This project was a commission from Holly Clark, that looks to explore the emerging fashion trend of office-core styling.

"The ‘Office/Corp-core’ aesthetic has become a new fixation for worldwide Gen-Z audiences on social-media platforms. Key inspirations for the trend include references such as 'The Devil Wears Prada' 2003, notably Giselle Bündchen's iconic fashion assistant role. Looking the part whilst at work has become a key priority for younger individuals in a corporate setting. The trend takes traditional tailored aspects from an office setting, and elevates them with a feminine touch - core elements of the trend include tailored mini skirts, pointed heels, and square glasses (often with a clear lens), resulting in the perfect 'librarian chic' look. There are no restrictions for what is deemed appropriate anymore - functionality no longer takes precedence. There is no real desire to work - when asked about having a dream job, the answer is simply that we don’t dream of labour. The appropriation of office-culture has fuelled the current trends within fashion - it is the latest strain of ‘Normcore’, streamlined specifically for the workplace. Hashtags are fuelling the participation within the trend on platforms such as TikTok, these include internet-specific language that will only relate to the Gen-Z demographic, including: #OfficeSiren and #CorpCore.

The shift away from WFH limitations has resulted in a romanticism of the mundane; the attraction is purely aesthetic. This editorial explores the first of many modern themes that inspire me, surrounding new ideals that we, as a younger generation embrace. The girls' new strategy to maintain their 9 to 5 jobs is to appear busy; examining them more closely reveals that the girls' work expenses don't add up, this combined with the company CCTV footage shows the lengths they will go to to reach viral status online. A prioritisation for online self-image makes up the narrative for the shoot. There is an overall lack of work ethic, much of this energy is instead being channelled into content creation"