Somerset House Filming

I was at Somerset House yesterday to see the Matthew Williamson exhibition (more of that later, all I’ll say for now is thank god it was free!) and low and behold they were filming in the main courtyard, a film called Hysteria with Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rupert Everett and Hugh Dancy. The scene revolved around Maggie falling off her bike and Hugh Dancy falling on top of her, in front of strolling passers by and a passing horse and carriage. It’s always fun to catch these things happening unexpectedly – I remember coming across Sesame Street being filmed in a cafe in the West Village last spring.

Shine a Light

I photographed this in my bathroom yesterday. Bizarre reflection? Extraterrestrial presence? Beauty out of oddity, that’s for sure.

Editorial

Photographer Norbert Schoerner’s beautiful alpine photos take centre stage in November’s Harper’s Bazaar. Model  Meghan Collison is styled by Vanessa Coyle and for me this is what styling is all about.  This girl looks so at home in the landscape, which is actually Europe, but imaginatively this is alpine chic mixed in with an Andean attitude, or even Tibet or Mongolia. The clothes actually look wearable in the conditions, as if they were exactly what you would pick for the geography and climate, although presumably Ralph Lauren, Givenchy and Louis Vuitton did not precisely have high pasture-wear in mind during the design process. I also really love the way  the model and the scenery take up whole double pages so that the terrain is as much a part of the drama as the clothes are. This is an editorial of high quality.

Source: FashionGoneRogue.com

Stop and smell the Garlic

I took these photos after I had roasted the whole garlic cloves with some vegetables for a meal I was making. I thought the shells of the skins looked beautiful so I let them dry and took hundreds of photos as usual. To me they are weirdly evocative of all sorts of things: insects, fossils, husks of plants, sheer fabrics, Lalique jewellry. I couldn’t make up my mind if they looked better in the sunshine or in more natural light…..you decide.

Editorial with a personal twist

This editorial is from British Vogue October, photographed by Tim Walker, styled by Fashion Director Kate Phelan, featuring Karlie Kloss and most exciting of all, I was there!  I was lucky enough to intern at Vogue this summer and this shoot happened while I was there. It was truly two of the most amazing fashion days I’ve ever had. To be able to see Tim Walker work amidst all the incredible haute couture still warm from the runway was exciting and inspiring and all the words ever used for amazing!

Source: FashionGoneRogue.com

Editorial

This is Italian Vogue, ‘Variation on Chic’, with model Abbey Lee Kershaw, photographer Mario Sorrenti, styled by Jane How. It was a while ago but I just love the black and white and the depths created with the shadows. Super sexy as always from Abbey Lee, I was loving her new blonde hair during the shows. She brings a great presence to these photos and the dramatic atmosphere comes right off the page.

Source: FashionGoneRogue

From the Shopping Basket

Thess are a few favourites from my current A/W net-a-porter wish list, compliled after much drooling and dismay at the total cost of it all. I’ve decided dresses are going to be the only way forward this winter, there just aren’t enough statement separates out there to go together.

Erdem’s A/W winter collection was such a highlight for me last February and it would be great to own a piece of it. I love the swallow motifs and I really like the way this looks light and yet autumnally fluffy. I would think about putting a super thin belt with this and definitely relaxed make-up and hair as the dress is enough on its own. With the boy test this didn’t fare too well, but it’s a fashion dress and not necessarily boyfriend-friendly.

The first of two Jason Wu contributions to this list. This is such a staple dress. It looks warm and comfy and yet is tight enough to be sexy and chic. Dress it down with wrinkly flat boots or up with a killer heel. Hair up for this one as the neckline is so flattering.

This is Gucci so of course it’s super sexy and obviously not an everyday dress.  Great for a cocktail party though and the back is a great reveal for a hot date! I love the gold belt running through it. Killer berry lips for this one surely?

A body hugging dress from Carven. Now this definitely got the thumbs up from the boy test.It looks amazing with that soft twist and drape. It’s relaxed but sexy, made even more so by the zip down the side. The high neck leaves killer legs on show. It would look great with dark tights and maroon boots for a more weekend look.  A pet hate of mine is pattern/detailing that doesn’t continue round the back of the dress, specially in jersey where a plain back can be so unflattering and this does just enough to pass.

In saying that, this Jason Wu fails on the back continuation issue but makes up for it by being such a statement. Again it’s an event dress, but I love the drama of the gold leaf  against the rather demure shape.

Source: Net-a-Porter.com

Hermes S/S11 PARIS

The last Hermes collection with Jean Paul Gaultier at it’s helm was a true to form extravaganza. Exploring the origins of the Hermes brand, which were in harness making, his models were part toreador and part Spanish Riding School.  There was leather and suede, in tan, black and grey predominantly, there were whips and waist cinchers and a whiff of bondage, but all beautiful tailored to fit the body and also some elegant looseness too, all very Gaultier but with the perfect Hermes touch. It was a showring of Argentinian polo players’ wives, all sex and horses.

Source: Style.com

Elie Saab S/S11 PARIS

An Elie Saab show is not going to win a boundary-pushing prize but it was nice to see a collection that speaks so clearly and naturally of the designer’s vision and aesthetic. He showed typically beautiful dresses beautifully made.  With amazing beadwork and draping they were flirty and pretty, and in elegant muted tones with a little pink and orange added to the mix.  The jewellry was also worth noting.  He knows his strengths and we will surely see these dresses on the red carpet.

Source: Style.com

Louis Vuitton S/S11 PARIS

Although you can definitely see the thread from Marc Jacobs own collection shown in New York, here for Louis Vuitton he went for a much more grown-up, sexy take.  The autumnal colours reappeared but the shapes leaned often towards the oriental and fans were the main accessory.  From the highly polished floor upwards everything that could gleamed, glistened and shone.

Source: Style.com