BOURGEOIS-GEE @sophiegeecop - Tumblr Blog

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BAG- I was happy with the final aesthetic of my bag, as it communicated my concept perfectly. The use of plastic food boxes was something I done to create an ironic persuasion associated with my concept regarding social class and fashion. Nevertheless I am aware of how minimalist and basic my bag can be considered as it did not take much assembling in comparison to some of my tests and peers products. Moreover being on an erasmus when creating this piece hindered my options of creativity in relation to resources and facilities. Although this was the case I used this as a positive, creating everything by hand, and relating it to couture fashion, in which every individual piece is usually handmade, therefore for the large price tag. I am fully aware of the simplicity my bag may entail in regards to the technical side but each individual component to create it is a representation of social class and fashion, reaffirmed by the low cost of creation.

BLOG - When looking at my blog from the start I am actually very pleased with how y theme has continued to remain the same but my ideas have flourished and developed in relation. I am very happy with how many of the first images I chose for inspiration, such as photographers as MARTIN PARR and JEFF BARK are so similar to my final product. Throughout the blog I have continued to refer back to the concept of ‘is fashion accessible to all?’ and have introduced inspirations combining my own personal taste and working class upbringing to my current surroundings of Milanese life, through primary photography. I am aware that I have a lot of writing on my blog and although this may not be aesthetically pleasing it aids the viewer of my blog to really delve deep into my concept and understand the development of my theme. I was not happy with my blog for a long time as I felt it didn’t appear as clear and concise as I originally wanted it, i changed this by creating titles for each blog post, in the font of my logo.

CONCEPT - ‘IS FASHION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL SOCIAL CLASSES?’

The first inspiration for this concept came from a lecture with James Beighton where he talked about George Simmels ‘Trickle Down Theory’. This theory states how the elite or ‘upper class’ try and distinguish themselves to have a certain something that sets them evidently apart from the rest of society. When researching further into his theory he said particularly in fashion their is the oppositions of ‘sameness’ and ‘difference’. I have aimed to convey this through my project by using elements that are considered of luxury, but have presented them in a way that is not luxury. For example combining fur and gold, but using tacky bright gold and pink fluffy fur, and then attaching it to a plastic box. I could elaborate on this concept so much as I feel it is contemporary and has many opposing theories and opinions. I hope that the theme of social class is evident when viewing my final image.

‟Fashion became a vehicle of conspicuous consumption and upward mobility: qualities or personhood were conveyed through the fashioned body. Consumerism became a technique of self-formation requisite to new conducts of life .”(Craik, 1993, page 207)

These are my three final images, fusing the entirety of my concept, theme and design process. I chose these three images for many reasons. IMAGE 1 - I think this image is very powerful, with the accessories and the way the models hands are resting on her sunglasses. Encapsulating the image as a whole and creating the trashy and sassy theme, without placing to much emphasis on the product. IMAGE 2 - The hands on the accessory connect perfectly. It is evident that the model takes pride in her appearance, and the use of rings, tattoos and painted nails corresponds perfectly with the aesthetic of the bag. Not just because of the matching colour scheme but the underlying concept of social class and fashion. And who is to say that this is not high fashion, and that it really depends on the individuals taste.

IMAGE 3 - I picked this image because I really feel it represents the personality of the model and the personality and form of the ‘BourgoisGee‘ brand I have aimed to create. It conveys realism of real people. I enjoy the exposing of reality that defies against traditional high fashion concepts of defining luxury and wealth through clothes. What is wrong with conveying realism and the concept of having no money and still looking good. In my personal opinion I think it is much more interesting to create personal style with little economic assistance than just purchasing fashion due to having the economy to walk into a trusted designer shop.

Here I created some ad campaigns with my final images. I had a really strong brand identity from the start and it really contributed to my concept, design process and final photoshoot.

Here I started to play around with un-edited images, aiming to find the best few for my final choice, and to see what effects of the images would appear best. I also like to experiment with logo to synthesise the whole project.

Although when editing I thought the best thing for the images was to really increase the contrast, making it bold, in your face and trashy. Now I am looking at the images together I really do prefer the ones with not as much editing. (First and Fifth image) This rough and real aesthetic is much more influentual and attractive than forcing the buzz of something that is already strong, and unordinary without the assistant of extra colour.

Behind the scenes, during the shoot, in which I styled, directed and photographed by myself.

These are a few images from the photoshoot pre-edit.

I decided on doing the photoshoot indoors, in my kitchen here in Milan. As it has a perfect little gap creating a frame. Also it bridges the gap between normality and fashion. It also reminds me of the shoot that I posted very early on in my research from Plastic magazine, starring Nicki Minaj.

My chosen model, was my muse and she willingly co-operated with what I wished to style her in. Giving off the vibe of working class, realism and truth. Why does fashion have to be associated with those of wealth and status. Everyone as an individual has the ability to express themselves through clothes and why is it necessarily positive to convey wealth through ones image?

My Nanny’s hands really interest me. Her skin, nails, rings and tattoos really convey her personality, memories, and her life. I though it was very important to use these as close ups when taking images of the bag.

This is my final creation in which I have chosen to be in my photoshoot. I am aware of the simplicity of the design, yet I feel it really presents my concept in the ironic and original way i have intended.

The use of plastic, something that is worth no money and is easy sourced was an idea I had from the start. And although I experimented with many different plastic boxes, the way these two fitted together to make a neat and concise bag was perfect.

Moreover in many of my early designs I had used fur and the gold chain. FUR = Because it has always been a signifier of luxury. From very early on in history it has been a representation of wealth, class and significance. I have juxtaposed this by using a bright pink faux fur. GOLD = Gold still has a huge relation to economic. But it also has other contrasting representations, relating more to fake and faux. Due to the easy access of fake gold, and costume jewellery which is not of any value it also has the ability to connote a lack of money, or a want of appearing to have money.

I secured the bag with the plastic plaits which I created very early on. I like to imagine that if this bag had a designer label attached to it, it could be considered luxury, despite being practically value-less.

Here I have experimented further with possibilities and inspiration for my final design.

In the first two images displayed I continued to place emphasis on the plastic food packaging box which has been a constant idea throughout my design process. I have attached lace to the yellow box, adding detail. In the second image I have experimented in a way of attaching a handle, and what the handle could be. The handle in this image is a plaited up plastic bag. I feel if I was to use this method i would have to use numerous plastic plaits to give the bag the strength it needed.

In the second group of images I have cut up a milk bottle. Creating this incision so it can open like a bag. I love the irony and fun of this idea. I feel it would be really interesting if I was to attach a gold chain and fur giving a kitsch playful aesthetic. Nevertheless I feel with the whole Moschino craze of bright ideas, although I am inspired by many I felt it may me too similar. Nevertheless if this was something I felt I could really decorate to create my own I would create my own branding for the bottle. I was inspired by the milk bottle in the third row of images. I really like the colours and typeface. But would evidently style it up with my own logo and text.

In the second image I have been playing around with the kinds of lids I may place on the top of a plastic box. I felt to keep it stable I could use the cardboard from a cereal box and place a padding on top before covering it with material. I could elaborate on this look by stitching in a padding Chanel inspired look, giving the quilted aesthetic on the lid of the bag, contrasting to the plastic food box.

After finding the aesthetics of my last design not being very professional and concise, and due to the lack of sewing machines I have continued my experimentation with a original idea I once had. I have combined two identical plastic boxes to create this box like bag, similar to a clutch and a very popular shape in accessories today.

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sophiegeecop

PEER REVIEW / OLIVIA MILLER

Olivia’s work is always inspiring to me as it is always quite different and non-typical. When looking at Olivia’s blog I was instantly inspired by her designs, which combined collage and hand rendered illustration.

I was really amazed how this simple and effective way of communicating was continued so well in her experiments and final design. The bag that is created is really different and cool, unlike anything else I have really seen on the market and therefore has a unique selling point. The scrawling and collage of the bag means that it can be re-interpreted in so many different ways.

Olivia has used her skills to create something that is innovative, and has justified the use of using plastic as well in which i think is really important considering her theme is sustainability.

When reading what Olivia had commented on her work the use of IRONY was used. I love the idea that fashion can be fun and ironic. It is interesting when a piece has an underlying concept that pushes boundaries and subverts expectations. I feel it is so easy to create fashion which is nice to look at. I agree with Olivia, and have also tried to contrast expectations through the communication and make of my accessory.

I really look forward to seeing Olivia’s final photoshoot.

Context of Practise 2| exploring the concept of hand rendered techniques versus digitally manipulated processes in order to design, produce and innovate an accessory, considering the concept of sustainability in relation to personal heritage, history and heirlooms

PEER REVIEW / ANNA TWYFORD

http://annatwyfordcop.tumblr.com/

Although I have already commented on Anna’s blog in reference to us having the similar muses, I looked again to see how her concept and accessory had developed.

What I really love about Anna’s blog as a whole is that the overall look directly relates to the concept and her style. It all fits so nicely, and adds to the communication of her concept.

Seeing as Anna has been researching into a combination of Sustainability and Hand Versus Machine I was really interested in her final piece. It was so refreshing to see something that had a underlying ora, relating to colour, age, and detail.

I was super impressed with how she created her piece to be so beautiful and detailed with machinery that can really be very unreliable. But with the use of the tools she used it was clear she could allow the piece to appear very professional.

I think it is really interesting how different mine and Annas directions have taken although our muses are quite similar. I think this shows how broad and diverse fashion really can be.

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OTHER IMAGES

sophiegeecop

PEER REVIEW / RUBY DOWNIE

http://rubydowniecop.tumblr.com

When looking at Ruby’s blog, I was really impressed with the overall theme. It was clear and concise and co-ordinating. The overall aesthetic was really nice to look at and the identification of the trend really helped me understand Ruby’s concept and definition of the final shoot.

Her clean and minimal images are really modern and contemporary. The models and the styling is extremely fitting and I love how she has used the props carefully, bot to just focus on the accessory itself but really create a mood and feeling associated with it.

Researching from the start of Ruby’s blog, the theme has been extremely consistent, with initial posts really relating to the final image.

Although I love the colour palette, material used and the shape of the product, I would have liked to have seen more development to the final piece. But Ruby has also stated this in her evaluation.

rubydowniecop

PEER REVIEW

SOPHIE GEE: http://sophiegeecop.tumblr.com

Sophie is looking at how accessible fashion is depending on social class and wealth. I think this is a really interesting topic to look at. So far I really like what Sophie has done with her blog, she has built a strong brand with the research she has done. Sophie’s ideas remind me of the Vivienne Westwood 2011 Spring/Summer campaign photos. I think Sophie’s experimentation with fabrics and materials is really cool and I really understand what her concept is!

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I am very appreciative for Ruby’s feedback, and am interested in looking at Vivienne Westwoods 2011 S/S campaign to see if it could aid me with any further inspiration.

WHO’S THAT GIRL

When organising my brand I like to think about target and consumerism. Here I have created a mood board of how I would like my model to look, and what aesthetic I would like my target audience for my brand to appreciate. I have combined a range of ladies of ages and styles, combining over the top colours and styles. The trend is not specific but I relate to ‘Trailer Park Trash’ which was very popular in the nineties.

Although I originally planned to use netted material under the checked pattern of the outher bag, when layering it up I didnt feel the aesthetic was as strong as it could be and therefore I decided to layer it under a range of materials I have accumulated to see what works best.

My favourite colour, and the one I will use is the red stripes. As the colours co-ordinate with the handbag and I feel it gives the bright kitsch appeal I am aiming for.

I managed to source some plastic bags from Esselunga, a popular supermarket here in Italy. I really liked the colour of the bags and the whole branding. First i proceeded to cut the bag into sections. And then with the sections i plaited them.

I was unsure of how thick to make the plaits so practiced with more of the plastic bag and with few thin pieces. For the final aesthetic I am aiming to create I decided the thin plaits have more detail and will be easier to connect up to create the outer layer of the bag.

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THROWAWAY CULTURE

Whilst trying to think of materials other than lace that I could use I came back to the premise of marriage being viewed as much more throwaway. If my final piece is to link into this, should I really be focusing on using lace and tulle and fabrics that can be costly? The first material that springs to mind when I hear the word ‘throwaway’ is plastic bags.

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PEER REVIEW / Sophie McGarry

Sophie’s theme for the cop project is also identity. She is exploring veils and headdresses in the relation to marriage/divorce and the happily ever after. I am really interested in this concept as tradition is always a motivator for me in my work. Different traditions, norms and values of an individual can be so diverse. This relates to my theme of social class within fashion, and how being socialised into tradition and values can contribute to the construction of taste.

I am really interested in seeing some experiments Sophie is making, as her critique on the materials she has used are very diverse. Her bold statement of ‘marriage being viewed as a throwaway culture’ is very interesting, and I do agree that in contemporary society it is not as valued as it was previously.

Strongly forming the connection between the material she used and her research is very interesting, and is exactly what I have been trying to convey through specially using my materials. I think lace and tulle are great materials for Sophie to use, and are really a must in relation to the experiments of the veil. Yet I think it is really interesting to push the boundaries and create something that one may question. Something that is not obvious but has a deeper underlying meaning. Therefore if Sophie was to combine her messages and materials to create something completely un-traditional, she would then be really exploring her theme at all angles.

I think Sophie should keep the idea of how marriage is not always a fairytale, and although on the outside with all the celebration, and idillic views of ‘perfect’ life, that underneath it can really be a disaster in a lot of cultures for many different reasons.

COMBINING CHANEL/SHOPPERS/PLASTIC-BAGS

A design idea that has been milling around in my head for a while, was to combine plastic bags with netting and the traditional knitted shopper look.

Taking inspiration from the Chanel chain bag, and combining it with the knitted shoppers that once were very popular to carry fruit and vegetables in, i considered creating a large bag with a variety of materials.

First i would plait all of the yellow plastic bags, in which are from a popular supermarket in Italy, and therefore really introduces the Milanese connection into the creation. I would then connect them all in a grid like shape with plenty of room. Inside of them i would then line it with the netted material to give that contrast of shopper and luxury bag. Moreover I would weave the chain into the handle of the bag.

For added detail I would create a ket ring/badge with the ‘BG’ logo on it.

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