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Lauren Coffey 

BA [Hons] New Media Studies

I have recently completed my degree in New Media Studies. I have had a keen interest in media for most of my life and am delighted to have finally reached the finish line in my undergraduate studies. Final year in NMS was really enjoyable as I got to explore many of my interests throughout my work. My final year project showcases my love for vintage fashion and the stories it can tell us about the past. I am fascinated by 1970's counterculture and wanted to explore this era in my FYP.

I chose the blog format for my final project. I felt a blog would be well suited to my topic as I could include graphics, video and audio as well as written posts to explore vintage fashion. I designed my site using Weebly.
I used archival photos from the 1960's/1970's once used in print advertisements, magazine shoots and newspapers to narrate my project.
I write about the relationship between fashion and counterculture throughout the blog, focusing on the 1970's era. I wanted to research the origin of popular vintage styles and see how differently we wear them today. I then had lots of fun restyling some pieces from my personal wardrobe.
Creating a blog allowed me to creatively express my thesis using visual and aural elements alongside my written piece.
I used procreate to design a funky theme for my site which I then used as a backdrop throughout my original photos.
As part of final assessment for my Media Production module, I produced a short documentary. Over the course of the pandemic, people have been pushed to find new hobbies in the absence of their usual routines. Being from the seaside town of Bray, I noticed an increase in members of the local swimming community. This documentary explores sea-swimming during the COVID 19 pandemic and the unexpected silver lining it has brought for people.
Final Year Project

My final year project investigates the politicisation of fashion through counterculture during the 1970's peace protests. My critical essay explores this topic from an academic perspective and offers a context for my blog. Revived Vintage is a creative expression of the topic focusing on how we wear vintage fashion today as opposed to its original intended purpose. My blog post series highlights the defining fashions of the 1970's era including the flare-cut, print/pattern, leather and disco-wear.


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Rebellious Self-Expression during the Anti-War Movement: The Politicisation of Fashion Through Counterculture

The rising conflict between the US and Vietnam during late 1960s and 1970s inspired a desire for social change among American youths. Peace-protesting was steadily introduced by college students across the US in the mid-sixties in opposition to the state’s involvement in the war. These smaller protests led to the establishment of the greater Anti-War movement which has since gained recognition as a modern counterculture movement. The desire for social and political liberation among young people manifested across a variety of cultural formats, particularly in fashion. Protesters used clothing to visually symbolise their rebellion against the conservative, war-driven society of that time. My thesis investigates the politicisation of fashion through the counterculture movement, examining fashion as a direct response to the conflict in Vietnam and its contribution to the transformation of individual expression.


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