Fashion Resit: Deconstruction

Fashion Constructed Image Resit.

Deconstruction of Fashion images.

The images I have chosen to look at are a set from Harper’s Bazaar of Kate Moss, taken by Terry Richardson.

The set consists of 19 images, showing the model (Kate Moss) wearing the clothing from the recent summer collections. The images are split into two styles, daytime shots and night shots, which alternate throughout the set.  The images are arranged as full portraits, one per page, occasionally broken up with a double page spread.

The model for these images has been chosen for many reasons. Her figure is what a lot of women would call ‘ideal’, and aspire to look like, especially during summer.  The model has also been chosen to compliment the location. Set in a tropical environment, it suggests a ‘jet-set’ holiday and lifestyle, which is further emphasized by using Kate Moss, who is one of the most well known and highest earning supermodels at the moment.

The clothing worn also ties in with this perfect lifestyle, with most items costing thousands of pounds. As far as style and colour goes, the clothing is predominantly black (apart from the two black and white images, in which she is wearing white), and doesn’t feature any other colour apart from in the night images. In these, the use of colour is bold, and the attention is drawn away from the location and focused fully on the model.

The makeup and lighting changes completely between the night shots and the day shots. During the day time shots, the make up, along with the lighting, is much softer. The day images look as though soft-boxes are used to light the model, with natural lighting for the background.  The make up is more natural, which compliments the natural environment in which the model is set. The hair also follows this style, being let down in most of the day time photographs and giving the model a more relaxed look which is also shown in her poses in these shots.

In comparison to this, the night time shots look a lot more serious. The model takes a much stronger approach to her look. Her posture is much more rigid and firm. Throughout the majority of the photos, she is looking directly into the camera, which makes a connection with the viewer, but in the night images, this makes it almost like she is confronting the viewer. This is mimicked with the change in the models change of hair and makeup. A bold red lipstick making her stand out, whilst her hair is tied back. This look is emphasized by the use of much stronger, harsher lighting. The light looks as though it is coming from straight on, possibly using a ring flash.

For each individual image, the models relation to the environment has been carefully considered. The photographer has used the locations perfectly in regards to how he positioned the model within them, in some of the images, making the model mimic natural lines within the landscape and interacting with it.