PEEK: The Lady Friend

I'm still in a quandary over what to do with this blog! Perhaps up-sticks and re-blog about my whimsical love of fashion, london, culture and pretty things at another station... hmmm!?

So in the meantime, while I try to produce an obscene amount of work for my portfolio hand-in on monday, I shall share another slice of the mag, devoted to yet another blogger- (I do love you guys!) - Barbara Frankie.

PEEK: The Ed's Letter

PEEK: The Blogs

I think here marks the end of 'Peek Week' for now.

Thanks to Vintage Tea who let me use her D.I.Y post as the basis of this feature!

PEEK: Interview with Caroline Baker

Caroline Baker is an innovative stylist who began her career at revolutionary magazine NOVA in the 60s. She has since brought her vision to i-D (including the first ever issue!), Elle, Cosmo and The Sunday Times among others. She is now fashion director at YOU magazine.

How did you go about making your pages at NOVA different?

My brief was to be different in my approach to fashion coverage. My style became known as STEET STYLE reflecting the fashions on the people rather than from the Paris couturiers was my approach to styling- I was a little feminist in my beliefs and wanted to change the way women dressed- to dress for themselves and not just as female dolls for men- I was fascinated by menswear- how practical it was, all those pockets and draping instead of body hugging stuff- army uniforms were amazing designs so easy and so comfortable- the fact it didn’t fit properly was the appeal... I loved the way ballerinas dressed especially when they were rehearsing and so introduced leg warmers into the fashion arena. Sports and outdoor clothing was another source of ideas and then underwear as outerwear... Later I was to discover the power of the fashion media when ideas I had styled on my pages then became fashions on the catwalks and went on to become ordinary everyday wear we still use today. 

PEEK: The Flowers

PEEK: The Trend.

do feminists wear stilettos?

Quite a lengthy discussion to get into, but one friend of mine, Sophia Grace brings up in her profile piece... Obviously I am not willing to reveal too much in regards to the mag, which is why posts have been so sparse- it has over taken my life completely. But I can say I am taking it to print on Tuesday! Although I am currently spending tonight scratching my head about bleeds... anybody? Going back to Sophia, she is an amazing shoe designer! Here is her interpretation of a feminist and a couple of her fab designs...

Slowly but Surely...

We're getting there... well I am! I have just proof-read everything, which I thought would be hard because I've looked at each page for too many hours to mention, but the content is actually quite interesting! No slaps on the back here, I put that down to the amazing contributors I bribed to to take part (only joking! :) I have changed the cover again- image, font size, colour and all- I hope I'll be happy with it when i have had time to re-charge my eyes and mind. I am keeping it under wraps for a few days yet! But here is the image I have chosen to be on my contact postcard... not that fascinating, I guess you've all probably seen it all before! haha...

first page

But still no cover that I am happy with! I have a few more bits to edit and credit then will spend all evening working on a good cover... going to print the prototype in the morning so want the mag to be as finished as possible- with the best cover possible of course! This is what I have so far, it's not working for me... suggestions welcome.

TRash Happy.

Today was the final shoot that will go into the magazine! I do have one more in the pipeline, but my vision for that will be a little arty and serious to sit comfortably in the magazine... as you can see today's shoot was about having fun, with model Cleo coming alive as a fifties starlet in lots of faded denim, leopard print and florals. Gorgeous.

Camilla for Pirelli

The Pirelli calendars are always amazing! When interviewing Camilla Johnson-Hill, she told me about her experience as the producer of the 2009 edition in Botswana- calling it the proudest and most memorable of her career... as well as occasionally life-threatening! She spoke of the photographer, Peter Beard, as someone who is continually pushing boundaries, and seeing the shots, it became clear what she meant. How special are these...? 

I have featured a couple of these images in the mock-up of the mag, but Pirelli's official website has some serious words about copying, reproducing or publishing the images so I'm not sure they will make it into the final edition. Which would be a massive shame.

London & I

I love being out and about in London when the sun is shining... everything seems to have been happily tweaked with the enhance button! In my wanders, which took me from uni on Charing Cross road, to an interview with Camilla Johnson-Hill (who is the nicest, most loveliest person! Will risk sounding really lame and call her an absolute inspiration... I can't believe I have managed to get such great interviews in the mag!) based in Soho. I continued down through Carnaby st where I spotted the girl below... classic case of 'it shouldn't work but it does!' She'll go on a street trend page, (all good mags have 'em, right!) I'm seeing a lot denim jackets and shirts- I have already claimed my lil brother's one as my own! loving the shrunken look.

I then went to Victoria to meet a photographer, Shaun Yim, to discuss working on a shoot together in the next couple of weeks based on the 'what's underneath...' post below. After this I went for a stroll behind the hustle and bustle of the station, mainly to stop tripping over the many suitcases, and found Elizabeth st, which was extremely pretty. I also spotted The Chocolate Society opposite this flower shop below that I must visit.

Well after all that walking I retired to Clapham Common for a drink and a gossip in the fading sun...

Before scooting to Notting Hill... Oh how I would love to live in a turquoise house!

me, me, me... sorry.

Colourful Thanks!

Thanks to Fred Butler agreeing to be profiled for the magazine, it's a rainbow burst of colourful magic- just like the lady herself!

bottom image from DazedDigital, the other pinched from Fledgeling Fashionista 

You can check FRed's blog here!

movie magic

I hate to call any part of the magazine 'a filler', so instead... a cutesy interlude?? Haha, that was probably even worse!

Anywho, I'm planning a feature page on films that have inspired/inspiring styling. It will be very visual, minimal writing... let me know your suggestions. Here are a couple I have thought of already...

Clueless, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Desperately Seeking Susan. Three very different but worthy contenders!

Changing times...

Oops, I have been so busy and feeling bad that I haven't been posting much, but I don't want to post just any old thing for the sake of it. Hmmm... is nothing better than a half-hearted something?

At this moment I am working on a feature that highlights the change in female body shape that has occurred over the past century. It's a bit of a challenge as I set out for it to be an 80% visual thing, but there is also so much to say, I'm trying to strike a balance...

Check out this image Judith sent me of the type of mannequin used by Vionnet and Lanvin in a Paris exhibition in 1925...

and here's the more familiar model... 

It probably is best if I let the images speak for themselves...

I'll also incorporate magazine covers and celebrity images into the feature.

Another Peek

This is a follow-on from the Princess Charming shoot a couple of weeks ago, originally showcased on the photographer, Jonathon Grigg's blog, check him out... 

 http://www.jonathongriggs.blogspot.com/

LBD

My posting is becoming a bit sporadic, I know. I have had so much to do recently and we are coming to the point where the things I am working on will be going into the magazine. I really want there to be an element of surprise for those interested in the final outcome! so I am trying to be particular about what is going up...

Although, here is an out-take from the shoot I did yesterday... it was a lot of fun!

Sneaky Peek...

At the unholy time of 11am on a Sunday, I was across London in Old Street. (yeah, I'm not a morning person...) My assistant on the magazine, Sandy, and I had an appointment with Fanny, from Fanny and the Cave. I dare that name not tickle you! Fanny and the Cave is a fashion showroom with a host of unusual vintage treasures. Sandy and I delved around to find key pieces for the "Rescue Yourself Riding a White Horse" shoot. Sadly we are no closer to finding a white horse... Although we did find these gems among others. Above is a vintage piece that screamed Disney Princess at me...

Christian Lacroix red waistcoat and Frank Usher jacket. I love these pieces! The green Frank Usher jacket stole my heart when I saw Susie wearing it on Style Bubble. As reasonable as these pieces are, I saw about eight that I loved and want for the shoot, it all adds up. When we are dealing with those kind of pennies and taking into account that I haven't worked in forever and have no time to now... I'm going to have to make some heartbreaking sacrifices. .Poor me.

I Blame Disney

Article Snippet:

People say things they don’t mean when they’re angry. So we’re told and will to believe in desperation to maintain ignorant bliss. But then there are those comments that seem to pop up sparingly in ‘playful’ jokes and over boozy lunches. Apparently, I am an unreasonable fantasist who expects too much. That’s been broken down and edited from several conversations and slanging matches from the mouth of my dear husband by the way.  Not to worry, this is not a Dear Deidre moment, merely an observation that got my already overworked mind thinking some more...