Posts tagged ‘style’
FALL FOR PASTELS
Satin bomber jacket, bonprix. Faux fur trim top, Bershka.
Pastels aren’t just for summer. They’re so many fabulous faded shades around this winter, like baby blue and the super popular millennial pink. I’ve always admired the sugar almond coloured houses around Kentish Town in London so this was the ideal location for our latest shoot. Take a look……
Sheer top, Lace & Beads. Tassle earrings H&M. Jeans and handbag, River Island.
Faux fur jacket, Zara. Sheer top, Lace & Beads. Jeans, River Island.
Dress, LALLA X RR. Ankle boots, Misguided.
Satin bomber jacket, bonprix. Faux fur trim top, Bershka. Sunglasses and skirt, Primark.
Faux fur jacket, Mango. Pink top Bershka. Jeans, River Island. Bobble hat, Primark.
Pastel houses in Kentish Town, London.
Fashion Stylist – Becky John, Photographer – Ian Hooton, Hair & Make-Up – Anna Durston, Model – Melody Sanderson.
MYLEENE KLASS’S UNDERWATER SWIMWEAR SHOOT
RED DRAPE BANDEAU BIKINI TOP, £25 AND RING BIKINI BRIEF, £18. ALL SWIMWEAR SIZES 8-18
Yippee! The weather is meant to be good this weekend – about time too! I’m getting all geared up for a little trip to our local lido. First step, buy a cossie. Whilst trawling through the internet I came across these amazing pictures of Myleene Klass in her fab new swimwear range for Littlewoods. I decided to delve deeper into this underwater shoot….
PALM PRINT DRAPE FRONT SWIMSUIT, £40
It was shot in the very swanky Haymarket Hotel in London. The basement of this hotel has the most glorious pool. I have been to quite a few press launches there and it’s very glam!
BLACK AND METALLIC GOLD STRAP BIKINI, £35
Obviously Myleene is no stranger to swimwear. It’s actually been 10 years since we saw her in that infamous white bikini on I’m A Celebrity’, but these shots are a different class – if you excuse the pun. I’m so impressed how Myleene looks so serene in these images. It can’t be easy doing an underwater shoot in the first place, but coping with swimming with heels and chunky jewellery must have been quite something.
WHITE HALTER MOULDED BIKINI, £40
I decided to find out from the lady herself. Myleene told, “It was the most physically challenging shoot I’ve ever done. We had three safety divers on hand and the challenge of shooting my swimwear whilst maintaining the right level in the water, as well as keeping the look as ethereal as possible in one breath was no mean feat.”
“I absolutely loved the experience of shooting underwater. My Dad was a navy diver, so I’ve grown up splashing in the ocean but this shoot was one I’ll never forget.”
Myleene went on to explain, “I had to micro manage my breath to float at the right distance from the bottom of the pool, remove bubbles from my face for the photographer whilst looking composed.”
GOLD TASSEL TRIANGLE BIKINI, £35
I’ve ordered the beautiful, palm print swimsuit and obviously expecting to look just like Myleene in mine! So what advice would the goddess of swimwear give to us mortals?
“Wear a bikini or swimsuit that gives you the support where you need it, pop on a glam cover up to take you from the beach to the bar and as my auntie would say ‘stand tall’.”
SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR STARS IN NEW SHOPPABLE POP VIDEO
Wow! This is pretty futuristic – pop star and Strictly Come Dancing finalist, Sophie Ellis-Bextor has released a new ‘shoppable’ pop video to launch the new C. Wonder fashion collection.
This vibrant video sees Sophie strutting her stuff and snapping her fingers as she transforms into eight different looks from this fab collection, exclusive to QVC. Shoppers can simply click on each outfit and be taken to the QVC website to purchase any of this new stylish range.
The film features a specially composed song “Wonder” featuring vocals from new talent Biba and is a great backing track for our wonder woman Sophie’s magical wardrobe change dances!
The C. Wonder range was curated by E! Fashion Show Police panellist Brad Goreski, whose celebrity clients include Jessica Alba and Demi Moore.
Brad told us, “I’m so excited to bring something wonderful to QVC UK as the Creative Director of C. Wonder! This line is all about global travel and exploration and I hope that the C. Wonder woman will love our preppy, bohemian look.” He went on to say, “Wearing C. Wonder means being confident, comfortable and chic – that’s what I love about fashion and style.”
It seems Sophie is impressed too! This energetic mother-of four explained, “I really like the stylish and accessible nature of the C. Wonder collection at QVC. I have a passion for all things 60’s and 70’s inspired so it’s a perfect addition to my wardrobe.”
Take a look at this global inspired collection yourself. At prices ranging from £23 to £65 I could definitely afford to unleash my inner bohemian goddess too!
ABBEY CLANCY’S NEW FASHION RANGE
Lace-up front ,floral mini dress, £25
It’s been all go with Abbey Clancy. Just weeks after giving birth to her second daughter she has launched a fab new summer collection for Matalan.
Model and ‘Strictly’ champion Abbey looks amazing modelling this very 70’s inspired range. I love the strong floral prints and floaty maxi dresses – perfect for the festival season. But my favourite piece is the red wrap dress with its plunge neckline and thigh high split – oh yes!
Red wrap, plunge neck dress, £40
Abbey who is married to footballer Peter Crouch has a busy summer ahead looking after new baby Liberty Rose and 4 year-old Sophia Ruby. But she still has time to talk fashion!
“The 70’s are still a huge inspiration for the collection.” Says Abbey. “ I love the whole 70’s vibe and it’s big on all the catwalks – the entire collection is a great way to throw some glamour into summer holidays or festivals.”
Floaty, floral maxi, £40
She went on to say,
“ I’ve included some classic shapes including bell sleeves and lace-up front minis, with bold prints, which are ideal to brighten up your summer wardrobe.”
Ruffle front dress, £35
It’s definitely a winning collection, I might just pick up a few pieces for Camp Bestival this year. The prices are incredible, ranging from just £16 to £40.
High neck, side button mini dress, £30
The ‘Abbey by Abbey Clancy’ collection is available online and in selected Matalan stores nationwide.
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
SOPHIE DAHL – A GIRL WITH PRINCIPLES
Jacket, £55, dress, £35, by Principles Weekend by Ben de Lisi
It’s great seeing Sophie Dahl back modelling again. She looks so at ease fronting the new casual collection for British High Street brand Principles.
The last couple of years Sophie has been focusing on her writing. She has been a contributor for Vogue and Men’s Vogue as well penning many a cook book – “Miss Dahl’s Voluptuous Delights” being one of them. Of course writing is in the blood; her grandfather was the fabulous Roald Dahl. As a child, I loved the macabre “Tales of The Unexpected”. The TV theme tune still puts a shiver down my spine. Now a mum I’ve read practically all his books with my daughter – The BFG is our favourite. No prizes for guessing who was the inspiration for main character called Sophie!
Dress, £32, Shoes, Principles Weekend by Ben de Lisi
Principles, headed by talented designer Ben de Lisi is doing so well. Such a relief after it’s nose-dive in 2009 when its parent company Mosaic Fashions was placed into administration. Luckily Debenhams came to the rescue in 2010 and brought back the brand and it really has gone from strength to strength ever since. With the launch of the new “Principles Weekend” casual wear collection what better time to have high profile personality Sophie aboard.
Denim jacket, £40, top, £25, Trousers, £30, Principles Weekend by Ben de Lisi
Sophie, now in her late thirties, married to jazz singer Jamie Cullum and a busy Mum to two little girls said she really was enjoying the new range.
“The collection is all about ease – for the shoot we really mixed and matched it, in a way that felt true to the way I dress.”
Designer Ben de Lisi obviously is thrilled to have Sophie as the face of Principles Weekend,“Sophie Dahl embodies everything that the collection represents – a beautiful, modern, sophisticated working Mum who always looks fantastic.”
Shirt, £30, Jeans, £32, Principles Weekend by Ben de Lisi
Miss Dahl has always looked fab. I can’t believe it’s nearly twenty years since infamous stylist, Isabella Blow ‘discovered’ her. 18-year old Sophie caused quite a stir in the fashion circles as god forbid she was a size 14! I completely related to her Monroe curves. I loved her look with her vintage nighty dresses and marabou feather mules. Such a siren with red lips and that platinum blond hair of which she later said “It wasn’t proper until you had blisters on your scalp from the bleach!”
I was a little concerned when she lost her weight and became a more conventional model size. But she still had that rebellious lovable streak appearing deliciously naked in the very famous YSL Opium perfume campaign.
Parka, £65, jumper, £35, jeans, £32, Principles Weekend by Ben de Lisi
Now looking relaxed and more beautiful than ever she’s still one to watch. I really love her blog, At The Kitchen Table where she covers everything from cooking, fashion, beauty as well as including more weighty social issues and supporting loads of worthwhile charities.
So a girl with Principles – they can only benefit from this Dahling gem!
Blouse, £28, Jeans, £32 by Principles Weekend by Ben de Lisi
THE WELSH RUGBY TEAM – WELL SUITED & BOOTED!
Welsh Team Players – Sam Warburton, Rhys Webb and George North
Happy St David’s Day or if you’re familiar with the lingo –
Dwydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus!
It’s a day to celebrate everything fantastic that is Welsh and what better than our fabulous rugby team. As a fashion stylist, I was keen to see that the squad were well suited and booted and was very impressed with the job that the tailoring company T M Lewin were doing as the official formalwear provider. So when the Welsh team are not getting muddy on the pitch, I think they look rather dapper as a team in their sharp tailoring.
Why am I interested in the Welsh team and their apparel? Well first of all being Welsh, rugby is practically a religion and secondly it is in the blood – my Grandfather was a Welsh international player and a man always dressed to impress.
I did have a quiet little smile to myself when I was choosing the pictures for this blogpost. Generally I use images of beautiful, ethereal looking models wafting around in some glamorous location. But here you see Welsh players, Sam Warburton, Rhys Webb and George North looking rather brutish complete with black eyes, cuts and bruises! I wouldn’t want to bump into them in a darkened alley…….. actually hang on.
Like most women I do like a man in a well-cut whistle and T M Lewin have definitely come up trumps. I imagine it must have been quite a task for the official formalwear supplier as the average T M Lewin customer tends to pack a little less muscle power. The suit that was chosen for the squad was The Eddington. There are 3 different fits for this suit. Most of the players opted for the Lewin Slim Fit with its slim tailored jacket and gently tapered trousers. A couple of the team went for the Regular Fit but surprise surprise there were no takers for The Skinny – although a very contemporary style it’s not quite right for our boys with their rippling rugby thighs! Oh yes.
So what did the players think of their look –
George North said, ” I love the suits, I’m a big fan of the colour. They look cool and modern and fit exceptionally well. When the team are out at a special occasion, it feels good to look smart as a unit.”
Rhys Webb also said,” It’s nice to get out of a smelly rugby kit now and again. Obviously for special occasions I like to scrub up well in a suit and I feel comfortable wearing this one.”
Besides one little hiccup in the beginning of this 2015 Rugby Six Nations (which we won’t mention) things are going great.
Back in the game, I think we can go as far to call The Eddington our ‘lucky suit’. Here’s to the rest of the season. Go Wales!
My Grandfather, Edgar Jones. Prop for Wales team. Middle Row second from right
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
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!
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