beyondtheclassroom
Inspired by Jessica Phillips’ Green Issue team and with wisdom gained from our traditional visit to Etc magazine in Harrogate, the new Stretch reporters chose Fashion as their theme and preparations began in earnest early in the summer term reports Mr Mark Woodward. The highlight of the issue included a photo shoot that combined the best of Bablake former and present. Claire Harris (see Flair) returned with her customised Trash Blooms clothing and accessories and persuaded Indigo and Clare Lee to volunteer a day in school to help style the models for the Floral Pirates theme. Blessed with excellent light and climate for the shoot, five of our 6th Formers, Zain Ali, Laura Dean, Caitlin Jones, Jamie Parsley and Rosie Tressler, were immaculate models for our expert photographers Paul Hollingsworth and Isabel Meyrick, while Lucy Hardy provided excellent assistance for Claire, our Fashion director for the day. Undergrowth and ponds were explored like never before and we were blessed with hundreds of photos to choose from for our spread. To interview undoubtedly the star of the 2008 Apprentice, Lucinda Ledgerwood, would have been a highlight in any format but to travel to London and spend 90 minutes with her in the Literary Café in Tufnell Green was a major highlight for Kate Byrne, Siobhan Robinson and Lara Jackson.
Stretching fashion to the limit
Interviews with dynamic designer, Hannah Marshall and cult magazine editor Amelia Gregory were triumphs for the issue while Clive Hushon helped us with a feature on French icon, Lou Doillon. Once again, there was a very clear focus on the best of Bablake and the local region with Mr Pease the subject of a style examination, staff cajoled into giving their views on fashion and features on Gladrags, Hannigans and the fashions on show at the Leamington Peace Festival. Orlaith Norton’s discovery of a Chanel handbag being sold at a mere fraction of its four figure original retail price inspired a fine piece on Charity Chic while Kate Byrne and Lara Jackson contributed excellent pieces on Fashion Statements and Fijian fashion respectively. Roxy Ziaie and Zain Ali successfully charted fashion through the ages and its influence on music and film while Zain, in turn, offered an excellent
insight into male fashion. Lucy Hardy’s expose of the fashion industry gave a fine edge to the issue. So much more besides was offered in the issue, edited expertly by Roxy Ziaie. It was another fantastic week for the staff editor and once again more fun than any magazine deserves to be. An eco bag, with a custom drawn print by Alex T Smith, given away with the first copies added exclusivity to a very special edition. The reporters now have a definite insight into journalism and advertising and the punch of Stretch 5 in their portfolio cannot be underestimated. Watching the emergence of Zain Ali and Siobhan Robinson as authors of vibrant and exciting prose written to deadline and the discovery of a love and talent for Fashion Photography felt by Isabel Meyrick was particularly rewarding.
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