Contemporary Elizabethan Hair Design Inspired by Avant Garde
We were asked to do a contemporary hair design, I was highly inspired by 'Avant Garde' style, with the use of big, bold and use of texture thoughout the hair. I chose the runway design where I used my partner in lesson Amy, I had a few styles in mind and I just wanted to see where they took me. Firstly, I sectioned the hair, in order to give me structure to my design, I wanted big hair with frizz and wanted it messy, so I decided to use the crimpers to crimp the top section of her hair, I then brushed it out to create a frizzing effect, I created this into a messy bun, which should tall and wild. I then wanted to incorporate a fish tail plait as I love the way it looks, the effect is pretty, I did this and let it hang to the side. I then went onto the pieces of hair at the front, where I plaited them and pinned them to the sides of the head.
I did this as I had a few inspirations from pictures on catwalk at 'Avant Garde' and incorporated it into my piece, I wanted to keep it simple yet effective. I feel I am still learning and tidying up my practice with plaits and buns. I can as the weeks go by, I am certainly improving in myself and creating more by researching designs. I did struggle get the volume in my models hair, she had fine hair but lots of it, so I really focused on using small sections of hair to backcomb in order for it to stay. I also struggled slightly with the plait as I wanted it more to the side, but have only mastered the plait down the middle, therefore I will practice this in my independent time in order to master this. I also look back and think I could of tidied up in a few places to make it neat but with a messy look still there in a runaway high profile look.
I found it difficult to keep the hair in place when making the overall look messy, contemporary and texturised. I wanted to create an uneven look, because Elizabethan designs were so precise and wanted to incorporate the volume that was used during Elizabethan times but with a contemporary design on the same lines. I created the volume with backcomb and stuck with the Elizabethan approach with the full quiff, which was high up onto of her head, with bits of hair falling down for a modern design. I incorporated a fish tail plait as this was an alternative, modern plait compared to the french plaits and regular plaits that were used during the 16th Century, therefore I wanted to use this design with a bit of edge with taking it down the side of the head. I also used a couple plaits either side the top sides of the head to give my modern design texture and another technique.
Overall, I felt more confident in myself and my model liked the style and look I was going for which also boosted my confidence, I will take this all on board for future designs. I enjoyed playing around the crimped hair and trying out different techniques and it all looked good to me and I was happy with how it turned out. If I did it again I would of given the hair even more volume and created two massive, bold, textured buns with use of curls and crimp together to give the hair an even more Avant Garde feel to it and experimented more with materials within the hair.
The Task Sheet
Attempt at Contemporary Hair
'Runway, Elizabethan, modern twist'
My inspirations were from Avant Garde style designs, I wanted my design to be mad, messy and contemporary for the runway look, I experimented with different looks and loved the texture the crimp gave with brushing it out and created my design around that. I added a fish tail plait to the side as I felt it gave a edgy, effective look. I have put up pictures in particular that inspired me for the look I wanted to create and with what I created on my model.
Inspirational photographs
References for the images below:
http://www.haircutweb.com/2015/06/faux-mohawks-for-formal-hairstyles.html
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/383298618259034127/
http://www.polyvore.com/2004_avant_garde_hair_style/thing?id=7632532
I loved the hair design in the above photograph, I liked the texture and techniques used. I liked how bold and volumised this design is, with the use of backcomb and with the messy bun, I like how uneven the bun is but how it keeps it modern and fresh looking, creating a bold, edgy look but at the same time keeping in the Elizabethan style with the big, rounded bun and plaits which would be used during that period. I believe this shows a representation of a Elizabethan inspired design but messed up with great technique and texture. This photograpy clearly inspired me with my design on my model, especially keeping on the lines of the backcombed
Side view of my hair design I designed based on Avant Garde inspirations
Back view of my hair design with the use of crimp and different plaits from normal plaits to a side fish tail plait to give my hair design more texture
Another photo
Front/ side view of the techniques and texture given to the hair design.
I enjoyed carrying out this design as my ideas were endless and gained a lot of inspiration by Avant Garde and wanted to create my own design but on the same line of Avant Garde runway and also wanted to engage with Elizabethan frizz and shape with the messy bun on top to give it a modern twist, with the plaits either side of the head to show more technique and texture.
I felt the side fish tail plait didn't go as well, I wanted it more bolder and textured, therefore I should of crimped the underneath section but will remember this for next time. I also struggled slightly with carrying out the technique of the fish tail, which needs more practice to master this plait technique.
If I had to do this challenge again I would use more plaits along the top of head, I would neaten the sides up and frizz up the plait by crimping the underneath section to give it boldness. However, I was happy with the way it turned out and I feel I created an inspired design with incorporating many ideas.
What I will do next to improve will be practicing the fish tail to master the technique, I feel learning basic skills along my way will be important and basic tasks in the future so therefore I will need to carry this out. I will also work on positioning and structuring each technique to make it clearer to see the different textures and to make it neater in areas, but overall as a first time doing anything like this I was pleased as I still felt it gave the modern, Avant Garde inspired and Elizabethan inspired look within it.
