Kate Kearney

London's New Music Talents

2008-11-24T05:38:00.000-08:00

I assisted on a shoot a good couple of months back with a handful of girls topped to be London's new music talents.

They were Goldilocks, her genre, Electro/Grime/Pop (http://www.myspace.com/goldielocksmusic)

Emmy The Great with her music falling under Chinese Traditional (http://www.myspace.com/emmythegreat)

Ebony Bones, Post Punk/ Tropical/ Melodramatic Pop (http://www.myspace.com/ebonybones).

We were shooting for Paper Magazine. This shoot was months ago but I wanted to revisit this day because all these girls were great fun and down to earth. Since the day of the shoot I have noticed a fair amount of marketing around all the girls. They seem to be doing really well. Good luck to them all.

66 ' North

2008-11-04T09:07:00.000-08:00

At 66' North and 34 ' latitude the Arctic Circle begins. This photo shoot is inspired by the Inuit tribe, with influence taken from their costume of furs and skins to the strong relationship they hold with their environment.

Online Retail

2008-11-02T10:41:00.000-08:00

Online retail seems to be growing from strength to strength and in my eyes its obvious why it is doing so well. Shopping online allows consumers to browse through at their own pace, to look at the more expensive brands without some snooty sales assistant giving daggers.

Online you're anonymous - consumers can look at anything that takes their fancy without judgment.

Styling for online retail companies can prove challenging. The consumer has privacy but they do miss out on the fine details such as touch. As a stylist it is your job to make sure these factors are not an issue.

The photographs have to be clean, precise and uncomplicated. They need to be perfect product shots that ultimately sell the clothes. How does it fasten, what fabric is it made from, what is the silhouette-all of these elements must be clear to the consumer.

These are a couple online shots I have styled.

The New LFW

2008-10-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

The dates are in for next year's London Fashion Weeks. A/W 09/10 will be taking place between Friday 20 to Tuesday 24 February.

S/S 2010 shows will take place in September from Friday 18 until Tuesday 22.

During last LFW there was much speculation of a shorter London slot. New York were reluctant to move any dates meaning Ye Olde London were getting forced into show casing over a smaller week- sorry 4 DAYS!!!

Vogue.com quotes,

“Following the consultation with designers and the media over a potential schedule clash, there will be a one-day overlap for the February 2009 shows with New York while the fashion capitals re-adjust to accommodate new dates.”

"This February an overlap with New York has been agreed by the majority of designers showing at London Fashion Week. February is the first fashion week of the 25 Year Celebrations of British Fashion and we look forward to an exciting week showcasing the very best of British design," says Hilary Riva, chief executive of the British Fashion Council.

To me it seems a shame that London is a city home to so many creative, successful minds- but unfortunately they don’t have the funding to showcase in their own city. John Galliano- Paris, Stella McCartney- Paris and Alexander McQueen- Paris to name but a few.

Bring on the old favourites like the original Queen of Punk, Westwood knows where her bread is buttered!

LONG LIVE BRITANNIA

The Grass is Greener

2008-10-21T18:03:00.000-07:00

This was a shoot I did recently with the very talented photographer Nick Masters. We entitled it, “The Grass Is Greener”. After numerous sessions of brainstorming and developing, we decided to work with the idea that whatever we have-whoever we are, the grass is always greener on the other side.

We took this idea to extremes and worked with bored, woodland fairy folk who longed to be the office, Average Joe.

It was a very testing shoot, we had 11 models working together and lets just say the weather was not on our side! Luckily once hair and make up were finished we had a break in the rain- giving us the chance to capture our frames.

Let me know what you think.

With Special thanks to
Nick Masters- Photographer
Jane Kearney- Hair and Make Up/ Model
Rebecca Tzivanidou- Model
Ian Spiller- Model
Kate Isles- Model
Gina Lance- Model
Leila Spiller- Model
Chris- Model
James masters- Model
Vicki Townsend- Model
Anthony Andrews- Model
Chris Walker-Model

Fashion is a Communicator

2008-10-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

Fashion has always been a medium for self expression and communication, as this clip on YouTube highlights.

It has been cleverly directed with a sophisticated opening outfit, sleek and stylish and then…….she drops her Agent Provocateur knickers to pee in public? Hmmm. A second polished look emerges, ready to take on anything, strong and confident in herself the model walks on only to……….throw up? Third model graces the catwalk, he’s cool, chic and a smooth character. He owns the moment until…..he becomes violent towards an unsuspecting model.

A powerful clip with a powerful message - Be yourself, wear what you are comfortable in, visually communicate whatever it is you want to say- just don’t kill your message with alcohol.

LFW

2008-09-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

London Fashion Week has come to an end and what a week it’s been! London remains host to some of its biggest designers with the likes of Westwood returning from Paris and Giles still showcasing from his east London studio. But personally I am a fan of the new designers London is nurturing.

Vauxhall Fashion Scout is a fantastic venue, home to fresh, new talent. I was lucky enough to be involved with three creative designers Karen Brost, Harriet’s Muse and Inbar Spector.

Karen Brost

Back stage is always exhilarating and Karen Brost’s show was no exception. There were thirty fabulous looks and we were working with ten models which meant a couple of quick changes in the show! It did all run smoothly and the girls looked great.

Hair and make up for the show complimented the designs beautifully with Rachel Wood (make up artist) using a sensual shade of red on the lips- Frenched Red lipstick by Benefit. Hair was created by Toni & Guy, who took their inspiration from 70’s singer Karen Carpenter.

These are some key looks from Karen Brost’s Spring Summer 09 collection- “Regal on the Riveria”.

There is a clear 1970’s silhouette running through this collection. It is a collection that holds beautiful fabric, with a mixture of soft tailoring and drapery.

Harriet’s Muse

Harriet’s Muse are a cheeky, sexy, “rockin” fashion label. Their collection Spring/Summer 09 “Mind Your Manners” showed just how talented the designers Craig Spellar and Cheryl Partington are. Construction and historical tailoring is their signature look and both were apparent throughout this quirky show.

Edgy leather jackets worked against corseted silk gowns. Harriet’s Muse is not so much about trends. They have found their signature look and with each collection they develop their own style. Time spent on each creation results in a couture feel to the clothes.

I love the way the hair is styled- the corset ribbon being weaved throughout the models hair- Fabulous!

Backstage was frantic! It was challenging to change the models out of such intricate, constructed pieces with such time restrictions. Our answer……cut the corset lacing, we were literally cutting the models out of their clothes!

Front of stage it all looked fabulous. Well done Harriet’s Muse.

Inbar Spector

The last show of the week for me and what a show to finish on! Inbar Spector’s work is artistic and dramatic to say the least. Her signature look combines construction with gothic lace and zips. I didn’t think it possible but her S/S 09 collection is a considered development from her last collection, embodying all the right connotations, edgy, sexy and powerful. Spector works with delicate materials (lace and netting) against hard fabrics (leatherette) with chain and zip detailing running throughout her work.

It’s extremely hard for me to choose some of my favourite looks……..but here are a select few.

Inbar’s gothic couture was complimented beautifully with grunge, dreadlocked hair and powered out faces.

What a week it’s been - chaos meets couture- roll on February!

How to Style Lavazza Coffee

2008-09-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

Last week I was on my way home from a long day of shooting when I saw a strong, creative advertising campaign for Lavazza Coffee. This image worked so well for me that as soon as I got home I searched for it online, only to discover that the image I saw was one of many!

A 2008 calender has been created with six visuals showing the months Jan-Feb through to Nov-Dec. For each "month" a fictional queen has been created with her own brief story. All of these tales are illustrated exquisitely in the photographs.

(Below pictures seen as)
Jan-Feb : Queen Vanalika 11
March-April: Queen Bao
May-June: Queen Sophie Margot
July-August: Queen Yasmine
Sept-Oct: Queen Kuk Grethel
Nov-Dec: Queen Melissa 111

This collection of pictures are cleverly styled, with an infusion of colour, texture and fabrics ranging from futuristic latex stockings to luxurious silks and furs.

What is interesting about this campaign is that the coffee is not the initial focal point in the shot, it is the fictional characters. They do, however all hold a cup of "Majestic" coffee in their hand. These images are quite simply for me works of art that will hopefully sell Lavazza coffee to the level this brand deserves for such a bold, captivating campaign.

KOODOS

2008-09-02T10:43:00.000-07:00

It's been a while!!!!

I have recently just started working with an online retail company called "Koodos". They are a fantastic site that sell 'end of line' at incredible prices. Their brands range from Diesel to Valentino, so whatever your budget, you can still indulge.

We recently shot brands that are show casing at Vauxhall Fashion Scout during London Fashion Week.

These are a couple of my favs, 'Hemyca', 'Harriets Muse' and 'Victim'.

(Top-Bottom- Hemyca, Harriets Muse, Victim).

All these brands are considered when it comes to design detail. They are fashion foward and beautifully constructed pieces. Both 'Victim' and 'Harriet's Muse' have boutiques just off Carnaby Street which definitely need to be checked out!

Harriet's Muse Boutique
1.12 Kingly Court

Carnaby

London w18 5pw

Victim Shop

33 Marshall Street

London

W1F 7EX

http://www.koodos.com/

Hidden Talents

2008-07-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

At 22 I have just graduated from Kingston University with a BA Hons in Fashion. I've spent the last three years of my life immersed in art college and it is only now that I am starting to worry about the state of my mind!!!
Gone are the days of popping down to the union for a pint and a ponder at the latest weird and wonderful creation that drinks beside me. Now it is all about the "Real World" and having that career I have always dreamt of.
Hats off to art college, not only have I got a degree but I have learnt some valuable lessons along the way. One of which I am going to share with you now.

You never know what people are capable of! We live in a world full of hidden talents, you don't know what that person sitting next to you on the tube can do! On first impressions they are that accountant who spends all day number crunching, but did you know that over the weekend they won a break dancing competition?

This video is to all those secret talents out there.