Into the Wasteland
“Into the wasteland” is a school project I’ve completed during my Erasmus exchange program at IPCB, during the summer of 2023. The brief asked us to imagine we’re working for Vogue Portugal and style a photoshoot and fashion film with a theme of our choice. For my project, I’ve chosen to paint the story of hope reborn from ruins, creating the setting of a post-apocalyptic collision that ends in peace.
Category
Styling
Season
SS23
Style
Punk-Grunge
There are two forces colliding, good vs. evil, light vs. darkness, the same old story of the ones who were born to be enemies. The setting is the downfall of our civilization. Is a wasteland of broken hopes and dreams, a scary place from which only one winner shall emerge. The two forces meet. This is war!
The sorry follows our protagonists, two models representing enemy forces going to war against each other. The styling is military inspired, featuring camo patterns, net tops in army green, cargo pants and combat boots. I have tried to dress each model following the same aesthetic, but still depicting them as opposite forces. Therefore, one of the models only wears clothes in light shades, while the other is dressed predominantly in black.
There’s also a punk undercurrent, evident in the use of corsets, belts with spikes and metal accessories. As a designer, I tend to lean towards more alternative fashion choices, finding my inspiration is the type of clothes favoured by the misfits, those who insist on not looking like everyone else. And so, I’ve found myself gravitating towards specific items of clothing that resemble the punk subculture, items that are edgy and fit for the rebel in each one of us.
When it comes to the structure of my fashion film, I’ve decided to separate the action into four scenes. The first one represents the meeting of the two enemies, the first contact between them. The second scene talks about a silent confrontation, planting the first seeds of conflict. Following that, comes the third scene, that of the actual contact. In the end, there’s no winner or loser. The two forces decide to make peace, with the last scene showing them celebrating victory together, shaking hands and no longer acting like enemies.
In conclusion, the main themes of "Into the Waste Land" are war, activism and embracing our differences. After all, peace comes only by looking at each other and accepting what makes us unique.
Scene 1
“First meeting” Shooting location: studio Story: Imagine yourselves as two opposing forces. Ana represents white and lara black. You are at odds with each other, like two enemy countries planning a war. This is your first meeting, you are curious about the other, but you don't trust them. You are wary and circumspect, you study the other and try to guess their next move. You are not yet hostile, but the mood between you is not friendly. Poses: You walk towards each other, front to front and back to back, looking over your shoulder to the other. Your walk is strong and confident, similar to a military march. You are accompanied by war footage projected on your bodies, you are cold and confident, sure you will be the final winner. Hair & Makeup: high, sleek ponytails, all hair pulled back from the face in a serious, somber way, austere vibes. Ana has braided hair so lara will also have some braids in her ponytail. Ana's hair can be put in a bun if a ponytail doesn't work. Both of them have strips of leather or cord tied around the hair. The make-up has a clean base, with graphic eyeliner designs, white for Ana and black for Iara.
Scene 2
“Confrontation” Shooting location: outside, next to the school on the cement ring (if there are no cars), or behind the school Story: You are outside, confronting each other face to face, declaring war on the other person. Each of you will have a flag as a prop and you will use it as a weapon. This time you are confrontational, you are preparing to go to war, you are trying to anger the other person, cheeky and confident in your ability. I want you to taunt the other, to appear provocative and challenging. You will play with the flag, wave it and point it at the other person. You will use it as a weapon and “shoot” the other. Hair & Makeup: twin buns, messy braids and hair loops. The key word is messy. Nice, intricate eye makeup, with eyeliner in black and white and face jewelry. You will both have a mask on the lower part of your face so the eyes are the central point.
Scene 3
“Fight” Shooting location: Studio Story: The war has begun. The shooting will be in a “beauty shoot” frame, from shoulders up, with a close-up on your face. You will apply “war makeup" in your representing colors (white and black). It will start as empowering, strong and unafraid but it will slowly degenerate into a messy, beat-up look. Imagine running mascara, smudged lipstick and bruises. You will start as confident women preparing to fight for what they want and end looking fragile and hurt. You can scream at the camera, look angry, let loose and go crazy. Hair & Makeup: clean face, clean hair, no makeup, all hair pulled away from the face. Iara will be styled with tape and Ana with rope.
Scene 4
“Reconciliation” Shooting location: Studio Story: The war is over, you decided to make peace. This is after the fight, you are now happy and celebrating. You no longer disagree with each other but feel good in their presence, everything is now well and you became friends. You embrace each other, lean on each other's shoulders, and depend on each other. Hair & Makeup: beauty style makeup, pretty and classic. Loose hair pulled back, you will both have a military style cap so the hair is not that important.
