French Summer

I've just received shots from my shoot with Jazzy Jeff's Junk that me and my photographer Joe Vozza did at the beautiful Café Bruxelles in Leicester last week. I chose the venue because of its gorgeous décor, it has a roof like the one in Beauty and The Beast and has an incredible French vibe, which I thought would work perfectly with the crazy 1980s clothes I was using. The clash between the smart French style and the bright and quite garish clothes works well, and in the final edited pieces looks wonderful.

I used a gorgeous Bulgarian model called Stassy, who was so natural and poised in front of the camera - she was a pleasure to work with, and as you can see from the shots, photographs beautifully!

Here are some of my favourite shots from the shoot, the rest can be viewed here. I've been sourcing lots of crazy prints lately - everything from 1980s Club Tropicana style to 90s Grunge. The final outfits are a mix of classy and crazy - sometimes adding a clashing print adds a twist to something that would usually be considered 'safe'. Summer has always been the best season to experiment in, so I chose lots of jumpsuits, light silk blouses and maxi skirts and dresses - most of which can be toned down with some nude flats and minimal jewellery for a daytime look, or maxed out with chunky heels and lots of decadent jewellery for evenings out.

Photography: Joe Vozza.

Styling by Myself.

Hair by Mikey Palmer.

Styling, Sequins & Shoes.

As you know, Jazzy Jeff's Junk had a photo shoot with Labelled Magazine a few months ago, shot by Rococo Imaging. I styled and provided all the clothes for the shoot, which is being featured in Labelled Magazine later this month. I've received some of the shots from the photographers and they are beautiful, really well shot and edited (the styling isn't too bad either!).

Here are a few of my favourite shots from the shoot. We used the beautiful Taps Bar in Leicester - a cosy basement with lots of cubby holes and distressed walls, which I think worked really well with the colours and patterns of the clothes. I'm really excited to see them in glossy print! The models were fantastic and hopefully I shall be working with them again on further shoots. All the clothes in the shoot will be available on the facebook page as soon as the photos are published.

In other news, I've been working a lot on the online side of Tinfish/Irregular Choice - which involves lots of trying on the new shoes! Perks of the job and all that. Here are my favourites from Irregular Choice, called Slam Dunk. They have pigs on. And you can see my new foot tattoo which i'm in love with, and had it shaded and coloured later that day!

 

Stay Jazzy. H x

Smooth Styling: Leicester's Finest.

If your a true Leicester resident you will know about Kasbah Piercing & Tattoos on Silver Street. I first became familiar when I worked at Goldrush Vintage in Malcom Arcade around 3 years ago - Kasbah was situated opposite and since then, every piercing has been done by Charlie, and every tattoo by Che - and I shall continue to do so as long as i'm in Leicester!

Charlie and me bonded over a mutual love over Kasabian and mad clothes, and has been one of my closest friends ever since. He works SO hard at Kasbah (a family business) and also on his acting - and I am SO proud to say he debuted his role in HOLLYOAKS a few weeks ago! Part of the new Roscoe Family, he plays Freddie, and already has made a brilliant impression on every Hollyoaks fan I have met - he really deserves it, because bloody hell he has worked hard for it!

Now I work as a freelance stylist, i'm pretty chuffed to say that I've styled one of Leicester's finest - here's a snap from The British Soap Awards of Charlie (top right) and his on screen family. His suit is, of course, Alexander McQueen, styled with accessories from Jazzy Jeff's Junk. Hopefully he will keep me in mind for more of his appearances (well he best bloody do anyway)

And a little photo of me and him taken today in the glorious Leicester sunshine.

 

 

I'm wearing these American Apparel leggings to death at the moment, and teamed it with a handmade dress from Ksuko Clothing in Royal Arcade, Leicester.

 

If your a Hollyoaks fan (and even if you aren't) you can catch it on Channel 4/E4 every week day. Charlie is also featuring in the second Kick Ass film which is out this summer!

So proud of this guy.

 

LSF Charlie! Love H x

 

 

I.C LV in LC.

As most of you should know, Irregular Choice opened a store in Leicester in October 2012. I am lucky enough to work in the shop from time to time, and help run the facebook and twitter pages. I took some snaps last week for the page and finally I have the time to put them on here!

 

These are the beautiful Ali Ba Ba and Got The Hump limited edition heels - perfect for statement shoes, in gorgeous jewel colours. They have camels on. There is camels on these shoes, what more could you want from a pair of heels? The beautiful metallic on the boots would look great with an all black outfit, team them with gold jewellery and some sequins.

 

 

These are the beautiful Poetic License pumps, Anchors Away. I absolutely love the nautical theme, and these shoes add a cute retro look - I think they would look fantastic with a 1940s or 1950s tea dress and a bright red lipstick. The peach/grey/yellow palette gives a fresh twist on the classic nautical theme, and the cute boat charm adds that 'irregular' twist. Perfect for summer weather (whenever that happens).

 

 

I'm like a magpie when it comes to sequins and gold. This is a crazy neck collar piece that I am completely in love with. A decadent mix of beads and jewel colours, with a gold tassel. Reminds me of the Egyptian neck plates and all those beautiful glamorous necklaces worn by Cleopatra (real and Liz Taylor). I would love to make this a really trashy addition to an outfit - maybe to compliment a Versace style printed shirt? Or even a sheer blouse and gold disco pants? The possibility is endless. I understand this is not to most peoples taste but OH MY GOD I love it so much!

 

 

This is one of the recurring designs that Irregular Choice make - the Trinkletina shoe. Retro gingham fabric makes this shoe so cute! The Perspex heel gives the classic I.C look, whilst the bow and charms make it even more eye catching. There is also a matching bag, which would be perfect for a weekender as it holds EVERYTHING! I used to think matching your shoes and bag was incredibly tacky - however in this case I think tacky makes the outfit!

 

 

Finally, this is Dave the resident Tiger. Possibly the campest Tiger anyone will ever see - but makes an incredible talking point with customers and if anything makes me want to become a taxidermist.

All in a day.

 

Irregular Choice is located on the High Street, between Tinfish Shoes and Wellgosh.

 

If you've not visited yet, your missing out!

 

Intern Tips.

I've lost count how many times I've been asked how I got my internship at Alexander McQueen. Its pretty straight forward - I applied, got an interview and started. Pretty simple.
I get so frustrated with people saying 'well you don't deserve it' and various other nasty insults - at the end of the day, I've worked very hard to achieve what I have achieved and I believe everyone deserves the same, as long as they work hard for it.
Here is a couple of tips I swear by:

1. Confidence. Don't ever let anyone belittle you, don't take the insults to heart - in the industry there is a huge possibility that tempers are high because of overwhelming deadlines, fashion shows and press - everyone wants to create the defining moment. Its possible (believe me, I've been on the receiving end) that you will get snapped out, shouted at, vented at on a daily basis but just try to remember that you are there for a reason and you ARE helping out, its just that the brand/company want you to work your hardest for yours and their benefit. Be confident in yourself, smile and take it on the chin, I try and think that if I wasn't good enough I wouldn't be here. It's sometimes comforting to know that. If someone praises you, don't be cocky, be gracious.

2. Preparation. Research whoever you work for, get to know the ethos of the company and try and familiarize yourself with the past collections, press campaigns and collaborations. It helps in the long run, and also could help you in the interview, especially if your applying for something in the marketing/PR/archive areas. As an intern in the Archives of McQueen, I spent a lot of time with the past collections, and although I was passionate about McQueen beforehand, I spent evenings watching the show footage, researching the campaigns and themes to boost my knowledge when I was at work.

3. Stand Out. Make sure you are known - be happy and greet everyone (even if you don't get greeted back), offer to make tea or do a coffee run - its amazing how a coffee can cheer up the most tired of pattern cutters! No-one will remember the girl/guy who was quiet and shy in the corner, but they will remember the loud and bright one who rescued those long afternoons with coffee hits. I know making tea is an intern cliché, but someone has got to do it right? I love my clashing prints and bright colours - I don't think I could tone down that for anyone, and my tattoos were always on show - I got some great compliments and I'd like to think that it helped towards my confidence around the staff.

Apply for all the internships you like, and the ones your not keen on - even if you don't get the internship the application process and interview stage can help build skills and make you ready for your future - confidence is key, if you believe in yourself, others shall follow suit.

Raptusound: Smooth Styling.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of working with a great Leicester based band, Raptusound. I was asked to style their latest shoot, by their photographer Scott Choucino, and I jumped at the chance. I've been trying to think of new ways to get more experience in the industry, and styling is something I love to do.
The location was a beautiful Victorian house in a rural village on the outskirts of Leicester - Possibly one of the most beautiful places I've seen! (They even had a pool, and a beautiful fountain which was like the one from Atonement). Although the weather was quite dull and gloomy, the atmosphere was great - the band are a group of genuine, friendly guys, and working with them was a pleasure.
The band consists of Chris, Tristan and Jack - they all play their own instruments, write their own songs and play some great gigs - a REAL band, playing real music.
(Click HERE to be linked to their website)

 

Some of the final images from the shoot - the guys wanted a 1920s style theme, so there was LOTS of slicked back hair and sharp suits. Tristan (final photo) wears a 1920s smoking jacket I supplied from Jazzy Jeff's Junk - and I must say, once that jacket was on he got into the 1920s Dapper mode almost instantly!

 

The final shots look incredible - Scott is a great photographer and I can't wait to work with him again. If you are Leicester based - Raptusound are playing a gig THIS FRIDAY at Crumblin' Cookie - Link to Facebook event here.

Lots more photos will be coming, and hopefully I shall be attending the gig on Friday so will be able to once again tell you all how incredible Raptusound are!

 

Alexander McQueen Sample Sale.

As part of my time at Alexander McQueen, I was able to work at the A/W Sample Sale. As I work in the Archives, I have been working towards the build up of the sale with my boss - sorting out the McQ pieces which have to be checked to see whats going into the sale, etc. I also worked at the venue with the Sample Sale with the wonderful Alex and Daniel sorting out the beautiful ballgowns for the sale.

The actual sale itself was mayhem - as I have said in my previous post being an intern is tough and I feel working at a Sample Sale can either make or break you. Obviously, the team who run the sale are there to make sure everything runs smoothly, so tempers can run high. I was working with the wonderful Andrea on accessories and jewellery - I found myself very overwhelmed throughout my first morning, as people were like magpies for the jewellery, and there were some very rude people - but it needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. I was responsible for restocking the jewellery and accessories, and making sure people didn't walk off with it. Obviously rings/necklaces/etc are small and can be easily swiped so I had to be extra vigilant when people were trying stuff on. What amazed me was how easily people were spending money, and after I'd gained some confidence I asked a few people how they had known about the sale (as its invite only) and if they had been before. A lot of people were students from CSM, and surrounding Unis, obviously with student loans, some very, very VERY rich people who could afford to splash out, and my favourite people - the ladies/gents who had saved up money over the months to buy only one or two pieces.
 

The days can be long on everyone, working 9am-9pm isn't nice but you just have to grin and suck it up, as its a great experience, and you get to see some beautiful clothes!

Actually going to sale is brilliant, as you can get some real bargins from them, even if you have a limited budget, its nice to treat yourself!
I'm not going to lie and say it was easy, there was points where I wanted to cry because of rude customers and the overcrowded atmosphere, but overall it was mental, in a good way. Especailly the daily Starbucks run!

The Sale rounded off my first 3 months at McQueen, and I am now back in Leicester for the Christmas season, for a much needed 'rest' - however I have found that I cannot rest and have been throwing myself into new tasks, I'm determined to learn a new language in the New Year, and I'm focusing on my Vintage Clothing Business on my days off (Jazzy Jeff's Junk can be found on Facebook). I'm itching to get back to London and the beautiful big city, but even more excited about getting back to the Archive with my wonderful boss and the gorgeous clothing.
And a massive congratulations to Sarah Burton, who received her OBE today!