Burning in Water

My friend Una got me the “Burning in Water” palette from the Wong Kar Wai x Shu Uemura collaboration…a surprise gift enjoyed over delicious Pho soup :) It’s so pretty I’m too scared to use it! Well, almost too scared, heh heh heh…

New Year’s Resolutions

2012 is sort of a whole new beginning for me because, for the first time since I was 5 years old, I am not a student. It’s a weird feeling, let me tell you. In the spirit of new beginnings, I want to change my shopping habits to fit a “less is more” mentality. I don’t need ten million t-shirts, I just need ten that I really really love (or maybe twenty :D ).

It is time to build a super-efficient wardrobe. And you know what that means. SHOPPING!!! The first step to my resolve is acquiring the perfect cardigan, this magical oversized Wildfox one which I feel was made for me and only me.

Have you got any fashion resolutions?

Stocking Stuffers

Happy Christmas! In true fashion blogger style, my Christmas-themed post is a greedy wishlist of shoes I’d like to stuff my stockings into. Falalallala la la la flatforms!

Carry On Closet

Here’s a short stop-motion fashion film I directed for designer Renée Lacroix, designed to show the multi-functional nature of her collection. This shoot was so much fun! And I was doing the slate so I got some cool pictures of my tattoos out of it, haha, thanks to Darwaysh the photographer.

Cecilia Seilern SS11 Video Lookbook

As promised, below is the video I shot and edited for Cecilia Seilern’s SS11 collection. I’m still dying over the black jacket and the trousers!

Check out Cecilia’s website here.

Below is a “making of” video featuring my awkward self;

Mask

I mentioned the Wong Kar Wai x Shu Uemura collaboration before (here). Here is the gorgeous accompanying film directed by the man himself. Those eyelashes! Those colours! The glitter!

“Wong Kar Wai is a ‘master of colors’, just like Mr. Shu Uemura.
Possessing a unique perspective on femininity, he has specialized in capturing the mystique of women. In collaboration with Wong Kar Wai, Shu Uemura introduces a holiday collection rich in emotions and atmosphere, with beautiful package decoration inspired by his special short film for Shu Uemura, “Mask”. With his distinctive appreciation of femininity and his signature style that is both nostalgic and hip, this collection emphasizes timeless elegance and poetic tones, and takes the Shu Uemura look to a new dimension”.

 

Jacket Kick

It’s officially winter in London now, and what better excuse to online window shop and drool over amazing outerwear for the season? These three jackets are stunning and would be welcomed to my closet with open arms. By three of my favorite designers; Ashish, House of Holland and Jeremy Scott.

I also ran into these amazing coats while rooting through Asos; shearling coat by Antipodium, faux fur patchwork coat by Stolen Girlfriends Club. I want!

Versace x H&M Spot

Brilliant.

Interview- Charlotte Lucy Barry

I interviewed the lovely Charlotte Barry -fashion designer and winner of the Barnett Lawson trimmings award- for 1883 Magazine. Read the full article on 1883 Digital!

Girl Panic!

Here is a very clever music video for Duran Duran’s Girl Panic! shot at the Savoy in London. It features top models as members of the band, including Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Helena Christensen.

Wong Kar Wai x Shu Uemura

I stared at this blankly for a whole minute before googling Wong Kar Wai to see if there’s more than one filmmaker with that name. But no, it is indeed THE Wong Kar Wai, the revered Hong Kong filmmaker responsible for In the Mood for Love and other fashion-heavy masterpieces, who has teamed up with Shu Uemura for a makeup collaboration.

I’m not sure how I feel about this except that it makes it even more clear that fashion’s love affair with film is only going to intensify.

Thoughts? Will you be buying?

via Wonderland

Dragon Tattoo x H&M

I’ve seen the original Girl with a Dragon Tattoo film but I never expected it to have a fashion moment. The American remake’s star is on the cover of Vogue, and now H&M have unveiled a capsule collection from H&M Divided based on the film’s heroin.

Thoughts?

Mark Cant/1883 Magazine

I interviewed cover photographer Mark Cant for 1883 Magazine. Read the full article below and at 1883 Digital.

“Photography…how hard can that be?” Mark Cant, the Battersea-born Londoner responsible for 1883’s Issue Three cover, describes his career in fashion and beauty photography as “almost a chance thing”. Refused the college course of his choice, (music), Mark decided to put his old camera to use and chose what seemed to be the easy option. Photography not only turned out to be a lot of hard work; it was Mark’s calling.

A quick scroll through his blog and its already clear that Mark’s forte is his striking, intimate portraits of models, friends or strangers, captured in rock ‘n’ roll high-contrast black and white. Mark’s lens is clearly drawn to characters and not just pretty faces; there is a dialog between camera and subject evident in his work, a story to be discovered. “I’m interested in people, shooting people, and fashion gave me a good outlet to do that. I’ve always been interested in fashion imagery, and yes, the clothes as well”. When asked if he has a preference towards shooting beauty or fashion, he is matter of fact; “It’s just about getting a great shot. In the end, the better image should prevail.”

Although Mark describes that fateful photography course as “Rubbish…
it was talking about photos and not actually taking photos most of the time”, his studies made a visible impact on his work. His tendency towards black and white, he says, “…comes from college, where we shot black and white because the film was cheaper. I do prefer black and white still. It’s sticking to your roots, really”.

His obsession with Polaroids, preference towards the “softer, raw look of film” over the pin-sharp fashion imagery of the digital age and his habit of accumulating vintage and toy cameras show a love for traditional media…but Mark isn’t one to be dragged down by nostalgia. On the subject of the Internet’s impact on fashion photography, he at once embraces the technology as a tool and rejects the idea that it will replace print media. “Tumblr is a much easier way to share work, and everyone has a camera these days so it’s a good way to get started. The Internet has changed things but I think the industry is still the same. There is still a need for print magazines, and the magazines with history will always be there. There needs to be something tactile.”

The fast-paced fashion world seems to suit the photographer well; “It’s tricky to pick a favorite shoot I’ve done…every time I shoot, that excites me, and I have a new favorite. And then it’s on to the next”.  His favorite photographers include legends of the business: Nick Knight, Craig McDean, Brian Duffy (another photographer with a knack for portraits) and Mert & Marcus (who can “do no wrong” in Mark’s book).

Aside from his photographic heroes, Mark draws inspiration from “Films, old photographs…I look at art, but not as much as I should.” He cites Sin City(Rodriguez, 2005) as an inspirational film, (unsurprisingly, given Mark’s attraction to black and white and film noir-esque low-key lighting), but in general the photographer prefers to start with a mood rather than a specific reference. “When I show my mood-boards, I always say ‘its not for the lighting, its not for the makeup or the hair, its just for the feeling’”.

Mark’s parting words of wisdom are for aspiring fashion photographers: “Just don’t give up. It’s hard, especially in fashion, but you have to believe in your own work. Some people get a lucky break and others work for years with no recognition. Stick to your guns”.

For more on Mark Cant’s work, check out markcant.com

Written by Emma Freed

Model Wheel

I’m basing this opinion solely on the look of the set, (which includes a giant hamster wheel for models and a cage), but I can already tell that the Versace x H&M tv commercial is going to be amazing. Watch the behind the scenes below;

Georgia Hardinge Sample Sale

Yesterday I went to Georgia Hardinge‘s first sample sale in Hackney. This was probably the best sample sale I’ve ever been to in terms of the atmosphere; usually you have to shop with a bunch of people glaring at you and the designer either hovers in the background judging you or simply is not present. Georgia, on the other hand, greeted everyone who came in and cheerfully showed them all her wonderful pieces. (Also, there were cupcakes!!!)

Here is what I got;

I’m sort of dying over this jacket but it wasn’t at the sale! Check out the rest of her collections on her website.

Dior Couture

Below is a beautiful video of a bunch of Dior atelier elves creating a stunning gown. Watch it go from organza strips to the runway;

Freak

I am beyond excited about Illamasqua‘s first fragrance, “Freak” which launches at the end of the month. Frankly I don’t really care what it smells like, I just love the name, campaign, and of course, the adorable little silver snail on the bottle.

Are you a freak?

Versace for H&M Men’s

I’m so excited about the Versace x H&M collaboration, the men’s looks are amazing! I’m really hoping the pink suit will come in a size that’ll fit me…it reminds me of Joan Jett in the best of possible ways.While I’m dreaming, I would also like these Underground winklepickers to complete the look (available here).

House of Holland SS12

House of Holland this season was all daring print combinations and beautiful use of sheers. I love the macro-leopard (or cow?) print, ombres, and those amazing pastel colour-blocked sheer collared shirts. And what a brilliant way to use python print! The bleached denim looks like clouds in a very blue sky, and I love his clever take on tartan. I’m hoping to get my hands on those faux snake suspenders.

Photos via Style.com

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac SS12

I was very surprised by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac this season….although there were some of his trademark over-the-top cartoony pieces, such as the Mickey Mouse dress and the grid coat, this collection seemed a lot more somber than he is known for. I was a bit disappointed that his collection was less fun and zany than usual, but I think he does serious well; that little star and cloud dress with the sheer is beautiful, as were all of his wonderful coats and jackets and armour-inspired pieces. I’m just really hoping that this isn’t a permanent change of focus for him, because he is one of the rare designers who infuses a genuine sense of fun and playfulness in his work.

Photos via Style.com