THE SERIAL DESIGNER: "London Fashion Week" "London Street Style" "London Street Fashion" "London Fashion Week A/W 09"

Sometimes I just shouldn't be allowed out of the house, or at least, my mouth shouldn't be. I don't know what comes over me but I have the ability to stay the daftest, most inappropriate things at times. It is truly a wondrous (unwanted) talent I possess. Like, last week, when I met Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist) I managed to blurt out something about the Dog Whisperer (you know, Cesar Millan, the guy who rehabilitates and rebalances wayward pooches- one of my favourite shows on television).... it wasn't even close to being relevant to our discussion but it popped into my head and before I knew it had bubbled out of my mouth. Being a calm-assertive pack leader has nothing whatsoever to do with fashion or taking photographs....hmmmm, or does it?!

And then today I had to pop into Oxford Street to pick up the new U2 CD* for Mr Messy's birthday (Happy Birthday Mr Messy!). And I may have made a little detour to Selfridges in the process ;-) So I was happily minding my own business (read: spraying myself with liberal amounts of Tom Ford perfume) when a gentleman asked if I would like to try the new Guerlain fragrance. So I did. And then he asked me what I thought of it. And I told him. Um, that it sort of reminded me of a "nana" fragrance, errr, like something my grandma would have worn (lets just say that it had strong notes of violet). This was obviously not the right thing to say as he looked me up and down disdainfully before flouncing off. I felt bad: I just should have said it smelt "different" or "unusual".

And then I bumped into the girl with the purple shoes in the 4th photo (below) in Boots chemist today. And I felt the compulsion to tell her I had photographed her at LFW last week.....And it was all just a bit embarrassing and weird. I kind of just wanted the ground to swallow me up...

And then there are my various attempts at making conversation on the Tube and....

Loving that red hair:

Kate Lanphear, Senior Fashion and Style editor at Elle (US):

The girl with the purple shoes:

Model, off-duty:

Continuing my littlest fashionista series, this wee girl was very sweet. Um, except I think the look on her face says "Listen up here strange lady, back it up and step away with that camera from me and my penguin!"

*anyone else purchased the CD yet???

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Posted in "London Fashion Week" "London Street Style" "London Street Fashion" "London Fashion Week A/W 09"

It is always a challenge when taking Street Style photographs to create interesting images....it is ridiculously easy to fall into the trap of just having the subject strike the "standard pose" (directly facing the camera) which gets the shot but doesn't necessarily make for inspiring viewing. This is particularly so around Fashion Week when everyone is rushing from show to show and/or has been asked to pose for a photograph a zillion times that day. I try and not do the "same old, same old" but inevitably my nerves and lack of courage to, for example, ask the person I am photographing to move to a better location, get the better of me and I end up not getting the photograph I envisaged.

Apart from The Sartorialist, the other blog I am completely addicted to is Garance Doré : her street fashion photographs are simply outstanding. Every day I am almost too afraid to look at her blog for fear of being overcome by jealously at her latest offerings and sinking into a deep, dark depression. Her photographs are just THAT good. I work casually at a photographic agency in London and while the work of those photographers fills me with envy (and inspiration!), I know that behind each shot is some serious styling, make up artists, hair stylists, lighting etc. Not so with street style photography. It all comes down to having an eye for the stylish and beautiful, thinking quickly and shooting fast. Which is what Garance does so exquisitely.

I think one of the most important things in street fashion photography is background. Take a look at The Sartorialist's latest photograph (a girl with a red coat, beige skirt and jaunty feathered hat). What makes the photograph so likable (apart from the clothes, the gorgeous girl, the wind kicking up her skirt that is!!)? The blue background. If this photograph had been taken on a busy street with street signs, posts, a rubbish bin, whatever, cluttering up the background I don't think it would have looked half as good. The same goes for Garance- her backgrounds are simple, uncluttered, balanced. I have so much to learn (sigh)!