Research into Existing Lookbooks

Within the fashion industry the main focus for lookbooks are the garments. This includes the materials, textures and colours that have been chosen, which need to be promoted. Looking at existing ways of presenting various concepts allows the design to be considered in its stock and layout choices. 

1. Ruby King Lookbook

• Lookbook design for fashion designer Ruby King, designed by Eliza Mallender
• Featuring a simple concertina fold and strong photography that allows the pieces to speak for themselves
• The stitched slip-case is a nice finishing that reflects the process of a fashion designer
• Having photos fold out adds layers to the publication, mirroring as one does within fashion 
• The 2d flat pictures of thread combine effectively with the 3d literal thread, allowing for both smooth and rough variations of the same aesthetic
• These are all qualities that feed into the viewers psyche when they hold and look through the publication, stimulating senses and thus making it more engaging.

2. Candela Brand Book

• Book for fashion label Candela, featuring their Autumn 2010 collection
• Designed by RoAndCo
• The publication was submittion to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund competition
• Simple, stripped back design, where material reflects content 
• Rustic and nostalgic feel, its off white pages aids the antiquated aesthetic, as well complimenting the cover strap that is on show for the duration of the book
• The leather cover adds a trustworthy quality to the shoes, accentuating the smell that one would associate with the shoes - once-more playing on sensory indulgence 

3. Jennifer Behr Lookbook

• Nicely put-together product lookbook for luxury hair accessory design company
• Designed by Lotta Neiminen 
• The simple, foil-stamped cover is stripped back to its bear essentials. The variation adds personality and the earthy feel is complimenting and calm, whilst juxtaposing the conventional association with shine and accessories
• The black and white enhance the colours in a fiery way. When black s used to enhance the red whites and yellows, that then highlight the minimalist qualities of the luxury jewellery
• I really like the front spread that outlines the collection and series, placing the images together creates a series, and allows the colour and forms to work together naturally

4. Drykorn Catalogue

• Spring/ summer 2013 collection for fashion label Drykorn
• Designed by German agency Schultzschultz
• They utilised digital printing methods to produce thousands of copies of the catalogue, each with a unique cover and spine
• The personalisation qualities make the collection seem more like a scrapbook, adding a personal and colloquial feel 
• The photos vary from full bleed, to framed, small, layered, and so on
• The use of framing with coloured blocks fuelled the identity of the publication, as well as accentuating certain colour qualities of the images 
• The double spreads are well thought out in both colour, subject, and features (characteristics that flow as a pair better than in the photos were to stand alone). 

Conclusions:

• EXTERNAL FEATURE: it would be interesting to explore this in a way that allows someone to collect the images as postcards or a poster that they can put up / share with friends - in line with the target demographic - youths like to decorate their rooms - promotes sharing culture in a physical form instead of digital 
• Black backgrounds work really well for accentuating colour
• Material and textures - the cover needs to aid the intentions of the publication - what will make it stand out from a shelf but also how can materials be used to heighten the purpose of colour and collating in fashion
• Consider how photos look together - can their different qualities aid each others success (series vs portraits etc)