Monday 16 May 2011

Candice

Miss Candice Lake.
My editors at Grazia.it have very sweetly named my Friday column "Girl Next Door" and last week my feature was on Candice Lake. You can find the interview with Candice here.
Candice is the girl next door....um, kind of. She grew up in a suburb in Brisbane, Australia about 30 minutes from me, went to the same uni, and started studying law. But the similarities end there. Most girls next door don't end up being photographed by amazing photographers like Steven Meisel, land numerous editorials in Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, cast for campaigns such as Versace, Versus and Ralph Lauren, and walk the runway for Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Fendi. Oh yeah, and in between doing all that manage to gain a fine art photography degree and become international sales and marketing director for French label, Rue du Mail in Paris.
I first met Candice in September last year at New York Fashion Week. I kept staring at her and thinking to myself why has that girl got a camera-she should be in front of it, not behind it! It turned out that Candice was THE Candice Lake, model turned photographer (she photographs street style for Vogue.com and Glamour magazine). Candice is also one of the nicest and most genuine girls I have met since I started doing, err, "this thing that I do". She is one of the reasons I enjoyed NY fashion week this past February so much (she is also the reason why we missed everyone arriving at the Jason Wu show-helllllooooo we had to get a take-away from the Balthazar bakery;). Candice is a lot of fun, but she is also an incredibly hard worker. And, yes, she is rather beautiful!
Walking into Candice's house feels very much like walking into a modern Australian home: lots of natural light, clean lines and open space. And there is of course her walk-in wardrobe. For someone who works in fashion, it is surprisingly compact- or at least it appears that way. There are pieces from the SS 2011 Rue du Mail (lots of fluro), Celine handbags, Lanvin ballet flats, hats, leather leggings, and some very tiny, very gorgeous dresses for evening (the dress in the first photos is Dolce&Gabbana).

Black dress from Daughters of the Revolution- I LOVED this dress. The way it moved when Candice walked, the lace panels, the way it falls almost to the ground (and Candice is tall!)- oh so beautiful. Rings from YSL (turquoise) and Dominic Jones.
p.s. The cushions on the lounge are from Anthropologie.
White t-shirt (J. Crew), red skirt (Zara) and Acne booties.

As we were shooting these portraits in the park, a couple of guys were walking past and said (with some authority) "Oh yeah, she's that model....you know, the one from the tv!". Not quite sure who they thought Candice was but we thought it was pretty funny.
Dress (Daughters of the Revolution); Sandals (Sigerson and Morrison)

Candice wears her boyfriend's Brora cashmere jumper, and shorts by Aussie brand, My Pet Square. Bag of mandarin's (clementine's) courtesy of my corner store :)
p.s. You can click on the collages to make them a little larger.

38 comments:

  1. Thanks Vanessa, the images and story behind them are quite inspirational, not to mention the photographer taking the photos, (and I say this with much authority, lol). Great job with Grazia IT. xx from Soleil

    http://sharpthreads.blogspot.com/

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  2. Massive fan of your photography especially this series as they feel more relaxed and intimate and less self-conscious. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. This is such a great move for you. Your stories are brilliant. Love your work Vanessa. Xxxx

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  4. @Soleil St Fleur, @Sissy and @Fashionistable- thank you all for your very thoughtful comments :))
    @Sissy- It is all a steep learning curve for me- learning how to photograph people in their homes, learning how to direct, making them feel comfy etc. Not to mention the light, the exposures, working with new cameras- the learning curve is certainly uphill!

    @Fashionistable- Thank you so much for your support and for sticking around so long!

    @Soleil- thank you! xx We do love inspirational girls!

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  5. Woww! You're amazing!

    http://maequeroupaeuvou.blogspot.com/

    Beijoo

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  6. Oh WOW! Your work just keeps getting more and more beautiful, Vanessa.
    I really love this series & yes, she is absolutely gorgeous.

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  7. loving the black laced outfit the best
    your photos always make me feel like I'm watching a short film
    each photo portrays a scene with the person's expression, the lighting and the feel of the fabric and such in clothing and surroundings make them more wow-ness :)

    pinklemonincrystal.blogspot.com

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  8. @Peta and @michelle Lee-thanks so very much for your super nice and very thoughtful comments (and all the ones you have left in the past!).I have to say that I have become a bit obsessed with these shoots- I have so many ideas all flopping around my head! I just love doing them though- it is such a learning curve and trying to figure out what works and what doesn't.

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  9. Candice is absolutely gorgeous and so talented, I was admiring her amazing Maison Michel hats all fashion week!
    x

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  10. @Emily- I know she wants the pink one that was worn by a few models during Paris in March! I think we are all still on the case of trying to track it down for her :)

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  11. WOnderful pics... she looks indredible...
    Love the 1rst pics behind the reflection of the window.... ;)
    she has beautiful hair ;)
    The pink dress is so "Marylin Monroe"..... love ;)


    MODEL ICON: BAMBI http://magmoiselle.fr

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  12. wow that first pink dress is a dream <3 so lovely

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  13. Amazing inspirational shots! Pretty clothes, love the last ones, the light blue sweater and oranges. perfect!

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  14. Her - so beautiful and so talented. Me - so jealous!

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  15. @Chuck- ha ha! I think that makes two of us ;)

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  16. pink dress looks awesome!

    igoonnon.blogspot

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  17. Beautiful photos and stylings with some unique pieces like black maxi lace dress! And those coushins are wow!!

    http://thebasicss.blogspot.com

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  18. Wow these photos are absolutely stunning - really enjoyed them with the story - really great piece of work - the light on her hair and face is beautiful x
    http://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/

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  19. divine! I was sorry that I missed out on meeting Candice during RAFW in Sydney just recently so nice to see her here.

    PS: very inspired by both of you aussie streetstyle lady photographers. I myself am an auditor turned workwear-streetstyle-snapper ;)
    oh and if you have any photog courses you'd recommend - I'm all ears please!

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  20. @BusiChic- Hi! I am loving your auditor turned photographer status! I did an accounting degree as well and auditing was one of the very few subjects I liked! I think Candice did her fine art degree at the uni of nsw.....

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  21. OH Vanessa, THANK YOU SO much for you amazing images and your words that are far too kind!!!
    ...and to everyone else for all their lovely comments.

    xxxxxx

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  22. @Candice- Yo! Can't wait till you are back over here :))
    xox

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  23. Ah, the lace dress and the printed one are so beautiful! She dresses impeccably. :) Ada

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  24. Vanessa! i truly truly loved this editorial! You captured Candice so well and it is so obvious that she is a professional model - beautiful connection with the camera. It must've been a pleasure to work with someone who is so good at what she does. The pictures are soft and dreamy and the light is amazing. I guess it is twice as interesting because i've met both of you and I can just imagine you two cracking up and having an awesome time in between the looks! It is so great when two nice and talented people get involved and create something so nice. Literally made my day a little brighter and happier!

    p.s. re-reading this it totally sounds like im blowing smoke up your a** :/ - i'm not actually, just really loved this particular ed :)) Well done!

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  25. @Sunday- ha ha! Well, if that is blowing smoke up my a*** then I am all for it ;) But seriously we did have a great time doing it although I think we were both quite nervous at the start-it is quite weird photographing friends! But you are correct- it was such a pleasure photographing Candice. She knows how to hold her body and how to move. We were going to have a bottle of wine and some cheese to finish off but I had to race home :(

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  26. Stunning photos! The first dress she is wearing is so amazing! xxx

    eloisedephotography.blogspot.com

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  27. I love your dress!Is very very beautiful :)
    xx,http://isoulofsea.blogspot.com/

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  28. Funny I was staring at that red skirt like i'd seen it somewhere before.
    Well turns out that somewhere is my closet; woo hoo!!:)
    Great pics. I especially love the miniature pic of the camera's and writing pad; definitely works its magic.

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  29. uh yeah...she looks like a model to me, too.
    I like your photoshooting . Nice dresses .
    And , I visited your blog , I'm so in love with it.
    I will follow you.
    Just Claudia.

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  30. I just love that red and white combination.

    http://kimberleycasey.blogspot.com/

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  31. @cococollage- ha! It is always fun to re-discover what is already in your wardrobe :)

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  32. Lovely post, love the rings Candice is wearing espeivally..she is beautiful!
    raje xx
    becomingraje.blogspot.com

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  33. I love these posts with collages you've been doing lately! This one is no exception! Beautiful!
    She's simply adorable!

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  34. Gorgeous black lace dress!!

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  35. Your blog is really amazing! So glad I stumbled upon it through TheFashionspot!

    xoxo,
    Rodellee

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  36. Oh so pretty! And that black dress is just perfection...

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