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

My First Shoot Of 2013: De Sachy Browne

Being a freelance model with no other parties to promote you let alone apply to casting calls for you it's amazing how a little (a lot) of meticulous searching can score you your next modelling gig. This one was via Twitter, thanks to the dozens of photographers and creative sites I follow I saw that a photographer was looking for a model and jumped on the 'reply' function to sell myself. That's what you have to do with these things, market yourself, sound obnoxiously big headed but nonetheless sell yourself. And when you score that job your shameless (or not so) self promotion doesn't seem all that bad because it paid off.  Emails exchanged and details confirmed and then boom. My body decides this would be the perfect time to contract a cold the day before the shoot. I'd been itching to get back on the proverbial clothes horse job ever since the clock turned midnight on New Years Eve. January is a quiet month I had to remind myself as the creative industry get back on their feet post christmas. I was determined not to back out of this job so that I did not and soldiered on.

Once I got out of the cold and into the studio my cold eased off for the duration. I met the most wonderful team (though everyone I get to work with are the most wonderful at said time). The very talented make up artist that is Kate Littlejohn, the two Irish designers come stylists for the day Marie De Sachy and Jennifer Browne, the bubbly photographer Jason Alden and his hard working assistant Tim Bowditch and the beautiful italian model Djada.

Thanks to the MUA and designers, we covered lots of looks and designs much to photographer Jason's surprise each time I came back out to shoot I looked completely different. I also got to add my own art direction and poses, its always nice to get a little bit of creative reign especially if its a fresh idea previously unthought of and beneficial to the client. Another highlight included the cave constructed by Jason and Tim out of polystyrene boards so that we could achieve some tight headshots. Time flies when you're working and having fun and it was soon time to head back out into the dreaded cold. I had so much fun once again and I'm happy to have done my first shoot of 2013!  I'll post the final pics when I have them! Until then...
Abitha xo

Photo Shoot With Marshall Kappel

Towards the end of 2012 I modelled for Marshall Kappel , a well travelled photographer hailing from the states.  Here are some of the end results!

After running the (so I'm told) fifteen minute walk from Ladbroke Grove to Portobello in five minutes I finally arrived on location on the corner of that renown road(After much stress following bus replacement, misguiding tfl staff and all the lines I needed to be in use closed for work). As I stood there regaining my breath from the aforementioned sprint, I baffled at the huge house standing before me with the correspending number to the email I held in my hands. Really, we're shooting here? I must have got something wrong.   I ascended the steps and rapped on the door. No answer. Christmas shoppers below gawp at me and my bewildered expression.

The door swings open and I am greeted by the photographer before being lead up to the chair for hair and makeup conducted by a sweet French MUA singing along with the pop music being streamed by spotify. My eyes are diverted to the various film cameras lying around and in use, being an amateur film photographer myself I just have to ask questions, carefully though as not to smudge my lipstick. It's actually a mastered technique to be able to articulate yourself verbally without your lips meeting, try it sometime, hard right? 

I am dressed and redressed, in vintage designer clothing, accessories and shoes. Shot and reshot. Taken outside and back in. The hours have flown by and it's time to go home. 

Many thanks to Marshall and the team!