Ghost Story: The Shoot

Ghost Story was the second ever editorial I ever shot and the first involving a design collection. Joseph Jang is a young talented aspiring couturier coming from Central Saint Martins, the fashion school based in London. I seem to have an affinity for people coming from Britain, quite strange and wonderful.

When I first saw his debut collection Cygne, I knew I had to shoot it. Those pieces were remarkably intricate and textured and gloriously pink. There’s no denying their utter femininity. Thus Ghost Story was born; ephemeral and light, the story of dreams and obscurity and faded illusions.

The logistics for this particular shoot was intense. I needed a location that would provide a perfect backdrop for the gorgeous clothes as well have the right lighting conditions,and we ended up sneaking into university to shoot. Joining us were Anke Hansen, makeup and hair stylist extraordinaire, Rebecca G from Scene and Kat L the lovely models, and Vlad, my super assistant.

Hair and makeup for the two girls took around 3+ hours. Anke is beyond awesome especially when she works the hair! Here she is with Kat.

Rebecca is having a light doze =)

Joseph, our young designer.

We bought some balloons on the way to the location. They’re so pretty! I definitely have to do another shoot with balloons.

Here we are getting prepared to shoot the first looks.

This was my first time working with everyone (except for Vlad, he’s always around), and it was so fabulous! The girls were rocking the 6 looks, quickly interpreting my vague directions while Anke was attentive, always stepping in quietly to fix hair and makeup while I change camera settings. I love awesome people. We stayed for a fair few hours and were left quite alone (except for a few wanderers) to explore every nook and cranny and get some great window light. At one point we were all piled up around the staircase while I angled for a shot while lying on the floor and some important looking people passed by. Apparently there was a conference on! Cue creeping by on tip toes! I really wished there were more behind the scenes photos because some of the stuff we were up to are quite hilarious. Oh well.

Here are some of the results. Enjoy

Makeup and Hair by Anke Hansen

Models Rebecca G from Scene and Kat L

Designer and Stylist Joseph Jang

Photography by S de Varax

Assistant Vlad K

New Zealand Natural’s Doughnuts

I met up with Sarah the other day for a much needed break and something to satisfy our sweet tooth. After some cream puffs from Puffy (a chocolate for her, a mango sorbet for me), we eyed the nearby doughnuts glimmering quite seductively from the New Zealand Natural section. Best decision ever. I brought home a succulent fluffy soft and creamy black forest doughnut filled with chocolate cream and positively melted with each mouthful. Too bad Vlad ate half of it.

So today I trooped back and got six more donuts. It’s winter, I’m sure extra calories goes towards warming us up

Vlad tried the Lamington and a custard filled one. His verdict:- ‘I prefer Krispy Kreme’. I had one of their new creations, a jam filled doughnut with chocolate and sprinkle topping (quite yummy especially when you hit the strawberry jam), a cinnamon sugar (little bit dry but nice), and another of the Black Forest (all pictured below)

mmm…doughy delights

Paired with some luscious hot chocolate, this is the perfect treat for a really cold day.

Now for a blanket and a really good book. Perfection.

Crash and Burn

A quick update. After spending about 6 hours in the hospital being prodded with needles, hooked up to a drip and being absolutely miserable, I then spent the next three days bed-ridden, sore, and being even more miserable.

Being ill as an adult is definitely not fun. It’s worse when you absolutely cannot move, having to remain in bed in the dark in order to even recover just a smidge because there isn’t a soothing hand to lay on your forehead or to bring you porridge. And everything just comes to a crashing halt. I wish I was a child again.

Oh.

How I wish I was a child again.

Old Town Kopitiam

Wintery Melbourne always brings nostalgia of home and home cooked food, of rich beautiful flavours and tingling aromas and then there’s roadside takeaways where noodles are tossed hot in the wok and tea placed in a bag with a straw poking out. I’ve been here long enough to say I miss all the Malaysian food I never used to eat and now absolutely crave.

The hard thing about being in a different non-Asian country is that the flavours are never the same. There is always something just missing. Good news though, the little Old Town Kopitiam cafe (conveniently located in Little Bourke street with a mamak version at QV) offers some delightful favourites with quite authentic taste and is now currently my ‘go-to’ place for a meal. Their prices are average for students, not something you’ll like to spend every day but definitely not exorbitant, the portions are satisfying, and the atmosphere is clean, spacious and friendly with some beautiful black and white photographs on the wall.

I’ve tried a fair few of the choices on offer:-

The bak kut teh (meat and fried tofu in an herbal broth) accompanied by rice is savory, and delicious. I just wished there was more meat in there! The won ton soup is alright, although I reckon one can get much better flavours elsewhere. The chicken rice (steamed or fried) is filling and a firm staple of my dining companion although it really doesn’t compare to chicken rice back home. Salty fish fried rice is yummy, with a good punch of saltiness and chicken and prawn pieces. Char kuay teow (stir fried flat rice noodles) is absolutely tantalizing and spot on, good in the cafe and when brought home in a box.

The curry laksa (with seafood) is rich and not too spicy. You can generally find it filled with prawns, mussels and squid pieces with a wedge of lime to drizzle on top. How great are the colours?! It is also very coconutty.

Har mee (prawn noodles) is fragrant, and chockful of yumminess, with plenty of prawns, fish cake slices and an egg. Its aroma can be rather overpowering especially if you’ve never encountered the dish, but its taste can’t be beat.

I always like to order a glass of cold old town cham (coffee and tea) drink to go with the meal. You can also choose teh tarik (iconic pulled tea drink) and Kopi O Black (or white) coffee.

All in all, the place is great for lunch or dinner (or a spot of tea with kaya toast), the chef should be commended for delivering delicious food every time, and the staff is always smiling and attentive. Thank you for satisfying my nostalgia =)

Sonia Rykiel’s New Campaign

source: fashiongonerogue

When I was young my parents used to dress me in Sonia Rykiel. I was of course about 9, awkwardly gangly for my age and lacked any sort of fashion sense. Now I’m slightly older, still awkward, learning about my own sense of style and wish I could go shopping. That light coral top is so cute. When’s the next trip to Paris?