In completing my research on the various genres of magazines available I found fashion magazines quite interesting to attempt on my own. I really liked the creative photoshoots and the process of designing behind it so I decided to produce a fashion magazine of my own for the foundation portfolio. However I was aware it was going to be challenging and I did not have a set idea to begin with.
So as suggested by my Media Studies teacher I decided to jot down my ideas and draw a mind map then write up an organised concept note referring to the mind map so that it helps me to understand what I have to do and how I should proceed with the planning required for the final production.
[Initial concept note I developed based off the mind map.]
Bridgerton - Netflix TV Series
I really found the periodic fashion style interesting and quite unique after watching the Netflix TV series ‘Bridgerton’. I was very piqued by one of the main characters, Kate Sharma’s outfit choices. It was a modern take on the regency aesthetics. As she is introduced as an Indian, the colour palate of her outfits reflect this aspect of her identity. Although she wears western outfits like the rest of the females in the series, her outfits are highly reflective of her Indian heritage as well. The embroidery, patterns and embellishments on her dresses and the simple gold jewellery she wears embraces her cultural identity really well.
I really liked the fact how the show had incorporated culture with modern fashion and brought out some unique styles. This also made me realise that most of the beautiful outfits in the market cannot be worn by people of different cultures. A friend of mine also expressed her view on this matter when we spoke and it made me want to attempt to create an inclusive fashion style that is very much in trend and not old-fashioned as some might say.
Although I now had an overview of the representations I want to show in my magazine I was still unsure about the approach I would be doing so.
'A Court of Thorns and Roses' - A Fantasy Book Series
Conveniently I was reading a book series ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J Maas. It is a fantasy-romance novel that revolves around faeries and the divide between the high lords and normal humans. I was quite taken about the Maas had built and as any vivid reader wanted to be a part of their world. In addition to that their sense of fashion as described by Maas was on point - both the females and the males dressed immaculately. Quite taken by that, I decided to search more about it on both TikTok and Pinterest.
I watched numerous videos under the hashtag ‘Booktok’ which included character edits, aesthetics, preference choices, book predictions and spoilers, clothing line inspired by characters and even various influencers doing cosplays by dressing up as their favourite characters from books they loved. These TikTok videos, especially the cosplay acts, sparked the idea to take a similar approach and design or style clothes inspired by fictional characters.
[Above are some TikTok videos that inspired this idea. Source: TikTok.]
That brings me to the ideation behind the concept I have in mind for the magazine. It is very much a set-out fact that books and fashion don’t come together. Growing up I’ve seen in many movies and TV dramas that the character portrayed as a vivid reader always had a poor sense of fashion. Even if they somewhat had a good dressing sense, it was very much restricted. As a reader myself, I couldn’t disagree more with that.
Hence, the theme I have in mind for this magazine of mine is attempting to bring Booktok part of TikTok to life through fashion and makeup, without diminishing the aesthetic of the book. A clothing line where fictional characters can step into the real world through each and every one who wears it.
It is also a very much known fact that most fashion magazines out there don’t consider the traditions of different cultures other than the western when creating outfits, ultimately leaving the consumers out of choice or having to come up with their own customization to fit their cultures. As most of the outfits featured are either revealing or scandalous.
The videos I saw on TikTok helped me see the beauty of each of the cultures in Sri Lanka which have also been overshadowed by the current fashion trends.
Hence, I want this magazine to be able to reach out to those who feel excluded from the world of fashion due to their cultural constrictions. I want to promote dresses that are acceptable, inclusive and less revealing yet very much in style.
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