SuperstylingUK

KIDSWEAR – AUTUMN SHOOT

Dress by Rachel Riley, Crown headband by H&M

I’ve always loved a redhead. It’s the nearest hair colour to gold or fire. But after my daughter was born with her Titian crowning glory it has almost become an obsession.

Photographer Katy McDonnell and I had talked ages ago about doing a redhead shoot and it wasn’t until this autumn that all the conditions seemed right. It has been a late glorious autumn with the trees not wanting to relinquish their leaves. The colour palette has been spectacular – gold, russet, burnt orange and saffron. So with this in mind I scurried around the fashion PR’s and collected a fabulous selection of rich Autumnal toned clothes for our shoot.

We decided The Downs in Bristol would be the perfect location with it’s leafy, rambling woods. The models were chosen from the aptly named Gingersnap Agency in the West Country and here are the results…

Sweater by John Lewis, Headress, Stylist’s own.

Art clothes (left) John Lewis, Finn clothes (right) Ralph Lauren

Clothes by Rachel Riley

Dress by Marie Chantal

Clothes by Marie-Chantal

Dress by Rachel Riley

Wrap by Selfridges

Behind the scenes…….

Photography, Katy McDonnell, Stylist, Becky John, Models, Gingersnap Agency

24th November 2014 Short URL

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.

13th November 2014 Short URL

THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS

The Diana Dress

There’s only one thing I like more than a LBD and that is a bit of red carpet glamour. So imagine my total fashion frenzy at the launch of the brand The Little Black Dress ‘inspired by icons’ collection.

The dresses, all 20 of them, play tribute to fabulous women from the silver screen era right up to modern day. I flicked through the rails in the glamorous Café Royal – a venue befitting any film star. The Marilyn, The Jackie O, The Carrie and The Kristen LBDs were soon sending me into a stylist’s spin!

The Audrey Dress

Each dress plays a part in the LBD’s history. From The Coco, named after Chanel, the original creator of the Little Black Dress, to The Audrey, obviously called after Miss Hepburn, the ultimate LBD muse in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

The Kate Dress

Being a complete drama queen, my favourite dresses are the ones that caused the most fuss and scandal over the years. I have heart palpitations just thinking of The Kate dress. Ms Moss clad in LBD in the arms of the gorgeous Johnny Depp in Cannes back in the nineties.

The Rita Dress

But the dress that gets me all of a quiver is The Diana. That infamous dress that the late princess wore out on the town the night a documentary about her husband’s infidelities was being aired on TV. This figure hugging LBD caused a real stir in the media being on the front page of every tabloid the next morning.

I tried and tested this Diana dress out partying with my best girls. I didn’t make the papers but I believe it went down really well – so to speak!

Cafe Royal Launch

Anyhow, I think the Little Black Dress Collection is a brilliant idea – I only wish I thought of it myself. With research showing that a quarter of British women buy a new LBD every year I think they’re onto a winner!

4th November 2014 Short URL

STYLING KIDS ON FASHION SHOOTS

They say never work with children and animals, I didn’t listen. I have always loved doing photo shoots with kids. It can be challenging but mostly great fun and so rewarding. My favourite game as a child was dressing up and I suppose I’ve never wanted this fun to stop.

So what happens on these shoots? Well in the stylist’s case so much happens before you even get to the shoot. First of all, the client briefs me by phone or email. Then I’m out in all weathers sourcing the clothes, accessories and props. Most days I’m staggering up and down Oxford Street laden with clothes like a glorified bag lady. Kids clothes vary so much in sizes so I tend to get 3 different sizes per child – so all those bags weigh a ton. Well at least I get a free daily workout!

Dress DKNY

Just before the shoot a meeting with the client and photographer happens. I always think it’s the stylist’s version of the primary school “Show and Tell.” I take everything into the offices for approval and we thoroughly go through the clothes and props. Everyone then knows what we are doing and a shot list can be compiled.

Clothes Their Nibs and Ralph Lauren

Then comes the shoot day! The crew – photographer, assistant, make-up artist and stylist arrive at least an hour before the kids. Preparation is everything. I hang up all the clothes on rails and lay out all the accessories and props. As any parent know kids get bored very easily. So as soon as the little ones breeze into the studio, they are whisked into make-up, quickly dressed and on the set before they can say er, ‘cheese’. I love styling kids because of their playful nature you can get away with dressing them up as theatrically as you wish! I usually choose one hero piece like a mad hat, vintage spectacles or eccentric prop and style the look around it.

Clothes Ralph Lauren

To get the best shots it’s vital to have a good natured, patient team that can really engage with the kids. The photographer takes the lead, either directing the children or setting up little games for them and then capturing that magical moment when the kids are engrossed in play. The stylist is also expected to be the entertainer. I have a Mary Poppins style bag packed with balloons, party blowers and bubbles. I’m a wow with my feather tickling stick – Ken Dodd would be proud. Over the years I have learnt every dance move by The Spice Girls, The Macarena, every flipping verse of ‘The Wheels Of The Bus’ and my knowledge of One Direction is legendary!

But what about the tantrums you ask? What tantrums? We leave those to the supermodels.

photography Richard Burns, Hair & Make-up Sally Kvalheim, Styling Becky John, Location www.wingfieldcollege.com

24th October 2014 Short URL

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…..

15th October 2014 Short URL

BEHIND THE SCENES AT SHOWGIRL SHOOT – GLEMHAM HALL

It was a chilly winters day when we arrived early in Glemham Hall, a magnificent stately home, in the heart of Suffolk. The team – photographer Richard Burns, Hair & Make-Up artist Sally Kvalheim, model Jessica from Models 1 and I, the stylist were all excited about our ‘showgirl’ shoot.

Photo shoots always sound so glamorous and although I wouldn’t trade in my job for anything else, behind the scenes, the reality can be quite different ! The first task in the morning is lugging all the props, clothes and heavy photographic equipment into the location. Glemham Hall really is a huge rambling house, originally built in 1560 and is packed with eclectic furniture and priceless antiques. We were shooting in one of the upstairs wings so we had to do umpteen trips, schlepping equipment through the meandering maze of rooms.

Lingerie by Fauve Lingerie. Kimono by Beyond Retro

Eventually we chose a space which we used as our dressing room. I set up my rails and hung up all the gorgeous showgirl outfits, meanwhile Sally positioned her beauty quarters by a large window so she had the best possible light to do make-up and hair.

Whilst Sally was creating a fabulous look on model Jessica, Richard and I had a good look around Glemham Hall. How had he found this impressive location?

“When we first moved to Suffolk, we met other creative people who all said we should take a look at Glemham. I did and fell in love with it.” Explained Richard, “ I loved the faded grandeur, the rooms look opulent yet slightly crumbling in places. Photographically it really is a stunning place.”

Silk dress by Vera Mont

We weren’t the first photographic team to shoot here. In fact it has long been a favourite with Tim Walker, a hugely inspirational photographer whose breathtakingly beautiful and magically eccentric work has graced the pages of Vogue, Love and I-D.

Glemham Hall was the perfect theatrical backdrop for the shoot. I wanted the sense of silver screen glamour with our starlet ‘dressing up’ in silk lingerie through to dramatic satin, feather and sequin stage wear.

Lingerie by Dolci Follie, Shoes, Louboutin

Model, Jessica made the shots look effortless. You wouldn’t believe that most of the outfits had been so pinned down the back she could hardly move. Or the fact that it was so cold in our wing you could see your own breath! After every shot we would throw blankets over Jessica to try and stop her from turning blue!

Photographer Richard cleverly turned the cold, dull day to our advantage, balancing the daylight with artificial light for a beautiful radiant look.

All in all we were a great team and the shots look amazing. As we were leaving I couldn’t help but notice the wonderful garden and sculpture park. Perhaps we could shoot something fabulous in the grounds next summer. I do hope so – Fingers crossed.

Glemham Hall. All photography copyright Richard Burns

7th October 2014 Short URL

ATOMIC KITTEN LIZ McCLARNON LINGERIE LAUNCH

By the time I arrived at the press launch in the swanky suite of the Ham Yard Hotel, Atomic Kitten’s Liz McClarnon had slung off her shoes and was right at home nattering about her new lingerie collection with all the other stylists and bloggers.

Comfort is of the element for Liz. Her aim, she told me when launching her debut lingerie range for Fashion World was to produce a beautiful supportive collection that women of all sizes would feel comfortable wearing.

And this range definitely embraces all women whatever their size. Being a more voluptuous lady myself I was practically whooping for joy when I heard the range goes from size 12 to 32 and bras from sizes 34B to 50DD. Woo Hoo!

Liz explained, “In the past I’ve been so many different sizes. My weight would yoyo from a size 8 to a size 16. So I understand. I didn’t want to launch a range full of tiny G strings for skinny minnies. I worked closely with the team to create pieces that were covering and flattering for real women. Lingerie that was feminine and sexy too!”

Bird Print Body Shaper, £38

After the success of her swimwear range last season for Fashion World, Liz has enjoyed getting even more involved with the brand.

“I want it all to look perfect. Sometimes we have meetings about the lingerie and loungewear that have included breakfast, lunch and dinner!”

The lovely thing about Liz is that she is so enthusiastic and friendly. I can see why Fashion World enjoy working with her. She genuinely takes an interest in people around her.This is so refreshing in the world of celebs. I once spent an entire day in the studio styling a ‘celebrity’ and wasn’t even asked my name! Awkward. So there I was on my hands and knees perfecting her look – smoothing down her knickers ensuring no VPL, putting my hand up her skirt to straighten her tucked in shirt and taping up her bosoms to make sure she had the perfect plunge. Well, call me old fashioned, but anyone playing around with my cleavage has to be on first name terms… .

Liverpudlian Liz has enough time for everyone. She talked me through her entire lingerie and loungewear collection piece by piece. I’ve already got my eye on the tartan balcony bra and high cut knicker set and the beautiful bird print bodyshaper looks like it might hide a multitude of sins…

So there’s no stopping this Atomic Kitten, swimwear, loungewear, lingerie. Whatever next?