'Fashion in Motion' Stéphane Rolland @ V&A

Yesterday was the 'Fashion in Motion' catwalk show at the V&A showcasing a collection of Stéphane Rolland's beautiful couture designs. It was definitely my favourite out of the three I have seen at the V&A (the others being Erdem and Kenzo) probably because I looooove couture!

Every dress was carefully constructed with amazing materials and architectural shapes which was perfectly complimented by the MAC makeup artist team working their magic! If I'm totally honest I hadn't heard so much about Stéphane Rolland before but I was blown away by each one of looks down the catwalk. I particularly loved the jewel embellished tights and the sharp shoulder detail which stood out as key trademarks of his work which are sure to be copied soon!

Anyway, a 10/10 show and I wish I could put even more images up here as it was amazing!! I will put them all up on my facebook page (which there is be a link to on the right hand side of my blog)
Oh and the man himself showed his face when the show had finished- he looked like he had stepped out of a L'Oreal advert, his hair was SO glossy!

Albert Watson @ the V&A

Although it was quite well hidden on the V&A website and kept relativly low key, there was a talk/discussion with Albert Watson this Tuesday I had to go to! It was really inspirational and he is so real and down to earth which obviously is reflected in his images. There was also his latest book 'UFO' (unidentified fashion object!!) on sale which he signed for me. I probably should have been prepared and bought it on Amazon (like I do with most things) but couldnt say no for £55, especially signed. The book is truly gorgously glossy- perfect for a coffee table book or to simply be inspired by which I will certainly do every now and then as his images attain such a pure sense of depth and rawness it is impossible not to be inspired by them all.

I love how he creates fashion images in such a subtle way with far more meaning than a simple shallow perspective which you may expect from a more contemporary fashion photographer. At the talk he said that he was inspired by absolutly everything and doesnt work with just fashion but also more with 'pure' forms such as landscapes and still life which assist his vision with portrait and fashion work. As spoken from his own mouth; his word are 'not fashion pictures but photographs of fashion'.

There is an exhibition of his work at the Hamiltons gallery at the moment which I will most certainly be going to as soon as I have a breather from my own projects!! Below there are some of my personal favourite photographs of his and the front cover of his new book which you must have a look at. There are so many images of his which are stunning so I was pretty limited in this sense as I cant go posting hundreds here Im sure you can see from just these three that he is something else..!

Kenzo V&A Fashion Show

So...I was extremely excited to hear that the V&A were doing another 'Fashion in Motion' and I had to go to see the collection and practise my catwalk photography skills! I love events such as these as you never know when something like this may inspire you in the future (as many have previously)- I enjoy going to fashion, art and photography events to really absorb as much as possible.

I also managed to nab a seat on the front row after mentioning I was a student photographer and all that which was really worth it. I was on the opposite end of the runway to the photographers but I kind of liked that as it offers another perspective. I dont like using flash on the catwalk as there is already amazing available light and loved the linear spotlights which you can see in the selection of my images!

The style was inspired by the combination of Japenese and Sardinian influence and many of the dresses had circular undergarments to really create a sense of dramatic western aristocracy with the contrast of orientalism. I particularly loved the gloves which matched the pattern of the outfits . The bursts of colour worked exceptionally well within the show and kept to the classical Kenzo style. There was bold and bright eyeshadow, gloves and bras for the finalised look contrasted with the dreamlike floral fabric. I wasnt entirely sure of the yellow PVC gloves but hey that may just be me... A great show and it was a nice surprise to see the creative director Anotonio Marras show his face (if somewhat briefly!) at the very end.