Image from BA (Hons) Styling and Photography (Top Up) student Sarah Thomas
BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Photography student Sarah Thomas is next in our Class of 2014 series. Sarah talks about her inspiration and gives her advise to students interested in studying at LCF.
LCF: What have you enjoyed most about studying at LCF?
Sarah Thomas: LCF allowed me to find my creative style, collaborate and develop my technical skills. I most enjoyed the fashion film term in year two, having lectures with industry professionals such as Mark Lebon and Kathryn Ferguson.
LCF: Have you won any prizes / been in the media / undertaken work experience?
ST: I have interned at Tank magazine, i-D magazine and assisted stylists, Katie Burnett, Claudia Behnke and Joseph Crone. I was also featured in an exhibition at Boxpark in 2011, entitled, ‘Facebox’, featuring new and upcoming talent within the creative arts.
LCF: What inspires you?
ST: I am most inspired by imagery associated with old America and actually based this year’s projects on a set of family photographs taken in America during the early 1990s. Films such as Kids, Gummo, Buffalo 66 and Paris, Texas capture embody the type of imagery I am drawn to. I source many of my vintage pieces from boot fairs and charity shops, mainly Wimbledon and Battersea. I find the piece of clothing then build a concept around it. I try not to look at blogs and tumblr pages as find that it can be too distracting and does not lead to original work.
LCF: What is most important to you about fashion?
ST: “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak” (Rachel Zoe).
LCF: How would you sum up your final project?
ST: The narrative of the project was inspired by a set of vernacular family photographs. My final zine, titled ‘American Denim’ is a denim story shot on film, featuring a combination of vintage and current denim pieces. It is a love story between an adolescent boy and girl, including personal love letters alongside the photographs.
LCF: What are your plans for the future? And how do you feel your course will help you?
ST: I will be starting a magazine, to be released in early 2015, with fellow classmate and photographer, Chloe Campbell. I have decided I would like to work within the film industry so will be taking this time to intern and gain experience. This course has given me the opportunity to explore my creativity, and gain confidence in my creative style. I have made some fantastic contacts from the course, including photographers, stylists, make up artists and hair stylists.
LCF: What advice would you give someone wanting to study for a BA at LCF?
ST: This course has enabled me to spend the last three years creating a portfolio of work. I was able to assist and intern outside of the course, which means I have experience as well as a degree. It is important that you do not rush your decision to study. I took a gap year before beginning the course, which I would highly recommend. In this gap year, I interned and assisted, which gave me a clearer understanding of the creative industry, how I would fit within this and what I would like to study.