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Friday 22 February 2013

To Love Kuvaa


Another modelling job, another lookbook! This time it was for FashAddict brand 'To Love Kuvaa'. So once again I hopped the metropolitan line boarding almost to the very end to meet Pip Wass, Rie Williams and Chloe Hilaire at Liverpool Street and shoot the Spring/Summer lookbook in the middle of a bitterly cold English winter! 

After a browse of the twee feminine pieces I'd be modelling, Chloe quickly set to work on my hair and makeup and did an amazing job I might add. All three girls at currently studying their vocations and qualifications at the London College Of Fashion. Just when you think you've mastered make up you meet scores of MUAs who have the midas touch and can transform your look way beyond your own (or my own to be frank) ability. Chloe put curls and waves in before back brushing my locks to create some admirable volume. And painted a picture of girly perfection onto ma visage using a pink lipstick, defining eyeliner and a soft silvery eyeshadow. 
As you can see from the above picture I was a slightly disgruntled with shooting in such little clothing in the freezing cold but its a skill I'm honing even it does result in a terrible cold. Rie and Chloe were absolutely lovely and really helpful though, buying me a cuppa, following me around with my coat between shots and running me over with a hairdryer each time we got back to base. You also couldn't ask for a more attentive MUA, whenever there was a flyaway or a little more of this or that had to be sorted Miss Hilaire was right there at the scene of the crime. As was Rie, the stylist who tended to every pinning needed and ensured the clothes sat right between poses. 

Here are just a few of the end results:





Of course I haven't forgotten upcoming photographer Pip Wass, who I discovered is also from the shire (Thats Buckinghamshire, Darling!) yet another 'Its a small world' frequent occurrences. Doing my research prior to the shoot I was delighted to see that Pip has already developed her own style. One of dreamy muted colours and pastels colours. Pip has a well trained eye on what looks good from behind the lens and with all of collective efforts I'm glad to have achieved some great shots that I hope will please the designer and everyone who comes across them!

Links: Pip Wass  Chloe Hilaire Rie Williams

Wednesday 20 February 2013

FNOOB BASS IS RECRUITING

As you may or may not know, I help run things at internet radio station Fnoob.com where we have a multitude of genre based channels, run marathon shows and offer an underground alternative to the sugar coated, cheesy world of poop  pop music. I myself have hosted my own show 'Teenage Kicks' and co-hosted a few and though I'm currently on hiatus working on my kick ass comeback I'm also a scheduler for the Bass channel. 

We're looking for dedicated resident DJ's with a passion for bassy music and a desire to share that enthusiasm on a open forum. So whether you're a DJ, producer or music afficionado and you could host a regular show, do get in touch. You don't even have to be within a specific radius of FNOOB HQ we broadcast shows from all four corners of the globe!  To apply please fill out the form at: http://fnoob.com/radios/host-a-show
and if you have any queries please don't hesitate to email us at: bassradio@fnoob.com

Tuesday 19 February 2013

Phannatiq: Refraction


Just before the notorious London Fashion Week, I shot a lookbook for Phannatiq's 'Refraction' collection. Phannatiq being designer Anna Skodbo's label and umbrella for her high end urban inspired pieces that are ethically produced and offer an alternative to the 'shiny' trend. Taking inspiration from the forgotten nooks and crannies of London's run down streets the label romanticises and gives a nod to the graffiti, broken chain fencing and razor wire of the city and transforms it into something wearable.
It's a theme that runs throughout and can be seen in the bold choice of tones, edgy pattern cutting and the detail in the hand dyed and screen printed fabrics.

This particular collection 'Refraction' gives an insight into the lives of the average joes, the public service men and women we pass everyday at a glance these appear to be the sporters of the yellow and orange vests, the lollipop ladies and the road workers- the people who safeguard, the glue holding the city together. The frequenting colours being yellows, greens, oranges and greys, combinations not always seen in the fashion industry. The collection is being showcased in the Esethetica exhibiton at London Fashion Week 2013 (today is the last day so if you're about, go check it out!)

A sneak peek of the lookbook at London Fashion Week


I loved Anna's quirky designs and the way in which the clothes were cut, the shapes of the designs, the fit and the meticulous attention to detail shown in the hoods, the pleats in the skirt and the hand dyed screen printed fabrics. A great aspect of modelling is that you get to experiment and try out a whole range of clothing that you may have not brought for yourself or been aware of beforehand- it really opens your mind up to what you can get away with wearing; which patterns, which colours, fabrics and the list goes on..

On the day of the shoot the heavens decided to frown on us and pour with rain which resulted in quick dressing and accelerated shooting for all shots that needed to be taken outside, much to my and male model/DJ Sebastian Bartz's dismay. It's all part and parcel of being a model though and presents a good challenge. If you can stand out in the rain and model competently, you can do anything (almost?!). And you have the promise of tea and a heater it isn't half as bad! We relocated inside which proved to be the perfect backdrop to the lookbook with it's floorboards and lighting.

I throughly enjoyed this shoot, once again I got to meet yet more interesting people- the quirky and talented Anna Skodbo, fellow model and DJ Sebastian Bartz and the Photographer Stephen Berkley-White. All were a pleasure to work with!  And Phannatiq is a label I'd definitely reccomend to the urban fashion conscious who want something different, stylish and ethical!

You can check out Phannatiq's website here.


Saturday 16 February 2013

Film Noir/ Boudoir With Thalia


When I'm not modelling lookbooks for up and coming clothing lines or brands I'm always happy to help studying photographers, friends and anyone who needs it with their creative ventures. So when a student at the college where I study a video production course asked me to model for her shoot I was happy to oblige.

Thalia, a Dutch photography student and I swapped emails discussing her ideas and the theme of a film noir/ boudoir shoot. Arriving on location, I met Ola the make up artist as well as photographer and Thalia herself. And then came the exciting bit, the first time I've ever properly worn a wig- these take a little tampering with to get on but can completely transform a person's look. A quick glance at myself in the mirror and I felt a little like Cleopatra or Mia Wallace. The thing with modelling is that it is in fact just a still form of acting. One day you could be playing a urban vixen the next a burlesque starlet. There are no lines, just expressions, poses and costume. So you channel your inspirations, you channel the moodboards you've been supplied with and you try to reflect that in your pictures.

Special Thanks To Ola and Thalia!

Monday 11 February 2013

My Love Affair With Porcelain Prints

Robert Cavalli 2013

Alice McCall 2011

Ever since I could remember I've always admired porcelain patterns, markedly that of the blue willow and wedgwood's own. This admiration coupled with my fondness of homeware (I'm not even 20 yet I swear) tea, and a visit to the Gladstone Pottery Museum with my grandparents some years ago has since spiralled and manifested itself into something of a mission, a quest if you will.

I have recently spotted porcelain patterns on the catwalks of fashion which of course stirred much excitement. Though arguably a significant portion of what we see on the catwalk is reserved for couture and garments made to be appreciated for their aesethetic craft, high street designers will take inspiration from the collections shown around the world's various fashion weeks. Naturally I assumed that it wouldn't be long until I started to see my beloved blue willow print at a more affordable price on the high street. And I wasn't wrong!


I recently found myself on an impromptu shopping trip and bumped into this beauty. My eyes couldn't comprehend the reality! I've also seen a few suspect items online too, though the pattern is still somewhat scarce in the form of clothing. Having done lots of research around the pattern itself and grown so attached to it, I'm thinking of sourcing some fabric and making my very own blue willow garment. So watch this space for that one!  Below is an image just further consolidating my undying (and so not pathethic, RIGHT?) love for it:
Tea @ Camellia's tea room

Perhaps one day soon I'll even own my very own blue willow tea set! What are your thoughts on the pattern? Would you like to see more porcelain prints within fashion? Drop me a line or comment and let me know your thoughts!

Abitha xo

Sunday 3 February 2013

D.U.B LIVE On Fnoob

Here at FNOOB HQ (the radio station I have my own show on and help out with) this weekend we had a live 24 hour deep underground bass show featuring The Dub Bunnies and Dr Alex Paterson of The Orb. I grabbed my Nikon D40 with Sigma 28mm-300mm lens and snapped a few shots with some funky settings. 











What do you think of my photos? Do you like the effect I created fiddling with my camera?

Abitha xo