J.Crew Fall 2011 Look Book

As I was clicking through for the full J.Crew story on fashiongonerogue, I thought three things, one related to food - "macarons!", "what a clever range," and "this is like the womenswear version of the lately blogged-about Digel 2011 Look Book!" I am, simultaneously, craving passionfruit and lavender macarons, and falling in love with that monochromatic orange on orange look. And those fuschia pants might just be life-changing!

Muse: Snow White

Guess what? I coloured my hair jet-black! Wave a sad goodbye to my ginger red 'femme-fatale' mane. You know, just two days ago, I read an article on the train that on average, women change their hair styles 104 times in their lifetime according to a British Survey. Women undergo several hairstyle changes (shortening, layering, colouring, perming) at least twice a year. In my case, I undergo a mini-hair-makeover at least 4 times a year. So looking at those figures, my poor tresses would have already endured around 104 transformations. My main reason usually being plain old fashioned boredom. And what I've come to discover, is that not only am I murdering my hair, it's also costing me a lot more than just the bottle of hair dye. New hair colour means new colour palette, which means a wardrobe revamp and a new face (oops, I mean make-up). Cue: Snow White. This delicate avant-garde beauty with fair skin and raven black hair is my style muse, especially in terms of colour complexion. Both of us belong to the winter colour season (I was formerly Autumn). Because our hair and eyes contrast the colour of our skin, clear, stark, pure, rich colours work best. The winter colour palette is intense and high contrast, containing the primary colours, and jewel tones such as ruby red, sapphire blue and emerald green. Hence, Snow White being my inspiration. And when it comes to make up, I will be embracing the 1940's eyeliner and lips.

Styling Critique

A while ago, I came across this particular fashion photograph and it appealed to me straight away. I didn't exactly know why I liked it so much. Maybe subconsciously, I want a musician arm-candy? (A trend amongst Hollywood starlets, Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Ashlee Simpson, Kate Moss, Kirsten Dunst, and Agyness Deyn.) So I decided to address what it is about this that makes it so charming, through of course my favourite exercise, critiquing!

RUSSH Magazine January 2010, Fashion Photography

This fashion photograph resembles a paparazzi shot of a celebrity couple. It isn't a commercial look.

Posing is both very natural and well-styled. Even without props, this shot tells a narrative.

The female model is the focal point. Your eyes lay on her first because she is visually the star against the dark backdrop/scene. Blonde hair, fair skin, pale eyes, vibrant top, and glittering skirt. It is all well thought out. Kudos to the stylist and photographer.

The male model on the other hand is dressed in trendy street wear that speaks "rockstar-off-duty", with clever effortless layering.

What also makes this successful, is that the two looks complement each other. No one look seems to overpower the other.

Thinking like a stylist, I know even the colours in this photograph were given great thought and planning. This is a split-completmentary colour scheme, with a striking contrasting orange velvet tank top and subdued blue and a desaturated green (khaki). And overall it has a very warm tone.

Honestly, you would not particularly call this a 'pretty' picture, but because of all the reasons I stated, it works!