SWEPT AWAY
Cold shoulder top, New Look. Shorts, H&M.
When most people think of fashion shoots, they always imagine they’re terribly glamorous. Well, I’m afraid it’s not always the case. Working in fashion, you’re constantly shooting out of season. Our poor models are always baking in faux fur coats in the middle of Summer or freezing to death in bikinis in the depth of Winter.
Another myth is that we’re always jetting off to somewhere amazingly exotic – maybe Bali, Maldives or Fiji? No such luck, this time I was heading for the not quite so sunny Kent!
Dungeness is one of the most unusual places I have ever visited with its barren flat landscape and nuclear power station. On the plus side, this beachside location does have amazing light. Unfortunately for our crew, we plumped for the coldest, windy day ever – It must have been over 20 knots. I felt chilled to the bone even in all my layers of sweaters and puffa jacket. How our amazing model Ishika kept her act together in these flimsy cotton and lace little numbers I’ll never know. But she did, not complaining once as the wind practically blew her hair away. What a trooper! Anyhow all is forgotten when we look back at the pics. I love them and can now only think warm thoughts!
Ruffle top, and shorts, and sunglasses all by River Island.
Kimono and crochet dress, Primark. Bikini and sunglasses, New Look.
Bodysuit, Bershka. Lace duster coat, River Island. Sandals, Boden.
FASHION STYLIST – BECKY JOHN, PHOTOGRAPHER – IAN HOOTON, HAIR & MAKE-UP – ANNA DURSTON, MODEL – ISHIKA AT NEVS
THE SHINING
Sequin Cape and Jewellery, Top Shop.
I love anything shiny. I must have been a magpie in another life. So, this shoot was paradise for me. The clothes were all of a shimmer in gold and silver with a good sprinkling of sequins. Even the background was metallic – completing my total bling-bling bliss!
Sequin Bikini, River Island.Metallic Skirt and Jewellery, Top Shop. Visor, Primark.
Velour Hoodie, Zara Larsson for H&M. Sequin Bikini and Sunglasses, River Island.
Black Cropped Top, Forever 21. Gold Lamé Jacket, Top Shop. Sporty Shorts, H&M.
Silver Dress & Jewellery, H&M. Leopard Belt, Rokit. Visor, Primark.
Velour Hoodie, and Silver Shorts, Zara Larsson for H&M. Sequin Bikini and Sunglasses, River Island.
Biker Jacket, Forever 21. Bronze Bikini and Visor, Primark.
FASHION STYLIST – BECKY JOHN, PHOTOGRAPHY – IAN HOOTON, HAIR & MAKE-UP – ANNA DURSTON, MODEL – LUANNA PINHEIRO
THE LAST TANGO
Body and embroidered biker jacket both by New Look.
I love the drama of the tango – black lace, salsa dresses, Cuban heels and blood red roses. So, I was in quite a quiver about this Latin shoot. As you can see our South American model, Nohemi was perfect for the role. We had such fun creating this smouldering look – I hope you enjoy it too!
Lace body by Top Shop. Jewellery by Kaleidoscope.
Embroidered dress by Zara. Jewellery by Top Shop.
Dress by Lace & Beads. Embroidered bralette by River Island.
Floral appliqué and lace dress by New Look.
Lace body by Top Shop. Shoes by LK Bennett. Jewellery by Kaleidoscope.
Embroidered jacket by Zara. Lace dress by H&M. Jewellery by Accessorize.
Fabulous make-up by Anna – glowing skin, dramatic winged eyeliner and full red lips.
PHOTOGRAPHY – IAN HOOTON FASHION STYLIST – BECKY JOHN HAIR & MAKE-UP- ANNA DURSTON MODEL – NOHEMI HERMOSILLO
PARTY ON! – STEPHANIE PRATT’S EVENINGWEAR LAUNCH
One of the perks of being a stylist is going to some fab launches. Last week was no exception. I found myself in London’s cool nightclub DSTRKT to celebrate Made In Chelsea star Stephanie Pratt’s debut collection with eveningwear brand Goddiva. Provocatively named ‘French Kiss’ the range is hugely inspired by Stephanie’s time living in Paris, with romantic pastel cocktail dresses and sultry figure hugging evening gowns in rich vintage golds and bold blacks – oh la! La!
When it comes to eveningwear, Stephanie is the girl for the job. She has graced many a red carpet event. She was even spotted at the UK premiere of Fifty Shades Darker in one of Goddiva’s gorgeous dresses. From that moment the brand and Stephanie haven’t looked back. Stephanie was totally involved in her ‘French Kiss’ collection throughout the entire development process – creating mood boards, and fashion illustration sketches right down to fabric and production consultations.
Stephanie told me, “I am so excited to finally present this range; I am so proud of it. Goddiva have been an unbelievable partner and not just during business hours! I wouldn’t have been able to do this without them and I am so grateful that they let a first-time designer be so involved from A-Z.”
Way before her Made In Chelsea days, American born Stephanie studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, so this has all contributed to her keen fashion eye!
If you’re like me, you always wonder what these television personalities are really like. Well I must say I can only report good things about Stephanie. She was so friendly and mingled and chatted with her guests, making time to stop and pose for photographs with mostly everyone in the room! She did look amazing too in a full length cream beaded evening dress from the range.
Well, I can’t wait to get hold of one of the “French Kiss” dresses myself. I love a bit of sparkle! The 40-piece collection is out on 1st March Find it on www.goddiva.co.uk
FAB AND GROOVY – 70’s FASHION
Lingerie by Figleaves. Kimono and shoes by Rokit.
I love 70’s fashion with its flamboyant psychedelic prints, big floppy hats, shaggy coats and huge sunglasses. So I was really excited to style this shoot. First of all, I had to track down one of the most iconic pieces of furniture from this groovy era – the peacock chair. Then, clothes wise I wanted to mix up original vintage pieces from fantastic brand Rokit with modern day 70’s look clothes from the high street.
The shoot took place in photographer Ian Hooton’s amazing loft studio in central London. It was such a fun day with a great team. Ian had given me one of my first jobs as a freelance fashion stylist so it was lovely to work with him again. Make-up artist Amanda worked her magic on the very beautiful Olga transforming her into a 70’s Brigitte Bardot. I’m thrilled with the results – FAB!
Paisley print dress by Peacocks. Felt hat by Forever 21.
Jumpsuit by Oh My Love at Top Shop. Floral scarf by T K Maxx.
Psychedelic print dress by Rokit.
Leopard Print bustier by Freya. Jacket by Zara.
Sunglasses by Yours Clothing. Jacket by Zara.
Floral dress by H&M. Felt hat by American Eagle.
PHOTOGRAPHY – IAN HOOTON, FASHION STYLIST -BECKY JOHN, HAIR & MAKE-UP – AMANDA ROBBINS, MODEL – OLGA DATSENKO AT M&P MODELS.
THE VALENTINE GUIDE
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My Loved-Up guide for your VALENTINE…………..
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PUCKER UP! LIP SHIRT, 39.50, OLIVER BONAS
For those who wish to wear their heart on their sleeve or anywhere else –
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Cut-out Heart dress, £49, Simply Be. Lip Skirt, £59, House of CB. Fringed top, £9.90, People Tree. Heart jumper, £55, White Stuff. Heart print dress, £45, Oliver Bonas
For the homey –
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Cake stand, £10 Sainsburys. Jigsaw, £2 and Lap tray, £5, both Tiger Stores. Heart dish, £49, Le Creuset at Occa Home. Heart pillow, £16, M&Co.
If food be the music of love –
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Box of Chocolates, £39, Hotel Chocloat. Red heart box of chocs, £14, Butlers Chocolates. Individual champagne chocolate truffles,£3.75,Hotel Chocolat. Personalised wine, £19.99, Getting Personal. Louboutin inspired chocolate shoe, £35.95, Azra Chocolates.
For those who LOVE to accessorize –
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Heart cufflinks, £79, Amara. Heart Keyring, £50, Juicy Couture. Sunglasses, £15, Monsoon. Socks, £2, Tiger Stores. Phone charging purse, £79.99, Cuckooland. Stack of rings, £6, Accessorize
And Finally the Lingerie Lover
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Red bra set, £16, Tu at Sainsburys. Floral bra, £28 and high waisted brief, £16, Boux Avenue.
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Floral bra, £25 and knickers, £12.50, Marks & Spencer. Cerise bra, £28 and thong, £12, Boux Avenue.
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TANYA BURR AND BLOGGING
TANYA BURR AT HER LAUNCH AT THE SANDERSON
I have to admit this blogging malarkey is new to me. Although I’ve worked as a fashion editor on magazines and newspapers for over 15 year, truthfully I hadn’t taken a massive interest in blogs.
Gradually my world is changing. So many magazines that I’ve loved and grown up with are folding and the ones that remain often don’t have budgets for fashion shoots. Today’s technology is spoiling us with choice. On a typical family evening in, it is not unusual for my 14-year-old daughter Lily to be ‘triple screening’. That is watching TV, reading a blog on her tablet and texting her friends on her mobile phone. My down time when I was her age was watching one of the 3 channels on ‘the box’ and perhaps flicking through a magazine or two. The only technology I knew was thumping the top of the telly when the reception was so bad we were reduced to a screen full of fast moving horizontal lines!
So embracing technology I have started my fashion blog. And as I’m not exactly ‘Techy Becky’ it didn’t come easy. On a magazine, the fashion editor is responsible for styling shoots and writing the accompanying feature. From there you hand over the pictures and ‘copy’ to first a sub-editor who proof reads it and then onto the art department where they layout all the images to produce a beautiful fashion spread. On a blog you’re on your own and I was baffled to know how to start. So, one Sunday afternoon I sat at my computer and watched hours and hours of tutorials on YouTube on how to do a blog post until at last I had that eureka moment and took the plunge!
I know you’re probably rolling your eyes now thinking “we’ve been at it for years, where have you been”? Well I suppose I’ve been living in my own little fashion bubble. Mind you, now I’ve started there’s no stopping me – I’m obsessed. I’m constantly reading and devouring information about blogs. I can only compare it to having a new baby. It’s a lot more work than you expect but more rewarding than I ever imagined!
Anyhow all this in mind I jumped at the chance to meet the 24-year-old queen bee of fashion and beauty bloggers, Tanya Burr. So successful is her blog and vlog (with over 6 million viewers per month on YouTube) that this one time make-up artist was having her second beauty launch in The Sanderson Hotel. I was already very impressed with her Eye Candy lip-glosses and nail polishes especially the purple ‘Midnight Sparkles” shade which I wore on my toes throughout the summer. I was now very excited to try out the new luxurious lashes!
I knew this swanky launch would be overflowing with the young blogging and vlogging glitterati so was thrilled when my daughter Lily said she’d accompany me. She’s completely au fait with all things vlog and effortlessly navigated me around the room pointing out all the royalty – Zoella, Casper Lee, Marcus Butler, and Naomi Smart.
Tania and my daughter Lily
Tanya was lovely and friendly to us both. She was there with fiance and fellow vlogger Jim Chapman. She told us how she loved clothes and liked to keep up to date with all the current trends. This obviously is paying off as this season Tanya has been spotted on the front row of many a show at London Fashion Week. Lily and I had great fun at the launch, eating all the amazing cup cakes and trying on all the different styles of lashes.
Meeting Tanya Burr was really inspiring – she really has achieved so much at such a young age. So along with my new lashes I think I’ll continue to give this blogging world a little flutter….. you never know what might happen.
MYLEENE’S MOST GLAMOROUS COLLECTION
Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to musician and presenter Myleene Klass’s AW14/15 fashion launch in the Sanderson Hotel. By the time I pitched up, hoards of paps were waiting outside the venue all vying for the best position to photograph Ms Klass. No one was disappointed when this mother of two eventually arrived looking stunning and SO shapely in a tightly fitted orange maxi dress and smattering of gold jewellery.
I left the electrical storm of flash bulbs and made my way to the Penthouse where the party was in full swing. Since 2012 when Klass joined force with Littlewoods.com her collection has gone from strength to strength. The Myleene range now includes fashion, lingerie and make-up too.
STRAPLESS SEQUIN LEOPARD PRINT EVENING DRESS £219
It wasn’t long before Myleene breezed into the press show looking radiant. She had changed from her show stopping number into a more ‘girly girl’ 50’s floral dress. Myleene happily mixed with all the journalists, stylists and bloggers. She’s very bubbly and her infectious laugh shows off her great sense of fun.
Myleene was keen to show off the rails of clothes at the launch. I studied the new Littlewoods.com range carefully. There is a great mix of clothes – tight shift dresses to relaxed sweaters, marshmallow pink faux fur coats to sexy red leather shifts.
Marlene explains she wants everyone to be included. “I always try and design for all shapes, all ages, all sizes.”
BLACK LEATHER FISHTAIL BALLGOWN £219
The lingerie range was really impressive. There’s a good array of colours and styles and I was very pleased that the range goes from 32B to 40E. These larger sizes are much appreciated by us more voluptuous ladies.
The make-up range looked beautiful too. Sporting Myleene’s signature leopard print on the packaging, it would look great on anyone’s dressing table. Like me this lady loves a bit of animal print.
MYLEENE’S SIGNATURE PRINT – LEOPARD
But what I really LOVED was the eveningwear collection. Anyone who thought that Littlewoods.com was just for the older lady or great for dressing the kids has to think again when they see this collection. It is Klassy with a capital K !
The strapless, sequin studded leopard print evening dress, £249 and the black leather, fishtail ball gown, £219 are take your breath away stylish and look so current. They really are designer looks at amazing prices. As Myleene so proudly says,
“My collection is designed to provide affordable luxury for every woman – you deserve it”
I’m not surprised these pieces are selling like hot cakes. In the fashion world this is ground breaking stuff, shaking off any old fuddy-duddy catalogue image. People will see the brand in a new light. It has to be praised.
Well I’ve been swayed. I’ve put my order in for the leather dress and really hoping to raise a few eyebrows at the Christmas party – just need to lose a couple of pounds now…..