Student Life

I am now back at Uni for my second term in first year and (I am happy to say) my final term in halls! Yipee! Don't get me wrong halls are perfect for first year as you meet and mix with lots of different people and the little community helps you to settle away from home.

I will however not miss sharing a kitchen with twelve other girls as although we all get along great students have a reputation for messy kitchens and this floor is no exception! However as a photographer I am encouraged to see the art in every situation.

Tomorrow I will hopefully sign for the flat I will be sharing with two others next year and we are already surfing ASOS and planning our new home like we were on 60 minute makeover! You never know maybe next year I will miss the mess...?

Pretty in Pretty Green!

I would like to think I knew my stores and brands well but when asked to research a brand and retailer for menswear my mind went completely blank! Obviously there is Topman etc but I was surprised at how little I knew about this market (hopefully this terms module will improve this!)

The streets of Glasgow were oddly quiet today as everyone's wallets recover from the festivities, giving me a chance to do some research. After wandering round some high street stores I made my way to the designer shops to see Pretty Green, Liam Gallagher's label who have recently opened a new store here in Glasgow! It was great to see a fresh, edgy yet classic men's brand available. My younger brother though only 15 is more than aware of fashion but struggles to fine his look in the ray of clichéd 'teenager' clothes of damagingly skinny jeans and offensively slogan t-shirts.

The shop was empty at 10.15am allowing me to really take it in visually. The first thing I noticed was the amount of light in the store something I love; though a very cute and informed assistant did apologise for one of the bulbs being out! The clothes are arranged typically in shades and the shop is split into the different lines available giving a clear view to the contrasting looks. The loud music and bright light mixed with the glass stairs and wooden furniture managed to give off the rock and roll vibe and I instantly wanted to bring my friends in just to hang out and feel 'cool'.

The clothes themselves are clean and smart yet effortless and I was surprised by how reasonable a lot of the stocked was. The place had that new feel too (it opened in Glasgow in December) and I think it is great that Glasgow can attract a brand like Pretty Green and add it to it's already impressive portfolio!

Gala Vant ( Issue One)

Just thought I would post the link to Heriot -Watt's first issue of Fashion Magazine 'Gala Vant'. All the journalism, styling and photographs are done by the students at the University. I think the issue looks great for our first one; I am really lucky to have contributed to two of the articles and was amazed to see that one of my photographs was selected for the cover!! Why not have a look

http://www.calameo.com/books/001087987bbbf4701465e

Connect to the Culture

 

image from google

The other afternoon I went to the Scottish Ballet production of Sleeping Beauty which as always was breathe taking. During the interval I flicked through the beautifully produced program, as ever since starting my degree I am interested in communications and publications for all different kinds of companies and the Scottish Ballet is a really interesting one. I was excited to learn of a new communication tool they have been using called Connect. It offers many different applications for everyone from dancers and teachers to family and art students. One of the best things about the web site is the live videos streamed from the dancer’s studios helping the public to connect and understand the work done by the Scottish Ballet in Glasgow. The site is still being developed but there is loads to see and is definitely worth a look

http://connect.scottishballet.co.uk/

An Absolutely Fabulous Night

 
When I was invited to a 90s themed party there was no question about who I was going as, and once I had found a partner in crime it was sorted Absolutely Fabulous it was! It was slightly unsettling how a like them we both looked once dressed up. I styled both the outfits taking inspiration from the show; it was not hard to capture the essence of the two flamboyant characters. We looked for 90's styled prints and colourful accessories and once we were happy with the look we added a few more rings just for good measure. Absolutely Fabulous was about looking high fashion in a comical and distasteful way. I always love an excuse to dress up and party with Lolly and the Spice Girls!

Here I wear (left) a dress River Island, skirt Edinburgh boutique, leggings own, jackets Oxfam, shoes Marc Jacobs, Bag Fake, accessories own. Zoe wears dress Topshop, Shirt Topshop, jacket Urban, bag/belt Boutique, accessories own.

That Dress

Another highlight from last year was my prom. This is the last event in high school...perhaps you could say a celebration of making it out alive. Typically I bought mine 2 weeks before the dance from the vintage shop Starry Starry Night in Glasgow. It was a handmade 60's dress in coral pink (the colour I said I would not wear, but why change a habit of a life time) it fitted like a glove and cost me £45. I wore black Kurt Geiger heels and fresh roses in my hair along with a vintage velvet bag.

2011 was an amazing year of new opportunities and challenges. It was one of the busyest times but I had some really fun times. I thought to celebrate the end of a fabulous year I would blog some of my favourite pictures from my favourite moments!!

The year kicked off with applying for Univercity which was one of the scariest things I have ever done as I have never wanted anything so much in my whole life! I had to submit two portfolios before I finally got the news of my acceptance. Both my folios were mainly photography and I had a lot of fun challenging myself to take photographs that would get my work noticed.

A Taste of Hunger

This is something I have been meaning to post about since I got home but so much to do with so little time!

Hunger is the new Rankin Magazine featuring all things cultural and focuses to feed our 'hunger' for everything in the arts. The magazine has two covers for its launch issue and is the biggest publication I have ever seen; more like a coffee table book (my mum obviously agreed with this as it was sat on ours over the festive period) The extensive content will get me through the dark winter months ahead.

The photography is outstanding. Unlike many fashion focused publications the photography is not wholly about the clothes which is very refreshing. I have found the photography extremely inspiring.

It opens your eyes to the number of creative people often ignored by the press, these are the people who are unmanufactured and passionate about everything the are doing and discovering.

The magazine is inspired by Rankin's first exhibition 'Visually Hungry' and perhaps his continued feeling about his career and life. I love the connection he manages to highlight between all art forms from make-up artists to musicians and more importantly the people themselves who are not afraid in drive forward.