Behind the Scenes....MiH Jeans Pre-SS13 Lookbook Shoot

Behind the Scenes @ MiH Jeans Pre-SS 2013 Lookbook Shoot, MiH Headquarters, London.

I make no secret of my preference for working with brands that I absolutely love, and MiH jeans (and the wonderful team behind it) is one of them. Back in the summer, I was fortunate to be invited back by the lovely Chloe Lonsdale, MiH's founder, to photograph behind the scenes on the MiH jeans pre-spring/summer '13 lookbook (studio) shoot. You might recall last year's behind the scenes shoot with the lovely model Beegee. 

The shoot took place at the new MiH headquarters in London where, by the end of the day, I was ready to move in (Dear Chloe, my bed would definitely fit in a corner of the photographic cove. I measured it ;)). The enormous space (it used to be a photographic studio) is beautifully decorated (vintage photographs and posters on the walls, a wonderful oyster-coloured chaise lounge, large wooden tables, white washed walls, antique blue & white china, a gourmet kitchen) and filled with light. All the things that make me extremely happy as a photographer :)

The team for this shoot were:

Model: gorgeous British model Milly Simmonds (Elite London)

Photographer: Oskar Gyllensward (who is a genius with lighting. I just watched on in awe - and stayed well out of the way - as Oskar worked his magic with the lighting, transforming the studio for the shoot).

Stylist: Simone Konu

Hair: Mari Ohashi

Make-Up: Hiromi Ueda

Set Design: Robert Storey

I am so fortunate to have worked with the MiH team on this (and last year's shoot). Everyone is a joy to work with and even though it is "work" (lookbook shoots are fairly fast-paced because of the number of outfits that need to be shot within a short period of time) it never feels stressful. 

You can find the lookbook with Oskar's incredible shots of Miss Milly and the new collection on the MiH website.

p.s. The prints in this MiH collection are by the wonderfully talented NY-based illustrator Bernadette Pascua (probably many of you know Bernadette's beautiful blog, Decade Diary). Last year, after I posted the photographs of Beegee from the behind the scenes shoot, Bernadette sent me an illustration inspired by one of my photographs. The MiH team saw her illustration, loved her work, and now she collaborates with them, designing the prints! I love a happy, inspiring story :) Well done Bernadette!

New York Fashion Week AW 2012/2013....Kat

Ukrainian model Kat Zakharchenko (Models 1), NYC, February 2012.

Break up a head-to-toe black look with different textures and fabrics (note Kat's patent tote bag, leather trousers and belt).

Recreate Kat's look (kind of):

Black coat: J Brand Ready to Wear coat, or ASOS oversized pocket coat

Leather pants: J Brand super skinny leather pants, Current/Elliott The Skinny leather pants, A.L.C. leather Ridley pants, Joseph skinny leather pants,or Karl Pacey faux leather pants

Rachel Zoe Adrienne lace up booties, Acne black boots, or Burberry Prorsum platform ankle boots

Patent tote: Burberry patent tote, Tory Burch Crinkle patent tote, or Coach Madison patent tote, Rachel Zoe Morrison patent tote or McQ by Alexander McQueen patent tote

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012/2013....Elena

Elena Perminova, after Valentino, Paris, March 2012.

 Recreate Elena's look (kind of)):

Derek Lam shearling trimmed cotton coat, Proenza Schouler shearling-collar quilted leather jacket,  O'2nd detachable fur cocoon coat, Belstaff Rutland padded shearling coat, Alexander McQueen hooded shearling jacket or River Island leather biker jacket with fur collar

Ganni Oldspice striped jersey top, Madewell Kira bow back tee, or Zoe Karssen ribbon stripe tee

Cap: Eugenia Kim Elyse cashmere Marine cap, The Elder Statesman Billed Bubble cap, or Bop Basics Newsie cap

Patent boots: Stella McCartney faux patent leather ankle boots

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012/2013....Anya

Stylist and Tatler Russia's Fashion Director Anya Ziourova, Tuileries, Paris, March 2012.

I love all the details (and colours) of Anya's beautiful dress including her looped belt which, I think, gives the illusion of a bow.

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012/2013....Doina and Caroline

Doina from The Golden Diamonds blog, and Tank magazine's Caroline Issa, Paris, March 2012.

Two ways with furry boots and leather-trimmed black coats via the beautiful Doina and Caroline. Wear with jeans like Doina (Apres-ski anyone?) or team with leather trousers like Caroline. 

Recreate their looks (kind of):

Black leather-trimmed coat: Mackage side zip leather and fur coat with tie, Rag & Bone Scalpel shearling trimmed coat, Preen knife felt coat with leather sleeves, Helmut Lang Willow Shawl neck coat, Diane von Furstenberg Nadine luxe faux fur and leather coat, Mackage wool coat with leather sleeves,  ASOS PU biker coat (in black) or Ashley B Fur mix jacket

Leather pants: J Brand super skinny leather pants, Joseph Spark stretch-leather pants, Vince relaxed leather pants, Maison Martin Margiela tapered leather pants, Topshop leather look biker trousers or ASOS skinny leather biker pants

Fur-trimmed boots:Alexander McQueen shearling and leather boots, Max Kibardin Avalon fur booties, Walter Steiger fur panel ankle boots, Donna Karan shearling trimmed ankle boots, or Chinese Laundry faux fur trimmed suede boots

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012/2013....Kelli

Estonian model Kelli Lumi (DNA), after John Galliano, Paris, March 2012.

Adore the heavy eye make-up and the way the fur is framing her face. It was horrid weather (I remember it clearly....it was raining and cold) but Kelli managed to look serene and beautiful.

Weekend Life....Paris Rooftops

Bonjour Paris!

The view from the apartment I was renting in Paris, March 2012. It was the first (and only) sunny morning during the whole of PFW!

New York Fashion Week AW 2012/2013...Bette

Dutch model Bette Franke (DNA), after Preen, NYC, February 2012.

Well, would you look at that....Another parka. Clearly I have a thing at the moment for parkas!

Recreate Bette's look (kind of):

Turtleneck sweater: T by Alexander Wang marled boxy sweater,  Juicy Couture chunky cable turtleneck sweater,  Duffy knitted turtleneck sweater, Vince textured honeycomb turtleneck, Vila roll neck knit slouchy sweater, or Topshop knitted tweedy roll jumper

Parka: Three Floor Field Trip parka, Topshop fur lined parka, or Hearts and Bows parka with fur trim

Black skinny jeans: Rag & Bone/JEAN high rise skinny jeans, 7 For All Mankind The skinny jeans, or Mother The Looker skinny jeans

Alexander Wang Rocco duffel

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012/2013....Aymeline

French model Aymeline Valade, on a cold and rainy day in Paris, after Viktor & Rolf, February 2012.

New York Fashion Week SS 2013....Nicole

The stunning Nicole Warne aka Gary Pepper girl, before A Show, NYC, September 2012.

This was (literally) the first time I met Nicole and I was blown away by her beauty* and style. Over the course of the fashion weeks and at a (hot dog!) party thrown by Peony, I got to know Nicole a little more....and she is just so lovely. One of those genuinely warm, funny and friendly people who you feel you have known for an age. And her personal style? Oooofff I just love her style!

Recreate Nicole's look (kind of):

The perfect Christmas/NYE party dress inspired by Nicole's pretty pale pink and lemon dress: Camilla and Marc Antoinette Striped dress, Camilla and Marc Myth lace-print dress, Shoshanna Bridgette metallic dress, Rag & Bone Renard metallic dress, Three Floor skip a beat dress, Lover Covet skater dress, Alexander McQueen flared wool felt dress or Topshop open back flippy tunic

Charlotte Olympia pumps

*how super glossy is her hair?! I do not think that even an entire vat of Moroccanoil could create that shine ;)

Edit: Nicole's dress is by Patricia Chang! Thank you @Alicia and @Kate for letting me know

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012/2013....Kel

American model Kel Markey (Supreme), after Louis Vuitton, Paris, March 2012.

The practical, stylish fur-trimmed parka makes another appearance :)

Recreate Kel's look (kind of):

Three Floor Field Trip parka, Selected oversized army parka, Sophie Hulme shearling-trimmed parka, Nasty Gal Downtown parka, Maison Scotch parka with wire hood, Burberry Brit raccoon-trimmed parka or ASOS longline washed parka

Marc by Marc Jacobs Chelsea boots, Rag & Bone Kinsey boots, The Office of Angela Scott Miss Mason booties, or Whistles Stinger black strapped ankle boots

Paris Fashion Week SS 2013....After Valentino

After Valentino, Paris, October 2012.

Accessorise an elegant white or ivory suit with an embellished clutch, a scarf and cat eye sunglasses.

Recreate her look (kind of):

Cat eye sunglasses: Selima Optique Grace cat eye sunglasses, Prada cat eye sunglasses, ASOS Premium cat eye sunglasses, or ASOS tort cat eye sunglasses

Jimmy Choo snake-print scarf, Givenchy Iris and leopard print scarf, Marc by Marc Jacobs Static plaid scarf, or Anthropologie reflected garden loop

Matthew Williamson embellished suede clutch, or Miu Miu studded leather clutch

New York Fashion Week AW 2012/2013....Jourdan

British model Jourdan Dunn (Storm), after Preen, NYC, February 2012.

One word for Jourdan's look (those coated jeans and ankle booties?): Fierce with a capital F.

Recreate Jourdan's look (kind of):

Coated jeans: 7 For All Mankind slim coated cigarette jeans, J Brand 901 super skinny jeans, Hudson Krista metallic super skinny jeans, or J Brand 901 super skinny jeans

Mulberry studded suede ankle boots, Diane von Furstenberg Ciara booties, Dune Bad Boi studded booties, Givenchy low-cut booties, Rachel Roy Gillian platform booties, or Nasty Gal studded platform bootie

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012/2013....Nastya

Russian model Nastya Kusakina (Premier), after Paco Rabanne, Paris, March 2012.

Recreate Nastya's look (kind of):

Mara Hoffman leather sleeve shawl coat, Mackage side zip coat, Reed Krakoff coat, Cheap Monday oversized coat, or Warehouse rib collar coat

London Fashion Week SS 2013....Lauren

American model Lauren Bigelow (Next) after Clements Ribeiro, London, September 2012.

Recreate Lauren's look (kind of):

Add a splish (or a splash) of colour to an all-black look with a pair of printed pants: Sass & Bide The Stitch Up pants, Kelly Wearstler Claw print pants, Markus Lupfer snake-print pants, Tucker Abstract print pants, or ASOS Jewel print pants

Gucci black jacket, Vince collarless blazer, Girl by Band of Outsiders twill jacket, or Topshop ponte boyfriend blazer

Rag & Bone Harrow booties, Belle by Sigerson Morrison Ashlin booties, or Perry Premium strap boots

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012/2013....Hannah

Grazia UK's Deputy Fashion News and Features Editor, Hannah Almassi, after Costume National, Paris, March 2012.

Instead of a coat this winter, try a fluffy/furry gilet instead.

Recreate Hannah's look (kind of):

Gilet: Aminaka Wilmont shearling gilet, Vince overdyed fox fur vest, ASOS Mongolian faux-fur gilet, Tory Burch Katrina shearling and leather vest, Juicy Couture belted faux fur vest, DKNY faux fur vest, Michael Michael Kors shearling and merino wool gilet, or Matthew Williamson rabbit gilet

Midi skirt: Preen Line Sasha skirt, ASOS check midi skirt, or ModCloth Simple Math skirt

London Fashion Week SS 2013....Julia

Wonderland magazine's Julia Sarr-Jamois, after Margaret Howell, London, September 2012.

Recreate Julia's look (kind of):

Madewell Lucia Boxy Slub pullover, Free People Fluff sweater, Isabel Marant cable-knit wool sweater, or Boutique by Jaeger Winnie cable knit sweater

Equipment Signature Floral Symphony blouse, Jeunesse Delphine printed blouse, Acne Patsy Bouquet oversized shirt, Topshop oversized Porcelain Bird shirt or Topshop oversized Paint Flower shirt

J Brand Aidan slouchy boyfriend jeans, Citizens of Humanity Dylan Boyfriend jeans, Current/Elliott The Boyfriend Jeans, or Genetic Denim Masen Ex Boyfriend jeans

Nike Air Max 1 ND sneakers in blue or Grey leopard print, Jil Sander High Top sneakers, Adidas by Stella McCartney trainers

Paris Fashion Week SS 2013....Eleonora

The exquisite Eleonora Carisi, before Giambattista Valli, Paris, October 2012.

A beautiful, beautiful gown on Eleonora...and perfect inspiration for those who are looking for something to wear to a formal party/occasion over the next few weeks. Champagne, canapes, cocktails, a beautiful formal gown.....what could be more perfect to celebrate the year gone by.

Recreate Eleonora's look (kind of):

Nude gown: Rachel Gilbert Olivia sequin-embellished dress, Alice + Olivia embellished gown,  Lanvin belted silk-satin gown, Catherine Deane Giselle Strapless gown, or Imitation Molly lace maxi dress