Lingerie in Fashion Photography

I have had a look at recent interpretations and the use of Lingerie in Fashion Photography for the SS11 season. Just like in AW10, the use of lingerie brands building part of an outfit or becoming the focal point hasn't gone away.

I absolutely love the styling in this photograph from POP magazine. The mixture of the sheer and feather coat from Chanel with the underwear, bra from Iceberg and tulle pants by Emporio Armani is really elegantly striking.

Harper's Bazaar use of the tailored Gym pant links in perfectly with catwalk trends of the moment.

This image with grosgrain bra, blouse, trousers and belt photographed with the perfect SS11 shade of oceanic hue makes for a striking photograph. Your eyes are drawn to the 50s style red lipstick.

The voyeur boudoir feel of this photograph really caught my attention.

This sultry and seductive photograph and styling of lingerie really drew me in.

The complete contrast of POP magazine's shoot here is fascinating. From a sultry boudoir feel to one of innocence and purity whilst still styling with lingerie as the focal point is fascinating.

I really admire the simplicity of this photo, from the styling to the set it all fits together perfectly creating a mood of clarity and chastity.

This set of photographs come from Love magazine's SS11 Androgony issue. The veil by Tom Ford and the Yves Saint Laurent jacket is given a post modern twist with the open bra by Kiki de Montparnasse, a brand that has really caught my eye in the recent months.

Androgony certainly sums up this photograph, but despite the context, I couldn't help but admire the Michael Kors swimsuit.

Harnesses: do they count as lingerie? I'm not sure but whatever they count as, I like it.

A body by Lanvin and another harness, this time around the waist and legs creating a robotic suspender effect. Fleet Ilya is the name behind the contraptions.

Not strictly lingerie I know, but Love magazine have struck gold again with this pop style photo shoot to demonstrate the summer neons and colour blocking trend. The neon yellow gym pants really grabbed me as ticking the trend boxes for the coming season.

Surprisingly, Topshop presents itself in this shoot with a metalic bright swimsuit. I love the hyper air brushing feel of the shoot, it is dramatic and unnecessary but yet adds something quite exciting.

Finally, the last of this shoot shows the one brand that I keep see being used again and again in these kind of shoots: Dolce & Gabbana. Since 2009, the brand has been at the forefront of the return of underwear as outerwear.

What Katie Did

I love the vintage feel of lingerie brand What Katie Did. According the website whatkatiedid.com the brand's creator has had a constant obsession with the 1940s and 1950s and now finally, the fashion world has caught up with the bright red lips and voluptuous curves of the era. What better place to shop for 1950s inspired lingerie than a brand that lives and breathes the Hollywood glamour of the time.

The latest Spring Summer collection entitled Vicky, shows a beautiful boudoir theme in the photography and styling. I absolutely fell in love with the brand instantly and couldn't wait to try on some of the products.

These sheer French knickers come from the Cabaret collection which is inspired by 1920s and 30s Berlin. At £30, they are a reasonable price, especially for something that I think personally doesn't have to be confined to underwear.

Maitresse is the collection that epitomises the vintage glamour of the 1950s and really sums up the design and brand values of What Katie Did. I chose the high waisted Maitresses knickers at an even more reasonable £17. They have a satin front and sheer panelling at the sides and fit in great with an underwear as outerwear themed outfit.

I wore the complete outfit along with a thick waist cinching belt that pulled in the bat wings on my top and made the shorts and knickers and belt look like one beautiful outfit.

The Trend Report - Underneath it all

One of the key accessory trend for the Spring Summer catwalk 2011 was the idea of bringing old school gym knickers out to the forefront. Underwear worn as outerwear is a recurring idea happening time and time again and this summer is no exception.

This trend is ideal for translation into lingerie design, meaning that the only change needs to be made is that the designs are toned down enough to be worn without covering up.

Dolce & Gabbana have pioneered the use of the bodysuit as an outer garment since last Spring Summer's delicate floral collection. Gianfranco Ferre and Acne both demonstrate the old school gym knicker style with more of a tailored twist.

Daks have more of a sporty take on the gym knicker whereas Paul Smith heads back to the tailored approach with a waistcoat and knicker one-piece. Loewe keeps the shorts short with an attractive floral print.

There are plenty of options of changing underwear into something that can be worn as part of an outfit, especially with the use of control shape-wear. Ender Legard Corsetry showcases a range of one pieces and on pret-a-porter.com they are suggested to be styled with a pair of Christian Louboutins and nothing else. La Perla and Stella McCartney offer a choice of one pieces that would make the perfect focal point of an outfit. La Perla's range of control knickers are also reminiscent of the short gym knickers along with Phillip Lim.

The Trend Report - It's All White

The summer white was picked up on by numerous designers on the Spring Summer Catwalk. It was used in exquisite and precise tailored garments, right through to beautifully simple evening gowns. This white is not about being complicated and delicate but rather has a much more simple and sporty edge to it. There is an air of perfection about the colour, needing next to nothing else to turn it into something astonishing.

Rag and Bone, Nicole Farhi and Dolce and Gabbana here demonstrate the uniquely simple and fuss free quality that the colour insists upon for the summer. There is simply no need to add loud accessories, or in fact any colour at all to turn a garment into an outfit that is breathtaking.

Vanessa Bruno, Chloe and Rochas demonstrate that even elaborate evening gowns can be simplified into something much simpler and sportier by reducing to clean, crisp and almost clinical cuts.

White is an extremely easy colour to take into lingerie but the difference with this trend is that it is not about white, bridal lace and beautifully crafted, intricate creations but rather, the trend is about simplifying and reducing to the bare minimum of necessity. Stella McCartney demonstrates the sporty element perfectly, along with the classic Calvin Klein briefs. Mimi Holiday mixes the white with the black straps to give the collection more of an edge as Elle Macpherson does with the blue. Jenny Packham, Carine Gilson and Phillip Lim all present underwear that is devilishly simple yet uniquely elegant.

The Trend Report - Golden Sunsets

Following on from the bright, rainbow dressing is the other option of head to toe hues. As mentioned before, the oceanic tones of cerulean and azure are one option, but the other way to go is a tangerine dream. The zesty, citric tones add youth and vibrancy to otherwise delicate ensembles and inject a bit of excitement to the wardrobe.

The tone is daring and a little frightening as the wrong skin tone or accessories could result in a disaster. It is not a trend for the faint hearted and probably one for the pale to avoid. However, the other way to wear the trend is by introducing it as accessories with Clementine shades of handbag, scarves and peekaboo lingerie.

Marc by Marc Jocobs and Fendi, here have both delicately added the tangerine shade in an all together ensemble. With tanned or dark skin, the shade is hugely flattering and takes away the frightening element. For Vivienne Westwood's collection, never afraid of being daring, the all over shade works by adding a bit of the infamous Westwood punk.

Paul and Joe, Giambattista Valli and Cacharel all demonstrate the wonderfully feminine effect that can be created with the shade, proving that the daring shade doesn't necessarily mean a daring cut or provocative style.

It was tough to find as many designs as before in such a difficult shade, but sure enough, many designers have latched onto the idea that using tangerine lingerie as part of an outfit is the perfect way to introduce the trend into the wardrobe for those who cn't pull off the all over hues. Notably were Myla, who had a large range in shades of bright citrus orange, through to a burnt flame colour. Solei Sucré used a shade that mixed the orange with a pink to create more of a wearable coral shade. Sista Shei didn't seem to be afraid of the tone at all, although the photography was styled with beautifully dark models who are flattered by the shade. Lastly, Elle Macpherson was the collection that surprised me, usually associated with being pretty and delicate, I was pleased to see that the bright amber shade could still work in such a beautifully feminine way.

The Trend Report - Close to the Skin

As a stunning contrast to being bold and bright, the complete opposite is to reduce the tones completely to delicate, floaty and fluid fabrics in soft shades of nude. Variations of chiffon and silk are updated to the new year with a high gloss finish that sets it apart from last season.The nude revival is the perfect trend for underwear, so easy to translate, easy to wear sophisticated to show.

Alexander Wang, Emporio Armani and Richard Nicoll perfectly translate the fluid and floaty fabrics in their collections. Nicoll was the perfect example of updating the nude shades with a high gloss, shimmering finish.

Alberta Ferretti, Haider Ackerman and Chloe here demonstrate the stark contrast with the seasons rainbow trend. The nude is more sophisticated and stylish in a completely different way. Chloe in particular has pioneered nude for the past seasons, switching to darker camel tones for the Autumn Winter season and then back to the shimmering, soft, desaturated ballet pinks for the Spring Summer.

There is hardly enough space on the planet to demonstrate how easy the trend can be translated into lingerie. La Perla have a huge range, although designed specifically with bridal in mind, the soft tones and delicate craft really link in with the Nude trend. Jenny Packman, Hanky Panky, Elle Macpherson, Carine Gilson and Ender Legard Corsetry all have extensive choices in a variety of tones but I was most interested by the take by online, faux vintage lingerie brand What Katie Did who have ingeniously interpreted the trend to something more contemporary and exciting.

The Trend Report - All Things Bright are Beautiful

Head to toe brights along with boldly contrasting separates featured on the SS runways; not only brights as a total ensemble but neon bright accessories were also brought to the forefront and this is the perfect opportunity for translation into lingerie.

Bright outwear with neon peekaboos or the idea of having bright lingerie visible through sheer fabrics are the perfect way for lingerie to interpret the trend as part of an outfit. However, there is opportunity for the trend to be interpreted in other ways, with bright accents on lingerie designs or by mixing and matching bold and contrasting separates to create a rainbow of an underwear wardrobe.

Jill Sander, Etro and Gucci here demonstrate the rainbow bright, contrast colour blocking. A key aspect of this trend is the idea of breaking the usual contrasting versus clashing rule, varying tones of the same hue as demonstrated by the oceanic example by Etro; where clashing tones of turquoise are separated by a neon splash of a yellow belt.

Versus demonstrates the other way of styling the bright trend by pairing contrasting rainbows against black whereas MaxMara and Diane von Furstenburg show the hugely popular purple and orange mix.

Deborah Marquit's French Lace collection continues to hit the trend buttons by offering a choice of eye catching bright colours that are perfect as a neon bright accessory peeking from within an outfit. The option of mixing and matching contrasting separates within this collection is an easy way to interpret the rainbow bright trend with lingerie. Stella McCartney and Calvin Klein both have a large number of bright examples and Lascivious show neon accents on an other ways black set with the use of the sulphur yellow. Dirty Pretty Things has a brilliant cerise collection and juicy couture's pyjama set matches perfectly with this hue.

The Trend Report - Ocean Blue

The SS/11 catwalk trend are now coming up to being in full swing, as the bleak and impossibly cold winters begin their optimistic ascent into the warmer months, my focus has been working out with underwear designers have translated the catwalk's biggest trends.

Its easy to wear a new fabric, change the lengths of your trousers or skirts to update your wardrobe into the new season, but using the catwalk trend as inspiration for underwear design is something completely different entirely.

I have picked some of the key trends from the SS/11 catwalk reports that have been successfully translated into lingerie. I will add a new trend every day, with catwalk images and my own trend board creation to demonstrate the trends translation into product.

Costume National, Akris and Miu Miu all demonstrated the SS/11 ocean tone of cerulean and shimmering cobalt.

The hue, despite being intense has the quality of also being decidedly feminine. It is paired quite frequently with a glossy black or against a bright cerise as in the collection by Mulberry here. Matthew Williamson and Jason Wu demonstrate how the tone can be so very feminine yet alive with power.

The beautiful cerulean blue has been translated exquisitely by Agent Provocateur and the more dusty cobalt colour forms part of the French Lace collection. Elle Macpherson successfully mixes the two tones and the blue has made it all the way down the price ladder to the brief section of the boudoir range from ASOS.

Just James Franco

After watching Danny Boyle's 127 hours, I was put off climbing, abseiling and pen knives for the rest of my life. The film was one of the most powerful pieces of cinema that I have seen for a long time and despite making me cold sweat and come out of the cinema like I was suffering from post traumatic stress, the thing that I can't stop talking about is James Franco's performance.

He truly does seem to be making it as a bit of a man of the moment, himself and Anne Hathaway having been asked to host the 2011 Oscar nominations a long time ago, he may now be in line to receive a nomination himself.

Franco seems to be a man who constantly wants to achieve more. From interviews as a result of the new film, I have been fascinated with learning about the man behind the roles. He has an astounding number of degrees in literature, poetry and film making, he is a commissioned artist, he's directed multiple short films and written a published novel, and this is even before you begin to study his acting career. His resumé is highly unusual, from playing stoner Saul Silver in hit comedy Pineapple Express, to Peter Parker's friend turned enemy in Spiderman and then to a leading role in Danny Boyle's eagerly anticipated biographical film 127 hours.

The film follows the real events experienced by climber Aron Ralston, in the Blue John Canyon in Utah. In a matter of seconds, Ralston's experience and life is changed forever as a simple mistake causes a gigantic boulder to become lodged on his right hand. Ralston has not told anyone where he is going, and carries no mobile phone and the film documents his slow realisation that he hasn't asked anyone for help - an attitude that has worked his whole life previously, that he is invincible alone. When he first becomes trapped, Boyle filmed one long take that eventually lasted 20 minutes, telling Franco to just try everything he could to move the boulder that was trapped on his arm. The long take exhausts Franco and by the end of it, the feeling of desperation is so tangible that it grips the whole audience.

Ralston documented his real experience on a video camera, including desperate farewell messages to his parents and apologies to an old lover and the experience causes him to reflect on all the mistakes he has ever made. The real tapes have never been shown to anybody other than Ralston's close family, however, he allowed Franco and Boyle to view the films in order to correctly portray the extreme situation.

With no choice, Ralston eventually uses his blunt pen knife to amputate his own arm. Again, the whole scene was filmed in one take on several cameras to get a feeling of how long and gruelling it was. The screeching white noise that plays when he cuts through the nerve and the scream of pain from Franco is enough to turn even the strongest stomachs.

Finally, with himself freed, he still has the gruelling task of trying to return home from the middle of nowhere. And seeing some other climbers in the distance, he finally asks for help. Franco's portrayal of the way Ralston absolutely accepted that his personality is not working. He collapses and allows himself to be helped, for me, this was the most powerful moment.

Building an Online Boutique

I saw an article in my Drapers the other day and as soon as I had finished reading, I couldn't wait to get online and play.

The article was detailing Google's new online fashion site: boutiques.com which allows you to create a personalised style boutique. The site makes judgements on your personal taste and style and then brings up recommended products that are (hopefully) perfectly suited to you.

I set up my own online boutique and have photographed each step to show how easy and how accurate it was for me.

First of all you start by comparing fashion photography shots, and you choose which best represents your style. Little by little, the site analyses what you are choosing and tries to determine a trend that is best suited to you.

I chose the images that were quite feminine on the whole but tried to include styles that had a quirky edge to them. I liked the styling with the long socks in the first image and the colour palette of the girl sitting down from this choice.

Next, the site gets much more specific and you choose everything you love and hate about different types of outfit, from the shape of your favourite dresses, to the colours of your favourite shoes.

Then, you have go through lists of designers and choose the ones that you love the most. High on my list were Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney but I also incorporated Urban Outfitters, Victoria's Secret and Miu Miu.

And this is my final result: Romantic. I think it is pretty accurate, I love the colour palette and the style and shape of all of the products here. It perhaps doesn't quite fit in with my favourite designers so much, but I think it is a good representation of my style.

So with my style saved, I now start my boutique. The images chosen are supposed to represent my style and I think they are perfect.

These are my products: The site hand chooses products for you based on your choices and then leads you to other websites to purchase them. I will also get regular updates on items that will be of interest to me. Can't wait to see what they will come up with.

Baci Lingerie coming to the UK

The value lingerie chain that has become extremely popular in the US is making its way over to the UK. The driving force behind the chain, known simply as 'Richard' describes the brand as having the look and feel of luxury lingerie brands such as Agent Provocateur and La Perla but with prices on average at 90 - 95% less. Read the Article Here

This is terrific news for lingerie shoppers like myself, I love spending money on really beautifully made products from well known brands, but if there is going to be beautiful, well made products without the huge price tag, then I'm there. This obviously means that there will be a new kid on the block for other value lingerie retailers La Senza and Ann Summers as Baci plans to open stores in busy shopping centres to get the most effect.

At the moment, the store doesn't seem to have a fully transactional website, but you really get a feel of the luxurious nature of the brand by visiting their home page. It is a bit annoying, and runs extremely slowly but with a simple fix, Baci lingerie could be a strong competitor in the value lingerie market.

The Baci lingerie collections all form part of a story and seem to really think outside the box in terms of the photography of the items.

The Dolce Vita collection is especially beautifully photographed, I love the strewn flowers behind the model that ties in with the print on the briefs and suspender belt.

This comes from the collection, 'Have Fun Princess' and all the models are accessorized with tiaras and crowns. The story adds value to an already highly creative and energetic product line.

The collection entitled 'Deeper in Hell' is I think what Ann Summers would like to be. A collection with a bit of a darker edge, with dominatrix styling and accessories.

'Back in Heaven' is a luxury line for the naughty but nice. The styling of with feathers and angelic back lighting is especially effective.

'Love Agent' is an interesting take on collection photography, using secret agent James Bond as an influence whilst taking styling tips from the roaring 1920s.

Finally, the collection entitled 'Beauty within the Beast' has an empowering Xena Warrior Princess sort of feel to it. The models are much strongly built and the overall theme seems to be of women conquering all, I think referencing Boadicea.

With really fascinating takes on styling and photography, the average price comes at quite a shock, between £10 - £15 for a knicker and bra set. Come on Baci Lingerie, we need you in the UK.