A Supermodel of any era!

I received a call recently from my wonderful friend Melinda Collette co owner of Cameron's Models and she asked me if I would style a shoot for the amazing Supermodel of the 80's Isabel Cowan who Cameron's represent, sort of as a comeback shoot. Of course I jumped at the chance to style one of Australia's first Supermodels who had graced the cover of Vogue multiple times! As you can see in this blog post her covers of Vogue (and other mags) are the height of 80's fashion and I was so happy that Isabel allowed me to snap some shots right out of her portfolio. Ask anyone that lived through the 80's in Australia and they will tell you that Isabel was the model dujour and commanded the cover of all fashion magazines at the time.

This cover of Vogue is just so now!

I love the coloured fur in this cover shot, again so now!
So our job was to re invent Isabel for 2010, in a contemporary , luxurious, expensive way that could easily be seen in the pages of present day Vogue. I knew that we had to use only high end designers that would reflect Isabel's still amazing beauty and to bring a modern take on elegance.
I decided along with Melinda and well known photographer Andrew Gash (who I hadn't worked with in over 10 years) to create a palette of black, white and nude to really let Isabel's beauty shine.
Shoes by my all time favourite, Zomp
How elegant, yet modern does Isabel look? Stunning silk gown by Madam Virtue & Co designer JC Lloyd Southwell D'Anvers.
The fabulous make up artist Narelle Hall painted a beautiful picture on a beautiful face. Narelle also crafted exceptional hair styles.
I love Isabel in this chic Sonia Rykiel gown, so simple but modern.
I LOVE this image of Isabel that I snapped in the kitchen of the studio between shots, so casual yet so beautiful, of course she brings this Chanel Couture gown to life.
So french this look...
It was such a treat to work with the master photographer Andrew Gash after many, many years and his shots of Isabel are magnificent. I can't wait to do it again.
This Madam Virtue & Co gown encapsulates Isabel's inner elegance so well and in the close up below I decided I needed to give the elegance a twist by using this fantastic diamante skull neck piece. How stunning does Isabel look in this candid shot, just as stunning as in those 80's Vogue covers!
I was so honoured to work with Isabel and to see her again. I hope that she loves these images we created as much as I do. I look forward to her gracing the covers of magazines again!

Model Isabel Cowan represented by Cameron's Models
Photographer Andrew Gash
Stylist Philip Boon @ Miss Bossy Boots
Hair and Make Up Artist Narelle Hall @ Miss Bossy Boots
Stylist Assistant Carlos Mangubat

All clothing and Jewellery by Madam Virtue & Co 03 96638669
Shoes by Zomp 03 96504431

Classroom styling...

I don't think I've mentioned on this blog that this year I started lecturing at a design school called The Whitehouse Institute of Design one day a week on styling and creative direction, it's been a great experience for me and I believe that you never stop learning, even as a teacher! The reason I decided to embark on this off shoot of my career was really to give back to the industry that has been so great to me and to hopefully share some of my experiences and opinions with the students who choose to come along on the journey! Part of my classes are to introduce the students to the talented people I work with every day and sometimes bring those wonderful creative identities into the classroom, recently I thought of producing a shoot for a magazine ACTUALLY in the classroom! I asked photographer Philippe Auger and make up artist Narelle Hall (who I work with often on editorial) if they were up for the challenge of shooting a high fashion story for a mag within the confines of a design school classroom while both of the classes I teach watch on. You can imagine that this was no easy feat and I had to do a lot of persuading! But luckily those fab creative people I work with are always up for a challenge and came through with the goods and then some! The images on this blog post are the result and I think you will be just as amazed as me that these were all shot within a classroom. Big thanks to our amazing model Hannah from Camerons Models, my fantastic friend and incredible hair and make up artist Narelle Hall, Fabulous French Photographer Philippe Auger for his beautiful shots and last but by no means least my students for their assistance on the day and hopefully their ongoing enthusiasm.
This shot: Dress by Madam Virtue & Co, Leggings by Gorman, Shoes by Zomp
Top shot: Jacket by Prada and Neckpiece @ Madam Virtue & Co, Tights stylists kit.
Jacket by Balenciaga @ Madam Virtue & Co
Jumpsuit by Gorman, Boots by Stephan Venezia @ Zomp
Vintage leather dress @ Linda Black, Neckpiece by Madam Virtue & Co, Gloves by Gorman
Dress and tights by Gorman, Neckpiece Madam Virtue & Co, shoes by Zomp

Stylist/Producer Philip Boon
Photographer Philippe Auger
Hair and Make Up Narelle Hall
Model Hannah @ Camerons

Madam Virtue & Co 03 96638669
Gorman 03 94290000
Linda Black 03 95103948
Zomp 03 96504431

A Grand Hotel!

Firstly, again I have to apologize for not blogging for a month, my work life has stopped my blogging life! I am back on track now and have some exciting projects to tell you about in the coming months!
But more recently I was invited to view the newly renovated areas of the Melbourne Grand Hyatt by Marketing Communications Manager and friend, the lovely Lucy Owens.
So many photo shoots, celebrity consultations and fashion moments happen in hotel suites and I'm always sourcing for new locations to use so when Lucy invited me to experience The Grand Hyatt's 'Residence' area I jumped at it! Lucy also gave me a sneek peek into the newly renovated Penthouses and I snapped a few pics of them.
'The Residence' at The Grand Hyatt is an amazing function and event space.
The lovely Lucy Owens of The Grand Hyatt welcoming me to 'The Residence'
So my sneek peek into the Penthouse at The Grand Hyatt revealed a stylish interior, I can't wait to stay! The bathroom was oh so chic!