Hold the Glamour

I am a full-figure model and working mother. I am a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend. I am a Leo. I am a first-generation Aussie and mother to two amazing little native New Yorkers. I believe that fashion is important—but so is real life. I believe that all women are beautiful and strong. I believe in working hard and loving harder. I believe in eating delicious food and drink with close friends, in breathing deep the air of new places, in laughing until you cry. I believe that when our bodies and minds are healthy and balanced, anything is possible.

Tag: photographer

Love your curves!

I have a new fashion editorial out this week in Australia’s New Idea magazine — it’s a spring fashion spread for women with gorgeous curves. I love it!

I also love the fabulous colours and prints on the pages below and was so excited to wear these beautiful, comfortable, flattering and fashionable outfits.

The photographer, David Gubert and Fashion Director, Julie Russell are simply, a phenomenal team. The very talented Craig Beaglehole had me in the hair and make-up chair, weaving his beauty magic.

Thank you New Idea for the opportunity to showcase fashion for the average-sized woman. I am thrilled curvy women have so many options and choices in fashion, now more than ever.

What are you getting excited for in spring fashion in the Southern Hemisphere and fall fashion in the Northern?

What are your favourite colour palettes this season? What about prints?

How do your feel about your curves and fashion — regardless of your size?

Love your curves ladies!

Be well.

L.

xoxo

Love your curves - New Idea magazine

Love your curves – New Idea magazine

Love your curves - New Idea magazine

Love your curves – New Idea magazine

Love your curves - New Idea magazine

Love your curves – New Idea magazine

Juggling work, travel and family life

I cannot believe how busy I have been these last few months with work, travel and family life. It really is a juggle most of the time as a working mother and a struggle some of the time coordinating all the sectors of my life and career, let alone my husband’s.

My time has been split between the US, Europe and Australia of late. My body has been in so many planes and times zones — I sometimes wake up and am not sure where I am.

My latest shoot in Sydney, Australia for Ezibuy provided some fun and happy behind-the-scene shots I’d like to share with you. Please see below…

Sydney - Behind-the-scenes of the recent High Summer Ezibuy shoot

Behind-the-scenes of the recent high summer Ezibuy shoot

Sydney - did someone say something funny?

Did someone say something funny?

At Mondo Studio Sydney shooting Ezibuy

At Mondo Studio, Sydney shooting for Ezibuy

Checking the monitor --wearing a maxi dress

Checking the monitor — wearing a maxi dress

A multi-coloured maxi dress ready for high summer

A multi-coloured maxi dress ready for high summer fun

A hot pink number on the monitor

A hot pink number on the monitor

Happy days shooting the cover try for High Summer in studio

Happy days shooting the cover try for the catalogue in studio

Juli Balla and Craig Beaglehole on hand to make sure all is in order

Juli Balla and Craig Beaglehole on hand to make sure all is in order

The amazing photographer, Juli Balla and I -- in-between a cover try or two

The amazing photographer, Juli Balla and I — in-between a cover try or two

Our Rosebay location house

Our Rosebay location house

In Sydney city on some amazing balcony

In Sydney city on some amazing balcony

How do you make it work with family, life & career?

What strategies help your family survive and cope with all the juggling?

Be well till next time.

L.
xoxo

It’s been a year!

I cannot believe that I started my blog, ‘Hold the Glamour’ at the end of March last year some 12 months ago. Incredible really! I’ve always documented my life in some way since I can remember and this past year I’ve gone public with it. So friends… Here we are. I can share that I’ve enjoyed the process, learning, growth and support of you all. Thank you very much.

NYC - Garment District (also known as the Fashion Capitol)

NYC – Garment District (also known as the Fashion Capitol)

Last week  I went on a couple of castings in the Garment District – the Fashion Center of New York. Wikipedia explains it best, “The Garment District, also known as the Garment Center, the Fashion District, or the Fashion Center, is a neighborhood located in the Manhattan borough of New York City”.

The District encompasses the area from 6th to 9th Aves – 34th to 42nd roughly. It is a highly concentrated area of manufacturing, fabric design, pattern making, design, couture houses and showrooms.

NYC - The Fashion District Needle & Button at 39th Street & 7th Avenue approximately

NYC – The Fashion District at 39th Street & 7th Avenue

One of my castings was for a bra packaging job and the other, for a big fashion label that specialises in straight-size and plus-size fashion. The views are always spectacular from their 40 odd floors above ground.

There is always so much activity and energy flowing in the Garment District. People are always on the move and rushing off to somewhere. Deadlines are endless and a part of life.

NYC - Fashion Center

NYC – Paying respect to the creativity and hard work of fashion

In both castings, I signed in with my name and agency on a sheet of paper then sat down and waited till I was called. I tried on two bras for the first casting and two outfits for the second.

Photos were taken in the samples supplied by a photographer whilst the ‘panel’ looked over my book, comp card and me in the flesh. There were seven people deciding for the bra job and two for the second job. It always varies from job to job and casting to casting.

Fortunately for me I was successful in both castings! I love a good week. One never knows how a casting will turn out so it’s always refreshing and rewarding when you succeed… Especially when it’s two out of two!

Whilst I was waiting to be seen, I flicked through a magazine that rested on the coffee table in the reception area and came across the quote/saying below. It resonated with me. I hope it does with you too.

NYC - A saying I came across in a magazine whilst waiting for one of my castings

NYC – A saying I came across in a magazine whilst waiting for one of my castings

Have you been to the Garment District or Fashion Center in Manhattan?

Have you ever worked in the neighborhood?

Do you have a quote/saying you love to live by? Share it with me please… I’m all ears.

Visions of a studio set

NYC - Sets are typically black and white as can be seen above

NYC – Studio set

 

 

NYC - back shot of a model ready to go

NYC – Back shot of a model

 

 

I’m sitting on the sidelines, waiting for my turn to get on set and start shooting. The hair and make-up station can be seen peeking through the first picture on the left-hand side. The round lights are blinding sometimes and the station can’t be missed.

Studio sets are typically black and white as can be seen above. Reflector boards are always present allowing the light to dance about on set. Sometimes they face me as black boards and other times as white – it depends if I’m wearing light or dark colours and the setting the lights are on.

The wind machine is tilted, waiting to blow ‘Victoria Secret’ like hair. They can make your eyes water like rivers when turned up too much. This is not good for make-up and when I’m not shooting, I step out of the direction of the machine or the hairstylist angles it away.

Above, the model is patiently waiting and ready to start shooting. She waits for the photographer to check with the digital technician to make sure the light is correct. Computers and digital photography have made this process faster, easier and immediately accurate.

In the second picture you can see the power pack (small box sitting on the ground to the right-hand side with lots of electrical cords coming out of it). A power pack connects with the base of a camera to add more power – it is designed to provide a power boost.

It’s a glimpse of some behind-the-scenes action I get to see and experience when shooting in studio.

Have you ever been on a studio set before? What aspect of your experience or the set interested you the most?