GREED... gadgets and gizmos

After researching 3D Nail Art inspirations, I practised making my own nail designs for the sin 'Greed'.

I wanted to create an edgy and eye catching statement. With this in mind I used nail extensions, black and metallic beads, metal effect chain, metal wire shapes and using super glue adhesive.

3D Nail Art 

To compliment the dark jewels of Greed i have experimented with diamonte covered ears using black and silver gems. Inspired by the images below.

Diamond Ear Cuff

NAILS NAILS NAILS....

                   

3D Nail Art - Made from rhinestones and pendants

3D Nails 

I have been inspired by 3D nails so much that at the last minute have decided to create my own for the 7 Deadly Sins shoot.

Below you can see the inspirational pictures of nail art that I aspire to live up to...These nails will compliment Greed perfectly, it will show attention to her 'Greedy hands'.

   

      3D Nail Art - Made from wire gauze

           

3D Nail Art - Made from pearls and diamonds

 

            3D Nail Art - Black crushed crystals

3D Nail Art with materials and beads

     

                      

                              

                          3D Nail Art - Made from Beads 

Costume modification....

Costume making for Envy

I have taken on an assistant to help me with the work load, Jodie Day a student in her first year also studying in the degree course that I am currently in my last year of, Jodie has listened to my requirements and assisted me on the whole, 


she has also taken on the role of fellow dress maker in which she has worked well and used her initiative to create and modify the costumes to the briefs description.

The skirt has been splashed with dripping black paint

Jodie and I gathered together all the trimmings and costumes and collaborated together to enhance the look of the garments.


We gave each outfit an 'edgy' appearance taking into consideration current and past fashion trends.

INSPIRATIONS...

Last week to finalise the project photo shoots...

And the props have been ordered for hire...


Th revised studio set has been hired by www.themesinc.co.uk see below for prop hire images

2 x Greek Pillar Prop Hire

2 x Flame Light Prop Hire

Greek Urn Prop Hire

These props will  be accompanied by other decorations such as drapes, Ivy, a table decorated with a Gold cracked bowl with infamous Greek fruits such as black and red grapes, Pomegranates and figs. The set will be decorated in  rocks and stones, and a refurbished antique chair.

TWO week until the final shooting...

A Trip to London...


Trimmings and treasures unfold in the city of London, at New trimmings LTD I purchased fashion trimmings to accompany my fashion Togas. Pricey but intricate... the bits and bobs you can pick up from the many fashion accessory outlooks in London are intriguing and certainly mind blowing, the variety is far to wide spread for just a one day visit, but a lot of places like this are shut on a saturday!


Finally after trekking around London I reach the final shop and collected detailed accents to compliment my designs. Heres a sneak peak...

Fashion Trimmings from New Trimming LTD

After searching for costume accessories I looked around London for book binding and printing companies, Im looking for something a little different from the standard hardback and glossy pages.


I found a lovely old fashion book binding shop in London luckily they were just closing as I got there, so they let me in anyway!


Iv decided to go for a roughed up green leather material to bind my books with, with this I have decided to accompany the binding I have decided to add on a couple of extra additional decorations, such as straps and unique buckles or clasps!


Here are some of the sample snippets of the materials I chose from, Final choice top right (Green/Brown Leather).

Book Binding Sample Materials

SCARIFICATION....

From the testing I realised the scarification needed to be larger, consisting of a greater depth and perfection focusing on consistency of the letter size of each model depending on the length of each word.

PAINTED HANDS....

Today I was looking for inspiring ideas for my project, I wanted to add something a bit different to the mix, something textured, quirky and edgy. I found some images of the kind of thing I would like to recreate within my photo shoots... Painted hands, with textured material like MUD mask for Sloth to match his neck, or dripping black paint for Envy to match her makeup design.

Powder painted hands

Hands pressed in black paint

Hands decorated with MUD Mask

Project Revised...

After feedback and looking over the testing images I have decided the background set should follow along the Greek mythology route... with this in mind I have been sourcing set and prop hire companies and found some beautiful pieces like greek pillars, fire stands, chaise lounges, drapes and more...


Here are a few images of the props I am considering:-

Gold Chaise Lounge Prop Hire

Flame Effect Pedestal Prop Hire

        

       Greek Pillar Prop Hire

Greek Grape and bowl table display props

Heres a couple of links that i found some of these props on:-

http://www.moreproduction.co.uk

http://www.themetraders.com/props/props.php?lang=uk&keyword=greek

http://www.eventprophire.com/themes/classical

http://www.themesinc.co.uk/searchresults.php?code=160&Submit=Search

The process behind the scenes...

Through the process of testing and creating a fashion forward shoot on the '7 Deadly Sins' I wanted to take the role as the makeup artist, hair stylist and fashion stylist.

Taking on all these roles required me to spend a lot of time creating makeup designs, making scars from liquid gelatine (Gelglyk), head pieces handmade with wire, stuffing and crepe hair, and costumes to resemble fashion Toga's which are to be embellished with buckles and brooches.

The style and atmosphere that I aspire to create on this project is 'dark fantasy/porcelain dolls'

The LOOK...
The makeup and hair designs have been created through symbolic imagery connected to each sins individuality.


The Gluttonous Pig...
Pigs are best known for their overindulgence. They will normally eat whenever food is placed in their sight. This is the reason why pigs are associated with the deadly sin of gluttony. For this reason I have given Gluttony a 'pink-ish' toned skin.

Gluttonous Pig

Gluttony is a meaning of instability, like a Tornado with no restraint. A Tornado lacks self discipline and self control. I have been inspired by the tornado to create a headpiece using the textures and colours of the image below.

Tornado

Gluttony is represented by the colour orange. This reference comes from the orange tree due to its ever-bearing characteristics. They never stop. Gluttony's main palette of colour comes  from a range of Oranges.

The Orange Tree

Idle Hands - The Sloth...
Sloths are known for sleeping, eating and generally being dirty animals. Which is why I have decided to design a body outline that would create a weak effect.

The Three Toed Sloth

I have also used grounded materials such as MUD masks to create a cracking effect, and natural sources as inspiration to enhance the feeling of  an 'untouched, ungroomed and dishevelled' man.

Cracked ground

Gravel 

Dirt and Mud

Rocks

Wrath...
I have decided to give Wrath a 'Bull like' headdress... As her pose towards the camera shall be like a charging bull.

Bull Painting

Wrath is associated with the colour red for her fiery personality. For this I have designed her makeup, hair and styling through a flame colour palette

Fire of Wrath

Suicide was known as the ultimate sin or Wrath, for hatred has rejected Gods gift of life - With this in mind her makeup with reveal 'scratched brush strokes'.

Brushstroke Art

Proud Man...
'A Proud Man will hold himself tall, and with his lying tongue deceive others'


Pride is known for his arrogance and superior attitude - Like the Peakcock 'Puffed up and Self Centered'

Proud as a Peacock

When I think of the word 'Proud', I think of some of our Countries most proud possessions, Architecture being one of them, Architecture has been something that all Countries have been proud of, everywhere across the world there are building to represent the 'Pride' of each Country. 


Tall Modern structured Buildings... London's most recent 'Proud Possession' is the Shard building.
'The Shard at London Bridge Quarter will redefine London's Skyline and become a symbol for the capital, recognisable throughout the world' - www.the-shard.com/shard 


I have based Prides design of makeup hair and styling on 'The Shard' - Inspiration of the Proud Man.

The Shard

Putting the designs into action...

Through the testing week with the models I found out that the makeup designs worked well overall, although certain areas needed attention, such as the scars needed to be enlarged and recreated with a deeper effect to really show up on camera. 

The costumes were more difficult to fit than I anticipated due the placing of the scars on certain models. With the greek symbols of Gluttony styled across her abdomen the costume had to be fitted in a way that would lay perfectly above and below the scarification; this has ultimately left me with a decision to make, whether to change the positioning of the scar or to research a new 'Toga' layout that would compliment the design already created.

The head pieces fitted perfectly on all the models, the only element that would need attention is the models hair on show - for example the model 'Lust'  has the sides of her hair on show... but i would like to create a bolder and more defined colour and texture, with this in mind I came to the decision of spraying or painting the hair black in a thick consistency to result in a 'porcelain-like' outcome.
The model poses that were tested in the week referenced a doll like poise and stamina, This look worked well with the costumes and makeup designs, this also gave insight to the stability of the head pieces and scarification. Through practising the models movements allowed us to take into consideration the size of the set (standing grave/coffin) and props that will be present for the final photo shoots.