The best of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

My Favourite event of the year is just 2 days away and my expectations for this year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show are as high as ever. Lingerie is my favourite area of fashion, so the VS show is a pretty big deal in my eyes. It's more than just your standard catwalk display; the VS show is innovative in so many ways. There are so many different aspects to consider: the looks, the angels, the sets, the themes, the music acts and of course the fantasy bra.

Since the first show in 1995, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show has only gotten bigger and better; the producers have clearly acknowledged that in the present day people want more than just a show, they're looking for an experience. I know I sounds like such a cliché. This year's show will be held in Paris with Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and of course The Weekend making a reappearance on stage. 

The Victoria's Secret Fashion show, as do the majority of runway shows, features impossibly gorgeous models with unattainable figures. But these girls aren't your standard stick thin, unhealthy models, they are undeniably blessed with fantastic figures as a starting point, but the angels work so hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle as well. It may not be the ideal situation in terms of promoting body confidence but it's a step in the right direction. It also motivates me to peel myself off of the sofa and work so much harder in the gym, I honestly sped the weeks following the show pretending to be some kind of health queen. 

It's controversial, because the celeb obsessed world of today is over-the-moon to see Kendall Jenner and the Hadid sisters walking in this year's show but I'm personally not happy. The VS show is about strong, fit models not rich celebrities. Nevertheless I'm still really excited for this year's show and I've put together a collection of some of my favourite looks from the past few years!

Herb Ritts: Fred With Tires - A Visual Analysis

The focal point of Fred with Tires by Herb Ritts is the half-naked, young man standing in the centre of what appears to be a car garage or gas station. His oil-soaked overalls are rolled down to his waist, exposing his toned, muscular upper-body. His feet face away from the camera, whilst his torso is twisted to face the camera. Fred maintains direct eye-contact with the camera, a smouldering expression on his face. A ‘dog tag’ hangs from his neck and his grease-covered hair falls over his face, which has adopted a smouldering expression. The image is in black and white and the photograph is overall very dark. The car oil covering a large portion of the floor also covers the model’s arms and face. Surrounding the model are objects typically found in a car garage; a stack of road-worn tires sits in the right hand side of the frame, with Fred clutching two more. Car parts lay scattered across the garage floor; the setting is dirty and authentic, grime covers the walls and blocked out windows.

All sections of the frame are filled leaving the photograph looking busy, the setting consequently feels real and un-staged.  Although busy, the image is symmetrical and there is a very clear difference between the model and the background of the image; this divide helps to make sure ‘Fred’ is still appealing amidst the grunge. Placing an extraordinarily muscular model within a raw, social environment makes it clear that Ritts was not focusing on realism. The image was designed to be aspirational as opposed to relatable; with some consumers wanting to be the model and more wanting to be with him. The model’s stance, his torso twisted to face the camera with feet adjacent to the lines on the floor, highlights his physique. A lot of interest is created through the use of lines, strong lines can be seen in the tires, the model’s defined muscles and veins, the windows and hose pipes. The curved lines of the model and the tires contrast with the analytical straight lines that surround them. Colour is not a key aspect of the image, there is more concentration on pattern and light and dark contrasts. The photograph focuses largely on contrast; Fred, with his unobtainable physique contrasts with the raw, real car garage. The blocked out windows help to prevent any light from illuminating the background of the image; ensuring the light falls mainly on the model.

By holding a tire on either side, the model is almost mimicking a vehicle or machine and the symmetry of the image creates a sense of strength, balance and stability. The model’s stance also creates a sense of sexuality, this is re-enforced by the use of direct eye contact and the image immediately feels more personal and engaging. Herb Ritts has almost reversed the stereotypical gender roles in fashion photography as it’s usually female models that are sexualised, as suggested by Laura Mulvey’s The Male Gaze. It’s refreshing to see the beauty of a male advertised; this is becoming more common in the present day but would have been ground-breaking in 1984. The model looks as though he has been doing physical labour as his body is shining and marked with oil; this again provocative and plays up to a stereotypical idea of masculinity. Leaving the model’s torso exposed in such a practical, rough environment makes the image feel raw and if it weren’t for the model’s strong, muscular physique the image would feel vulnerable. The photograph has a very American feel to it; the model has an 80’s American boy-band look with tanned skin and highlighted floppy hair. Around Fred’s neck hangs an identification or ‘dog tag’ necklace typically worn by military personnel; this re-enforces the idea of American spirit.

I personally feel that this image would have had more impact when it was first published due to the stereotypes surrounding gender roles. In the present day this image is less shocking as we are now used to seeing male beauty advertised within the fashion industry. I do however appreciate the consideration that went into creating Fred With Tires, every aspect of the image has been thought through from the car parts scattered on the floor to the oil smudge on his nose.

References

Herb Ritts Foundation (2016a) Herb Ritts. Available at: http://www.herbritts.com/#/archive/photo/fred-with-tires-hollywood-1984/ (Accessed: 21 November 2016).

Herb Ritts Foundation (2016b) Herb Ritts. Available at: http://www.herbritts.com/# (Accessed: 21 November 2016).

Who's blood am I wearing?

As a part of a sustainability project at university, we watched an eye-opening documentary: 'The True Cost'. This film has completely changed my view of the way that we buy clothes and it's had a major impact on the way that I shop.

Simply put, the fashion industry is dying. I say this, because the way that we make and sell clothes is not sustainable and it needs to change. The fashion industry is the second highest polluting industry in the world - second only to the oil industry. Until watching this documentary, I was oblivious and ignorant in regards to the issues surrounding the fast fashion industry. I knew there were issues in regards to child labour and worker's rights but I had no idea of the scale of these problems and the other issues surrounding clothing production.

I'm not going to talk about too many of the issues covered in the film because I think its really important that as many people see 'The True Cost', in full, as possible. (It's on Netflix!) But the issue that shocked me more than anything made me feel physically sick; I was completely unaware of the issues surrounding pesticides. Most people are aware that pesticides are used in farming, but what we don't see are the consequences that come from applying these chemicals. In many cases, the pesticides are sprayed manually onto the crops; as a result of this, the workers spraying the pesticides are giving birth to children with extreme disabilities. The worst part is, that it's something that can be avoided. I by no means blame the workers for choosing to work with pesticides - they do what they have to to provide for their loved ones. I blame the companies who are ignoring their workers' needs and rights, I also blame the wealthy consumers who have a careless, greedy approach to buying. This consumer group includes me. (I'm not being hypocritical, I'm feeling so guilty right now!!)

I'm completely re-evaluating the way that I purchase clothes; It's amazing that one film can have such a big impact. It's terrifying, knowing how uneducated the majority of people are when it comes to the corruption of the fashion industry. We NEED to change, people are suffering and dying for our superficial desires.

I'm currently boycotting brands that retail clothes at ridiculously low prices. My reasoning behind this is that if the price is shockingly low, then how can the retailer possibly be making money without cutting corners in regards to the manufacturing of their products. You also need to consider the quality of the product; It's so difficult to find high quality garments that will last a long time without compromising on the price. The fashion industry today is so wasteful, we buy clothes so cheaply and dispose of them without batting an eyelid. We need to start making clever purchases; buying one jumper that is made from sustainable, good quality fabric, that will last for years instead of buying cheap, poorly made garments that barely make it through the month.

Looking now at my clothes rail, I can see how greedy and thoughtless my buying patterns have been. I had a cost and style oriented shopping style, I'm working to change this to a more selective and thoughtful way of shopping. I know I won't be able to completely stop buying from non-sustainable retailers, but making more guided, selective shopping choices is a step in the right direction.

If you get a chance, please watch 'The True Cost'. Trust me, it will change your view of fashion and shopping!

Milk and Blush Full Head Classic Hair Extension Review

After 4 years of dying my hair and heat styling for as long as I can remember, my has been suffering slightly. I'm now embracing my natural red hair and working on keeping my hair in good condition, this is, however, turning out to be a really long process (sigh). Whilst my hair is growing out the years of various hair dyes, I've been needing a little bit of help length-wise.

I originally purchased Milk and Blush extensions last year when they were still branding themselves as Dirty Looks. I'm sure I'm not alone in having read countless horror stories about people with bald patches from poor extensions so I did my fair share of research before I went for clip in extensions. I'm definitely considering micro ring extensions for the future but right now I'm working with that student budget! I'd read so many good reviews about M+B from different bloggers so I thought they were the best brand to go with, overall I've not been disappointed!

First of all, I have to say that the new Milk and Blush packaging is gorgeous! You open the metallic postage bag to reveal a baby pink magnetically shut box. This box has one section holding a tested extension which allows you to check that the colour matches, the second section holds the remaining extensions. The tiny details give the brand an expensive yet current feel, this also made me feel way better about blowing at least a week's money on hair. I'm now on my third set of extensions, my first set lasted for about 6 months before the split ends took over. I now alternate between a set of the 12-14" and the 20-22" - I definitely have an obsession.

I'll start with the positives; M+B extensions feel super thick and silky and they take dye really well. I now purchase I Think We're Alone Now as this is the closest colour to my natural hair, it's not an exact match but adding a Nice and Easy dye (I feel so bad putting cheap dye on expensive hair but as I said, I'm a student) darkens the extensions just enough to match my natural hair. The only issue I have is that the hair isn't at all feathered or layered, so for people with hair as thick as mine they can look pretty ridiculous. I always cut and style my extensions to make them look natural, I guess it's better to have to much hair than too little!

Overall, I'd definitely recommend hair Milk and Blush extensions, especially for people new to wearing extensions, they're a really great starting point and super comfortable to wear!

Forgive Me Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian has recently received even more press coverage than usual, after being robbed at gun point in her hotel room in Paris. Honestly, I'm feeling kind of guilty for having a phone case like this and even more guilty about how much I love it...

Kim Kardashian traditionally receives a lot of criticism from both the press and the public, I personally have a lot of respect for Kim. You'd have to be a strong and very clever lady to take negative publicity from a leaked sex tape and use it to the advantage of yourself and your loved ones. Nevertheless, there are few things funnier that Kim K's crying face. This is why I'm so thrilled to be the proud owner of this phone case; I honestly think it may be the best £5.99 I've ever spent. 

Kim K Case - Depop - £5.99

Faux Fur Edits Round 2

Some more fashion photography for my up-coming uni lookbook project! These photos are advertising a range of pastel faux fur jackets to be sold at Nasty Gal, in the style of Scream Queens. Modeled by my gorgeous sister!

Faux Fur Edits

Photos for a Lookbook uni project based on faux fur, using one fur gilet and Photoshop to create multiple looks. More photos to come!