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

Browns - Week 6

My last week at Browns followed the same template as all the others. Stock had to be shot, sorted, uploaded and returned. We had another stylist test, who again, did not have the right style to represent the Browns' woman, so there will be more trials to follow.

The past 6 weeks at Browns have taught me some interesting life lessons. I know what it takes to run a web studio for a high-end fashion retailer, and what is needed to outshine competitors to keep customers coming back to shop. I also learnt that I need to do a job that keeps me constantly moving and is not repetitive. I yearn to be creative, and bounce off my team's ideas, see new places and meet new people. I like to be challenged on a daily basis in my job. But, I am not everyone, and not everyone wants to do what I do, some people want to do graphic design and web editorial and I would never discourage that, only encourage, it just isn't right for me.

I would highly recommend interning at Browns for anyone who is trying to decide whether to apply. The staff are all lovely, within the studio, stores and dispatch. Everyone has been willing to help and made me feel at home. They all want to share their stories and have a good time, while delivering the customer service and products needed by a world-renowned fashion retailer. I will take many good things from my time at Browns, and look forward to using them in future roles.

Browns - Week 5

My penultimate week at Browns was a VERY slow one. Out of 5 days, we only had a model for one day, which means we had a lot of stock to get through and needed to fit in another trial for the stylist job that is on offer at the studio.

The stylist who came to do her trial day has previously worked at Topshop and currently works at Harvey Nichols, and this was very evident in her work. As much as her styling was interesting and youthful, it did not portray the Browns’ woman correctly, which is a more upper class client. 

After Tuesday’s shoot day we spent the other days doing odd jobs, and spent some of Friday preparing stock for a ‘Basics’ shoot that was being done for the website on the Saturday. A trend shoot is meant to be done atleast once a season, but due to funding and short-staffing, this hasn’t been the case. I wasn’t able to attend the shoot on Saturday due to having to go to work at the weekend. 

I don’t think there is much of a shooting schedule this week, and new season stock is going down to a trickle, so we will see how my last week goes.

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

Browns - Week 4

Having a 4-day week meant output was very slow at Browns last week. We only shot stock on one day last week, which cause a large call for the concern the day before when we had to arrange a last-minute model call in. We managed to everything shot and some extra, which was met by a huge sigh of relief.

To make output figures higher and reach full potential at the studio, the team need a second stylist to allow stock to be shot and all other admin tasks done effectively. After many applications, finally trials started last week. A girl who currently works for Browns, but in dispatch, had her trial in the studio on Friday. Asked to work out two trend boards, and style 10 pieces with our model; Claire had a successful trial and everyone enjoyed working with her. So, now we just have to see how the other trials go!

A few intermittent weeks of output have meant I don’t feel like I am fulfilling my capability. I have yet to touch a camera or style clothing, and a, saddened by this. With a few weeks left to go, I feel it will run much the same for the remainder of my time here. Originally I was meant to complete an 8 week placement at Browns, but have reduced it down to 6 weeks due to the fact that I don’t feel like I am learning as much as I could be.

Browns - Week 3

Another week at Browns has seen me settle into my role as ‘chief’ intern (being the one that has been the longest) and complete much of the same roles as have been given to me from the beginning.

Last week was a slow week in the studio, with model cancellations, internet/server problems and the long weekend meaning that output hasn’t been the greatest. All new stock was shot on a whirlwind day on Wednesday, and left us with Thursday to clear up everything before our days off.

Most of my week was spent correcting copy errors and uploading new pieces to the website, while Adam wasn’t shooting. After much discussion over model arrangements within the company and with agencies, Adam was able to arrange a good model package on Friday, which saw four wonderful girls come for a casting. They were all great for the job and after deciding who he liked, we now must play the waiting game to see if their availability between them allows us to set up a consistent flowing shoot rota.

Hopefully this week will pick up once we gain a full-time model and see us produce the highest studio output we can.

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

Browns - Week 2

My second week at Browns has seen me develop the tasks I worked on last week, and establish a more solid roll. 2 new interns joined me, and then 2 old ones left at the end of the week, which means we are now a set of 3 to work in the wed studio.

There is an ongoing problem with finding a model who is able to work full time in the studio, allowing to run at our highest output, meaning that last week we were very low on shooting new stock. 2 out of 5 days were shot on, therefore there is a back log going into this week.

Last week taught me what it takes to keep a website running for such a renowned fashion hub, and hopefully they will be able to overcome the growing hurdles.

The Wanderer

I am finally very pleased to release a photoshoot that I shot in February with a great team of friends, and the wonderful Emily Jago from STORM Models.

It was a hectic shoot schedule and after a few mishaps, we finally shot on a very pleasant day down on Camber Sands beach in East Sussex. The shoot was based on nomadic dress, and the art of modern layering. 

Being a freelance photographer, it is very difficult to shoot well on location without a team supporting you. Working with a group of very talented friends and the amazing Emily J, I was able to happily and successfully shoot away on 35mm all day long. After a little bit of post-production, we are all very happy with the results, and I believe it is one of my best shoots to date.

Any photographers out there who are scared to experiment on film, don't be! It is such a liberating way to work and has really improved the way I see my images and assess my art direction. As you cannot see the images you are taking like on digital cameras, you are forced to be more careful and trust your judgement in each frame.

I also, had a lovely feature on this shoot from The Creative Book, who have been nothing but supportive with my work! They are and amazing online platform for all creatives looking to get their work out into the industry, and collaborate with other creatives. Everyone should sign up and get working! 

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Photography and Art Direction: Sophia Chemaitelli

Styling: Scarlett Giannotti and Josh Abbott

Hair & Make-up: Kitty Kinder

Photographic Assistant: Sara Nia and Sian Collinge

Model: Emily J @ STORM

Browns - Week 1

So my first week of working at the Browns web studio on South Molten Street was not what I expected, but still in a good way. On arrival I was introduced to the permanent team and other interns, and then showed around the Browns’ locations that i’d call home for the next 2 months.

Each day has gone in a similar fashion. I arrived and go to ‘The Yard’ to collect new stock that needs to be photographed for the website. Once the stock has been checked off in the studio, we steam it and hang it up to be shot when the fitting model arrives.

If I am not sorting new stock, you will find me behind a computer working with the copywriters on the back-end of the website. We have to make sure that every item has the write description and details before it goes live on the site for customers to see.

Once Adam (in-house stylist) and the photographer have photographed the new stock, it needs to be measured and all fabric/care instructions noted, so that the copywriters can include this in each item’s text.

At the beginning/end of day, we take all new stock that we are done with to the relevant store to put away; Browns South Molten Street, Browns Focus or Browns menswear, where we again, check it all off and put it in the stock room in it’s correct place.

When there is no model in-session, sometimes accessories will be shot by Anders (product photographer) all day at the accessories studio, or the time is used to catch-up on perfecting the website.

When taking on this internship, I expected to be doing more photography/styling with the team, and not so much staring at a computer screen. But, all experience is good experience, and I have already learnt things that I did not know before. Hopefully, as the weeks go on, I will be doing more hands-on work in the fields I am most comfortable and interested in. But, e-commerce experience at Browns will be invaluable on my CV, and I look forward to seeing what more the next 7 weeks has to offer.

Not Shooting People

It has been 2 months since I posted on here, and in this 2 months I have shot another 2 projects; one which I cannot reveal yet, and one which I will.

This month I shot a still-life editorial based on if the top fashion designers created homeware out of their S/S 13 collections. A lot of prop making, extensive studio tests and no models or clothes, saw me do something I am very not used to.

The final editorial is one that is beautiful and that I am very proud of, in a very different way to usual. It was the calmest project I have ever undertaken, but also made me feel very uncomfortable to not be working with people.

So, here is a selection:

Photography, Prop design, and Realization: Sophia Chemaitelli

Yellow fur drinking cup by CELINE

Red chiffon tablecloth by GARETH PUGH

Hand-painted enevelope (part of set) by MARY KATRANTZOU

Pink organza curtain with embellishment by CHRISTOPHER KANE 

Wood and enamel draughts board by LOUIS VUITTON

White lace and PVC umbrella by VALENTINO

Flower arrangement by ALEXANDER MCQUEEN