River Island Re-style

This shoot was for the River Island Re-styling competition.

Originally I was given a yellow dress with a bubble/tulip skirt and a hessian strap top - I turned it into a high-waisted pencil skirt with a chained flowery belt.

I really liked my skirt, it wasn't overly creative but it was well made and a design that i think River Island would sell!

We had too submit an image with a white background, so used the studio for the shoot.

Styling: I'm really pleased with my outcome, when i was describing my idea most people thought it sounded a bit odd - but on the model it looked great, I wanted a cosy, girly and slightly quirky look. I personally think the long white socks pull the whole look together.
Our model, looked amazing - shes very pretty and her look really suited my idea!

Shake it, Sh-sh-shake it...

Okay, I'm a few days behind on his post...
But in Mondays Fashion Image lesson we look at Polaroid pictures!
I know what your thinking, there pretty old school, The camera itself is HUGE - not gonna fit in your saturday night clutch bag that's for sure, but the actual image is cute - And instant, so no waiting around for processing pictures or loading on the laptop!
I have a few polaroid pictures - 2 from New York, in the Abercrombie & Fitch store with those beautiful models at the door, And one from my friends 5th/6th birthday party - party dresses, balloons & all!
So, i'v been playing around with 'Poladroid' - a downloadable program that allows you to insert your own images to be transformed into a polaroid image!
I think the outcome is great, they look really cute, almost slightly vintage...


...Me & The girls on a night out in Manchester!




I love this photo - Me & Jayden, my friends little boy, in the snow!




I found this Image of 'LifeLounge',
I'm not sure who the photographer is, or the model.
I don't think its incredible photography, I like it because it looks effortlessly finished, almost thrown together. The images are all very similar - but I love how the frame from the polaroid separates all the images!
Its simple, but effective!

I like this technique, So maybe from now on I might be Shaking it like a Polaroid picture! X

This is the best-dressed tea party I've ever been to in all my life...

"I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, Sir, because I'm not myself you see"
Alice, Lewis Carroll


I've always loved children's tales, I love how magical they are - evan if, in reality, the chances of Prince Charming sweeping me of my feet on a white horse are a little slight!
So, you can imagine how excited I am about the up-coming movie 'Alice in Wonderland', Directed by Tim Burton. The characters look amazing - Johnny Depp in particular as the Mad Hatter.
You can see the Trailor at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeWsZ2b_pK4

Originally I planned on this post being about the film...Then i found this shoot!
Featured in Vouge US 2003, its a interpretation of Alice in Wonderland, shot by Annie Leibowitzs. The narrative is great, it picks the best scenes from the film and recreates the magic, using High fashion.











Natalia Vodianova is the perfect choice for the main model, she looks youthful and innocent, with a naive charm. I'm not not surprised she was picked - she looks fantastic in this shoot, and is a Vouge regular.
I have looked at Annie Leibovitz work before, but i feel in this she has really excelled herself in terms of the focus on the clothing - she captures every colour, every frill, every texture, every stitch in such fascinating clearness, These kind of shots are perfect for vogue. Whose audience is, ultimately, interested in the clothes.
My only criticism with the photography is the lack of 'movement', for such a wild,mysterious film the stills seem, well Still! Its very posed, I think it could have been alot more alive with less 'model' poses and pouts.

The 3rd image, featuring the god himself -Karl Lagerfeld, has a interesting twist of the classic blue dress - thigh high boots raunch the fairy-tale up, slightly weird but a fantastic image. I love how Karl's signature black tie/cravat is featured in the styling of the 'Chanel Alice'.

However, my favourite dress is the Galliano number, 7th image. Its so stunning it makes me want to cry! The beautiful frilled bottom has a fantastic shape, the dramatic effect of the dress mirrors the crazy tale of Alice. The whole scene is SO much more exciting then every other scene, from the pink flamingos adding splashes of colour - and Galliano himself as the queen of hearts - the best casting EVER!

I really like this shoot.
But how a lost teenage girl found all these couture dresses I'll never know.
Curious and curiouser indeed.

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme...

Preston? More like De-preston? Does the sun EVER shine?!
Now there are three things in life that make me want too cry,
1) The cold & rain
2) Early mornings (particulary combined with above!)
3) Velvet - honestly, Why bring that back into fashion? Who does it actually suit?

So theres nothing i like more then Summer,
Warm sunny days, Floaty dresses, A cheeky glass of wine in the pub garden and my all time favourite summer accessorie - Flip Flops! Whats not too love?
So unsuprisingly my collections are always the Spring/Summer...

Here's a few trends i think will be appearing in my wardrobe in the next few months:

White Wash:
Fresh, light & looks great with a tan (not that i ever do with my pale & freckly complexion!)
Wear light materials, cotton shirts, linen trousers for a laid back look!

As seen on: Calvin Klein




Tribal: A slightly more masculine trend, I like how this trend can be a bit more experimental - bolder colours mixed with Khaki, Strong jewelerry, and quirky patterns.
I will go for simple outfits with statement jewellerry and a pair of sandals!

As seen on: Alexander Macqueen




Denim: Still going strong after the 'Rock chick' look of A/W, Great news for anyone who has a few purchases already - Many catwalks saw denim on denim, but think a little more country girl then B'witched! I expect my denim shirt will be layered over checks or frills for a girly take!

As seen on: Twenty8twelve & Christopher Kane




Girly Summer Dresses: By far my favourite style of the season, Always a summer classic but with an ultra-feminine feel.
Pretty colours, floral patterns and textures eg, ruffles and layers.

As seen on: Jenny Packham




I have already got my eye on these little beautys from Topshop - Happy Shopping! <3

Can you do it in the Studio?

So, As i have mentioned when it comes to photography I'm lacking slightly in the 'skills' department - but when i comes too creativity i'd like too think i'm quite good!
I have a tendancy to use the studio for my shoots - Its clean, the images look fresh and quite honestly, its slightly easier then location shoots! (My last location shoot involved begging a furniture store, crazy store assistants with ladders, slightly creepy men at the docks & one very cold model!)
I researched a few different ways too allow creativity in the studio, these were my favourite images...

Dazed & Confused

I love how simple this backdrop is, A gorgeous sheer peice of material with a light shining through from behind - I like how it looks as if it's just been throw up, all creased, like its just been washed!
The styling is incredable - the mixture of the harsh sculptured shoulders, and the soft material makes a create contrast - although I'm not too sure why theres a massive 'y' in the background?!


Corrr check these two out! :)
I love how passionate this seems, almost a bit Voyueristic - catching them in an intimate moment!
My favourite part of this image is how the backdrop is continued into the styling,
It just seems so carefree, simple lighting with a personalized background - the handprints seem innocent, childlike.
I'v never considered illustration as a background,
but its definitly something i'd consider in the future!




This image is very similar to the Nikki Farquhason images I have used before,
Its an interesting use of pattern - and its just a bit of fun!
This idea is easy too shoot in a studio, then edit on Photoshop!

A little bit thick, A lot too learn..

So i'm sat in my seminar on tuesday, having read the text 'Fashioning Fiction in Photography since 1990' (along with this weeks issue of Closer!) and I'v never felt so uncultured in my life!
As we went through the text we discussed a section about cinema & film,
I thought - I'v never seen these films, heard of these directors or photographers & quite honestly, have never even thought about 'broadening' my horizons! Its fair too say i felt a little bit stupid, but as we carried on discussing I realised how much i am limiting my work by not having all these other references - so i'v decided to try some new things, watch some new films & experiment with all things different!

So, I purchased 'Factory Girl' on DVD.
The film is based on the real life tale of 60's “It Girl” Edie Sedgwick,
her rise & fall into the glamour and celebrity-obsessed culture,
and her allience's with Andy Warhol & his underground factory - the place to be for musicians, poets, artists, actors and misfits to gather and create avant-garde movies during the day and throw glam parties all night long.
Okay, so this isnt a huge step away from my usual viewings but its a step in the right direction...

However, it was when i was searching for an image from the film to post I discovered this trend page based on the film, I'm really beggining to see how film influences fashion - who knows, I could learn something from watchin a few films after all? <3

Flashing it! <3

Just a quicky, I found this photo on LookBook.nu, - I really like the technique it has used,
Im a little bit dense about photographic skills so was wondering if any Photography students could let me know how its done?
Is it the flash reflecting, or something to do with exposure?

I really like the image, mainly because of the lighting featured, but also its very simple but looks quite quirky! It seems like quite an easy image to create, i'm thinking of experimenting with lighting a bit - i just need to learn how! :)
Styling wise, monotone is always an effective colour pallette, always looks smart and fresh! Loving the long socks (I actually used them in a shoot i done today!)

Added to lookbook.nu by Rachel Marie, Detriot

"Fashions Fade, Style is eternal"
Yves Saint Laurent


I find it hard too explain what a 'Stylist' does?
So many people say,
'So you design clothes?'
'You just put people in clothes?'

Well Yes, But the difference is: being fashionable is about following the latest trends, and listening to what is in fashion but from the higher fashionista's who dictate it
...But Style is showing personality through the way you dress. As a stylist you can use trends, and fashion statements but adapt them to the individuals persona.

Fashion-followers fade, but a Stylists work is eternal. <3

Lula <3's a Redhead...

Look at her! How amazing does this girl look?

I found this shoot while researching the 'use of colour in photography' for a previous project, I absolutley fell in love with it - Its so vibrant, and playful!
I'm not ashamed to admit, that when it comes to photography i fall straight into the 'fashion student stereotype' - I like pictures of Pretty girls, in pretty dresses!

What i loved most about this shoot was how the surroundings enhance the colour of her clothes - and her red Hair is fabulous!

This shoot is by Glynis Arban and is for Lula Magazine, I'v only recently discovered Lula and it was love at first sight! Its feminine & delicate, with some great images - I really want to try and create a few shoots similar to their style, but i think i'l wait til the sunshine decides to appear! <3

Rockability - Pop Magazine

For our first project in 2nd year we had to re-style an old garment, shoot it, and create an editoral for a magazine...

I got given an polo shirt, size S, to customize.
I decided too follow the crop-top trend that had filtered through from S/S 09 into A/W...but with a little bit of Rock & Roll!
I dyed the shirt to a dirty denim shade, adding stitched embellishment, cut the shirt shorter and ripped out the collar before adding a row of gold eyelets and plenty of heavy chains to it.

The model was beautiful, and was given smokey eye-make up which worked really well with my shoot. I styled my top with black hotpants, long black socks and Biker boots.

I really liked my shoot, and my tutor told me the model had really liked my top (causing me too get all embarresed and start picking faults with my work- i don't take compliments well!)

After that, I created my editorial based on Niki Faraquason's work - I started on photoshop, but had a slight hitch (My laptop crashed losing all my work, and software - inc photoshop!) I thought my work was best suited for POP Magazine, and named the shoot 'Rockability' - I ended up doing it by hand. It didnt give the dramatic effect i'd had hoped for but hey, I still got a 2:1!

Hope you like it! <3

Confessions of a Shopaholic...

Everytime my loan comes through i say 'This time i'm going to be good & try save most of it' - then everytime Topshop opens its beautifully dressed arms and gives me that cheeky look that draws me through the doors waving my bank card!
So, I thought i'd put my bad habit to good use & show you my favourite purchases of the week...



I came across this in M&S, Not my usual shopping haunt - I only go there when shopping for my mother and for the odd sandwich, but then i spotted this gorgeous cardigan in the window! I love how it drapes down, quite flattering for hiding the stomach, always a plus!



...I Love this dress! I'm a big fan of floral patterns, the flowery the better - i love how pretty & feminine they look - This little beauty is from Topshop! I thought i'd dress it up with a tailored blazor, sleeves rolled up for a casual look, and a set of cheap & cheerful Primark Pearls!

Bargain Hunt - Shoes, £3 from TKMAXX...YES £3!



How cute is this?
I just love it, I'v played around with crop-tops for a while but this longer length silk version is SO much more flattering then the shorter versions! This top will go great with the Nautical trend for Spring/Summer - its a trend that never seems too fade! I think you can have so much fun with Red, White and Blue - all i need now is a little anchor pendant and il be set, Oh and preferably a yacht! :)

So, Here goes...

Hi there, So i'm a little bit new to this blogging world...

I'm a Fashion Promotion & Styling student, basically my life revolves around clothes, magazines and sketchbooks! I split my time between two citys, Preston & Southampton - okay so its hardly Paris or New York but its home!
As my student loan is Fresh in the bank, and my christmas wages are due soon I can safely say this page will feature my latest buys, as well as my wish list and inspirations - and maybe a few suprises along the way! :)
So, lets see how much style this city has too offer...

Bye for now, <3