Violaine

Miss Violaine Bernard, the french Fashion Director of Velour Magazine.
Bonjour Violaine, ca va?*
And always, always Violaine greets me with "Oui, ca va!", double kisses and the cutest smile. She is just one of those girls who manages to be cheery at fashion weeks even if it is pouring with rain (LFW February 2011), sleeting (LFW February 2010) or she is just plain exhausted. Violaine has that infectious happiness that makes you want to be around her....and did I mention her gorgeous, effortless French style? I was so happy when Violaine agreed to let me photograph her for Grazia.it (you can find the interview here).
One of the things I love most about doing these shoots (apart from getting to peek into people's apartments and wardrobes!) is that I get to learn things about people I probably never would have discovered otherwise. Like Violaine's "Lucky Kid" tattoo on her left arm (it is there as a little reminder to Violaine that even when things get tough, she has had a very fortunate, lucky life so far). As soon as I spied it, I was intrigued (those who have been reading my blog for a long time will know about my fascination with ink) and knew I wanted to try and capture some photos with it in (she has another one on the upper part of her left arm).
I loved the softness and prettiness of Violaine's first outfit (Topshop sweater and lace shorts). Another great thing about doing these shoots, is that everyone I have photographed thus far has had such different personal style. I love that- I think it would be so utterly boring if everyone dressed the same.
Violaine had a few different outfits planned but it was SO cold outside and decidedly un-Springy (this was a few weeks ago in London) that we quickly shot these photos and then raced inside and wrapped Violaine up in some warmer clothes.
Her shirt is Opening Ceremony, trousers are by Parosh, hat Uniqlo and shoes are by Rupert Sanderson (Violaine has already placed an order for some black suede platform boots from Rupert Sanderson for winter- they sound divine). Violaine is laughing in the second photo as it was so incredibly windy! Probably we wouldn't have been laughing so much if her hat had blown off onto the next building :)

Outside the cafe Violaine was wearing vintage coat, J Brand jeans, cashmere sweater from Lutz&Patmos and boots from H&M. Her hot pink clutch is vintage.
Violaine's owl necklace (which opens up to reveal a little clock) she found in a vintage market in NYC.
Violaine and I went for a croissant and cafe au lait at one of her favourite brunch cafe's in London: La Vie en Rose at Broadway Market in Hackney. She also took me to the most amazing, odd shop I think I have ever been to: The Last Tuesday Society Shop. It is a treasure trove of curiosities and unusual objects that Violaine often goes to to find gifts for friends. While we were there (with me and my camera bag remaining as still as a Rodin sculpture in an effort not to break anything;) Violaine purchased a beautiful little antler wall hanging which she was going to use to keep her necklaces and jewellery on.

I made Violaine put on this Elizabeth&James top- she wore it to the launch of Velour magazine last year and I really wanted to photograph her in it that night but I thought it would be rude to ask in front of all the guests! So she pulled it out for our little session.

*The limit of my French language skills unfortunately.


p.s. you can click on the collages to make them slightly bigger.


p.p.s The chair that Violaine is sitting on in the first photos is an ex-jail chair! Apparently it is really cold to sit on for any length of time. Kinda cool as a talking point for parties, huh?!