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 | 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...

Behind the Scenes: cover shoot with Kelly Brook for Fabulous magazine

My cover with Kelly Brook for Fabulous magazine was out yesterday.

Here are a few snaps from the day:

Styling up.

Rails and rails...

Gorgeous Moschino embellished collar dress.

Just some of the people on a cover shoot.

The view from our rooftop location.

Fashion is not always glamourous. The packing up takes HOURS!

Here are some shots the mag used:

All pictures © Mark Hayman/Fabulous

A new work mini-adventure

I've been working pretty much full-time in-house on a fashion weekly since the start of the year, and although I miss the freelance life of lie-ins, "working" in a trackie on the sofa and the occasional solo spa afternoon (Cowshed is my expensive weakness in life), it is great to be working on an editorial team again. I'm doing what I love most  - planning, styling and directing main fashion shoots.

I'll post my new editorials here as soon as they have gone to press. But for the moment, a few tiny snippets of life on Southwark Street...

A very early start this morning.. The view of London is incredible from the canteen.

Leaving late... The coolest buildings are popping up all over the area around Borough.

Beautiful roses from New Covent Garden Flower Market used in a shoot.

A sneak peek at some of the accessories for tomorrow's story.

NICOLE SCHERZINGER

The shoot with one of the biggest names I have ever worked with is out today in Fabulous - the very beautiful and very talented Nicole Scherzinger.

Here are some of the shots...

Nicole wears What Katie Did and Spjkers en Spijkers

Wearing Miss Selfridge skirt, Marlies Dekkers bra top and LK Bennett shoes.

Looking stunning in Atsuko Kudo.
All pictures © Mark Hayman/Fabulous 

We shot in a beautiful glass location house to get the effect of natural daylight through the space... cue heavy rain, blustery winds knocking over outside lights and Nicole not being ready from hair and make-up till the sun was disappearing. However the shot still looks beautiful despite the rain.

The petite and perfectly-formed Nicole loved the clothes and we worked together to choose her outfits. The winners including a designer latex dress from Atsuko Kudo, bra tops from What Katie Did and Marlies Dekkers, skirts from Spijkers en Spijkers and Miss Selfridge (she was happy to wear High Street - hurrah!).

The sun sets on a VERY long, but very successful day in North West London...

Ellie Simmonds for Fabulous

Today's cover of Fabulous featured the world-record-breaking-gold-medal-winning-teen-swimming-sensation Ellie Simmonds, styled by me.

We went for a mix of girly lace with tomboy shirts, cute collars and tough embellishment. Winning outfits were from Topshop and River Island.

Ellie has THE most infectious laugh and my assistant and I had a ball behind the closed doors of the dressing room with her. And if something didn't fit or didn't look great? (Every stylists fear...) No problem! On to the next with a giggle. What a top girl.

Ellie and her infectious smile in the dressing room

Love this look on Ellie © Sean McMenomy/Fabulous .

The cover © Sean McMenomy/Fabulous . 

Hot off the press... Kelly O

Ta-da! I can finally reveal the Kelly O cover I've been waiting to share, out this Sunday, shot by the super cool Euan Danks...

I LOVED working with Kelly. I was dubious after what I've read about her over the years but she is the most easy-going down-to-earth girl ever. We clicked and I had such a laugh whilst producing what is probably my favourite cover shoot. Super fashion, super editorial. V proud of this one.