Monday, July 11, 2011

"The Windmillers Wife"

When a shoot comes together, it really comes together. 

Irish weather is known as little less than unpredictable throughout the world but on a Summer day when the rain plummeted  from the heavens in the early morning, my wishes for a clear blue sky came through. The clouds parted like the red sea and I was left standing in the impressive shadows of the 'Skerries Mills'. What an amazing, yet quite understated and serene location for a summer shoot. Vast fields, a gently flowing river and two large windmill turbines, unmoving, still. A whistling wind whisked across the hills (playing havoc with my kit and the models hair) adding to the organic nature of the shoot.  

The model represents a familiar face - I had woken her up about two hours previous - today she was working for free. it's my younger sister Claire. Today however she played the role of "The Windmillers Wife" and what a beautiful job she did. 


Silk shirt by Oasis, Crepe 70's trouser by Oasis, Summer straw bag by Oasis
Shoes by Kurt Geiger, Earrings are stylists own, ankle straps - customised by stylist

Mesh mohair jumper by Topman Design
Graphic stripe skirt by Karen Millen (as below)

Draped yellow wrap dress by Karen Millen
Bead embellished belt is stylists own.
Flash red patent bag by Karen Millen

Halterneck backless jumpsuit in blue by Topshop Unique
Metal plate mirror belt by Karen Millen
Shoes by River Island
Scarf is vintage from a selection at Rokit

Mesh jumper as above
Graphic stripe skirt as above by Karen Millen
Boots are models own by Carvela

Scarf from a selection of vintage by American Apparel
Bird print cardigan by Oasis
Fur is vintage from Portobello market

Shirt by Oasis
Leather pencil skirt by Oasis
Headscarf is vintage

Shirt and headscarf as before


Stylist - David Greene
Model - Claire Greene

Shot on location at Skerries Mills by David Greene

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Friday, July 8, 2011

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" - Couture Bliss

On a day when the heavens opened in London, the rain hammered against the reflective windows of my office block in Shoreditch. Sat looking out the window at what is quickly becoming another gloomy Summer, it would have been so easy to drop into momentary lapse and what I like to call a 'junior' state of depression. Flashing on my screen however is a 'beacon of hope', a 'candle in the wind', THE most beautiful dress by Ricardo Tisci at Givenchy. This is couture week in Paris. The opulent curtains have come crashing down on what has been another extraordinary week on the fashion calender.

Couture week is time for the big guns to show us the clothes that not only for them and their individual houses represent class and tradition, but clothes that will continue to shape how the world views sheer luxury and recognition of a craft that can be described as nothing other than art.

Show after show the couture houses of Armani, Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Saab and Valentino brought us garments that not only were meticulously crafted but instantaneously house recognisable. 

Clearly visible was the signature Chanel tweed in Lagerfelds' show entitled "Les Allures de Chanel". This time a dark twist where monochrome was overpowered by a need, a want - of darkness to prevail. 

Christian Dior supplied us with a refined 30's silhouette, defined by shape, Stephen Jones headpieces and the beautiful Karlie Kloss in disguise as a playful but sad Pierrot - quite possibly an offering to the fallen master Galliano. 

Valentino brought an ode to old fashioned luxury (half buttoned sleeves) and made it super modern by adding detail such as slashed open backs in velvet and braided necklines - that in those days would have simply been 'out of the question'. If it's diversity you prefer, this collection will blow your socks off.

On his first outing Giambattista Valli (a designer I always associate with the Olsen twins) gave us a younger representation of couture as it would look on a modern muse, feathers, hair, ruffles and amazing gowns - a more than successful first outing. The stand out piece for me was a black lace dress, delicately coated in single feathers and draped in floor length veil, the slight peek of a red head band flashing through - beautiful!

Finally.....

On a week where couture evolved and ventured to unknown places, Ricardo Tisci at Givenchy took that literally and took his show to the banks of the Seine. The result of which was an astoundingly contradictive show. In true couture style, the clothes told a story. Although all but one of the dresses were white, the feeling of the show as the garments progressed was surprisingly dark. It was as if they were being stripped of the their purity and their vulnerability becoming almost Goddess like. The finale dress was a shade of gold, motifs booming from the pelvis, beads, fringing, crystals and endless tread  bringing to life a modern Mother Nature. Possessing overwhelming power and flashing her t**s! If the dress could speak it was saying "I am what I am". Another amazing outing for Tisci who in my books is prematurely becoming one of the best designers of all time. 



Kiss Kiss Bang Bang


Chanel

Chanel
Chanel


Dior

Dior

Dior

Givenchy

Givenchy

Givenchy

Givenchy

Valentino

Valentino

Valentino

Valli

Valli


Valli



Images courtesy of style.com