Next Time Models

Behind the Scenes.....MiH Jeans Spring/Summer 2012 Lookbook Shoot

Behind the Scenes at the MiH Jeans Spring/Summer 2012 lookbook (studio) shoot. The lovely founder of MiH Jeans, Chloe Lonsdale, and her awesome team invited me to Sola Studios in West London to take some behind the scenes photographs documenting the first day of their studio shoot with gorgeous Lithuanian model, Beegee.

Disclaimer: I LOVE the MiH brand. I adore the jeans, the campaigns (I have seen a sneak peek of the campaign for SS 2012 and the photographs are beautiful... they feature one of my fav models!) and the history behind this British brand. Chloe inherited the Made in Heaven brand from her Godfather (who started it in 1969) but Chloe's parents were also in the denim business: her Dad started the Jean Machine stores and her mama was a top 70's denim model.

Thanks so much to the MiH team for having me out for the day!

A Fashion Tale

A Fashion Tale

A Fashionable Family Affair: Designer Deola Sagoe's Daughters Launch Their Own Fashion Label

Written By: MIM!—Sisters, Teni, Aba and Tiwa Sagoe, daughters to Deola Sagoe of the eponymous and legendary fashion house, have channelled their collective fashion heritage to bring their own vision to the fore with the launch of Clan, a new fashion label with a fresh and irreverent style, for edgy, style-conscious girls and guys who like to stay ahead of the fashion curve. Clan is targeted at the teenage to thirties demographic, offering dynamic fashion that’s easily accessible, yet savvy and distinct. As the brand name implies Clan speaks to the power of family, the magic that comes out of being part of a bigger picture, whilst still being unique and different, and having the courage to experiment that’s always fantastic to watch. It may seem obvious to see the daughters of Deola Sagoe finding their way into the fashion industry. Not so if you ask the girls, the eldest of whom is just 20. Each has her own distinct career path marked out, and surprisingly none has chosen to be a fashion designer. But it must be in the blood as Clan has grown organically, taking on a life of it's own, forging its way into being as if by some pre-destined plan.  

The current line offers separates from bra-lets, high waisted print shorts and Ankara bustiers to casual lounge dresses and swim wear, as well as wardrobe staples such as chiffon shirts and dainty lace skirts for the free-spirited and young at heart. Take a look at pieces from the collection below.

Written By: MIM!—Sony Music Africa recording artist LIRA is following in the footsteps of the legendary Miriam Makeba and Letta Mbulu, releasing four platinum selling albums making her the current highest selling artist in South Africa. Today, the Afro-Soul vocalist makes her entrance into the U.S with the release of a 5-track EP on iTunes to give her fans a preview of the debut American Album Feel Good which is slated to be released in January 2012. Get your copy of LIRA's EP starting today on iTunes.

(Photo Credits: CD Cover Art)

The Big Chill

See the report at:

http://www.elleuk.com/

Thanks to All at Idea Generation-The Big Chill press and my assistant Luke (seen above)

Cotton & Gems website launch

See my friend Clare's jewellery and more at her new website at:

http://www.cottonandgems.com/

Bleach Online Drop + Dog & Pony + Dum Dum Girls!

For those of you in Austin (or wherever) join Bleach Drop to receive updates on events, issue release parties and contests.
+++If you join Bleach Drop before August 14th, you'll be registered to win a $50 gift card from Dog & Pony boutique+++

Also! The Dum Dum Girls will be in town!!
Bleach Online will be sponsoring an event at the Mohawk this Friday along with Feathers Boutique, Dog & Pony Boutique & Laced With Romance will be unveiling their in house label "Dust & Drag.

Supermodel Alek Wek Revisits Her Refugee Past To Commemorate The 1951 U.N. Refugee Convention

Written By: MIM!—Supermodel Alek Wek recently sat down with National Public Radio's Michel Martin to share her personal story about being a refugee to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention. Listen to her interesting and inspiring story on NPR's website.

(Photo Credits: © Printemps)

Behind the scenes-Up coming editorial

Laboutin heels

Used Gina flats

My assistant Luke

Hunter Millbank hi-top's

See http://www.christianlouboutin.com/

And http://www.gina.com/

Also http://www.hunter-boot.com/

Tea of the week-At Jade Parfitt's house

See http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/biographies/jade-parfitt

Picture by Roza Sinaysky

Goyard luggage

See http://www.goyard.com/

Antique frames at The Wallace Collection

See http://www.wallacecollection.org/

Vivienne Westwood Visits Kenya In Support Of Ethical Fashion

Written By: MIM!—British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has been working with the United Nations Ethical Fashion Programme to produce bags and accessories in Kenya. The idea behind the initiative is to lift communities out of poverty using environmentally sustainable materials and processes. As Vivienne explains, "Charity = dependence, Work = control over your own life." Vivienne recently wrote about her first trip to Kenya and posted some amazing photographs on her blog, to learn all about her trip, visit Vivienne's blog: www.activeresistance.co.uk.

(Photo Credits: © Chloé Mukai / ITC for Vivienne Westwood)

New buy: Stick with your first love: the Isabel Marant Reilly jacket

The Reilly/ July (they call them both names) jacket from Isabel Marant was my favourite item from the SS2011 collection, but the price tag and the fact I already owned many special jackets kept me from buying it. So when the sale started I was again in doubt whether I should go after this jacket. I decided to do so and ended up buying my second choice, the NAP july jacket. But that one made me realise even more that second best even wasn't enough. As if it was faith I ended up finding this beauty quite soon and with 20 % off, so my patience is rewarded!

Here some pics to show the beautyfull datails that not only makes this a amazing jacket, but also a true piece of art!

jacket: Isabel Marant Reilly/ July jacket ss 2011

Bike Lordz: Stunts & Styles From Accra Ghana

Written By: Nani Hapa—Acrobatic BMX bike riders are all the rage in Ghana right now, and film director Mikey Hart is looking to capture this phenomenon for the big screen. Take a look at the video below and get convinced to support the movement by making a donation to the film via Kick Starter.

Bikelordz : Stunts and Styles from Accra, Ghana from Bikelordz on Vimeo.

Get updates by visiting bikelordz.com.

Clémentine for Grazia.it

Miss Clémentine Levy for Grazia.it.

Purrrrrr. The first photo of Clémentine reminds of a cat all curled up in the afternoon sun. Albeit a very pretty, very French cat, wearing a very cute dress. Clementine is the creative manager at 30cancan, a boutique in Pigalle, Paris, a model. You can find her blog here and the full article on Grazia.it today here.

I photographed Clémentine in Montmartre on what I think might have been the second hottest day of the year in Paris....the Sunday evening before I photographed Anne-Catherine. It sounds like the perfect place to take photographs (and it has always been in the back of my mind that I wanted to shoot there)- all those cobbled back streets, the view across Paris from Sacré-Coeur, the cute little cafe's serving freshly squeezed orange juice: utterly delicious on a steamy afternoon. Except I kind of underestimated the heat (lugging a backpack, cameras and clothes for Clémentine to change into was a bit of a challenge up all of the hilly streets and stairs!), and the number of people about-oh boy, was it packed! Plus a French rollerblader was preparing to set a world record jump from Sacré-Coeur so there was scaffolding up everywhere. Oh là là!

Clémentine has the sort of effortless, chic French style so many of us long for but just can't quite achieve without hours of, well, effort. Which clearly contradicts the effortless bit. The first time I met Clémentine (outside the Louis Vuitton show in October 2009) she was wearing a simple black blazer and trousers with a white shirt, leopard print clutch and embellished heels. With her hair swept up in a high ponytail, winged eyeliner and pale skin she looked every inch the Parisian girl about town.

What was Clémentine wearing for our shoot? Black cutout dress from ASOS, Cartier Trinity bracelet (a gift from her aunt and uncle which she never takes off); Black jacket (vintage), Jeans (Cheap Monday), Shoes (Topshop); White Dress (vintage); Black singlet top (Topshop) and green skirt and sandals (both Topshop).

We were rather concerned about an alarm going off on the Vespa so leaning against it was the bravest we were prepared to be!

p.s. you can click on the horizontal images and diptychs to make them a bit larger.