Muse of the Month - Lee Miller

I first discovered Lee Miller at the opening of an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. It wasn't an exhibition focused on Lee Miller, it was one of their permanent exhibits, with various photographs, stories, information from a certain era of the early 20th Century. There was just a group of  two photographs of Lee Miller and taken by Lee Miller, that inspired me to discover more about Miller. It was during my time at Chelsea College of Art studying Contemporary Art & Artist along with Sketching. Sadly I missed the huge retrospective exhibition on at the V&A a couple of years ago called The Art of Lee Miller. But you can still buy postcards of her photography, books and pictures as I did.I think I was also inspired by her 20's hairstyle for one of my new hair looks!

Self Portrait in Headband, New York, 1932 © Lee Miller Archives, England 2008. All rights reserved

The life Lee Miller led was a fascinating, creative life of a free-spirited woman
ahead of her time, with intelligence and beauty. She was a multi-tasker or "slasher" before women
were even fully accepted in the work place. Her transformation from Vogue fashion model to
artist's muse, to ground-breaking artist - which in turn led to her unprecedented career as a photographer.

by Edward Steichen

Miller, born in Poughkeepsie, New York (where her early life was
as interesting and where we see she got  some of her fire from) -
she was classically beautiful and was discovered, 1927, by Conde Nast himself.
She began her modelling career on the front cover of American Vogue.
She is immortalized by Steichen, Hoyningen-Huene, Horst and
other famous photographers.

Solarized photograph. Paris 1930 (Lee Miller) via Sleekit

Paris, 1929, Miller becomes the protege and lover of Man Ray, she invents
with him the solarization technique of photography, develops into a brilliant surrealist photographer,
and plays the statue in Cocteau's film Blood of a Poet.

Air-raid shelter. 1940 for Conde Nast Publications. (Lee Miller) via wmhart

 

Europe, 1939-45, Miller was living at occasionally with her future husband, the
painter Roland Penrose, she becomes a US war correspondent and covers the
siege of St. Malo and the liberation of Paris. Her photographs of Dachau
concentration camp shocked the world. Her finest work included portraits
of Picasso, Braque, Ernst, Eluard, Miro....

These are just a few of the many lives on a journey of this extraordinary artist,
free spirit and a constant inspiration to myself and my own work.

Do You Know The Many Faces of Lee Miller?

BAFTA / InStyle: The Best of British Talent

In between rehearsals, I attended the Bafta / InStyle event to celebrate the Best of British Talent, last week.
The party did indeed bring the best of British Talent, established and up-coming actors, musicians, directors, writers....I spotted Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Serkis a.k.a Gollum, Thandie Newton, Andrea Riseborough (to be seen in Never Let Me Go with Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley & Andrew Garfield), I caught up with one of the Treadaway twins, Margot Stilley, David Gandy, Natt Weller, Jonathan Ross, Heidi Klum (not quite British , but she is a talent and looked gorgeous). When not eyeing the talent there was pizza, photobooths and a pro make-up stand to keep guests pretty and entertained.

See the pieces I wore or the complete look at VOGUE ITALIA - Look of the Day!

En Route

Dress by PPQ

Bespoke jewellery by Rachel Galley

Glamour Magazine - StyleWatch

I some how managed to play Fashion Police in between filming - phew! I'm no Joan Rivers (on E! as in Entertainment, for those who don't watch it.) but I wouldn't go as far as her anyway, as I may be on the receiving end!
I was in good company with Amy Molyneux of PPQ and Amelle from the Sugababes also on the squad (force?). We were the police and Nicole, Halle and Mila were the offenders (fashion criminals??) Awards season always has the toughest and most harshest spotlight on the fashion of the redcarpet on the actresses. Even after the adulation once you collect your OSCAR / GLOBE / BAFTA etc - the fashion critics can still have you weeping in your Christian Louboutins! So I was kind, but still very honest....

Have a look at our verdicts at Glamour Magazine... Plus not a Joan Rivers in sight! 

What Do You Think?

Film 2011 - Behind the scenes

I am pregnant!!..... OK, well I'm not exactly pregnant, but my character is.....

I have been MIA (Missing-In-Action) recently as I've been on set shooting a short film, in various locations in London. My character in this film is ready to pop! It's an integral part of the story, which I don't want to ruin before you catch it at the festivals (it's still in it's "working title"). But it was amazing the way I was treated differently by complete strangers who passed by, when we were shooting in the street. It's a documentary style film, which was a very new and inspiring experience for me - as it is different from dramatic acting - ie. on stage or period dramas etc - it has to completely look like a documentary as the audience has to believe the subject matter and that this is what's happening right now - which is our aim.

Oh yeah, it's a comedy doc, so it's a Mockumentary! My new favourite word!
How many months do you think I am now ? Here, see what I have in the oven!

Stars in my Eyes

Any moment now!

Thirsty Werk!

 These behind the scene pictures are brought to you by Karmazoovision Film Productions

The Black Cab Sessions: Chapter 37 Lykke Li

I love Lykke Li !! I just had to exclamation that. Her voice and  lyrics are beautiful. The Black Cab Sessions, what a brilliant idea.

Check out Lykke's superb eye contact!

Free From ?! - Wen

My latest beauty obsession are products that are "Free From". There is a long list of things that we should be free from, which include - Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (also spelled Sulfate A.K.A "SLS")- Many disguises. This is what helps produce the foaming action in a range of products, including toothpaste, shampoos. These contain small amounts of carcinogens. There is also Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (Sulphate). And many more I won't bore you with. These components have been known to remove the natural oils from hair and skin, which can be found in ordinary shampoos, moisturisers, you name it!

I love Wen!

It can be tough to make the transition, with all those bubbly soap suds, but with my thick hair and sensitive skin, I've been converted! Check out Wen!

Michelle Obama for Alexander McQueen!

I have to say this is my favourite look of The First Lady. Possibly is a huge fan of London (and New York) designers. She is a modern day icon and wonderful dresser. You could go as far as saying she's a style icon for our modern times! I wonder if her stylist(s) - I'm sure she has one in every major city - are British...? Not to be a sartorial cliche, but I think she chose the colour well, considering it was a meeting with the Chinese president Hu Jintao. Certainly the belle in her blood-red-orange McQueen, outshining attending fashionistas Anna Wintour, Vera Wang and movie stars Barbara Streisand and Jackie Chan (Love Jackie Chan - I'm a martial arts fanatic, as you will see in a future post...). Is she possibly a fiery Leo...? What Do You Think?

from asiablues

All the Dazzling Shades of The Golden Globes!

Jewel Tones Are The New Black! Reds, blues, greens, golds...It seems like every year Hollywood is getting bolder and brighter on the red carpet. I think nude is a firm favourite that flatters everyone and anyone. I won't mention the worse dressed, we can leave that to Joan Rivers and Kelly Osbourne.

from Mrs Bumble Kee

My best dressed list includes Clare Danes & Emma Stone (who by the way has been wowing the red carpet consistently, who's the stylist?) both in Calvin Klein. Olivia Wilde in Marchesa, Anne Hathaway, who in Armani actually looked sexy and not prim. Christina Hendricks and January Jones in Versace stole the show in scorching red gowns. And cannot forget Angelina Jolie who literally dazzled, also in a Versace number.

Who Was Your Best Dressed At The 2011 Golden Globes?

Arizona: Gabrielle Giffords & Gwenyth Paltrow ?

Nothing to do with fashion, or film or music or Hollywood - although it has come to light that one congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is the first cousin of Gwyneth Paltrow. I like to keep up with news Stateside.
 This report really affected me because this could happen anywhere and to anyone, especially within this political climate (London student protests included). This particular story was a mindless and devastating act of violence that saw a 9 year old murdered. Although I follow political reports, especially if I'm in a foreign country, I don't like to make political comments. Also there's a reason why I'm not a political news reporter! so look at what the Huffington Post had to say about it all (including comments from actor Alec Baldwin!)

Giffords seen here with House speaker John Boehner. Photo by westchesterbuzz.com

Gwyneth Paltrow. provided by Pinar Gencal

LA Story - Actors for Oceans

My LA story  - As a Brit In LA, I am always looking to immerse myself in the culture and have as many experiences as possible. This trip was filled with activities that were central to my application, as an actress, for my US artist Visa. Oh boy! And I wasn't prepared beforehand on what that entailed and all the things I would have to do to achieve this.... Well I attended some great events for great causes, such as Actor's For Oceans, feauturing a certain True Blood actor! And, yes, I am still waiting. I will let you know....
Meanwhile Please check out some unpublished pictures below & my Editor's Blog entry on My LA Adventure at STYLE BIBLE.

At Vieve Boutique launch, Melrose Ave.

True Blood's Sam Trammell & ACtress Tana Federick

Sam playing his acoustic guitar for the ladies!

Tia Carrere of Wayne's World