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

Ice bar love

Now i'm definitely not one for the cold, but throw in some cocktails and i'm happy! The Below Zero Ice Bar in Heddon Street, just off of Regent Street is an amazing place that I think everyone should visit at least once! The chairs, tables, walls, cups and even the bar is made from ice, pretty cool. Get it? Cool...

Layla x