I love working with “New Designers” - what’s funny is most new designers aren’t all that new - it’s more that they’re just not well known (yet!). Often you meet  a designer who’s only 25 and they’ve been designing for the past 10 years. I worked on a look book shoot which went really well. There is so much planning involved but it pays off in the end when you have a great team!

I know I talk a lot about the team but the synergy of the team is essentail to doing a great shoot; it’s easy to do a good shoot and sometimes by fluke you can do a great shoot, naturally the more experience you have the better your work becomes.

It’s also important for the whole team to know what the look and feel of the shoot is about. You’ll have mood boards about hair and make-up, lighting and the looks so everyone can have a visual to work from and of course on the day things can change: something doesn’t work, you have a better idea, someone is sick - things change! Just be prepared - the motto I learned in Brownies always seems to be right!

Doing a photo shoot with Olympic athletes can be great, they already have such a strong presence and are comfortable with lots of people running around; which they can just ignore and focus on the task at hand. All the athletes are sponsored by Team Visa. When you have young athletes doing there first fashion photo shoot you need a strong team behind the camera: photographer Joe Lacey and art director Simon Costin! The energy was great and you just know it’s going to be a fun shoot day!

Tom Daley is a diver and wore Vivienne Westwood.
Mo Farah does track and field and looked dashing in a Richard James.
Natasha Baker is an equestrian and wore an iconic Giles Deacon dress.
Beth Tweddle is a gymnast wearing a bespoke Marchesa gown.

Erika Trotzig recently collaborated with Studio Private and photographer Yuval Hen. This is one of the images from their exhibition in London. I just love the feel of this shot, the light & the yellow background. I want to know more about the girl - it feels like a painting.

Yellow backgrounds often remind me of the short story The Yellow Wallpaper (first published in 1891). It’s a story is about a women and her descent into psychosis. Her husband, also her physician confines her to room in a summer house where she is forbidden to work or even write, otherwise known as - the rest cure. With nothing to engage her she slowly becomes obsessed by the room’s yellow wallpaper. “It is the strangest yellow, that wall-paper! It makes me think of all the yellow things I ever saw — not beautiful ones like buttercups, but old foul, bad yellow things. But there is something else about that paper — the smell! … The only thing I can think of that it is like is the color of the paper! A yellow smell.”

Erika’s work is very beautiful, her pieces are very wearable and have the feel of haute couture and fine art. She studied pattern cutting in Stockholm before enrolling at Saint Martins. In 1988 after graduation she went on to work for Belgian designer, Josephus Thimister in Paris and then returned to London to launch her own label. Erika was awarded New Generation sponsorships, and sold in boutiques and department stores across the world, had catwalk shows during London Fashion Week, and exhibited in Paris and Tokyo.

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!!

The Subways: Josh Morgan - Drums, Billy Lunn - Guitar & Vocals, Charlotte Cooper - Bass & Vocals are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. They’re all really good friends, they love what they do and they’re just fun to hang out with! Their debut album, Young For Eternity, was released on 4 July 2005 in the UK and February 14, 2006 in the US. Their second album, All Or Nothing, will be released on June 30, 2008!!

Strawberry Blonde is a song from their new album! Check out their schedule, they’re playing at KOKO in Camden this week!!

Charlotte is super cute & tiny - she’ll look fab in anything! She loves labels like Sass & Bide, PPQ, Jasmine de Milo, Christian Louboutin, Irregular Choice and Vans! How cool is she!

A cool t-shirt designed by Josh’s girlfriend!

I’m always happy to shoot at a studio that has a nice lunch, so I was quite pleased about shooting at Holborn Studios. I also like studios that are helpful. I usually bring hangers just in case the studio doesn’t have enough and sometimes I bring my own steamer & iron.

I like bringing an assistant to a shoot, not just because there lots to do but because it’s a great experience. Once we’ve organized the rails, steamed & ironed everything we’re good to go. This shoot was for a designer that I’ve known for a few years so it was really a pleasure and a very smooth day. We planned the shoot really well and the dresses were beautiful! Sometimes you can plan a shoot to the last detail but it’s the synergy of the team that makes it a great shoot!

I love location shoots and Lordship Park was one of the best houses that I’ve seen in a long time. The owners were so sweet and made you feel very welcome, plus they offered you tea as soon as you came in the door! I just loved the house - I’m a girl who lives surrounded by clutter; I have suitcases and rails, buttons - just so much stuff that I long for minimalism - I think this is why I love staying in hotels, just so I can get away from my own debris… Anyway this house was spacious and open, it wasn’t cluttered but it wasn’t too minimalist either - I think there were 4 floors and there were so many details that we had lots options for different set ups. An added bonus was the two whippets, Enzo and Capri! They were so gentle and friendly that of course I wanted to pack them in my case and keep them. I’ve always felt that if owners look like their pets I’d really like to have a sleek whippet!

Sometimes you’re booked for a location shoot and you have no idea how it’s going to work out. I worry about my clothes being wrinkled and having no where to iron or steam them. I packed them lightly and put them in garment bags so they don’t get crushed but I know they’ll still manage to get a little crushed and I hate that. We had a van for the shoot, not a location van but more like a people carrier. I do have a portable rail and steamer but sometimes there isn’t even room for that especially on a location shoot. The skill of doing a location shoot is you have to think on your feet and this is why a good photographer is really important! I was working with a team that I really like so I know that we’d get the shots we needed. Of course there are some things you can’t plan for, our model sprained her ankle the night before so her foot was swollen & sore and didn’t fit most of the shoes - so we just did a lot of 3/4 shots and tighter crops.
In the end - which was really the beginning of the day we really lucked out! We thought we do the hair & make up in a hotel bathroom or coffee shop but that didn’t look like it was going to happen - too many people were having business meetings. We asked the front desk if there was anyway they could help us with the photo shoot and they gave us a room for £50!! So we had plugs for the hairstylist, a mirror for the make up artist and a wardrobe for me to hang up the garments and just a lovely room for the day. The hotel said we could shoot in doors and anywhere on the hotel property! How delightful!!!

One of the most important things about any shoot, especially a location shoot is the team you’re working with. It could have rained, and we could have done the make up in the car and I could have worked out of a case and we would have made it work - because that’s just what you do and you even manage to have fun!

Check out Disneyroller Girl and her great post Ready Steady…Style!

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.

Some days are less exciting then others, and most people don’t realize how much running around a stylist does. I have three shoots this week so there has been lots of prep work to do. Today was a day full of errands and visiting PRs. I like visiting PRs and seeing all the clothes and most of all I like having a coffee & a good chat!

The photographs are from a London PR that represents over 30 brand from Triumph motor bikes to Aldo shoes!

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

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!!

I write a monthly page called “Dress for Your Shape” for Health and Fitness magazine. Each month I focus on a different sport, and while it’s important to dress appropriately for each sport what’s really most important is that you dress for yourself!
There is so much great sportswear out there that you should never have to wear an old t-shirt to the gym. I love sportswear. I don’t tend to wear much sportswear outside the gym, but I do feel great walking to and from the gym in my kit; actually I feel a bit powerful! The gym is one of those rare places where you actually do something just for yourself. So if you’re going to feel good why not look good too?

I love location shoots. This house was a huge box and very cool - it was open concept with lots of light, height and space. Actually it felt very Canadian even though it was in London! We were shooting Chanelle, she’s great fun & super cute.

There was a very friendly yet unassuming, slightly chubby cat living in the house!

This is Chanelle with her make up artist Lisa. Lisa loves blush more than anything and she’s given me some great make up. She’s promised me false eyelashes next time!!

Some fashion shoots are fast and furious. We started organizing and doing some prep at 9am as our shoot wasn’t going to start until 4pm. The team for Ebyan was coming from Paris and arrived quite late so we didn’t start shooting until about 10pm, and I didn’t go to bed until 5am! I was packing up all the clothes as we were shooting in a different location the next day. I think it’s good every now and then to be sleep deprived: the world looks so different, and somehow that’s a good thing. It felt like a shoot right out of Fashion Babylon.

We has lots and lots of clothes, so many beautiful dresses and such sexy slutty shoes!! It was great and Sarah Marshall was amazing, you just end up adoring her!

I love the buying and selling of clothes and I really want people to enjoy what they are wearing. Advertising is quite interesting as you might have a very specific brief to work to, or just a small selection of clothes, but either way it’s my job to make the clothes fit well. Of course if you have a great model 80% of your work is done. It’s all about casting!!!

I love shooting for Flux - they are my favourite shoots. The editors at the magazine are great: they don’t just like something because it’s trendy or popular they like it because they like it.

I worked with photographer & singer Haidée Augusta! She was so sweet, she actually packed a picnic lunch for us! You can listen to her on myspace.

It rained for most of the shoot… but we got all the shots and they look good!!!

Interview London
Denim and Simon King

Are you
working on a new collection?

London Denim: Constantly,
although I do stop for coffee.

Where
are you from?

London Denim Suffolk: Ipswich in
hence the six fingers on each hand and webbed feet

Are there
any family members that inspired your work? An Aunty that sews etc?

London Denim: Yep my Nana
taught me to use a machine when I was about 9, but I would not say she inspires
my design, she was just a really great Nana.. My uncle Ian is an inspired
cabinet maker and I’m totally inspired by his dedication to perfection of his
pieces.

Have you
always wanted to have a fashion label?

London Denim: Yes, I like
both the control and vanity

What is
your signature? Is there a specific fabric or print that you are known to
use? Or a detail?

London Denim: On my jeans its
got to be my cut on the hip. With my T’s is large prints.

What are
some of your favorite colours, patterns, weights of material to work with?

London Denim: I don’t really
have a favorite colour but I do hate Yellow and Paisley

Who are
your favorite designers that you look to for inspiration?

London Denim: For my
customized collection it was Cartier, I’d seen a few of their 1920’s pieces at
the deco exhibition at the V&A last year and went bonkers for them.
Beautiful diamond birds, torcs and panthers. Galliano really is the ultimate
designers designer if I could be reborn it would be with his talent.

What
outside aspects inspire your designs?

London Denim: My customers
inspire much of my customization work. Because I work very closely with them on
one off pieces often I’ll follow a path which will lead to a small capsule of
something I would not have imagined without that close interaction.

What were
some of the struggles you had to overcome when beginning the label?

London Denim: Learning the
business, learning who I was as a designer. It all sounds really trite but
there are very few designers out there who’ve sprung out of Zeus’s head fully
formed.

Have you
been featured in any publications, TV shows, etc…? If so, when/where?

London Denim: All the normal
ones, BBC featured my customization work, with Fashion TV I did an interview at
my first Pret, Evening Standard and a few others. I’m lucky to have a good PR
and to be producing pieces which the press like so I’m getting quite a lot of
press on the collection at the moment.

Where is
the collection currently sold and who are you dream stockists?

London Denim: I really only
sell to Harrods and a few independents. The boutique at Babbington house would
be a great stockist, I’d deliver personally and pick up a massage at the
cowshed at the same time.

Which
celebrities would you most like to see wearing your collection?

London Denim: The ones I
fancy. I’m sure Hannibal Lector would say something about me feeling closer to
them as they’d be wearing my designs; Tracey Emin, Gwyneth Paltrow, Shilpa
Shetty, Marline Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, Joan Collins,

Do you
remember your dreams?

London Denim: Always, I have
really great dreams every night. Adventures where I fly, save the world, find
the treasure, Move house….

Do you eat
breakfast?

London Denim: NO

When are
you showing next?

London Denim: I don’t have a
show I exhibit at London Fashion Week Exhibition.

Favourite
food, restaurant?

London Denim: Banners in
Crouch End. Not only is the food fab, the music’s normally chilled regee.

Where do
you like to shop?

London Denim: Depends what
for, for trainers I’d hunt all over till I got the right pair so that’s
normally Harrods or Harvey Nichols. Harrods have the best menswear staff in London,
they’re into you as the customer no into themselves as the living mannequin.
For everything else I just tend to wear cheap white tops, I go through them so
fast so it’s the sales and bulk buying.

Favourite
menswear place?

London Denim: My idea of
menswear heaven is Jeffery’s in meatpacking NY. The buyers are HOT. They really
know how to mix brands and don’t seem to be scared of trying out new brands.

Did a great shoot this weekend. I love this dress, it’s quite heavy and the skirt is large but I would love to wear it! I just think I wouldn’t be able to sit down and no one could come to close to me! Jen & Shica did a great job, really without a good team I’m just a girl with fabulous clothes, and I hate to say it but that is just not enough!

George McCorkell at Models 1