Allow me to re-introduce myself; my name is Aedita, and I am an Aesthetic Anthropologist™️. A self-coined term to communicate the nuances of a practice across fashion and beauty, that aims to deepen an exploration of how aesthetics can both reveal and subvert microcosmic codes, provoke binary oppositions, and amplify compelling, nuanced narratives.
This actualisation spearheaded a fulfilling 8-week intensive training programme at Iver Makeup Academy located in TV & Film mecca, Pinewood Studios. Here I was trained by leading Film & TV Hair and Makeup Designers and Artists in SFX & prosthetics, wigs, male grooming, hair setting, period, stage, continuity, script break-downs and on-set etiquette.
Makeup Design sits at the intersection of imagination and articulation. An opportunity for me to continue my exploration and study of socio-cultural/political/economic contexts, with an aesthetic underpinning.
It was a transformational time, marked by moments of humility, compassion, play and lunch by the Bake Off tent, everyday! I am eternally grateful for the incredibly talented staff at Iver Makeup Academy; whom through the blood, sweat and tears (some SFX) taught invaluable lessons in self esteem, discipline and confidence.
Though still devotedly enamoured by my first love, fashion; expanding my styling network and refining my technical skills (another post incoming); my 7 years experience beating faces has led me to the mother of all mugs and I’m inspired to embark on my next step: Film Hair and Makeup Trainee, another brush in my Aesthetic Anthropologist belt. 💖
CONCEPT @martine_rose campaign • Rooted: a rose by any means • SS23
Slogan: “a rose by any means.”
- A misappropriation of a line from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet “a rose by any other name”, speaks to the sacrifices in uprooting, the “greener grass” per se - echoes the determinism to build a foundation for growth by Windrush era Afro-Caribbean women.
Imagery: Signals planting one’s roots, and growing a network by fostering care and trust through sharing and preservation, akin to cooperatives/ pardna schemes spearheaded by Wind-rush era Afro-Caribbean women in the 80s to combat racial inequality imposed by banks.
The composition and design of the imagery aimed to reflect 1980s Afro-Caribbean postcards. On the back was a metaphoric instructive poem on how to grow a rose/home/community. Alternating between patois and pidgin, to communicate a shared language of caring and compassion.
The cardboard box containing a growing bouquet of roses speaks to the value of a garment as it passes through hands of friendship; with each hand passed the owner declares both a separation from the garment as an object and reestablishes a connection to the stories it holds.
Styling: Statement pieces such as audacious furs, graphic florals and lived in leather no longer bear the weight of our self-actualisation and identity but, rather communicate codes of community and compassion.
Location: Shot in a temporary housing estate, in 2023; the campaign considers the political climate regarding housing and immigration. Additionally, the label “This way up” represents agency and calls to question the how status may impose or exalt said agency and upward social mobility.
Models: The models consisted of 4 neighbours, residing in the estate, with varying backgrounds including European, African & Caribbean.
* I am also painstakingly aware of the irony in aiming and failing to represent the demographic that is both least represented (community cooperatives pioneers), which I identify, which could well be the phenomena of art imitating life in practice…. or procrastination. I do hope to continue to add to this story profile - so, stay tuned!
