white background in my practice, I decided to use it as it gave a clean background and did not detract from the look. I also think that this gives more of a catwalk look as the main focus is on the clothing, makeup and hair.

Regarding the styling, I was very happy with this too. I know that if I had not ordered these clothes, I would not have created this look that I think is comparable to Chanel as a 'budget' version but rather a look that was just put together with clothes that I and my friends owned. This has taught me that going the extra mile when styling the look compliments the makeup and improves the overall look.

Negatives

Despite all of this, taking on the role of the makeup artist, hair stylist, photographer, and stylist meant that I could not focus solely on the makeup, meaning that it suffered. When looking at the photos, I found that the makeup was not as perfect and flawless as I had hoped, despite practising it a few times before. This was because I was more focused on making the photos look good without realising that the makeup would be coming off or would need retouching. This meant that I had to edit the face more than I would like to, and I don't think that this is the point of this project. Therefore this shoot has taught me that it is more important to make sure that the makeup is the best it can be and where it has come off, it has been put on again so that it is not visible in the photos.

In addition to this, I found that the concealer and foundation I used on my model was either too dark or just did not match her skin. Having worked on this model before, I thought that this would not be a problem. However, as I was also not able to do the makeup in the makeup studios as my studio was booked for 9am, I found it difficult to do makeup with natural daylight rather than the artificial light of the studios. I believe this is a factor that hindered my ability to make the makeup look the standard I would have liked it to be. After this, I have decided that this evening I will practice the foundation on my model again and decide what colour or even if I am using the right product. This testing will hopefully enable the makeup for my day look shoot tomorrow of a better standard.

Timed Assessment

Moodboards:

Makeup 

Hair

Overall mood

I was pleased with how my timed assessment turned out as it was just how I imagined the look. This was also a helpful practice for my night photoshoot as I knew exactly what I was doing and could get straight to it. I also accomplished the dewy, natural skin that I was aiming for. This was also aided by my notes that I prepared the night before, along with a photo of my practice of the makeup:



I found that having thorough notes was very beneficial when creating the look. I did not feel unprepared at all, and if I felt any nerves or had a mind lapse I was able to go straight to my notes and get back to what I was doing. This has taught me how important preparation is when creating the actual look as it gave me the confidence to go in and create the look. With timed assessments before, I have gone in not really knowing what I am doing and this has led to creating looks that I was really not happy with. However I feel like those negative experiences have taught me what not to do and how important it is to prepare and make sure that you know exactly what to do when going in. Therefore I feel as if throughout the past 2 years I have learnt a lot in terms of professionalism and preparation which has led me to become more organised and determined.

In terms of working with my model, I found it easy as she had the hair length that I desired and had clear skin, making it easier to create the look that I wanted, with a realism of what it would look like on a catwalk model. I don't think that this look would have been harder to create if it were on someone that I did not know. In addition to this, I did not have to adapt the look to her face or hair as it suited it perfectly.

Catwalk Hair Ideas

For this look, I know that I would like to have a headband as that is what a lot of the models of this catwalk were wearing. For example:

      

Their characteristics are silver, often with different textures, so I decided to create my own with embellishments that had the same intention that the silver features had for Karl. This being that the reflection replicates the sun shining on an aeroplane.

In addition to this, I noticed that pearls were worn by a lot of the models. For example:

      

I have also been inspired by past Chanel looks. I think black silk is commonly seen within Chanel and this feminine addition is synonymous with the brand. For example, Chanel's Fall/Winter 2015 catwalk show featured a headband with silver accessory:

 

Therefore I wanted to include some sort of pearl accessory as an allusion to this.



I think that this headband idea will go well with a hairstyle that has a middle parting, and so that is how I fashioned it on my doll head. In addition to this, I experimented with a plait at the back of the hair and possibly intertwining this thin pearly string through it, however this is an idea that I will have to refine.

I also created some hair charts that were inspired by the Chanel hairstyles that I found in my research:

Day Hair Charts:



These looks are simple, however I believe that they encompass the Chanel hairstyle seen on the catwalk. I included trends such as the plait, the hair at the nape of the neck and the Chanel S/S 16 feature of a middle parting and something silver. What I will need to think about when choosing the perfect hairstyle is the practicality of it, how it will look on camera and whether it will match the clothes that I choose.  I also intend to have the hair natural without using hair tools as it seems as if this is how the hair is during the Chanel show.

Night Hair Charts:



I kept the basic principle of having hair accessories within the hairstyle. Having already practiced a hairstyle that I like the look of, I still came up with two other ideas that would also be suitable for the night look. Considering pearls are the signature material/ jewellery that Chanel is known for, I think that I should include this. Moreover, I think that the headband adds a classy, more expensive feel to the look which is what I want to contrast with the day look.

Catwalk Makeup Ideas

I incorporated blue into all the makeup looks that I created. I did this because I have seen it throughout the S/S 2016 collections and am still seeing blue throughout the A/W 2016 collections. I believe that blue is also fitting as the collection has an element of alluding to the sky and its rich blue colour or sunsets, and I want to create a reference to this too. In addition to this, I think that it is a fitting addition to the clothing ideas that I put together. Moreover, all of my looks will consist of a natural looking, dewy base that is not heavy but still looks flawless. 5/6 also include natural, pink lips as this is what I have seen throughout the Chanel collection, and I believe that a colour will be too extravagant combined with blue.

Day Catwalk Makeup Ideas:


 This look was inspired by Chanel's S/S 2016 Haute Couture collection. I think a blue graphic liner look around the eye will not overpower the garments but will be an interesting, shapely addition. I included this in the 'day' look as I believe that it is not harsh but a light, creative addition to the face.








This look takes more of a 90's inspiration, and also inspiration from the use of eyeshadow in the S/S show. Although it will not across the nose etc, it will be pale and soft like the sunglass shape makeup by Tom Pecheux. The Kiko eyeshadow colour that I would intend to use mimics the colour of the Chanel version, and I think that a pale pink lip would create a girly, traditional look suited to Chanel.






This look consists of thick, blue mascara around the lashes. This is an alternative twist to the conventional simple black mascara look. I want the blue to be vibrant and visible, so will need to find a product that is bright but can give a thick clumpy effect that I desire.







Night Catwalk Makeup Ideas:

 
This look consists of an ombre, blue eyeliner look. I chose to create an ombre eyeliner rather than a traditional eyeliner as I wanted to replicate a 'sunset' type transition. This came from the theme of travel and aeroplanes that also inspired Karl Lagerfeld.










This look was inspired by the bold eyeliner looks I have seen throughout different catwalk collections. I think that it also encompasses the grungy, rebellious look that I have seen in the editorials and the 'Country Western' Chanel video.







I like this look as it is natural and plain but has a statement that brings everything in the face together. The bold blue lip may be too much when accompanied with the garments. I also think that this could be more appropriate for an advert look.

Catwalk Styling Ideas

I have thoroughly gone through Chanel's S/S 2016 Ready to Wear collection, and took note of trends that I saw and also what I liked the most. What I noticed a lot throughout the collection was:

The silver shoe:




I really loved these shoes that a lot of the models wore during the show. After researching the intentions of Karl, I found that he included a lot of silver in the show in order to replicate the reflection of the sun on an aeroplane and silver components of a plane. A lot of elements of this collection revolve around reflection. I also thought that the silver matched all of the garments perfectly too, and so this has been something to consider when choosing the shoes. As most of the models wore this type of shoe, I chose to use silver for both shoots as they will also match the clothes that I want the model to wear. Images that I feel have inspired this look and inspire my look:









   


White trousers:

 

These trousers give off the impression of travel and also being care free, and so are what I would like to include in the 'day' outfit. Paired with a jacket or a jumper in the style of Chanel is that I think will be appropriate for this look. Moreover, they will go well with the silver shoes, like they do on the actual catwalk. These trousers are synonymous with travelling and are stereotypically worn in hot countries because of their light feeling and white colour that reflects heat back. This has been chosen by the designers because of the fact that these looks are based on travelling and being abroad. They are also coming into trend more with the younger generations, whereas they were stereotypically more popular with older women before. Trousers were popularised by Coco Chanel herself, and so Chanel are maintaining their progressive fashion styles.

Reflective sunglasses:



These sunglasses were the material version of the makeup that had been created by Tom Pecheux. These are large and glamorous, and give off the impression that when the model is on the flight, they do not want to be disturbed. I think the reflection also signifies the reflection of the windows on the plane, which is another example of Karl's reflective intention. I think that they are also representative of sunset colours, as they are of a gradient style and are sky colours. This is an allusion to sunsets and the sky while away in another country, which is how Chanel has fulfilled this theme of travel through accessories. I love the look of these sunglasses and how they add to the outfits, and so I'd like to include these in my Catwalk shoots. Images that I think have inspired this look and inspire my own look:

    

Statement jewellery:

 

A lot of the looks featured silver jewellery that cascaded down the chest of the models. These were statement pieces, however they did not overpower the outfits but rather added to them beautifully. I would like to include a statement piece in atleast one of my looks as I think this will replicate the collection well and also, again, conform to the look of 'reflection' with jewels and silver.

My moodboards:

I will be working with a fashion styling student for the day look in order to get the best possible look. As she is not available for when I am shooting the night look, I will style that myself.

In this I included my inspiration outfit and descriptions of what they are/why I would like them underneath. I was not quite sure what I wanted for this look so included two options. The first is a look that consists of tribal prints as this is a theme I noticed throughout the collection, and the second is a more traditional Chanel look with a tweed jacket. The model will be wearing white trousers as this is what I also stated I wanted to include, with silver shoes. I think minimal jewellery will be appropriate for this look as I do not want it to be confused with the night look as I would like them to contrast. This look will be more suited to the less neat hairstyle that I would like for this look too, which contrasts the neat hairstyle of the night look.


This is the look that I will be styling myself. I found some of these items on ASOS which I will order for the shoot as I don't think that I can borrow clothes and jewellery that look like these and will give a realistic look of Chanel. This look is darker and more formal than the first, which I hope will be an obvious contrast.

Styling for the night look:

As I am working with a styling student who will be styling my day look, I have only had to order the clothes for the night look. This is what I ordered/borrowed:





I think that accompanied with my handmade headband and the neat, plaited hairstyle with pearl material intertwined, these garments will go well and look as if they have come from the Chanel runway. I also believe that my blue eyeliner look will match the sunglasses, and not be a simple match with the formality of the look. Moreover, it will not be over the top and overpower the rest of the look. In addition to this, I believe that these will suit the photography style I am using, as this is how they are displayed on the ASOS website anyway.

This is my first time ordering clothes online and styling a whole look myself, and I have found it an enjoyable experience. I have found that ordering in the clothes that exactly matched my look rather than borrowing clothes that barely suited my intended look is more satisfying and looks more professional. I hope that this is translated within my shoots.