Meet Hanna Davidson, a fashion communications graduate at Herriot Watt University. Hanna鈥檚 final year project is all about the extremes of Instagram filters and the dangers of plastic surgery. Using face paint, clay, play-dough and sculpting wax, Hanna photographed and collaged her project to convey a message of body positivity and acceptance. Read on to learn more.

What is the most valuable thing you have learnt at university?

Throughout my course, the most valuable thing I have learned in Fashion Communications is the narrative is one of the most important things. The narrative has to show through styling, typography and graphics and creative direction. Learning we are here to make a difference and it's about new creative ideas, it's about why we do what we do? It's making a difference through fashion, telling a story through fashion.

What was the starting point of inspiration for your final project?

My final portfolio focuses on extreme plastic surgery. The inspiration came from concern on social media with the use of filters, which take away any natural beauty. It was my own personal experience when I was looking around on social media and decided I will try these filters I then studied myself and it hit me how the bad these filters and why people would want to look like that in reality. I want to raise awareness of how dangerous plastic surgery is especially when it's not for medical reasons. I feel we need to focus on what's beautiful and the body beautiful.

What form will it take?

My final portfolio consists of 36 images with 6 photos per plastic surgery procedure. The portfolio consists of a combination of self-portraits and extreme collages. Due to circumstances of COVID 19, my portfolio now features extreme collage.

What materials have you used and how did you source them?

Materials used are face paint, clay, play-dough, sculpting wax, surgical tape, casting kit and arts and crafts pieces. All materials were sourced online and others were items I had at home from previous work from last semester.

How has it evolved from your initial ideas and what have you learnt along the way?

Firstly I never thought of myself to be good at collages, I was initially focused on photoshoots and using 6 individuals photographed in their natural form and further developed by collaging them. It was my lecturer who gave me encouragement to really push the boundaries with my collages within this project. For me the most important thing I have learned is being adaptable within my designs and how I work creatively. Being adaptable especially in the current situation has been a huge learning curve but one that's given me valuable experience.

What are the messages and themes behind your project that you want people to take away?

I want people to go away and look at their natural self and almost question why they use filters and base looks and plastic surgery on how a celebrity looks. I want people to be comfortable within their own body but also realise the dangers of plastic and the impact it has on the body and mind. The imagery created focuses on different aspects of plastic surgery showing the impact and dangerous created by that procedure and excessive plastic surgery. Diversity is featured by using a selection of people within my collages.

What鈥檚 an aspect of the fashion industry that you鈥檙e passionate about fixing or having a positive impact on?

Through fashion, I would like to raise awareness and educate younger generations to embrace the body beautiful but fashion has to play its part with embracing models natural looks by staying away from extreme editing. I'm also really passionate about climate change and I think with the recent COVID 19 and lockdowns I think it's a strong message to us all that we have to change. I really want to see more local production of clothing and organic clothing. As a communications student in my final year, it's an area where I would want to have impact on by producing publications, imagery, films which embrace climate change and encourage us to change our ways.

What is your plan once you finish your BA?

I would really like to internship for a while or the dream would be junior photography assistant. Once all my project work is completed I would love to freelance over the summer, building my portfolio and creating a website.