Charlotte Baldwin

About Charlotte Baldwin

Posts by Charlotte Baldwin:

Blog Post 4: Peer Review

⋅

For the final blog, we’ve been tasked with writing a review on one of our peer’s blog posts and reflect on how they have interpreted the better live themes. After scrolling through a variety of posts I’ve realised that the majority have gained contrasting understandings behind these themes and everyone has had differed experiences in their allocated projects. 

The blog I have chosen to reflect on for this is written by Alicia Chana Escapa – BLOG 3: Project outcomes and personal development reflection task. The reason for this is that I found the content extremely relevant with today’s circumstances in mind. Her attitude towards the COVID-19 pandemic certainly moved me with its sincerity while at the same time keeping an open-minded approach to the personal issues it had raised. Alicia mentioned her opinion rightly so at the very beginning of the blog that ‘right now more than ever we need to be socially responsible, not just in fashion, but in our everyday life’. Then on developing her outcome for hair and makeup she has structured the blog in a flowing form reflecting on how she has personally adapted to life while respecting government advice with responsibility, protecting herself and others and avoiding none essential travel to collect make up tools. The fact this has inspired her to think outside of the box is something I can relate to as a person also in the creative industry that would usually rely on typical tools and devices. During my time in Isolation, I analysed the opportunities within my art of image making, coming to the conclusion I should turn to self portraiture. Of course this idea is the first solution when human contact and face to face collaboration is forbidden, but without any studio lighting, film process equipment and only a suit case of casual clothing, capturing something in my style became almost impossible. With mindful choice of natural and domestic lighting, all too familiar location and my own wardrobe I had been forced to change the way I work; an experience of my own and Alicia’s prove it can still pan out as a really compelling piece of art, often more so with the impact of sympathy and relation viewers may feel when looking at these lockdown alterations. Alicia responded similarly by replacing her makeup pallets with aspects of nature, surrounding materials and additional accessories such as PPE that bring together the series suitably by resembling realism and context.

To a T, Alicia has made [Image 3] a combination of virtual, literal and metaphorical visuals of the way in which she perceives health care workers at this point in time; a motive that came from an unfortunate sighting that moved her in an opposing way. Her response is somewhat negative with such draining makeup, but uplifting at the same time with use of wings resembling their angelic behaviour and care. 

This student has clearly demonstrated progression in trail of thought and experience with unusual materials. She has shown awareness of her surroundings and given evidence of her passion towards social responsibility with sincerity and touching art.

Liked Liked
No Comments

Blog Post 3: Group Task

⋅

To set us on the right foot for the group task ahead, Sophiaand Leigh, our tutors for the Messaging Fashion course thoroughly explained the areas and roles in the production of fashion we would for-fill and focus on. As mentioned in my previous post (Blog Post 2:Being Allocated with Messaging Fashion/ PR),  I interpret workers involved in the business side of things such as Public Relations almost as the backbone of the industry, therefore, putting this effort in to gain an understanding of what they do appears a professional responsibility.

As part of our project, we had to put together in groups a PR campaign for a brand formed in the north of the UK called House of SheldonHall. Steven Sheldon and Emma Hall are the head designers of the brand, hence the name, whommet at College in Sheffield whilst studying Art & Design and both then went on to the University of Huddersfield where they studied Costume and Textiles. In doing further research I discovered that for the production of their own brand which began in 2014, Emma takes up the role of embroiderer and seamstress while Steven is illustrator and pattern cutter. The background of the brand upon first impression sounds all familiar to me as someone from northern England myself who studied Fashion and Textiles for 2 years also. This for sure kept me intrigued and my peers certainly took advantage of that when it came to local research!

We came to the decision that our cause would be a fundraiser enabling us to give what we can to the Independent Domestic Abuse Services, the largest specialist charity in Yorkshire supporting people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. We feel strongly with dread about the rise in critical cases occurring across the country, both during the current COVID-19 pandemic where families and partners are forced to stay in their homes and in the first place. This would be an effort fromHouse of SheldonHallto give back to women while focusing on their local community in the north of England. 

In terms of event and raising this money, we made an arrangement where HOSHwould host an Instagramliveand Instagram TVpost in which they would auction some of their archived pieces from previous collections. An idea that could bring people together on a large scale virtually, at home where they can stay clear from infection. It is an opportunity for HOSH customers to enjoy their dresses while at the same time having the chance to be charitable supporting a cause that they are very likely to care about. The auction would be presented by influencer and activists Florence Givenand Paris Leeswho is also a journalist. It will be later posted on the Stylist Magazine’sInstagram profileas well as the influencers’ and the brand’s. Florence spends her career focusing on female empowerment while on the other hand, Paris is an award- winning journalist and a powerful voice for the transgender community- A choice of influencers that we feel further resonates with the brand and its potential customers. We came to this conclusion due to the shapes and colours we see represented in the garments such as curves, frills, polka dots, triangular skirts and much more that typically represent femininity and flamboyance. 

Credits:

Liked Liked
No Comments

Blog post 2: being located with Messaging Fashion/PR

⋅

I had the intention to take a bidding opportunity to be introduced to a new area of the fashion industry, whether it be in the designing, production, business or the advertising so I let it be luck of the draw; I’m intrigued and eager to grow my knowledge, skill set and career potential. 

Upon starting Messaging Fashion, I’ve become confident it’s appropriate for me. Sophia and Leigh worked together in order to present exactly what It’s about. The kind of tasks involved became clear to me when the roles of someone in Public Relations were referenced and we were informed that what we’d present a mock-up for-filling the roles of a Fashion PR person. Since my usual practice as a fashion photographer would consist of working from a practical perspective with set physical tasks, to have the right set of circumstances in order to practice the social and business side of things really accommodates my development in the industry.

Within the first class, I built an understanding of the responsibilities involved in the work of a PR for Fashion: A PR is someone who represents a brand, event or cause as the backstage face of a brand holding immense power in the business’s progress. They must generate an increase in goodwill and brand awareness while steering away from direct sales in order to gain the interest of significant people. They may be tasked to write speeches and press releases, create online advertising, respond to crisis and criticism and make judgments on collaboratives. Their curative mind set stems from experience in the industry and participating in discussion with a vast range of professionals. The reputation of PR fashion stems from their key attributes which stand out to me as an inspiring way to be. In order to be successful in their business they must be confident, passionate, quick witted, knowledgeable, organised, up to date and skilful in making professional relationships. Such qualities would be useful for anyone in any career to thrive in, hence my enthusiasm. 

In other lectures, the tutors elaborated specifically on the qualities of a brand rather than a person’s position in particular. As a mixed class from split roles in fashion, focusing on branding and controlling a company felt beneficial. We looked at brand values touching upon all the ‘should haves’, touchpoints like their beliefs and what information is online making us question professionalism and inclusivity, then brand personality, bringing to light the extent to which people often engage in building their identities through brands. This is something we all need to take a moment to overlook! Would someone’s first impression of you be representative of your favourite fashion label and the way you perceive it? As an image maker, this feels like a relevant thought process to have in order to accurately present a brand’s intended personality in the photographs I take with precise technique. 

As you’re aware from my previous blog, I’m pleased with the idea of making fashion an environmentally friendly industry. In the instance of PR’s, if they were employed by a brand using sustainable materials and/or healthy facilities, they’d have the power to use those facts and figures as a method of coaxing collaboratives. As I’ve learnt, having them feel like they’d be doing the world a favour would count as a good deed while overall projecting a superior representation of the brand.

As a whole, I’ve come to realise that having such knowledge in the business area can be crucial and it may have an impact on how I work in the future. I’d be capable of taking on more responsibilities in my own role, while understand how an event or collaboration is put together and take influence for personal progression.

credits:

Leigh Odimah and Sophia Plessas (lectures), at Lime Grove Campus of London College of Fashion, February 2020

Liked Liked
No Comments

Blog:1 – Lectures on Fashion Sustainability

⋅

During the course of 2019 the UK government came to terms with the fact that we have been taking too far an advantage of our planet’s resources, driving them to take minor action by declaring an environment and climate emergency. Therefore, I feel strongly at this point in time about the problems in which the state of the earth may face due to the actions of its people. 

For the second Lecture at the beginning of this Better Lives Unit, Anna Fitzpatrick spoke with great passion about the fashion industry’s direct negative participation in this crisis. The Information and encouragement she provided us with had a significant effect on me personally, setting forth a considerate trail of thought when involved in current and future rolls in the fashion chain and being actively healthy for the environment in my general day to day lifestyle. Responses as such should crucially be felt and acted upon by every person in every nation for the foreseeable future. It is crucial to make this a general mindset a way of life rather than an idea to make it more radical and exciting.

In a Lecture ran by Kate Fletcher, we were approached in a more personal manner supposedly in order to withdraw elements of empathy and guilt combined, as people of youth. She challenged the class to identify some elements of wildlife such as insects, animals and plants that we are likely to have the awareness of in and around London, England, where we are all resident. My peers and I proved somewhat ignorant in the acknowledgement of nature in our poor results. Following this, we were challenged again, this time to identify brands from their logos and imagery, in which outcome I didn’t fail to impress (ironically); this had been Kate’s method in order to signify our disconnect from our natural whereabouts, generating a similar mindset upon leaving the session as did the facts and figures we had delivered by Anna.

Since we humans are the generators of the pollution sent out to sea, soaked into land, dispersed into the air, and consumed by wildlife, the theoretical case is “about people and planet combined: how both are currently not co-operating in a way that is sustainable”- as said by Anna Fitzpatrick. The fashion industry nowadays produces incredible chains of clothing and accessories in immense amounts with high demand, (hence the phrase ‘Fast Fashion’). It heavily involves mass production which requires the use of harmful cheap chemicals, Factory’s and extensive transportation. To put it into perspective, factory emissions contribute greatly to the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) that goes into the atmosphere, making Industry and electrical generating factories combined the contributors to over 50 percent of all the greenhouse gases surrounding planet earth. The stock in the factories have to be shifted to and from which makes the industry involved in the encouragement of transport emissions, primarily in the form of road, rail, air and marine transportation. These culprits account for nearly 30% of global Carbon Dioxide emissions in addition. The negative significance of this is evident with the fact that each particle of gas can remain in the air for up to 200 years and with the global population and demand for fast fashion increasing year by year it has been concluded that Hence why the Decarbonisation of the transport sector would develop a cleaner, healthier home and a more affordable future for everyone. This has fortunately begun to occur within the evolution of energy sources since the introduction of electricity powered vehicles. However not to enough extent. 

In response, mankind should recognise that there are limits to how we can operate, but there are not limits to our potential capacity as humans to flourish and think of solutions.

Credit: Anna Fitzpatrick, Kate Fletcher, Feb 2020, London at London college of fashion, John princes street.

Liked Liked
No Comments