July 2013 – Page 2

Moss goss

Published on July 16, 2013 by Alicja Jasnikowska2 Comments

Here at Stylitz we (ie. me) are obsessed with Kate Moss. Yes, yes she may have been surpassed of late by the ubiquitous Cara Delevigne, but there is only one Mossy and despite some drama and recent comparisons to Kathy from Eastenders, she is a fashion icon of supreme status. At university, where I was studying fashion design, I regularly used poses from her book (pictured below) as a base for my fashion illustrations. She is a chameleon; a true model canvas that can cover every look – be it vampy, sultry, grungy, happy or fresh faced Calvin Klein simplicity.

Cover and inside page of Kate by Kate Moss book (published by Pavilion Books in 1997)

So I was very excited to hear that this September, Christie’s is hosting an auction of some of her iconic images as shot by the likes of Mario Testino, Annie Leibovitz, Nick Knight (main holding image) and Glen Luchford. Curated by German art collector Gert Elfering, this lot is sure to get the fashion world buzzing. With some images valued at £150,000, this is not for those with a Primark budget. I have 2 months to win the lottery. Better get playing…

Kate Moss, 1994, Glen Luchford

Main holding image – Kate as Aladdin Sane, 2003, Nick Knight

The sale will take place on 25th September. The public will be able to visit the collection at Christie’s, London from 21st until 24th September. http://www.christies.com

Glam squad

Published on July 15, 2013August 5, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

A month ago I styled the cover and main fashion shoot for Velvet magazine’s July/August issue. Whilst it may be scorching outside fashion mags are already focusing on the forthcoming winter season and this story features looks from the AW13 collections at Chanel, Burberry Prorsum, Gucci and Stella McCartney. Above is the cover (photography by Jenny Brough) and below are some behind-the-scenes snaps of the shoot. I hope you like…

The rail featuring (from left to right): Dress by Gucci, Dress by Bottega Veneta, Skirt and top by Burberry Prorsum, Dress by Prada.

The talented hair stylist Craig Marsden works on model Lisa.

Black and gold foil nails by Megumi Mizuno add metallic glamour.

Photographer Jenny Brough & Fashion Director Natascha Hawke viewing the images.

Amazing Burberry Prorsum AW13 skirt!

Lisa looks striking in high-shine quilted Chanel.

Photographer Jenny Brough shooting the final look.

Cover and main shoot credits

Photographer : Jenny Brough
Fashion Director: Natascha Hawke
Stylist: Alicja Jasnikowska
Make up : Caroline Barnes @ Frank Agency
… Nail artist : Megumi Mizuno
Model : Lisa Akesson @ Union Models
Hair styling : Craig Marsden @ Carol Hayes
Retouching: Monica Chamorro
Photographers Assistant: Ruben Hart

Think pink

Published on July 12, 2013September 26, 2013 by Alicja Jasnikowska1 Comment

Ah pink! The colour of rose petals and sunsets and healthy flushed cheeks, and traditionally, the colour most associated with young girls. Furthermore, as decreed by Vogue’s AW13 trend guide (aka the fashion bible) head-to-toe pink is this season’s top trend, with Lanvin, Celine, Mulberry and Dior all opting for rosy hues in their catwalk collections.

Vogue Autumn/Winter 2013 catwalk edit (August issue)

Supremely feminine and particularly striking on blondes, this season’s top garments include oversized outerwear, 60s inspired skirt suits and slinky silk dresses. The high street has been quick to pick up on the trend with Oasis, Jaeger and Marks & Spencer all producing baby pink cocoon coats ready for the autumn chill.

Jaeger AW13 press day

Dress, £42, Topshop; Fake fur stole, Warehouse; Pearls, vintage.

Tying in with the theme are 2 personal items:- my shoot for this month’s Country & Town House magazine (aptly titled Pretty in Pink) featuring a Roberto Cavalli SS13 pale pink leather lace dress & floral garland hairpiece; and my outfit for a forthcoming 20s inspired wedding party (see above). My friend Danielle – who dons pink on many an occasion and is not shy of declaring it her favourite colour – will be most pleased. This one’s for you hun…

Pretty in pink, shot for Country & Town House Magazine. Photography: © Clara Copley. Styling: Alicja Jasnikowska. Beauty Editor: Nathalie Eleni. Hair: Laura Lawson. Model: Fifi Newberry

What I’m wearing

Published on July 11, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Today’s post is a quickie of a few snaps of my outfit. I am a huge fan of charity shop shopping! NB. not overpriced vintage stores, but bargain-basement, mildly musty charity shops. I love rooting around for a good bargain. Today’s top and bag were both recent purchases in the lovely shops in Wimbledon town, which has Oxfam, Scope, Cancer Research & The British Heart Foundation all within a stones through. I highly recommend a visit. They are a little pricey in this area (I generally prefer charity shops in villages out of London for the best finds) however, I managed to buy a knitted Chanel inspired jacket, this blouse & bag and a preppy cardigan all for £25.

Shirt £4, and bag, £6.99 originally from Marks & Spencer, bought in Scope and Oxfam, Wimbledon. Teamed with cobalt skirt from Topshop, studded slippers from New Look and printed scarf (in hair) from Miss Selfridge.

Hitchcock heroines

Published on July 10, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

Today sees the opening of ‘I Only Want You to Love Me’, a retrospective of the work of London born fashion photographer Miles Aldridge. Launched to coincide with the book of the same name, the exhibition highlights Aldridge’s bold use of colour and glossy yet dark images of women. Part Hitchcock heroine, part airbrushed Vogue model, Aldridge references both cinema and photography, citing film director David Lynch and fashion photographer Richard Avedon as influences.

I am a huge fan of these surreal, almost plastic looking shots, and the large scale on display is an assault on the senses. Aldridge’s female models – and he only really shoots women – often appear troubled, vacant or distressed, and there is a clear cynicism towards the perfect Stepford wife imagery that dominates advertising. This he feels, is something most people can connect with – “I think that’s why my work is collected and enjoyed,” he said. “It’s not black and white though – we don’t exist within an evil empire. It’s complicated. The world is a strange and troubling place and we live in the middle of it.” Stunning, glossy images that belie a deeper, darker message, this is thought-provoking fashion photography at its best.