the way she wears it

Yesterday I had the fortune to work with Rae Morris on an advertising shoot recently. Rae is considered one of Australia’s top make up artists, if not THE best. I remember seeing her work many years ago when I was an assistant and thinking one day I would love to work with her – and now I have. She has just launched a new book Make Up – The Ultimate Guide. I haven’t had a chance to purchase it yet but I will. All photography is by Stephen Chee (a photographer I would love to work with also) and features a few models I have worked with. What amazed me most about Rae was how lovely and down to earth she is. This is her, Nigel and assistants sorting out her kit – and what an amazing (and massive) kit it is.

So, I have moved into a new studio/work space in Surry Hills on Marlborough Street. It is the building known as the Tsubi building as they take up the ground floor. The space is fantastic and I couldn’t be happier there. Lots of great companies like Fuzzy (Musical festivals), Agent25, Lemonsoup and labels like Sabatini. I have a feeling it is going to be a fun place to work !! (Excuse the mess, but hell, it is never going to be tidy)

I’m back. And boy have things changed. Well, first up, I have fallen head over heels with a very gorgeous man and as a result I am living back in Sydney. (I must admit we all suspected it would happen since meeting Darryn at a friends wedding earlier last year) The holiday I took in October to see him extended to December, then to January and then he convinced me to stay for good. I gave him a three month trial and he passed with flying colours (well pretty much). I also scored myself a fabulous new agent and it seemed like I couldn’t argue with fate and so I stayed.

I’ve now been back in Sydney for a few months and know I have made the right choice. At least I hope so because I bought a new “soccer mum” car (well new to me anyway) and signed a 2 year lease on a fabulous work space in Surry Hills. I miss my London friends, my London family, my London flat, London weather (yes yes I know, I’m odd) and London shopping. Oh how much I miss London shopping. I don’t however miss the tube, not one little bit.

The agent I signed with is Mari Vendrame Management www.vendrame.com and so far so good. Mari is an amazing woman, as is Francis, her right hand lady. They have some fabulous people on their books (hello, Patrick Demarchelier, Markus Kinko and famed local photographer Anna Bertalli) and I feel honoured to be amongst them. I am still finding my feet with them and am busy shooting whilst running around on go sees.

I won’t rattle on too much about each job I’ve done so far but like I said so good so far. I’ve done all sorts, from editorial to advertising.

* go sees are where creatives such as photographer, stylist, MUA etc show their book and meet art directors, magazine editors, photographic agents etc in the hope of working with them in the future.

I’m off to Sydney tomorrow to spend some time out with friends and a gorgeous new man so will post when I am back (in December).

Yesterday I shot with one of London’s best photographers Tony McGee. I have shot with him once before for his book on Ballet and loved his work. I have been waiting a while to shoot with him again. He shoots regularly for Vogue, Harpers etc and many advertising campaigns. The model we used was Diana T from Storm, she has just shot with Patrick Demarchelier for British Vogue. The brief I was given was the latest Valentino campaign. I decided to go with metallics. But as I did my appointments on Wednesday I fell in love with a lilac Julien Macdonald dress and changed the story slighty to accomodate but as luck would have it we had to cut the looks from 8 to 6 due to time so I did metallic only. I quickly convinced my favourite photographer, Keith Clouston, to shoot on Saturday so I’ve built a whole new story around the lilac dress – yay

Lilac dress by Julien Macdonald. I want !!

Anyway yesterdays shoot was fantastic. Nat assisted me which was amusing. The make up artist and hair stylist were also Australian which made for a good laugh. I’ve attached a few behind the scene photos below.

Shoes glorious shoes …

The Guisseppe Zanotti handbag I fell in love with

There are only two professions in this world where we spent most of the time on our knees – and one of them is a stylist.

Me getting in the way of Pete, the hair stylist.

On set – The final shot and the Christian Dior dress that I could barely lift for the weight of jewels.

I turned 27 today. Yay !! I have had a fantastic weekend. Started off with a bit of shopping with Mum and Nat. Mum bought me the most beautiful Matthew Williamson purple coat.

New coat and mum – shame it is so blurred.

Then Friday night Mum treated me and five of my girlfriends (inc Mum) to High Tea at The Savoy Hotel, followed by Fiddler on the Roof at The Savoy Theatre. The performance was absolutely amazing, the lead in it was incredible. After the play, Mum, Nat, Bel and I headed to The Artesian Bar at The Langham Hotel. THANK YOU MUM, It was such an amazing night x

Then last night, Sal and I had joint drinks at the Chepstow Pub in Notting Hill. Lots of people came, including the parentals. I got far too drunk due to people constantly buying me drinks but it was a fun night. Loads of photos were taken so Ill only put a few up.

Today, my actual birthday, I was woken at 530am with a call from a very sexy boy in Oz which made my day and then was jumped on by Nat waking me up with a pressie. Nat and Ali took me out for lunch and on to see ‘No Reservations’ at the cinema. Fantastic movie, even if it has made me even more clucky – eek, must be cos Im a year older now.

Was a great birthday !! I got so many beautiful presents and cards. My two favourite cards were from Darryn and Belinda (see below). Birthday pressie highlight was two Elton John concert tickets for when I’m in Sydney from Mum and Richard – cant wait !!

THANK YOU EVERYONE for all the cards, pressies, phone calls, texts and facebook comments xx

Tuesday 18th September 2007

Today was the probably the worst fashion week day I’ve ever attended. Im not being snobby or a princess but the parties were pretty rubbish. The best of the bunch was however the Yes Master lingerie party at Crystal. I went with Nic, James, Cat, Jack, Juliet and I took my school friend Nat along. There were no free drinks as promised and an extremely expensive bar list – 36000 pound bottle of champagne amongst it. The show however was pretty good, 6 Burlesque dancers including Little Bo Peep (whom I thought would make the ultimate girlfriend for Darryn or should I say Lamb). There were also several lingerie and swimwear shows.

We left that party and headed to the Plastique magazine party – this was being heralded as one of the best parties of the week – we didnt even go in. The queue was unbelievable, even on the VIP list. I’ve had more fun in a rugby scrum so we hot footed it to the War magazine party – highlight of the night was singing Abba in the taxi – much to the annoyance of James. Thought we had finally found a good party at Studio Valbonne but an hour after we got there the free bar tab ran out – this is Fashion week people – why oh why was it such a dry night?? After an hours sober dancing Nat and I called it quits and headed home – ran into Hannah Marshall on the way out and was tempted to stay but thought otherwise. Should have done, an hour later James called to say they had headed back to the first party where Shaggy and Jamelia were now performing and the bar had finally opened. Bugger, but pj’s, salt and vinegar chips and Nat sufficed.

Monday 17th September

I woke up really sick in the night, still feeling sick today so have decided to take it easy this morning. Im a bit annoyed as I was suppossed to be shooting the Sony Ericcson campaign today but it got postponed last minute on Friday. I now do not know when it is happening, there is talk of tomorrow but I havent started shopping for it so hopefully not.

Im not going to any shows this morning as my flat is in a state and Natalie arrives to crash on my sofa tonight for a week or so. So Im being a domestic goddess. Tonight however is the On/Off reception. Then Jack is taking me as his plus one to the Ten magazine party – my liver is crumbling with the thought of it – more to come later.

Another fantastic night, another bloody hangover. Started off at the On/Off reception at The Royal Academy with Chiara, a make up artist. Met up with James and Nic, both photographers and Cat, another stylist. Fell in love with these tiaras made out of recycled plastic bags. I was filmed for Fashion TV whilst trying them on – eek, I have a face for radio not tv.

The On/Off party was shite so we headed to Quaglinos for some cocktails. I spilt Cats all over her – I claimed it was on purpose since she is competition (obviously it wasnt) he he.

Jack, James, Me, Nic and Cat

Afterwards Jack and I headed to the BIG magazine launch (new magazine by the Ten mag peoples) at Cafe Royal. Lots of seabreazes and networking. But the Alexander McQueen party looked better next door so we decided to crash it. We had friends in there so we walked in with them then pretended we werent given wrist bands, so easy. The photographer who shot the cover of BIG (cant remember his name) came with us. The AMQ party was much better with the Boombox crew and the crazy outfits but Jack preffered the mag party so we danced between the two all night. Ended up at China White with a big group of people til the early hours where I stole the reserved sign – Teena would be so proud.

Fantastic night, paying for it now and dreading having to do it all again tonight.

Dancefloor at Alexander McQueens party

Loved what he was wearing

He looked gorgeous

As did he – although goodness knows he danced in that

Being papped leaving Cafe Royal

Naughty me !!   

Sunday 16th September 2007

Today isn’t going to be much better in the effort stakes from me than yesterday I have to say. First show today is the Xterity by Tracy Mulligan ‘Elsa’ at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout. So far, the prettiest invite – Kym, you would love it. (I have a slight obsession with invites – I keep them all).

I had every intention of going to this show but since it starts in under an hour and I’m still in bed I don’t think it is going to happen. I’m also missing the rest of the shows today as Gavin is coming into town for a few hours. I’m a bit sad to be missing Amanda Wakely and Gareth Pugh but it’s a beautiful day here and perfect for spending outdoors.

Tonight I’m going to the Diane Von Furstenberg launch party, taking Juliet Johns www.julietjohns.com as my plus one. We have been meaning to party for a while so I’m sure it will be a big night … I’ll fill you in later x

Sooo, what a night. Jules and I attended the above party and it was fantastic. The Creme de la Creme of the fashion industry were there. The champagne didnt stop flowing, Dianes collection was amazing and the goodie bags fab. Jules and I spoke to Diane for a little while – we were both star struck. Also met Erin O’Connor who is an amazon – so incredibly tall. Stuart Rose was there as was Colin McDowell. I spoke to Hilary Alexander for a while, she called me Faye. I assisted her for a while when I first arrived in London – oh well lol. We also got snapped by a few paps, but totally forgot to ask what papers they were from – dammit.

After the party we had some time to kill before Movida guestlist opened and Maddox party started so we decided to head to the Sanderson for dinner. After a huge meal of Fois gras and choc pudding, we were so tired, we called it a night and promised to pick up where we left tomorrow night.

So incredibly annoyed I forgot my camera

Saturday 15th September 2007

Well it was a rather rubbish start from me I have to say. I was far too hungover from my antics at gay bars with Malcolm and Tom the evening before to step foot out of my flat. (Plus I was having too much fun watching Phantom of The Opera on dvd and talking to a sexy boy in Oz) So I missed the shows and went straight to the parties – typical.

Highlight (and only party I made it to) was Hannah Marshall’s ‘Celebration of The Little Black Dress’ at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon. Naturally I wore a black dress (with purple tights, Stella McCartney clear perspex shoes and a metallic purple Gucci bag with gold bamboo straps). I invited my two assistants Anastasiya and Anne to come with me. The cocktails didn’t stop flowing and were to die for. Hannah looked gorgeous as always and her new collection is stunning. We met a few interesting people including a guy that made me assist him on some magic tricks – he also kept going on about how fabulous and smooth my skin was and how nice it is to see blonde hair when so much of the room was brunette – we became best friends fast he he. Also there were Laura and Damian, editors of Sublime magazine – I made a huge mistake of forgetting who Damian was – and I’ve even been to their house – oops. Also there was the photographer that shot Hannah’s look book – we discussed shooting together so fingers crossed.

Anastasiya and I started to get hungry so we left Anne to continue picking up the photographer’s assistant (naughty girl) and headed to the Ivy for dinner. As we left Hannah gave us a goodie bag containing some bath thingies and a bottle of elderflower vodka – I swear you cant be a t totaller if you work in this industry … Ana and I had a fabulous meal and a bottle of Sancerre at The Ivy and then headed home – I was shattered (I’m getting old and cant keep up with 18 year old assistants)

Other highlight has been the best work present so far. I fell in love with a pair of Gil Carvalo shoes on a shoot the other week and asked for a stylist discount and was denied. Anyway on Friday a wrapped box arrived with the shoes  – Thank you Patrick, you are a star !!!

Whilst taking a photo of these shoes, I took one of my shoe cupboard – I have a serious shoe problem – half my shoes do not even fit in there and have another box he he

I also have a handbag problem – ok Ill shut up now x