Stella McCartney 2014 Collection Inspiration
The photograph I have chosen to analyse features a pair in the in the centre of the foreground. They are dressed in notably bold outfits-the boy wearing white suit with a contrasting dark details. He is wearing this with equally tremendous shoes dark chunky creepers. Meanwhile the girl is dressed in a suit blazer and calf high suede-looking boots.
The background of the photograph the location appears to be busy with multiple figures and cars being visible, this may connote that the pair are at some sort of event or celebration. The potential event setting may also be inferred from the subject’s body language they are supporting one and other and the boy swinging his leg into the air connotes a carefree and jubilant atmosphere.
The photograph is in black and white indicating it is from the past. This assumption is shown to be true by the caption informing us that the photograph is of a “teddy boy and girl, London, 1972” (Stella McCartney: D.I.Y, 2014).
Further research into the term “teddy boy” has taught me that it is a term used to refer to a style led by the youth of the 1950’s after the second world war. The name “teddy’s boy” is a reference the Edwardian era that their clothing at the beginning of the movement were derived from. It was “a nationwide teenage style and the first post-war teenage subculture” (Discover, 2017). The action of lower class youths wearing Edwardian suits that were originally associated with the upper class was an act of rebellion against the movement back to the pre-war strict class hierarchy.
The photograph has multiple aspects that can drawn upon to gain information and inspiration from, these include the fashion choices, subjects themselves and the history behind the image. I find the manner in which the youth of the 1950’s to 1970’s used fashion to create a strong communal image and defy against the social norms particularly riveting as I’m sure Stella McCartney did too.
Bibliography:
Stella McCartney: D.I.Y. (2014). W Magazine. [online] Available at: https://www.wmagazine.com/gallery/stella-mccartney-mood-board/all [Accessed 5 Dec. 2017].
Discover. (2017). Teddy Boys. [online] Available at: https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/discover/2015/02/26/teddy-boys/ [Accessed 6 Dec. 2017].
Collections.vam.ac.uk. (2017). Group of Teddy boys – Southend on Sea | Lear, Kevin | V&A Search the Collections. [online] Available at: http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1242657/group-of-teddy-boys-southend-photograph-lear-kevin/ [Accessed 6 Dec. 2017].
Brown, S. (2012). Fashion. New York, N.Y.: DK Publishing.