Saturday 28 February 2015

Naiad & Idyll

Evening!

Hello to everyone who's stumbled across this blog recently after the recent double re-publication of my '10 Things You Might Not Know about Nude Models' piece, over on DIY Photography and on Model Mayhem. I've been quite amazed by the level of positive response it's had from both photographers and models, and have had lots of messages since asking for interviews and translation rights all over the intersphere... I'll be honest, I'm a bit behind on messages as I've just been overwhelmed, but will get to them all as soon as I can!

*

Slightly relatedly, I am planning some gentle world domination for the second half of this year, and, prompted by a suggestion made in one of the comments below this recent facebook update...

... I have started dropping pins in a google map, based on where I need to go in order to position myself in front of the lenses of those various members of my photographer/artist bucket list. I think some hefty inter-continental travel is in order, judging by the scattered placement. It's good to get a clear visual of a possible itinerary. I have started to become increasingly independent from the 'usual suspect' portfolio sites over the last few months, as much as I value them, and I like the idea of maintaining a massive, global picturesque vision of possibility against the backdrop of a world map.

*

I have some newsI'm creating a brand new website/blog for my writing (poetry and fiction), which I generally do under a different name (stray modelling articles such as the recent '10 Things' one aside!). It's nerve-wracking and very exciting, and I'll be revealing it to you here very soon - just as soon as it's ready for public consumption. I really hope you'll all like it and your support would mean a lot to me.


*

And, finally for this belated blogtastic update, I have some brand new images to show you from the watery waves of a Cornish shoot. These images were shot by the truly lovely, and rather excellent, Imagesse, who is always a pleasure to model for as I know his mind is always racing with narratives as much as mine; a fact proven, unexpectedly, by the arrival in my inbox of a little story as well as the accompanying images.






"...so there I was, meandering along a forest trail beside a lazy river, my path lit by shafts of autumn sunlight breaking through the canopy. Gradually, the moving water developed a sense of urgency and soon my stroll was accompanied by the sound of tumbling rapids. Rounding a bend into a deep gorge, I stopped to bask in the peace and wonder of this place. Several minutes past when I thought I heard a voice above the sound of the falls.  There it was again, a soft female voice, singing a clear song.  Now puzzled, I turned towards the source of the sound. As I raised myself above my rocky seat, I was presented with a vision, the like of which I had never seen.  There before me, on a mossy perch beside the white water, sat a beautiful woman.  Clothed in nothing but her own skin, she seemed unaware of my presence yet at one with the river.  Spellbound, I watched her hands play with the swirls and eddies of the dark, peaty liquid.  Unable to move, unable to breathe, I realised this vision was a naiad; a rare and benign female nymph who belonged to this fresh water idyll. For those dreamlike moments, time stood still, until my reverie was disturbed by the crack of a branch snapping nearby. That distraction made me turn my head for but a few seconds, but when I turned back, that beautiful creature was gone.  All that remained was the trees, the rocks and the river.  The endlessly moving, river......"  













Sunday 15 February 2015

Leaded Glass & English Roses

Ah, it's Sunday (day of rest, Radiohead & baklava... :-)). Time for a quick blog catch up, I think!!

I was lucky enough to have been chosen to model at the whimfully wonderful 'Oxford Conference of Corsetry', a global gathering of corsetiers and designers from all over the world. I ended up modelling for 8 (I think) different designers in one day, and had so much fun playing different characters (the designs were all so different - some classic and sensual' some playful and characterful). I'm proud to say I've been asked back for the next one, too, and the conference is growing year by year. I was also invited to the dinner the night before, held at Jesus College (the whole conference was held there: stunning! Harry Potter-esque, of course!), and listened to the after-dinner speaker, world renowned Autumn Adamme of Dark Garden Corsetry & Couture (a personal favourite of Dita Von Teese) who'd come from San Francisco to pour out her heart and soul, passing on tips and thoughts to inspire the attending designers.

All in all, it was an incredible experience to be involved with, especially considering I had had very limited experience with proper corsets before (don't get me wrong, I've worn a fair few, but mostly of the costume-department one-size-fits-all variety, for film work; certainly not so comfortable as these, which were made, albeit remotely, especially to fit my measurements; I feel really very honoured and surprised to have been specially chosen by the organisers!). I also felt afterwards that I was something of a convert; although I usually prefer to dress in a bohemian, flowing, loose-fitting manner, I can really see the allure and power in wearing such structure; it's also incredibly feminine and idyllic.

I'm posting here just one of the designs I wore (I'll show more gradually; edits are still coming my way) - the first of the day, made by Morua Corsetry & Couture. I really felt like a bit of a princess flouncing around in this beautiful smokey grey, jewelled corset (made especially for me to model, called 'Leaded Glass & English Roses'); all organza & net layers made with swarovski crystals and spray painted metal roses, and teamed with a sheer wrap for a skirt. Beautiful!!!! Definitely one of my favourites of the day.

You can read all about the process and shoot from the designer's point of view over here: it's a brilliant write up! 

This corset was photographed by both of the official photographers, Scott Chalmers and Chris Murray, both of whom are extremely talented, and gave it a completely different air. 

These are by Scott Chalmers (beautifully smokey and misty):




(Behind the scenes... :-))


And these are by Chris Murray (more clarity and freshness):









Days like these remind me how much I love my modelling job! :-)