She Bangs The Drums: Tribal Shoot for Noctis Magazine

Now I've felt unprepared for shoots before but when you're looking at sheer floral camis and thinking 'this'll do' for the male model, you know you've reached new heights of disorganisation. However, when you're assisting a stylist as lovely as Faye, who gets the makeup artist to paint your face for Team Stripes, you just know it's going to work out. With so few options for a last minute shoot, it really pushes you to be creative with the little materials you have. Necklaces turn into tribal cuffs whilst sheer and feminine vests somehow turn into the perfect accompaniment to that pale linen suit jacket.

It was tough, but little did I know at the time that it was a real excuse to get involved. Never before has my creative input been so appreciated, encouraged and credited. Having been sent to Beyond Retro on Brick Lane for a press appointment to pick out anything I wanted to use, it was all hands on deck. A quick trip to D S Dundee in Shoreditch for a quick whiskey with a photographer who actually took my portrait at LFW (London is a small world) and picking up bits and pieces from H by Hudson and Agi & Sam, it was a scramble to meet the tribal objective.

Now, the real tribal feathers and sand approach was already covered - we had to tackle tailoring. A subtle nod in the tribal direction whilst maintaining a combination of sleek high end and quirkly colour blocking. Easy enough right? Well, after teething problems such as Jelis the male model refusing the female tops and Olga being too athletic a build for some of the pieces (sample size hell.), we pulled it off and finished the day with a bottle of Rose. Because, trust me, it was needed.

The Final Shot : my styling of the green vintage Mac.

Weeks of preparation and research swapped in favour of 3 days is a challenge to say the least.

Check out Noctis Magazine Issue III in its entirety here. It's rather good.

C. x

Springtime in London

 It’s been a while. 

It seems to be that after throwing myself into the seasonal frenzy of trend reports and the latest platform shoe, I have had no choice but to buckle down behind the scenes and remember that we’re still dealing with an SS12 world despite the AW12 forecast. So, to update, my time since LFW has been spent enjoying the English Spring, with all its promise of pastels and candies falling short (as per) to deliver sporadic bursts of sunshine followed by rain and an Easter chocolate depression. As if, realistically, we really expected anything else. 

Regardless of this, I’ve still found time to busy myself on and off set. Fashionably late with my updates, I’ve been assisting with shooting for Noctis Magazine and the up-and-coming May issue of Who’s Jack. Away from one camera to another, there has been many an event to inspire from Medieval shindigs to Zombie Balls – and that is where I’m going to start. 

I am proud to hold friendships with eccentric young ladies who get up in the early hours of the morning to travel to trader’s markets all in the name of authenticity. After all, what banquet would be complete without a suckling pig?  Unfortunately, as much as I adore a night of costume, my previous status as a vegetarian left me staring at said pig in horror and placed me firmly in the dessert camp grilling figs.

Me attempting sultry, with a feather.

 The beautiful Adrien and Ciara. 

Effort holds so much value at an event such a this. When someone pours their heart, soul and need for sleep into a night, there is such a reward in seeing friendly faces applauding what have have achieved. Even Tim's tinfoil creation was a triumph in it's own little way whilst the girl's opted to raid their mother's wardrobes for vintage furs or, in my case, vintage Laura Ashley. A special mention must go to whoever really made the effort and decided to crack out an aged spirit and left many a head reeling the next day.  

Next up? A B-Movie Ball of course.

 

I have an unusual social life.

C. 

London Fashion Week: The Rodnik Band AW12

Yes. Yes. YES. 

Having been looking forward to this all week, the time finally arrived for me to get a good look at The Rodnik Band AW12 collection. With previous pieces including Mondrian Urinal and Warhol’s Campbell soup can dresses, you can imagine I was just a tad excited at what was next. At first glance, The Rodnik Band could just look like a bit of fun, you know, something for Katy Perry on a Friday night. It’s wacky, out there and really rather comical. However, this season is it also fabulously British, and definitely not one to be written off so easily. 

After sipping on £50 a bottle Tequila and vitamin water, a throw back to my student days,  we set about taking in what was on display. The right hand side of the room was dedicated to the red, white and blue in a teatime display of tea and cake. The models too, dressed in some of the most iconic images of British culture,  stood on individual plinths emblazoned with the Union Jack. If it wasn’t already obvious AW12 has taken a rather regal stance as it delved in the world of the Monarchy.

Starting with a feature film declaring “God help the Queen” with cancan-ing Queen Victorias and British landmarks turned on their heads,  is designer Philip Colbert just taking the piss out of the Royal Family? After  a few false fire alarms and a closer inspection, it quickly becomes apparent that designer Philip Colbert  is actually making a far more serious comment about the boundaries of fashion and creative expression. When we outright asked Philip  if the  label sought to mock the royal family, Colbert simply replied ‘No not at all, it’s all about making everything relevant’. And boy is he right, as Kate and Pippa Middleton lookalikes instantly get the crowd talking. The designs walk a satirical line between art and fashion, and, much like previous collections, play on the idea of wearable icons.However, Colbert also addressed  the inescapability of our national heritage. How we present ourselves is an integral part of our individuality yet so is where we come from. Britain is an inherent part of our history and identity and why should this be ignored?

A red sequin dress was a nod to the classic Beefeater attire, accessorized with an oversized crown transforming the model into a royal caricature. In her hand, a bright red double decker bus bag completely the signature British look. Toned down but just as iconic, a royal mail postbox in a blush pink made the second look paired with a black cab bag and a fried egg purse. Yes, that’s right – a fried egg. A similar inflatable egg was also seen around Colbert’s neck for much of the night.  This collection was practically tailor made for me for as much as I love sequins, I bloody love eggs. 

In it’s own little corner, Violet’s Box, an up and coming vintage fancy dress boutique added to the good British humour of the event kitting out attendees in moustaches, tulle skirts and top hats. Keep your eyes peeled here for a little insight into Violet’s work very soon.

 

Overall, yet another season of mental window shopping for me. I’m madly in love with the Beefeater dress, that’s for sure. I’m also madly in love with Philip Colbert himself, he was absolutely adorable and exceptionally friendly to everyone he passed.  I also loved his hat. I’ll stop going on about the poor man now...

C. x

London Fashion Week: Derek Lawlor AW12

After leaving it a little bit on the close side (blame Maya) and jumping in the nearest available taxi, we headed off schedule to Shoreditch where Derek Lawlor showcased his latest collection at the charming Paper Dress Vintage.

With models hidden behind a screen, we were left to sip champagne, eat free brownies observe the footwear in anticipation of the show. Such a hard life. Taking in the surroundings in the meantime, it was hard not to notice the rather unusual exposed hair and makeup stations - you see, this was going to be a show with a twist. Changing with every look, the audience were for once able to gain an insight into the fast pace of the behind the scenes crew as they teased and tangled the models hair after each parade.

Specialising in knitwear, Lawlor's creations were innovative and bold, simplified in a predominantly dark palette of blacks and greys with the occasional blast of red. Unlike laddered tights, the laddered knitted dresses were divine and undeniably elegant providing a unique twist to standard formalwear. Revamped classics were a continued theme as simple black leotards and jumpsuits were elevated with 3D embellishments and structured geometric shoulders. There was also a very nipply jumper for those of you who are into that sort of thing. Also showcased throughout were a range of out-of-this-world headpieces designed by Royal College of Art student Hannah Morgan to really up the visual element of the show.