Happy weekend!

images via Hermes

It's official since Tuesday: it's summer!!! And indeed the clouds seem to have shied away here in London, at last! I can not wait to go for a nice summer picnic this weekend, with lots of good cheese, cornichons (my favourites! I always bring a jar from France with me), ripe tomatoes, nectarines and strawberries, and of course a good crispy baguette and a nice bottle of wine... mmm...

What's your favourite picnic ingredient?

Happy weekend!

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Ça y est, c'est officiel depuis mardi: c'est l'été!!! Et en effet, on dirait que les nuages se sont décidés à finalement se cacher, ici à Londres, pffiou! J'ai hâte d'aller pique-niquer ce week-end, avec plein de bons fromages, des cornichons (mes préférés! D'ailleurs j'en ramène toujours un bocal de France), de bonnes tomates bien mûres, des nectarines et des fraises pour couronner le tout, et bien sûr, sans oublier, une bonne baguette bien croustillante ainsi qu'une bouteille de rouge... mmm...

Quel est votre ingrédient préféré pour un pique-nique?

Bon week-end!

Electric blue+mint+sand=gorgeous collection

images via Style.com

Love Matthew Williamson resort 2012 collection. These saturated colours make me happy! So chic and relaxed at the same time.... I have a little preference for the cute little blue dress at the top right.

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J'aime beaucoup la nouvelle collection resort 2012 de Matthew Williamson. Ces couleurs saturées me rendent joyeuses! Tres chic et relax à la fois... J'ai une petite préférence pour la robe bleue en haut à droite.

Alexandra Diez de Rivera

I discovered her work via Daily Candy last week, and my first thought was " Wow, how fun and unusual!"
Alexandra Diez de Rivera, a Central St. Martins graduate based in Shanghai, "embarked in [The Alternative Portrait Project in 2007]  suggesting an alternative portrait where more than the mere appearance of a subject was revealed"


Several images of the same people (sometimes in different settings) can be merged into one same photo, creating fanciful atmospheres, and somewhat hallucinating, with a welcome touch of irony.
What a breath of fresh air for usually boring family portraits!

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J'ai découvert son travail à travers Daily Candy la semaine dernière, et ma première pensée a été: «Waw, des photos fun et insolites!"

Alexandra Diez de Rivera, une  diplômée de Central Saint Martins, vivant à Shanghai, s’est "embarquée dans [Le projet Portrait Alternatif en 2007], proposant un portrait alternatif où plus que la simple apparence du sujet est révélée»

Plusieurs images d’une même personne (parfois dans des contextes différents) peuvent être fusionnées en une seule photo, créant ainsi des ambiances fantasques, et parfois un peu hallucinantes, avec une touche d'ironie qui n'est pas pour me déplaire.  .

Quel souffle d'air frais pour les portraits de famille, que je trouve d’habitue si ennuyeuses!

all images via Alexandra Diez de Rivera

Lanvin for H&M

Love, love, love Lanvin collection for H&M!!! In store from today (... and I'm sure will sold out very soon!)

images all H&M

Stella McCartney resort collection

Stella Mc Cartney Resort 2011 via Nancy Z (images from Style.com)

I love the contrast of the big bold retro flowers and the ultra neat and sharp cut. It makes for a very strong statement! I wouldn't say no to a few of them!

Nadinoo

Today I would like to share with you the work of one my favourite Etsy designer: Nadinoo
Nadia, the designer behind this cute label kindly lent me some of her pieces for my photoshoot: here, here and here.

"Celebrating the lady from era’s gone by, Nadinoo invites timeless silhouettes and detailing to create it’s vintage felt collections. Designs include boastful bows, flirtatious frills and beautiful bell shapes in sumptuous silks and cottons from Liberty of London prints."

So here she tells us a bit more about her and her work:

Where did you grow up and where do you currently live?

I had grown up between Lancashire, England and Tripoli, Libya; I currently live in East London.

What, if any, formal training have you had in fashion design/dressmaking?

I studied a 4 Year Fashion design and Technology degree at Manchester Metropolitan University.

What do you find is the most challenging in your work?

Fitting everything I need to do into my day is always tricky, I still haven’t managed a full weekend off this year.

What three words spring to mind when you think of your lovely clothes?

Pretty, Cutesy and Playful..

Where do you find your inspiration?

Everywhere really, I don’t think I ever switch off as I’m inspired even by my dreams on the occasion. I love scouring vintage stores and flea markets through dusty rails to find forgotten treasures, I’ve found so many pretty detailing and silhouettes that filter through into Nadinoo designs. I like my collections to have a hint of inspiration from all my favourite eras, so there is a little something for everyone.

If you could be a piece of clothing what would it be and why?

I think I would be my big Velvet Orange hat with fruit on it, I think it’s nuts but makes me smile when I wear it :)

5 things you love?

* My Fiancé

*Fish & Chips

*Books

*Cups of tea

*Sunshine

What is your favourite material?

I love working in cotton it is so nice to handle cut and sew giving you a perfectly finished garment each time.

What does the future hold for you and your shop?

We hope to open up our first Nadinoo boutique in London early next year with adjoining atelier. I have really enjoyed the contact and conversations we have had with our customers over the internet but to do it in person will be even more fun!

Fore more info, Nadia's website and lovely blog...

Behind the scenes interview with Carli-Art photography...

After the photoshoot, I took some time to speak with Carli, the talented photographer behind my new photos. Carli shares what it takes to be a successful photographer, what she liked about the shoot and tells us about her addiction to handbags...

Carli, you trained as a fashion Designer. What made you change to photography?

I studied fashion and garment construction as an ND and loved it however following a year out after college I decided I wanted to explore something different in terms of experimenting visually, so got stuck in and completed a BA Hons Photography Degree.  I always liked photography but I am not one of those photographers ‘who picked up a camera at 2 and here I am’ kind of thing!

What do you feel is the most challenging in photography?

Distinguishing yourself from others.  The industry has changed a lot and there are a lot of people out there calling themselves photographers nowadays with little training or experience and an idea it’s a quick way to make money.  Personally I believe not only do you have to be technically efficient but also you have to have an eye for it, a talent and an artistic bone running through you.  Creativity is key.

When did you first pick up a camera?

Goodness I can’t remember, those cool plastic kid ones weren't about when I was little! 

What is your favourite camera and/or lense?

I haven't used enough of a range to say plus it changes depending on what I am doing.  I like to use the Canon 5d Mark2 and I love a 28-300mm lens.  I have however just got a Holga which is a toy Medium Format camera and that is great, so different and fun, it makes you shoot with more freedom!

Where do you find inspiration?

All over the place really but I read a lot, both theoretical books (mainly on identity, fashion, advertising and gender!) and also I spend a disgusting amount on fashion and art magazines!!

How would you describe your photographic style?

Ooo that’s a good one.  I like to ask questions with my photography so hopefully the images do that, as well as answering the clients’ needs!  I don’t do ‘polished’ imagery, it tends to be softer if that means anything.

What attracted you in this project with bagatelles&co?

I love fashion for a start so that got me straight away and I am just keen to keep involved with people in that industry, be it designers, stylists, make up artists or models.  I also have a weakness for bags and these are rather lovely!

The photoshoot was great fun, what was the best part of the day for you?

Yes it was, everyone was lovely.  The best part of the day is usually just after the first 30 mins of shooting.  Its hard at the start as everyone is excited & it takes a while for things to come together, you start shooting and it doesn’t just work...you need that first 30 mins or so then bam, you have it. The fire has come alive and the creativity flows!

What are your plans for the future?

To continue to freelance, both in Fashion and events and advertising, I really enjoy learning about other people and their business’s and then illustrating those values in imagery.  I would like to end up with my own studio / gallery space and run workshops for the community and introduce them to different skills, photography and business wise.  I would really like to do something with the local community and young people, there just isn’t enough out there at the moment for those aged between about 11 and 19 years.

Anything else you would like to add about Carli-Art?

There are always tea and cake on offer if you come see me, I have a massive sweet tooth!! If you want to check out news then you can visit my blog and I also have a newsletter.

 
p.s: and if you want to read more, here is her interview with me...! 

Alexander McQueen

via garance dore

The news of Alexander McQueen's death came as a shock.
He was one of my favourite Designer, and after working in his sudio for several months, I was inspired to pursue my studies in Tailoring. While interning there, I was working on both Textile development and Pattern Cutting/Sewing. It was such an intense experience! It was a lot of hard work but very creative at the same time.
He had a huge library full of beautiful and inspiring books and a big table in the centre where we could work on new embroidery designs.
Every season, I used to wait with impatience for his shows. They were always so full of emotions, going far beyond fashion...

Autumn/Winter 2006

Spring/Summer 2007

Autumn/Winter 2008

Tim Walker

The amazing work of photographer Tim Walker

invites us in a poetic world of daydreams and wonderful fantasy...

I would LOVE to own one of his beautiful books, aaah perhaps one day...

found on flickr lolaCrayola