Model Exposure: Archana, The Indian Model

Archana Kumar came up on my models.com feed and my, what a beauty she is! You rarely see striking Indian models on the Western model circuit as they are usually Bollywood actresses (who are glamorously gorgeous). However Archana possesses both feminine and masculine beauty with strong jaw and cheek lines; it is no wonder she's getting featured in the top fashion magazines including Vogue India, Elle India, Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire. Her natural beauty is charming and distinguished. It's always refreshing seeing a face so captivating and interesting.

All photos from: http://models.com/newfaces/dailyduo/30836

Fashion: 'Occupied' by Sebastian Mader, styled by Vanessa Chow for Interview Magazine

I like fashion photo shoots that are different and have a concept behind them and I aim to share the best and most imaginative shoots I come by on VEST as there's a lot of boring 'samey' fashion photography out there! This shoot featuring very glamorous shoes and lexus clutch bags from the likes of Dior, Jimmy Choo, Emilio Pucci, Giorgio Armani, Michael Kors, Bvlgari, Giuseppe Zanotti styled by Vanessa Chow, photographed by Sebastian Mader is a great example of creative photography. The simple concept of contrasting a 'not-so-glamorous' public toilet with beautiful vibrant shoes really grabs the viewers attention. A great typology of the latest angle-strap heels this summer season. Make-up : Junko Kioka (Jose Managemeny), Manicure : Kasey Herman for Julep, Set Design: Nicholas Des Jardins.)

(Photo sources: Fashiontography.net)

Further Links:

Interview Magazine

Sebastian Mader Studio

Vanessa Chow Stylist

Photo source: sebastianmader.com

Fashion: Sigrid Agren by Alexi Lubomirski for W Korea May 2013

I love how vibrant this shoot, 'Splash' is. The ocean blue wall composed with the water splashing creates a wonderful, visually beautiful fashion shoot by Alexi Lubomirski, styled by Brian Molloy featuring French-Swedish model Sigrid Agren. (Makeup by Tyron Machhausen, Hair by Teddy Charles, Nails by Ana-Maria). I think the lighting is great and you can tell the 'sharpening' tool was on overload in the Photoshop editing room to make the light reflected off the water as vivid as possible. The shadows and light create beautiful drama along with Agren's fierce model facial expressions. I love Molloy's monochrome styling, keeping with S/S 13 black/white trend featuring sharp tailoring. Among the sea of numerous fashion editorials, this certainly stands out. It goes to show you don't always need a famous face to make a great fashion shoot, just a talented photographer, stylist and model to make the clothes come alive. This shoot features on W Korea May 2013 issue.

(Photo sources: FashionGoneRogue.com)

Further Links:

Alexi Lubomirski Photography

W Korea Magazine

Brian Molloy Fashion Stylist

Sigrid Agren

Fashion: Kasia Struss by Greg Kadel, Styled by Bill Mullen for Numéro

This editorial fashion shoot 'La Bohème' for NUMÉRO magazine, issue 142 (April 2013) photographed by Greg Kadel is a wonderful eclectic mix of fashion and eccentric styling by Bill Mullen. The model, Kasia Struss looks powerful, bold and confident in these outfits. The above image certainly attracted me to the editorial; its intricate head piece, larger-than-life hair styling, creative make up by Mariel Barrera and Strauss's relaxed yet direct gaze at the lens is certainly striking in monochrome among the glitz of her sequined dress. The fashion features influences from all over the globe, Indian, African, Oriental, American and clothing inspired from different decades as well, most notably the denim-on-denim image with a sleeveless jacket and headpiece reminiscing the Western 90's era. If I saw the clothing rack for this shoot I would not think it would come together like this and work as a solid editorial as the clothes by themselves are so contrasting. Bill Mullen certainly styled this cleverly and beautifully and with Kadel's mixture of lighting in the studio and Struss's ability to make every photograph subtly different, it all brought the fashion to life.

(Photo sources: FashionGoneRogue.com)

Further Links: 

Greg Kadel Studios

Numéro Magazine

Bill Mullen Fashion Stylist

Kasia Struss

Revamping VEST

Hey Everyone

So it's been a quite some time since I've published a post on here and it's certainly time for a revamp and actually getting some blogging done! I'm currently in the process of creating a new hand-drawn logo for VEST, I'm looking forward to getting back into graphic design and typography as I loved doing this at college. My new main aim is to blog weekly and do more posts about my work, what inspires me and the end results as well as write to a high standard, exploring photography and art.

Since my November post I've been rather busy with lots of new exciting projects and shoots as well as visiting new places and gaining new experiences. The most notable project is being part of the founding team for Lost & Found Magazine www.lost-and-found-mag.com creating the website, managing the blog, being creative director where I will be main photographer, graphic designer and contributor for fashion and weekly articles. This has certainly been fun and exciting working on this especially with Matt Holliday (editor and creator) and Joe Rose (Co-Editor) yet has been challenging though well worth the time and effort. Find Lost & Found on Facebook

www.lost-and-found-mag.com

Also I've had my photography exhibited in an Re:So art gallery in Marland's shopping centre, Southampton city which was an exciting experience in Oct 2012 for two weeks. The work I exhibited was from my first year of university shooting on medium format colour film from my 'I Am Beauty' project. See the pictures on Flickr.

Read about my gallery exhibition here: Solent Photography

I've had so many draft posts and ideas for articles for this blog yet have never found the motivation to complete them, however after launching Lost & Found re-found my love for blogging. I've been updating my website quite a lot and as well as writing interesting posts and my inspirations in the arts on VEST, this will be my main blog for Nisha Haq Photography to use for my website. nishahaq.blogspot.com

I'll be using the blog for behind-the-scenes of photo shoots I do, inspiration and planning for shoots and projects, updates for Nisha Haq Photography as well as discussing art and photography critically. So watch this space!

In the meantime read my articles for Lost & Found Magazine... www.lost-and-found-mag.com

Look forward to posting weekly to V.E.S.T!

Fashion: Kiera Knightly by Mert & Marcus

As an avid lover of fashion and the art behind it, I love how style leapfrogs back in time yet adds a twist of modernity to keep it fresh. This series of photographs by renowned fashion photography duo Mert & Marcus shows a splash of vibrant colour, 80s geometrics and glamour and face full of fierce of English rose, Keira Knightly. Photographed for Interview Magazine April 2012, styled by Karl Templer. 

I find the above image particularly striking especially how Keira isn't afraid of staring down the eye of the lens as if looking straight at the viewer face-to-face; she's unapologetic of her confidence and her handsome looks. The bias of monochrome images to coloured images gives the impression of going back in time. Her strong cheekbones enhances the geometrics and sharp tailoring of the composition and clothing. I like how Mert & Marcus have captured her in different moods and poses keeping it far from the usual plain cover shoot of a magazine. The sex appeal reminisces that of Helmut Newton's women and his photographic style too.

All images sourced from: http://fashiontography.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/keira-knightley-by-mert-marcus.html