Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Interview with Nicole Eymard

Nicole is a magical designer based in London. She creates whimsical, beautiful hand made pieces that look as if they were plucked from a fairy tale. She has created two special collections for the boutique, the first was a winter collection based on birds, berries and the colors in Disney's Snow White. The second collection was also inspired by Disney, only this time it was the classic tale of Peter Pan and Wendy. I had the opportunity of interviewing Nicole a while ago, and I am happy to post the interview now. For more on Nicole and her inspiring style, check out her blog, here.


Tell me a little bit about yourself, what you do, and your line. 
I started out being very interested in botany, etymology, zoology, and literature. When I wanted to wear the animals, plants, symbols, and personification I knew fashion design was the perfect solution. I have been making accessories since I was very very little and I have truly never stop working to this day, even when I talk to someone, I will be creating a collection in mind based on the earrings they are wearing. So I guess I am either a workaholic or I truly live, eat sleep, fashion. I feel very strongly about clothing meaning something, and I stand by this idea in my daily attire. There always has to be a theme, whether its playing with colors, a scene from a movie, or a game of cat and mouse! This applies to my collections as well. In the end I want my pieces to be bought and put together as if they were paint and supplies for an artist.

Tell me about the first special collection you designed for Audrey Grace. 
I was inspired by birds and their nesting routine. The silhouette and fit is very birdlike due to the flared princess seams!  The color palette is all about primary colors with a twist, kind of like the colors in Disney's Snow White. There will be bird zipper pulls, stuffed berries and a nest purse!  
How would you define the type of girl that wears your clothes?  
An artist who doesnt care what people think, and lives out her personal fairytale everyday. Or a researcher who can spot the referances they would only notice.
What is your favorite decade for fashion? 
The first few years in 1800 which is call the Regency period. Everything about that time was so exciting, everywhere around the world!  I think I love it so much, especially in France becasue symbolic
Fashion was very important for survival. People would wear crazy exaggerated things to show they belong to the correct political group, or even chose specific colors. My favorite was wen the women cut their hair short and wore sheer gowns that they would get wet with water to reveal there naked bodies or their flesh toned knitted body suits! This was all in the name of politics!
What are your favorite places in London? Shops, cafes, etc. 
I am a huge fan of Spitalfields Market on Thursday. I also love all the Indian food places. I am a big museum nerd and frequent all the museums constantly...The V&A is my absolute favorite!
Your spring lookbook is beautiful! What was the inspiration behind it? 
Thank you! I was inspired by Victorian flower stands. There are quite a few in San Francisco (my hometown)  and when I was little I thought they were the most magical part of San Francisco, besides the Sanrio store that used to be a department store size haha. So basically the striped paper that the flowers are wrapped in and the pink cellophane were used in my collection. There is a rain cape witch resembles and upside-down bouquet of flowers.
Who would be the ultimate celebrity you would love to see wearing your designs?  
Any of the interesting and or Indie film girls: Amy Adams, Miranda July, Kirsten Dunst, Natalie Portman, Winona Ryder, Christina Ricci, Cate Blanchett...if I could only pick one it would be Amy Adams...I truly love her!
What are your favorite magazines, books and films for fashion?  
Magazines: Lula, Pop, 10,  Amelia's magazine, British Elle can be a guilty pleasure sometimes  
Books: The Great Gatsby, any Virgina Woolf book, surreal early 20th century Russian literature, Poetry by Keats and William Blake, Damien by Herman Hesse, Emille Zola and the list could go on for an eternity...  
Films: The Piano, Angels and Insects, The Red Shoes, Cate Blanchett in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Black Swan, Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, Bright Star, Sleepy Hollow, Perfume, West Side Story, A Tale of Two Sisters (Korean), Hansel and Gretel (Korean)...the list goes on
Who is your vintage (and modern) style icon?  
Vintage: Schiaparelli, Chanel and Lanvin 
Modern: No one really because everyone has stylists!



Who are your favorite designers and photographers? 
Designers: Miucca Prada, Schiaparelli, Poiret, Chanel in the beginning, Lanvin in the past, Vivienne Westwood  Photographers: Claude Cahun, Tim Walker, SeeBerger, Man Ray, Lee Miller, Pavlunk
What can you see yourself buying from Audrey Grace?  
I'd like to shop your vintage selection and Hannah's lingerie (The Loved One)
What are your favorite Audrey and Grace films or looks they have worn?  
For Audrey, I would have to say its a tie between Charade and Roman Holiday. As for Grace I would say Rear Window.
Describe an ideal day for you. 
I would have a traditional English breakfast and then visit a museum house that is rare and interesting, Have high tea at the Ritz Carlton for lunch and then head to Spitalfields market and find some thing really interesting, Go to see a masterpiece movie at the theater and then have a 8 course dinner with perfectly paired wine.
I know you said you were working on a Lula magazine inspired collection. Can you tell me more about that? 
Well the collection isn't inspired by Lula, but would definitely fit into the magazine seamlessly.  I am really obsessed with Victorian hair art, braiding, bows, cotton organdy, gold thread, gold paint, relics, saints in Catholicism...any more information and I will give all the surprise away! 


All photo courtesy of Nicole Eymard. 

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Interview with Paula from PinkBow

A while ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Paula from the adorable blog, PinkBow. I always love Paula's posts, her photography is beautiful and she really has a dream closet! Enjoy my interview with her below.


Tell me a little bit about yourself, what you do, and your blog.
Hi, my name is Paula and I write the personal style blog PinkBow (www.pinkbow.net). I have been blogging for over 3 years now and have never tired of this little space I hold on the web. Apart from blogging, I work full-time in an advertising department of a local media company.

 What do you love about living in England?
I actually love the weather… yes, an English person who loves the drab weather! I like definitive seasons and spring and autumn are my favourite months of the year. Also, I like the fact that in the city I live, I am only a short drive to countryside, seaside and mid city – I feel like I have the best of all worlds, depending on my mood! Apart from that, I think British people have a great sense of style – different certainly to French or American style but individual nonetheless.

What are your favorite places to visit in London? (shop, cafes, etc.)
I actually live at the opposite end of the country to London, so for me London is a great city to visit as a tourist. My favourite places to visit are Liberty department store, Selfridges, Anthropologie, Laduree, the huge Topshop in Oxford Street. But also those small individual shops run by independent owners, that you will never find anywhere else.

Who reads your blog?
Such a wide variety of people from around the world visit my blog and leave me sweet comments. I have made many virtual friends this way, it is definitely one of the best things about blogging.

What are your beauty essentials?
 I absolutely must have a lip balm with me at all times, so I have these scattered around my home, office, in handbags etc. I’m currently using Christian Dior’s Crème de Rose but other favourites are Carmex and Smith’s Minted Rose. I cannot do without a bright lipstick and nail enamel – usually in coral or fuschia. And like many others, I have discovered Moroccan Oil hair oil which totally lives up to the hype.

What are your favorite magazines, blogs, books and films for fashion?
I adore bloggers-favourite Lula magazine, Paris Vogue and FrankieI read many blogs some of the big blogs like Elsa Bilgren and Cherry Blossom Girl, but I mostly prefer the smaller blogs like Le Portillon and Junkaholique, there is something much more individual and fresh about these sites. I’m currently working my way through books by Haruki Murakami, although these aren’t particularly fashion-related, I still believe that inspiration can be drawn from many sources and a feel of a book can often inspire a feel in fashion. For films, hands-down, it is the glorious Technicolor films from the 1950’s; and French New Wave cinema such as those films by Jean-Luc Goddard.

Who is your style icon?
My current muse is one of Godard’s leading ladies – Chantal Goya. She is the epitome of cool sixties style.

Who are your favorite designers and photographers?
Always Chanel, Charles Anastase, Isabel Marant, Sonia Rykiel, Orla Kiely, Miu Miu. Tim Walker is the most amazing photographer, his imagination and creativity knows no boundaries!

What is on your Spring fashion wish list?
I’m still searching for the perfect designer dress by one of my most respected designers. Charles Anastase would be my preference but I have yet to find the perfect piece.

What was your favorite SS12 show?
 I loved the Christian Dior Spring show – amazing pastels with a strong coral lip colour. And Chanel of course, every time.

If you could style any celebrity for an event, who would it be?
Audrey Tatou maybe. I don’t think you could go very wrong with her, she is stunning.

What can you see yourself buying from Audrey Grace?
A beautiful candy-coloured vintage prom dress would be top of my list. I would wear it and be transported back to the era of Audrey and Grace.

What does the future look like for you?
Very bright I hope! I’m looking forward very much to the coming year. I’m hoping for new travels and adventures, inspiring places to share on my blog with a few carefully chosen new buys thrown in for good measure! I’m a big believer in finding beauty in the small things in everyday life and dressing up everyday is always high on my priority list – I find clothes and accessories to be a great mood-enhancer.


Thank you Paula! All photographs courtesy of PinkBow. 

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Interview with Hannah from Foxtail and Fern

I have been a fan of Hannah's blog, Foxtail and Fern for a long time. If you haven't check it out here. Hannah is a student in Edinburgh, finishing up her degree just like me! She has amazing photography skills, and I wish so much I could collaborate with her when I am over in Edinburgh this summer. Anyway, enjoy my interview with Hannah- and her beautiful photos.


Tell me a little bit about yourself, what you do, and your blog.

My name is Hannah, I'm a full time student at the University of Edinburgh and my degree is in zoology. I'm also a blogger, whenever I can find the time to be anyway! My blog is mostly about what I like to wear and why I choose to do so.

What do you love about living in Edinburgh?

I love the old buildings! And the fact that you're never too far away from somewhere green.

What are your favorite places to visit in Edinburgh? (shop, cafes, etc.)

The charity shops! They're certainly the places I frequent the most, anyway. I like going to the Grassmarket too because there are lots of interesting little shops there. Occasionally I'll peer into the Mulberry store but it's too dangerous to stay there for long.

What are your beauty essentials?

My beauty routine is rather pared back and I mostly use basic drugstore products. I am faithful to my Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream though (I even managed to get my boyfriend hooked on it). 

What are your favorite magazines, blogs, books and films for fashion?

My favourite magazine is Lula, but I also never fail to buy UK Elle or Vogue. I have too many favourite blogs to even mention! You can see a list of all of the ones I follow on my blog though. As for books, while I haven't managed to get my hands on it yet, I think Tim Walker's book 'Pictures' would be a firm favourite (he's one of my favourite fashion photographers after all). And films? Do adverts count? If so, then any of the adverts for Chanel! 

Who is your style icon?

I don't really have one, I take style inspiration from all over the place.

Who are your favorite designers and photographers?

Based on the S/S '12 collections, my favourite designers at the moment are Carven, Ralph Lauren (for the beautiful 1920s style clothes!), Prada, Chanel and Valentino. As I mentioned earlier, Tim Walker is one of my favourite photographers, and I also like Ryan McGinley and Lina Scheynius.

What is on your Spring fashion wish list? 

Anything shiny/metallic and a certain sheer, lilac dress from Topshop.

What was your favorite SS12 show? 

Probably Chanel, it was pretty spectacular, even by Karl Lagerfeld's standards. I mean Florence Welch coming out of a giant clam? Come on!

If you could style any celebrity for an event, who would it be?

Oh wow, I'm not sure. I think I would be too overwhelmed to style any celebrity. Kate Bosworth perhaps, because she'd look stunning in a potato sack and I wouldn't be able to go wrong!

What can you see yourself buying from Audrey Grace?

Any one of the beautiful vintage dresses or a print by Caitlin Shearer.

What does the future look like for you?

Mysterious. I finish university this year so who knows what's ahead? Not me, that's for sure!


Photos courtesy of Foxtail and Fern. Thank you Hannah!

The Deep Blue Sea

Yesterday, one of my best friends and I went to see the new film The Deep Blue Sea at the beautiful Paris theatre here in New York. It was one of the most visually stunning films I have seen- kudos to Lizzie Georgiou to making Rachel Weisz and the rest of the characters look fantastic in period hair and makeup. I also loved the cinematography and art direction. The cinematographer was Florian Hoffmeister, who has mainly worked in German film. Anyway, a really stunning night at the cinema! In other news, I will begin posting more of the interviews I have been doing, I didn't have time to do much blogging before the pop up shop- and have a huge backlog of interviews with some awesome gals. Lastly, Audrey Grace will be launching an online shop end of May/early June- more on that soon. I am also very pleased to announce I have some exciting shoots coming up!


Photos from www.imdb.com

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

New Shoot: Wendybird by Katie Eleanor

A magical shoot I styled, photographed by the amazing Katie Eleanor and with many designs by the very talented Nicole Eymard. The shoot took place in London at Richmond Park, and was inspired by Wendy in Peter Pan. Thank you to this incredible team, who I hope to work with again!

Photographer & Props : Katie Eleanor
Stylist: Jaclyn Bethany
Assistant Stylist/Designer: Nicole Eymard
Model: Annie at M&P
Hair & Makeup by Alice Moore
Photo Assistant: Kirsten Dalton

Dress & Headpiece by Nicole Eymard
Dress by Lady Petrova and headpice by Nicole Eymard 
Headpiece and cape by Nicole Eymard
Dress by Vivetta, props by Katie Eleanor
Dress and Headpiece by Nicole Eymard
Headpiece by Nicole Eymard, Dress by Lady Petrova

Bralette by Nicole Eymard
Vivetta dress, Nicole Eymard purse and headpiece
Headpiece and headpiece by Nicole Eymard

Headpiece by Nicole Eymard, dress by Lady Petrova
Dress by Wayward Daughter, Headband and purse by Nicole Eymard