New York Fashion Week AW 2012....After Lorena Sarbu

After Lorena Sarbu (I think!), NYC, February 2012.

Recreate her look (kind of):

Maje Roger hooded rabbit and shearling coat, Thakoon Addition faux fur hooded coat,  or ASOS hood swing fur coat

Bop Basics fisherman scarf

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

The one and only Leandra Medine (Current relationship status: breaking up with Lydia*) aka The Man Repeller, after A Show, NYC, February 2012.

Recreate Leandra's look (kind of):

Shearling trimmed coat: Rag & Bone Scalpel coat with fur trim,  Preen Zora shearling and cotton blend twill coat, Marni shearling and houndstooth coat, or Joseph Dallas shearling and wool coat

Boy. by Band of Outsiders t-shirt, Club Monaco Faye stripe tee, Proenza Schouler striped top, or MiH Jeans striped top

Jeans: Citizens of Humanity Dylan boyfriend jeans, Current/Elliott The Rolled skinny jeans, or Topshop Moto bleach boyfit crop jeans

Open toe booties:Camilla Skovgaard Open Toe cutout booties, Christian Louboutin Col Zippe booties, or ASOS Twilight peep toe shoe boots

*be sure to read Leandra's latest post!

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!

London Fashion Week AW 2012/2013

Somerset House, London, February 2012.

This is how we do in the UK right now.

It isn't terribly cold but crikey has it been wet! Rain, rain and more rain. I prefer to wear anything I can to protect myself from getting soaked without using an umbrella (there is nothing worse than getting your eye or head poked by someone wielding an enormous golf -sized umbrella on a busy city footpath) and a hooded coat or cape is an excellent alternative (with less likelihood of it being lost).

Recreate her cute look (kind of):

Rebecca Taylor boucle hooded coat, ASOS textured oversized cape coat, Marni hooded wool-felt jacket, Cooper &Stollbrand for ASOS hooded check coat or Marithe Francois Girbaud hooded coat

Marc by Marc Jacobs Ben stripe terry top, Rag & Bone/JEAN Sara top, Chinti and Parker striped top, or MiH jeans longwood striped top

New York Fashion Week SS 2013...Erjona

Norwegian model Erjona Ala (Ford), after Yigal Azrouel, NYC, September 2012.

Recreate Erjona's look (kind of):

Boyfriend jeans: Notify Bamboo loose jeans, Current/Elliott The Boyfriend jeans or Topshop Moto light wash boyfriend jeans

Melissa + Jason Wu Jean cutout flats

New York Fashion Week AW 2012/13

Before A Show, NYC, February 2012.

Don't have a scarf that works with your outfit? Loop a knitted cardi around your neck instead like this girl has done!

Recreate her look (kind of):

Plaid coat: Oscar de la Renta plaid belted coat (layer a sweater underneath for super cold days), Kymerah Natalie wrap jacket, United Bamboo plaid knit coat, Tocca Gilbert hooded mohair coat, D&G plaid coat or Tulle Clothing loyal fan coat

J Brand 912 pencil jeans or A Wear slim boyfriend jeans

Chie Mihara Huida lace up booties or Osborn leather print cuff booties

Paris Men's Fashion Week SS 2013...After Dior Homme

After Dior Homme, Paris, June 2012.

Such a fresh, pretty summery look: a lovely white peplum top, jeans, wedges and a basket bag (so chic and so often confined to fruit and veg shopping at the markets, or carrying things to the beach. This brings it back to city wear).

Recreate her look (kind of):

Julie Haus Novak peplum top, Alice + Olivia peplum top, River Island peplum top, or Elizabeth and James Yumi metallic brocade peplum top

Rag & Bone/Jean skinny jeans, J Brand 912 Pencil leg jeans, or A Wear slim boyfriend jeans

Kors Michael Kors Vivian wedge espadrilles, Paloma Barcelo Canarias knotted wedge sandals 
or Paloma Barcelo Lucy patent leather espadrille wedge sandals

Rebecca Minkoff corn husk boyfriend tote or Cath Kidston weave basket bag

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Before Dior Couture

Before Dior Couture, Paris, July 2012.

Recreate her look (kind of):

Riller & Fount Tawny scoop neck tunic, A.L.C. Nora silk-georgette peplum top, Stylestalker Rivited studded dress or ASOS top with soft peplum (in black)

J.Brand Maria skinny jeans, Citizens of Humanity Avedon skinny jeans, or A Wear Slim boyfriend jeans

Camilla Skovgaard wedge saw booties, Jeffrey Campbell Gallery booties (in black), Miss KG Felicity wedge ankle boots, or Jimmy Choo Britania ankle wedge boots

See by Chloe Alix East West double function tote, Tory Burch Robinson double zip tote, Chloe Aurore leather tote, or Warehouse padlock shopper

p.s. Not sure of her name....I photographed her outside the Dior Homme show as well as before Dior Couture, but didn't catch her name unfortunately.

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Vlada and Alla

Vlada Roslyakova and Alla Kostromichova, after Stephane Rolland, Paris, July 2012.

Paris Couture Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Miroslava

Miroslava Duma, before Chanel Haute Couture, Paris, July 2012.

One word. Wow! 

The statement jacket (with jeans), stunning headpiece, flat toned tummy (after baby!). Miroslava we salute you.