House of Shoena (HOS) photoshoot

Last month, I jumped on a bus, tube, and train armed with a suitcase, a bag of healthy-ish snacks and headed to South East London to meet one very stylish photographer, and two gorgeous models at 69 drops Studio for the latest House of Shoena shoot.

We shot 15 key looks, ranging from day to evening wear, whilst listening to old skool R&B and Hip Hop (Hello, Aayliah, Biggie and Faith Evans).

Along with writing, styling is my PASSION, so I was in my element on this shoot (and on every shoot). This was a mini shoot, but I am planning a bigger shoot probably in the new year (eeekkk! how is it almost the end of 2014?!)

As I mentioned HERE, HOS is due to go live on 22nd November. All products are a mixture vintage, pre-owned items and samples, and prices are all very purse friendly!

Below are a few snaps from the shoot. If you follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook you will have seen some of these pics. Thank you for all the love!!

I'm happy to say that some of the products have already been sold before the HOS relaunch. :)


Which items are you fave?

SKIRT SOLD

SOLD 

PONCHO SOLD

Me with the HOS team

Exciting news!

Helloooo,

How are we all?

So I have some news. I am excited to announce that my little online shop HOS (House of Shoena), is coming back. For those who have puzzled faces and do not have a clue about what I'm on about, allow me to bring you up to speed.

HOS is my online little shop that launched back in 2012, offering pre-owned gems, vintages pieces and one of a kind designs from up and coming designers.

Due to freelancing commitments as well as other reasons, I had to press the pause button on HOS, but now I can press play (sorry, I couldn't resist the pun), and HOS will be live at the end of October.

In 2 weeks I will be heading down to a uber-stylish studio, with a suitcase full of lust-have items, two gorgeous models and the coolest photographer to do a mini photo shoot. I love working on shoots as I am able to spread my creative wings (beyond writing).  I haven't had the chance to do much styling this year so I am very,very excited! So much so my stomach is doing back flips.

I also want to take a minute and give a BIG shout out to all the models who were involved in previous HOS shoots, both photographers (Pete Fallan and Burd Boy),  the make up artists and anyone who helped me make HOS happen!!! Through HOS I am able to fulfil my love for styling and and hopefully offer some style-spiration.

I will be doing the social media thang on the day of the shoot so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.  Until then I have rounded up a selection of photos from previous shoots.

Enjoy! x

Be Box Photo shoot

After a few mad weeks of running around like a crazy woman, including a weekend away in Nice, social events and working on a really big project at work, I am back to my baby: my blog. Damn I have missed you! lol.

So first up, I have been meaning to put this up on the blog for agesssssss. A few months ago I worked (as a stylist) on a fantastic shoot for new beauty brand; Be Box.

Be box is a beauty box for women of colour, taking inspiration from the likes of glossy box, each month subscribers will receive a box full of 4-5 lush samples. These products will cater for various black skin tones and hair types. Be box (the box and the site) is due to launch in a few weeks but for now you can sign up to the newsletter at www.be-box.co.uk  for all the latest in fashion, celebrity news and new beauty products. I have and I'm hooked!!

The shoot was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun!  I still remember rocking up to the shoot and hearing the soulful sounds of the fab Solange Knowles blaring out, I realised straight away that this was going to be one cool-ass shoot.

Below are some of the snaps from the shoot (courtesy BeBox). I styled all the models using products from my shop House of Shoena.

Britain's next top model finalist-Mulan

Look at that 'fro

Images are Copyright © 2013 Be Box, All rights reserved.

Life is better in print.

So the sun decided to make an appearance (finally!) this weekend, and I like many were jumping for joy! I have been dying to whip off my opaque tights for weeks but It just hasn't been warm enough. Word is that this sunning spell is set to last all week,YAY! and I plan to flirt with the sun as much as possible as let face it, we do not know how long it will last.

I was super excited that the sun was out in full effect today that I could not decide what the hell  to wear! As time waits  for no fashionista and being a chick who loves to rock a print, I decided to wear a gorgeous printed, dipped hem maxi dress.

For me nothing screams summer is here more than a maxi. I am mad about the print on this dress! I just love how vibrant it is. Plus this dress does not need ironing, I HATE ironing! I decided to 'toughen' up my look with pair of clog, platform boots.

I chose to block out the rays with my latest pair of sunnies from my on-line shop: HOS. I also will have a pair available in white and animal print in a few weeks.

What do you think of my outfit?


                                                         Outfit
                                    Dress: Topshop
                                    Boots: Very.co.uk (old)
                                    Sun glasses: House of Shoena
                       

Double Denim chic

Faded, ripped, bleached, chambray, this season double denim is having it's fashion moment! If  you haven't already noticed, the 90's  is back this season baby (which I am super pleased about!), so rocking DD (double denim) is an obvious choice.

Don't be fooled though as you can work this trend and still look chic. Cool- ass chicas such as the uber-stylish Solange Knowles, Miranda Kerr and Ri Ri all wave the DD chic flag (below).

On the last House of Shoena shoot, I styled one of the models in a DD ensemble. The shirt sold out straight away but the shorts are still available to buy. Those that follow me on twitter and instragram will know that last weekend the new site for HOS went LIVE. Have a look here.

Are you a fan of double denim??

Take Two

This was me two Saturday’s ago;Saturday 9th to be exact, except I wasn’t in NYC, I was in North London standing with a suitcase that weighed way more than I do ( twice over) and my hand bag. Oh and I was rocking a faux fur leopard print hat with ears after the wind decided to destroy my umbrella, ella (sorry, I couldn't resist it),  frantically trying to hail a black taxi in HEELS (when will I learn).

After many failed attempts luck was finally on my side as a black taxi stopped for me (praise the lord),the driver kindly got out to help me with my over packed suit case, commenting on how heavy my suitcase was. The conversation then went like this:

Driver: “ Which airport love? 
Me:“ Huh? no, no I’m going away next month, today  I’m off to a studio for the 2nd shoot for my on-line shop”
Driver: ohh he said, how fancy”
Me:  “umm not really but can you please put a step on it as I’m in a mad rush lol”

The shoot
We used two different models from the first shoot, and they were just as gorgeous as the first models with that HOS vibe going on.

Models: Loannae Hamilton and Marinela Carvalha

We also had the help of a lovely Make Up Artist called Salma Patel who was a delight to work with!

We shot a few pieces featured in the I love Pacha fashion show that I blogged about here and a few new lust-worthy items recently added to the House of shoena wardrobe.

me striking a pose lol! Skirt- China doll boutique, bag- Beara Beara.

I absolutely love styling and working on fashion shoots and once I got over the hyper cat that seemed to want to be part of the shoot (FYI- Cats and I are not friends)I was in my element styling the models and munching on sushi (not at the same time, I must add).

We used the same studios (as its is like vintage heaven) and the same photographer; the fabulous Pete Fallan ( this guy rocks)  which resulted in another ridiculously  UH-mazing photo shoot. I cannot wait for HOS shoot number 3!

Thank you  to both models; Lonnae and Marinela for seriously wooorking the HOS clothes!!!! Pete Fallan for once again taking the most fab-tastic shots!! and Jake Bullough aka Mr Beara Beara for letting us use your studio and allowing us to play with your Ridiculously beautiful bags!! 

Note: All clothes (apart from my outfit) will be available on House of Shoena in a few weeks.