Metallics shoot | From moodboard to magazine...

The last of my Barbados shoots was out the other week and I was really pleased with how I managed to achieve the original concept I had with this one. It doesn't always work like that and sometimes you have to let go of much-loved original ideas.

It was a metallics story, "7 days of shine" - how to add a bit of sparkle or shimmer to your Summer wardrobe.

Here is a picture of the original moodboard I made a few weeks before we shot when I was brainstorming story ideas:

And here's the moodboard from my shoot:

I never wanted to copy any of the shots form the moodboard but wanted to capture those mouthwatering blues, the warmth, and the shine of the clothes.

It was a long hard day that day - our final shoot on a ten day trip, but we pulled it out the (sequin clutch) bag. Thanks to a fantastic team.

All the clothes are High Street unlike all the designer on the original moodboard. Check out the cheap as chips white blazer from Primark...

Here are the final pictures that went into the magazine:

Swimwear Editorial | Some Like It Hot

It's been a while since I blogged - but not without reason. We've been moving house and it turned out to be a mammoth task that zapped us of money, sleep, energy, and time to do much else but shift furniture, clean, dust and paint in the last couple of weeks.

So big apols for the absenteeism, but how's this for a warm welcome back - the latest Barbados editorial is out this week in Look magazine. It's a retro swimwear story we called Some Like It Hot. I'd like it hot please. (Or at least to be at Glastonbury. May head off camping this weekend in protest.)

We shot the story on location at a swanky resort. This pool belongs to Joe Calzaghe and the house next door was a certain Wayne Rooney's...

Here some pics for you to whisk you away to sunnier climes.

All pictures © LOOK Magazine

Fashion trip | And the winners were...

So I finally managed to get my two girls for the LOOK magazine trip to Barbados - the very beautiful Vera at Select and Lyza at Storm.

And unbeknownst to me, they are best friends! How nice! That meant they got to hang out for a couple of days together.

These girls have a great look but are also versatile which is perfect when you are away and shooting so many stories. Plus I have worked with them before so I knew how fab they both are.

Vera at a cafe one lunchtime. How cool?

Lyza doing an early morning fitting on my tropical balcony!

Barbados was mega hard work for everyone but rewarding. We achieved 6 very different stories, despite both heavy rain (non stop all day) and shine (sweaty, draining shine!).

The shoots will start to come out in a couple of weeks then through out Summer so keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime here are just a few random behind the scenes snaps from all the team -some teasers of where/what we shot from the trip...

More to follow!

Fashion trip | Model Casting

So we are full steam ahead for the Barbados trip. Countdown = 6 days.

One of the last things to be sorted will be finalising models as it's hard to secure the girls until late in the day, depending on their other work options holding.  

I am currently casting girls inbetween running around showrooms selecting the clothes, and a million and one other things.

Casting girls for great editorial is one of my favourite parts of my job.

I need two fantastic girls for this trip, they will each do 3 stories so will need to be very versatile.

Yesterday I popped into M+P Model Agency in Soho to meet some of their girls. Here are just some of my favourite faces:

ANNA M

DAFNE

JOSEPHIN

JENNIFER

Still a few more to see then it will be decision time.

Look out for the girls that get selected when the shoots are published!

Fashion Trip | Barbados!

I'm off to Barbados!

For work!

Hurrah!

Bognor on a good day. Or Barbados?
(Picture © barbados.org)

These are the things that you work so hard for. Years as an assistant who no one talks to or cares about, a million Devil Wears Prada moments ("You're going to the Polo with your husband this weekend? How lovely. Yes of COURSE I can get him an outfit in half an hour!"), late nights, freelancing on desks where they don't bother to learn your name ("Fashion, where is your copy?"), working for peanuts... it all pays off when you get to do a trip like this.

So I'm off to Barbados in a last minute decision by the magazine I am working for to shoot 6 main fashion stories.

Usually a Fashion Editor would have about eight weeks to plan something like this. I have about one. Cue eye twitches and sitting bolt upright in the middle of the night, heart pounding. 

So prep is underway. Photographers have been found, flights booked, clothes are being sourced and locations scouted.

As much as it is exciting, it's equally stressful.

And the weather? My enemy at the moment. Let's just keep our fingers crossed!

So stay tuned to see how it all goes...