This is Natalie Portman’s December cover for V magazine photographed by Mario Testino, styled by Clare Richardson, and I really like it. Her expression is intriguingly ambivalent and Danny Zucko would be proud of the quiff and the attitude. I like the dark eye make-up: it looks to be dark brown rather than the black shade typically used and the heavy brow looks great. It isn’t very Christmassy but then I don’t think it needs to be.
Source: Popcrunch
Remember, remember, the 5th of November, Gunpowder, Treason and Plot! For those of you don’t know, Guy Fawkes Day is when we celebrate with fireworks a failed attempt at blowing up Parliament 300 years ago. I am pleased with how the photos have come out; I was really suprised when I found that my Canon G10 had a specific fireworks setting.
It pains me a little to write this Cover Try of Harper’s Bazaar, because I like this picture but I just wish it wasn’t Victoria Beckham. So I’m going to look at the image first pretending that it’s not her and then I’m going to remember my dislike! The December issue is another important one for a magazine; as a January birthday girl I am always very sad about how thin January issues are because they’ve used all the good stuff in the December issue. I like the composition of this picture, the black and white is lovely and strong and I think the veil looks beautiful. Why is it that a veil can make women look so elegant and classic…maybe just because it hides the sins of red wine or perhaps because it actually gives a softness to the face while also letting us have intriguing glimpses of what lies beneath? Ok, but now here is where I remember it’s Victoria Beckham: I’m really not loving the angle on her nose and I don’t think she should be on the cover! There I said it. But for me it’s true; she is no longer ‘famous’ for her singing, she’s now trying to be a ’serious’ designer. Well, I haven’t seen Luella, Alice Temperley or Roksanda Ilincic on a cover of a fashion magazine. What is VB selling or promoting except herself, a common interest story? More Hello magazine than Harpers. For me it is not a good enough reason for a prominent front cover.
Source: Catwalkqueen.tv
I went to Somerset House this week to see not one but two exhibitions. The first was Norman Parkinson: A Very British Glamour. An absolute legend in fashion photography, his images are arresting and beautiful. His portraits were so innovative at the time for his use of location, movement and unusual poses, yet despite the fact that they started a new trend they retain their freshness and appeal for now. They are elegant and sophisticated, revelling in the pure luxuries of fashion. I loved them.
Source: NormanParkinson.com
The other exhibition was SHOWstudio: Fashion Revolution. This is Nick Knight’s continuing online examination of the fashion industry. It is in the lowest floor at Somerset House which I think is a slightly awkward space, with a thin corridor and a small area before you have to walk upstairs to the main gallery. It was interesting and if you’ve never looked at SHOWstudio before you get a really good sense of what Nick Knight is trying to do. Some of it is abit weird and I can’t say that I loved all of it. One highlight was a dinner party table filmed from above with a camera on each setting, recording the movement as food came and went, people’s hands appeared and disappeared etc. As you moved around the table the audio changed depending on which of the fashionable guests you were directly behind. Another was towards the end, where patterns from John Galliano, Yohji Yamamoto, Gareth Pugh and Martin Margeila had been downloaded and made up – a very modern idea and a good one too. Dressmaking from patterns, especially in these credit crunch times, has become much more popular, you get to chose your fabric and make something unique. I also enjoyed the voice messages left by models such as Lilly Donaldson, Karen Elson and Lily Cole as they went about their everyday professional lives all over the world.
A video that makes you think green.
Source: Fashionista.com
As I’ve said before on this blog I am a massive OPI nail varnish fan. So when I was in New York I was able to stock up on some of the colours I wanted as they are much cheaper over there. I had them all in my hand luggage and was slightly concerned about the rules on liquid limits but I was prepared to argue that not only did I need all the normal items in my little plactic bag: lipsalve, small moisturiser, mascara ect but also another bag for all my nail varnishes was a must too. Luckily that problem didn’t arise and now I’m slowly trying them all out. I did think about painting one nail each colour but as it’s no longer the 80’s I felt probably not the most stylish way to go. But so far the nail varnish below is my favourite. It’s Pamplona Purple from the Coleccion De Espana and it delivers a lot of colour and manages to be smart and bright at the same time.
From 1999, she’s quite a model.
I worked on a look book for the designer Karen Karam, check out the link and see the pictures. (The website does have music so beware). We had this great model called Sophie D at Storm. She was so young, from Canada and her dad dropped her off and picked her up from the shoot. She was lovely and had such a great look for these pieces.
