Playful Promises Online Magazine Issue

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Have I mentioned before how much I love my job? No? Well I love it!

I have also come to realize how much I adore marketing, when given creative freedom. Working for a laid back company that encourages creativity is so inspiring and refreshing. I think that even in university I had come to understand that I wouldn't be JUST a photographer (for one thing, I needed something secure, and freelance photographer does not provide that unless you are lucky enough to hit it big) - photoshoots are stressful and it would be taxing to constantly come up with good ideas. My skills are far too practical and technology-based to be a true artist (in the sense of what an artist is now - coming up with the newest bullshit to sell their art); I wanted to improve my graphic design skills, use social networking, write articles and blog as well as shoot pretty ladies in pretty underwear!

We have some exciting things underway for Playful Promises, from Circus-inspired events (I'd love to run my own club with my partner one day, so this is a fantastic stepping stone), more photoshoots, more magazines and more ways to reach out to our customers in an exciting and entertaining way!

Yesterday I published the 4th issue of the Playful Promises online magazine, which I had been working on over the past 2 months. Our current AW11 collection is called Damascan Dreams, and as it is our Autumn issue, I thought I would theme the whole magazine around the East and, in particular the way the Eastern culture and traditions have filtered into the West over time. As we also have a new style of gift pant available, themed around Circus pin ups (complete with their own adorable striped tin), I also included Circus-themed articles and images. 

Articles include makeup tutorials, cocktail recipes, a review of the Boom Boom Club, an interview with the fire-eating, glass-bathing Missy Macabre and an article about the birth of bellydance in the East. I also shot bellydance sensation Leah Debrincat and, to go along with her interview, Missy Macabre in all her art deco/carny glory! I've posted some of the images below, along with a few screencaps of my favourite sections of the magazine - don't forget to take a look!

 

Thanks to Silvia Ribera (hair) and Alice Birchmore (MUA) for their work on the shoot with Leah!

What's in my bag!

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I thought I would take part in the IFB Project "What's in your bag?", and do what it says on the tin!

This is my rather demonic-looking bag, complete with handle of human bone, mwahaha! Ahem. No, it is bamboo. Unfortunately this doesn't hold as much as I would have liked, but I am VERY picky when it comes to bags, and this was good looking enough for me to give up the space.

And here is what I tend to carry around in my bag. Stupidly, I forgot my iphone in this shot.

1. Passport - pretty much my only form of ID as I don't drive. I know it is a bit risky carrying it round every day, in case I lose it, but... it is the only form of ID I haven't had trouble with.

2. A few flyers that I've made for work, just in case I need to hand them out to anyone.

3. Keys to my flat.

4. Fake LV purse - I should probably start looking for a nice new purse, which is a bit more me, as I've had this one for years and it is starting to fall apart!

5. I always carry whatever book I'm currently reading with me to read on the bus and at lunch. At the moment I'm reading the Bioshock novel, which, despite my initial hesitation (I thought it might be a load of fanfiction-esque crap), is very good and reminds me why Bioshock is the only video game I keep playing over and over. 

6. Oyster Card - this is the system London transport uses instead of tickets (although you can buy tickets if you want). All you have to do is swipe it over the reader, and you can set it up online to recharge automatically when it reaches below a certain limit. A fantastic idea, for once!

7. Business cards with business card holder. I always try to have these on me just in case I meet anyone I want to keep in contact with/show my portfolio. I had the cards printed by Moo, and they are gorgeous quality - the paper is thick and the rounded corners really stand out (although, I've found that Moo tends to print slightly darker than usual). Another great feature is you can upload up to 50 designs - I have about 20, so theres a real mix of my work to show people! Here is a close up:

 

Mantilla

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Although not Catholic, I tend to take a lot of inspiration from Catholic imagery, such as The Pietà and magnificent renderings of the Virgin Mary. I particularly love the use of veils or mantillas, and what they may signify.

Although these lace coverings have fallen out of use (except for weddings) in many countries, it seems that popularity has remained among Spanish women on special occaisions. Not just limited to funerals, as many seem to believe, but also to bullfights, weddings and Holy Week. The high combs, known as peineta, lift the veil, mimicing the shape of the Virgin Mary's halo.  

As you can see, traditional combs are as wide and tall as possible, however it seems difficult to purchase one so large, and I've had to make do with a comparatively small one!

I took some quick self portraits with a mantilla and red comb:


A is for Arsenic: Crime and Punishment

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Most of you have probably seen this by now, but I took part in an amazing project with Amelia Arsenic  for her new line of tshirts and prints: A is for Arsenic: Crime and Punishment! 

"Crime and Punishment is a collection inspired by vintage fetish magazines, the drama of the silent screen and a dash of murder. The imagery combines film noir inspired bondage portraiture with monochromatic graphic interventions."

 We actually took the first step on this project last year, and it is amazing to see the results. Amelia is extremely talented, taking this project from conception through to production (she printed everything herself by hand), and then collaborated with others to create a polished lookbook. The tshirts themselves are so comfy to wear, and look fantastic, I'd highly recommend grabbing one while you can!

Here are the original photographs (which Amelia then turned into graphics), which I took in the White Womb studio - models are Mam'zelle Maz and Nina Kate. 


 

And below are some of the gorgeous lookbook images - the results of a lot of hard work!

Lookbook Photographer: Melissa Jenkins

Crime & Punishment Design Photography: Anna Swiczeniuk

Models: Nina Kate, Ulorin Vex, Sohui, Phil Smith & Maz

Hair: Ceri Cushen

Makeup: Kirka Verinen

Styling, Concept & Art Direction: Amelia Arsenic

Latex accessories: Jane Doe Latex for A is for Arsenic