Lidia Bavin
Manchester Metropolitan Fashion Communication Portfolio
For our live brief with TrendBible, we created trend predictions for Autumn Winter 23-24. This project helped develop my progress in digital software and also made me realise how much detail and research goes into trend predicting. For example, how social issues like the cost of living can influence what people wear (rise in second hand/DIY clothing to save money). I also explored how drivers such as music and film can make a trend or era of clothing resurface.
My second trend discussed how social media platforms can drive trends, such as TikTok with the ‘Elvis’ film last year. I researched for styling videos and makeup tutorials relating to the 60s delicate vintage vibe focusing on Pricilla Presley and Lana Del Ray as the main indicators.
My designs for this trend related to the soft colour pallet, featuring delicate lace and 60s shape block heels. I liked how I could physically draw and then scan them in on the computer to include on my boards.
Here shows my photography for my ‘Structure’ project taken around my town. I wanted to turn the England flag imagery I observed into something that would celebrate working class culture and stray away from the negative connotations of the flag.
Further structure project research, I gathered pictures of local punks from my area to see how they dressed and asked them what being a punk meant to them. This allowed me to design from these images and have a deeper understanding of the subculture.
This shows my research and final design for my ‘Structure’ project, my chosen theme focusing on the structure of factories, industrial towns and the working class. This project allowed me to gather inspiration from my own everyday surroundings by going out and taking my own pictures, which I then designed from. It was really interesting to go into depth about the history of industrial towns like my own and talked about the struggles North East towns faced during the Thatcher years, which gave my work more sincerity as I had the knowledge and information to fully explain my design choices.
Experimentation with different medias throughout my ‘Fashion As Art’ project helped my visual presentation. For example, layering pictures and paints gave an experimental look to my sketchbook and allowed me to create samples which communicated my theme. I was inspired by Andy Warhol and the iconic Velvet Underground’s album cover which features the pop art banana design on the front.
Furthermore, I looked into two photographers who are very inspirational to me, Gavin Watson and Derek Ridgers. Their photography captured youth expression in a casual yet artistic way, finding beauty in the underground culture of Britain.
My Fashion As Art project titled ‘Self Expression
Through Clothing’ focused on the importance of clothing and feeling free to express your personality and opinions through self image. The project allowed me to think more conceptually and not be afraid to experiment with moulage and designs. Trying different methods to gather inspiration like collage really helped my design process and gave me new ways to present my ideas.
For our first digital project we were asked to create a magazine cover. With research from my initial mood boards and knowledge of 60s fashion, I styled and photographed my model creating the desired outcome, accentuating the eyes and making the hair a main statement. Furthermore, this project solidified my enjoyment in communication and styling as I enjoyed the process to create the end product.
Some other pictures from the shoot, it was good to take multiple shots with different poses and lighting. This enabled me to see what picture would be the most fitting for my concept, for example I wanted some pictures of the model looking down to show the graphic eyeliner, which makes the eyes the main focus.
Drawing for my current FMP.
Titled ‘Teenage Kicks’, this theme explores the importance of teenage years in your life, subculture, youth culture and the importance of self expression.
Photo recreation from ‘Creem’ magazine.
Following the idea of self expression I discussed badges and how they are a prevalent feature on ways to make a statement within outfits. Using my own badge collection, I styled an outfit to show how I would personally interpret the shoot into an outfit I would wear. The handwritten extract is from a 1995 edition of ‘Q’ magazine which included perfectly explains how it feels to be a teenager experimenting with your look.
