media | Hold the Glamour

December 9, 2014

Fashion for mums

I know it’s been awhile since my last post however, times have been a little crazy to say the least and I’ve been posting lots of Instagram images so be sure to take a look if you haven’t already — as they say, a pictures worth a thousand words.

One of the many projects I’ve been involved in of late is Dijanna Mulhearn’s second book titled, ‘Wardbrobe 101 for mums’. It’s a fashion book for mums in particular and it’s been selling like hot-cakes since the launch three weeks ago.

There are pictures of real-life mums like myself with their children in an easy to understand format, for time-poor mothers who want to look good easily and quickly.

The image below is featured in Dijanna’s gorgeous book.

My angels and me as featured in 'Wardrobe 101 for mums' book

A candid moment — my angels and I as featured in ‘Wardrobe 101 for mums’

The media have been very kind to Dijanna Mulhearn and so they should be — it’s a beautiful book that teaches women to look fabulous with a few simple steps and a proven ‘style’ formula. Dijanna breaks it all down for us step-by-step.

This Thursday morning on Studio 10 (Channel 10) in Australia, I will be one of the three mums showcasing Dijanna’s style tips — please see below for more details. We expect to be on air at 9.50am EST in Sydney, Australia.

I hope you can tune in — it’ll be worth it!

www.wardrobe101.com.au

Watch Dijanna make sense of fashion for mums live this Thursday

Watch Dijanna Mulhearn make sense of fashion for mums, live this Thursday

November 24, 2013

Salvation Army Wishing Tree Appeal

Salvation Army Wishing Tree

A couple of days ago, a bunch of celebrities (including myself), kick-started the Salvation Army Wishing Tree Appeal at Kmart Broadway, Sydney.

Kmart Broadway, Sydney

Some of the celebrities I shared a stage with included Buddy Franklin, Didier Cohen, Timomatic, Sarah De Bono, Rob Mills, Gretel Scarlett and Xanthe Mallett to name a few. We all donated our time to help spread the message of giving to those less fortunate and to show how easy it is.

Some famous faces share center stage at Broadway Shopping Center

Now in its 26th year, the cause is a wonderful opportunity to donate a gift (whether made or purchased), assisting families and people in need at a time of giving and sharing.

Timomatic gets his groove on

Gretel Scarlett and Rob Mills sing a Christmas carol

The Salvation Army is hoping to receive 500,000 gifts this Christmas season. Gifts can be placed under the Wishing Tree located in Kmart stores throughout Australia and there is the option of making a cash contribution.

Rob Mills & Gretel Scarlett sing a Christmas tune

Rob Mills & Gretel Scarlett place their gifts under the Wishing Tree

For more information, please visit –
http://www.wishingtree.kmart.com.au

Media and the general public were present — even Santa Claus made an appearance.

Santa Claus and I spreading some Christmas cheer

Xanthe Mallet & I placing our gifts under the Wishing Tree

What will you do this holiday season to help those less fortunate and in times of need?

What cause or charity do you like to ‘give’ to?

Why do you think it’s so important to ‘give’ or ‘donate’?

October 25, 2012

An illusion of fantasy & perfection – retouching a VS angel

I’ve just received the Victoria’s Secret ‘Christmas dreams & fantasies’ catalogue in the mail and as I flick the 175 page goliath, I am reminded of how beautiful, sexy and picture perfect the models are on every page. Oh my!

I also recall these last few days, there has been much talk and chit-chat all over the place regarding retouching of images and the famous and gorgeous Victoria’s Secret model, Doutzen Kroes whose ‘raw & real’ images came to the media surface accidentally (not what anyone wants really). It’s one thing to reveal it yourself and it’s another when it’s secretly leaked and the world finds out when you do.

Jezebel claims that some pictures leaked on the forum The Fashion Spot – where one could plainly see the difference with images that had post-production work and those that had not. The world gets to see – once again, what remarkable work goes in to creating an illusion of fantasy and perfection. The true-to-life moments and aspects of photography that capture bad backgrounds, lighting discrepancies, stray hairs, wrinkled garments, bruises, skin imperfections and discoloration, samples that need to be colour corrected etc. are an everyday occurrence for retouchers in the media and fashion industry.

Are we youth obsessed and still trying to attain perfection? Clearly so. Is everyone supposed to look like they are forever 18? Please people!

Some celebrities and stars have put their hand up to pose without the use of Photoshop or make-up to show the world what they are truly, naturally like for charity or cause, or to simply raise media awareness. Some notable celebs include Jessica Simpson, Sarah Murdoch and Brad Pitt.

Everyone I know retouches, even though clients (especially for web or internet shots) are very particular about keeping retouching to a minimum because it becomes a cost and time thing. That is, clothes need to be smooth with minimal wrinkles, no bras or bra straps showing, no VPL (visible panty line), hair pushed back for half the shots so they don’t have to spend time and money retouching ‘unnecessarily’. They are quite firm about it. They have an idea of what they want to present to the world at large and they stick to it.

So what would you rather see – the unattainable or the real? Or is somewhere in the middle OK?

What are your thoughts on retouching and Photoshop?