Creating Gordon sister design

This is the hair accessories has been made from hand by me from jumbo braiding hair, hair weft, cardboard and a necklace. Originally I wanted to create twists in the jumbo hair in the center section of this piece, however it was really difficult to twist the jumbo hair as it was too elasticity and kept bouncing back. 

As i have a collection of hair at home i wanted to try out drying some brown hair weft that I already had at home. I remember that last year Seema told us that that to dye synthetic hair you should use fabric dye. I tried this out  nut it wasn't successful (see images below) this meant that I had to buy some black hair weft to use to create this design. 

Working with the jumbo braiding hair was quite difficult creating such small braids from it as it kept getting cause it the folds of the hair. And when I brushed the hair it was all coming out into the brush. This meant that I had to try not to brush the hair at all and ensure that the hair was being separated while being braided with my fingers. From this I have learnt that in future if i want o twist hair that it must be real hair or hair weft. 

This meant that I had to complete the center part using normal plates and fish tail plates. I believe that this still looks good however I think that twists in the hair would have also been very effective. After braiding all of the jumbo hair for the center piece I then cut out the cardboard in a snake head shape and began pinning the hair in place around the cardboard. I then used black thread and a needle to sew the hair in place. Ensuring that the hair was pulled together leaving minimal white space between the braids.

Once I had sewed the braided hair into the cardboard I then sewed the hair weft onto a thread of elastic and then glued onto the back of the cardboard around the bottom of the piece. I used this method because I didn't want to directly glue the weft as I knew I would like to keep the weft for the future. The necklace was then glued onto the cardboard and clued the biggest red braid around the top of the necklace which will be around the neck.

Before making this piece I underestimated how long it would take. This piece was very time consuming as I had to ensure that everything was the right shape and size for the final outcome. From making this piece I have learnt about the structure and tension that should be used for creating singular braids with jumbo hair. 

Close up front image of the hair piece (side way image)

The back of the piece, can see where I have sewed and glued the elements of the style to hold it together.

Me wearing the the piece.

How it went - Athena shoot

On the day of the shoot I was feeling a bit anxious about how it was going to go as I wasn't completely confident with the makeup design. I had my model arranged and I messaged her in the morning to ensure that she was going to arrive on time, she didn't reply for a few hours, this left me feeling very anxious as I really needed the model to show up for the shoot. Luckily the model arrived on time and everything was running on time. 

These are the final images from the Athena shoot. I am happy with the final outcome, I feel that the photography works really well with the hair design as it outlines the shape of the hair really well. Peter was the photographer for this shoot, I really enjoy working with him as he pays a lot of attention to detail. He also ensured that the placement of the lighting was perfect saving a lot of time in post production. He also helps a lot with direction of the model and has a lot of awareness about body posture and what works with fashion photography.

I feel as if the makeup could have been stronger for this shoot, the skin doesn't look as flawless as I would like. From this shoot I have learnt that I should be much more prepared for the makeup aspects of my shoots as it is still important as it could have a strong effect of the over all look of the shoot. 

I can see form these images that the inner corners of the wig by the chin are not completely symmetrical. However speaking with Chris the photography teacher he said that it would be easy to edit that in Photoshop but he doesn't think that it needs changing. From this shoot I have learnt that I will need to pay more attention to detail when creating makeup designs for shoots. In the future I will ensure that I have properly prepared myself for the makeup as well as the hair as this will have an effect on the final images. 

Notes about hair which will be adapted into text for exhibition

I decided to take some booked from the library to take some information about hair styling in fashion and fantasy. The book by Laurent Philippon was really interesting. Below are my notes from the book, i will take some of the text and adapt it into the exhibition to show my understanding of hair and design.

Philippon, L. (2013) Hair. Fashion and fantasy. Farnborough: Thames & Hudson.

Preface

Hair is a living art. Artist have used hair as a medium, not just for sauce of beautification, but to reveal the beauty of hair itself, and the creative spirit that moves us.

p.9 The beauty of a hairstyle speaks for itself: anyone with a curious eye can understand a hair style.

Every culture and fashion carries different codes, but hair styles have a kind of universality. Throughout history, hair styles have conferred status on the wearer.

Fashion and status are easily linked

Hair carries strong spiritual symbolism.

p.10 Hair is the only part of the body that we can change whenever we want, without causing permanent damage. We can dress it up or dress it down, to reflect personality, attract attention, to project a chosen identity or to seize the mood of the moment.

In some parts of Africa, it is possible to ‘read’ a story of someone’s life by paying attention to their hair style.

We are the only animal on the planet to give our hair so much care and attention.

Inspiration is everywhere

In fashion photography, hair styling is often the most versatile and sophisticated way to set the tone if the whole shoot. The style of hair can alter the mood and effect, whether glamorous or sensuous, formal or relaxed, still of frenzied.

Hair styles bring fashion to life.

Braiding

p.15 One of the oldest ways of styling hair to us

Braiding requires no special instrument or tool and can be worked by simply using the fingers.

The classic style is a 3 strand plait, but the hair can be braided using 4, 5, 6 strands or even woven up to 10 separate sections.

Curls

p.49 Our ancestors realised that framing the face with beautiful wavy curls softens the face and enhances its shape.

Waves flowing abundantly down a women’s back and the sensuality suggested by richly curled locks, have inspired artists, sculptors and painters through the ages in a quest to portray the idealized female form.

Loose hair

p.83 Loose hair grows, constantly generating itself, a living protective mane.

For many centuries in many societies, hair worn loose has been reserved for moments of intimacy.

Hair can be an erotic part of us, as intimate as parts of the body that are usually covered.

Unveiled hair becomes synonymous with sensuality, freedom and fantasy.

Long loose hair has often been associated with seduction and eroticism.

In the 60’s and 70’s long loose hair became a way of demonstrating liberation, equality, peace and love.

p.185 ‘Trends used to be related to be a social movement. Nowadays there are no big political movements that have a meaning, theres nothing to fight for’ – Orlando Pita (hair stylist)

the chignon

p.201 Hair is the most natural and adaptable kind of ornamentation. It can be endlessly shaped and sculpted into surprising new forms.

In the 1960’s creative hair styling bursts into life after the austerity of the war years.

Wigs

p.235 The wig has many uses: to protect against the sun, to hide physical imperfections, to change the look or the colour of one’s hair, or even mark social status.

Elaborate and expensive wigs indicated the wearer could afford the finest personal decoration. Elizabeth 1^st had an impressive collection of wigs.

In the 17^th century France the art of the wig reached its peak. Ladies at the court of Marie Antoinette carried the fashion into the 18^th century.

Wigs are most commonly noticed on the heads of actors and judges. Fashionable pleasure seekers may prefer hair extensions, they, too, enjoy the liberation of adopting another identity.

Short hair

p.263 Usually associated with masculine occupation

cutting hair has often symbolised a removal of individuality, whether imposed on slaves or soldiers, or as a punishment for outcasts, collaborators or convicts. 

Today's presentation

As we are now half way through FMP we had group presentations with 3 of the lecturers for this unit. Below are screen shots of my presentation.

Unfortunately I was the last to present my work in the session so I didn't get much feedback on my project however the lectures said that the layout ect of the exhibition will be really important and we should begin putting it together asap to ensure that it all works well together. 

Gordon Sister - inspiration

According to legend, the Gorgons were ugly monsters they had horrible grins, staring eyes. Their gaze was so terrifying that anyone who looked upon them immediately turned to stone. Medusa – the most well known of the Gordon’s was cursed with snakes for hair by Athena.

GIF & editing

Image found at https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/64/07/76/640776eaaaea6d9679e9af9fccc93c03.gif

Lighting

For the shoot I will use basic studio beauty lighting. I want the hair falling down the body to be very visible so i believe this type of lighting will be great to achieve this. The view will be from the waist up straight on as I want the hair weft falling down the models front to be visible. A beauty dish will be used with a black background. 

Image found at https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/c5/34/7f/c5347ff8ff0e252f0146d153dc6edbac.jpg

Pose

The model will need to be expressionless on her face as she needs to look evil. The models chin should be down so that her face wont distract too much from the hair. 

Image found at https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/a5/15/e2/a515e2f769f35c49a1c985ff5e8e5b48.jpg

Makeup

The three Gorgons were called Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa. Their gaze was so terrifying that anyone who looked at them turned to stone. Caravaggio painted this shield with the face of Medusa in the 1590s. This painting of Medusa shows minimal makeup therefore I will also use minimal makeup for the shoot. I don't want to distract the viewers attention from the hair piece that I have made therefore the makeup will be kept simple. I will use lashed for the shoot and red lipstick to create a strong makeup look. Liner will be used for the shoot to define the eye shape and a strong brow shape will also be used.


My model will have green eyes, I think that this is important as Medusa is often associated with this colour. 

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/dc/4c/76/dc4c768054ba7f3dd8620d3e01581753.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/19/92/15/199215d85bc7b190170fb4e6ca7f291d.jpg

Hair

Image found at https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/
564x/83/3e/70/833e70c2433eddf910bbffc69981c528.jpg

These two images were created by artist Charlie Mindu, this work of his has inspired me to make a neck piece made of hair to resemble the snakes which are around the Gordon Sisters necks. The highest part for the neck piece will be made of black and dark red jumbo braiding hair braided into plaits, fishtails and twists. There will then be wefts of hair hanging from the edges.

Image found at https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/
564x/15/05/d8/1505d8d085cc4eb6dd33066383cdf04d.jpg

Image found at https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/
564x/81/07/8b/81078b5a06f514ea6fb8920b1aee1116.jpg

Image found at https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/
9b/93/cc/9b93cc01244b92b1c072520b61e7b608.jpg

Hair styling

For the hair styling of the models own hair a sleek pony tail will be used, the hair will be polished and modern. These two images were found on the Cosmopolitan S/S 2016 hair and makeup trend webpage. 

Image found at http://cosmouk.cdnds.net/15/42/980x490/celine-getty.jpg

Image found at http://cosmouk.cdnds.net/15/40/480x720/gallery-1443715636-gettyimages-490832156.jpg

Reference to trends

This was found on WGSN - i cant relate this trend to this design because i want the finished effect to be dark.

My design ideas

This makeup design includes bold red lips and defined brows. There will be a natural contour to the skin. The eyes will be soft but smokey and thick spikey lashes will be used for this design. I believe that this design is good for Medusa because it has an evil feel to it. 

Makeup design idea

Here are some images of me trying this makeup look on myself

Hair design idea

Reference

Advameg (2016) Gorgons - myth encyclopedia - mythology, Greek, god, legend, names, famous, hero, creatures. Available at: http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Go-Hi/Gorgons.html(Accessed: 11 March 2016).

Garcia, B. and Cartwright, M. (2013) Medusa. Available at: http://www.ancient.eu/Medusa/ (Accessed: 16 March 2016).