Yesterday’s shoot was all about Wonderful Hair. I’ve never had hair extensions and have never had the desire to have them - until today that is.
I love how Yulia looks while waiting for her hair to be done. Most models bring a book or something, occasionally I’ve known models who knit to pass the time.
This was a busy shoot as we had lots to accomplish but we really had a great team and worked really well together. I think too many people are thinking that working in fashion is just like life in The Hills! Although The Hills is my assistant’s favourite show she knows what really happens on a shoot & how much work is really involved.
And yes, sometimes there are perks! The perk was some red hair extentions!!
Most stylists & their assistants know how to steam and iron. I love steamers. I’m not big on ironing but it’s important to know how to iron a shirt. If you can iron a shirt while it’s still slightly damp it will wrinkle less and look nice and crisp. On occasion I’ve used a shirt starch.
Collar: Start with the underside
Shoulder yoke: Slip each shoulder over the narrow end of the board and press from shoulder to centre of the back
Cuffs: Inside first, then outside
Sleeves: Iron cuff opening side first, then the reverse
Body: Use wide end of the board, iron front panels first, then the back
FYI: The first ironing table was patented in 1858 by W. Vandenburg. Vandenburg would file an additional six ironing board patents over the next four years. In 1870 JH Mallory patented the ironing board that resembles the modern day ironing board.
This is my new assistant on her first day! Stephanie’s visiting London for the summer. She’s from the States but would love to live in Europe. Being a fashion assistant is quite a bit of work. There are lots of errands to do and sometimes we have very short notice to prep a job, but I think it will be quite fun working together!
This was Vivienne Westwood’s first show in London in 9 years. There maybe many reasons for her showing in London but maybe one of the strongest reason is to speak out and create action in the UK about the 277 prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay. The U.S. plans to prosecute Guantanamo Bay prisoners at military tribunals. “Fair trial my arse” were the sentiments of the show: the slogan was printed on a pair of “prison” orange knickers worn by one of the models. It’s refreshing to go to show that mixes fashion and politics. We forget how powerful fashion can be - as an organization - it doesn’t mean we all have the same political views just because we’re in the same industry but it does mean that we have a bigger voice then we think we have and we shouldn’t be afraid to use it.
Her information pack contains information petitions and charitable donation to support “Fair Trial My Arse” you can go to www.reprieve.org.uk.
For some reason I’ve starting thinking of Constance Lytton - my mind wonders… Anyway Constance Lytton was born in 1869 to a privileged family: Robert, the first Earl of Lytton and Edith Villiers. In 1908 Constance Lytton joined the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) and in 1909 she took part in a demonstration at the House of Commons where she was arrested and imprisoned. As soon as the authorities realized who she was, she was released, she was angry that she was given special treatment so she disguised herself and took a new identity: Jane Wharton, a London seamstress. At another demonstration Constance (Jane) was arrested and this time sentenced to fourteen days and when she refused to eat she was forced fed eight times. Again Constance was released when the authorities realized who she was. Constance wrote articles and pamphlets on women’s rights for the WSPU and wrote a book on her experiences in the suffragette movement called Prisons and Prisoners. I really admire Constance Lytton, she used her social position to change the world she lived in and maybe somehow that makes me think of Vivienne Westwood. There are very few people in this world who really say and do what they think and they know it’s not without repercussions but they know it’s the right thing to do and they do it.
I love seeing the crowds at shows! (This is the same venue as Basso and Brook)
Sophie Ellis Bextor and Richard Jones
Amechi Ihenacho looking quite dashing with his lovely sister!
The lovely Hannah Almassi from Grazia.
I have always been a fan of big hair and this season we’ve seen lots & lots of crimped hair!
I’ve had some really great fashion assistants over the years and for some odd reason, unknown to me they are often called Chloe or some form of Kate. Anyway my assistant Chloe is so hard working. She’s been running all over central London this week picking up and returning items. She has sore fingers from sewing and she’s been steaming and ironing all day long! A talented fashion assistant is a rare breed. You always hear people say that fashion is so competitive and in many ways that’s true -but I think the rules are simple - you’re either 110% committed or you’re not - and most people aren’t.
This shoot was for Luxure Magazine. I was really happy to do a shoot for Luxure because I adore the Fashion Director, Alexia Somerville. She’s an amazing stylist and has a really good eye for spotting new talent. The shoot was about “The Ones To Watch” so we focused on several up-and-coming designers. The team is also so worth watching. Hamilton is a great hair stylist, he actually reminds me of a rock god (I think he is a rock god…) I ran into him back stage at Prince, and his client list is endless (Nicole Kidman, Linda Evangelista, Cate Blanchett…). Alex Babsky has made up every famous face from Naomi Campbell to Victoria Beckham. He’s a genius, and so generous with his make-up advice. I really loved the make-up he did on Poline, her eyes looked so amazing that I couldn’t stop looking at her! I loved her look, it was a cross between Cindy Lou Hoo and Sandra Dee! I’d been wanting to work with Carlos again for ages and we were just waiting for the right project. It’s important to work with someone that you really trust because you know whatever they do it’s going to be great!
One of the things I like most about my job is that I have the opportunity be in the company of such talented people!
Photographer: Carlos Lumiere
Hair: Hamilton @SLR
Hair Assistant: Graham Tilley
Make Up: Alex Babsky @Frank
Fashion Assistant: Io Takemura
Model: Poline Geereeva @Premiere
Io Takemura is one of my assistants and she’s all about anything & everything eco-friendly, ethical, recyclable and all things sustainable. Here are two of her videos:
Coco is visiting from the US and she’s been doing work experience in London as part of her university program for the past three months. This is a picture of Coco steaming away at a photo shoot! Most fashion assistants don’t realize how much of the work takes place before and after the shoot. The shoot day should run smoothly, as most of your work is done before the actual shoot. My assistants and I spend a lot of time before and after a shoot running all over London: going to meetings, picking up and returning garments. On the shoot day Coco’s unpacking and organizing all the clothes, shoes and accessories. She steams a lot of garments and makes lots of great cups tea! Coco goes home this week to sunny California, so of course we’re all going to miss her!!
This shoot was great fun. We shot at Wasps Stadium inHigh Wycombe. I had never been to a rugby stadium so I was really looking forward to it. We lucked out and had good weather too!
We had two professional rugby players, Sarah Marsh and Susan Cass and one model, Cassandra @ Bookings. Our athletes were amazing and they were able to fit into all the PR samples & their bodys were rock hard! They even both worked out before the shoot!
We were mainly focusing on the New Zealand brand Canterbury. They’re known for their great rugby wear but they also have some great cashmere tops! There are so many great sports brands but I wasn’t supposed to mix competitive brands, so it makes it a bit of a challenge – which is good actually!
A fashion assistant has to carry a lot of bags! This is my assistant in Topshop at Oxford Circus after several hours of shopping and still going strong!
I worked with hair and make up artist, Fraggle Jury. She has the cutest name ever! I asked her “So what does your mum call you?” she answered “Darling!”. She’s the cheekiest, hippest chic that I’ve met in a long time! Her quote for the day was “Sparkle, just a little more sparkle!”
A fashion assistant works very hard so it’s good to get the occasional perk! My assistant, Elana is big on skin care so she’s able to ask professionals like Fraggle any questions she has. It’s always great to get your make-up tips from a professional make-up artist!
Fashion is Art - VIP launch at The Carbon Bar, The Cumberland Hotel, Old Quebec Street, London, W1
Pearl Lowe hosts VIP event launching exhibition of avant-garde fashion, created to support Capital 95.8’s charity Help a London Child. The sensual Sophie Anderton, Hayley Westenra (who is just lovely!!) and Daisy Lowe are among those modeling the 20 outfits styled by Rebekah Roy; designers involved include Giles Deacon, Matthew Williamson, Hussein Chalayan, Gharani Strok, Eley Kishimoto, Preen, Belle and Bunty, and Hamish Morrow. Entertainment starts at 8pm; the auction, led by Nick Bonham, takes place at 9.30pm. Exhibition runs July 12-31 at The Gallery, 121-125 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2 - see separate entry. Event is sponsored by estate agency franchise RE/MAX. Time: 8pm.
I love going to fashion shows, it’s great to see all the professional
shows but it’s so important to see emerging talent. It might be an off
schedule show or graduation fashion show. Courtney Blackman and I went
up to Nottingham to the Nottingham graduate fashion show.
What does a fashion assistant do, what is work experience?
Well let’s start with work experience. Well, this is the
other side of fashion, the realist part, the day to day reality, unglamorous
side but the 100% necessary side of fashion.
You could be asked to do any of the following tasks and I’m sure that there are
many, many things that I can’t think of at the moment.
Organize samples received or to be returned to PRs and checking condition of items
Upkeep of sample room and sample stock – keeping the area tidy and secure
Contacting public relation (PR) companies manufacturers and retailers
Research
Finding the best range of merchandise to be used in a shoot
Getting these garments to and from the studio or location
Picking up and returning garments to the PRs
Dressing the models for the shoot
Setting up the clothes for the shoot
Keeping track of the credits on a shoot
Steaming & ironing
Sewing a button on
Making tea
Running an errands
Keeping a keen eye on what is fashionable at any given time.
Yesterday’s shoot was all about Wonderful Hair. I’ve never had hair extensions and have never had the desire to have them - until today that is.
Me and my wonderful dressers and of course the ever so cute 
