AW16 London Collections Men - Day 2

I was so excited for Day 2 of the menswear shows, because on day 2 I would be dressing for the YMC show and going to watch the Maharishi show.  Both brands I had never heard of, so it was also exciting for me to get to know these brands through the shows.

First up was YMC (You Must Create).  On Friday I was asked to head the dressing team, which would be to manage a team of 16 dressers.  What an opportunity and one that definitely brought me back to high school and college when I worked as wardrobe head for several shows and as a stage manager for large productions.  It was really great, but also a bit nerving to be in this position again!  When I arrived I met with all of the necessary people, the creative director and the head stylist of YMC.  Both were so nice, everyone was so nice really.  After getting familiar with all of the outfits, assigning dressers to each specific look, and letting the dressers know what was going on we were ready for the models.  The models were really great.  I had Chi, a lovely guy from Hong Kong, we chatted a bit, he tried on his shoes, and went off to rehearsal.  Music during the show was provided by a live band, which meant a bit more rehearsal time in order to get the timing right.  After the rehearsal it was only a short time before the start of the show so Chi got into his first look.  

The whole collection had a very seventies vibe.  Almost every model had a hat and long hair. 

Below is my model Chi looking great in his second look!

Some backstage pictures

Favourite looks from the show, view the full collection here

Next up, in the evening was the Maharishi show.  Between the shows I had plenty of time to go home and get ready.  With invitation in hand I made my way back to the same venue as the previous show, this time entering through the main entrance instead of the backstage entrance.  I got some water before the show and waited to be let in.  Once able to go in I took my seat and waited for the show to begin.  The show began and the music was pumping, a great mix of hip hop.  Models were quite swift walking the runway.  There was a definite military/jungle vibe showing camo prints, greens and browns.  I loved all of the hoods, and the use of red.  They also had these great alligators on some of the looks, see below.

Below are pictures I took during the show

These are some of my favourite looks, view the whole collection here

AW16 London Collections Men - Day 1

I know this is a blog for women!  but I had the best time at London Collections Men last weekend and I need to tell you about!

Another week, another fashion show!  The life of a stylist and I love it!  Can you believe that we are already talking about AW16?  This past weekend was London Collections Men, basically menswear gets to shine!  Prior to styling I never really looked at menswear or paid much attention to it, but after the energy of this past weekend I definitely would love to gain experience working with menswear.  The menswear shows are a bit different than the womenswear.  The catwalks seem smaller, attendees are a bit more casual, and make models seem to be way more relaxed and goofy, just having a good time!

First up for the day was figuring out which shows I was going to go to, with a little help from the amazing team at Streets Magazine I managed to get tickets to Alex Mullins and Maharishi, 2 designers I had never heard of before.  There was an opportunity to see more shows, but I was also dressing backstage for 3 shows, so there was just no time.

Alex Mullins was a presentation on Friday and Maharishi was a runway show on Saturday.  I decided to also go to a presentation from Universal Works, a great menswear line with a bit of a workwear, casual feeling.  The venue was circus themed with drinks and popcorn and models holding props of cotton candy and mallets.  It was interesting vibe, models were along each wall with people walking down the centre.  People were really just standing around and chatting.  I loved the jackets and the knit caps, trousers are loose, and I love the canvas shoes.

Universal Works  
Below are some images I took at the presentation

After the Universal Works presentation I headed over to The Victoria House to attend another presentation, Alex Mullins.  Once inside The Victoria House there was a showcase of many different emerging designer, after a walk around and a stop at the complimentary bar complete with free GQ magazines, I headed into the Alex Mullins presentation.  

Alex Mullins Presentation

Below are some images I took at the presentation.

Favourite Looks - Golden Globes 2016

Living in the UK means that I have to get caught up with the award shows via the internet, which is not so fun.  Golden Globes, Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, too name a few, I miss them all!  

Looking at the Golden Globes this year I will say was a bit disappointing.  There were definitely some looks that I absolutely loved, but it was quite underwhelming.  I think everyone is saving their really special looks for the Oscars!  Patterns/prints used were great.  Lady Gaga looked surprisingly stunning, as well as Jennifer Lawrence, who I don't think always gets it right, but her make up and hair all went really well with the dress.

My Favourite Looks!

3rd Editorial Shoot

I can't believe that it is has been over a month that I have finished the 1st portion of my styling studies and today I started the second portion, Advanced Editorial Styling.  The main focus for the next 3 months will be even more editorial shoots and I can't wait for it to begin!  So before I get started with what I can only imagine will be an exciting 3 months I need to share with you my 3rd editorial shoot experience.

We were given a choice for the theme of the shoot, 80s or pattern/prints.  I chose 80s, there is so much reference to the 80s for AW15 that I wanted to have a chance to put my spin on this trend.  I put together the mood board below, focusing on 80s glamour with tight skirts, bright accessories, and embellishments.  I used both runway images from AW15 and 80s images to create my moodboard.

I actually found my outfit quite easily, the only thing was that I actually had another vintage jacket in mind, but when I went to purchase from Rokit (a vintage shop in London with an online shop) the jacket had already been sold.  I found a blue jacket and a red jacket that would work and developed 2 looks to fit with each jacket, planning to use my lecturer to help me decide on the best look on the day of the shoot.

The shoot would be in Bethnal Green, which is in East London.  When I arrived at my given time I saw 2 models getting ready and 2 photographers.  After hearing that the shoes size of one model was a size 5 and the other was a size 7 I knew how I would decide on which model to use, as the shoes I had brought were a size 8, 7/8 is a typical model shoes size.  The wonderful Leigh Keily, celebrity photographer and editor of 'Jon' magazine, would be my photographer.  He also photographed my second shoot with the Cuban theme, so I felt like I was in good hands.  I was told that I would need to find my own location spot for the shoot.  Bethnal Green is a fairly busy area with lots of Indian/Middle Eastern shops and market.  I had a look around went in a few places, took a few pictures to show the photography, and decided to focus on a dry cleaner.  I went in to ask the man behind the counter if it would be possible to use his shop for my shoot and after a bit of charming he agreed!  

Below are the images from the shoot, which I am quite happy with.  The only thing I would change is that the belt is not centre on several of the images and there was actually this fringe detailing on the skirt and top that does not come through because of the lighting on the black, but live and learn. 

Credits:

Top & Skirt: H&M

Jacket: 80s Vintage Rokit

Belt: 80s Vintage Rokit

Handbags: Blue, Aldo; Red, House of Fraser

Handbag Accessories: Topshop, H&M 

Shoes: Head Over Heels

Earrings: Topshop

Photographer: Leigh Keily

Stylist: Lore Koijen

MUA: Martin Carter

Hair: Carolina Crona

Model: Anna Tatton, Nevs Models