Tuesday 24 May 2011

Violaine

Miss Violaine Bernard, the french Fashion Director of Velour Magazine.
Bonjour Violaine, ca va?*
And always, always Violaine greets me with "Oui, ca va!", double kisses and the cutest smile. She is just one of those girls who manages to be cheery at fashion weeks even if it is pouring with rain (LFW February 2011), sleeting (LFW February 2010) or she is just plain exhausted. Violaine has that infectious happiness that makes you want to be around her....and did I mention her gorgeous, effortless French style? I was so happy when Violaine agreed to let me photograph her for Grazia.it (you can find the interview here).
One of the things I love most about doing these shoots (apart from getting to peek into people's apartments and wardrobes!) is that I get to learn things about people I probably never would have discovered otherwise. Like Violaine's "Lucky Kid" tattoo on her left arm (it is there as a little reminder to Violaine that even when things get tough, she has had a very fortunate, lucky life so far). As soon as I spied it, I was intrigued (those who have been reading my blog for a long time will know about my fascination with ink) and knew I wanted to try and capture some photos with it in (she has another one on the upper part of her left arm).
I loved the softness and prettiness of Violaine's first outfit (Topshop sweater and lace shorts). Another great thing about doing these shoots, is that everyone I have photographed thus far has had such different personal style. I love that- I think it would be so utterly boring if everyone dressed the same.
Violaine had a few different outfits planned but it was SO cold outside and decidedly un-Springy (this was a few weeks ago in London) that we quickly shot these photos and then raced inside and wrapped Violaine up in some warmer clothes.
Her shirt is Opening Ceremony, trousers are by Parosh, hat Uniqlo and shoes are by Rupert Sanderson (Violaine has already placed an order for some black suede platform boots from Rupert Sanderson for winter- they sound divine). Violaine is laughing in the second photo as it was so incredibly windy! Probably we wouldn't have been laughing so much if her hat had blown off onto the next building :)

Outside the cafe Violaine was wearing vintage coat, J Brand jeans, cashmere sweater from Lutz&Patmos and boots from H&M. Her hot pink clutch is vintage.
Violaine's owl necklace (which opens up to reveal a little clock) she found in a vintage market in NYC.
Violaine and I went for a croissant and cafe au lait at one of her favourite brunch cafe's in London: La Vie en Rose at Broadway Market in Hackney. She also took me to the most amazing, odd shop I think I have ever been to: The Last Tuesday Society Shop. It is a treasure trove of curiosities and unusual objects that Violaine often goes to to find gifts for friends. While we were there (with me and my camera bag remaining as still as a Rodin sculpture in an effort not to break anything;) Violaine purchased a beautiful little antler wall hanging which she was going to use to keep her necklaces and jewellery on.

I made Violaine put on this Elizabeth&James top- she wore it to the launch of Velour magazine last year and I really wanted to photograph her in it that night but I thought it would be rude to ask in front of all the guests! So she pulled it out for our little session.

*The limit of my French language skills unfortunately.


p.s. you can click on the collages to make them slightly bigger.


p.p.s The chair that Violaine is sitting on in the first photos is an ex-jail chair! Apparently it is really cold to sit on for any length of time. Kinda cool as a talking point for parties, huh?!

43 comments:

  1. she's gorgeous! i love her slouchy knit and lace shorts. and also, that pink clutch is loveely xx

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  2. She is so adorable! Love the knit and lace shorts in the first outfit and I love everything about the jeans and blazer outfit!

    www.rachaeldiab.blogspot.com

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  3. These pics are wonderful! She is so lovely!

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  4. Gosh...... she's SO SO prettyyy!! great shots :)

    xx

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  5. That is effortless beauty and STYLE at it's best! By the way I caught your little write up in Aus CLEO mag, congrats lady hopefully sending a bunch of new readers your way to discover your talent x

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  6. Thanks so much everyone- I know Violaine will appreciate your lovely comments!

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  7. I love these shots her style really works for her she looks comfortable and happy and like it belongs to her - these are always the looks i love the most x

    http://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/

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  8. @Lucy- ahhh thanks so much Lucy!! The Cleo piece was so cool- very nice of them to include me! xx

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  9. OMG the shots are beautiful and so serene :D
    xxx

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  10. @kit- thanks so much Kit! I think Violaine is just one of those chillax-ed people so it comes across in the photos. Ooo and before I forget thanks so much for the wedding referral- I would loved to have shot her wedding (photographing a cool wedding is on my must-do list) but the timing just didn't work for July

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  11. She is adorable and your photographs, exquisite!

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  12. These pictures are fantastic! You captured some really great moments!

    jen
    http://blankwhiteframes.blogspot.com

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  13. She's amazing!
    These photo's are stunning!

    xo

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  14. So Parisian- simple elegance! I love your photos Vanessa!

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  15. These photos are incredible. She seems adorable! xx

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  16. Gorgeous Pictures

    ebbiemag.blogspot.com

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  17. Gorgeous Pictures

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  18. Beautiful girl and your photography is magnifique! I love her style as well. Ahh perfection.

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  19. i will not cut my painstakingly-growing-out hair, i will not cut my hair (just a mane mantra i'm saying to myself to will it so) after seeing her BEYOND ADORABLE cropped cut ...

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  20. Super,.. what a beautiful woman.. and the set is really inspiring. Good colors and the outfit and accessories suit her well. Very good, that´s all.

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  21. Her style is so, so perfect! I'd love to be able to channel her cuteness and effortlessness! I adore her tomboy chic!

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  22. I just love those nude and creamy tones on her! Beautiful!

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  23. I love her style and her hair. Totally beautiful!

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  24. @Bargain Bex- ha BB! You need to keep repeating that mantra - hair does take so bluddy long to grow out especially when it is that short! You can't undo all your hard work now :))

    @Something White- they are very pretty and spring-like, despite the very cold weather on the day!

    @Ginta- yes! tomboy chic! Perfect way to describe Violaine.

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  25. Once again I am having to leave anonymous comments on my blog-what is up with blogger?

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  26. She is stunning! So natural, so effortless, and so at ease with herself! This spread for some reason is truly inspiring for me. I also adore her haircut, and every single outfit she's got on. Excellent!

    http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

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  27. beautiful photos :) i agree with others
    love the effortless style
    i really want that pink clutch & lace shorts
    how come everyone find such lovely shorts but I can't find my own perfect pants?

    pinklemonincrystal.blogspot.com

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  28. Jolies photos,en effet, top classe.
    Alex from Saint Cast

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  29. A true french girl, she's gorgeous!:)
    http://theprettyfashionable.blogspot.com/

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  31. someone you dont know25 May 2011 at 22:03

    HOTTTTT

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  32. she so has the je ne said quoi french girl style going on!

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  33. she is so cute!! I love her hair color. Died over her black coat and jeans look. So simple and so chic.

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  34. You have done it again. Love these and the info around them. You are brilliant. Xxxx

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  35. @Fashionistable- thank you so much- that means a lot coming from you xx

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  36. Love these collages and sequence of outfits!!!
    Your photos are amazing!

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  37. OMG - her hair is so fabulous! I LOVE it! She's so elegant and chic. Why don't more women embrace the pixie?!

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  38. She's so beautiful! everything looks good on her :)

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  39. love these pictures, just so beautiful!

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  40. I can't take my eyes off of the first image! The soft colours with her dark hair, her thin arm with the ink... Stunning!

    thisiswhati’dwear

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  41. You are so beautiful! And your hair is awesome. Thanks for sharing so many pics I will show them to my hairdresser asking for the same haircut.
    xxx

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