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. 

The Winter Issue: Menswear

Picture the scene.

You're on your way to the Christmas party. It's snowing, it's cold and you're, of course, impeccably dressed for the night's festivities. However, the car breaks down on the roadside and, with the vintage hiking boots that every respectable man keeps in the boot for emergencies such as these, you are forced to trek to the party.

Sound familiar? Well, not for most of you. However, the story for Fashion156's winter mens (and womens if you keep an eye out) editorial struck a chord with me, bringing back memories of the Leeds English Ball 2010. When news reached our ears that a refund wasn't  on the agenda, every single one of us decided that snow or no snow, taxi or no taxi, we were going to claim our half a bottle of red wine per head at all costs.

Standing in the entrance of the grand Queens Hotel were a few curious outfit combinations of cocktail dresses and Hunter wellies alongside suits and Sainsbury Local bags as everyone leant on one another in a bid to look vaguely presentable as they transformed from Tundra explorer to distinguished guest in under 10 minutes. In all fairness, unlike in the shoot, the snow was thankfully absent and the pricetag of the clothing had a few extra noughts on the end. Regardless, I felt somewhat connected to the idea my Boss had in mind.

So take a look at the most recent shoot I assisted with for Fashion156's winter issue. Below are the menswear shots featuring Lanvin Navy pinstripe suits and Alexander McQueen double breasted tuxedo jackets that showed up the Primark suits I assume half the Leeds guests were wearing (well, we can't all afford John Smedley cashmere roll necks on a student budget can we?).

Particular love must go to Lyden in the T.Lipop sheepskin coat in the group shot. I absolutely adore it and it was a last minute snatch courtesy of Tom himself forcing his PR to hand it over. Particular distain goes to the £150 Lanvin bowtie which mysteriously went astray and sent the office into utter panic mode. Ugh.

The Mark Shearwood shot editoral can be found at Fashion156
Womenswear to follow....