Watch out for:

So I did my accessories shoot yesterday and all went well. I ended up doing 6 cropped pictures and one full length shot. Here's a sneeky look behind the scenes at just a couple of the shots:

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So onto other things... I've been working on  a focus called watch this space for this coming weekend. its all about promoting those brands that a lot of people wont have heard of. Everyone Knows the Topshops and H&Ms of this world but theres so much more out there that needs to be seen. One of my favourite brands at the moment is Never Fully Dressed. It was created by an East End girl and is full of wearable yet ultra girly designs with vintage influences thrown in. If you haven't checked it out then do! (www.neverfullydressed.co.uk):

Another of my newest favourite brands is Studio Nicholson. They've got the androgynous look down to a tee and i'll definitely be sporting some of their clothes this Autumn. The Androgynous trend is going to be big for next season so if I was you id check it out (www.studionicholson.com):

up to the eye balls

Firstly i'm sorry for my lack of blogging lately. I've been on my own in the office this week and honestly haven't had a chance to do anything else. Also xmas press days are in full swing so i'm trying to get out when i can to see what fantastic things are out there- it is slightly depressing though that i'm already thinking about xmas stories in August!!!!
Anyway last week I was busy shooting a tailoring story with Vincent Dolman out on the streets of Sloane square and thereabouts. It was a great day. I had the wonderful Carlos Palmer doing hair and make-up and let me tell you he's a genius!!Here's a sneek preview of what we shot:

I also shot a fashion shoot to celebrate Per Una's 10th Birthday collection but thats not out until the beginning of September so you'll have to wait to see that. The clothes are definitely worth checking out though!

So onto this week....... Im shooting an accessories story tomorrow which i'm quite excited about. Ive got some fab pieces in. If you've never heard of Carole Tenenbaum then her website is definitely worth checking out-http://www.caroletanenbaum.com/. It sells vintage costume jewellery which are designer stamped and limited edition. When I start making my millions this is the first place i'm headed meanwhile ill have to make do with just shooting them and returning them. Check out some of my favourite pieces:

Christian Dior snake chain necklace

Chanel geometric cuff

unnamed claw turquoise ring

After my shoot tomorrow i'm going to concentrate on sorting out a few In the Closets with... Im shooting Lydia Rose Bright from TOWIE next week so have to sort out all the details for that and i'm also doing Imelda May which i think will be a really interesting one.

40s Glamour

Its been a busy week. It started with  interviewing Melissa Odabash  for my In the closet pages. She has one hell of a wardrobe and a body to go with it! I reckon she must in her late 40s but looks incredible for it! I couldn't stop staring at her legs!!! I've also been working on 2 different focus pages. the first was one about singers who are turning their hand to designing and the second was all about prints. My main project for next week though is to concentrate on my 1940s tailoring story i'm shooting on Thursday,  inspired by the likes of  Ingrid Bergman, Ava Gardner and Rita Hayworth. They were all such glamorous women, a sort of glamour that women just don't seem to have anymore. I love everything about the 1940s, The Golden Age, and am really excited about this shoot.

For A/W 2012 pencil skirts are going to be a huge trend so ill be shooting a lot of these paired with chiffon blouses, fabulous hats and great statement jewellery. I might throw in the odd bit of fur (faux of course) as well.

Donna Karan

Donna Karan

Miu Miu

Ask away

So I went out with some of my girlfriends on Friday night and we ended up discussing my blog. They kept saying to me that they had loads of fashion dilemmas and questions but didn't know who to ask. So today i'm giving writing about myself a miss and instead its all about you guys- hit me with whatever questions you have and I'll do my best to think of solutions to those problems, find that right party dress or point you in the right direction of where to purchase the perfect jeans and if i dont have a clue then ill tell you! Today its all about you!

Crazy Times

First and foremost I want to say how awful it is about News Of The World-  because of the actions of a couple of disgusting, greedy people, 100s of others are now out of work. Fabulous was a great magazine and will be missed. Lets hope the rumours of a relaunched magazine are true.
Meanwhile on Wednesday I got to spend the day shooting a fashion story on a canal boat in little Venice. The weather has been so shitty I was a bit worried but thankfully for our 3 hour boat trip it managed to stay pretty calm and the sun even came out for a bit. I was shooting with the gorgeous photographer Gianni Diliberto. It turned out to be a really fun day. Heres a sneeky peak at what I shot:

River Island dress

Topshop sequin top; River Island shorts

French Connection dress

Warehouse top, Urban Outfitters shorts

And so the week begins

This week is going to be mental- not only have i been shooting today and also got a shoot on wednesday but my Editor and the fashion assistant Lindsay have headed off to Mauritius on a trip leaving little old me in the office!!!! Actually that's unfair Laura our intern will be in to help for 3 days and she's great so I cant complain.
So first and foremost a bit of shameless self -plugging. I got a call this morning to say i'd made it onto vogue.co.uk at wireless festival!!! I look slightly pregnant in the picture which didnt please me at all and they've got my Miu Miu sunnies down as River Island but other than that was quite chuffed to have made it on there at all-

http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/street-chic/2011/07/wireless/charlie-wells

I've spent the rest of the day shooting still lifes for my festival page and planning my shoot on wednesday as Im heading off on a canal boat through little venice and along regent's park. It should be quite a fun little outing. I toyed with the idea of shooting it quite preppy but figured that could look quite cheesy on a boat so instead i've opted for rock chic with a feminine twist- chiffon dresses and blouses toughened up with leather and shoe boots. In terms of hair and make-up its always quite good to collect as many tears as possible to show the make-up artist on the day so you're both on the same wavelength. I've decided I quite want the messy, easy going look for hair- a bit like at the Isabel Marant show and then more of a dramatic eyemake-up like at Julian Macdonald. Here are just a few of the tears I like:

hair ideas

hair ideas

make-up ideas

It's friday!!

Sorry for my lack of updates lately but its been a pretty hectic week and haven't had a second to myself! Yesterday I was shooting how to wear the striped dress 6 ways for my focus pages. I was shooting with the gorgeous Vincent Dolman. I haven't seen him for a while so it was good to catch up. These sort of pages are always much harder to style than a normal fashion shoot. Im not sure why but I suppose fashion shoots allow you to be quite creative and crazy with the clothes but these sort of shoots have to represent reality and what people would actually wear so you have to think that bit harder. Its a bit like dressing myself- I have no problem styling others but always have to consider what I myself put on so much more- probably not helped by the fact i'm not 6ft model! Anywhere enough rambling here's a sneaky peek from my shoot:

Vinnie

So this afternoon i'm off to Wireless with the wonderful Dorothy Perkins girls and i'm really excited. Im going with Antonia from The Daily Express too so should be a good laugh. We're off to have our make-up and nails done first. I had a few dilemmas over what to wear but finally settled on this red chiffon maxi skirt from Dorothy Perkins and this t-shirt from Topshop. The sun's shining so i've gone with my Accessorize embellished sandals my Miu Miu sunnies. 

Have a fab weekend, enjoy the sunshine and ill catch up with you next weekxx 

 

The latest issue

This weekend my final fashion shoot from Dubai came out- fringing. We shot this out in the desert in the middle of no where. It was 4 am start to make sure we got the best light and weren't shooting in the midday sun. As we had already used the same model for three other shoots the make-up artists Rachel Jones made a fringed wig for this shoot and added it to the model's hair so she looked very different to any of the other shoots. It was a great day. Wish I was back there!

Photography Clive Shalice, Hair and Make-up Rachel Jones, Styling me

My sunglasses page was also out this week. Im a real sunglasses addict and have millions at home. My boyfriend just can't understand why I need so many pairs. I try to explain that different outfits need different pairs but he just thinks i'm mad.Im especially loving the Cat's eyes sunnies this season.

Festival time!

So Im now back from my holiday in Crete and it was pure bliss. The only thing I regret was not booking for 2 weeks!!!I I got back to the office today to 469 unread messages and have just ploughed my way through them and written up my interview with Jessica Wright from last week. Now on to the next task my festival fashion page. I myself am off to see the Killers in Hyde park tonight and then to Wireless with the lovely girls from Dorothy Perkins the following week. The problem as always is what to wear especially as the weather is so unpredictable at the moment. For that reason Wellies are essential!!!! Im loving  Hunter's fab brights range at the moment. At £85 they're slightly more expensive than the high street but I have Hunter's and they're so comfortable and will last the test of time so definitely worth the money:

For those blessed with fantastic legs (of which im not one) then hotpants are a great option. Pair with knee high socks and a simple vest or tee. Check out Alexa Chung and Kate Moss:

 

Alternatively a maxi dress or skirt is a great option. Heres my guide to essential festival wear:

Miss Selfridge

Alexander McQueen

Parosh

Warehouse

Dorothy Perkins

One Vintage

Prism

Boutique at Topshop

Paige Denim

What to do......

I don't know about the rest of you but I for one am starting to get really cheesed off with this weather. It's June for god sake and not only is my hair in a permanent state of frizz but deciding what to wear every day is becoming a huge problem. I'm adamant i'm not going to get my knitwear and boots out of the loft but all those beautiful summer dresses and skirts I've bought just don't seem to cut it PLUS  my poor pasty legs haven't seen sunlight for so long I don't dare to bare them! However if others out there are suffering similar dilemmas then despair not i've found the solution-the maxi skirt. Its a huge trend this season and will do for any weather. From chiffon to jersey, vivid print to bold colours, theres a style out there to suit every occasion and every person! This weekend I opted for my grey jersey maxi from Asos (£25). I paired it with biker boots as ballet pumps were simply not going to sustain the pouring rain but on sunny days (if we ever see them) would opt for some sandals instead. A loose tee and biker jacket kept the look quite casual.

If you're unsure about rocking out in a maxi then check out some of these celebs for a bit of inspiration:

Here's my pick of the best maxi skirts out there:


Keeping it casual:

Topshop £35

James Perse £185

 

 Oh so pretty:

Miss Selfridge £36

Rare £45

Make a statement:

Roksanda Ilincic £343.50

Emilio Pucci £710