SHOWstudio founder Nick Knight has long championed and nurtured student talent ahead of them entering the industry and this year he has nominated BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Production student Candice Lo as one of the ’emerging fashion filmmakers of the year.’
Candice submitted her film, Whoever, Whenever, Whatever, along with other aspiring filmmakers from across the globe to SHOWstudio. Often cited as the home of fashion film, Nick Knight and his team have played a crucial part in developing students and the possibilities within the genre. Candice’s nomination is a notable industry accomplishment, especially as she is only in two years in to her course.
Fashion film is still defining itself as a medium (read about LCF decoding the genre at Aesthetica) and Candice is part of the new generation of fashion media artists putting their mark on the genre. Her film explores being trapped in situations both mentally and physically. She also worked on next month’s Orange Label Project, where she explored sexual harassment.
We discuss Nick Knight, inspirations and linking social media with fashion below.
Image credit: Sicky Magazine, Creative Direction by Candice Lo, Photography by Annie Lai, Makeup by Sergio Alvarez, Hair by Moe Mukai, Model by Sydney Lima.
Hi Candice, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and where you are from?
I’m originally from Taiwan, but I’m now based in London as a filmmaker, creative director and stylist.
What made you want to study BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Production at LCF?
I realised pretty quick that I like to mix and match my day, this course is certainly a place to go if you want to build your skills and work on different projects.
Image credit: Kaltblut Magazine with Frazer from D1. Photography by Jiajie Lin, Styling by Candice Lo, Make-up by Piril Ismen.
So you’re a filmmaker, stylist and creative director. How would you describe yourself to others?
I describe myself as someone who is adventurous in fashion. I always try to keep an open mind and enjoy what I do, plus challenge myself outside of my comfort zone. I’m always up for exploring new things and bringing it into my work.
Congratulations on being nominated by SHOWstudio’s Nick Knight as ‘emerging fashion filmmaker of the year’, how does it feel?
It is one of the most amazing things that has ever happened to me. What makes me really happy is that someone believes in my work and supports the full idea, I really appreciate that.
Image credit: Indie Magazine, Photography by Annie Lai, Styling by Candice Lo, Makeup by Gosha Topolska and Hair by Issey Hyde.
Can you talk us through the idea behind your film Whoever, Whenever, Whatever?
I wanted to use the film as a medium to discuss the way that so many people are trapped in a situation, both mentally and physically, and how they might be too afraid to talk to other people about it. This is quite common in Asian culture – people really avoid discussing these situations. I hope my film might help change this, making people more confident to talk about their problems.
The film is a process of self-discovery which also creates a space where someone can freely express their private mood, telling society to embrace the fact that everyone is different. I wanted the film to be fresh and relaxed, but with a rebellion feel to it with cultural references. The short film celebrates the great diversity of identity and radical beauty from across the world.
Image credit: Indie Magazine, Photography by Annie Lai, Styling by Candice Lo, Makeup by Gosha Topolska and Hair by Issey Hyde.
How did you shoot the film and what made you want to use Facebook statuses?
I used moving image and overlapped it with still image to create a surreal vibe. I wanted to use Facebook statuses because it is the world’s most known social media platform, where most people express their feelings in this digital age.
You also entered the Orange Label Project, what was your involvement?
I got involved in the project for many personal reasons. When I was a teenager, I experienced sexual harassment at school for a long period of time. I didn’t really know what to do at the time or who to contact. I was also afraid of being stereotyped back home and the pressure that might have come with that. I didn’t know how people were going to judge me or handle the situation, so I kept it to myself for years.
Now I have the knowledge to protect myself – I want to open up about the situation and bring a positive attitude to my work. I want people to look at it from different perspectives, hopefully it might even inspire people in one way or another. Maybe my work might even help people in sexual harassment situations to say no and call out for help.
Can you describe your style to us?
Weird and experimental with a slight twist of pleasure.
Do you have a muse?
Not really, but yes in a way. Everyone and everything can be my muse in different perspective.
BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Production student Candice Lo as one of the ’emerging fashion filmmakers of the year.’
What other projects do you have in the pipeline, what should we keep an eye out on…
I’m in the post-production stage for one of the other fashion film I’ve been working on, which again is about my favourite subject, society. This film aims to enhance the beauty of human interaction, breaking the negativity that surrounds us and reshaping the inter-human relation. I wanted to send a message, that if you are lucky enough to be different from most people, you shouldn’t be afraid of that. Society can change for the better when people open their minds and open their mouths.
Image credit: Indie Magazine, Photography by Annie Lai, Styling by Candice Lo, Makeup by Gosha Topolska and Hair by Issey Hyde.
Have you heard LCF is moving to Stratford? What do you think this means for the university…
It’s amazing that fashion students will get to have better access to one another in one site. I imagine this will help build connections across the university. However, it’s also a shame that we no longer have access to central London. It might also mean less shopping excuses for being late, like, ‘I was on my way to university but saw this cute top in Topshop and couldn’t resist.’ Or maybe I was the only one using that excuse.
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