visual culture — university brief

the bloom that follows the wind

Styling · Photography

Objective

The focus of this project was to develop a fashion-driven photographic narrative, inspired by a chosen runway look. We were tasked with creating a visual storytelling poster, exploring themes that align with a chosen designer's aesthetic and philosophy. My concept centered around identity, belonging, and the contrast between nature and the city, reflecting an Angel Chen Fall 2022 look by conveying the concept of embracing one's true self.

Inspired by The Wizard of Oz's Dorothy, my character, Sarah, embodies the tension between urban life and her deep-rooted connection to the countryside. Through a series of images, I captured her journey — beginning in the city's rigid structures and gradually transitioning into the open landscapes of her past. Her styling reflects this evolution, incorporating red shoes, a mix of urban and rustic fabrics, and handcrafted details that symbolize her rebellious independence and return to her roots.

Not an official collaboration with Angel Chen — university brief.

the whole roll — 21 frames
click a print to hold it up to the light
The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 1
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 2
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 3
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 4
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 5
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 6
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 7
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 8
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 9
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 10
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 11
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 12
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 13
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 14
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 15
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 16
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 17
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 18
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 19
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 20
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The Bloom that follows the Wind — lookbook photograph 21
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Final Photos

Photography: by Gabrielle Polesy. Styling: by Gabrielle Polesy. Pieces: by Gabrielle Polesy. Vintage brown leather jacket sourced.

Final poster, version 1 Final poster, version 2
Final posters — original inspiration: Angel Chen, Fall 2022
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This project explores identity, belonging, and self-discovery through fashion photography. Inspired by Angel Chen's Fall collection, my narrative follows Sarah, a woman caught between the artificial city and the wild freedom of her rural roots.

Drawing from The Wizard of Oz's Dorothy, Sarah's journey is about returning to where she truly belongs — realizing that home isn't just a place but a part of her identity.

The city tried to shape her, but the wild, rebellious spirit within her remained. Nature becomes a metaphor for freedom.

The story is embodied by Sarah — restless and tender, caught between the life she built in the city and the pull of where she came from. Red shoes, rustic fabric and handcrafted detail trace her return, piece by piece, to the ground she started from.

Nature becomes a metaphor for freedom — Sarah's journey home isn't about a place, but about the part of her identity the city could never quite reshape.

Process

To begin, I focused on building a strong character — someone with depth, history, and a sense of longing. Designing her identity and creating her outfit through collage helped visualize her world, while writing her story allowed me to fully understand her journey. Sarah is a restless soul, torn between the life she built in the city and the deep-rooted connection to her past.

Character development — research document pages

Character development collage
Character development — collages made on Photoshop
Character development research page 1 Character development research page 2 Character development research page 3 Character development research page 4 Character development research page 5
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Throughout the process, I continuously experimented with different camera techniques to achieve the best possible images for the final poster. This hands-on approach also helped me refine my skills and gain a deeper understanding of my camera.

Photography process — research document pages

Photography process research page 1 Photography process research page 2
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