Solent puts on black dress
Friday 3 February 2012
The role of the fashion stylist comes under scrutiny during an exhibition in Southampton Solent University’s Concourse Gallery.
The digital prints – being displayed until April 6 - exhibit a variety of takes on the classic attire, achieved through skilful photography and styling.
They are the result of work undertaken by 15 practising fashion stylists, who were given an open-ended brief in an attempt to define the styling process. The only stipulation was that the model should be wearing a black dress.
The stylists included recent Solent University BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and BA (Hons) Fashion graduates, as well as professionals with academic experience and seasoned stylists with several years in editorial and advertising photography.
Photographic images and material gathered from interviews, reflective journals and sketchbook pages formed the initial stage of the ongoing research project, which tasked the stylists to source their models, photographers and creative teams for their shoots.
Southampton Solent University’s Fashion Design and Communication Programme Group Leader, Philip Clarke, explained: “Black Dress was chosen as a theme because it was considered to be the most PH neutral of clothing items; a wardrobe staple.
“The make-up and hair design, the appropriateness of the physical features or gender of the model and the composition and lighting, are all factors that a stylist would consider when planning a shoot.
“They were also allowed the creative freedom to adorn, customise, alter or adapt the dress.
The lack of commercial considerations - target readership, client requirements, magazine style- or prescribed theme requires a different approach to that of a typical commission.
“The aim of the Black Dress project is to encourage stylists to question their own creative decision-making, to examine how they research and develop ideas, how they find inspiration.”
The long-term aim of the project will be to attempt to define the styling process and the dynamic of working relationships that contribute to the successful production of styled fashion imagery.
The exhibition will be running until April 6 in theConcourse Gallery situated close to the main reception at the University's East Park Terrace site.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8031 9040
Image attached from the exhibition. Styled by, photographed by.
Southampton Solent University offers more than 19,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology.
Solent has set its fees for 2012 at £7,800, rather than at the maximum level, because it is determined to achieve a fair balance between the commitment to offering places based on student potential - irrespective of family income - and the need to continue to improve the experience of the students attending the University