Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Nastya

Russian model Nastya Kusakina (IMG), after Dior Couture, Paris, July 2012.

Paris Men's Fashion Week SS 2013...Laura

Laura Poorta, Paris, June 2012.

We were walking to grab some lunch before another men's show in Paris when I spotted Laura (who is from Ibiza and was working in a showroom at men's fashion week). I love how she paired her very pretty, pale pink dress with the biker boots: tough + girly all at once.

Recreate Laura's look (kind of):

Magda Berliner vintage lace dress, Kova & T Sailor dress, Miu Miu ruffled silk chiffon dress, Charlotte Ronson floral dress or Keepsake Lost Without You Dress

Alexander Wang distressed leather ankle boots, Rag & Bone Deacon boots, Rag & Bone Moto Boots II or London Rebel hiker boots

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Vlada and Alla

Vlada Roslyakova and Alla Kostromichova, after Stephane Rolland, Paris, July 2012.

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Ulyana

Ulyana Sergeenko, after Giambattista Valli, Paris, July 2012.

Taking inspiration from Ulyana's amazing print dress: Anna Sui knit trimmed dress, Leaves of Grass Corinthian embroidered dress or ONE by Erin Fetherston halter maxi dress

Chloe leather peep-toe booties or Jimmy Choo Gio leather peep-toe booties

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Anya

Anya Ziourova, Fashion Director Tatler Russia, before Dior Couture, Paris July 2012.

Recreate Anya's look (kind of):

Crisp white suit: Burberry London white blazer + Burberry London white pants, Theory Ceit Vamp blazer + Theory Yadie B Vamp pants, or ASOS Blazer with roll sleeve (in white) + ASOS straight leg pants

If head-to-toe white is too high maintenance, then try separates: Theory Italeen stretch canvas blazer, Calvin Klein Collection Jens Jacket, Alice + Olivia Olivia wide waistband pants

Jenni Kayne ankle strap heels, Givenchy animal print sandals, ASOS Harlot stiletto leather sandals

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Alexandra

Aussie model Alexandra Agoston-O'Connor, after Basil Soda Couture, Paris, July 2012.

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 12/13....Tilda

Swedish model Tilda Lindstam (IMG), after Dior Couture, Paris, July 2012.

Adore this floral romper on Tilda (like Zina's) - I think she looks so sweet! The first time I photographed Tilda was in NYC at my first New York fashion week in 2010. She was sitting on a stoop outside a show wearing a vintage jacket and Dr. Martens...it is so fun to see these girls grow up and their style evolve.

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 12/13....Elena

Elena Perminova, before Chanel Couture, Paris, July 2012.

Another maxi dress - sheer this time - in the prettiest nude/blush/pale pink. Oh so beautiful and perfect with Elena's skin tone and hair colour.

Blush dress inspiration:  Elizabeth and James Sandy silky chiffon dress, Nina Ricci crochet hemmed satin dress, Vanessa Bruno dress or Miu Miu ruffled silk-chiffon dress

Sophie Hulme tote bag

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Mia

Lovely Mia Marionette from No Strings Attached blog, before Jean Paul Gaultier, Paris July 2012.

Mia and I were reminiscing in Paris about the first time we met/I photographed her.....I think it was my very first Paris Fashion Week. It is always so lovely to meet up with everyone during each fashion month - I think we all describe it as being very much like the first day back at school: we are excited, slightly nervous (okay, maybe that is only me!), curious about what everyone has been up to over the summer/winter. We laugh together, whinge together "how many bl**dy miles do we have to walk between lines at Châtelet"*, photograph together and sometimes even have a little cry together (mostly not photography related!). I wonder if it is the same for the backstage photographers, the catwalk photographers, the make-up artists, the editors and buyers.....

Recreate Mia's Look (kind of):

Try: Zadig & Voltaire broderie skirt, ASOS peplum skirt in broderie anglaise, Preen Tilly skirt or this pretty Milly eyelet dress

Splendid layers tank , Victoria Beckham Denim tank or ASOS scoop tank (in white)

French Connection flat sandals or K. Jacques Gina flat sandals

* most of us avoid Châtelet unless absolutely necessary!

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Lisa

New Face Lisa Prins (Major Paris), after Christophe Josse, Paris, July 2012.

Paris Men's Fashion Week SS 2013....Ursina

Ursina Gysi, after Maison Martin Margeila (men's), Paris, June 2012.

Oh My. Those. Boots. 

My conversation with Ursina went along these lines - Me: Ooooo I love those boots Ursina! Where are they from? Erdem?!  Ursina: Maison Martin Margiela. (Um, yeah, so that was when I wished the ground would swallow me up a little bit.....I mean, I don't think that Erdem has even shown a collection with knee high boots - let alone in this print! I really need to just stick to the photography side of things I think ;)

Recreate Ursina's Look (kind of):

Vince roll sleeve ribbed sweater, J.Crew cashmere sweater, Joie Christelle sweater 

BB Dakota vega skirt, Miu Miu wool skirt

Statement boots: Nicholas Kirkwood boots, Jimmy Choo python knee boots or Diane von Furstenberg Shelly boots

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13....Anna

Anna Dello Russo in Givenchy, Place Vendôme, Paris, July 2012.

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Before Giambattista Valli

Paris, July 2012.

Apart from her Christopher Kane shirt and very cute mini, I just love that red manicure. Classic and elegant - you can't go wrong with red nail polish.

Recreate her look (kind of):

White shirt: Theory Macina luxe top, Maje Sibel crystal embellished cotton shirt, ASOS shirt with scalloped collar

Mini-skirt: J.Crew Faille mini skirt, Acne Muse mini skirt, Alexander Wang laser cut mini skirt or Theyskens' Theory Sharie mini skirt

Proenza Schouler PS1 iPad case

Stella McCartney oversized round sunglasses

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012...Elisa

Elisa Nalin, after Cacharel, Paris, March 2012.

Just like no one does girl-meets-boy inspired looks better than Esther, no one does colour combinations better than lovely Elisa. In a sea of heavy winter coats and dark colours during the Feb/March fashion weeks, we can always rely on Elisa to wear something fabulous and colourful.

Recreate Elisa's Look (kind of):

Turquoise jacket: Carven turquoise jacket, Elkin Pearl jacket, Rebecca Minkoff quilted cashmere jacket, or Tulle Clothing On the Library Steps jacket (such a cute name for a jacket!)

Pearl lace midi skirt, J. Crew lace pencil skirt, Derek Lam printed skirt or Markus Lupfer French lace midi skirt

Kenneth Jay Lane Garden Party necklace or Bauble Bar Turquoise Medley necklace

Carvela Anita sandals

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Ruby

Miss Ruby Aldridge, after Elie Saab Couture, Paris, July 2012.

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13....Tamu

Tamu, before Chanel Couture, Paris, July 2012.

Love this dress so much on Tamu - it hugs in all the right places and while it shows glimpses of skin, it isn't really revealing. And her Roberta Di Camerino raffia clutch? So fun!

Recreate Tamu's Look (kind of):

Milly Andrea lace dress, Diane von Furstenberg Inaya crochet tank dress, 10 Crosby Derek Lam knit dress, Whistles Tulla crochet mini dress, or Milly crochet overlay dress

Roberta Di Camerino raffia clutch

Statement earrings (Tamu always has such great accessories!): Frieda & Nellie Bam Bam Pow earrings, Marni crystal drop earrings, Bauble Bar neon earrings

Statement necklace: Adia Kibur neon stone necklace, Marni crystal and paillette confetti necklace or Bauble Bar Princess Neon bib necklace

ASOS Finish leather flat sandals or Tory Burch Emmy flat thong sandals

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13....Miroslava

Miroslava Duma,before Giambattista Valli Couture, Paris, July 2012.

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13 and London Fashion Week AW 2012....Elizabeth and Lucy

Elizabeth Cabral, Fashion Director, Flare magazine in Paris, and Lucy Williams in London.

Embrace the opulence trend of the coming season in a pair of metallic pants: brocade, damask, jacquard, boucle or snakeskin print. The more luxe, the better. For those who are devoted minimalists but want to dip a pedicured toe into the maximalist look, pare down a pair of glamorous pants with a crisp shirt and jacket like Liz has done. 

Recreate Elizabeth's look (kind of):

Trousers: Elie Tahari Lorenza pants, By Malene Birger Cortensa metallic jacquard pants, ASOS floral jacquard trousers (red) or blue, Stella McCartney jacquard pants or Marc Jacobs cropped metallic boucle pants

Jacket: Ellery Duchamp long tux jacket , Pencey palm blazer or Warehouse longline jacket

White shirt: ASOS pintuck wing collar shirt, No.21 white blouse (perfect if you want to take the luxe look a little further) or Maje crystal embellished shirt

Recreate Lucy's super cool look (kind of):

7 for All Mankind The skinny jeans in snake print, Rich&Skinny Legacy snake print jeans or Genetic Denim zipper coated jeans

Modern Vintage shoes India suede booties, Nasty Gal x Jeffrey Campbell Abby boot or ASOS Amez suede booties

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Before Elie Saab

Before Elie Saab Couture, Paris, July 2012.

One word to describe this dress? Dramatic. This is not the dress for those who want to go unnoticed.

Dramatic houndstooth print, dramatic length and volume.

Recreate her look (kind of) in a maxi dress:

Collette by Collette Dinnigan printed maxi dress, Vanessa Bruno printed maxi dress, Reiss Genie pleated maxi dress, Kenzo two-tone maxi dress

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Hanneli

Hanneli, before Atelier Versace, Paris, July 2012.

And the weekend begins:

Camera  ✓

Skinny cropped jeans  ✓

Tasseled loafers (an investment piece for the coming winter - just add socks or tights)  ✓

A large bag to carry all your magazines, books, stuff that you need on the weekend!  ✓

Recreate Hanneli's lovely weekend look (kind of):

Mustard yellow top: 3.1 Phillip Lim Overlay top, Kain Hailey top, Alexander Wang pleated apron shirt or Max C ruffle detail blouse

MiH Paris Aviator slim leg jeans

Boutique 9 Arlette tassel loafers, Pour La Victoire Rissa loafers, Tod's metallic tassel loafers or Bass Washington tassled loafers

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Andreea

Stunning Romanian model Andreea Diaconu (IMG),after Atelier Versace, Paris, July 2012.

Recreate Andreea's look (kind of):

Helmut marled pullover or vintage tape open-knit sweater (perfect for cooler summer nights)

Helmut Lang Asymmetrical skirt or side split maxi skirt

Paris Men's Fashion Week SS 2013....Before Acne

Before Acne, Paris, June 2012.

Perfect weekend wear (particularly if you live in the UK where it is sort of sunny, then cloudy, then rainy, then sort of sunny again. It is exhausting just trying to figure out how many layers are needed for the day ahead! I went to the final of the Equestrian eventing the other day and it poured with rain on the way there. Never have I been so glad of my plastic "poncho". Highly unattractive but entirely useful when it rains.)

Recreate her look (kind of):

Leather jacket (versatile + excellent protection from the elements): Topshop traditional leather jacket, 3.1 Phillip Lim leather jacket, T by Alexander Wang paneled leather jacket

Shorts: Haute Hippie drawstring shorts, Rebecca Minkoff printed shorts, Thakoon Addition sport shorts, To Love Kuvaa printed shorts,Topshop animal print shorts

Wedges: Luxury Rebel Dani colourblock wedges, ASOS Harp wedges, See by Chloe wedges

Fluro green Cambridge satchel

Nixon The Time Teller watch or Casio blue watch (I haven't bothered to wear a watch for a few years instead relying on my iPhone. Um, unfortunately my iPhone died (not the battery) for a few hours in Paris during couture. Oh my goodness, the panic! I couldn't remember anyone's telephone number, I had no way to tell the time, no map! I didn't realise how much I rely on my phone until then. I think I will start wearing my watch again, especially when travelling. Oh and if your iPhone won't work, try doing a hard reset - holding down both buttons for ages. Works a treat :)

Paris Men's Fashion Week SS 2013....Catherine

Catherine Baba, after A Show, Paris, June 2012.

There is a good article on Catherine's personal style in the September edition of Elle (UK) magazine (pages 188 and 189). I love this quote about her closet "Once you go in, you never come out" and her style "no rules! I go with feeling....more is never enough". I always imagined that Catherine lived in a bohemian, vintage and treasure-filled apartment (complete with magic wardrobe!) and from the description in the article, it sounds like it is true!

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Marine

Belgian model Marine Van Outryve, Paris, July 2012.

Another new face I would love to shoot with. Stunning.

Paris Men's Fashion Week SS 2013...Esther

Fashion Director Rake magazine Esther Quek, after Juun J, Paris, June 2012.

Nobody does girl-meets-boy-inspired looks better than Esther. I have been photographing Esther each year in June at men's fashion week (Paris) for maybe 3 years now and it is always such a delight to see what she is wearing. I have never thought to ask her whether she was wearing menswear influenced pieces prior to working at Rake or whether she has been inspired by all the men's collections she works with as fashion director. Either way, Esther's outfit is a perfect (summery) intro to the menswear trend for this coming A/W.

Recreate Esther's look (kind of):

Statement blazer: Sass & Bide The End blazer, Derek Lam print blazer, ASOS premium blazer, Alice + Olivia Elyse floral print blazer or Clover Canyon printed jacket

Bright pants: Jenni Kayne pleated pants, J.Crew cropped pants or ASOS peg pants

Loafers: Charlotte Olympia Charlotte's Web loafers, Charlotte Olympia kitty loafers (oh the cuteness!) or Alouissa black studded skull loafers

Raid your dad's/boyfriend's/husband's/brother's wardrobe for a tie and tie-pin.

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13....Caroline

Tank magazine's Caroline Issa, after Christian Dior Couture, Paris, July 2012.

Love Tank magazine (love the Venus As a Boy story styled by Elisa Nalin in the latest issue - one of the models looks remarkably like Anne-Catherine), Love what Caroline wears, Love her signature red lipstick. Love is all around, basically :)

Paris Men's Fashion Week SS 2013...Zina

Zina Charkoplia from FashionVibe blog, before Maison Martin Margiela, Paris, June 2012.

I photographed Zina last year at men's fashion week but didn't know her name. Finally got it this time!

Recreate Zina's look (kind of):

Print romper/playsuit: Shoshanna Elizabeth floral printed romper, Zimmermann meadow playsuit, Dallin Chase Fieldston romper, Seafolly Tea Rose playsuit (cute for a summer holiday) or Wal G floral one shoulder romper

Vest/gilet: Donna Karan casual luxe suede utility vest, Peter Pilotto vest, BDG sleeveless hooded vest or Ecote sleeveless vest

Oasis ankle boots, Ash suede booties or Rag & Bone classic newbury booties