everything is connected: frida gustavsson, and mcqueen's last show

My husband, Mr. Dot, was calling from another room me to watch Elizabeth with him. But instead, I was looking online at images of Alexander McQueen's last show, in Paris. So to the backdrop of the haunting, Elizabethan melodies, I was surprised at how much images of pretty models in pretty dresses could move me.

There isn't really anything I could say that is any better, or more profound, than what other people are saying. And I agree with you all: his team worked hard, and with grace, and deserve our praise. If the line is to continue, I hope and trust that it will be led by the people who knew and worked with him in his all too brief lifetime.



Two of the photographs, the clothes and the person wearing the clothes, felt especially personal to me. And then, I realised, it was Frida Gustavsson, from Sweden. I met her in an H&M in London, when I was first starting my blog. I took two photos of her, in film, with my Pentax. In that brief moment, I knew I was experiencing something profound: I had shot models before, but this young girl transformed before my eyes, through the lens. She was what they call a natural. Then I put the lens cap back on and she went back to being a warm, slightly geeky girl in H&M.

This is one of my photos, and this was my post ('form following function'). I hear she's home in Sweden tonight, and I can only imagine what an experience this been for such a sweet young woman. And on that note, dear friends, I'm wishing you all a good night.

blondie (embedding disabled by request)

There were so many gorgeous blondes with great looks @ fashion week. And it's just occurred to me: many of you bloggers were too young to know Blondie. You might not even know their music, and what with all this 80s revival stuff going on now, the least I could do is find you this clip, even if embedding isn't allowed. I've finally learned how to embed the videos, and this one is 'disabled by request.' Still, worth clicking on.

This 'blondie' is Anne Sophie, after either Caroline Charles or Eun Jeong, and below, with her friend Aida.





Speaking of blonde models, I'm thrilled to bits that Frida Gustavsson (IMG), below, who I met in H&M on a rainy spring day in London, is doing so well on the catwalk. She's the loveliest girl. I've shot a lot of models (by accident) and there was something extraordinary about shooting her, as I posted here, and here. Maybe I'm missing my calling as a model scout!

model's own

Here in London, still raining. Good news for the May flowers, but means we can't show off our lovely summer frocks on the street a lot of the time. Instead, we're seeing variations of the belted trench with tights theme, which is why I'm breaking with tradition and showing another version of Frida Gustavsson's rainy day outfit. The colours that April day - and the location, near Harrods..even her hair seemed so London, circa 1946.
As before: Her trenchcoat is from Zara, the sunglasses from H&M, tights from Falke, sneakers from GANT, the small black clutch/envelope-bag is from a really nice swedish brand called WHYRED and the vintage backpack, model's own.

frida (form following function)

It started to pour, I was freezing from a whole day out shooting (under dressed) so I ducked into H&M in Knightsbridge (& of course one can't leave H&M empty handed!). Saw this girl with a calm beauty about her, and didn't realise til we started talking that she's a real model. Frida Gustavsson, with IMG. She's from Sweden, as is H&M, so she's a seasoned shopper. Taking her photo was a surreal experience: she transformed before my eyes from a sweet young girl to something.. otherworldly. Quite grown up, and self possessed. The moment I snapped the shutter, she became a regular girl again. I predict she's going to be a huge star, because she's also really, really nice. Also, she was like the only person I saw all day actually wearing a raincoat. Wise girl. Won't do these days to show up at a photo shoot with a cold. Freak everyone right out.

In Frida's own words:
"Uhm oki the trenchcoat is from Zara, the sunglasses from H&M acctually ;), tights from Falke, sneakers from GANT, the small black clutch/envelope-bag is from a really nice swedish brand called WHYRED and the backpack is vintage, thats all i think : ) "