Dear Readers,
It's a rainy night here in Toronto, and I hope it's a sign that
Spring is finally on the way because one of the best things about warmer weather, for me anyway, is being able to go on an outdoor photoshoot expedition :) It's so entertaining to come up with interesting new locations to set my designs against and just have fun with the camera. Also, it seems much easier for me to find a good spot outdoors rather than indoors, and the pictures almost always turn out better too.
My sister,
Kathleen, whom you have met before in this blog, is one of my favourite models and, lets face it, is also the most readily available model who is willing to be coaxed into doing a photoshoot ;) She is a gorgeous girl and lovely cellist. Last Spring, for her graduating Master of Music Cello Recital, we went forth into the brisk Spring air to take some photos, which I later used to make her recital posters, invitations, and programs from. I was inspired by the
Chanel and Dior Spring/Summer 2010 ad campaigns and used them as guides for art direction and styling ideas.
Here are the original ads. I love the absence of bright colours. Everything, even the black, is pale and muted, almost unnaturally so. In the
Chanel ads, the stark contrast of black and white is strangely unified, blended by the diffused light. The
Dior ads (from back in the
John Galliano days, pre-ruined reputation & probable
Ricardo Tisci at Dior / Haider Ackermann at Givenchy takeover, which I'm sure I will have something to say about in the near future, after the dust settles) really play up light and dark by using the blinds to create interesting shadows. I also love the use of hard architectural structures (doorways, stairs, walls) in both ads and how they simultaneously contrast with and complement the garments, suggesting a time, place, and story.
