Posts tagged ‘fashion stylist’
KIDS FASHION – THE HAMPTONS PHOTO SHOOT
When I was asked to style a kidswear shoot the client called ‘The Hamptons’ I imagined jetting off to New York State. No such luck I’m afraid, this time the budget didn’t quite stretch to an overseas trip. So if we couldn’t go to The Hamptons, The Hamptons would have to come to us!
We ended up in an East London studio that became our base. I was sure it would all pull together and look amazing as I was working with such a fantastic team. First of all, set builders constructed a whitewash, weatherboard backdrop and then it was up to me to find some really eye catching props that would make the images come alive.
The day before the shoot I headed off to ‘Propland’ – the name in the trade we give to an area in West London where all the furniture and prop hire houses are situated. Soon I was elbow deep in all types of seaside and Americana paraphernalia – flags, bunting, binoculars, sailboats and starfish! I remembered that there were also some lovely kids’ stripy deckchairs in my daughter’s Wendy house that would come in handy too.
It was fun doing a day ‘propping’, usually I’m trampling up and down The West End sourcing clothes for editorial shoots, but as it was a shoot for well known brand Mothercare all the lovely nautical clothes were supplied by them!
The big shoot day arrived and we had such a gorgeous array of little models ranging from 14 months to 8 years old. Ross, our photographer is always brilliant at making the kids laugh so I knew the pictures would look really animated and lively!
The trickiest part of the shoot was the group shot. It was challenging getting all 6 infant school kids in a line, looking in the same direction and smiling all at once. The children’s clothes and hair had to look just right too so lovely make-up artist Freya and myself had to madly rush in and perfect the look in between each shot.
Working with kids is exhausting and I’m always ready for a G&T at the end of the day. But it’s totally worth it as you can see by these fabulous pictures – That’s a shore thing!
PHOTOGRAPHER – ROSS BOLGER, FASHION STYLIST – BECKY JOHN, HAIR & MAKE-UP – FREYA DANSON-HATCHER and ROSE ANGUS, CLOTHES – MOTHERCARE
BEHIND THE SCENES OF A BABY FASHION SHOOT
Chelsea wears lace tunic, £49, Soeur at Smallable. Harlen wears cotton bodysuit £10.50 (pack of 2) Petit Bateau.
Hear the word ‘model’ and you’re most likely to think of a tall, willowy figure in striking clothes and Manolos. Well, they’re not always like this on every photo shoot I work on. This month I styled a gorgeous fashion spread for glossy magazine Baby London and our supermodels were newborn Harlen (photographed above with beautiful Mum Chelsea) and 4 month year old Lily and Hunter.
Lily wears cotton knit hat, £6.95 and dress, £29.95 both Gap.
So what exactly happens at a baby shoot you might ask. Well in my case so much happens beforehand. All the clothes and props have to be sourced and as magazines work 3 months in advance I always seem to be working in a different season from the one we’re in. For me it’s swimwear in Winter and faux fur coats in the middle of Summer. It can get very confusing! Anyhow I trundle off to Fashion PR’s who hold all the next season’s samples. Most days, come rain or shine, I’m staggering around the West End weighed down with clothes like a glorified bag lady.
Hunter wears cotton playsuit £91 and Lily wears embroidered cotton dress with matching bloomers, £112 both Bonpoint. Sheepskin rug, £75, The White Company.
After the clothes are sorted I start work on the ‘softs” as they are called in the trade. That’s all the throws, cushions, duvet covers and sheepskin rugs used to make a snug little room set for the baby. This is so important to bolster up babies that can’t sit up by themselves and also gives a soft landing if they’re a bit wobbly!
Hunter wears cotton romper £39.50, Petit Bateau. Sheepskin rug, £75, The White Company.
Then comes the shoot day. The crew – photographer, digi assistant, make-up artist and myself arrive at the studio at least an hour before the tiny talent arrive. Babies get bored and tired very quickly so we try and get them in and out of the studio as quickly as possible. Preparation is key. The photographer perfects his lighting, the make-up artist lays out brushes and I hang up all the clothes and get to work on my room set. The heating is also blasted up so the babies are kept nice and cosy.
Once parents and babies arrive it’s all action! We tend to run around making tea for the parents and making sure they’re happy and relaxed as little ones feed off the vibe of their Mums and Dads and we want everyone to have a really fun time. We get cracking pretty swiftly, the babies are dressed, go through hair and make-up and before they can even gurgle they’re on set ready to go!
Harlen wears cotton bodysuit, £10.50 (pack of 2) Petit Bateau and organic cotton and merino wool booties, £24.99, Aravore.
To get those fabulous baby smiles all the crew have to have a turn entertaining the talent. I have a kit bag bursting with tickling sticks, blowers, cuddly toys and bubbles that even Mary Poppins would be proud of. The photographer takes the lead and then we all have a go, parents included, singing songs, reciting nursery rhymes, pretending to sneeze, in fact we’ll do anything to get a chuckle. The make-up artist and I, tissues in hand, share ‘Dribble Patrol” – drool is quite a liability in baby photography. Yes, I really look a picture of sophistication on kids shoots, armed with Kleenex and long tickle feathers, running around like a mad woman in Sahara Desert temperatures. We do stop for loads of breaks though as babies get really tired and hungry quickly – milk breaks always figure high up on the agenda.
And before you know it, it’s all over. The babies generally snoozing happily in their car seats are ushered out of the studio and the crew, shell-shocked and exhausted, start the grand clear up. It’s a mad way to earn a living but as you can see by the pics really rewarding too!
Chelsea wears silk chiffon top, £60, A Day In A Life. Harlen wears cotton smocked playsuit, £63, Annafie at Childrensalon
PHOTOGRAPHY – JONATHAN MALPASS. HAIR & MAKE-UP – ROSE ANGUS. FASHION STYLIST – BECKY JOHN. MODELS – GRACE & GALOR AGENCY
CHRISTMAS ANGELS
Merry Christmas to you all. I’ve delved deep into my stylist’s archive and found these beautiful ‘Angel’ pictures that I styled with Photographer Richard Burns and Hair and Make-up artist Sally Kvalheim.
I love this fabulous feathered- wing, angel image. It was shot at the end of the day when the light was amazing.
This shot is really special to me as it’s of my daughter Lily-Belle. She really enjoyed dressing up and having her hair so beautifully styled by Sally.
This is one of my favourite images. It’s so simple but really powerful and alluring. Here’s to an amazing and creative 2016!
KIDS FASHION – FEATHERED FRIENDS
DRAYDEN wears Headdress, £450 by Astrobohemia. Leather flight jacket from £658, 4-14yrs by John Galliano Kids.
It was the hottest day of the year when we did this beautiful kids shoot. So in June I trundled down to The Factory Studio in Clapham with the car crammed full of fabulous feathered and textured clothes. It was a bit of a nerve wracking shoot as it was being filmed by Channel 4 for a documentary about the kids model agency Bizzykidz. Luckily I was styling with a fantastic team that I have worked with for years – Photographer, Daniel Pangbourne and Hair & Make-Up, Sarah O’Keefe. Here are the results…..
DRAYDEN wears metallic bomber jacket, £100, 2-14yrs by Someday Soon. Jeans, £104, 4-16 by Diesel Kids.
LEILA wears dress from £185, 4-14yrs by John Galliano Kids. Feathered cape, £45 by Top Shop.
LEILA wears dress from £112 and coat from £145 both 4-16yrs by Diesel Kids. Boots by Beyond Retro.
EMILY wears headdress, £350 by Astrobohemia. Dress, £195, 3-12yrs by Marie-Chantal. Shoes by John Lewis.
JACK wears leather flight jacket from £1090, 2-6yrs, Stone Island. Striped sweater from £113, 3-4yrs by Bonpoint.
JACK wears jacket, £149, trousers, £55 and hat £40 all 4-16yrs by Scotch Shrunk. Boots by Hugo Boss.
MAISIE wears dress, £238, 4-16yrs by John Galliano Kids. Jacket, £124, 3-14yrs by Stella McCartney Kids. Shoe by Bonpoint.
MOLLY wears glitter dress, £75, 4-13yrs by I Love Gorgeous. Feather gilet, £90 by Top Shop.
MOLLY wears sequin dress, £95, 4-13yrs by I Love Gorgeous. feather birds stylists own!
THE BLUES – DENIM FASHION
A new shoot I styled in a location just around the corner from me in North London. The Belt Craft Studio is packed with eclectic props and furniture, perfect for our Denim story….
Photographer – Charlie Troman. Fashion Stylist – Becky John. Hair & Make-up Artist – Tricia Woolston. Models – Mila M and Gwilym at First Model Management and Marina C at Zone Models.
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Gwilym’s clothes, T M Lewin. Mila, Jacket and headscarf, Betty Barclay. Camisole, Jigsaw. Flares, Bershka. Mules, Sorelle Shoes
- Dress, Vera Mont. Mules, Sorelle Shoes.
- Gwilym’s clothes, T M Lewin. Marina’s dress, Phase Eight, shoes, Clarks.
- Clothes, H&M. Sunglasses, Andy Wolf.
- Clothes, Jigsaw Menswear. Sunglasses, Illesteva.
- Clothes, H&M.
- Clothes, Diesel. Tie, Glendon Lambert.Sunglasses, AM Eyewear. Shoes, Vans.
- Clothes, ASOS.
- Clothes by Bershka. Hat, Beyond Retro
FASHION – WHITE ON WHITE
It was one of those shoots that looks so serene, but behind the scenes there was no lack of drama. The aim was to produce ethereal looking images with a very theatrical slant. So styling wise I mixed up the look, using vintage clothes, period costume pieces and designer dresses. I love the beautiful and magically eccentric work of the photographer Tim Walker so that was a big influence.
But there was trouble ahead…… first of all there was a fiasco with the syrup. For those who aren’t familiar with Cockney rhyming that of course is the wig! We hunted high and low for the perfect one that gave our model Karmen that surreal doll-like quality. After many rejects the perfect one was made up by a fabulous hairdresser ‘Padge’ in Bristol. Then as our photographer Charlie Troman had recently moved to the West Country we decided to shoot our story in a converted Cotswold barn in Malmesbury. Unfortunately we chose a Winter’s day when the conditions were practically Arctic. I picked up our model at 5am in the glamorous location of Hanger Lane roundabout in West London and literally slid all the way to Wiltshire in the snow. So anyhow here is the very aptly named shoot White on White….
Photography – Charlie Troman. Fashion Stylist – Becky John. Make-up – Kat Louise
KIDSWEAR – ROYAL BLOOD
On a crisp Winter’s day we travelled down to Hever Castle in Kent. We wanted to create a majestic look as might befit such a glorious castle as well as highlighting the theme of the land and nature. So I styled the kids very opulently in rich velvets and silks and added leaf crowns and foliage to mix the two looks. Here are the results..
Photographer – Dan Pangbourne Fashion Stylist – Becky John Hair & Make-up – Claire Portman
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Clothes by I Love Gorgeous
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Dresses by Bonpoint. Crowns by Atticus and Gilda
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Sweater and breeches by Rachel Riley. Sheepskin gilet by New Look
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Girl wears sweater and breeches by Rachel Riley. Boy wears sweater and trousers by Bon Point. Both wear faux fur gilets by Angel & Rocket. Crowns hand made by Stylist
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Dress by Mini Raxevsky. Feather shrug by No1 by Jenny Packham at Debenhams
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Crown print dress by Rachel Riley. Faux fur coat by John Lewis
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Clothes by I love Gorgeous
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Behind the scenes with photographer Dan Pangbourne and Hair & make-up artist Claire Portman
KIDSWEAR – MAGIC & SPARKLE
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
May 2015 be as magical and sparkly as the kids on this shoot……….
CLOTHES BY MINI RAXEVSKY
DRESS BY STAR BY JULIEN MACDONALD AT DEBENHAMS
CLOTHES BY JOHN LEWIS
CLOTHES BY DEBENHAMS
CLOTHES BY JOHN LEWIS
CLOTHES BY I LOVE GORGEOUS
CLOTHES BY RACHEL RILEY
CLOTHES BY JOHN LEWIS
- CLOTHES BY OSCAR & OLIVIA
Photography – Phil Babb Stylist – Becky John Hair & Make-up – Amanda Bell at Artistic Licence.
BEHIND THE SCENES
ROBBIE WILLIAMS – NEW MENSWEAR RANGE
Whilst at Primark’s press show last week I couldn’t resist having a little peek at the new Robbie Williams range Farrell. There has been a real hoo ha about the collection. So I wanted to know more.
Originally Robbie founded Farrell in 2011, he employed former Burberry Design Director, Ben Dickens but sadly the company ceased trading last October when it filed for voluntary bankruptcy. Luckily for Williams along came Primark declaring that they would ‘Take That’ (ha ha) and have rescued the brand!
Robbie’s grandfather, Jack “The Giant Killer” Farrell was the inspiration for this 30-piece collection – evidently not a family of timid personalities! Williams speaks proudly of Jack’s strong values, alluring character and timeless style. Jack’s life as a Stoke-on-Trent gentleman is reflected in the clean, tailored lines and British heritage design – the Trench, the Harrington and the Oxford shirt are all accounted for.
Boxing was apparently Jack’s guilty pleasure and he spent a lot of time training his grandson how to pack a punch. This ringside passion is seen in the Farrell range with its heavy weight T-shirts, textured sweatshirts and thickly knitted cable jumpers.
Primark are delighted about their new menswear collection. Ben Smith, Director of Menswear said. “We’ve absolutely loved working with the Farrell brand. The product looks superb, fastidious detail, amazing value and has remained true to its origin.”
Robbie, obviously not a personality to hold back models his own collection for Primark. This 40-year old ex Take That singer has the most amazing energy, fitting in working with his Farrell brand whilst recently becoming a new father to second child with wife Ayda and about to go on tour. What a busy boy!
When asked about his new retail venture Williams said. “I’m delighted that Farrell has been invited into Primark. What a great collaboration – let’s have it!”
Well I thought it looked very stylish and great value too. Prices start from £8 for a T-shirt to £45 for a pea coat. The range is available from 22 stores across the UK and Europe. Might even snap up a few pieces for my hubby this Christmas!
T-SHIRT £8. CHECK SHIRT £12. CHINOS £12. TWEED BLAZER £38
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