On the blog today – a few stills from Mollie’s curvy boudoir photography shoot (finally). Mollie and I connected via Instagram and managed to pull a shoot, wardrobe, and full team together in something like three days, which surely must be a record.
Our inspiration for this shoot started with an iconic image of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and grew into a mood board that felt like Sunday morning. We really wanted to keep things fresh and natural, and brilliant makeup artist Victoria created the perfect look to match our brief. Undone, tousled curls by yours truly.
Mollie is wearing the ASOS Billie Lace High Leg Body £20.00 in navy, which is available in various colours and sizes in the main line. There are also a few colour options and sizes 18-30 in the curve line.
It’s a lovely piece, and lots of clients have been bringing in lately. The high cut legs can be quite a challenging cut though, so if you’re a bit conscious of your hips I’d suggest a lower cut leg. Something like the Y.A.S Wing Lace Bodystocking £40.00 (XS -XL) or the Mimi Holliday Bisou Bisou Sugar Body £84.00 (XS-XL) would be a good alternative.
Mollie is such a class act, you’d love her. You can’t not love her really. She’s the sort of person that sends handwritten thank you notes, which always impresses me so much. This was the image we both had in our heads and the inspiration for the shoot. Wardrobe credits: feather duvet. Scandalous.
Boudoir photo shoot with Mayse at the London penthouse
A few favourites from my recent boudoir photo shoot with Brazilian beauty Mayse…
I owe a huge thank you to our makeup artist Sadaf, who did a top notch job sorting out hair, makeup, and all the wardrobe for this shoot. We managed three completely different looks in about 45 min., and there’s no way I could have done it without her.
For the first look, M is wearing this beautiful set from supermodel-turned-lingerie-designer, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Her lingerie line is called “Rosie for Autograph” and it’s been a favourite of mine for ages now. It’s beautiful, romantic, comes in great colour and size options, and is available for affordable prices at Marks & Spencer of all places. This is the Silk & Lace Padded Plunge Bra (£16-26, A-E) in Antique Green colour. However, it’s not green, definetly more of an aqua/blue colour. The Matching knickers are £8-£12.50 and come in sizes 6-20. Some colours of this particular knicker style have sold out online, but there are more coordinating options available in slightly different cuts. If Rosie’s line is available in your size, you owe it to yourself to take a look. So many clients bring her pieces in for their boudoir photo shoot, and everyone seems to love it.
It was lovely working with M. She’s only been in the UK a short time but was a real pro, which was a blessing with our tight timeline. Additionally, her eyes are literally half the size of her head?!
Plus – that faaaace.
For makeup, Sadaf did a gorgeous dark eye, paired with a neutral lip and great skin.
This is the navy “Midnight Hours” body from Free People, available (in slim pickings) from various retailers. ASOS has a few sizes in black on clearance, and Urban Outfitters and Revolve each have one colour which is not available at Free People website, but both are sold out at the moment. Alternatively, you can purchase this body directly from FreePeople for £68-78 in a range of colours, and in sizes XS-L .
GORG
For shoots like this, a neutral nail colour is usually best. A good french tip or nude-y colour will coordinate with all the different wardrobe pieces you bring. Also, remember your toes will show up in a few images too.
Finally, a cheap and cheerful set from M&S. We can’t all be lingerie snobs all the time, and sets like these are a great addition to your everyday lingerie. This is the matching “Penelope” bra and knicker set, available in A-DD (£4-14) and 6-20 (£4-6). This colour is called “red mix.”
If you’re planning for an upcoming boudoir photo shoot, this is probably the very best time of year to be shopping. Everywhere you turn, something is on sale. Here’s a quick list of some of my top picks:
LASCIVIOUS – serious discounts on beautiful pieces, some at least 75% off
Also, WHAT KATIE DID is having an in-store sample sale this year:
Our London Boutique sale starts in less than 48 hours: at 10am sharp on Monday 29th December to be precise!
The sale is full of samples, seconds and odds and ends to complicated to sell online (unfortunately we don’t have enough dead stock to have an online sale this Christmas) – corsets from £50, Miss L-Fire shoes all at £30, Bernie Dexter dresses at £50 and nylons at £3.
The sale runs for Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th December. We’ll be closed on NYE.
My favourite luxury lingerie boutique is closing:(
The upside of this sad news is mega sales. If you’re shopping for an upcoming boudoir photography session or a special event, it’s worth checking out the remaining stock at Faire Frou Frou. Everything is an extra 60% off with the promo code CLEARANCE.
I’m over winter already. This could prove to be problematic since I’ve been told that winter is, in fact, still on it’s way. Are these people serious? If so, we really need to get someone on that. Winter ought to begin at the end of November, give us lots pretty snow on Christmas, and then finish it’s business by the new year. While we’re fixing things, let’s throw in some more sun too.
Anyway…I tell you that to tell you this: I stumbled across a beautiful editorial today. I’m researching ideas for a new project I’m about to start work on, and this little gem popped up on my screen. Titled “Called to the Barre,” there’s something intrinsically hopeful about a spring colour palette, and this one has a certain lightness that reminds you spring will come, eventually, even if winter (apparently) hasn’t even started yet.
A brief that references ballerinas and lots of tulle could so easily become trite and naive, but it’s been brilliantly interpreted here. Published in the December 2013 issue of “How To Spend It,” this set of images was styled by Damian Foxe and photographed by Andrew Yee. Hairstyles created by Shlomi Mor and makeup by Robert Greene bring out the very best in the models cast; Alexa Yudina, Ana Buljevic, Anastasia Ivanova, Anne-Sofie List, Ilva Hetmann, Maria Borges, Regina Krilow, Stephanie Hall, Vasilisa Pavolva, and Veranika Antsipava.
I’ve included all the wardrobe information for each look, because I always think it’s interesting to see which elements have been pulled from designers and which are just everyday items. Each time I read that an item is the “stylist’s own” or “vintage” I am reminded of the time when my most fashionable childhood friend patiently explained to a thirteen year old me that, “Magazines only put that if it’s actually really cheap or they don’t know where it came from. It looks better.”
She was the first one of us to wear pointy toed shoes and know how to correctly pronounce Yves Saint Laurent, so I’ve never doubted her on this.
I think it’s the layering of textures that really makes these images sing. That corset is amazing too. I love how it’s not even done up but still manages to look great. I might steal that idea actually.
Left: Wolford cotton-mix body, £99. Louis Vuitton hammered-silk and lace dress, £2, 410. Bloch nylon tulle and spandex tutu, £44.95. Vintage corset, stylist’s own. Right: Jenny Packham beaded stretch crepe blouse, £1, 680. Oscar de la Renta silk organza gown with feather and crystal embroidery, £7,175. Repetto cotton ballet shoes, £19.
This image on the left is a perfect example of how you can create a sexy, evocative feel without revealing too much. One key lingerie piece (the pink bustier) gets the point across regardless of how much else you choose to show or not show.
Killer gams? Let’s show them off with a flowy dress and a wind machine. The fancy plie is optional. Also, I’ve been on a lot of photo shoots. I can pretty much bet that “stylist’s own” headband on the right is a bit of extra material they found somewhere on set or at the bottom of a fabric bag. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s perfect. That’s just how the creative process works sometimes – you have to leave room for inspiration and spontaneity or everything gets boring.
Left: Wolford ribbed cotton and nylon tights (worn over arms), £30. Nina Ricci silk dress, £2,240. Repetto cotton canvas and leather ballet shoes, £19. Right: Ralph & Russo Haute Couture French Chantilly lace gown with rose gold embellishment, price on request. Repetto tulle tutu, £90, and cotton canvas and leather ballet shoes (just seen), £24. Headband, stylist’s own.
Not a single expensive shoe in this editorial. That must be a first.
I love everything about this image. So pretty and soft, but still mysterious and effortlessly cool. I’d highly recommend this model’s manicure if you’re dreaming of a boudoir shoot with a similar feel – it’s neutral and pretty, but goes with everything.
Also, this Lanvin tulle is killing me. I really need to learn to sew – surely it can’t be that hard to create a piece like this for shoots, right? The edges aren’t even finished. If any of you have mad sewing skills and fancy a project, please let me know:) Pictures of your fantastic creation on the house!
P.S. There are lots of exciting things happening with Rebel & Romance Boudoir Photography in 2014. I don’t want to jinx anything, but stay tuned. If you want a sneak peek, follow my on Instagram. I’m @stormy_rebelandromance
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