Congratulations Katie

The two photoshoots I did with Katie Pashley last year have been highlighted in the International Aperture awards for the category of Fashion/Commercial/Advertising.

This beautiful image from, Core of My Heart my Country, shot in celebration of the iconic designer Linda Jackson for Le Magazine, came 23rd and was awarded a silver award.


This image was awarded 49th and was given a bronze award.

Our closing image from Hyperbole was also awarded a Bronze Award and was placed in the top 100.

Congratulations Katie and Team, we should all be proud.

Hyperbole

PHOTOGRAPHER KATIE PASHLEY
FASHION EDITOR RHIANNON BULLEY
MAKE UP FELICIA YONG @ LOOK
HAIR LUKE BRIAN DAVIS @ DLM
MODELS MENUELA LAZIC & ELIN LEDSKOG @ PRISCILLAS


SHOT ONE
LR (MANUELA) DRESS BY KONSTANTINA MITTAS, HOSIERY BY LEONA EDMISTON, SHOES WORN THROUGHOUT CUSTOM MADE BY VICTORIA CHU, SHOULDER PADS BY LOVE CHILE, NECKPIECE BY BAANU COUTURE, (ELIN) BODYSUIT BY MISS UNKON, LEG WEAR BY FLOWERS FOR A VAGABOND, SHOULDER PADS BY LOVE CHILE, NECKLACE BY DESIGN BY JUDE, HOSIERY WORN THROUGHOUT (BOTTOM TO TOP LAYER) BY LEVANTE, AMBRA, MIMCO, SHOES WORN THROUGHOUT CUSTOM MADE BY VICTORIA CHU
SHOT TWO
LR (MANUELA) DRESS BY OPUS NINE CUSTOMISED BY STYLIST, LEG WEAR BY FLOWERS FOR A VAGABOND, HOSEIRY WORN THROUGHOUT (BOTTOM TO TOP LAYER) BY LEVANTE, VOODOO, MIMCO, NECKLACE BY BAANU COUTURE, SHOULDER PADS BY LOVE CHILE, (ELIN) DRESS BY OPUS NINE CUSTOMISED BY STYLIST, LEG WEAR BY FLOWERS FOR A VAGABOND, NECKLACE BY GAIL SORRONDA, SHOULDER PADS BY LOVE CHILE.

SHOT THREE
CORSETS BY AURELIO COSTARELLA, WIRE BRA STYLISTS OWN, BRA WORN UNDERNEATH BY VOODOO CUSTOMISED BY STYLIST, BRIEFS BY VOODOO, LEG WEAR BY FLOWERS FOR A VAGABOND, SHOULDER PADS BY LOVE CHILE, NECKLACE BY PAULA WALDEN

SHOT FOUR
DRESS BY KHYRSALIS COUTURE, SKIRT WORN AS COLLAR BY AMY DAVIDSON, NECKLACES BY YAMILA GUEDEZ

SHOT FIVE
LR (MANUELA) CORSET BY KHYRALIS COUTURE, BRA AND NIPPLE TASSLES BY AGENT PROVOCATEUR, BRA WORN UNDERNEATH BY VOODOO CUSTOMISED BY STYLIST, BRIEFS BY SABATINI WHITE, (ELIN) TOP BY GAIL SORRONDA, BRA BY VOODOO CUSTOMISED BY STYLIST, SKIRT BY PHOENIX

SHOT SIX
LR (ELIN) DRESS BY OPUS NINE, SHOULDER PADS BY LOVE CHILE, NECKLACE BY GAIL SORRONDA, (MANUELA) DRESS BY OPUS NINE, SHOULDER PADS BY LOVE CHILE, NECKLACE BY BAANU COUTURE

SHOT SEVEN
TOP BY FLOWERS FOR A VAGABOND, SKIRT BY PHOENIX, SHOULDER PADS BY DESIGN BY JUDE

SHOT EIGHT
LR (ELIN) VEST BY WORLD, SHORTS BY KONSTANTINA MITTAS, NECKPIECE BY OPUS NINE, NECKLACE BY BAANU COUTURE, (MANUELA) BRA BY SABATINI WHITE, CORSET BY BODY ULTIMATE, SHOULDER PIECE BY A CONCEPT, PANTS BY WORLD, OVERSKIRT BY KONSTANTINA MITTAS, NECKLACE BY PAULA WALDEN

SHOT NINE
CORSET BY PHOENIX, BRA WORN UNDERNEATH BY VOODOO CUSTOMISED BY STYLIST, PANTS BY AMY DAVIDSON, SHOULDER PADS BY LOVE CHILE, NECKLACE BY BAANU COUTURE

SHOT TEN
TOP BY FLOWERS FOR A VAGABOND, SHOULDER PADS BY DESIGN BY JUDE
SHOT ELEVEN
LR (ELIN) JACKET BY PHOENIX, BRA BY VOODOO CUSTOMISED BY STYLIST, SKIRT BY PHOENIX, SHOULDER COLLAR FROM SNOG THE FROG, (MANUELA) JACKET BY PHOENIX, SKIRT FROM SNOG THE FROG, NECKLACE AND SHOULDER PADS BY DESIGN BY JUDE.

Air X-Press-Tangent Magazine Issue Five

Art Direction. Gregory Skibinski
Fashion and Creative Direction. Rhiannon Bulley
Photography. James Broadhurst
Special thanks to Ace Props

Image one and two
(Neck from top to bottom) Dior neckpiece, Lanvin feather necklace, Lanvin necklace, Holly Fulton neck plate and Lucy Hutchings necklace both from offtherunway.com.au, Lanvin cuff and bags, (inside bags from L-R) Theo Fennell necklace from Gregory Jewellers, Lanvin necklace, Pamela Love necklace and Mania Mania necklace from offtherunway.com.au

Image Three
(Arm from top to bottom,) Holly Fulton cuff from offtherunway.com.au, Dior cuff, Fallon cuff from offtherunway.com.au, LM&LM ring from lovemeandleaveme.com, Dior clutch, (inside clutch from L-R,) Anna Design ring, Alexander Wang sunglasses and Natalia Brilli cuff both from finalepisode.com.au, Kenneth Jay Lane ring from lovemeandleaveme.com, Dior ring

Image Four
Kenneth Jay Lane cuff from lovemeandleave.com, Gucci bag, (hand L-R) Theo Fennell rings from Gregory Jewellers, Pamela Love rings from finalepisode.com.au, (inside bag L-R) Mania Mania ring and Erickson Beamon ring both from offtherunway.com.au

Le Magazine Issue Four, Le Femme Fatale, Shoot No1, Fatale Instinct

It is has been a long time in the making but earlier this week Le Magazine Issue Four, Le Femme Fatale, finally went live. I had the absolute pleasure of working with some incredible creative people on this issue of Le Magazine. From the photographers, to the make-up artists and hairdressers, the models, the art directors and of course the designers whose wonderful garments were the basis for my vision. And then there was my writers and interviewee's who will need an entire post of their own!
So lets start with the editorials. It is an honor to have seen the editorials of this issue bloom into full blown theatrical visions.
Early in the piece I knew this issue had to channel something brave because fashion has been bolder and braver than ever of recent. (See the opening page feature, The Marriage of the Fearless Femme and The Modest Mistress) as soon as the theme Femme Fatale was decided, I knew I wanted a shoot with boys in it, this issue needed to be all about the girl who wears her men as well as she wears a garment!
So the first shoot we worked on was Fatale Instinct, early in the piece our photographer James Broadhurst, a Le Magazine favourite, bought the idea of the movie Fatal Instinct to the table and Sharon Stone quickly became our muse for this shoot. Her modest style masked the raging femme fatale hidden underneath, who lured men to their death bed with her beauty.
Her intelligence and power was another thing we felt we needed to command, these are the elements of at the core of every woman and the one's who know how to command them are the one's that become unforgettable. The final element of the shoot was the idea of directly contrasting the modest exterior and the bold interior of this woman, so her provocative corset wearing alter ego was born.
Eilika from Viviens Model Management was the perfect girl to embody this complicated character. From the moment we said, "Fatal Instinct and Sharon Stone," she was transformed! Keith Archer from Strobe Hair and Corrine Grbevski performed the physical transformation and our first femme fatale was born.
Shoot number two, Lolita-Lights Camera Blossom and our amazing face to watch and cover girl Alexis Whelan are coming soon but for now enjoy, Fatale Instinct.

Core of Heart My Country- With thanks to Linda Jackson

As I mentioned I had the pleasure of working with many incredible creative people in the making of Le Magazine Issue Four, not least of all Australian fashion icon, Linda Jackson.
Linda worked with us on a special Le Projet for this issue, sharing her fashion story from the early days with paper cut outs and a singer sewing machine, to her days with Jenny Kee and the iconic days of Bush Couture.
She loaned us some of her amazing garments from her journey and together with Katie Pashley, Marnie Simpson from Chadwicks and Lisa Sciberras we turned them into a modern day multicultural extravaganza, with a touch of pop culture thrown in. Neon binding belts, hand painted stockings and vintage jewel brooches were our recipe for bringing these iconic garments into the future with their symbolic multiculturally binding nature at the heart.
It was an absolute honor and pleasure to work with Linda Jackson, she is a true icon with a humble heart and a deep pure passion for the beauty of her country and the traditions of many others.
After the shoot was done and dusted another very amazing woman emerged from the photos, my best friends mother Merilee who tragically passed away in an accident earlier this year. Without hesitation the team gave their love and support to the idea of dedicating this shoot to Merilee Whish. From my childhood years into my adulthood my fondest memories of Merilee are her brightly colourful clothing, neon running suits, brilliant scarves just like Linda's and tribal like garments layered one on top of the other. Merilee had such a vibrant spirit, just like Linda and it was a pleasure for me to honor both of them with this shoot, Core Of My Heart My Country.
These are the images, immortalizing two amazing women in a modern way through the amazing eyes of Katie Pashley, the hair and make up of Lisa and the energy and physical beauty of Marnie.
The message, be colourful, be bold be vibrant, be pure in your expression of natural beauty.

Le Magazine Issue Four, Le Femma Fatale, Shoot 3- Mistress of Mystery

Mistress of Mystery was the result of a whole lot of different things falling into place. The first was what I like to call the "Modern Materialistic Marie Antoinette." I wanted to play with the idea of modern excess in a way that was subtle but not over the top and our marvelous photographer Hamish Ta-me had been playing with the idea of doing a shoot on Sydney's Oxford St. at night by the light of ad. billboards.
Somehow the idea worked a modern Marie caught in the bright city lights of materialistic ads thrusting messages in the faces of passes by on one of the busiest and most eccentric streets in Sydney.
Then another character came into play, I was researching 'femme fatale's' and the name that seemed to keep appearing was Mata Hari. I had never heard of her before but once I started reading about her I became infatuated with her oriental burlesque style and her intriguing escapades,multiple disguises and controversial death. It was completely clear why her name is one of the names most commonly associated with the infamous, 'femme fatale,' character. Have a read for yourself.
The story was complete, showgirl style headpieces, metallic dresses and bloomers, cotton undergarments, bras exposed for all to see and ultra modern costume jewelery, "pimp daddy," is the new diamond necklace. All thanks to Snog the Frog who really deserve a post all of their own!
Our model, Emily Keily, from EMG models, with her doll like bone structure was the perfect person to play our modern Mata Hari, Mistress of Mystery.
And the rest is history...or is it?

Le Magazine Issue Four, Le Femme Fatale, Shoot 2, Lolita-Lights Camera Blossom

Lolita-Lights, Camera, Blossom came from the idea of flowers. Nothing says spring/summer and femininity like flowers. Then we found our face and the story grew from there. Alexis Whelan is one of Vivien's Model Management's newest gems, the day after I booked her, after having had my eye on her for months, her father rang me. Very unusual, I got a little fright when he said who he was, I thought I was about to receive some lecture, she is only fifteen after all, but no her father was ringing to tell me that, if I wanted to interview Alexis as our Face To Watch "I should know she has had a very interesting life...she grew up on yacht!" Yes Alexis spent her childhood sailing round the world on a yacht, learning different languages and attending school in foreign countries including Africa and Spain.
I was intrigued, suddenly my one page interview turned into two. "Ask her about the time we nearly sank and the time we nearly got robbed by pirates," he told me. I did. Read the full feature to find out the details.
On set Alexis was so mature, not like a fifteen year old at all, a little timid at first but keen to give us her best and the transformation was amazing. She went from being a school girl to a young beauty and when her hair was swept back for the final shots..well she turned into an elegant woman and suddenly, Lights, Camera, Blossom turned into Lolita-Lights, Camera, Blossom because Alexis was like a fifteen year old woman!
The most delightful moment of the whole shoot was when we explained to her that part of the concept was the idea of today's self made models, so she had to hold a camera and pretend to shoot herself and just like that Alexis came out with, "oh you mean selfies," and we all laughed, there was the fifteen year old girl!
This was our sugar sweet, butter wouldn't melt in my mouth femme fatale, flowers became overt nipple adornments and the idea of a garter poking out from underneath the sweetest dresses, sometimes covered in flowers bought on a rapture of high school nostalgia from me. For the days when I used to wear thigh high stockings under my long dull gray skirt, somehow knowing I was wearing them made me feel a little more daring. Alexis completely understood.
Ampersand Bookstore in Paddington was the perfect location for the end of the shoot, all the books and old world charm captured the intelligence of a true femme fatale and the elegance that lies at the heart of every female.
Tim Kindler was our talented photographer for this one and Michael Halader and Ashleigh Croker pulled off our Brigitte Bardot meets Audrey Hepburn make-up and hair transformation respectively.
Enjoy the photos and don't be afraid to wear a few flowers!