My current project is still within its early stages so I am exploring all manner of avenues to try and find some inspiration and influences and one of these is the catwalk! Whilst fawning over the Vogue reports of the SS collections I found that there was lots of movement with light fabrics, perfect examples of the movement that I would like in my photographs.
Elie Saab: not to be a poor excuse for a fashion student but this is the first time I have come across this designer. I was really attracted to the SS 11 collection with it's pastel tones, fluid fabrics and light as a feather dresses. The way the fabric moves and flutters as the model glides down the catwalk reminds me of clouds of smoke, the fuzzy froth that's left after the sea crashes down on a rock and the soft quivers of petals in the wind. The dresses represent everything tender and delicate but they still present a powerful image as they billow towards you.
Next up .. Alexander McQueen
After the sad loss of Alexander McQueen everybody was a little sceptical as to whether or not his legacy would proceed him. And personally, I believe it has. When looking through the collection it was as if each dress had its own individual personality. The garments see to move like animals, with grace and with stealth. I can't decide on which one of them most embodies movement because they are all so different. The second image shows a sort of regal jellyfish, I can imagine it bobbing aloofly along, unknown to its own elegance. And the image of the downy grey feather dress to me looks like a swan in the the depths of winter, puffing out its plumage for warmth.
And last but not least... Lanvin
Lanvin's collection consisted of very simplistic and rigid tops paired with skirts that swell and ripple like the tide. I think what attracted me most to this particular collection was the pairing of the two antagonistic movements. The top half is like a second skin, it moves and bends with the body, but the skirts move with the elements. If there is the slightest breath of wind the skirts are picked up and whisked away. Although the skirts movements are not too dissimilar to Elie Saab's collection, I feel Lanvin presents a more urban approach, this could be down to use of dominatrix style accessories and geometrically metal plated insect neck pieces.
SS 2011 = a collage of flowing fabrics that were built to embody movement. These collections were made to move.