>Project Blog
By SHOWstudio, 11:00 Thu 22 Jan 2009
With V57 hot on newsstands, our Let There Be Light project is now complete with both Nick Knight's final editorial images and the fashion film created with Ruth Hogben from footage captured during December's live shoot. Our project highlights give you an insight into both the innermost workings of the photographic process and the creative thought behind the imagery, but naturally the final aesthetic of both shoot and film is anything but predictable.
In his interview on set, Nick said he would push the final reworked shots "right off the scheme of what a photograph would be considered to be", inspired by the work of artist Franz West and the cut-outs, masks and flat planes of colour seen during the process of retouching. Accordingly, these final editorial images of Lily Donaldson tread a fine line between collage, painting and photograph with images scanned, sliced, primed and pasted before their final rendering in glossy print. The accompanying film, aptly titled 'Lily's', features a floral-festooned Ms. Donaldson in all her blooming glory, bringing V Magazine's 'Let There Be Light' editorial and S/S 2009 fashion to vibrant and multi-faceted life.
By Studio, 15:05 Thu 13 Nov 2008
We were shooting until late last night at our West London studios and were unfortunately unable to upload all of the day's highlights. Now that we're back at the SHOWstudio towers, our dedicated video editor Harry Hanrahan has worked his magic on the two remaining highlights. Alex's interview with Nick Knight's 1st assistant, Ruth Hogben and an in-depth analysis of an exquisite Azzedine Alaïa black shirt (seen above) now sit alongside other edits of key moments of the 3-day shoot and a gallery of Nick's photographic images.
By SHOWstudio, 20:29 Wed 12 Nov 2008
We've come to the end of a veritable three-day live fashion extravaganza and what a journey it's been! Our star model Lily Donaldson has entertained and amazed us all, and in the process provided a whole host of imagery for Nick Knight's upcoming editorial story for V57 (due to hit the newsstands in February 2009), captivating footage for our live stream, highlights and a fashion film to appear on SHOWstudio early next year. Of course, none of this would have been possible without our stellar backstage cast, including stylist Jonathan Kaye - calling in S/S 2009's most extraordinary piece, from cyborg 'sock-shoes' by Balenciaga to Maison Martin Margiela's plaster-cast jacket - hair stylist extraordinaire Sam McKnight, make-up maestro Val Garland, nail wizard Marian Newman and their dedicated assistants.
The SHOWstudio team approached this live shoot in a slightly different way to previous ones. This time, we decided to use 3 cameras (as opposed to one) to capture action on set; provided edited Highlights of each fashion 'look', interviews with the shoot's key players and Alexander Fury's in-depth clothing analysis, instantaneous uploads of Nick's un-retouched images in our Gallery; as well as continuous textual coverage via our Twitter feed and front-page Blog. We hope that all of this has made for entertaining, enlightening and inspiring viewing - and that all those watching have enjoyed it at least half as much as we have on set!
By Laura Bradley, 12:20 Wed 12 Nov 2008
It's our third (and final) day on set of Nick Knight's Let There Be Light shoot and we've just switched on the live stream so tune in to catch sight of Lily in her first look of the day. There's plenty of action to pack in before the day is over: we still have three looks left to shoot and our Fashion Director, Alex Fury is keen to interview as many members of the team as possible (make-up artist Val Garland and Nick's 1st assistant, Ruth Hogben have both agreed). And, if that's not enough to satisfy your fashion thirst, we've already earmarked a few items from Jonathan's rail each of which will be given a good old verbal examination by Alex, in between shots.
If you missed any action over the last few days be sure to check out our highlights, incorporating the first seven looks (Lanvin, Balenciaga, Prada, Christian Dior, Maison Martin Margiela, Raf Simons...) and an interview with our very own Nick Knight.
By Alex Fury, 19:50 Tue 11 Nov 2008
With Nick's abstract shots of this breathtakingly fragile show (and shoot) stopping plaster-cast jacket from Maison Martin Margiela our second day of live streaming and shooting is officially ended. Nevertheless, the SHOWstudio team are working on to edit today's footage - including the aforementioned Margiela masterpiece - and add them to our ever-expanding project highlights later this evening. Join us again from 12:00 Noon (UK Time) tomorrow to see more interviews, features and of course Jonathan Kaye's final outfits, shot by Nick Knight.
By Alex Fury, 19:07 Tue 11 Nov 2008
Our project highlights and image gallery have now been updated with both the first photographs of the day - Lily sporting Prada, Balenciaga and Jil Sander - and my interview with Nick Knight, shot earlier today and unravelling some of the complex references inspiring the final imagery of our V57 shoot. We're shooting on into the night, so check back for more image and video updates later this evening.
By SHOWstudio, 13:35 Tue 11 Nov 2008
We have just launched the live stream for the 2nd day of our Let There Be Light shoot. Lily has just arrived on set with our stellar backstage team (stylist Jonathan Kaye, hair stylist Sam McKnight and make-up artist Val Garland). Her first look of the day (or 'Look 3') comprises a white Prada shift dress, Balenciaga's 'sock shoes' designed by Pierre Hardy and a pair of Jil Sander earrings. Stay tuned for coverage of today's shots, interviews with members of the team and in-depth discussion on specific fashion pieces.
By SHOWstudio, 11:27 Tue 11 Nov 2008
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Eagle-eyed SHOWstudio viewers will have noticed that we have removed one of yesterday's Let There Be Light 'highlights'. The last look of the day featuring model Lily Donaldson in Alexander McQueen's intricate, computer digitised print look, didn't quite fit stylistically when compared with the austere, minimalism of our first two outfits. As Nick and the team are keen for our highlights to reflect the looks that will feature in V magazine's editorial, the decision was made to remove the highlight from the project. Standing by our commitment to unveil the entire process of creativity, we thought it only right to document this part of the shoot. However, outtakes of this particular can be viewed above and another highlight, documenting Fashion Director Alex Fury's rigorous examination of the fantastical exoskeletal McQueen jacket will be uploaded later today.
Meanwhile, the team are currently preparing for another day of live fashion broadcasting. Stay tuned!
By Alex Fury, 20:22 Mon 10 Nov 2008
With Lily working our final look, our last video highlight of the day has been edited and uploaded for your viewing pleasure - starring the exoskeletal S/S 2009 Alexander McQueen pleated jacket and jumpsuit I so admired in Paris (and finally got the chance to all but rip apart at the seams under my intense scrutiny). Join us again from 12:00 Noon UK Time tomorrow and Wednesday for more action live and direct from the set of Nick Knight's Let There Be Light shoot.
By SHOWstudio, 16:16 Mon 10 Nov 2008
With the first look - a Lanvin blouse and darted trousers precariously perched atop serious Jil Sander asymmetrical platforms - being photographed before your very eyes, Nick Knight's V Magazine shoot is beginning to take shape both in Nick's viewfinder and our Let There Be Light Project Gallery. Updated real-time with Nick's photographs of Lily's latest looks, check the Gallery throughout the progress of the shoot to see this raw untouched (or retouched) imagery develop before your very eyes.
By Alex Fury, 15:37 Mon 10 Nov 2008
After having my own moment filming our first highlight to introduce the project in front of Nick's camera, I was quite happy to hand over the reins to the professionals - and Lily is of course working the first of Jonathan Kaye's looks like the star she is. Before the shoot, Nick talked about approximating the creamy porcelain skin of high Renaissance portraiture to contrast with the austere, severe elegance of the clothing. Accordingly Sam McKnight, Val Garland and Marian Newman went to work, bleaching Lily's eyebrows, buffing her hands to marbled sheen and tousling her locks into a thick, flowing mane straight out of a Tintoretto anointment. The end result alongside those sleek chic clothes? Something like the immaculate Babe Paley meets Titian's Immaculate Conception. What a modern vision.
By Alex Fury, 10:00 Mon 10 Nov 2008
...And lo, there was light! Or something to similar effect, as we are currently setting up our stark, severe white studio in West London for the first day of Nick Knight's shoot for V57. Our model Lily Donaldson is being groomed courtesy of Val, Sam and Marian and we are awaiting Nick's imminent arrival. Of course, when all the action starts on set we'll be streaming video and audio live, alongside edited highlights, features and interviews documenting this three-day fashion spectacle as it unfolds.
By SHOWstudio, 16:00 Fri 07 Nov 2008
Our new live event project 'Let There Be Light' broadcasts live from 12:00 Noon GMT on Monday, allowing behind the scenes access to Nick Knight's three-day shoot for V Magazine. Based on the theme of 'Light', as interpreted by Jonathan Kaye from the Spring/Summer 2009 collections, the shoot stars model-of-the-moment Lily Donaldson and a raft of next-season’s greatest designs from the likes of Lanvin, Balenciaga, Jil Sander, Alexander McQueen and Maison Martin Margiela. Inspired by spring's austere, forward-thinking mood of minimal modernism, this project allows our own glimpse into the future: the February 2009 edition of V Magazine being created before your very eyes.
The entire process of the shoot can be seen real-time on SHOWstudio.com - including live uploads of Nick Knight's un-retouched images mere moments after they are created. Nick Knight's fabled post-production magic will of course alter the imagery radically - the final outcome of which will remain a closely-guarded secret until V hits the newsstand in January. The broadcast will stream live each day from 12:00 Noon GMT (times subject to change) and shoot highlights will be constantly available, just in case you miss anything. Interviews with key players Lily Donaldson and Nick Knight, plus the stellar backstage team of stylists, hair and make-up, will also feature alongside SHOWstudio's frequent live updates from the studio floor.
Join us Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to catch this three-day, access all areas, no holds barred fashion extravaganza.
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