Just stop & stare

Sometimes, whilst trawling through the internet, you come across an image or a website that just makes you stop and stare. Something that makes you catch your breath, it draws you in and mesmerises you. Makes you question so many things, and most importantly, makes you inspired.

As someone who would sorely love to be able to draw well (yet alas my talents lie more in three-dimensional world) seeing these stunning drawings made me feel ridiculously inadequate.

Yes, this is a drawing. Not a photograph. A stunning, precision pencil line drawing created by Ken Lee. He is a UK artist that mostly specialises in these drawings of beautiful women with the most exquisite detail.

The smooth and supple quality to these drawings is awe inspiring. If I hadn't been told it wasn't a drawing, I'd never know. They've inspired me to work on my 'designer' skills over this long summer. Find something that inspires you.

Check it out

It might only be the local paper, but super proud of all the AUCB people who made this happen.

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9732184._Vampires__brave_sunlight_for_film_shoot_at_Branksome_Chine/

Hopefully word will spread & the amazing work we all did here will be appreciated. Apparently Kate Bush herself and her record label are anticipating the arrival of this music video.. It could be big!

Peace & love.

Vampires on the beach..

Well, we've been filming all week & what a long week it's been. One long day spent at AUCB in the studios, filming for the Vampires lair. Plenty of dark shadows, candle-light & close up shots of the gorgeous costumes and make-up. Followed by a sweltering day of filming on the beach.

Attempting to sprint across sand, in an unbelievably tight corset, holding an umbrella, in 25 degrees heat, whilst attempting not to trip over the trailing dresses & capes of fellow Vamps is probably one of the hardest things I've done. But also one of the most enjoyable.

The experiences I've gained on this project have been unreal. A first year costume student, with a fully fledged music video under my belt is an impressive claim to fame. Getting the chance to liase with make-up artists (and get the makeup done on myself), being a dresser, and hanging around on the film set being a runner and sorting things out for the actors was an impressive experience and I definitely want more.

Here's a few sneak-peak offset shots from the beach filming day. The amount of locals that wanted pictures with the hoard of 50 vamps was amazing. I guess it was an odd sight for the Bournemouth coastline.

Rocking it in the grey wig in the corner. Apparently I was the Gaga Vamp.

Dark circular shades & umbrella's gave our 18th Century style costumes a modern twist. Comments were that we looked a little 'Dark Shadows', the new Johnny Depp film. Although we did get mistaken for either a hen-do or a recreation of the Spanish Armada...

The story-line to this music video is epic. Should be edited and up & running by September. So I'll keep you posted!

Dress Parade Time..

The time has finally come for us to flip-roles, the shoes went on the other foot and our entire course of costume students became models for the day. We got to experience how an actor is going to feel, being prodded and poked and ordered around. We had to hang around for hours waiting to see the director, and in seriously tight 18C corsets that was not a pleasant wait. But seeing Imogen in full hair & make-up and in costume more than made up for it.

Imogen rocking the full costume. The puff has been put on wrong, but apart from that I love it!

Beautiful make-up & hair (wig) done by Paula Logan. Another fellow AUCB student studying on first year on the hair and make-up course. It really compliments my costume and I adore the horns on the wig.

Corset it fitting perfectly. Guess the alterations worked!

Now for a few photos of myself in Maudie's costume, with the make-up & hair by Susanna Epner.

Beautiful work by the whole course. Next stop: film shoot.

Next Stage

Final costume finished and on the stand. Pretty proud of how it's looking and the designer gave the feedback that it's a beautifully made piece and she's pleased with it. Job done!

Watch out for posts on the dress parade!

Puffed Up

The costume is finally coming together, the finish line is in sight, the 'puff' is working!

Hours, days, weeks of work have gone into this costume. Gives me a new appreciation about how people in the 18th Century actually lived. They wore these outfits everyday, and sewed them all, completely by hand! It takes long enough with modern methods.

Can't wait to put this on Imogen.

Presentation Time

After spending most of the week and weekend stressing about this on stand presentation, it feels amazing to have it up there! Things were mostly just pinned together, but the corset is near on complete, which is a huge relief. Don't even want to think how many hours I've put into it.The chemise is coming along really well too, really happy with the volume and fullness its achieved, didn't think that it would. But then again, the hem is nearly 3m in circumference. There's a lot of fabric in it.

Beading decoration on the skirt and corset was loved by all. Considering they've taken a couple of hours each, I'm glad to have them over. Note to all, beading takes forever; especially when your beads are smaller than the head of the smallest beading needle out there.

Apparently my 'puff' wasn't large enough or puffy enough. Gotta whack a whole more net under it to achieve the volume.

Working with Frances Tempest, a major player in the Costume Design for Screen industry is the best experience possible. Learning day by day something new about the industry and the world of construction. So many questions and decisions to run by the designer. Collaboration is key.