Frankly...

 As promised in my last post I went along to talented fashion photographer She is Frank (Natasha Frank) exhibition titled 'Fire and Ice' this past Thursday night and chatted with the lady herself about her contrasting styles of landscape and model. She shot the beautiful landscape images in Iceland on a recent trip and I loved the way she presented the exhibition landscape against portrait with a more art photography feel than her more known fashion work.  

 The 'mysterious' She is Frank with myself at the opening night of her exhibition and also book launch of all the work on show.

 Landscape versus portrait, very well received on the night note lots of green dots!

 A great crowd turned out to support She is Frank at the Everleigh Gallery.

You can view She is Frank's exhibition 'Fire and Ice' upstairs at the Everleigh Gallery till May 31st.

Well done Natasha, I can't wait to work together soon!

Being 'Frank'

 Well hello again dear blog reader, I have been true to my word (so far) and am posting regularly so in an attempt to link the last 18 months of work to the current day in this post I will feature a fantastic photographer who I was lucky to work with way back in 2010 when she was an emerging photographer but of course now has established herself as a 'go to' fashion photographer!
'She is Frank' is her unusual but very memorable name, the talented photographer behind the unusual name is Natasha Frank and in this shoot we did in 2010 that was featured in the early 2011 issue of New York Magazine 'Tokion Factory'. Why I decided to link this shoot we did (one of my all time favourites) to current day is that the wonderful 'She Is Frank' is launching a book and exhibition this coming Thursday (24th May 2012) called 'Fire and Ice' and I'm very much looking forward to seeing the exhibition and what she has been up to creatively lately! Will write a post about the launch!

 Back to this shoot and as some of you may have noticed, it features the stunning Alice Burdeu winner of 'Australia' Next Top Model' and star of many editorials in Vogue, Harpers Bazaar etc. As you would have seen in this blog (way back in time) I have worked with Alice quite a few times and look forward to working with her again soon.
I think Alice looks amazing in this style and is reminiscent of a young 70's Jerry Hall, and folks that IS her actual hair!

 When Natasha and I sat down to discuss the style of the shoot we wanted to contrast extreme glamour with everyday suburbia (with a 60's twist) and so two friends of mine (Kirsten and Nadia) had the perfect house and were so very giving to allow us to use it as a location. It was the perfect back drop to our shoot.

 Not only were we lucky enough to have Alice Burdeu involved but the lovely Zoe and Melody who made the perfect trio of stunning subjects! Most of the clothing was sourced from my great friends Dean and JC at Madam Virtue & Co with a few key pieces from Gorman and Aurelio Costarella.

 If you have read this blog before you would see that I love vintage and surround myself with it constantly so that in turn flows onto my work. The phone Melody is holding in the above shot is my own from the 60's by Ericsson and sits on my desk while writing this!

I simply love this shot (above) of Alice in vintage YSL from Madam Virtue & Co

She is Frank (Natasha) always injects an element of humour in her work and I love that about her, the above shot has that touch of humour but is so vintage and glam! I love the inclusion of the book 'A Clockwork Orange'.

The above shot of Alice is one of my favourite of all time and I use it as the opening of my folio, it is such a beautiful and striking photographic image. I loved this shoot so much, from the location and the clothes  to the models to working with the amazing Natasha Frank (She is Frank). That it was picked up for editorial inclusion in Tokion Factory Magazine is just the icing on the cake!

If you are in Melbourne you should definitely make a trip to see the exhibition "Fire and Ice' by
She is Frank from this Thursday 24th May at The Everleigh Gallery, 150 - 156 Gertrude Street Fitzroy running till May 31st.
I'll be there at the opening on 24th May 2012 6pm - 9pm.

Editorial Credits
Photographer She is Frank
Stylist Philip Boon
Stylist Assistant Sarah Kempson
Make Up Megan Harrison
Assistant Make Up Janice Wu
Hair Rob Mason
Models Alice Burdeu, Melody Le, Zoe Vink

Clothing & Accessories Credits
Madam Virtue & Co
Gorman
Aurelio Costarella
Glitzern
Ghost & Lola
Zomp

IT'S TIME!

It has been a year and a half since I posted on this blog, I'd like to tell you why.
Well sort of.
Firstly I started this blog to share my work as a stylist, really a behind the scenes look at my varied life working on editorial photo shoots and dressing celebrities and models, amongst other things.
Life can get very busy and especially when you have more than one job it can get quite hectic. This blogging thing takes dedication and time too!
So excuses aside another thing for me was the rise of the fashion blogger world wide and how so much attention is now focused on what those bloggers are wearing and doing. This is something that I didn't want my blog to be, not that I don't respect and enjoy a lot of this style of blogging, I do and many friends I know are doing this and doing it well but I just wanted my blog to be a look into someone who has been a stylist for nearly 15 years and what they do on a week to week basis.
Let me just reiterate I really LIKE style bloggers, very much just don't see myself as one and that said didn't want my everyday job (a stylist) to be overshadowed by the blog, or blogging.
Most of this I know is only in my head but feel I need to point that out (probably mostly to myself) so that I can go forward with getting back to blogging my work and life.
Anyway.
Back to the matter at hand, here I am starting to write again and ready to blog what has been going on in my life, and there has been quite a lot!
I left this blog when something happened in my life that I didn't for see, many of you would know that I created with legendary fashion designer Jenny Bannister Australia's only live fashion chat show, FASHION TORQUE.
The post below (from November 2010) tells you all about that.
Fashion Torque has grown to be an exciting part of my life, particularly becoming a friend and colleague of the wonderful and creative Jenny Bannister who always inspires with her amazing talent and humour but also the adventures and experiences Jenny and I have been lucky enough to be involved in and continue to be involved with.
So to let you know what I plan this blog to be about here and now, or should I say from now on.
I thought I would give you a look at what I've been up to work wise over the last year and a half along with some of the things I'm working on now and continue to follow the idea I had in the first place, a behind the scenes of what I do!

Where to start...

    
Stay tuned...I'm back!

Fashion Torque!

I'm usually behind the camera but last week I was thrust in front of the camera to shoot the above image! It's the official image of a new project that I'm doing with the fantastic, legendary fashion designer Jenny Bannister!
It's called 'Fashion Torque' and its a fashion focused discussion hosted by myself and Jenny Bannister. It's a live chat show in a salon atmosphere at Globe Cafe in Prahran Victoria and we hope to cover the big questions in fashion, for both newcomers to the industry and veterans of this mad business!
Jenny and I have talked about doing something together for a while now and we think the fashion landscape needs a forum for every aspect of fashion, from styling to retail to PR.
We will have two guest panelists each week who will join us to discuss, argue and entertain on all things fashion, watch out television programmers we are coming to get you!
I asked photographer Garry Moore to capture Jenny and in action and I think he did a fantastic job. Jenny and I both styled our outfits to reflect our personal style while being fun and over the top! I think we both accomplished that!
I love Jenny's style and her use of colour is not only evident in her personal style but in her fabulous work over the 30 years she has been in the fashion industry, she's even on a stamp!
A big thank you to the wonderful Garry Moore for capturing Jenny and my humour and style.
Our shoot was a complete hoot with all of the crew in hysterics at Jenny's stories and infectious laughter.
I'm constantly amazed by Jenny's accessories and this silver eye ring is so great!
The designer chairs we are sitting on are from Corporate Culture and are designed by Mattiazzi they are fittingly called She Says/He Says

Photographer Garry Moore and my agent Veronica Moore along with Jenny post shoot going through the shots.
I do hope if you are in Melbourne you will try to come along to see Jenny and I each Thursday from 18th November 2010 from 6.30pm for 'Fashion Torque' at the Back Room of Globe Cafe, 218 Chapel Street Prahran and check out our Facebook page Fashion Torque for all the details and weekly special guests from the fashion industry.
Expect a blog post on our first night very soon!

A Summer Man...

A few months back I styled a menswear shoot for the current issue of Fashion Trend magazine. I like to take behind the scenes photo's to show you the reader of my blog what goes on when working on an editorial shoot but of course the problem is I can't show you these photo's till the magazine is actually out. Well Fashion Trend is out now and you can check out this editorial I shot with photographer Philippe Auger right now! The pic above is make up artist Bradwyn Jones grooming model Nick Wheeler.
This shot above is of model Ish and the main styling directive of the whole shoot was to combine colour blocking with a strong masculine feel all for a spring summer release.
The editorial shoot gave me the chance to use some amazing new Menswear designers along with some more established labels which I think reflects the modernity of menswear today. I always like to use as much local Australian designer fashion as possible and was really excited to feature Australian labels Trimapee, Limedrop, From Britten, Clemente Talarico and Leopold along with CK Calvin Klein and jewelery store Glitzern.
Another photo where I look like I just lift a collar or put a shoe on, I assure you I'm working my fingers to the bone! Bradwyn grooming his heart out too.
The above image did not make it to the final edit of the spread but I personally love this outfit consisting of Limedrop's Mens tunic and Leopold shorts and shoes, the chair is an amazing minimalist design from Corporate Culture
My great friend Jamie Couper Senior buyer at CK Calvin Klein is always so accommodating, allowing me to use the latest pieces from their collection and the suit above and shirt below are fine examples of the current collection.
I'd love you to check out the current issue of Fashion Trend and see all of this Mens editorial in all its glory, it also features my friend Alice Burdeau on the cover!
Fashion Trend Magazine 21
Stylist Philip Boon
Photographer Philippe Auger
Hair Christopher Dunkley
Grooming Bradwyn Jones
Models Nick and Ish

Spring Designer Show

The above photo is so funny to me, another shot of me with a gorgeous tall model totally dwarfing me! This time it's the beautiful Alice Burdeau, star of two Vogue covers and the most successful Australia's Next Top Model winner ever! I love the always gracious Alice, she is currently dating another good friend hot photographer Christian Blanchard. In my defense Alice is 6 foot and she's wearing 4 inch heels, yeh ok I'm short!
This week Alice was the star model for a fashion show I styled at Melbourne Central focussing on Spring Racing Carnival Fashion and highlighting top designers; Thurley, CK Calvin Klein, Arthur Galan, Nine West, Mimco, Alannah Hill, Dom Bagnato and designer store Fame Agenda.
The colour palette of the fashion show needed to be vibrant and 'spring like' so I chose outfits accordingly. A big thank you to my assistants Steph Marks, Jess Shoppee and Felicity Maniszewski. I especially have to comment on Steph who's Grandmother passed away the morning of the show and she insisted that she see through her commitment, really living 'that the show must go on'. Big thanks Stephy.
Hats are a must for Spring Racing Carnival and I always say when people complain about having to wear one at this time of year, ' When in your everyday life to you get to dress like a movie star?' I'm all about feeling great about yourself through the clothing you choose to wear.
Love love love these white Karen Walker sunglasses from Fame Agenda and the beautiful Iskra (from Giant Models) comp card underneath shows what a beauty she is!
Styling a Spring Racing Carnival fashion show is fun with all the accessorizing needed.
Colourful shoes from Nine West really make an outfit pop! Love those cork platforms.
The lovely Alice looking elegant in our first outfit out by CK Calvin Klein and Fame Agenda hat.

The show was held in the atrium walkway on a lawn catwalk to give that spring feel.
Mens style hats on women give a modern look to Race wear.
The fab Kate Peck from Giant in Thurley, CK bag and Nine West shoes.
Alice in her second outfit all by Alannah Hill
My talented, wonderful producer Dean Drieberg in the centre surrounded by models, Madeleine, Iskra, Alice, Kate, Georgie, Roy, Jake and Steph all from Giant Models.
It's a tough job but someone has to do it!

Melbourne Central 'Spring Designer Series'
Stylist Philip Boon
Assistant Stylists Steph Marks, Jess Shoppee, Felicity Maniszewski
Producer Dean Drieberg
Hair Toni & Guy @ Melbourne Central
Make Up Gorgeous @ Melbourne Central

Thanks to great clients Melbourne Central and all at AMPR!

Missoni musings...

The last month has been busy for me with some fantastic work opportunities and great projects. One of my great supporters through my career has been the wonderful John Flower of Hot House Media and his right hand man Steve Rainey approached me recently to style the clothing component of an amazing event for one of their major clients, San Pelligrino. The event was to be held at arguably Melbourne's finest restaurant Jacques Reymond and was named, 'S.Pellegrino meets Missoni' a concept of two famous Italian families coming together over their love of quality and great design. The event would be a dinner for twenty six A-listers in Melbourne to launch the newly designed by Missoni water bottle called S.Pellegrino and to enjoy a beautiful dinner and see an amazing video on the two italian families talking of their love of fashion and design, greeted by two model ambassadors dressed in the latest collection by Missoni hand picked by head designer at Missoni, Angela Missoni and styled for the event by me! The above photo (taken by photog Marnie Haddad) is of San Pellegrino's Manuela Capponi wearing vintage Missoni and flanked by Missoni ambassadors on the night Lucy and Shoona wearing the latest collection Missoni couture.
Hot House Media chose top models Lucy McIntosh(engaged to Black Eyed Peas member DJ Poet) and Shoona from Chadwicks Models as fashion ambassadors on the night and I enlisted fab celebrity Make up artist Narelle Hall(and one of my best friends) to create a luxurious resort style look on the two gorgeous models. Missoni embodies quality and colourful patterned glamour and so Narelle and I set about creating this look.
I chose unique accessories from my favourite jewelery store Glitzern to compliment.
Zomp shoes added to the luxury look of the wonderful gowns.
Narelle used greens and apricots to work with the colours of Lucy's gown.
Lots of bangles creates that extravagant look, Lucy on the phone to fiance Black Eyed Peas DJ Poet!
The private dining room at Jacques Reymond was transformed into a colourful explosion of spring colour , centre piece floral arrangements echoed the bright patterned fabrics that Missoni is so well known for!
John Flower and Steve Rainey were so generous to invite me to join the guests at the dinner and I sat next to the witty and entertaining Suzanne Carbone of The Age newspaper, other guests in attendance were top chefs, food writers, fashion editors and my friend the stylish fashion designer Lisa Gorman and her partner Dean Angelucci of those great furniture stores Angelucci's.
When I first saw the private dining room at Jacques Reymond I was delighted by the expanse of colour and floral pattern, so Missoni! (Photo by Marnie Haddad)
This photo(by Marnie Haddad) shows the newly designed S.Pelligrino's meets Missoni water bottles in the background with the gorgeous Lucy and Shoona wearing Missoni Couture I styled. A big thank you to Steve Rainey and my wonderful friend John Flower for the opportunity to work on an amazing event.
I love S.Pellegrino meets Missoni!