Bibliography

Citations, Quotes & Annotations

For this project we were given a list of makeup brands to pick from. we then had to create two catwalk looks, inspired by SS16 trends, two editorial look and two advertising looks all linking back to our chosen brand. I chose to use Dior as its a brand whos products I have used in the past and its such a well established brand that I knew it would have an interesting background. After researching this deeper I was surprised to find out that Christian Dior dressed Nazi wives during WW2. It was also interesting to discover that he met Balmain in the war and the two because head designers together. Its really insightful to start to learn about these designers as people rather than just a brand name as that is sometimes forgotten.

I loved the freedom that came with this project however, I was initially scared at the thought of creating 6 entirely different looks that all linked in some way or another and also reflected Dior as a brand. It seemed like a whole lot of work and organisation would be involved so I started right away. I found two perfect models for my Catwalk shoot, both brunettes with pale blue/green eyes. I thought these girls would work lovely together and they really did. The pictures came out great however, one of my models was a lot more comfortable behind the camera that the other and you can really see the awkwardness in the photos. There is still a lot of room to improve and I think I lack a lot of skill in hair. Although I did want the hair in these shots to look textured, it portrays a little messy on camera, I'd like to talk to my hair tutor so I can work on this skill and hopefully find a way of making textured hair look neat.

I have learnt a variety of skills and techniques which include creating sheeny, dewy skin. I found this to be all in the base. I layered lots of cream highlighters onto well moisturised skin and in one shoot even mixed a facial oil with the foundation. I feel I perfected the fake bleached eyebrows, after many trials and a discussion with my tutor I was able to get it looking really natural.

My favourite part of this project was definitely my final shoot on location for my editorials. Everything just came together perfectly, considering it had rained all day the day before, the weather held up really nicely and there was actually some sun. Both my model and Photographer were so helpful and enthusiastic about the shoot and the teamwork really did create something beautiful.

I enjoyed this project and felt I learnt a lot both in the technical side of things but also in collaborating and styling. These are skills that will help me in the industry once I graduate and so I am appreciative that I've had the time to learn them during this project.

Dior was founded in 1946 by Christian Dior,  an artist from Normandy, France. He began his early life selling his sketches on the streets of France until his Father gave him the money to open up a small art gallery. He sold paintings for many famous names such as Pablo Picasso. Unfortunately though, during the Great Depression his mother and brother died which forced his Fathers business into bankruptcy. Christian Dior was forced to close his gallery, however this is what drove him into the fashion industry. He went to work for Piguet until he was called upon by the army. There he met Pierre Balmain and he and Balmain went to work for Lucien Long as his primary designers.

On February 12 1947, He debuted his first collection. The lines were quickly named the "New Look" a phrase coined by Carmel Snow, US Harpers Bazaar editor. The iconic look consisted of a calf length full skirt, cinched in at the waist, with a fuller bust. His elegant designs conflicted with the grim post war reality of Europe. Woman had been taking the place of men, working in factories and covering their female form with baggy overalls. Dior strived to bring back the classic feminine shape to once again bring a sense of elegance and femininity to the world. He wanted to empower women and liberate them from the oversized silhouettes they had been used to in recent times. The foundations of Dior still stick to this idea of the female form.

The Dior woman is someone who cares deeply about how she presents herself and whom she associates with. DiorMAG said the Dior woman of the S/S16 Catwalk is..
"The Dior woman for spring is as delicate and fresh as the multitude of flowers that blossomed as the decor for the show. Echoing the outfits in the collection, eyes are soft, subtly shaded pink with a gentle cloud of shadow on the upper lid rising up to the eyebrow arch, and the brows are redrawn with blending pencil. The fresh and light complexion is unified using an evanescent foundation, and then cheekbones brightened with a pink-tinted blush. In this same spirit of beauty, lips are firstly moisturized with a nourishing pomade then lightly coated with a fresh and radiant pink to lend a natural glossiness. The nails are painted in pastel tones in harmony with the makeup. Hair is lightly pulled back into a low ponytail."

The products that Dior create are a combination of cult hero products and different, individual products that are for the creative and confident Dior woman. There main consumers are females who usually wont hold back from treating themselves. The target audience ranges from late teens to 80+ as the brand is so well established and classic, the audience know they can rely on these products.

Throughout this project I have kept the brands ethos in mind. I have applied the right feminine characteristics to my shoots to relate back to the idea of the female form, whilst staying true to the brands image and creating classic, yet slightly avant garde looks.
The research I carried out behind the brand really helped to influence my designs and widen the areas I took inspiration from. This meant I could give a real variance to my looks whilst still keeping it in theme with the brand.

Sleek Ponytail:

• Brush through the hair so it is knot free
• take a section from both temples to the crown of the head in the shape of a triangle and clip out of the way 
• create a ponytail from the bottom section left behind, brushing the hair from the hairline at all times.keeping it taught and smooth.
• using a pintail comb ensure its smooth the whole way round and secure in the middle of the head with a bungee tie.
• take down the front section and gently backcomb and tease the hair underneath to create volume.
• blend this section with the rest of the ponytail holding it together at the back where the bunny clip is.
• when you are happy with this bungee this section to the existing pony tail leaving a small strand 
• take this small strand and wrap around the visible bungee clips and pin in place by pushing it in towards the scalp

5 Strand Plait:
1. Brush the hair through thoroughly.
3. Section the hair into 5 even pieces.
4. Taking the outside section of hair begin weaving the first section over one section and under the next.
5. Repeat this pattern of over/under on the opposite section working in a similar pattern to a normal plait.
6. Continue this all the way down the hair and then secure with a hairband.






8 Strand Plait:

1.  Taking one of the previous side sections of hair that was put aside in the original 5 strand begin creating a normal 3 strand plait.
2.  Each time however you move a section in loop it through the outside loop of the 5 strand plait to bring the two sides together.
3.  Continue this for each loop ensuring non are left out as this will break the pattern.
4. When reaching the end add the hair into the original tie for the 5 strand plait.

11 Strand Plait:
Repeat the same pattern as the 8 strand but on the other side of the 5 strand plait.


1. divide a piece of hair into three sections. 
2. Braid the hair as normal roughly three times but allow the third section to hang freely. 
3. Add another section back into the braid where the previous section was dropped. This will be a section that is closer to the parting and above the rest of the braid.
4. Continue in this pattern down the rest of the braid for however long desired.
5. Finish off the style with a traditional plait.