Clic La Mode

www.cliclamode.com is a networking forum that I have set up with James Lightbown. I have been very verbal on www.whoistesting.com for the last 4 years and with the WIT forum closing James and I decided it was somethingteh industry could not go without so came up with the concept of Clic La Mode.

At the moment it's just a forum but we have big plans for it (top secret at the moment). Clic is a networking site for professionals in the fashion, fashion photography and fashion marketing industries, from students through to working professional levels. So if you need a bit of advice or you've just seen the most inspiring picture get on the site and tell us all about it.

I'll keep you updated as the site progresses but even better why not join and give yoru 10 pence worth as this is a site for the industry and only works if people in the industry contribute. So get off your arse- stop posting on facebook and post on the forum.

Spaces Womens Gothic Shoot

This is a shoot I worked on for fashion and lifestyle magazine Spaces. It was a womenswear story shot in a renovated church up in Manchester. The shoot was 4 double page spreads (DPS) and having to get a good ammount fo furniture in each shot as well as the fashion.

Photogrpaher was Tim McConville www.timmconville.com, hair and make up artist was Sarah Lee. Tim had mentioned to me that he wanted a feel of armoury and some unusual accessories so I got into touch witha fabulour accessories designer called Finch. He popped along for the day and bought some of the things hes been working on- he makes big bespoke pieces for editorial use. The shoulder piece is actually made of 300 spoon ends! Fab!

The clothing was from various brands including Ralph Lauren, Avsh Alom Gur, Paul & Joe amongst others.

Gossard S/S 2010 collection

I shot the S/S 10 collection for Gossard earlier this year but have just had the images released so thought I'd whack them up here. Shooting for Gossard there was a huge ammount of prep- loads of preshoot meetings, this is the first season they have used a stylist for quite a while so I was really excited. They were after a tribal feel but still very commercial so the styling was to be subtle. So lots of jewellery - thank you very much to www.pebblelondon.com for all the beautiful jewellery.
Ok- credits; the photographer was John Oakley. Ian Chapel at The Message was managing the shoot working with the head of marketing at Gossard to get it just right for them. It was a three day shoot with lots of product to shoot. As always for lingerie big killer heels, jewellery and that was about it for styling. I did a little bit of set building - which you can see in the video but wasn't used so much in the edit.
Anyway, got some fabulous shots and have continued my world domination of the lingerie industry!

Banksy - Genius

Ok, So this isn't really fashion however I love Banksy and find his work very inspiring. I love photography that can show a bit of irony, a bit of wit and charm which I think is a typically english trait and something we should embrace. As an artist Bansky is the epitome of those qualities. His work is also faultless,
which makes his work so easy to look at and almost goes unnoticed, but he is an artist and an incredibly talented one at that.
I used to work in Ladbroke Grove- many years ago now (and before Banksy was a household name), I can remember one of Banksys art pieces turning up just by the bridge by Kensal Rise- two policeman having a snog. The first time I saw it I actually laughed out loud. I stood there for a few minutes smiling and thinking what the fuck! Everyone in the office had an opinion on it- most people loved it but sadly the local council decided it was inappropriate and it was gone within a few days. Personally, I would far rather see pieces of art around the city than a plain painted wall. I love it- walking around London and you can find little gems of art that actually makes your day when you see it. It makes you open your eyes and look at whats around you and if you do, you might be lucky enough to see one of Banksys pieces.
It is unquestionable that Banksy is cool. In fact he is the sort of bloke that from his work I know I would love to hang out down the pub putting the world to rights. His art is poignant and his politcal messages are very inkeeping with the general feeling of society. I think perhaps it would pay the government to go and have a look at his exhibition and perhaps they will get a true insight into how the general public feel about the world. Banksy portrays an element of hope in all his work- a positivity that beams from his graffitti which is a rare and wonderful message. A graffitti terrorist is some peoples views, but an artist that makes me smile everytime I see his work in mine.
Banksy currently has an exhibition on at the Bristol Museum and I would suggest if you only make it to one exhibition this year- make it this one. The man is a modern day genius and whether you are young or old I think everyone will enjoy this exhibition. And, just like seeing Banksys work around the streets its free! It runs to the end of August. http://www.banksy.co.uk/

Eye Candy is a mag I shot for last year but the issue has just come out. So I thought I'd show you some of the pics.
Photographer was James Lightbown www.jameslightbown.co.uk make up was the amazing Carol Brown www.carol-brown.co.uk and hair by the lovely boys at GregoryDean www.gregorydean.co.uk. The story was black on black, shot in a studio and then illustrated.
Product varied from Vivienne Westwood, Hannah Marshall (who is from My home town so have to give as much support to as possible but is also an incredibly talented designer), Bernard Chandran, Matthew Williamson, Erikson Beamon and E.G.(another supremely talented up and coming designer) amongst others.

Chanel ad/Baz Luhrmann cont

As I've been looking at my post about Moulin Rouge I remembered the Chanel advert with Nicole Kidman directed by Baz Luhrman and featuring the most amazing Chanel dress- it alledgedly cost 42 gazillion (ok million) dollars to make (the ad not the dress). Ok I don't really get the whole ad- but the dress is stunning and makes me drool every time I watch it.
How does she get in a cab in that dress that quickly? You'd need someone stuffing it in after you....

Ok Moulin Rouge by Baz Luhrmann has to be my alltime favourite film. It blows me away every time I watch it, the costumes, the set builds and the performances are all faultless. Baz Luhrman is in my mind an absolute genius, he is on a parr with Tim Burton for creating visual extravaganzas and continues to take my breath away.

Moulin Rouge is such an inspiring film for me as a lingerie designer and as a stylist. Every asect of the styling is impecable and something I continue to aspire to.

Some lovely chap has been kind enough to do a little montage of the costumes of Satine- which are stunning- so enjoy...

Other films well worth seing by Mr Lurhmann are Romeo and Juliet, and Australia- all visual epics and well worth watching.