Out and about....wild at heart

From Fashionistable

Amy describes herself as a chilled out, beachy person and a wild child. She is however a wild child with a purpose which of course is the best kind. She told me she doesn't follow fashion she likes to make her own style. Usually she wears leopard print but she told me today was an exception. When I met her she was just about to head into the tube station but kindly delayed her journey for me. Amy is studying for a masters at the moment in broadcast journalism at the Uni of Westminster. She is also a fellow blogger. Check out her work here amyshead.wordpress.com she has good things to say and her films are great quality so very easy to watch. The band around Amy's head was just something she had to hand, the flower in her hair was made by a friend who is an art student - Emma Tremayne. Her glasses she found at the Lounge on the farm festival last summer. Her lace dress is from Topshop. The scarf  is on permanent loan from her Mum :-). Her socks are from Primark, her bag is Accessorize and she could not remember where her shoes were from.

Out and about....open the gate

From Fashionistable

Zuzana told me she loves fashion and that fashion shows are her biggest source of inspiration. Zuzana is originally from Slovikia but has lived in London for the last 2 1/2 years. She is working as a manager for Costa Coffee. Her spring outfit consists of shorts from Zara, cardy and necklaces from Topshop. She couldnt remember where her vest top came from. Her look is completed top and bottom by glasses and shoes by Michael Kors. I asked Zuzana where her favourite place in the world was and her reply was NYC.

Out and about....freckles

From Fashionistable

From Fashionistable

Rocio is a supply teacher but her heart is in Fashion. She studied as a fashion advisor and would love to follow that path. She is originally from Cordoba but her family now live in Burgor in Northern Spain and she has been here in the UK since July. She told me that everything she is weraing is also Spanish. Her coat is by Adolfo Dominguez, the dress is Massimo Dutti and her shoes are from Roberto Botella. I loved her freckles. Very sweet.

Out and about....deep blue

From Fashionistable

Bring me sunshine, I love it. Have you noticed though it is a lot cloudier since the planes started flying again? I swear the other day the only clouds in the sky were a build up of vapour trails. Issy told me she is a water baby, she loves water sports. Is that why she is wearing blue? I think today it had more to do with the sky. Her dress is from Portobello market, her style inspirations are Boho and Sienna. The rest of the outfit is made up of Ray-Ban sunglasses, scarf from Massimo Dutti, bag from House of Fraser and sandals from Mykonos. At the moment she works in celeb brand endorsements but would have loved to be a TV presenter. She still has time to realise her dream.

Out and about....the message

From Fashionistable

Sometimes when I am out and my energy flags it becomes harder to ask people if I can photograph them. And sometimes I am wearing heels and I have hesitated (even just for a moment ) and then they are moving too fast for me to catch.....anyway I had all of this happening when I passed Sasha, and even though her green coat had caught my attention I just let her go. I hadnt gone much further and was standing looking in a jewellery shop at a lovely aqua blue display collecting my thoughts. Suddenly Sasha was standing beside me. She had come back to me and asked me to take her picture. I was totally amazed and of course said yes. She then started leading me back to a place I had just passed and had been thinking it would be a good place to take pictures in. As if that wasnt enough she then she told me that God had told her to ask me to take her picture and to give me a message. The message was that I have a gift and that I should use it and not hide it, that it is sin to hide it. She would not tell me anything about herself and would only give me her name. It was only important for her that I get the message. And a very powerful message it is. I was astounded (still am) and when we parted I had to go and sit down.

Out and about....elegence and wisdom

From Fashionistable

From Fashionistable

From Fashionistable

When I asked Elle if I could photograph her she gave up her lunchtime and said yes. And because she was so generous with her time I am able to bring you 3 images from our shoot together. She is a remarkable young woman. Beautiful, open and wise beyond her years. When growing up she lived in London and LA. Her Dad's work bringing them back to London when she was 14. She told me that her Dad who is a film writer, artist and photographer is one of her greatest influences. Her inspiration is Grace Kelly for her elegance with a bit of a rebel. Elle loves leather and lace which she describes as a bit naughty but feminine. When describing herself she says she is a bit of a hippy, non drinking, no meat eating, herbal tea drinker, who loves yoga and chanting.
In the 1st shot her grey jacket is from Topshop, her skirt is vintage leather and the belt is Agnes B.  She has on a t-shirt below the lace shirt which is also Agnes B and the lace shirt she bought from Giant when she was 16. Ooh and that beautiful bag is YSL and her shoes were a find from a boutique in La Mariee, Paris. For the 2nd and 3rd shots she put on her black Zara overcoat. At first I thought it had a really big collar which when I asked about she said no it is a hood and when she put it up it added such a wonderful further dimension to the shoot I had to bring it to you in the 3rd shot.

Out and about....lovin London

From Fashionistable

Polin and Leon are final year students at Uni in Manchester. A town close to my heart as it was where I did my photography degree. Polin is studying Computer Science and Leon Business. Polin's great bag is a Fendi. Her cardy, skirt and right on trend clogs are all from Topshop, and her pretty bow tights are Accessorize. The lovely butterfly ring is from Swarovski.
Leons look is made up of an Unconditional sweater, Diesel jeans, D&G belt, Dior shoes and Bulgari glasses.
They were in London for 2 days shopping. Their style influences are magazines and stores. I asked them where their favourite place in the world was and Leon immediately said London.

Out and about....shoe envy

From Fashionistable

Ohhh now I loved the shoes on Monday but these just blow me away. I really, really want a pair of these. And Melissa is right on trend by teaming them with khaki trousers with a roll up. Isnt is lovely how her nails and green ring just sing out from the darker background of her purse. I have to admit I was only aware of this when I was processing the shot. Melissa is studying Photography, Art and Film at the London Met. I asked her what or whom her influences were. She told me two, for photography it is Helmut Newton and her stlye icon is Brigitte Bardot. Melissa's boots, vest and purse are all from Top Shop. Her trousers are Zara and the scarf is American Apparel. I didnt ask were the ring was from but her watch was her Grandad's.

Out and about...grey chapeau

From Fashionistable

I like how Krista has mixed her colours. The subtle tones of blue and grey brightened with splashes of pink. Krista is Lithuanian and has been the UK for 7 months studying English and working in Massimo Dutti. Her hat, jacket and shirt are all H&M. The scarf is from Peacocks but her shoes are borrowed from her Mum. Krista's jeans are from Warehouse and her bag is Anya Hindmarch.

Out and about....quiet storm

From Fashionistable

Esme was in London for an interview with Storm. She  would like to do her work experience there. I hope it went well for her. She had traveled all the way down from Scotland. Esme is from Elgin. At she is studying communication with PR at Aberdeen. I asked Esme about her style which she describes as modern and quirky with an urban feel. No bright colours though. For her interview she was wearing jacket from TKmaxx, dress Top Shop and trousers H&M. Her shoe boots which I love are from a flea market and finally her bag is vintage.

Out and about....Misty Waters

From Fashionistable

From Fashionistable

Louise is a friend of mine and a brilliant stylist. I have always loved working with her she has a great eye and attitude. We haven't seen each other for quite a while so over lunch we had a lot to talk about. Along with the fact that things are really good for Louise for the moment she told me about a new creative direction she had taken. Some time ago she went, for fun, with another friend who had just been made redundant to burlesque dance classes. She enjoyed them so much that when they were over she convinced her teacher to run an advanced class. When she asked for more the teacher told her she had taught her all she knew it was now up to her to go out and do it. So she did and now has a whole new outlet for her creativity. On the day she had her first performance in February her mum had just arrived to visit her from Australia. Her mum loved her performance and said she was born to do this. If you would like to see Louise performing as Misty Waters her next performance is tonight at The Paradise.
Louise has a great sense of her own style and today is no exception her lovely cool spring look consists of a Paul Costelloe jacket, scarf left over from a shoot, jeans by Industry an Australian brand and shoes from Office. The other pieces that complete her outfit are a fringe waistcoat by Concrete, t-shirt from Horace and green bag from Mimco. And that lovely yellow bracelet is a present from another friend brought back from India.

Out and about.... sunshine and flowers in the Parka

From Fashionistable

Karla has a lovely sunny smile, just like the day we were having. Here we are outside the back of Liberty with its flowery wallpaper on the outside wall, which is complimenting their curtains and window display. Karla is sporting another look for this season - military/parka. It is amazing how well you can get on and manage to understand each other while not speaking the language of the other. We had this going on in spades and yet we have managed to get good shot. Karla is from Albacete in Spain and is in the UK for a year to study English. She is wearing parka and boots from Zara. Her shirt and bag are from H&M and her leggings are from Ben Sherman.

Out and about...flying the flag

From Fashionistable

Now that the season has changed I am loving taking pictures again....well actually I always love taking pictures but the change of light makes is so much more fun. Mirka is an investment banker. She came to the UK from Poznan in Poland in 2003. Her camel coloured leather jacket caught my eye, it and her glasses are Cavalli, she also had on an inner jacket which was vintage Armani. The jeans she is wearing are from G-Star. Mirka's boots are by Sergio Rossi and finally her bag is Prada.

Out and about....60s beat

From Fashionistable

From Fashionistable

Simone loves the 60's so it was very apt that I met her in Carnaby Street. She was in London with her friends for one week and the main aim of their visit from Austria was to go to the Beat Bespoke festival. Simone is a History of Art student - I asked her, her favourite period in Art History and she told me the Impressionist period.That certainly was an exciting time for the history of art. I love her green coat and red hair. And her glasses really compliment her face Her coat is from H&M her scarf is borrowed from her Mum. She has on stripy over the knee socks which are also from H&M. She could not remember where she got her shoes from but told me they had originally been high tops which she had cut down.

Out and about....10

From Fashionistable

From Fashionistable

I saw Tereza step out of a doorway and quickly nip out of the way of pavement traffic to answer a text - it was her hair and a flash of her bright white shirt that caught my attention. Tereza is originally Sudanese but has lived in London since she was 6 when her and her family fled from the conflict unfolding there in the 80's. However as it has had relative peace (....yet remains volatile) since 2007 and will have independance in 2011, her family are talking about going back. Tereza has been marrying her love of fashion with a course on Fashion Communication with Promotion at St Martins and Fashion Assisting for 10 magazine. When I met her she was in the middle of doing returns. Her wish is to open doors for fashion in the Sudan. I wish her every success she is taking on a big challenge.  The cool broach/necklace in the middle of her white shirt was created by Tereza from a piece she picked up from haberdashery. Her jacket is Valentino.  Scarf Max Mara. The cool white shirt is by Muji. Her boots are from Burberry and her bag is Mango. When I said I loved her hair she said more people should wear it natural. When it looks as good as this I have to say I totally agree.

Out and about.... i spy

From Fashionistable

I love it when find people who manage to look so good on a budget. Kathy is from Manhattan and when we were talking about her outfit she was able to tell me how much everything cost. The total cost for her whole look is £15.50 and everything is good quality. I feel the ability to shop like this is a gift. Kathy works as a runner of the movie industry. She looks like she has just stepped out of one and her character is a spy. We shot this in a very busy spot near Leicester Square - people were great and waited to the side while I took the pic's. And Kathy moved like she did this every day. It was fun.

Out and about....spot on

From Fashionistable

Some days are easier than others. When the sun is shining and everyone is happy that is a good day. Mind you some days you have this but your camera lets you down....this was one of those days. I was still lucky to get some shots of Renate before my camera decided that was enough. I found out later it was just a camera numbering thing and was easily rectified thank goodness I had reached 9999 and had to reset the internal numbering system. Which was easier than it sounds.
Renate is from South Africa but has been living in the UK for 10 years now. She is studying to be a make-up artist at the London College of Beauty Therapy. I love her monochrome look and her red hair.
Her dress and bag were bought in Hong Kong on a visit to see her Dad who lives out there. Her hair was coloured by Monica at Corner Cuts in Shepherds Bush.

A little something different....Dance 2XS

From Fashionistable

From Fashionistable

From Fashionistable

I thought I would show you some of my other work today. These shots are from a series I did for dance group Dance 2XS. If you look closely you may recognise some of them from the X Factor and So you think you can dance and much, much more Dance2XS.

Out and about....Environmental Justice Foundation

From Fashionistable

Fashion can be a very strong force for good. I was about to ask Zayed if I could take her picture when she turned and handed me on of her leaflets, she works for and was promoting a pop up shop on the Beak St end of Carnaby Street which is selling designer, designed t-shirts the sale of which are helping to protect the natural environment and defend human rights. 11 designers, Alice Temperley, Richard Nicoll, Jenny Packham, Ciel, Giles Deacon, Allegra Hicks, John Rocha, Zandra Rhodes, Luella, Betty Jackson, Christian Lacroix and Katharine Hamnett,  have joined forces with EJF and have designed a t-shirt on the theme of childhood and lost innocence. I was shocked to find out that in the 21st Century in parts of the world forced labour is still used to pick cotton. In Uzbekistan alone hundreds of thousands of children are focibly conscripted to harvest the country's annual cotton crop. A crop which earns Uzbekistan (the worlds 3rd largest cotton exporter and the 6th largest producer) 1billion USD yet, the children who do not live close to the cotton fields live in squalid conditions, often lacking basic nutrition and are exposed to harmful pesticides. The children receive little or no payment for their labour yet they are expected to pay for their food. It can be different, which is why the t-shirts are made from organic and fairly traded continental cotton, the proceeds from their sale support the charity's work. The t-shirts are beautiful. Zayed is wearing the one by Allegra Hicks. I bought the John Rocha one. Zayed told me the shop should be there for the next 6 weeks at least - so know you Pick Your Cotton Carefully by going along to Carnaby Street or buy online ejfoundation.org/shop  and pick up one of their t-shirts.