'The Wight' SS14 Shoot

Photography: Gordan Baxter

Photography Assistant: Chris Jones

Designer: Steph Cornforth

Designer Assistant: Cere Mae

Make-up: Allana Brinkmann

Make-up Assistant / Hair: Jasmine Eleazer

Models: Dani Race & Caz Rowe

On Saturday I did makeup for one of my friend's, Steph, for her final university project which was a long but incredible day! I had a meeting with Steph a few weeks back to organize and go through the shoot as it had been planned for a few weeks and, I could no longer wait after the what-seemed a very long build up to it. The collections included six outfits and five underwear sets which Steph had made over three months and it was based on female stereotypes in the media. I worked with such a lovely team involving: two models a lovely photographer & assistant, the designer - her assistant and my assistant. I created two main looks, one for the six outfits and the other for the underwear sets. On the first model I created the famous 60s makeup look which involved a pale canvas, a little contouring, nude lips with the main focus on the eyes: winged eyeliner, blended eyeliner above the crease line and under the lower lash line, then adding the finishing touch: false eyelashes. On the second model I created a modern version of the previous 60s look involving a matte base, a pale eye look using neutral shades, false eyelashes, a little contouring and then mainly focusing on defining the brows. I was so pleased with both looks as I've always loved re-creating looks from all sorts of era's. For the underwear sets I just changed the lips to a matte lipstick - 'So Chaud' by MAC and Estée Lauder's sheer Long Lasting Lipstick in 'Honey', added a bit of powdered blush to the cheeks and also added more volume to the bottom lashes. Gordon's photography page you can find here, Dani's website of her portfolio can be found here and my assistant you can find here.

 

Kotur Clutches Spring/Summer 2013

When starlets need some place glamourous to store their smartphones on the red carpet, they usually turn to Kotur. The luxury handbag label cultivates their own creative garden this Spring, with a stunning range of surreal nature-inspired clutches and minaudieres. 



Classic box-cluches are invigorated by zesty neons in coral, citron, cerise and yellow. Florals flourish in a variety of interesting forms like jacquard prints, lace overlays and elaborate three-dimensional floral bouquets. Ethnic patterns are given an earthy feel in multi-hued raffia, feathers, West African wax batik fabric wraps and silk tassels.



Metallics are embossed with leather animal prints, carved in brass, and swirled with sequins. Each of the clutches are clasped with glass, crystal, rock or stone. For a modern touch, there is a transparent perspex minaudiere dotted with gold glitter. Or add a pop of colour with a hot pink perspex Aqua Globe© box clutch.



These are a few pieces from Kotur's Spring/Summer 2013 clutch bag collection.

I love the sequined neons and floral print fluorescents for an electric colour pop to any outfit. I hope the retail stores bring us more affordable versions of these designer box bags. 

Which are your Kotur favourites?





*All images found via www.koturltd.com.

Looks of the Week - 27/04/13

The weekly roundup of celebrity style on and off the red carpet.



In Neutral

Alexa Chung looked polished in an ivory tweed dress by Chanel, styled with a red-hot lip, black sling bag and black and white Mary-Janes.

Naya Rivera is alluring in a sexy strapless silk taupe dress with flounced hem by Zac Posen. 

Kate Hudson is pictured in a sophisticated cream cable-knit jersey dress by Jenny Packham, worn with matching Casadei pumps.

The dainty Elle Fanning looked lovely in a caffe-laté coloured gown by Lanvin with exaggerated hip pleats and a black sash.

Emma Roberts was ladylike in a peach satin circle skirt and white-collared sleeveless blouse. Metallic silver pointy-toe pumps complete her look.





After Dark

Jennifer Lawrence opted for a sporty silhouette, in this sleek black dress with flaired out skirt and sheer neck line, by David Koma. Nicholas Kirkwood sandals fit her feet.

Cosma Shiva Hagen represented Louis Vuitton from head-to-heel. The German actress styled her gold lace skirt with a sleeveless black top, tassel necklace, tights & metallic capped heels.

Jessica Biel dons a modernistic midi black asymmetrical dress with halter neck and ankle cuff sandals, both by Tom Ford.





Yellow Fever

Chinese actress Zhou Dongyu was impressively dressed in a vivid canary yellow embellished dress with fluttering waterfall skirt, which is by Giambattista Valli.

Julie Bowen spelt spring in her fluorescent lemon watercolour print dress by Monique Lhuillier. Nude Giuseppe Zanotti ankle-strap sandals were her choice of heel.

Chelsea Kane spread the sunshine in a fully sequined daffodil sheath dress by Alice + Olivia.





Blooming Buds

Kat Dennings displayed her feminine side in a romantic lace and floral long-sleeved mini dress by Dolce & Gabbana. I wished for different shoes.

Selena Gomez showed off a more laid back look, winsome in a block letter print tank and floral silk lounge pants by 3.1 Philip Lim. Her white strap heels are by Bionda Castana. 

Camila Alves was graceful in a floral and lace look by Dolce & Gabbana.

Katy Perry went royally blue on her campaign for the new Smurfs movie, pretty in a floral lace dress by Monique Lhuillier. Silver Giuseppe Zanotti pumps add some shine to her outfit.



Pretty in Pastel

Spanish beauty Megan Montaner looked ravishing in a flowing coral gown with accented waist by Blumarine. A gold clutch and heart pendant style her outfit.

Newcomer Bar Paly was luscious in lavender, wearing a strapless bustier gown with sheer chiffon skirt by Maria Lucia Hohan. A pity about the nude underlay.

Columbian actress Juana Acosta was regal in an Arctic blue V-neck gown with caped sleeves and gathered waist by Zuhair Murad.





Who is your favourite 'Look of the Week'?

Friday Frills

In life there are people that will hurt us and cause us pain, 

but we must learn to forgive and forget and not hold grudges. 

In life there are mistakes we will make, 

but we must learn from our wrongs and grow from them.  

In life there are regrets we will have to live with, 

but we must learn to leave the past behind and realize it is something we can't change. 

In life there are people we will lose forever, sometimes by choice, 

but we must learn to let go and move on. 

In life there are going to be obstacles that will cause interference, 

but we must learn to overcome these challenges and grow stronger.  

In life there are fears that will hold us back from what we want, 

but we must learn to fight them with the courage from within.

In life the best way to succeed is to

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

Quote © Angie Flores

WHITE WISHLIST

        1. Round Neck Coat  |  2. Mesh Crop Top  |  3. Rammie Blouse  |  4. Biker Jacket  |  5. Bow Dress

         6. Tip Waist Belt  |  7. Leather Skirt  |  8. Sport Sandal  |  9. Mini Shopper  |  10. Cole Ashby Jeans

For a while my style has only involved in wearing monochrome, as I think it's simple yet so stylish and easy to piece together when adding a little colour. Karl Lagerfeld has always been one of my style inspirations and I can't express my love for that man! However, lately I have been noticing a lot of beautiful white looks and I couldn't help but notice some key pieces which I think would look amazing for summer. Number 1 on my wishlist has to be my ultimate favourite. I've wanted a long white blazer for absolutely ages, all the ones I have seen/tried on have either been too long, too short, it doesn't fit right or it's out of my budget. Then I came across this one on Zara's website and I'm hoping this is the one! The cut looks perfect and it would be so easy to piece other garments with it! It's definitely a must have of mine for spring/summer this year. Number 8 on my wishlist - the sport sandal, I wasn't a fan when they kept cropping up on the catwalk but they have actually grown on me. They look so elegant and would definitely look cute with a lot of pieces I have already. I've been wearing monochrome for a while and unfortunately it's only now came on trend so I think I'll be swapping my wardrobe from monochrome to white, these pieces will definitely be at the top of my list.

That Dior Dress

I didn't think much of this Christian Dior dress when I first saw it on the runway, other than it reminded me of a sweet wrapper. However, as the months go by, I am beginning to see more and more of it on the red carpet and in magazine editorials all around the globe. This multi-shaded striped organza dress is fast becoming one of the most photographed looks from Dior's Spring 2013 collection. Let's observe the rise-and-rise of that Dior dress.

On the Dior SS13 runway, Kasia Struss modeled the candy coloured
dress that strongly influenced editors and celebrities everywhere. 

The diaphanous dress has already been photographed three times on the red carpet.
Left: Model Lee Hyun Yi wore the look to an event in Seoul, South Korea.
Center: Australian actress Isabel Lucas donned the youthful dress to a Sydney store opening.
Right: American socialite Lisa Marie Falcone wore the Dior dress just this week in New York City. I have to admit this dress looks far better in editorial than it does in 'real-life'.

Left: Dutch model Daphne Groeneveld is enveloped in a colorful swirl of organza for the cover of Harper's Bazaar España April 2013. Right: Rose Smith is given a sportier styling in Vogue Australia, with inner black tank top and wrist bands.

Left: Amanda Seyfried graces the April 2013 cover of Tatler Russia, accessorized with bold green earrings and a multi-coloured necklace. Right: Valerija Kelava gives new meaning to the term 'urban' glamour for Antidote Magazine's Street Issue.

Left: Natalia Vodianova displays the pink bandeau side strap thats holds this gauzy dress together. A rose-shaded neck-tie and soft makeup add to the romance of her styling.
Right: Vanessa Hudgens, on the other end of the spectrum, is given a spikey punk rock hairstyle and plastered with heavy makeup.

Left: Irish actress Saoirse Ronan adds vivid colour to a dusky forest scene for Instyle Magazine. Right: Singer Kelly Chen covers Marie Claire Hong Kong's April 2013 issue in the fluorescent dress. The lighting in this photo makes the shades look somewhat darker.  

Elle Fanning gives a playful edge to the dress, blending into the plastic background for New York Magazine. In this case, it really does look like a candy wrapper.

Left: Russian model Vlada Roslyakova makes a bright splash on the cover of Marie Claire Korea's March 2013 edition. Right: Nico O is dressed up in the famous frock with asymmetrical hemline for a fashion page in Marie Claire UK March 2013. I think her metallic strap heels are a pivotal part of what makes this look work here.

Clearly a fashion editor favourite, do you think this Dior dress deserves all the hype or not? 

Fashion Styles

Fashion Styles, Fashion Styles 2013
Fashion Styles - Shearling coats and jackets are built from sheepskin pelts. They are luxuriously gentle, heat and stylish. The lamb pelts make the supple clothes with remarkable breathability and insulation. When cared for effectively, sheepskin coats and jackets can final for many years, ridding the require to acquire a new coat every single couple of seasons. Some men and women choose to acquire faux (faux) due to the fact it is cheaper. Faux shearling might seem comparable to actual the actual issue but the breathability, insulation, sturdiness and ease and comfort can’t evaluate to genuine shearling. Also, true shearling is environmentally pleasant since it isn’t built from polyester and acrylic, which are petroleum-primarily based fibers.

Fashion Styles 2013 - These coats and jackets arrive in a massive assortment of types and shades. From bomber style jackets to full length hooded coats, the options are unlimited producing it effortless to discover a sheepskin coat or jacket to harmonize with virtually any private style. Three personal variations that beckon the addition of a shearling coat to total their seem are rocker-biker, bohemian and region-western.

Alice + Olivia Spring Collection 2013

There's an air of optimism and retro girlish glamour at the doors of Alice + Olivia this Spring. New York based designer Stacey Bendet derives her cheery inspiration from the 50's, with a set of ladylike silhouettes, cute printed cardigans, full flaired skirts, modish pants suits, candy stripes and chic shift dresses.

A rainbow of animated shades colour in this flirty collection; from bright cherry reds, apple green and canary yellow to more subtle hues of peach, powder blue and ivory. Prints come in the form of feminine florals, the animalistic élan of leopard and zebra and trendy black and white chevron lines. This exuberant range fits the closet of the modern thinking girl with a love for vintage charm. Each piece can easily be taken from the office to an elegant night out. The go-to brand for young Hollywood, Alice + Olivia also present a beautiful selection of evening gowns that exude grace and vivacity.

This is a glance into her style-filled Spring/Summer 2013 range.

Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

Set 5

Set 6

Set 7

Set 8

Alice + Olivia is one of the more well-priced designer labels, especially if you catch some of their worthwhile online sales. They also offer free shipping within the US. This collection has already proved to be a hit with stars like Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Carly Rae Jepson, AnnaSophia Robb and Taylor Swift. I wouldn't be surprised if we see every single outfit from this collection out on the red carpet. Which A+O look do you most love?



*View the entire collection at aliceandolivia.com

Around the Arabian Gulf

This is the last set of pictures from my Arabian adventure. 

One of my stops on the Persian Gulf cruise was Muscat, in the Sultanate of Oman. I didn't know much about the country before I got there, and found it to be a bustling, very affluent city, where old meets new, culture collides with modern every-day living & the price of gas is just $0.31 / €0.29 per liter. So if you ever need to stock up on fuel, this is the place to go.

Lofty arches, strong geometric lines, arcaded colonnades and artful curvature are an integral part of Arabic architecture. This is a view of the Sultan Qaboos courtyard in Muscat, Oman.

A scene from an Omani Souq (or market place), where you can buy ethnic handmade crafts, traditional clothes, including the famous 'kummah' hat that is native to this region, as well as exotic glass mosaic and brass lamps to colorfully light up your home. (Although I don't know how you would get that through the airport all in one piece).

The Sultan of Oman reigns and hosts royal functions from the grand Al Alam Palace.

Our next stop was Abu Dhabi, where the glorious Sheikh Zayed Mosque is one of the most prominent landmarks. It features 82 domes, Moroccan and Andalusian artwork, hand-knotted wool carpets and can accommodate up to 40 000 people. This is a perfect example of the decorative architectural style of the Middle East.

I had never seen chandeliers quite extravagant as this one before. Pictured above is one of seven sources of illumination in the mosque. Made in Germany from thousands of Swarovski crystals, this ornamented piece of art weighs about 2 tons.

Sivec marble was brought in from Greece to construct the incandescent white crowned columns, arches, floors and walls, which are embellished by colourful floral designs.

Calling all Italian car fanatics...Ferrari World is the first of it's kind and the world's largest indoor theme park. It also boasts the world's fastest roller coaster - the Formula Rossa, which reaches a speed of 250km/h (149mph). If you're not an adrenaline junkie (like me), you can stroll through the automative history of this spectacular car brand in the Galleria.

Thanks for sticking around through my journey around the Arabian Gulf. If you love high end shopping, fancy cars, sunny weather, vintage markets, luxurious resorts & magnificent architecture, look no further than the United Arab Emirates. With unlimited funds, and if you can brave the 45 °C desert heat, it can be as glamourous as Carrie Bradshaw made it out to be in SATC 2. Now if only I could have the wardrobe included in this stylish scene...

  

Natural Gothic Themed Shoot

Photography/Styling: Rachel Abraham
Hair/MUA: Allana Brinkmann
Model: Sorcha Piotrowski

On Thursday I had a re-scheduled shoot in a beautiful church where the theme was a 'natural gothic' look. It was planned for a while so I had quite a bit of time for preparation and it certainly paid off! I did 4 different looks, creating a neutral eye base with gold glitter in the inner corners of the eyes (these photos don't really do any justice). As we were flying through the shoot I only retouched a few little areas such as: changing the lip colour, contouring a little more and then on the last look I blended 'carbon' eyeshadow around the bottom lash line to create a 'grunge' look. The shoot went unbelievably well considering I never stopped shivering in the church and it was incredibly hard to apply lipstick and eyeshadow! Overall I'm so excited to receive the final photo's back and this is one of the few shoots that I'm really pleased with. I got to work with a lovely team and a stunning model :) Rachel's website can be found here and Sorcha's blog can be found here.