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

Winter Kate Fashion Film Project

Winter Kate was launched in 2009, by celebrity designer and television personality Nicole Richie, with SS10 being the brand’s debut collection. The brand has a signature relaxed, bohemian style which is influenced by Richie’s admiration of the late 60’s and early 70’s era and her Californian upbringing. 

For a recent university project, Grace Wood and I worked together to create a promotional film for the clothing brand. The main inspirations for the film came from the whimsical, bohemian nature of the clothing. After researching heavily into the Gypset lifestyle, (a mix of the words gypsy and jetset) and the popular bohemian era of the late 60's and early 70's we then also decided to add a feel of transformation and travel to the film. This was done through the use of nature focused projections.

I hope you enjoy the film!

Layla x 


Styling - Layla Abounour & Grace Wood
Model - Helena Asquith
Hair & Make-up - Katy Glayzer
All Clothing - Winter Kate courtesy of Emslie Creative PR

AW12 Trend: 70's Disco

Over the summer, I had three university projects to complete to progress onto year two. My favourite project, as always, was the styling one. I chose the film genre 'classic musicals' and was then inspired by the seventies disco themed film, Saturday Night Fever. After some extensive trend analysis, I began to see a common thread of seventies inspired prints, colours and shapes for AW12.

I then looked further into some accessories, make-up, locations and other possible styling accompaniments for the shoot. It was not necessary to actually carry out a physical shoot due to funding etc, however making the mood boards was enjoyable and some fun ideas were produced.

Layla x

Backstage at Meadham Kirchhoff SS13

I spent this LFW interning with the PR company Black Frame, mainly assisting with the preparation for the Meadham Kirchhoff SS13 show. This involved preparing the very exquisite show invitations (each envelope was stamped with a wax MK logo, and once opened the invitation popped up into a 3D net with a burning lady inside!).

At the show day, I assisted backstage at the Topshop showspace to ensure a smooth running, and to basically run around like a crazy woman making sure people that were in the right places.

If anyone has ever previously read my blog before, you will know how much I LOVE Meadham Kirchhoff! So having the chance to watch Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchhoff preparing backstage, and seeing all of the beautifully eccentric garments before they went on the runway was a true dream of mine.

As always, the show was as extravagant as ever, however this time the MK boys opted for the beautifully English, Marie Antoinette style of dress, with cakes, flowers, painted walls and melted candles to accompany. A Meadham Kirchhoff show is never a straight forward catwalk show, remember the glitter throwing at AW12, or the crazed Courtney Love dancing at SS12?

My backstage shots aren't the best for details and lighting, so here are four of my favourite runway looks from the show, all unique in their own way, yet still creating an overall feel of nostalgic fun. My personal favourite look is the black, white and gold number, no words can describe how beautifully precise each intricate bead was sewn in. Amazing.

Layla x

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 

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

Fun Uni Research

You like me, you like my cats too!

http://catversushuman.blogspot.com/ - Really funny blog for crazy cat lovers.

Layla x