Heritage Sweetheart

Some of the photo's from an Imaging project I recently did...

Erdem Fall 2011

Erdem is always a favourite in new season collections, normally for its beautiful delicacy, fresh floral patterns and feminine dresses. This season Erdem Moralioglu didn’t disappoint. However, he did redefine the usual femininity by creating a much darker and abstract collection full of unexpected surprises. The palette was a background of fierce black with vibrant splashes of colour and floral. The effect was intoxicating. Form wise, the collection consisted of mostly shift and A line dresses, often plunging at the neckline, complementing the female form. However, contrasting with the femininity (Yes, it was still there, just darker) there were a few androgynous shirts tucked into structured trousers.

The floor length dresses were perhaps the most memorable, splattered with abstract floral prints which I personally thought gave the impression of tie-dye combined with graffiti, adding to the intensity of the collection. Underlying themes were black lace combined with tweed that would often disappear from the garment sporadically.

Personally I thought that the garments connoted female strength whilst still being extremely feminine. It gave a toughness that other designers have achieved through androgyny. Adversely, Erdem achieved it through embracing femininity. The collection was still Erdem through and through, only with a hardened edge, showing that it’s still as strong as ever.

Here were a few of my favourites...

Rodarte takes a trip to the Prairie

Rodarte’s collection consisted of ankle skimming coats cut out in unique ways around the neckline, floor length silk dresses with wheat field prints that danced along the hemline and feminine apron dresses and A line skirts. The palette was a simple partnering of mostly oatmeal’s, sky blues and blacks. The ruby red garments at the end were a pleasant shock and could seem out of place. Kate and Laura Mulleavy clarified this bold decision by saying that “you can’t go to Nebraska and Kansas and not do a Wizard of Oz reference." The American prairie was a running theme in the show with geometric prints that resembled homemade quilts reigning throughout, whether creating a point of interest on a wheat coloured jumper, or adding a sharp edge to the many structured separates’. Although it was the Fall 2011 collection I found it really fresh and spring like. The geometric prints and unique structuring felt quite futuristic whilst the sheer and wool fabrics, prints and colours seemed to give the collection authenticity. Dorothy, eat your heart out.

Norman Parkinson

Norman Parkinson is a photographer who I have recently been introduced to. Here are some of my favourites...

Pass Me Those Wedges

The only shoes that have really been catching my eye recently are wedges. I don’t care what kind, as long as they’re a wedge then I’m sold. I’m fed up of wearing those sky high heels that absolutely wreck your feet after a heavy night out. Yes, not only do wedges look pretty, they are actually comfy to walk in too! They are so much more wearable than heels as they transition effortlessly from day to night. If that’s not enough to win you over, here are some high street and designer beauties that I’ve been lusting after...

Diane Von Furstenberg New Look Valentino

Topshop

Elizabeth & James

A Touch Of Magic

Lately I’ve been scouring the internet for inspiring fashion photography. With a fashion imaging project coming up, I need all of the inspiration that I can get. I’ve always been a huge fan of Tim Walker and have adored all of the fashion spreads he has done for Vogue especially. Surely you’re all familiar with the beautiful image of Lily Cole on a staircase in THAT dress? Breathtaking is the only word to describe it. His shoots are often extremely bizarre and always excessive and grand - in a good way of course! He always manages to incorporate scenery and props in such a way that makes the photo magical. Here are some other images that I’ve fallen in love with. His beautifully whimsical, romantic fashion photography takes me away to another world. Enjoy...


Lily Cole in this famous image. Beautiful.
A giant pet swan? It's standard when you're in a Tim Walker shoot.

This is probably one of my favourites, so delicate and captivating with that darker edge.

This was for Vogue Italia. So ethereal and it's almost as if the models and the fashion have become one.

This is so pretty and intriguing. Always puts a smile on my face.

These two are a great example of how he uses furniture and setting in such a unique and magical way.