LONDON FASHION WEEK A/W 12 - STREET STYLE

Hi everyone, 

I believe this will be my final London Fashion Week A/W blog post. I have pretty much covered everything from my internship at Sophie Hulme so I thought I would publish my street style photography taken at Somerset House. 

I went to Somerset House for 7am and worked at Sophie Hulme's show until 1pm. Considering the long hours I worked at Sophie Hulme, I was panicking that I would have very little time to take any street style photographs. Luckily, I had an hour or so after Sophie's presentation to do as much street style as possible. 

Regarding current trends in London, I saw plenty of fur - real and fake, colour popping, LOTS of Creeper shoes/Docs and women were beginning to resemble Rooney Mara from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo more and more as my time there progressed. 

What is my verdict? Fur - great, so long as it is fake, love colour so colour 'popping' and blocking was pleasant to see, I purchased my own pair of Creepers as I was so inspired by the girls rocking them in London - despite being initially wary of them so they are a definite hit with me (even though they've been around for a while), and finally, the Rooney Mara look works with some girls, but its certainly not a trend I'll be following any time soon!

Loved the statement jewellery and accessories I saw at Somerset House, especially the man with red fur throw. His embellished gloves were amazing. Still seeing a lot of dip dyes which I thought would have died out by now (no pun intended). I think the whole dip dye trend is becoming a bit overdone, but saying that, I really liked the vibrant dip dyes I saw. My favourite item of clothing I witnessed was the girl above with the jellyfish print leggings. I love how she's played them down with a casual ensemble. 

I can't wait to go back to Somerset House this September to see the latest trends. It's fascinating how I subconsciously interpreted what other people wore. Looking back at a lot of the clothes I purchased in London, its clear that I was influenced by those around me.

xoxo

SOPHIE HULME - PART 3 - 'YOUTH' INTERVIEW

Hi everyone, here is my third and final Sophie Hulme instalment!

Thus far, I have blogged about my personal style whilst working in London (outfits I wore out n' about and to work), backstage Sophie Hulme A/W 12 London Fashion Week photography and now I'm excited to present to you all an exclusive interview I did with the Designer of the moment.

I worked with Sophie Hulme two weeks prior to her Presentation at London Fashion Week. I worked in her home Studio in Islington, London. Her house is fantastic and a really inspiring environment to work in. Particularly for me and my current E-Magazine project!

For my Digital Application class, in groups we have to create our own E-Magazine. My groups theme is based on youth, revolt and adolescence and we were influenced by magazines such as POP, LOVE, Nylon and Papier Mache. Looking around Sophie Hulme's home/studio, I was in awe of her collection of vintage toy robots and oversized penguin statues. When I overheard during a conversation at work that the Studio I worked in used to be a toy factory, I KNEW I had to find out more. I felt compelled to write about my experience working within the Sophie Hulme studio for our E-Magazine group, so I was fortunate enough to be granted permission to take photographs around the Studio and interview Sophie herself.

I hope you enjoy my 'youth' interview with Sophie Hulme. I tried to ask her questions that clearly link to my current project. She was an absolute pleasure to interview and provided very insightful yet rather humorous answers. She has a charm that is so magnetic, she is one of the most down to earth and humble Designers I have ever come across and I am incredibly excited for what the future holds for her.

I am very lucky to have been allowed to interview her as an intern. Thank you again for allowing me the chance to do some photography around your home AND interview you Sophie!

***

What did you want to be when you were younger? 

When I was four, I wanted to be the lady who made sandwiches for firemen because I thought firemen were great and I was a bit worried they might not have lunch... I think that carried on when I grew up a bit and thought fat firemen were rather lovely. And then for a while, I thought I wanted to be an actress but when I reached a serious age I wanted to be a painter. I still would love to be a painter, eventually. I love what I do now and its quite a nice challenge but I think later on I’d want to go back into painting stuff, but that’s what lead me into something creative. 

What’s your favourite colour?

Oh, oh crikey… I don’t know...

What’s your favourite colour at the moment?

Oh! I’m digging pink and I usually hate it but right now I think its quite cool… I like teal too.

Why do you have a collection of robots downstairs and do they belong to you? 

They do belong to me. I just find robots quite fascinating and they’re all old Japanese ones so I started collecting them and now whenever anyone sees one they buy one for me. This studio used to be a toy factory so now its got quite a nice reason for the robots but I did collect them before!

Were you interested in Fashion at a young age? 

I was interested in products and objects. I’ve always collected jewellery and gold charms but I didn’t have any background in Fashion or any particularly Fashion people around me. I’ve always loved leather goods and found all those things really interesting but I don’t think I knew much about the whole ‘overall look’ and style of things until I sort of grew up and was around it a bit more. Since I was tiny I always used to make things, all I used to do was sit with piles of boxes and make things like sweet machines and stuff. So I definitely always wanted to make things. 

Were you attracted to this house because it used to be a toy factory? 

Definitely. It was a perfect space for what I wanted anyway but when I heard that it used to be a toy factory, I was like, ‘Well that’s done. That’s a deal.’ I think they used to make old boys toys here like little boomerangs and wooden trains and stuff. 

What were you like as a teenager? 

My mum said I was grumpy… I don’t know… I loved painting I spent most of my time in the art block at school, but I don’t know… I was quite happy. I enjoyed being a teenager. It was alright…

Who inspired you as a child? 

My nan has always been quite amazing. She used to wear amazing antique gold necklaces with lots of funny things on. I remember when I was little I used to be totally fascinated by them. She always wore an armful of gold bangles… And there is something cool about the older generation because they still wear outfits. She’d wear THAT shirt with THOSE trousers, whereas now we were jeans and tshirts. Oh and she would never wear navy and black together... She was quite an inspiration I guess.

My final question is what was your favourite childhood cartoon? 

Oh it’s a tough call…(long pause) … OH! Thundercats without a doubt!

***

Sophie said she was fascinated with leather, working with products and her grandmothers charms as a child. Its fascinating to see how that fascination has been channelled into her current collections isn't it?

xoxo

 

SOPHIE HULME - PART 2 - BACKSTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY A/W12 LONDON FASHION WEEK

Hello! 

Its Saturday night and its nearly 12pm as I am starting this blog post. I'm determined to get back into blogging once a week at the very least and I really want to post all my photographs from Sophie Hulme ASAP considering my experience interning there is still very fresh in my mind.

I worked for Sophie Hulme for two and a half weeks. I worked two weeks prior to her Presentation at London Fashion Week and I attended her Presentation and was backstage dressing models.

Image sourced from http://ccinmyveins.blogspot.com/2008/07/featurette-sophie-hulme.html

All other photography belongs to me

Sophie graduated from Kingston University in 2007 as 'Student Of The Year' and was awarded 'Best Collection' too. She established her very own label just two months later. She is now based in a Studio in Islington. 

Her garments are very feminine with a hard masculine edge which gives a tough appeal. Many of her pieces are sold as menswear and have a luxe aesthetic. Each Season she releases a 'trinket' to accompany her pieces. This means that members of the public who shop Sophie Hulme regularly, are rewarded with various charms and chains to create their own personalised jewellery. 

Gold plated biro pen charms 

Sophie Hulme's clothing is now sold in Selfridges and B Store (London). It can also be found in Opening Ceremony (Japan), Joyce (China) and Luisa via Roma (Italy). 

Her collection shown at London Fashion Week (Sophie Hulme A/W 12) was absolutely beautiful. Her signature armoured bags played a huge feature in the Presentation, as did her collaborative Globe Trotter brass plated suitcases.

The gold plated brass jewellery married with the bags perfectly. The charms were so endearing - ranging from bubble blowers to police whistles (which worked by the way!).

The garments toyed with dinosaur lace, mohair and sheepskin. Each piece exuded luxury but was so wearable and elegant. I had a particular soft spot for the mohair dinosaur printed granddad cardigan (below).

The dinosaur printed garments were so playful yet had a hard edge. Cute with a hard chic toughness.

I photographed models backstage getting their hair and makeup done. I am no photographer, but I really enjoyed capturing this creative process. Watching the models metamorphosis in front of me was fascinating. Each of the models had completely different facial structures but were linked together with the Sophie Hulme smoky eye and textured matte hair. I found it really interesting to see how they transformed so quickly.

Oh and did I forget to mention the humongous gold plated dinosaur installation? 

Amazing. 

I'm sad to have finished my internship at Sophie Hulme but I am honoured to say that I have played a role in her rising success. What she has achieved at such a young age in the notoriously competitive Fashion industry deserves applause. I am really excited for what she has in store for the future...

xoxo

P.S.. If you wish to use any of my photography, please ask first.

COMING TOMORROW - SOPHIE HULME INTERVIEW!

SOPHIE HULME - PART 1 - PERSONAL STYLE

Hi everyone,

I am literally just back from London town. I had a fantastic time interning at Sophie Hulme and I am so excited to show you the photographs I captured during my time there.

I attended her Presentation in the Portico Rooms at Somerset House yesterday and it was amazing. I was backstage dressing the models into their outfits. I took lots of photographs backstage of the models getting their hair and makeup done which I am really thrilled about. I will go into further detail regarding this tomorrow however, as at the moment, I wish to focus on my 'Personal Style' - as promised. 

OUTFITTING 

My boyfriend and I went to Gordon Ramsay's restaurant 'MAZE' during our time in London as a Valentines Day treat. We also visited Jamie Oliver's restaurant a few times as we enjoy eating there so much. I would really advise anyone visiting London to eat out in Jamie's Italian - especially the one in Angel. I've been to the one in Covent Garden and it was nowhere near as good. 

And for those of you wondering, Jamie's restaurant was far better than Gordon Ramsays! The difference in price between them was phenomenal too. For beautiful food and amazing customer service at a very reasonable price - Jamie's Italian wins hands down.

Here are some of the outfits I wore to go out for meals with my boyfriend/outfits I wore to work. Pretty much everything I wear is vintage accessorised with contemporary pieces. I really enjoy mixing old and new.

Playsuit - Vintage, Beyond Retro (Soho)

Shoes - Vintage, Gucci (purchased in Beyond Retro)

Necklace and hosiery - Vivienne Westwood

Belted 60's gingham dress - Vintage, (The Closet, Aberdeen)

Burberry Mac - Vintage, (Mr Bens, Glasgow)

Black embellished shoes - Vintage (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Black bowling bag - Vivienne Westwood

Hosiery - As before

Crop top - Vintage, (Beyond Retro, Soho)

Stone washed jeans - Vintage (as above)

Black velvet shoes (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Same outfit as top, accessoried with Vivienne Westwood jacket, bag and Gucci shoes.

Here are some other vintage buys I purchased in London. My personal favourites are the Diane Von Furstenberg knitted top and the Aldo shoes. Love the turban too, I need to think carefully about what outfits to wear it with. All suggestions are very welcome!

Shoes -Vintage Aldo (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Top - Vintage, Diane Von Furstenberg (Beyond Retro, Soho)

Shoe boots - Vintage, Michael Kors (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Pumps - Marc Jacobs (Rokit Covent Garden)

Knitted sweater - Vintage, Ralph Lauren (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Socks - Tabio (Harrods) 

LOVE THESE

Turban - (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Faux fur kitten heels - Vintage (Rokit, Covent Garden)

I believe I only purchased one item that was not vintage... I've had my eyes on a pair of Creepers for a long time. After photographing street style, I felt compelled to purchase a pair as I saw so many men and women rocking them. I got mine from Topshop Oxford Street.

I think that's about it regarding London buys. On a totally different subject, my boyfriend thinks I am resembling Fearne Cotton a lot recently... I'll let you be the judge.

Shirt and tartan skirt - Vintage, (Rokit, Covent Garden)

Oh, and I got my very own London Fashion Week pass. Personalised and all. Cool, huh?

COMING SOON... BACKSTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY, GRAFFITI RESEARCH, PHILIP TREACY POST AND AN EXCLUSIVE SOPHIE HULME INTERVIEW!! ... I have to keep you waiting. Sorry!