February « 2011 « WishWishWish

LFW AW11 Photo Diary

February 28th, 2011

Street Styling

Or perhaps, it might have been some sort of coherent photo diary if I hadn’t lost half of my photos! I’ve had the worst luck with cameras lately – breaking TWO 50mm lenses within weeks of each other – but never fear, i’m still in good spirits!

You’re probably bored to death of hearing about fashion week (I know I am!) – but I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had the chance to stop and think, let alone post, and I sort of..missed the boat. Anyway, this year, rather than lazing around and catching up with other bloggers, I was working for Cosmopolitan.co.uk doing everything from backstage beauty to filming and street style. Standing out in the rain for extended periods of time didn’t really make for glamourous outfits on my part (I trudged around in flats trying to look as ‘photographer’ as possible so people didn’t think I’d attempted anything special) but I really enjoyed taking photos of other fabulous people instead – it was a refreshing change to be on the other side of the camera.

I asked Miguel, who briefly visited Somerset House, what he thought of fashion week – he told me it was like a carnival, people dressed like clowns – and I suppose I agree. I tried to stop myself panicking about what I’d wear to Fashion Week this time around – I was momentarily worried that I didn’t have anything new to dress in before realising how ridiculous that was and opting for the same old Carrie clothes that I feel comfortable in. Ahhh!

If you liked these pictures, I’d love it if you could pop over and take a look at the ones that I did for Cosmopolitan – including some of pictures that miraculously disappeared..

Can’t wait to get back to normal posting – i’ve got some fab ideas that I can’t wait to see through. See you all soon! x

Charles Anastase AW11: Backstage

February 23rd, 2011

Fairytale

I’ve never been too interested in fashion that I can’t actually wear myself…there is something so unobtainable about the large percentage of collections that show at London Fashion Week, Charles Anastase included, but it’s for his designs that I make an exception.

By some strange twist of fate (..or the fact i’m doing a work placement with Cosmo, thanks ladies!!) I was invited backstage. It was strange to see for the first time a side of things that was so unpolished and unglamourous, but extremely beautiful in it’s own way. Forlorn looking models getting their hair done with two people to a head, shouting, panicking, the sound of cameras clicking…

As soon as I saw the huge shoes in varying shades, I knew I was going to love the collection. I still haven’t had the time to take a look at it properly (I didn’t get to attend the show itself) but it had the same dreamlike lolita quality that I adored in his previous work. I see the Charles Anastase girl as a kind of extreme version of everything I aspire to be…she wore long princess coats, silky playsuits, frilly dresses..it all looked so perfect. Innocent, yet so dark at the same time. Maybe it’s more about the feeling that the look evokes rather than the pieces themselves – I heard Charles backstage telling of how he was inspired by memories from his childhood in France, surrounded by castles – his collection part of a childhood kingdom.

Anyway – I must stop waffling and sleep – i’m so pleased to have a moment to blog again.

You can see the collection here. x

Postcards from Italy

February 16th, 2011

How did I end up here?

It seems like a million years ago since I was in Milan, weeks go by so quickly when you’re working all day. So whilst I’m sat here trying my hardest to keep my eyes open, I’m wishing that I was back in the most amazing hotel room I’ve ever stayed in.

Miguel and I literally jumped around the room when we first saw how lucky we were. I’d never stayed anywhere as beautiful before, and we felt so out place amongst the business men and women in head-to-toe designer. It seemed like we were in some sort of film when we ordered midnight room service (a huge cheeseburger and fries) that arrived on a fully laid table, complete with a vase of flowers. It was a very different experience to the hostels I’d stayed in previously..and I know I’m full of cliches, but I was pinching myself.

Oh, did you spot my shoes? When better to debut a cult blogger shoe than at blogger weekend? I know, everyone and their mother owns a pair of Jessica Simpson platforms, but apparently I couldn’t hold back any longer and tracked down a pair on eBay a while ago. They are surprisingly easy to walk in, too!

These photos were taken the morning before we left – If only I was back there eating gelato and room service cheeseburgers. Daydream over! I hope this is somewhat coherent – remind me not to blog when i’m half asleep! x

Skirt - American Apparel | Top - American Apparel
Hat - H&M | Coat - c/o The Kooples

Milano: A Video Post

February 13th, 2011

Sunshine

Wow, what a weekend I had! A group of European bloggers (including a few of my favourites!) were whisked away to Milan thanks to BeMilano for a ‘fashion weekend’. As you can see, Miguel and I weren’t as interested in the fashion side of things (although the Miu Miu shop they have over there is huge!) and managed to escape a few of the scheduled activities to take photos and film the beautiful city.

We were blessed with great weather, a sort of hazy sunshine that made everything look even more like a painting than usual. Miguel and I toured the city on foot with a group of lovely ladies, stopping for photos by the breathtaking Duomo. In typical blogger fashion, we all had our different poses, and ended up causing quite a stir with people crowding around to watch and taking our photos too, trying to work out who we were. It was very funny.

Unlike the rest of the girls who braved heels, I was sensible and knew that I’d be far happier wandering around in flats, despite it making me the shortest of the bunch (although I think my massive hair made up for it). I wore a dress from Zara and shoes from Russell & Bromley, and of course, trusty Alexa came along too.

The Video

I’d love it if you could take a look at the short video we made of our time in the city (featuring the likes of Sandra, Alix, Iris, Andy, Louise and more). Although, when I say we made the video, I really mean Miguel, with a little art direction and posing on my part. I wouldn’t have these amazing photos if it wasn’t for him coming along and commandeering the camera either, so thank you Miguel!

I know the music in the video sounds really Amelie and Parisian – but that’s because it’s by Yann Tiersen, so..it kind of is. We spent an entire evening trying to find charming classical Italian music, but nothing seemed to fit the way we’d like and it even caused a few arguments! I wanted it to be some form of accordion music to mimic the accordion players that we saw busking on the streets.

To those of you that are interested in making video too and have asked me how the vintage style flared effects are created, Miguel has created a website where you can buy the pre-made light leaks and flares to drop into your project, and it really is easy when you know how. Have a look here and let me know if you’d like more info!