It was the prefect choice for our promo shoot for the Carnaby street night shoot. Many stores on the street and in the area are offering a special discount on the evening of November 22nd. Not only that but drinks, music and limited edition purchases.

Grazia is supporting the event and we were providing the visuals using products from the stores participating including The Kooples, Diesel, Pretty Green, Great Frog, and GStar.

Mike Blackett was in charge of this one, Paul Donovan on hair and Therese Dombek for the make up. Paul was of the bigger is better thought that day – and I encouraged. Poor Andrea, her hair was never really going to be “from a salon” when she left…

Up on the roof on this brilliant but cold London day, Andrea stalked the white wash roof at Big Sky to get the shot of sequins  by DVF, topped with Markus Lupfer accents.

Sunshine was bright and strong but not warm…

Not only has he nurtured a legacy, he also changed the way of hairdressing.

Rizzoli have published a book named ‘How one Man Changed the World with a Pair of Scissors’ and it is a fascinating read. Grace Coddington has written for the front of the book and Michael Gordon a very thoughtful forward to his reasearch that is followed in the pages you will turn.

Who would have guessed that the Prime Minister Churchill inspired this young man with his leadership and ethics. Just a one more thing you will find as you read on into the life of Mr Sassoon.

He created a cut that was fun, releasing the ladies of the time from the set look that needed serious upkeep, and the book reflects this in the pictures and layout. It is not difficult to eat up the pages and information it holds, as it can be with many tales of others. Michael has carefully, over many years found the key things that triggered, inspired and held back the talents of Mr Sassoon.

I am half way into the book and already want to share what I know. I love hearing why the industry I work in is the way it is. How it has developed, how lucky we are that on shoots I have the team of hair, make up and assistants that make my work possible. This was not always the case explains Grace; having a cut that worked and was of the moment and that needed no help made you a sought after model. She thanks him for putting her on the map.

Part of his incredible work is that in this day, one may not even realise that you are effected by it. Perhaps that only way you could tell was the service at St Pauls, which was attended by so many, and with not a hair out of place.

As his ideas, inspirations and images were explored and explained, it was much like being let inside his head for  an hour or so.

The room was full but only a select 50 or so ticket holders were allowed into the vault of creativity. There were many aspiring and established photographers, set designers and fans scribbling down his musings.

My biggest joy of the night was a signing, again unusual, and having carted around ‘Pictures’ (a ridiculously large volume of his work) I was rewarded with not one but two signatures in this and his new book ‘The Story Teller’

We went to view the exhibition in Somerset House afterwards and being late it was gloriously empty. Time for me to drink in all that I could and understand more from the recent explanations of why. I shall have to go back a second time as I know I did not register as much as I should have done.

The show is free (unheard of) on until January, I desperately urge you to go and return if you can as I can almost guarantee you will miss some things (hint: snails and skeletons)

It is a wonderful place of creativity, beautifully presented and you will come out smiling.

Nevermind, I was to learn that all the additions and tweaks make this heavy. A phrase I learnt during the day. (more later).

Sway arrived and has a kind smile and cheeky glint in his eyes, which is lovely really as I have no clue of the R&B world he inhabits, but was very easy to chat to. Mr Hudson drove himself, another likeable quality, that and the fact he like old maps. Odd revelation but none the less.

I was behind the set organising a few things on the phone, when another set of people walked past and nodded hi – not that strange but it was Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles from One Direction. I have never met either before but hey everything was a first today.

Naroop is a fine director, confident, laid back, and knowing exactly when and where he needs people. He joked around with all our SA’s who were having a waiting game but all in good spirits. this helps if the days is long. That and cake.

Many of Sway’s friends dropped in and out through the day and it was one of these gentlemen that taught me about the heavy term. ‘Your glasses are heavy’ he exclaimed. ‘oh no, no they are really light’ said I. Doh – what a fool I am. Apparently now having this in vocabulary I now have my finger on the pulse.. hmm not sure about that.

here is the video in full:

and here is the behind the scenes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8Wg2hCOMZw

Blimey, it’s a whole new world. Molly Bakes gave me a fab cake of Rodney, it seems a shame to eat it, I was thinking to varnish it as a keep sake. Liberty London Girl was present with Rosie, who devoured the toys and made her own little area, complete with bed, to have a wonderfully relaxed chew.

Morag and Slim went down to see Louise, the wonderful dog trainer, and came out with a good report. Morag had her worries but Slim is a cutie and they came out unscathed! Although RDP wasn’t with me (he arrives on Friday) I didn’t feel that silly being there with no pup, just very thankful that I have had such good advice from all these experts.

Now it’s back to puppy proofing the house…

Flashes of colour hit the headlines for the shows this season, it is Spring/ Summer after all, although, there was monochrome from usual suspects. Pastels came from Sister by Sibling, continuing their theme of model faces covered, only this season in crocheted head pieces.

source: notesonallure

Margaret Howell is a long time favourite with many of the ‘pack’. Her show, usually on a Sunday at 9am can see even the most jaded editor up and out, ready for it. This season was showing at a positively leisurely time of 11am  - which caused chaos. It was rammed as there are only ever two rows either side of the runway as she shows in the her London store. It is nothing like a French spectacle show such as Chanel which literally has auditorium seating.

The simple dressing and beautiful cuts made my heart swell.

People ask why I would want to fight to get to the shows when they are online within minutes, or live in some cases, and the reason is this: I remember the show better when I have been there, watched the models walk the walk, taken in the accompanying soundtrack and general atmosphere. I can tell you that Charlotte Ronson had Domino’s by The Big Pink blast out at NFW SS11; it sticks.

Having been to shows for many a season, I do think there should be a few rules about the use of ever growing technical gadgets. I, and a few others I know, really don’t care for an iPad in the head whilst trying to watch and concentrate. I realise I have posted some pictures of what I have seen BUT it is not to confirm I was there. I have in fact very few show pictures, mainly for the fact the best shots are on style.com, vogue.co.uk and the like as soon as the lights go up, so I won’t really need my blurry image of a girl strutting past at an awkward angle.

Leave that to the professionals and let me enjoy the show.

Last year I was asked to be the costume designer on a short filmed called What IF. Based on the poem IF by Rudyard Kipling, the film tells of a young boy who is shown the way to break from an endless cycle of bullying and gang culture thriving on his estate through interpretation of the poem and sport.

  Noel Clarke as the “angel”

Lisa and Joe

Max and Dania, directors of Street Dance, created a fantastic line up of actors, including Noel Clarke and George Sargeant as well as the cream of urban sport and music.

source: blog.mattylambert.com

Having seen how unfamiliar sports have been showcased over the past two weeks at the London 2012 Games, it was fascinating to watch these athletes pushed to the pubic in a spotlight and be appreciated for all their hard work and dedication.

  Devon (Theo Barklem Biggs)

  Devons crew

It was screened on BBC 2 and again on Channel 4, along with the other films. Most excitingly it was in the cinema across the country. Below a four are shown in succession.

Other shorts in the series are from Mike Leigh, Lynne Ramsay and Asif Kapadia - all very different in flavour yet the threads that join them are undeniable. It was a pleasure to work with such a great crew and be a part of London 2012.

Click through here to see the finished story