In Touch with Nature

I've really fallen in love with all of the photoshoots that are taken in natural surroundings, I think its perfect for my background and to represent my brand. I also like the natural poses, it looks so much more real, and would relate better to the target market. I like the idea of using a real woman for my shoot too, I don't want her to look too styled or too model-like. I want the hair and make-up to look very natural and simple. It will almost be about her and the way she is, the way she feels comfortable on a daily basis.

Mary Queen of Frocks

Mary Portas' show, Mary Queen of Frocks aired this week, and it is all about her trying to open a clothes store for women over 40. It was really interesting to see her so passionate about it and to make aware that there is a gap in the market. Its crazy to think that someone is only just picking up on it now, and still Mary was finding it difficult to find people that wanted to help her! It shows the struggles and barriers she faces and just made me glad that I am not doing this project for real but I am glad someone is! She's a great inspiration to people of her age because she is her own person with her own style, she definitely does not dress 50, she dresses Mary, she doesn't need a label!

Beautiful Branding: Margaret Howell

Margaret Howell's ad campaigns are gorgeous! I love how simple and natural they are, which gives them a timeless feel. I think it also makes them ageless and appealing to any age, anyone of these images could be replaced with an older man or woman and they would look just as amazing! My favourite image is the girl wearing the huge goggles, it looks like it was taken years ago, the hair is so wild and natural, something you will never see these days, I love that it doesn't look a fashion image, but just an image.

The simplicity and subtlety of these images is what makes them so effective. They are also so natural and clear of any fuss, the logo too is simple and is all you need over each image. They also have a timeless, even nostalgic feel and most importantly, they have a British rawness! After all Margaret Howell is British and has a great British history, I'm proud to say!

Editorials Continued....

The summer glow creates a beautiful background in this editorial from Harper's Bazaar (March 2010). I love the natural poses, the lonliness, the thinking...

Another beach editorial from the electric blog. Its a bit more posed but just as stunning....

Interesting layouts.....

The image on the top right caught my eye because of the layout which is so interesting. Its like a jigsaw that has been pieced together, but in a beautiful way....

This moodboard by Petar Petrov in Tranoi magazine creates an interesting story.

Editorials to Inspire

I found this editorial in Vogue, November 2010, called My Own Private Idaho...its stunning! And I know its not shot in Britain but it could be! Its just creates the sense that she's living out in the woods all by herself, enjoying her freedom and enjoying nature, its a beautiful story...

Although the coloured images are amazing, I also want to create some black and white ones, they're so effective!

Here is another one I found in a Vogue insert shot by Guy Aroch....

I chose this one because the beautiful summer haze puts you in a trance! It has a gorgeous glow, and the colours are slightly muted almost. I like how the background is blurred, it add to the slow, relaxed feel.

Here are a bunch of found images that I like the look of.....

Haper's Bazaar August 08

i-D Fall 2010

Whistles

Muse Summer 2008

Moving Forward

After my research into other brands, I have decided that I would like to create my own story board and create a magazine to promote my brand.

The brand represents a confident, smart, working woman who is 35+ and is looking for something that represents quality and luxury. The clothes will be softly tailored and the brand will also offer a bepoke tailoring service. The brand will also have an accessories and possibly homeware's line which will also be promoted through the magazine.

I am not entirely sure what I want from the photoshoot yet, but I want it to have a touch of British. I want it to look quite natural too and not too posed, I think thats something that most middle aged women want to see, natural beauty. I would also like the magazine to incorporate a feature, maybe a design collaboration, or an inspirational story....

I have no name yet, so I will get to work on that!

Reiss Lifestyle

Reiss is another company that have taken advantage of doing something more for their customers than just their clothes and that is the Lifestlye section on the website. They use every opportunity to promote the brand. The first section is Reiss at 40 which celebrates and looks back on the brand that is 40 years old. They have a magazine to promote their clothes, a blog to keep Reiss fans up to date, and a celebrity spy section because everybody loves to see a celebrity in a brand that they wear. They also have Reiss live- facebook and twitter, and store design ensuring that customers know where to find Reiss! They haven't missed a thing!

Whistles Campaign

This seasons Whistles campaign is really nice, they have created a photoshoot using two different backgrounds, I liked the more natural, earthy, woodland one. Its quite simply about the location and the outfits, which go really well together....

I also like the Features section on the website which has a story promoting a trend or an event. The current feature is probably my favourite. It focusses on this seasons coats, and instead of using photos, they have used illustrations instead.....

Ad Campaigns

Looking through my huge pile of magazines, I found a few gorgeous ad campaigns that I thought might apply to my concept....

I found this image in a Harper's Bazaar 2008 magazine, and it really stood out: the styling, the photography, the pose, but in a very subtle way, it all works well together. So this prompted me to have a look at the rest of the campaign which was just as good! Its sensual, natural and beautiful, its definitely editorial quality! Here's more....

Another a/w ad campaign shot by Peter Lindbergh for Gerard Darel also caught my eye in Harper's Bazaar September 2011...

Everything looks so natural and unposed! Gerard Darel has used Robin Wright to model, who is mid-aged and looks amazing, when flicking through the magazines I didn't notice her age, she fit right in with the other ads and younger models! 

The other images which I found on the net are also beautifully natural. The black and white is also a nice touch. It always stands out and ...