Introducing EmmaJane Couture..

EmmaJane in the Middle with Models Apex Student Fashion Display

I first meet Miss EmmaJane at a Off Camera Flash group shoot were she was one of the models. We instantly set up a friendship and a couple more photoshoots ensured and I soon got to know a bit more about EmmaJane. EmmaJane is studying Applied Fashion Design and Technology  at MSIT which has it's campus at Mt Gravatt. EmmaJane has her own label and a webpage EmmaJane Couture.

EmmaJane Couture was started by Miss EmmaJane in 2010 when she began her studies at TAFE. She is currently studying her Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology as well as undertaking subjects from the Diploma of Sustainability. She is also a member of the Queensland Spinners Weavers and Fibre Artists as well as the Lace Making Guild and models part time. She enjoys textile manipulation and print design. She classifies herself as an artists and love finding ways to reinterpret traditional crafts. (taken from EmmaJane's website)

So just what is Couture? I went to wikipedia...

Haute couture (French for "high sewing" or "high dressmaking"; pronounced: [ot kutyʁ], English pronunciation: /ˌoʊt kuːˈtʊər/) refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing. Haute couture is made to order for a specific customer, and it is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and capable seamstresses, often using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques. Couture is a common abbreviation of haute couture and refers to the same thing in spirit.

In 2009 Miss EmmaJane also entered the Apex Australia Teenage Fashion Awards casual wear category. Placing second at State level, she went through to National level where she did not place. So it was with the Apex Australia Teenage Fashion Awards that I helped out last Saturday when she was invited to show some of her latest work at the National Presidents Changeover. EmmaJane has done a fair bit of modelling as well and has an interesting and diverse portfolio.

EmmaJane through her TAFE Studies recently designed the fabric print and the swimsuits for a collection to go to Billabong as part of her assessment. She organised a professional photoshoot with JnS Photographics and a Video clip was also compiled.

Of course the swimsuit collection was the highlight of the night from the predominately male crowd. EmmaJane quickly admits that her designs are not for everyone and certainly not for mass production. I feel extremely lucky and excited working with such a talented young lady. I am constantly amazed at the people I meet through my photography.

A big shout out should also goes to the make-up assistance and models on the night who did a fantastic job. A few snaps from the night can be found on my website http://www.iconphotos.smugmug.com/.
EmmaJane may be a name to remember in the future.








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Shout out for Foxton Danger

Went  last week to MODA Creative  Launch showcasing designers here in Brisbane. The Styling was done by Elisha Casagarande who I have just found out will assist in the Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival in August. Congratulations Elisha, a well deserved honour. Anyway I digress.. one of the designers showcased last week was Foxton Danger. Now Foxton Danger is not unfamiliar to me, why? Well I work with the Mother of the designer, Emma Mclean, who is the real person behind Foxton Danger. In fact I bought..well all right  I stole  her old Canon 20D.  Emma I love that camera and it is still going strong by the way.  Emma is a proficient photographer in her own right having studied photography and puts together the photoshoots of her designs for the web, brochures and advertising. I can see how the fashion bug and the lure to design can come about in fact maybe there is still some of that in her old camera and that's why I have a keen interest. From my wife's point of view perhaps too keen an interes,t as when I was wanting to bring stuff back from Dubai but that is another story.

Okay back to Foxton Danger, Foxton Danger has probably been around about two years and Emma designs a beautiful range of clothing primarily Kaftans out of beautiful silk and cotton blends. Foxton Dangers collection are exciting, vibrant and different. They seem to appeal to women of wide age ranges and her designs also seem to take in those plus size ladies as well. Foxton Danger featured earlier in the year in New York with G'day USA Australia week ...a sign that this fashion label has gathered respect very quickly. Accompanying me the other night was Miss Emmajane Phillpotts a  young fashion design student herself (more on EmmaJane in another post) as well as a fellow student Watson. Certainly EmmaJane's favorites were the Foxton Danger designs and in particular a number called Andromeda. I have attached a few photos from the night and given the location.lighting and the fact I carried minimal gear not exactly my best work but gives you an idea of what we saw on the night.

Stockist for Foxton Danger can be found on their website

Out into the Night

How times have changed . Friday night running around the city two cameras over my shoulder a light stand and my new battery powered flash, 400 watts of power, guide number 52. As the girls in short skirts head to the clubs with guys stepping high after a few drinks  My age must be showing a few years ago I would be one of those guys roaming club to club with a few drinks under my belt chasing those girls in short skirts.Here I am on a Friday with a Model in a Purple dress, a cape and Mask. "What are you advertising we are asked?" "Do you need a Porsche in your Shoot?" All this as we shot in the lane way near my work. Meanwhile the taxi drivers watch on bemused in our antics. My Model MissEmmaJane is a Fashion Student and a keen sewer from an early age. She is wanting to do more modelling so in true TFP fashion I was helping her and she was helping me. I wanted to give my flash a  working out and at the same time test out some ideas. Early in the night I just could not get the image in my head into the camera. We were down by the river and the temporary fence just was not cutting it so we moved to Central Plaza Two and Eagle Lane. A tweak of a few settings and finally I got into the groove and started to get the shots I was looking for. We then moved to the Post Office.
MissEmmaJane leaning against some doors...a girl came up to post some mail and thought it was part of an elaborate prank until she turned around and saw me with a camera in hand. Surprisingly security came along and asked us in a nice way to move on. Which was odd really as some blokes with a ghetto blaster, cards. drinks and blankets looked like they were settling down to spend the night. We made our way to King George Square. I have not visited there since it has been redeveloped it was thick with people and some drunk youths with a Nova ball wanting us to kick it and take their photo. I could see I was not going to get the shot I wanted so took the obligatory photo and moved on. Amazing really what a  flash of light does to our drunk friends they only wanted one photo...and the flash was on lowest power 1/9th. So onto Brisbane Square next to Treasury Casino. This was once again thronging with people however more civilised. Latin Dancing was taking place outside the Shingle Inn which attracted a crowd of participants as well as onlookers. We found  a spot and set about experimenting. So I am reasonably happy, got some nice shots learnt more about my new flash and finished up with coffee at Coffee Club. I am very happy with my recent purchase it did not miss a beat it's power amazes me.