The Perception of Happiness Photoshoot

For one of my modules this semester at uni  I am studying fashion communication. It's pretty awesome to say the least and most definitely my favourite module of the semester. As part of the fashion communication module we have to produce a 2-6 page spread, concept, theme and pretty much everything associated entirely your choice, which will then be considered for the annual second year Fashion Management, student magazine. I decided to work alone on this project because let's face it, I probably would have had a bit of a strop if I wasn't doing exactly what I wanted. 

So for my concept I wanted to portray more of a story than a trend and exploit the misconception of happiness. To do this, I combined two different types of settings, one during the day and one at night. The day shoot shows my fabulous model Chloe, standing alone in a wide open field, barefoot, in a gorgeous, cutesy wee Ark & Co dress. Although she is alone, she appears incandescently happy in the light of the sun. As the sun starts to fall, so does her tone and she did an amazing job of portraying this through the emotion on her face. 
My contrasted setting for the second part of this shoot is shot in two places. For this part of the shoot, my gem of a photographer, Lauren, snapped Chloe in the dark; partly in front of a massive ivy plant, yes this is in my garden, and secondly down in an overcrowded, branched forest.. Ooooh eery. This part of the shoot was to portray that even though she was alone, the same as in the daylight, at night it was real, she was truly alone and the perception of her happiness, previously, was nothing but false. I wanted to enhance the sinister tone of this part of the shoot so I dressed Chloe in a black 'tulle dress' from Topshop and draped her in five metres of black organza fabric. Her heavy black boots, also Topshop, emphasise the heaviness of her emotion and furthermore take on the realism of the shoot. 
I did the styling, hair and make-up of the shoot myself and had my lovely photographer friend, Lauren Sherlock snap the images. Like I mentioned my friend Chloe da Costa modelled for me, and whilst she is a complete pain at times, I must say she really pulled through with this one. So thanks guys, you both did fab!
Below are a few of the final snaps from the shoot, so I hope you like what you see and feel free to give any feedback you so desire. 

Day and Night; 
The Perception of Happiness

Love and cameras. x

Top Spending at Topshop

So I come with deepest, embellished velvet apologies, I'm a post or two behind, but uni work has been calling and for the first time in my life I'm actually on top and up to date with all my coursework. Go meeeeeee! Anyway, I ventured back to my home town of Glasgow this weekend and decided to indulge myself in a lil bit of retail therapy. I don't know if it was the beauty of the lights over Royal Exchange Square or the beginnings of Michael Bublé's Christmas album singing softly in every store, but something in the air definitely led me to splash the cash. 

Now it is undeniable when it comes to the high street stores I am an absolute Zara fiend, so much so I literally want to starfish the floor and set up camp upon entry and live out my days there. HOWEVER, I went into the Topshop on Buchanan Street, Glasgow, on Saturday and they have converted the bottom floor (previously Topman) into another floor of Topshop, which just happened to be filled with lots of Bri loving goodies. 
So, when I say I splashed the cash, I didn't go tooooooo wild, just your basic winter season necessities. Oh you know what I mean; warming winter coat, couple of jumpsuits, perfect little party dress and of course a fabby dabby top to match one of the jumpsuits.. No biggie. But yea, just thought I would give you a wee peak of my purchases that are literally making me melt into a puddle of awe in their presence and hopefully you find the same luck, love, lust and happiness over your key winter pieces.

'Popper Front Boyfriend Coat' - Topshop - £58

Thought I would buy a boyfriend coat seeing as I don't have a loving, caring, boyfriend to borrow his. *Cue the violins*

This coat is fab for winter though its so thick and cosy and goes perfectly with literally anything. So excited I have it in my life now.

'Diamond Jaquard Strap Jumpsuit' - Topshop - £55

Ok, so in this image the jumpsuit aint lookin' so fab, but when it's on ooooooh mama, it's a beauty alright. P.s I am OBSESSED with jumpsuits right now. This lil baby can be worn casual during the day with a pair of winter ankle boots and the fabulous boyfriend coat OR slap on a pair of heels and some bling to rock an Xmas night out. 

It is the chameleon of jumpsuits.

'Check Drop Waist Jumpsuit' - Topshop - £60

'Textured Tee' - Topshop - £24

Ok, so just going to pair these together as this was my jumpsuit, tshirt, combo I mentioned earlier. I am literally head over heels in LOVE with this jumpsuit and the tshirt actually goes perfectly underneath, creating a stunning colour contrast. It's as if the garments are best friends and show off each others best bits. Cute eh?

Anyway, this is so perfect for a casual, cold winter day when you want to work it without going the colour of the tshirt. I know we like to suffer for fashion, but the cold is something I simply can't deal with. Yes I am a princess. 

'Devore Strap Back Slip Dress' - Topshop - £50

Now THIS is what I'm talkin' bout. This is the ultimate LBD for winter. I am literally so in love with this dress I want to go to bed cuddling it and never let go. The dress is completely backless to just above the bum; can't be pulling an Alexander McQueen 'bumster skirt' stunt now can we?

 Oh the detail. Devore printing I love you. And the straps. Stop me before I melt. The intricately delicate straps cross over the back of the body claiming such daring elegance. This dress genuinely is just such a masterpiece I want to wear it all the time. 

It is a necessity for any special winter nights out this season girls and the perfect example of the modern interpretation of the LBD. It can not fail.

I hope you all have lots of fun buying your winter wardrobes and I sincerely hope your bank cards have seizures from the excessive spending. But most of all, I hope you fall in love with your clothes as much as I do, well maybe not quite as much, I am a wee bit weird in that sense. Anyways, to have a wee look at what else Topshop have to offer, click here. 

Love and jumpsuits. x

Self-Portrait

Oh my days, am I excited about this. It's finally here, the anticipation of its arrival is over and I can finally introduce to you, drum roll pleeeeeeaseeeeee, the fabulously divine, Self-Portrait!

So, you have all heard me ramble on about Three Floor Fashion, the profoundly stunning and unique London based brand, established by Han Chong and Yvonne Hoang, yes? If not, where have you been in my life the past two years? Anyway, Han Chong left Three Floor Fashion earlier this year to start his own, equally amazing and stupendous brand, Self-Portrait, and yesterday, we finally seen the powerful launch with an overwhelmingly beautiful first collection. 

I've been following the countdown on Instagram for Self-Portrait's first collection and I have literally been shaking in my boots for its arrival. So yesterday I literally could not have typed in the web address faster as the collection went live online for the very first time! Undeniably, I was not let down by what I saw. The collection is perfect. Like Three Floor Fashion, Self-Portrait possesses many similarities such as shape, cut and contrast in their designs, but there are definite factors which set the two apart. Han Chong has knocked it out the park with this one, the collection oozes beauty and elegance with a modern day interpretation and I literally want to buy the whole collection right now. 
The collection exploits a contrast of dark and light, with the initial garments of the collection being pure, progressively moving into raw, dark, alluring beauty. For example, take the 'Panelled Long Sleeve Dress'. This garment is the definition of provocative innocence. The streamlined panelling of the garment is utterly magnificent, highlighting and accentuating the female form excessively. The coverage of the dress interprets the innocence whilst simultaneously, the attention to detail and structure of the garment interprets its provocative side. Furthermore, the underlay of the neckline and sleeves gives an almost sheer appearance further enhancing this factor, however, topped off with the small slit in the back of the dress just rounds it off. A woman's back is an incredibly understated factor of sex appeal and by displaying this small area of it, the dress leaves its innocence behind and moves its way to the dark side. 

'Panelled Long Sleeve Dress' - £175

COLOUR SPLASH BABY. So I said about how this collection mainly focuses on the contrast of dark against light, BUT, it wouldn't be a Han Chong collection without some bold contrasting colours somewhere in between. Take the 'Panelled Pleated Midi Dress' for example. This dress is a work of art in itself with unbelievable structure and attention to detail; I literally could sit and admire it all day. However, Han Chong has contrasted emerald green and navy blue here to give a stunning colour battle as each element exploits the other and compliments it to its utmost advantage. Then we move onto a garment such as the 'Starlet Midi Dress'. Oh wow. This dress sets itself aside from the rest of the collection and if it were an animal it would be the lioness of the kingdom; proud, beautiful and respected. The colour of the dress immediately draws our eyes in bringing us into recognition of the fabulous attention to detail. The structure of the dress is incredible with cut out panels in each side of the dress and a nude, sheer back to create the illusion it is bare, again playing on the sex appeal of the garment. The pattern on a whole of the dress is so intricately beautiful and the folds of the skirt accentuate this as we watch it flow in front of our eyes. This dress is definitely a work of art. 

'Panelled Pleated Midi Dress' - £219

'Starlet Midi Dress' - £219

Finally, this is the part I have literally been quivering with excitement to share. My favourite piece of the entire collection; the 'Frill Seekers Midi Dress'. Firstly, I would just like to say, the name itself is absolutely fabulous with its cheeky play on words, and being a total english fanatic like myself, I do enjoy a good word pun. This dress though, oh my days where do I even begin. This dress is so powerful in ways you can't even imagine. The shape alone is astounding, combining a double overlay skirt with a fitting top to the dress, completely streamlined to the waist; a match quite literally creating perfection. Furthermore the combination of nude, navy and black creates a garment so allusive you find yourself falling in love at first sight. Texture. The word belongs in a sentence of its own with a crown on top as this dress defiantly exploits the meaning of texture in fashion. Lace overlay, sheer panelling and faux leather; a combination so magical it casts you under its spell. I am literally starting to lose myself for words I am so in love with this dress. Han Chong, I salute you, you have created a masterpiece. 

Pièce de résistance - 'Frill Seekers Midi Dress' - £199

These are only a few of the spectacular designs which make up the breathtakingly beautiful collection for Self-Portrait, so please go check out the full collection for yourself by clicking here. The collection features so much more with outstanding pieces such as the 'Textured Lace Bomber Jacket' which is perfect for the current reinstated bomber jacket craze. So have a look and I can only hope you find Self-Portrait even half as magnificent as I do. 
Love and frills.