Melanie Lauren Portfolio

MELANIE LAUREN

FASHION

C O M M U N I C AT I O N . A RT

DIRECTION. SET

&

PROP

DESIGN. STYLING.

I think of my work as a creation of space, not just utilising the Fashion garment as a spectacle, but considering it the subject to create around.

Inspired by nature and folk-tales, I engage in creating my own idealistic worlds within my work, aiming to communicate Fashion in an Artistic and thought-provoking way, whether that be through Set Design, Window Dressing or Still Life Fashion Photography.

C O NT E NT S Outrage Jewellers Fashion Fables Oscuro Urban Outfitters Release Nilorn Harvey Nichols

O UT R A G E J EW E L L E R S Outrage Jewellers offers a bespoke collection of carefully selected semi-precious stones made into handmade jewellery from around the world. “We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality materials in unique designs for your pleasure from our newly launched website as well as from our shop in Leeds.�

As part of my FMP specialising in Set Design and Styling, I was set the brief to style the new imagery for Outrage Jewellers website, as well as images to be used in store.

Outrage Jewellers The Corn Exchange Call Lane Leeds West Yorkshire LS1 7BR

Set Design: Melanie Lauren Styling: Melanie Lauren Photography: Olivia Lowry Model: Kennedy Procter Makeup Artist: Alicia Reynolds

Collages exploring and demonstrating the power of Fashion and how it can take control over the mind and body.

FMP Concept Development

Throughout my Final year at university, I looked at comparing the fashion garment to that of an art-piece. In development of my concept, I also refered to consumerism heavily and my response to how fashion can ‘lure’ someone in.

Surrealist and Dreamlike

Exposed and Raw appearance

Folk Tale References

“A hybrid aesthetic; blending homely objects and furniture with nature inspired accents�

Fashion Fables

As part of a continuous series, Fashion Fables is based upon old childhood memories folk-tales and traditional nursery rhymes. The aim for the project was to create an ongoing series / developing aesthethic for my work and the overriding theme was to portray Fashion for its escapism qualities. We may be too old for storietales but Fashion is in someway still an enjoyable make-believe escape for an Adult.

I wanted to further my skills in prop making by creating a piece that represents the power Fashion has upon us in terms of the need we have for it. Heavily influenced from extensive research into consumerism and the public market, I have experimented with proportion and different ways of exploring the impact fashion has on the customer purchasing a garment.

The shoe prop was created with the intension to be used in many different ways; It could be used as visual merchandisng in order to get its full consumeristic value or even as an exhibit piece. As an art piece it could have interactive use, in terms of being used to lure customers into shops by being able to take their photograph inside the shoe.

Opposite, it is used in a photoshoot to demonstrate it’s campaign uses. I chose to feature Samantha Olivia Fenwick’s design as her concept of power and authority fit well within my work as well as the structure of the tailored designs and her overall aesthetic.

* Approx 4ft tall

Set and Prop Design: Melanie Lauren Styling: Melanie Lauren Photography: Charlotte Drury Designer: Samantha Olivia Fenwick Model: Olivia Lomax Makeup: Alicia Reynolds

OSCURO Based upon the Spanish meaning of the word ‘Oscuro’ (Dark), Inspiration has been taken from natural forms, aquatics and three-dimensional textures. Colours are kept minimal focusing on tones and shades of black. Fabric has a radiant feel and captures movement and charm alluringly.

U R B A N O UT F ITT E R S As part of a Live Industry collaboration with Leeds College of Art students and Urban Outfitters, we were briefed to create a styled photograph showcasing a unique interpretation of Fashion.

Styling: Melanie Lauren Photography: Melanie Lauren Model: Serena Harker

F A S H I O N & F R E E D O M E X H I B IT I O N Shortlisted submission for the Fashion & Freedom exhibition, co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW: WW1 Centenary Art Commissions. “An ambitious, multi-faceted exhibition that examines the fashion legacy of the First World War for the 21st century.� The Modern Suffragette is a film and series of stills in response to how women may have gained the right to vote in 1918 but today women still live in the shadows of men in terms of equality and the rise of feminist activists that still exist in 2016.

Art Director: Melanie Lauren Styling & Photography : Melanie Lauren Model: Olivia Lomax

N I L O R N W O R L DW I D E Industry brief to create a branding concept for a Unisex Clothing Brand.

Indenial; A concept driven by the idea of being undefined by gender.

Royal navy, mystic grey and mustard yellow merge to form a palette of universal and gender-neutral.

The disbelief in the existence and reality of gender definition.

WE ARE ONE.

G U / S E for Harvey Nichols.

A zine created for a live styling project based around the concept of the Guise; “an external form, appearance or manner of presentation typically concealing the true nature of something�. Aims to relieve men of their typical stereotype: to be the strong and brave protector of the sexes.

Full content of G U / S E can be viewed at https://issuu.com/melanielauren

Zine Design & Layout: Melanie Lauren Stylist: Melanie Lauren Clothes: Provided by Harvey Nichols Model: Jack Parr Photographer: Emily Dickinson

For any more information or to get in contact, please visit: www.melanielauren.co.uk