"Belladonna explores the history of traditions used by women to achieve the 'beauty perfection' this project is a result of researching the toxic & fatal ingredients found in cosmetics"
"Belladonna explores the history of traditions used by women to achieve the 'beauty perfection' this project is a result of researching the toxic & fatal ingredients found in cosmetics"
I have always been completely fascinated by the idea of ‘beauty’ and what actually makes someone ‘beautiful?’ Who gets to define ‘beauty?’
And why? From a young age I was completely hooked on a TV show called Next Top Model. Fascinated by the way that ordinary young girls
were made-over to be catwalk ready. With their long limbs and photogenic faces, I was intrigued by the techniques used to mold them by
industry experts. At school my friends and I were also completely obsessed with the perfect bodies of the Victoria Secret models - Googling
their body measurement - and comparing them to our own teenage bodies…
But, just as fashion has seasons and trends, so too, it seems, do our bodies. From the Herion Chic look of the nineties (Kate Moss’s boyish hips
and jutting shoulder blades) to the current ‘celebration’ of curves (i.e. Kim Kardashian’s Jessica Rabbit like, incredibly exaggerated shape).
We now see more curvy Instagram models. Whilst fashion brands such as ASOS are moving forward by using non-photoshoped images of
women with stretch marks & cellulite, in their ad campaigns, in music (rap) lyrics state that ‘thick girls’ are desirable (‘thick’ referring to
rounded curves and not, a lack of academic prowess. I hasten to add). The question is, has the western world really moved forward and
settled on a more realistic beauty ideal? Or, with the accessibility of affordable procedures such as; botox, lip fillers, and other high street
quick fixes - is the idea of beauty perfection - now the beast?
I love cosmetics and I adore luxury packaging.
I am excited when I receive a new palette of eye shadows to play with. I tune into YouTube for advice on the application of makeup and
product recommendations, as do most of my friends these days.
As I entered my research for this, my final year, project, I began to really listen to what the YouTube ‘beauty gurus’ were actually saying.
I realised, that the language used by the influencers were encouraging me to ‘correct’ my beauty ‘imperfections’.
I could see how this ‘soft-sell’ message could help to damage my (and other young women’s), self-esteem. Cosmetics were being pushed as
THE ‘solution’ to my less than perfect looks. Techniques to make my lips look fuller, my eyes bigger and my nose smaller got me thinking, is
this attitude to how we should look or something new...?
I directed my research towards understanding the beauty traditions women have undertaken throughout history.
What were the pressures - before the beauty bloggers and high street procedures?
What I discovered was a world of poisons and toxic ingredients. From the use of lead in face powders 600 years ago, to the more recent but
equally horrifying use of RADIUM in cosmetics in the early 19th Century in Britain and France.
I decided to combine my passion for packaging design and my interest in the history of make-up and beauty traditions and create a brand.
Modern in design but using the toxic ingredients used throughout history
I have always been completely fascinated by the idea of ‘beauty’ and what actually makes someone ‘beautiful?’ Who gets to define ‘beauty?’
And why? From a young age I was completely hooked on a TV show called Next Top Model. Fascinated by the way that ordinary young girls
were made-over to be catwalk ready. With their long limbs and photogenic faces, I was intrigued by the techniques used to mold them by
industry experts. At school my friends and I were also completely obsessed with the perfect bodies of the Victoria Secret models - Googling
their body measurement - and comparing them to our own teenage bodies…
But, just as fashion has seasons and trends, so too, it seems, do our bodies. From the Herion Chic look of the nineties (Kate Moss’s boyish hips
and jutting shoulder blades) to the current ‘celebration’ of curves (i.e. Kim Kardashian’s Jessica Rabbit like, incredibly exaggerated shape).
We now see more curvy Instagram models. Whilst fashion brands such as ASOS are moving forward by using non-photoshoped images of
women with stretch marks & cellulite, in their ad campaigns, in music (rap) lyrics state that ‘thick girls’ are desirable (‘thick’ referring to
rounded curves and not, a lack of academic prowess. I hasten to add). The question is, has the western world really moved forward and
settled on a more realistic beauty ideal? Or, with the accessibility of affordable procedures such as; botox, lip fillers, and other high street
quick fixes - is the idea of beauty perfection - now the beast?
I love cosmetics and I adore luxury packaging.
I am excited when I receive a new palette of eye shadows to play with. I tune into YouTube for advice on the application of makeup and
product recommendations, as do most of my friends these days.
As I entered my research for this, my final year, project, I began to really listen to what the YouTube ‘beauty gurus’ were actually saying.
I realised, that the language used by the influencers were encouraging me to ‘correct’ my beauty ‘imperfections’.
I could see how this ‘soft-sell’ message could help to damage my (and other young women’s), self-esteem. Cosmetics were being pushed as
THE ‘solution’ to my less than perfect looks. Techniques to make my lips look fuller, my eyes bigger and my nose smaller got me thinking, is
this attitude to how we should look or something new...?
I directed my research towards understanding the beauty traditions women have undertaken throughout history.
What were the pressures - before the beauty bloggers and high street procedures?
What I discovered was a world of poisons and toxic ingredients. From the use of lead in face powders 600 years ago, to the more recent but
equally horrifying use of RADIUM in cosmetics in the early 19th Century in Britain and France.
I decided to combine my passion for packaging design and my interest in the history of make-up and beauty traditions and create a brand.
Modern in design but using the toxic ingredients used throughout history
RHIANNA MILLER
ABOUT
"I was lucky enough to grow up in a creative household, with parents who had careers in advertising & photography, so I was encouraged from a very early age to explore and develop my creativity"
Introduction
After graduating with a 2:1 degree at the university of the arts London, studying Design For Art Direction, I gained some experience in the fashion industry as a fashion stylist assisting Jodie Barnes for the for the Chalayan Womens A/W collection 2020. I have also styled and assisted on fashion shoots for photographer Kerri Dean. Then along came lockdown…
During this time, however, I decided to focus my skills to online business.
Combing my experience of design & creativity I decided to set up my own design business with a focus on website design and graphic branding and identity. Within six months I had a client list of writers, actresses, therapists and musicians. It seemed more than ever that everyone was looking for an online presence. My USP was being able to combine software skills with a highly creative approach.
Lockdown also gave to time to set up my own Shopify e-commerce business, here I learnt skills such as Shopify coding, marketing strategies and social media management to my skill set.
Website Design / Social media & Marketing
Having a beautiful and user friendly website is important for customers/ clients, as it can increase conversions and sales. But also understanding how to bring traffic to your website is what will help your brand grow. Using my experience as an art director, I offer everything from advice to managing clients social media accounts, layout design and much more.
Graphic Branding & Identity
Having a strong brand aesthetic is important as it communicates so much about your business , from a choice of typefaces to your colour palette, photography and the tone of voice of your copy. A combination of all of these things will help your clients and customers will quickly understand that it is them you’re talking to. All of which I am here to help you establish.
Software skills include:
Photoshop • Indesign • Premier Pro • Basic Cinema 4D • Basic Illustrator • Sketch up • Shopify • WIX • Facebook Ad Manager • Google Ad Manager •
Area's of Interests:
Fashion • Fashion Direction • Curation • Styling • Interior design • Makeup art • Set design • Window display • Creative direction • Short film making • Publication layout design • Design for web & print