Isabel Short - Final year student at Solent Uni
Meet GFF Talent, Isabel Short, a Fashion media final year student from Solent University. Isabel explores Fashion Film within her final project and expands on how Covid-19 has made her plans adaptable . Read more below.
What is the most valuable thing you have learnt at university?
I have learnt not to doubt myself. I was always really scared to try something new or apply myself to a unit because I felt I would already fail before I had even tried. Solent gave me the confidence to put myself out there and find something which I was passionate about and enjoyed enough to the point where I found something which truly inspired me and I wanted to make a career in. This was fashion film. My course introduced me to the iconic SHOWstudio platform and I instantly fell in love. I studied art, design and photography before starting university and I had no idea what I was about to get myself into when I applied. I really had no idea what I was going to be studying. I just decided to trust my self for once and follow the F word.. fashion. And it lead me here, a place where I feel confident as a creative to make work that I feel matters.
What was the starting point of inspiration for your final project?
For my FMP, I honestly just wanted to do something I cared about. I thought to myself 'this is literally the last project I am ever going to do as a student, I need to go out with a bang'. I wanted something I knew I could put my heart and soul in constantly without fail. Moreover, I thought it was important to push myself and most importantly do something I love because this is the work that is going to help me get jobs in the future and help me kickstart my career. So I didn't want to do something I didn't like only to get a good grade but not help me develop in the future by getting a job I disliked as well. My logic is an FMP that I love will get me the job that I love.
What form does your final project take?
My FMP will take the form of a Fashion Film Festival. A mini-series, made up of videos which will stream live, an outdoor screening to the public and a book made up from the episodes and everyone who got involved with creating the festival and what they are working on. It is going to be promoted was a huge digital event, in hopes to create an immersive experience for people in 2021.
I have started to collaborate with fashion designer/small brands, CGI animators, graphic designers, make-up Artists, stylist and creative directors. To build all of our skills together, to show off what the future of the fashion industry will look like. I have my own resources at hand with filming on video cameras, using lights, studios from the university and relocating for set ups. In addition, I have built incentive for people to get involved for promotional materials as a chance to have their brands and skills put on to my platforms.
How has it evolved from your initial ideas and what have you learnt along the way?
My initial idea was to create a fashion documentary alongside rebranding campaign strategies for fashion brands that didn't do anything or react very successfully to Covid-19 or the Black Lives Matter movement. However, these ideas, weren't solid and I also felt I could do a lot more which was personal to me and my interests where I could incorporate film but still talk about these important issues currently happening. I then cam up with he idea which embodied the future of fashion presentation and creating a narrative. I learnt it was important to at least like your project otherwise you aren't going to enjoy it and in return you won't produce your best work or work you are proud of.
What are the messages and themes behind your project that you want people to take away? Do explore any topics like diversity, sustainability or politics in your work?
The concept is all under the umbrella of a dystopian world masquerading as a ‘Utopia’. It’s promoted as a festival but is actually a series of episodes, unearthing real issues unfolding in our lives today but telling the narrative through fashion and creative direction. Every episode will explore different topics which go into depth from: gender equality within society, non-binary misconceptions, the rich and poor pay gap, climate crisis, body image on social media, political corruption and racial discrimination. The book I create will go even further into different interviews I conducted to create the episodes and also have information of charities and movements they can get involved in to do their part, if they wish.
What’s an aspect of the fashion industry that you’re passionate about fixing or having a positive impact on?
I think the fashion industry has a huge responsibility to spread positive messages. Making sure people know what is happening across the world. They should be honest and open and more ethical in their choices, thinking about how their choices have an impact on the world and the people around them. They hold massive power in the messages they put out to their customers with their creative direction and their branding. They should choose to spread the right message and be more inclusive for people. They should make sure they aren't segregating groups and cultures with how they choose to market themselves. I want to have a positive impact on how brands and choosing to market and what messages they are putting out into the world. Also creating a more honest conversation as to how their clothes are being made.
What is your plan once you finish your BA?
Once I have finished my course, I hope to develop into a career of videography. But more importantly continue in establishing 'From Here After: fashion film festival' to help promote entry level creatives and build the community for people to connect and collaborate and also to promote talented creatives to be spotted by brands to help them get a foot in the door of the industry. On a more personal note, I want to travel as much as I can after Covid and experience the world and different cultures. So my plan once I have finished my course is to be happy.