Wednesday, 18 January 2012

London Fashion Week SS 2012...Laura

Model Laura Bailey after Aquascutum, September 2011.

Love the polka dot and sparkly heel combo topped with that shaggy coat.

Monday, 16 January 2012

Alexandra for Grazia.it

Alexandra Spencer for Grazia.it.

Head on over to Grazia.it today to check out more photos and the interview with Alexandra (plus all the wonderful street style and catwalk action from Milan men's!).

Beautiful Alexandra, who despite the early start and not wearing a scrap of make-up, managed to look fresh and pretty and oh sooooooo good in a swimsuit! I mean who does that? Who gets out of bed at an ungodly hour, drives half-way across Sydney to meet a complete stranger and then manages to look so effortless and calm while workin' it for the camera in a bikini?! Aussie model and stylist, Miss Alexandra Spencer, that's who :)

When I was planning my Sydney trip, I knew I wanted to shoot something a bit beachy and summery for my Girl Next Door series on Grazia.it despite, or perhaps because of?, knowing that we would be in the depths of winter when the feature was published. And Alexandra's super cool, relaxed style suited the brief perfectly. Alexandra's agency in Australia, Chic Managment, was kind enough to hook Alexandra and I up, and we met in North Bondi to take these photos. Alexandra brought along a bag full of clothes and we managed to get her changed without attracting too much attention (models are experts at slipping into and out of things before you can say "was that....????"!".

Alexandra's modelling career (she has been modelling for the past 3 years) has taken her all over the world and she currently lives between L.A., Sydney (where her family are based) and London. Her response when I asked if she enjoys modelling? "...... I love every job I do! I'm lucky I've never had a bad shoot. I'll always remember my first shoot for Vogue, I love shooting with Nicole Bentley, I had a great time shooting a campaign in Morocco, I loved the cover my friend Darren and I shot for Soma Magazine. But I really enjoy all of it! Big or small it's a great job to have". I loved hearing that from Alexandra - it makes me happy that she enjoys her job so much and knows how fortunate she is.

Apart from modelling, Alexandra is also the editor of achingly hip blog 4th and Bleeker * where she documents her outfits, travel and inspirations. Her photos are beyond gorgeous (like I die a little each time I look at her blog) taken in the most beautiful locations around the world when she travels. Her blog has opened many doors, one of which was the role of creative director for Australian label, Friend of Mine. Alexandra came onboard last year and together she and the girls behind the Friend of Mine label created a collection which was shown at fashion week in Australia - the first show for the label.

And......and this is my most favourite, delicious morsel of information about Alexandra.....she is learning to play the HARMONICA!!! Holllllla! I cannot but ♥ a gal who is trying to master the mouth organ (my Great Uncle Jim played the harmonica when I was little and I even had one myself for awhile! I think I probably sucked at it...a lot!). Note to Alexandra: you gotta post a video of yourself playing the harmonica on your blog!

Alexandra's outfits for our shoot?

At The Speedo Cafe: Indiana Jones hat by Akubra, blue shirt (YSL Homme), white dress worn underneath (Bassike) and sandals (Zara).
Apricot swimsuit: American Apparel

Black tank: Bassike and bikini bottom (Lover)

Cream lace dress: Friend of Mine and jacket (Kate Moss for Topshop)

Big thanks to the girls at The Speedo Cafe in North Bondi for letting Alexandra and I shoot out front.

*I think she said the blog name came about because of a special moment she shared with her sister (who lives in NYC) on 4th and Bleeker.

London Fashion Week SS 2012...Andie

Andie Arthur after Margaret Howell.

Paris Fashion Week SS 2012...Melissa

Melissa Tammerjin after Hakaan. She had literally only had 3 hours sleep (from fittings late into the night, not partying :) but still managed to look so pretty.

London Fashion Week SS 2012...Alisha

Sweet Alisha, who is the niece of Rachel from Random Fashion Coolness blog....it was her first time at LFW :)

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Paris Fashion Week SS 2012...Hanneli

All hail the return of the crop top! Not for everyone for sure, but great for those who have a toned tummy and want to show off all that hard work gym-ing and CrossFit-ing (have you watched those CrossFit workouts? Hollllla! I break out in a cold, nervous sweat just watching a video ;)
And who better to show off one of this summer's hottest trends than the gorgeous Miss Hanneli M. And she was wearing pieces from Vika Gazinskaya's SS 2012 collection. It is nice to see friends supporting and encouraging each other. I remember my first fashion week in Paris (well, I think it was my first!) and Hanneli was wearing a headpiece from Vika's collection....stunning.

Paris Fashion Week SS 2011...Daphne

Daphne Groeneveld after Viktor&Rolf, Paris October 2011.

Love the fluro pink lashes (kind of like little unicorn horns) although I suspect they would be difficult to pull off (and apply) in real life.

New York Fashion Week SS 2012...Friends

Friends in jeans+tanks+mobile phones.

Seriously where would we be without our mobiles/smart phones these days? Probably more, and less stressed ;) I go into panic mode if I have no iPhone access these days....although sometimes having access leads to stress as well. Can't win!

New York Fashion Week SS 2012...Kelly

Kelly Framel aka The Glamourai, before Imitation, September 2011.

New York Fashion Week SS 2012...Olga

Olga Sherer, NYC, 11 September 2011.

New York Fashion Week SS 2012

Simple, classic pieces (hellllooo Mr Birkin!)...with snakeskin boots!

London Fashion Week SS 2012...Emily

Stylist Emily Rusby.

Proving that girls can wear braces (suspenders?) and brogues just as well as the boys :)

Weekend Life...New York City in B&W

Just one frame from NYC, September 2011. I can't wait to head back in a few weeks....I♥ this city big time.

I normally "see" photographs in colour but sometimes it is nice to mix things up a little ;)

Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Paris Fashion Week SS 2012...Karin

Karin Hansson after Vanessa Bruno, Paris, October 2011.
What could be more perfect for the New Year than an oversized crisp white shirt, denim cut-offs, a simple pendant and a pair of converse? Um, well, I guess a pair of jeans, a thick woolen coat, boots, a beanie and gloves for those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere....but you know what I mean. A look like this is so fresh and pretty and well, wearable for spring/summer.

New York Fashion Week SS 2012...Leandra

Leandra Medine, aka The Man Repeller, New York Fashion Week, September 2011.
Seriously crushin' on those Azzedine Alaia ankle boots (and Leandra's legs! hellllloo!)

Paris Fashion Week SS 2012...Elisa

The always stylish Elisa Nalin.

She wears vibrant colour (and a big smile) brilliantly.

Paris Fashion Week SS 2012...Iekeliene

Iekeliene Stange after Akris, Paris, October 2011.

London Fashion Week SS 2012...Aleksandra

Lovely, lovely Alex after Burberry, London, September 2011.

London Fashion Week SS 2012...Sui He

Sui He after Antonio Berardi, London, September 2011.