Line We Love : D&G MAN FASHION SHOW SUMMER 2012

The designing duo Dolce and Gabbana saluted the versatile foulard in the spring/summer 2012 menswear collection for their second line, D&G.

This collection was inspired by the silky printed Foulard .The whole collection is characterized by the use of foulards as the central element .

The D&G collection previewed the foulard, appearing in half a dozen patterns, formed the defining element of everything from blazers to shirts, from swim trunks to trousers.

Foulard prints turned up on suede moccasins and hats.

The theme was a great occasion to deconstruct clothes, and restitch them with a colorful silk cloth to create a contrast of fabrics.

Tapered silk trousers had a denim waistline. The back of a denim shirt was a large foulard print — great ventilation on hot days. Another jean shirt had silken sleeves.

Also they served up linen trousers and shorts, distressed denim pants and shorts and another staple for next summer: raffia hats.

D&G’s trademark finale featured bare-chested models in silk foulard bathing trunks, wearing brightly colored suede moccasins, striding en masse down the runway.

This collection gets my heart-racing, excited for a sojourn just about anywhere. Chic, cool, rugged but also aged and a little flamboyant, this is what I'd dream to wear in the summer.

Colors:
blue, light blue, army green, beige, orange

Fabrics:
washed cotton, silk, linen

Accessories:
laced up moccasins in super soft chamois with fringe detail, fedora hats with contrasting bands and sunglasses. Maxi shopping bags in leather details thought out also for the evening

Sophie...Our Tiny Dancer_ric woods photography

Sophie has melted the hearts of all the staff at ric woods photography.
During her portfolio photo shoot she showed all the confidence and poise of a mature adult dancer...and at only 8 years old,she has so much time to polish that presentation.
Sophie and her mum ( who was fantastic with her styling) certainly struggled with her image choice...."so many great shots to choose from". One of my favourite photo shoots of the year thus far.Maree was in heaven applying stage make up to 8year old skin.....

Fashion Report : Nicole Richie at Neiman Marcus for a showcase of her fashion line Winter Kate in Coral Gables

Nicole Richie wore Winter Kate Passenger Halter Maxi Dress in Floral

ric woods photography fashion and lighting course- behind the scenes video

Turn up the volume and take the jump to the "Behind the Scenes" video of our recent Fashion & Beauty Photography & Lighting Course. At ric woods photography we conduct small classes for better one on one time and the latest course (21 page pdf course booklet download) was a blast....All participants get to shoot and take home fantastic portfolio images.

The studio ( location) was buzzing with enthusiastic and creative people and at 6pm it all took off!

We started with some theory like:

• Camera preparation,lens selection...we talked about shutter speed, aperture , ISO and how to balance or eliminate the ambient studio like.We showed how to get clean perfect exposures straight out of the camera.I shot images tethered to two monitors and showed practical differences with light modifiers. I use equipment that people have in their own kits like umbrella's as well as studio gear like gridded beauty dishes and large soft boxes.
• We instructed people how to engage the models.We explain why we NEVER touch models without asking.Composition and camera point of view are covered.We talked about photographic releases explaining that you MUST have a release for every portrait and every wedding shoot. You get the HERO shot you best have a release before you sell that image on the Commercial Scene, OR it could come back at you and you may need pay many $$$$s to clean up the mess.

Special thanks to;

• Maree Nichols my business partner and production manager for pulling it all together.If you need more information about the courses of booking a shoot at the studio, shoot her an email maree@ricwoods.com.

We gave a couple of students their "shot" in a commercial studio.

• Caitlin Nolan-Jones wants to be a creative director. Caitlin was given free reign to design the theme for the shoot.She sourced the clothing and accessories and enlisted the aide of two friends to be the male and female models.She did a great job and exceeded our expectations.She did the work and was rewarded with a great result.She supplied several looks and did well in the 3 hour course.

My tip for up and comers that want their "shot" . Do the work you want to get paid to do....do the work..do the work.

• Piyanuch "Nuu" Hathaipontaluk was our make up artist and did well to collaborate with Caitlin to pull the vision together.She was showing off her skills, doing male and female make up finishing with a Dramatic look on our female model. Also thanks for her patience in my poor attempts to pronounce her Thai Name.
• Odessa our female model was stunning and brought amazing beauty to the photo shoot.
• Liam was the perfect male model, making light when some participants were finding it difficult to shoot and talk at the same time.
• Thanks to Kristie, Debbie,Peter, Zahra, Kaz and Llynda the participants...great work, good listening.

Finally..........

• Eagle Boys Pizza for delivering ON TIME and making GLUTEN FREE Pizzas...

Miss April Pin-Up Promotion by ric woods photography

Kara was a great subject for our latest promotion "MISS APRIL" pin-up photo shoot.
In this behind the scenes video Maree talks about make-up for this 40-50s era and I show the lighting set up.Kara provides a great look. Learn more at our photography and lighting course. We cater for beginners right through to pro and semi pro topics. Download the 21 page PDF course booklet and book in for some FUN !!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Designer Christos Dovas New York

Christos Dovas is a gifted designer - one who understands the classical form of a woman's body while delivering sensuous appeal, crafting luxurious items which are also accessible, the dynamic of luxe with edge which makes his styles so intoxicating to the female sensibility. 

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What is your educational background?

CHRISTOS DOVAS: My first school was my father’s workbench. Later during my teenage years I started working in sales in a clothing store doing styling, buying, merchandising and taking care of the window-displays. Such I became more involved in fabrics and I found myself being creative on someone’s appeal. Then studying Fashion Design in a private school in Athens and working as assistant designer in a haute couture atelier. TV modeling was very helpful to improve my social skills and open up to people. Questing for more I was fashion student in a prestigious college in New York City. Four years of dedication were awarded with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and additionally a year of theatrical studies, stage and costume, earned me an internship in New York Metropolitan Opera, Costume Department.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:I am a dreamer, I watched movies and I closed my eyes, I watched people talking and I closed my eyes thinking how could I bring to reality thoughts of my imagination. To create over the layers of secretive world and again to create again bringing up stories from books, paintings, sculptures, secret stories in light with my pencils and threads.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What was the first article of clothing you ever designed?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:At an early age I was apprentice to my father, a custom shoe designer. I grew up next to his workbench. From him, I acquired the foundation for my passion to create innovative and classical designs crafted with a master’s attention to impeccable construction and precise design. I remember I was 8 years old when I was so motivated I was designing my own shoes. I had all I needed, a father shoe designer, lots of leather and more of inspiration.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What does fashion mean to you?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:I have seen so many fashion styles with my eyes, 70’s 80’s and some old 60’s original samples from my father’s archives. The ultimate destination is to deliver what women want, design of unique style, craftsmanship with attention to detail, elegance of timeless beauty.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: Where do you get your inspiration? When you create what goes through your mind?
CHRISTOS DOVAS: Imagination is my driving force that delights my clients. I love a beautiful woman, I love beauty, and I love to create, to make women to be beautiful. Source of inspiration life itself, people, their personalities, the way they move their body, the space that surrounds them, their personal story, stories, history, our past, our civilization, the human civilization, the senses, the forms, the touch, the texture, a glance, the whole world.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: Tell us about the process of sketching a design.( papers and pencil/pens you use?)
CHRISTOS DOVAS:Idea comes first. You want to express it right away no matter what the medium, pencil number, paper pad or table cloth, you start drawing and the story begins.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: Can you describe to us the general process you go through to design and realize a piece of clothing.?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:Sketching ideas, silhouettes, and fine details, then some water color to give life to drawings. Draping follows to produce the pattern, cut on fabric, stitching, sewing, detailed hand work.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: How long does it usually take you to construct a piece?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:The key word is intricacy, based on the engineering of the design, time frame is defined.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: Where do you buy your fabrics and other sewing materials?
CHRISTOS DOVAS: Here in my neighborhood, fashion avenue, in the fashion district, 7th avenue New York.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What are your favorite fabrics to work with and why?
CHRISTOS DOVAS: The moment of conceiving of a design is divine. Demands discipline in the execution and correct choice of fabric. Natural fibers like silks for the ethereal vision, leathers for the earthy dimension, three-dimensional objects for the theatricality, semiprecious stones for the luxury and for the unique presence of dynamic personalities, all worked by hand, giving attention to detail for grace, elegance, beauty.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What matters to you most as a fashion designer?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:I am passionate about design, style and especially beauty. A designer is creator. For me is the mingling of many elements, pictures from my childhood, colors, sounds, paintings, statues, books, faces, body contour, movements and details that I love my own eyes to follow and processing in every aspect. All these elements I compose on a piece of fabric, in a creation that comes to life when worn by an ethereal creature.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What are some of your accomplishments as a designer?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:My personal need for expression. To create for women beautiful designs with attention to detail from its inception as a simple sketch to the final stitch by hand to every creation that bears the signature “Christos Dovas New York.” To achieve the perfect design that reflects inner world, emotion, thoughts, character, personality and internal female beauty. I work endlessly displaying my creations from Tokyo to Athens, from Soho to Hamptons and LA to celebrities, Sophia Milos at the Oscars with Elton John’s after Oscars party.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: How would you define your personal style?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:To conceive and create innovative with perfect execution; resulting in designs that naturally enhance a woman’s beauty. My philosophy is clarity, beauty, refinement, nobility and poetry. What covers the female figure must be chosen by criteria of simplicity, elegance, craftsmanship, and quality. Always must have in mind the picture as a whole for a charming presence. Besides, the relationship women have with fashion is absolutely attractive, intoxicating, exhilarating I could say challenges my creativity in every design. The uncontrolled female fantasy gives wings to my spontaneity and teaches me the difficulty of an intricate design and how to execute it.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: How do you intend women to feel when wearing Christos Dovas label?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:They will find passion, detail, definition of line, art, imagination, style, tailoring, craftsmanship, poetry, quality, elegance, beauty. Often compared to sculptures and paintings, “Christos Dovas” designs naturally enhance a woman’s inner beauty. I combine elements of the modern and classical worlds viewed from different angles to reveal new aspects of her beauty. To feel amazing a woman must appear unique and at ease with herself. “Christos Dovas” takes great care to make this happen. I respect and embrace that purity of form, function, and composition can harmoniously become one, bringing to life a world of imagination, beauty and luxury.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: How do you select your models?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:Truth of character, great personality, theatricality. confidence, performance.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: Where can readers buy your clothes?
CHRISTOS DOVAS: www.ChristosDovas.com

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What are some of your favorite fashion magazines, or books?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:I love internet fashion magazines, however a hard copy is always of my favor. Vogue, Harper bazaar, Elle, books many books either when on vacation or going to bed.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What are your general professional and non-professional interests?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:I love going to museums, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Frick collection, Guggenheim my favorites and then conferences, galas where fashion meets its own people.

Christos Dovas New York Corp. is based in N.Y.C. The name and emblem of our company are registered trademarks, we are open in every aspect of partnership.

Look Book

2011