Final Fashion Shoot for 2011

Behind the Scenes shot

Well this shoot will go down in history as one of my faves, although they all are always my favourites. When you put your heart into what you do, it becomes something special & a bit precious to you. And for that I am grateful. Grateful for the opportunity to have some fun, play dress ups and style a test shoot filled with very contrasting looks.

Behind the Scenes shot

 Our stunning model Chantel was like a chameleon, taking on different characters & styles of form and grace to compliment every look we threw at her. Hats off to you Chantel, you are a gem and a true sweetheart to work with. I hope you go far :)

Lauren Parkinson, created magic among the world of Make Up artistry, starting with a natural, glowing complexion, highlighting Chantel's features & then built up the intensity for later looks, amplifying and adding a bit of  'sparkle' and 'shimmer' to create a high fashion, avant garde look. Gold and metallic blush pink were the key colours to compliment the fashion, styled by me, with garments from The Vanitas Collective.

Behind the Scenes shot

The Vanitas Collective, is a fabulous and unique boutique, located at Shop 8 / 19-23 Beach Rd, Christies Beach (South of Adelaide) and is in a league of its own and rocking it. I am so glad this boutique is giving it everything it's got and showing the world what it's like to live life with a bit more edge, creativity, flair, unrestrained beauty and empowerment.

Behind the Scenes shot

I really recommend checking it out, it has a little bit of everything. Owner Bianca mostly enjoys all genres of fashion and styling & encourages young women to have a bit of fun & I couldn't agree more. In this shoot, Chantel donned 2 Chanel-inspired jackets by Three Seasons and some black studded hot pants. It's great when you finally find a garment which matches your taste & style, (and then some!) and won't be in every shopping mall you come across. Check it out.

Behind the Scenes shot

Hair styling was by Anita, I am a big fan ever since I saw her mermaid-style hair on Lauren, what a siren! Is there anything she can't do with hair? Again, she wowed us all with a brilliant, fashion-forward, avant garde style which included adding something fluffy inside the bun-style up-do to give it a real 'couture' look, complete with a soft crimped finish and fine bits of crimped hair falling around the face. Beautiful & a bit futuristic.

Behind the Scenes shot

And last (but not least) photographer Antony Snape, our commander in chief, took us to the front line, to do battle with the rain and mud during the fashion shoot. We bravely persevered despite risking the lives of all the electrical lights and cameras and things. But when you see the photos, you can understand why we stayed.

Behind the Scenes shot

Antony's vision was truly made a reality when all the pieces fell together. Instead of working against the rain & mud, he worked with it, creating some captivating and unpredictable moments caught in time. His editing is in a league of it's own, and I'm not just saying that. Just look. Inimitable, stylized, & genuine. His photos do more than just convey information & a mood. They take you somewhere else.

Behind the Scenes shot

My favourite moment was when Chantel was dressed in my white chiffon, backless goddess gown I'd made in the past, specifically for being submerged in water (beach shoots, etc) as it had a double lining and bust cups built in so the dress will never go transparent no matter how soaked it is. The rain is getting heavier, the dirt is now mud and Antony decides it's time to get the dress muddy and just go for it. For those of you who don't sew, this is like someone wanting to take your Ferrari onto a  muddy dirt track for some rally driving!

Behind the Scenes shot

 I hesitatingly agreed and I'm so glad I did in the end because the image Antony created is and will forever be one of my favourites. The location looks like a Norwegian pine forest or somewhere foreign and there amidst it all is an earth-bound goddess, mud smeared over her porcelain skin and diaphanous gown which no longer floats but is pulled by the forces of gravity, tethering her to the ground as she looks up, almost like a fallen angel. I love that shot. (I had to wash the dress five times to rinse the dirt out, but I'd do it all again).

Behind the Scenes shot

My other personal favourite would have to be the shot of Chantel spinning in a cream, sunray pleated chiffon dress with a fluttery collar and mid-length sleeves. I've used that dress before (see the aviator shoot) but it has a whole new, clean, innocent feel to it here. Chantel is also wearing my millinery piece (1920's sinamay cloche hat for sale) and it suits so well. It felt like a scene from Downton Abbey, or from that era. Another magical moment captured.

Behind the Scenes shot

You would have been amazed to see just how much that dress glowed in a ghostly way in such a dark and mysterious pine forest. You would also be amazed to know that the dress belonged to my grandmother. She's thrilled to see it has another life & was revived for photography's sake. As am I. As that has been my part as a stylist on Antony's fashion shoots over the past two years.

Behind the Scenes shot

I have been honored to be a part of this journey and have seen another world I couldn't comprehend as deeply as I have until I've lived it. This may be my last fashion shoot for a while, as I'm about to start studying full time next year. I hope it isn't. I can't imagine not going on these little fashion shoots to amazing locations with Antony and the team. But I am glad to have experienced it & will always look back with fond memories. "Happiness is Gratitude" It's been a valuable journey, one I'll never forget; one I'm glad I've chronicled here on this blog so people can look back and learn and laugh about all the things that happen & surprise you and can change you (I hope for the better).

Behind the Scenes shot

I have grown so much over the last two years, met some incredible and inspirational people who work so hard in their field & challenge conventions & push themselves. I can't list them all here, there's too many; but they're in this blog :) The word gratitude will never do it justice, but I owe a lot to Antony, for him noticing I had an eye for detail & for my love of accessories and dressing people. As a small child, my free time was all about playing "dress ups" with my collection of 80's clothes from my mum, wearing heels 10 sizes too big & pretending to be someone absolutely fabulous at age 5. Styling fashion shoots has been as joyous and exciting as those childhood memories I hold so close to me.
Thankyou for the journey :) Stay tuned for the 'Behind the Scenes' Video I will be posting soon too. Keep up to date with things via my fan page: Belinda Zanello: Fashion, styling, illustration & jewellery.

Here are the final images from the shoot:

Photographer: Antony Snape

Model: Chantel Zupancic Flavel

MUA: Lauren Parkinson

Hair Stylist: Anita Johns

Stylist: Belinda Zanello

Fashion: The Vanitas Collective & stylist's own