Olivia Reeves Portfolio

Olivia

OLIVIA REEVES liv_reeves@hotmail.com

BIO

Girl In Waiting X OLIVIA GRACE REEVES +44 (0) 7775883737 liv_reeves@hotmail.com

Title and official functions may vary.

CONTENTS

F PUBLICATION photography

Journalism/Creative Writing/Article/Interview CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT TREND PREDICTION

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documentary A

Branding

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Photography PHOTOGRAPHY

ARTICLE AND INTERVIEW

SKIN DEEP A TATTOOED GENERATION

“The only difference between tattooed people and nontattooed people is… tattooed people don’t care you’re not tattooed.”

Words, Photographer and Fashion Editor Olivia Reeves

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It’s difficult to look legitimately like a wild child these days, when even the most well behaved and sophisticated businesswomen have secret tattoos and body modifications and ‘A’ star students hiding secret navel piercings underneath their private school blazers, no doubt cleverly concealed from their parents. Tattoos have been used for centuries, in the early 20th century they were usually a representation of a change in life status, but in recent years tattoos have also become a fashion accessory, a trend fuelled by football players, bands and celebrities.

Back in the day when tattoo artists were extremists and a tattoo itself was considered taboo, the tattoo studio’s showed no signs of privilege or wealth but, a cliché run down old shop is a complete contrast to nowadays outlook on tattoos sporting a whole different meaning. A clean, slick, music industry management appearance, the window sporting a Hells angels style Harley Davidson and an up to date reception room like a stylish new salon.

Initially a sign of gang culture or a statement of being ‘butch’ or to the non-tattooed ‘an outrageous body modification’ unsightly and controversial. Yet recently it seems nothing less than the norm to have body art rather than ‘body armour’. Contrary to today’s accessible tattoo industry, tattoos were only really available to a small number of select social groups from sailors and bikers to skinheads to look macho and tough rather than a fashion statement. With the huge revolution of body art over the past decade it is clear that breaking down social taboos and illustrating a sense of individuality are two issues on more and more peoples minds.

We only have to open a magazine or turn on the TV to see another sport star, musician or celebrity flaunting their latest work in films, photo shoots and music videos. In a time where many feel individuality is losing out to high street domination, tattoos are losing the social stigma once connected and seemingly helping fuel a return to self-expression.

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I have always asked myself ‘what is it, holding you back from entering the mysteries of a tattoo parlour? Well for me it would be the great big ‘tattoo and piercing’ sign over the window nor the desire to ever get either, but I always wondered what was behind those doors… now the perfect excuse to enter into a world unknown.

I never truly understood why people would want a piece of clothing or fashion accessory that they would never be able to take off but now a days it is becoming more and more inviting, with technology and development of the world seems to be moving towards a point wear tattoos can be as easily removed as the washable transfers. Simply wiped clean and stripped, ready for a fresh start. Even Chanel have brought out there own glamorous designer temporary tattoos, a statement in the fashion industry being the first fashion house to do so. Proving fashion is not just about the garments... but indeed what your skin is wearing. By the 21st century even the Barbie doll put out a tattooed Barbie in 2011, which was widely accepted, although it did attract some controversy. The new Louboutin shoe store in Paris has recently opened their very own ‘tattoo parlour’ in which they consider tattoos to be ‘The modern man’s coat of arms’…‘Major made to measure but for the 21st century’ Measured, photographed and made carefully into a pair of unique Louboutins.

The thought of having a tattoo has crossed my mind many a time, enough for me to realise it will never happen. Too many indecisive moments about an event which would change my body forever.

Or until instant tattoo removal with no pain has been invented, as a tattoo that costs several hundred pounds could require several thousand pounds and many laser sessions to remove.

‘My initial attraction was to the level of rebelliousness it offered’ In a recent interview with Drew Jones a renowned tattoo artist from the ever growing, mysteriously fashionable northern quarter of Manchester city, he tells us all at Wonderland of his own meandering experience.

Drew: “Having got my first tattoo at a very young age I admit my initial attraction was to the level of rebelliousness it offered. I had no desires to join a motorcycle crew or be in a rock band, but I did want to stand out from the crowd. In an environment where piercing your ear or bleaching your hair had become the norm, a tattoo was my best option. Some do it to be individual, some to rebel, some to imitate their idols and others as a fashion statement!

Which ever reason someone chooses, getting a tattoo represents a way of making a statement, a way of being different from everyone else. I’ve definitely made some brash decisions, as you can see, I have few areas of my body that are not completely covered, therefore I have limited space left to work with, of course, tattoo techniques and tools are constantly updated, creating better pieces. Whilst I don’t regret any of mine.. The human body is only so big, and I now have no room to further my ideas. In my opinion tattooing is limited by no boundaries, except religion. Tattooing has been practiced for centuries in many cultures spread throughout the world.”

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A Tattooed Gener p e e atio D n n i k

ROCKING PHOTOSHOOT/PHOTOGRAPHY/STYLING/LIFE/ON LOCATION/CONCEPT

SOMETHING

GRUNGEY

G IR L

A love for leather and all things metal

DENIM ON DENIM underground vintage love

my favourite T-shirt baby

E BOY

flannel happy crops and braces effortlessly elaborate

RIGHTEOUS

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

Photography PHOTOGRAPHY

MAGAZINE PUBLICATION Photography/Creative Writing/Article

JOURNAL A TESTIMONY TO OUR YOUTH ABOVE & BELOW

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

PHOTOGRAPHY AND STYLING At approximately 9am on a sunny Saturday in October, I set off to embark on a journey far more interesting than we exp ected. .

The field set the scene of nostalgia, the water the unknown,

and the model, our very own little lost Alice. The only thing missing was the

The time, date and place all have stories far bigger than this one, as peoples lives, interlink continuously

The foamy clouds and over flown water in the field of dreams took us back to our

childhood

Eventually we all learn that…

Cups of tea are lovely and refreshing Reading a book is peaceful and nice We want to travel and see the world Honesty is always best Laughing really does make everything better Friends are all we need, In the end

Not everything comes perfectly together, but in the end, all you need is a little help from your friends. The people you trust, care about and in the end, the only people you need. No relationship is complete without the fall-outs and arguments but when you’re in need they will be there. I feel lucky that I am surrounded by beautiful people. An outsider of our group recently said how ‘awesome’ we were together as a friendship group. “Just a great collection of cohesive cells, bopping through life” We are the Bloopers, the Goonies, the Outtakes!

This is who we are. Each with an individual talent, charm and personality. I could not have asked for a more diverse and complete group of friends. I don’t want to rub it in your face how amazing my friendship group is, nor how perfect my life is or how I come out of every situation smelling like roses, but there is one thing i would like you to know. The power of your mind is far greater than you can imagine. I’m not going to go into any philosophical mumbo jumbo,

but “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become” All my life I have always put it out there to the universe “I just want to be happy” all my wishes upon stars, eyelashes and birthday candles all ended in the word happy. I cannot lie and say, that my life has been a constant state of blissfulness but I feel so lucky that I have always cosmically ordered my life to be happy! In a way I have demanded it, not dissimilar from a way that a child demands attention and toys, but I have demanded the rightful company through my life, to keep me on the track to happiness. I feel it only necessary that everyone should have such a thought. Cosmically order your happiness. For me, the people that surround me contribute and complete the happiness in my life. For you, it may be peace of mind, possessions or wealth.

Whatever it is, focus clearly on what you want, never doubt that it will happen, and if all else fails, you can blame it on me.

Article ARTICLE

An article for my own publication ‘Above & Below”. The article details and surrounds the theme of nostalgia and youth.

Creative Writing CREATIVE WRITING

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THINK ABOUT MORE THAN I FORGET

I have created 4 articles based around tales of innocence and experience from my young self to my future self. Little life lessons and wisdom

Dear Olivia Grace

I think about more than I forget

‘My advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…I will dispense this advice now.’

Don’t you just hate it with a passion when you are on the cusp of falling asleep and you have your most brilliant ideas… sometimes just a good thought and that’s it, snap your gone, you wake up and not one recollection of it. I have far too many thoughts demanding attention in my head. I call this ‘binge thinking’ you know, thinking about too many things at once, clouding your brain and essentially sending you into confusion. Too many things need to have an individual time slot for thinking! This, I think, is caused by our constant, but subliminal need for multi tasking! I think this mainly refers to us women but men are a guilty party too! Right now I am downloading a series of Homeland, while remembering to read the last chapter of my book before bed, replying to my friend on twitter and taking the nail polish off my toes! What is the need for all this to be done at once?

What is the hurry? I know that the race is long, but in the end, it is only with yourself! So slow down! My advice… take all the time that is needed!

If you rush, you will not get there! And where is it that you are heading may I ask? When you start, there must be and end? Think clearly about what you want, all this multi thinking will cloud your judgment.

We need to take the time and commitment that is needed for our actions and activities in life. This might sound peculiar when referring to such little things as composing an email or reading a book, but if we do not give the time that is needed to the little things… what draws the line when it comes to the bigger things?

The layout of the articles in the publication ‘was created to give a vintage and antique feel. Almost fairytale themed

Creative Writing CREATIVE WRITING

Creative writing allowed for experimental articles in my ‘Above & Below’ magazine. Life lessons to self.

SLOW DOWN THE END IS NOT AS

FUN AS THE START Dear Olivia Grace

Slow down the end is not as fun as the start

Recently I have been thinking about the speed of life. I know this sounds odd, and quite granny like, me thinking about the concept of life and all that, but honestly it worries me.

Every childhood memory is penetrated into my mind so vividly, I could write a whole book of meticulously detailed and painstakingly long encounters of just one of my childhood years! A colourful picture could be painted of just one day… I have been on this earth for almost 21 years, and each year until now, I have longed to be grown up! For time to hurry the heck up so that I could be bigger, be smarter, be allowed to do things, live my life as a grown up! I was excited for all the possibilities of my future! I was wishing my precious time away! I have always longed for the time to come where my life would really start! But now at the not so tender age of 20, has my life begun? All this time I have been wishing my time away, to be older, and now, I am older. This is my life! It’s time to start living!

The one thing really praying on my mind is the actual essence of time! This concept of ‘time’ troubles me, I have had many in depth conversations about this thing called ‘time’, and to be honest it confuses me. As a child we wish it away, as a grown up we want it to slow down, yet year after year scientists, technologists, computer experts find more and more ways to speed up the rate of life. So we can live quicker, be faster, know more.

Social media has had a fast forward effect on the speed of our lives. Relationships start and end within days, rumors and stories travel within seconds.

What is the hurry? There is more to life than increasing it’s speed! Is our life not good enough the way it is? If you want the rate of life to speed up because you think you will be happier in the future, why are you not happy now? Life is for living and ‘To live does not mean you are alive’

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T REND PREDICTION In the year 2014 life will be faster. Fact. The trends i will dispence.

Prediction.

Anything in the world might transpire into influential trends in the year 2014. so as a starting point I saw a particular movement, developing through film titles as they all corresponded with historic and past events, such as Noah (and the arc), Moses and Hercules. I noticed that other similar movies were all about biblical times and ancient stories being retold. This is when I found myself looking into ‘nostalgia’ as a starting point. I found that nostalgia would be a reoccurring thought in the human mind.

‘Nostalgic thinking’ is in our very nature, to look back on ‘happier’ times. Therefore my first trend is based on nostalgia and ‘the past’.

Other events occurring in the year 2014, such as the winter Olympics and The world cup inspired me even further, as these events are very traditional and have been around for centuries. Again, something reoccurring from the past.

The name for my blog “The Sunset of Dissolution” came from the famous quote:

“In the sunset of dissolution, everything is illuminated by the aura of nostalgia, even the guillotine” . - Milan Kundera

Everything in my trend blog is based around ’dissolution’ of our very human nature. Even the bad things would seem good if we are deluded and drawn in by a warm glow of light and hope. Although we would like to think of our trends as something ‘new’ and exciting, in reality we look at pre existing things for inspiration.

The first trend is called ‘Nostalgic Dreams’ as I started to look into the past and such things like ‘creature comforts’. I believe every sense can take you back somewhere in time.

Yet it’s true that, “the reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be,” – Marcel Pagnol.

That one old perfume takes you back to being that age again, with ‘that’ person, in that memory. This is the reason why history keeps repeating itself. It is not an old wives tale, nor just a silly theory, history really does repeat. We may think that time is linear and we are always progressing and going forward, but what if it’s not? What if really time is a spiral? And we keep just going back and forth? If time was linear then why is it that the Romans in ancient times invented central heating and yet we still have to call the plumber?

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This is my case, I predict that to go forward, we will have to go back; we will go back to the times that made us feel special. I was very inspired by the quote ‘Study the past if you would divine the future’ – Confucius.

Love and lust is something reoccurring throughout my trends, stories such as The Great Gatsby, will influence trends after it is release and I predict a new romantic trend will come into fashion. I predict a childlike romantic and nostalgic fashion will occur in 2014.

Nostalgic influence on society will portray through warm and neutral colours and ‘new romantic’ clothing lines. “There was a pink and golden billow of foamy clouds”. Classy and romantic themes will feature throughout fashion and lifestyle choices in general. The trend should portray more intricate detailing instead of mass manufactured production with no feeling. Not just a ‘fast fashion’ item thrown on and off again in an instant, forgotten and disregarded. 2014 will be the time of craftsmanship and needlework that people will learn to appreciate.

An item of clothing should be something slightly more expensive, but something to be kept and cherished, like the way it used to.

My second trend derived from the enjoyment of special items of clothing and the appreciation of things we already have. Which lead me to think about the lack of nature and natural things in current fashion trends. We live in a world obsessed with using synthetics, disposable fashion and man made goods, when really we should be grateful for what we were given. So therefore my second trend is called ‘Golden Nature’.

By 2014, the world will be slowly getting bored with technology. Rumours have already arisen of the Iphone 6 release. When the Play station 2 was released, they had already made plans for the Play station 4, there is nothing new and exciting in the world anymore with references to technology. “I’m sorry technology killed the kids” There is only so far we can go before it gets very boring. All you have to do is look back

at a very old Science Fiction movie and BOOM! We are already living in it! Why can’t life be simple again?

Be natural? “There is more to life than increasing it’s speed” – Gandhi.

Fields, trees and flowers have always been around since time began, so recently we have been inventing new things to be interested in, but we will always end up looking back. We will look back to what we already have. We will find a new appreciation of nature and the original world. Natural architecture and an ‘inside/outside ‘ trend will arrive.

Even interior decoration will change as we are way past minimalism now.

The 1970’s had that covered!

I have named my last trend - The Divine Youth. Whether you’re religious or not, the tales of the bible are absolutely fascinating, just to see the culture and lifestyle 2000 years ago.

The 2014 film releases include, ‘Moses’, ‘Lucifer’, ‘Noah’, ‘Arabian nights’ and ‘Hercules’ all of these in my opinion, indicate a sense of the bible and of the ‘gods’, again going back and re-telling biblical stories. With this in mind, I think a biblical trend will start, this being somewhat ‘natural’ and ‘pure’. White is a good and ‘un-tainted’ representation of the gods and the bible, as it is innocent, virginal and most importantly, uncomplicated. This is why I predict that different shades of white will be trending. White as a colour is considered to be ‘pure’ and ‘holy’ and I think a good summer trend for 2014 will be represented by a sense of religion. Also, subtle hints of gold, as a sense of wealth but also a ‘higher power’ and representation of ‘gods’.

I feel that young people, will be influenced not by religion in particular, but by biblical tales of the ‘divine’ instead of desire, lust and sin.

Although the world in 2014 is deserving of something new, something exciting, I’ve arrived at the conclusion, that for something to be new, we need to look at the past.

And for 2014, I believe this will be the very distant past. We will be influenced by that of thousands of years ago, not just repeating the last decades.

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O CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

‘Inside’ The Documentary The value and cost of maintaining prestige and social status

Everyone can point to the popular person in the room, but they don’t necessarily like that person the most. If asked to choose who they’d like to associate themselves with, they would likely point to someone other than the stereotypical ‘popular’ kid. The subject of popularity in different sub cultures has made for an interesting topic to explore.

How and why people gain popularity, how people perceive popularity, and the various effects it has on people of my generation…

“Everybody will be world famous for 15 minutes” – Andy Warhol The ‘In crowd’ and ‘Out crowd’ are two major social systems, and the ideals of these societies in the nightlife industry have become somewhat apparent.

The fashion industry is fuelled by continuously developing social trends. Whether we admit it or not, these trends affect the way we look, the things we do and the way we interact. Through both experience and research I have discovered that similar trends apply to the social lives of today’s young generation, as such I intend to expose the influences behind these trends in order to demonstrate the profound effect they are having on our society.

I intend to produce a documentary on the social dynamics surrounding the relevant sub cultures effecting the lives of our vulnerable generation. It will be an investigation into the psychology behind the ‘social circles’ shaping today’s nightlife industry, and will provide and insight into the different roles taken on by various young adults across the modern social bandwidth. Using this documentary I will ultimately be able to illustrate the effect of ‘popularity’ on society.

Recent reality television shows such as ‘Made in Chelsea’ and ‘Geordie Shore’ have set the scene for the younger generation subcultures. However with the latest disputes as to whether these programs display these societies truthfully or whether they are scripted and edited in a bias way taints the belief of the public.

It is fundamental to capture material on the social group the “In crowd”, the “Populars” the promoters and nightclub ‘Top dogs’ A documentary portraying the contentious issue “The in and out crowd” A fashion film of ‘minor celebrity status’ ‘Behind the velvet rope’ was an original name concept for the documentary, as it was initially to focus on the ‘generic popular’ kids in Newcastle, London and Manchester, who regularly go to nights that are viewed as prestigious and ‘rich’ – hence, the ‘velvet rope’. However with more planning towards the storyboard of the film, it has been decided to incorporate many other smaller subcultures and genres of night. So I have given the documentary the name ‘Inside’ Inside – meaning an inside look into the social groups of Newcastle ‘Inside’ will offer an observation from within the lives of Newcastle’s Night time revelers, consequently demonstrating the varying and insightful sub cultures that impact the nightlife industry. The documentary will expose the prerogatives behind our generations ongoing ambition to achieve popularity. The ‘In crowd’ and ‘Out crowd’ of Newcastle’s social scene, are you in?

“I am who I am, I wasn’t born this way. I became the person I am, not because of my DNA, but because of what society demanded”

CRE ATIVE CONC EPT. CREA TIV E STRA TEGY.

Creative concept development of the documentary ‘‘inside”. A portrayal of social trends .

DOCUMENTARY

F CREATIVE STRATEGY

Planning and development of documentary CREATIVE CONCEPT VIDEO// / FILM

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LAYOUTA

Branding

OLIVIA REEVES I am highly enthusiastic, self-motivated and hard working. My time spent at university has helped me to become self-driven, visually literate, creative and an excellent communicator.

The experience I have gained through presenting Marketing proposals and Publications has translated into confidence which I can apply to all situations in the field of communication, with an ever changing society and global audience. I thrive when working with a team and I am eager to learn new skills and meet new challenges.

Experience

OLIVIA GRACE REEVES 16.04.1992 Forest Edge, Sandy Hall Lane, Barrowford, BB9 6QH 07775883737 liv_reeves@hotmail.com Full clean driving licence 5 years driving experience http://issuu.com/livreeves

The Caravan Group Burnley, Lancashire Visual Merchandiser and Trainee Buyer

August 2013 - Present

Peter Reeves Ltd Barowford, Lancashire Part time - Car Sales

January 2009 - 2013

Key Destinations Marbella, Spain Administration

June - September 2012 June - September 2011

CW Advertising Agency Altham, Lancashire April 2009 Trainee Advertising Experience

Education Northumbria University BA Honors Fashion Communication 2:1 Documentary, Branding, Exhibition Curation, Visual Merchandising, Trend Prediction, Photography, Journalism and Marketing 2010- 2013 Westholme School A levels English Literature, Art Design and Business Studies 2008- 2010

Skills Team working skills Photography and Layout design Clear understanding of Microsoft Office Time Management skills/working to a deadline Technical skills/ Competent in Adobe Photoshop and InDesign