Alternative Print ft. Fashion156

It's Print Week on Fashion156, and as much as i'm sure you all want me talk about my favourite print designers like Holly Fulton, Erdem and Diane Von Furstenberg, I like the alternate route that has been taken.

I am a photographer, and at heart, one that shoots on film and loves it. There is something so raw and emotional about the colours, the chemical process that goes on, and the idea that these images take such a great deal of trust in creation. Every time I put in a roll of film to be processed, my stomach fills with butterflies and I am anxious to see the results of my hardwork and trust in the lens.

I thought i'd start off by showing some of my film work, and then move onto film work by the photographers I look upto most.

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White (35mm colour and 120mm black & white) by Sophia Chemaitelli

The Wanderer (35mm colour) by Sophia Chemaitelli

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For any of you that follow fashion editorials' movers and shakers, you will have heard of Paolo Roversi, and you will know that he only shoots on film. He achieves Tim Walker's dreams through the process of his camera (and yes, some amazing set design and couture here and there). But, it is mainly the medium that he chooses to shoot photographs in, that allows him to create such etheral, breathtaking, peaceful imagery.

Natalia Vodianova for Egoiste No. 15 and Freja Beha Erichsen for Vogue Italia March 2008 (respectively) by Paolo Roversi

Sally Mann is a more unkown personality in the photography world, more known to the fine art world as one who mixes photography with her personal feelings of death, youth and her family. Using large format camera, glass plates and silver nitrate, Sally Mann's work can take a long time to produce. Her subjects sometimes have to sit/lie infront of the camera for hours to allow a solid appearance on the film to develop. The result of this patience on both sides is beautiful; you are made to question youth and death, and what both mean in family life and what they can do to a person.

Selection from 'Immediate Family' by Sally Mann

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Head over to Fashion156 to see their pick of film photographers and print extraordinaire!

Minimalistic Tendencies

This week on Fashion156 it's Minimalism Week, and I have to admit, I want it to be Minimalism month atleast! I have always dressed in a simplistic manner; spending most days in a pair of heels, jeans and an array of shirts, chic and easy to spend my day in meetings and running around. The masters of minimalism in the fashion world today are Celine, Alexander Wang and Costume National, to name but a few.

Alexander Wang S/S 13 -- Celine S/S 13

(photos courtesy of STYLE.com)

Calvin Klein Collection S/S 13 -- Stella McCartney S/S 13 -- Costume National S/S 13

(photos courtesy of STYLE.com)

To celebrate minimalism, Fashion156 has put together theit best selection of street style photos and buys to guide you through the trend. Combining textures, cuts and colours; it's about effortless chic, that's still clever and a breath of fresh air.

Minimal street style (photos courtesy of Fashion156)

Minimal essentials (photo courtesy of Fashion156)

Being such a fan of the look, a lot of my work has been based on such clean and crips ideas, so I thought now would be a perfect time to share it with you!

Lighten Up

(in)sanity

Isolated

White

Dreaming Everyday

This week's theme on Fashion156 is 'Dreams' which is one I am all for! I may not be a heavy sleeper, but I do wish for nights full of wonderful dreams. If pyjama daywear could in any way encourage peaceful nights of sleep I would wear it everyday, and after this week's blog posts on Fashion156, I definitely feel like I should. 

I'm going to do something a bit different with post, and actually pick a few of my favourite ways to wear the trend and where you can pick up the pieces.

Bip Ling/Rihanna

Florence Welch/Jessica Alba

All the celebrities above are chanelling great all-in-one looks, and in my opinion this is the best way to go, dive in! But, for those of you that aren't so daring when it comes to all-over print, i'll put together some simpler looks for you to dip your toes in.

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A suit is my favurite way to take on the pyjama trend as there are so many fabrics and prints you can mix & match to suit how loud you're feeling. This set from The Kooples is perfect the relaxed work look, but still looks smart and perfectly on trend when teameed with some pop-colour courts.

Snake-print silk jacket and trousers from The Kooples 

For the Summer months, when the heat doesn't permit trousers, team of pair of pyjama shorts with a basic tee or short-sleeved shirt. This is good way to wear all one colour, as your legs and feet will put you at ease.

Vintage lace shorts and Dip-due checked shorts from Topshop

Some of you may not believe that dress or comical prints really fit in this category, but what could actually be better!? A little lace and silk number wouldn't go a miss, and surely kids crazy disney/animal print pyjamas were everyone's favourites.

Lace dress from Warehouse and Pink dog print trousers from River Island

DIY On The Catwalk

DIY is a trend that I find hard to replicate myself; obviously my print, colour, body coordination isn't right for it, but Fashion156 have proved that there are many designers and people that have it oh so right.

All over the A/W 13 there were designers bursting to show their take on the trend, with badges, patches, embellishment and colours running wild! With times being hard, designers are looking to reflect the times; people are saving money by re-vamping old clothes, making them into new ones or just giving them a little spruce; anything to stay on-trend but in the black.

Louise Gray gave us metallic trays and duct tape bangles

Ashish presented the all-important reflective jacket

James Long's knits were sea-worn and recycled

Dsquared went 90's badge collecting

The Rodarte sisters brought matching applique and tie-dye to the catwalk

Ethnic print and patchwork were the order of the day at Vivienne Westwood

Menswear

I have a love-hate relationship with menswear fashion and editorials; it's either too safe or too mental. Fashion156 have restored my faith in mens styling, by producing a wonderful editorial on review of the London Men Collections.

The editorial is a beautiful mix of new designers, that all seamlessly fits together. The location, a classroom allows the clothes to speak loud and clear. The clothing isn't majorly outrageous, that's not what makes it good. The tailoring is clean, the patterns are suitable, the models are cast very well, and the art direction is perfect.

The designers features have taken classic menswear and altered it in a modern and innovative way; playing with texture, proportions and print to update classic items. This is what I believe makes fashion successful; not creating a monstrousity, but simply adding your stamp to what is.

Coat, shirt and tie by E.Tautz

Shirt, trousers and jacket by Alan Taylor

Shirt, Trousers, Shoes and hate by T.Llpop

Kilt, trousers, jacket, hat and shirt by Alan Taylor

Jacket, trousers and shirt by Joesph Turvey

Shoes by Joseph Turvey for Hush Puppies

Body Restriction

 While browsing through the A/W 13 trends on Fashion156, I came across so much that I had forgotten about since we laid eyes on the fashion weeks in February. They offer a beautiful, concise round-up of all the trends, and I found myself  getting lost in further and further trend pages, and completely losing track of time (in the best way obviously)! On reflection, I decided I wanted to showcase my favourite trends that we have to look forward to in the season ahead. Afterall, England isn’t getting a Summer, and Winter is way more my kind of season. Let me hear you say, ‘layering’!

A/W 13 saw a lot of models being sent down the runway in looks that encased their body in layers of fabric of all kinds, caging the body’s movement, keeping it warm for the winter months.

Alexander McQueen took this trend the furthest, sending their girls down the runway in face cages, heavily cinched waists and armour-like clothing. Very reminiscent of Viktor & Rolf’s A/W 06 collection, McQueen adds pearls, lace and brocade to their ‘restricted’ looks.

The next take on this trend, was wrapping the shoulders in shawls and turtle necks, keeping the chill out and using every kind of luxury, cosy material. This avenue gave a more elegant air to most of the collections, meaning it appealed to a wider audience; but, we all know the house of McQueen aren’t seeking to do that, they want separation in the form of art, and it is always a spectacle like no other.

Encasement is the way to dress for the Autumn/Winter season, and the designer’s that have taken this on, have done it in a way that speaks their label’s name. Céline’s show was the most talked about, besides Alexander Wang’s debut at Balenciaga, of course. Decking their models out in oversized coats, shawls and dresses made of the simplest, but most beautiful neutral fabrics, they incorporated a weird one for us all; launderette bag print. Yes. High necks, swathed shoulders and coats tied at the waist wrapped the Céline girls up warm and stylish. Why have anything less?

image courtesy of: www.fashion156.com

From Left to Right (Top row): Céline, Stella McCartney, Marni, Akris, Gareth Pugh

From Left to Right (Bottom row): Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gautier, Pedro Lourenço