A promising weekend and a lovely feature

I can't believe it's already the end of June! This month has gone so fast, I even didn't have time to do half of what I had planned, but I'm really grateful to everyone who chose to trust bagatelles&co and to all the wonderful bloggers who featured my work in the past few weeks! Speaking of which, I had a lovely surprise over the weekend to see my Azulejos clucth featured in pretty pretty blog Creature Comforts.

One of my best friend is getting married this weekend in Paris, and guess who's making her dress? ... he he it's me! I have only a few days left to make sure it's all fine and fitting well... (oh stress!)  and to complete my last orders for the month. I'll be leaving for Paris in a couple of days, I can't wait to meet up with all my friends and family, and of course, cherry on the cake, to see my friend wearing "my dress" on her big day! I'll be posting photos of the dress when I'm back next week...
On this note, I leave you with some pretty wedding inspiration found on Pinterest...

via decor8 on Pinterest

via green wedding shoes on pinterest

via project wedding on pinterest

... and my Azulejos clutch in Creature Comforts ( unfortunately sold out by now...)

We Make London Summer edition

Oh la la !!! It has been so busy this week that I completely forgot to mention I was participating to  We Make London summer craft fair tomorrow...

I will be mostly selling my little brooches and Gigi purses, although I'll still bring along a few of my bigger bags. There will also be cute bows made of Liberty fabric to wear as a brooch...
Etsy is the main sponsor and will be organizing a raffle so it should be fun!
I know it's really hard to think about staying indoors on a Saturday afternoon with such a nice weather but it should be a nice event with lots of nice Designer/Makers ( 80!!! can you believe it!!!?)
Anyway, I'm looking forward to it!

Coeur de Pirate

Since I recently discovered Coeur de Pirate, I've been listening to them everyday! This particular song keeps humming in my head... I love the lighthearted retro feel to it... Perfect to start off the week!


Coeur de pirate || Ensemble from Dare To Care Records 

Summer is coming...

Cannelle et Vanille

Princesse Tam-Tam

Butter London

Oh Miss Flower!

Beautiful photos by Bo-Lee for Vogue Korea via the Fashion Post

I love everything: the colours, the flowers, the accessories, amazing styling and the girls are so cute!

Pretty things: feeling crafty

via Oh Happy Day

via butterflyfoodie

diy pom pom via once wed

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...

Summer in Purple!

I was having fun this morning matching some of my bags/purses with real clothes... here is the result!

From left to right and from top to bottom:

Hoss Intropia Violet Dress

Pink Flower Detail Hair Clip

Purple Paisley Gigi purse

Dalila flat espadrille sandals

Jovonna Bib Layer Dress

Hoss Intropia Yellow Fabric Bracelet

Confetti Gigi purse

Diane von furstenberg shoes

Cream/Purple Floral Frill Playsuit - Playsuits/Jumpsuits -...

Hoss Intropia Petal Brooch

Pink Flowers Mimi handbag

Floral Undertones Wedge

Purple haze...

Some new purple designs in my shop...

Oh and last week, lovely Joy featured my little Gigi purses in her inspirational design and fashion blog Oh Joy!

Strange Color Blue

Guess what's my favourite colour?!...

... Sea, sky, and moon were on my mind the last few days...

... bags recently added in my shop (ok except 4 of them!)

... and for your ears..."Strange Color Blue" by my favourite Norwegian band Madrugada...

More photos and a blog feature!

... and bagatelles&co was featured on inspirational design blog Mint. Thank you Ellie!

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...!