Fashion me, now

Susan Sontag on Photography

Posted by: Janah on: 12/01/2010

“Most people in this society who aren’t actively mad are, at best, reformed or potential lunatics”

“I don’t want to express alienation. It isn’t what I feel. I’m interested in various kinds of passionate engagement. All my work says, be passionate, wake up.”

“The becoming of man is the history of the exhaustion of is possibilities.”

“It is not the position, but the disposition.”

“Making social comment is an artificial place for an artist to start from. If an artist is touched by some social condition, what the artist creates will reflect that, but you can’t force it.”

“I envy paranoids; they actually feel people are paying attention to them.”

“Ambition, if it feeds at all, does so on the ambition of others”

“As photographs give people an imaginary possession of a past that is unreal, they also help people to take possession of space in which they are insecure.”

“In the final analysis, style is art. and art is nothing more or less than various modes of stylized, dehumanized representation”
SUSAN SONTAG

Feestyd Kiekies

Posted by: Janah on: 05/01/2010

First Fashion Shoot!

Posted by: Janah on: 15/12/2009

Below you will find some of the images captured during my first fashion shoot!

The shoot was organised by Fast Forward, the short photography course I attended. The theme was “Environmental Fashion Photography” and we only made use of natural light. No photoshopping has been done on these images! I feel quite impressed with myself…

The Mobile Boutique

Posted by: Janah on: 15/12/2009

A great initiative!

Here follows the press release:

30 – 11 – 2009

The Mobile Boutique launched at The Old Biscuit Mill
The Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock, Cape Town – 30/11/2009

The concept is simple: every Friday night the Old Biscuit Mill transforms into a world of fashion, style and design. The focus is on building South African brands in a social environment. A thoroughly enjoyable and safe night shopping experience in the most beautiful city in the world.

The Mobile Boutique (TMB) is a new and innovative concept which has been designed as an upmarket mobile retail event that accommodates 48 young fashion designers (Paige Smith, Amanda Laird Cherry, Guillemette & Melodie, Pseudonym, MatBlac, Darkie and Golden Monkey to name a few). TMB’s greatest motivation is giving new and upcoming designers the opportunity to present and market their own unique labels to the public, without having the restrictive overheads of commercial retail space. Established brands are intermingled amongst the fresh faces, creating greater brand exposure for all.

The fashion designers are able to display their garments and merchandise in a custom designed display area, with fitting rooms. Each stand is identically sized to ensure that every designer gets equal exposure, irrespective of market status.

TMB aims to be the leader in innovative and creative design with the concept of an upmarket, mobile retail store.

Spearheaded by Andrew Clarke, a local designer of considerable renown, TMB is the culmination of years of hard work within all facets of the fashion industry as well as his passion regarding all that is, and defines South African design.

Andrew believes that by mentoring and supplying practical business advice, TMB will be able to transform raw design talent into formidable, business savvy, South African brands that will excel on the international stage. The affiliated job creation and injection of energy into the local fashion industry will encourage the sustainability and growth of the concept around the country.

The Mobile Boutique will be held every Friday night from 6pm – 11pm at The Old Biscuit Mill. To see extra trading dates, visit our website at: www.themobileboutique.co.za. TMB will be trading during the Festive season.

Some of the designers include:

Faces of Long Street

Posted by: Janah on: 14/12/2009

The idea of immortalizing people through photography, capturing their emotions and the essence of their character is one of the reasons I fell in love with photography!

For our fourth exercise we were saddled with the task of photographing profiles. I decided to wander the streets of Cape Town seeking interesting characters. As expected- Long Street did not disappoint!

move with me!!!

Posted by: Janah on: 07/12/2009

Capturing movement was the task I was facing for our third photography exercise. Some directions and tips were given in class which included shooting the picture indoors, in shaded light, or late/early in the day in order that a slow shutter speed can be used. For this exercise I did not use any filters and we were not allowed to retouch or “correct” our pictures in photoshop or any similar software programme. So what you see is what I captured!

Taking photos of the sea is more difficult than it looks, although, when you get it right it can be really rewarding. For this series of photos, I went quite late at night, around 19:00. Yet, I feel that it could have been a bit darker as I do not have a neutral density filter. This filter could have been useful to capture more movement giving the water a more milky texture. But, all in all, I feel I did rather well!

These photos were taken in one of my favourite coffee shops near Green Market square in Cape Town. I am always thankful when someone is willing to pose as a subject. Here I could not have asked for a funkier chick to volunteer her services!

This picture came out rather interesting, although I do not think it is everyone’s cup of tea;-) I took it on a REALLLYYY! windy day at a big circle at the bottom of Adderley Street in Cape Town. What you see is one of our public transport busses, a Golden Arrow, with the mountains in the back ground. It would have been even cooler had there been a silhouette of a person, perfectly in focus in the window of the bus. But, alas, it was not to be.

This picture tugs at my heart and evokes a mixture of emotions. The young child, in focus, looks at her grandmother who is moving, “fading” away. A poignant moment of emotion is captured on the seemingly innocent child’s face.

Thanks for looking at my pictures. All feedback are welcome and constructive critisism thanked!

Second Time Round

Posted by: Janah on: 04/12/2009

Our second photography exercise demanded serious creativity! We were expected to take photos using DIY filters thereby denoting and capturing certain emotions. Filters could be either natural or self-made and examples included glass covered in vaseline, raindrops, translucent curtains, reflections and coloured glass. The sky is the limit!

Beneath you will find some of my humble attempts.

MIYABI: exciting new interview lined-up!

Posted by: Janah on: 03/12/2009

Trotting down Long Street from the High Court to my office I literally stumbled upon a new quaint coffee shop / fashion boutique thanks to the south-easterly raging trough the streets of the beloved Mother City!

I instantly knew that this place was a gem.  So, a couple of days later on a more wind friendly day, I decided to trot back up Long Street to go and meet the peeps behind this treasure trough!

Watch this space for the exciting interview and some vibey pics capturing the trendy, yet eclectic, atmosphere!

Exchange Creative Market

Posted by: Janah on: 27/11/2009

I am extremely excited about the second Exchange Creative Market this Saturday, 28 November 2009 at the Labia on Orange between 10h00 and 15h00. This is a unique market where you will find great treasures: quaint and affordable- all in time for Xmas!

For further details visit the Exchange Creative Market facebook events page!

photoFirst

Posted by: Janah on: 27/11/2009

I recently enrolled in a basic photography course to learn how to use my dslr camera, Canon 400D, properly! After having visited numerous websites in search of a course best suited for my needs, I decided on Fast Forward which specialises in short photography courses. It did not take me long to become completely immersed, obsessively taking my camera everywhere I go and photographing everything I see!

So, in addition to fashion, I will now also devote this website to my photos. I hope you enjoy looking at my precious images as much I had capturing them!

Our first assignment was to look at objects from a new and interesting perspective. Below are some of my better efforts:

Me, now


This is a window to the contents of my closet where I have decided to play dress-up for the world in order that you can share with me my insatiable love for clothes and my flirtation with fashion as an expression of myself.

Categories

Archives

Into My Closet

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.