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

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.