That's a wrap! R.I.P. 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR YOU GORGEOUS PEOPLE!!! Hope everyone had a fantastic festive period and is ready for the opportunities that come with a new year. 2011 was a pivotal year for me and as I look forward to what wonders 2012 will behold, it got me thinking about the ghosts of the year passed and the things I enjoyed seeing/being part of........ I appreciate that not everyone may know of the lovely and utterly gorgeous Lana Del Rey - yet. Winner of the 2011 Q Award for Next Best Thing, I have had the pleasure of working alongside Johnny Blueeyes on her styling team, putting together looks for her various appearance in both the UK and USA, along with her utterly gorgeous video 'Born to Die' If you don't know get to know!

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* SORAPOL S/S12 A beautiful and breathtaking debut collection by new young designer Sorapol, 'True Colours SS12, was shown to London's fashion finest. Creatively Directed by Daniel Lismore - the face of many of London's renowned fashion and art clubnights. 'True Colours' drew inspiration from exotic nature. A collection of contrasts and colours, it featured delicate hand beading, painting and crystals, each garment was a statement in it's own right. With make up by Illamasqua - the go to make up brand for haute creations - models were made into beautiful birds of paradise. The shoes, or rather works of art, created by Bryan Oknyansky, were so amazingly intricate, they had to be held aloft whilst the models worked the catwalk in bare feet - Love! www.sorapol.co.uk

Earlier on in the year, I was asked to style the cover of Zen magazine featuring Miss West Africa International. Dubbed one of the best queens in MWA history, she was an absolute dream to work with and it was inspiring to hear how hard she had worked with charities and local causes, to ensure that she made a difference during her reign.

Team Factory x TrashOn. A project that was created after 'Trashionista' Anisa Topan, met a man named Michael, a British garment manufacturer who, having shaped the fashion industry, working with many well known fashion brands, now finds his factory quiet as many brands take their business overseas. A motley crew of creatives were put together to create the promo images for the SHUTTUP tote bag. A bag created for the cause, which, if I may say so myself, is a 'proper' tote bag - strong, durable and guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows on your morning commute :) I loved every minute of this shoot and it felt really good to be working for a cause. Follow on in the good vibes and do your bit by using the link below and getting involved to buy a bag of your very own..... GO TEAM FACTORY!! www.trashon.co.uk

R.I.P 2011 - it's been good but 2012 is set to be better! X

Clowning around in the name of charity.......

Recently I had the pleasure of working with Johnny on the My Clown event in association with Illamasqua and S.O.P.H.I.E Lancaster Foundation, a charity set up in 2009, after the horrific murder of Sophie Lancaster, a young girl who was set up upon purely because she looked different.

http://www.sophielancasterfoundation.com/

The sun came out to shine on a good cause and made for a glorious day for clowning around......

The aim of the day was to promote self-expression, giving all 'clowns' free reign in the gorgeous Illamasqua store in Beak Street to create their individual looks. The look was then rounded off with the help of Johnny Blueeyes, who was on hand with an amazing array of clowntastic accessories, before portraits were taken with photographer Matthew Brindle.

Celebrating individuality was the objective of the day and it was truly amazing to see the many different variety of clowns that sprang from people's imaginations, including a baby clown (too cute), a day of the dead clown and a ghetto fabulous clown called Clowneshia (me!). It was hugely refreshing to see strangers and friends alike, come to life and get so involved in an activity usually reserved for children.

After a few hours of being made up and having your moment behind the camera, a procession was formed and all the clowns took to Carnaby Street for a parade promoting love, peace and individuality to unsuspecting shoppers.

A brilliant day was had by all, and we were all treated to a picnic in golden square , courtesy of Nando's goodness and Vitamin water :)

A massive shout out to Sophie's mum and the PR manager for the charity who were both absolutely lovely and who I enjoyed a very insightful conversation with. An inspiration to many, I left the day with a warm feeling of having done some good and am truly looking forward to the next event in aid of such a worthy cause.

Johnny Blueeyes and Illamasqua.....

In the last year, I have started working as an assistant for the amazingly talented Johnny Blueeyes (who I happened to meet outside Starbucks in Shepherds Bush, after noticing his gold Jeremy Scott trainers and introducing myself!)
Through him I have had the pleasure of meeting some a-mazing people, including going to the Illamasqua Beak street store launch party where I met the lovely Dame Vivienne Westwood and her husband as well as seeing THE most gorgeous make up I have ever seen .......