Meeting 5 with Sofia - Black Styling

Previous sketch.

In my last meeting with Sofia we discussed the changes to the black styling. I said it didn't look restricting enough so could she please make the ropes tighter and add more strips of elastic across her chest. I also said the skirt was too wearable so could she include high waisted pants instead and then wrap the strips round her skin for a more editorial look. I showed her images of exactly what I meant and she agreed she would make those changes to create another design. I didn't hear from her for about a week which was concerning as I had hoped she would have started making the outfit by then, so I messaged her for an update. She said her tailor had nearly finished the black outfit which confused me as she hadn't send a new design for me to approve, like she did with the white outfit. When I asked if she had altered the design at all she said she didn't know because she hadn't seen the new design as she was back from Rome and in Southampton. She said she told her tailor everything I had told her; however when she sent me an image of the dress it looked exactly like the design I had said I wanted changed! This really disappointed me as we had agreed on the changes but non of them were made. I was confused as to whether Sofia hadn't told her tailor the changes in time or whether the tailor refused to make the changes, but either way I was angry I hadn't been informed, especially as I am paying £200 for materials! She added an extra strip of material to her upper body, but this was not something I had asked.

As I had never collaborated with a stylist before I was confused how to act because I realised that this was a favour so I didn't want to be too harsh, but I was angry that she didn't tell me my changes weren't going to be made. I complemented the top half as I thought the intricate fringing gave a suffocating effect; however I reenforced that I thought the skirt was too wearable and so I wanted high waisted pants. I also suggested the ropes round her body and lower half were pulled tighter because they looked too loose and relaxed. Sofia asked me to sketch out what I meant, which I did, giving me the impression changes were possible.

However soon after I sent her the sketch she told me her tailor had finished the design and she couldn't change the skirt to pants because she had already sewn everything together with the zipper. This really frustrated me because neither of them had confirmed the final design with me, even though I made it very clear that I wanted to see the final design sketch before they started making anything. I was gutted that I may have had to settle for a dress design that I didn't want because I was so passionate about the film and felt like I had tried so hard to keep my team aware of everything and on track. She then said her tailor would make the pants but said these were the last changes she would make. I was happy she said she'd try to change the bottom half; however I felt annoyed that she refused to make any other changes because she should have made them before she started making the dress!

Sofia let me know the next day that her tailor could not make the skirt into pants because of the zipper and so just made the skirt shorter. This disappointed me because Sofia had raised my hopes that the skirt would be removed; however I was aware that delivery was going to take a week so I said that I wanted it finished and then delivered as soon as possible. I was pleasantly surprised that the tailor changed the straps to be tight all the way down her body because it looks much more restricting and like a cage. I am extremely eager for this dress to arrive so I can have a fitting with my model to see if any chances can be made about the skirt and if it fits properly.

This experience emphasised how difficult it can be to collaborate with another creative student because they may not always follow what you ask of them. I have always worked on my own on projects, from college photography to university, because then no one can let you down. I wanted to collaborate with other students to push myself out of my comfort zone and because I wanted every element to be done to a high standard. I was initially going to design and create all the styling myself; however I was aware that this was not my strong point and I may not have time to do it. I am still pleased I decided to collaborate because I couldn't have created designs as intricate and professional as Sofia; however it emphasised to me how their vision may be different from mine and so it might not turn out the way you want it. Another thing I struggled with was knowing my project wasn't Sofia's priority because I wanted everything designed and created within a precise time schedule that she didn't make; however I am learning to allow more time for things as first expected for more realistic time restraints.