DIY
ZAC NAYSMITH • 2020 • COVID 19 © DA Z E D D I Y
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
1
C OVID 19
JUST DO IT. YOURSELF
Covid 19 has generated an outburst of individuality, people are starting to take pride in their individuality. In the fashion world, trainers have always been a form of expression, with a worldwide community that is constantly growing, and a market that will continue to grow for years to come. the question we want to ask is, What colours represent you? What silhouette? What material? What texture? What makes you unique? Nike has a customization option their website and in-store called Nike ID which allows customers to select a trainer of their choice and completely customise it, from the upper to the midsole to the heel, with choices of texture and logo. The possibilities are endless at an affordable price. Head over to Nike.com now to start your journey. Do it Yourself.
nike.com DA Z E D D I Y
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
2
C OVID 19
The time that we are in today is nothing short of unique, and a vital part of history that will radicalise the future of fashion. Due to Covid 19, interaction with others has been halted and the world as we know it has come to a sudden standstill. Dazed DIY is a onetime supplement, to record and question the future of fashion and how isolation has challenged our perception of life. Practicality is now at the forefront. Dazed DIY will showcase future generational ideas for those who appreciate all forms of art, including fashion, music, literature and film.
DA Z E D D I Y
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
3
C OVID 19
THE BACKYARD BARBERS Step 1: Start by putting the razor to a grade 0.5, which is with no guard. Create a line starting just above the ear and follow around evenly, making sure the line is straight, as this will be the very short line between dumber and dumber and a fresh feel-good trim. Step 2: once you have completed this crispy line, use that as a guide to take any hair underneath off. You are now left with a bowl cut, depending on your feeling towards the family member at
DA Z E D D I Y
the time, you decide to leave it or not. If you’re feeling positive, take the grade up to a 3 with the guard on you are now going to create the second line, to your preference, around 5 cm up from the first. Step 3. Now change the razor to a grade 2, and flick away from the head on the visible line between 0.5 and 3, this will fade the two together and hopefully, fingers crossed, create a nice blend. If not, make sure no mirrors are in reach of the chosen victim, and hop over the nearest fence. Step 4. This is the part where it gets a bit sticky. Set the razor to the grade where now if you were to run the razor up to the crown, it will not cut any hair. Find out what the number is, ie a 5. And slowly grade by grade blend down till it reaches the previous line. Step 5: Remember, this is not coming from a barber, the steps and advice given are a little guideline. If everything goes downhill, put a razor to a 0.5 like before, and give them a “Military-style look, and tell them its the new thing. Perfect. By now you either have a great haircut and a future in barbering, or one angry family member.
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
4
C OVID 19
DA Z E D D I Y
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
5
C OVID 19
A REBIRTH OF CREATIVITY
A REBIRTH OF CREATIVITY
DA Z E D D I Y
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
6
C OVID 19
There has been a change in social media culture, most of us are stuck in the same boat, in fear of the unknown but hope of the future. Pre Covid, We would go on our lives inspired by these dream-like lifestyles these famous individuals live. But now we are in the situation we are in. Viewers want to see something relatable and truthful. There is a shift in imagination. This breeds a rebirth of creativity. 2020 has been nothing short of unique, Within 3 months of the year, we have found ourselves in a world we are unfamiliar with, in distant contact with each other. For the first time in many of our lives, we are starting to reflect on life and
shoot. This involves the photographer and model setting up a FaceTime call- therefore abiding by the distancing rules. The photographer instructs and directs the model on the call, what to wear how to pose, where to stand. Once the photographer feels there is a good shot. They take a screenshot of their screen, And there you have it. A photoshoot via facetime and the shots are amazing. Check out @mickdelint and @alessioalbi and see for yourselves the outstanding creations they’ve made. This is just a perfect example that there are no limits. We have been placed inside a box that we cannot leave, but thanks technology and our creative
“I want to be established into the scene as one of the main attractions of UK music, have a worldwide fan base and providing a platform to others” - K Charms discover a new or already existing passion. There has been a sudden growth of creativity in youth culture. with the lack of pressure of the outside world, and this white space of time, people are starting to seek into their creative minds and produce works of art they wouldn’t have before, and for those who were already pursuing a passion, this has been the perfect time to work on your craft and understand what makes you happy. Suddenly everyone’s gone bald, people are giving quarantine cuts and teaching themselves how to give a skin fade. Musicians are creating joint songs and live performances with other artists whilst staying in lockdown, Photographers are setting up remote photoshoots, fashion designers are upcycling clothing, being sustainable by creating new garments out of the old ones, we are experiencing online catwalks, shows, exhibitions. Covid has forced us creatives to play our digital hand, and it’s incredible what has been achieved. Photography is such an intimate creative outlet, with shoots, it’s so important to understand your model, to get the lighting right, to move around the set, capturing different angles, and distance. You would think social distancing and this isolation period would immediately halt and pause any photoshoots. Models would be out of work and so would the photographers, But no, There has been some incredible photography taken over the last few months, and it’s been created through this new process. The remote DA Z E D D I Y
mindset, we can overcome this barrier and find other ways. I, myself started taking photos of my outfits and trainer collection. The image below is a photograph I took in my back garden, of my Nike LD Sacai trainers. After seeing some inspiration on Instagram regarding a Like Mike visual of a pair hanging from a cable line. I decided to recreate this on my washing line. I posted the image to Instagram and it got reposted by Offspring, with a reach of 281,000 followers and over 5000 likes, If I wasn’t in lockdown I wouldn’t have thought about the idea. This is just an example of what you can do at home. Do not limit yourself. Do it yourself.
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
7
C OVID 19
QUARATINE BARS K Charms is an up and coming MC who produced a quarantine Covid 19 bars freestyle in his car, with some clever wordplay, hard punchlines and smooth flow, He is defiantly one to look out for in the future. Charms stand’s out on the under 18s BlackBox cypher, and his debut album “The Boy Next Door”is available on all streaming platforms. Recently I had the privilege, to interview the MC, heres what he had to say. Who inspired you to start music? KC: I drew inspiration from many places, numerous family members, specifically my dad did music before me, so from young, my understanding of music was almost second nature. My main inspiration is the likes of Jay Z, and Biggie smalls. I’m a real perfectionist of the craft. Charms pay’s homage to the rapper in his BlackBox under 18’s 2019 cypher. “I’m so glorious son, you might think that I’m jay z”. Where did the Covid freestyle idea begin? KC: The Covid freestyle, being a writer you’re always looking for opportunities and ways to flip words and situations into art, that was just another one, I wanted to see how much wordplay I could find surrounding the topic. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? KC: I know in 5 years time people will be putting me up against the best of them rap Wise, I want to be established into the scene as one of the main attractions of UK music, have a worldwide fan base and providing a platform to others.
DA Z E D D I Y
Some inspiring words from the young and extremely talented MC, that is K Charms. Please take this time to check him out @kcharms10, stream the album and most importantly, keep a close eye to the future of UK music. At Dazed we know we know we have such an amazing and unique ray of talent within our readers and support. From fashion, music, art, to film. Our goal is to showcase and shed light on this talent from up and coming professionals that we as a community believe in. Thats why, we are asking you to submit your work and ideas to diy@dazedmedia. co.uk for a chance to feature in future magazines, website and instagram. Whether it’s a remote shoot, at home catwalk, fashion line, inventions and creations. We want to see it all. There will be a pole conducted at DazedDIY.com where you can scroll and select your favourite creative. The top 3 votes will get a feature.Make sure you remember to keep those creative minds going. If you’re able to express yourself at this uncertain time, and create something amazing, the opportunity are endless. This is a time of reflection and stillness, a rare occasion of self discovery. So we ask you, what can you do right now to better yourself? What makes you happy? And most importantly what inspires you? Coronavirus has forced us to think and act 5 years ahead, there are positives to this time we just need to seek them out. Think forward and think future. Do it yourself.
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
8
C OVID 19
“ALL MY FRIENDS DO DIRT, LIKE CORONAVIRUS WE AINT COMING CLEAN.”
@KCHARMS10 DA Z E D D I Y
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
9
C OVID 19
I UNDERSTAND I MAY NEVER UNDERSTAND. BUT I STAND SIGN FOR GEORGE FLOYD HT TPS:// WWW.CHANGE.ORG/P/MAYORJACOB-FREY-JUSTICE-FOR-GEORGE-FLOYD
DA Z E D D I Y
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
10
C OVID 19
- Ella A’Court Illustrator
IT IS TIME TO TAKE THE MASK OFF. WHITE SILENCE IS COMPLICITY.
DA Z E D D I Y
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
11
C OVID 19
Hatsune Miku by Aidan Zamiri
Meet Aidan Zamiri, The talented New Wave Creative, Director and photographer from Glasgow, who has worked with the likes of Victoria Beckham, Slow Thai, Nike and Kano. Aidan recently styled and shot the famous Hatsune Miku, one of Japans most famous pop stars who has collaborated with Pharrel and Lady Gaga, Although there is one important thing to mention, she is entirely virtual. A construction of voice synthesizing software, created by Crypton Future Media. We were lucky enough to get the chance to interview Aidan, about Hatsune, working during isolation and the use of technology in photography and styling. This forward-thinking process is the future of Fashion and all creative media, breaking all boundaries. A DIY popstar. DA Z E D D I Y
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
12
C OVID 19
What is the process behind photographing and styling a virtual character? Shooting Miku was a really fun experience. Often when you shoot an artist or celebrity they can have a lot of people around them (handlers/ press/management) which can sometimes slow a shoot down. With Miku, it was the total opposite, there weren’t any extra people at all. This meant we could really shoot anything we wanted and could style her in the looks we really wanted to. I styled Miku in looks designed by my girlfriend Paolina Russo - we wanted to use clothes that felt futuristic, colourful and dynamic and Paolina’s work is really that. After the shoot day, I worked with Miku’s studio so that the images could be developed and Miku could take her final form in the editorial! How do you feel about the use of technology and illustration in photography? I love how unlimited photography can be when technology and illustration is involved. I’m not someone who cares much about reality so I love having the ability and opportunity to make something surreal, otherworldly or larger than life. What was the concept behind the shoot with Hatsune, and what were you trying to capture? In the editorial, Miku is often surrounded by cameras or by images of herself on screens. In several shots, she’s shooting herself with camcorders or taking a selfie. I’m really intrigued by the idea that Miku only ever exists in an image or on stage. She only exists when someone is watching her - so I really wanted to explore that idea and play with it. Therefore, I was really interested in giving Miku the power to capture herself and take control of the image. By capturing Miku taking a selfie, we’re seeing her see herself.
DA Z E D D I Y
What is your inspiration/ how did you get into photography and styling? I come from a graphic design background (it’s what I studied at uni) and so I think I come at every project with a problem-solving attitude. I like fixing creative problems or working within a set of limitations as I find solution-making really satisfying. Therefore all my work is pretty different from one project to the next as I try to immerse myself in that specific job. However, throughout everything I like having fun with it and I like telling stories. I’m really inspired by directors like Michel Gondry as he’s able to communicate abstract ideas or feelings in a really charming visual way. I love photo/video as a means of communication and love being able to explain an idea simply through a video or a picture. As a photographer, how has it been working during self isolation and lockdown, considering the nature of your job? I’ve been pretty lucky in that I’ve still had a few jobs keeping me going and I’ve managed to stay fairly busy. I’ve shot a few projects (both photo and video) whilst in lockdown. They’ve revolved a lot around using digital interfaces in order to capture footage and images but I’ve really enjoyed exploring technology and seeing what we can do with this challenge. My work seems to lend itself to a more digital approach which has really worked in these circumstances. I really do miss the social aspect of shooting though, the major thing I love about working in this field is how collaborative and social it is, so losing that is a bummer.
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
13
C OVID 19
DIY DA Z E D D I Y
S PRING / SUMME R 2020
14
C OVID 19