Flowers, Flowers, Flowers...

I recently carried out a photo shoot inspired by research findings from a university project entitled 'Research and Innovation'. My concept was to produce a cultural flower market in Seven Dials, Covent Garden, involving seven different cultures and the area's diverse retailers. I found it intriguing looking into how different cultures worldwide use flowers for markets, celebrations and festivals and so I wanted to incorporate these different aspects into a colourful, beautiful photo shoot.  

Creative Direction - Layla Abounour

Photography - Paul Astley

Model - Emanuela Isufi

Hair and Makeup - Robyn Wilson

New Love Club Lookbook

For a recent live university project, I was asked to choose between a number of fashion brands and to then create and style a new lookbook for the chosen fashion company. I chose the brand New Love Club as I found their printed t-shirts very interesting and believed that they suited my way of styling the best.

I personally thought that the brand's current lookbook did not portray to the consumer well enough that the clothing is unisex. As well as this the interesting colours and shapes on the printed garments were not displayed to their full potential due to the use of black and white photography.

For this shoot I was very much influenced by hip-hop gangs of 1980's New York, urban cities and androgyny. The shoot took place around the colourful Shoreditch in East London, as this is where the brand began in 2009.

Styling - Layla Abounour
Photography - Nienta Nixon
Make-up and Hair - Louise Hall
Model - Helen S @ M&P Models

Super Hero Mash-up!

Last week I was involved with a big shoot for the photography company ALUK. My role was stylist for the vintage, american ladies and the Joker character. The brief given to myself was that the girls outfits had to fit in with the 50's american style diner, yet also have strong 80's references throughout. 

I used tropical, 80's style prints with bright, contrasting colours and vintage pieces. Looks were sourced from River Island, Top Shop, New Look and various vintage stores. The Joker's trousers and shirt are from Blue inc.

Being involved with the shoot was so much fun, I loved being around so much colour, from the green haired joker to the blue lipped 80's girls. My kinda shoot!

Team:

Photography & Design       – Linda Blacker

Stylist                    – Layla Hart 

MUA                        – Michelle Blacker & Louise Hall

Hair Stylist               – Louise Plumb

Body Painters:

Superman & Iron Man        – Anna Brown

Wonder Woman & The Joker   – Ashleigh Bunce

Models:

The Joker                 - Liran Nathan

Iron Man                  - Tom White
Superman                  – Lee Moran

Wonder Woman              - Hannah Inggs

Layla x 

Inspired by... Welcome to Oddity Park

Hunger tv, created by Rankin, showcases some of the best fashion photography and films around. Here is a recent shoot which I particularly loved. I believe that the humorous concept mixed with the amazing styling by Anna Trevelyan and the beautiful, colourful photography by Rankin all together creates some amazing photographs.

Layla x

Purr Magazine - A Cat/Fashion Mash-up!

For my last university project, I created Purr magazine, a niche monthly fashion magazine inspired by cats. Sounds different? Thats the whole point! It was a great experience dedicating myself to producing my own publication, and it definitely reinforced my love for fashion and the media! Here are a few images pulled straight from the magazine...

How To... Customise your old tees

Model - Helena Asquith

Styling/Photography - Myself

Where The Wild Things Are

Model - Sophie Jones

Styling/Photography - Myself

For issue one of Purr magazine, I also interviewed two very different, yet very fascinating and inspiring individuals; Stephanie Harwin, award winning editor of the cat-lifestyle blog, Catsparella, and Elisa Allen, manager at PETA UK (People for the Ethical treatment of Animals).

Stephanie Harwin

Elisa Allen

I would like to thank all of those who were involved in helping to create Purr magazine! 

I hope you are all as pleased with issue one as I am.

Layla x

Geisha Shoot

I have recently been a part of a styling group for an extra curricular project at university. We were in charge of creating a concept to promote seven Fashion Design student's final designs. The concept we came up with was inspired by the Japanese Geisha girl, drawing inspiration from their pale, yet colourful make up, unique chunky shoes, floral decorations and vintage photographs.

Stylists:

Layla Abounour

Masentle Dlamini 

Abby Lake

Clarissa Bowman

Charlotte Sheppard 

Photographer:

Christopher Turner

Model:

Sophia Florence

Layla x