High-Class in the 90's
- Russel Frank
- Nov 9, 2014
- 4 min read
Theme: 90's
Date of Shoot: Sunday | November 9th 2014
Photographer: Maria Alvino
Hair: Kelsey Hilton
Makeup: Mae Mariano
Wardrobe: Banana Republic
Model: Jordan Prodromdes | Freelance
I was asked by photographer, Maria Alvino to style this shoot. She told me the idea / theme of the shoot. My first reaction was to pass on it. Hours before she had asked me, Justin V. had asked me to style a 90’s Sexy Grunge shoot. Now why would I want to do two shoots, back to back, with the same theme??? Same type of wardrobe, both for submission(s), both will end up in my portfolio. I shared this with Maria, I personally felt there was a little of a hesitation and, or shock to find out I was just booked to do a shoot with the same theme. But… we went ahead and planned for it.
Photo Below: Myself styling BTS
Now why would I want do to do two shoots the same back to back??? Still… Well, I couldn’t tell Maria no. We had been planning and talking about doing a shoot since June 2014, and here it is October 2014 and we still haven’t done a shoot together. She helped out working BTS photography during fashion week. We originally met through my postings for Achi Magazine, by published worked for their spring issue via Instagram post. She took the time out to send me an email and wanted to meet and get to know each other. Now me, I don’t have time to chit chat and get to know you. If you want to work with me, send me an email, lets plan a shoot!! But I can’t rush people, is what I learned in this industry. Meet and greets work for her, so I figured lets just meet. Might be a good way to prescreen how serious she may be. Needless to say, we ended up clicking, and bounced several ideas back and forth.
Fast forwarding to present day, our 90’s editorial. I couldn’t say no, we finally were working together. I knew with Justin V. It was grunge and sexy fashion trends for the looks. For Maria, I thought to myself, I can make it more high fashion!!! Throw in some lace dresses, more edgy leather jackets, skirts, etc. Maria sent me some inspiration photos of lace dresses with leather jackets. “Oooohhh this is so big in the 90’s!! Lets do this!!! Like the Olsen Twins”… Wasn’t gonna happen was my first thought. I love mixing prints and textures just as much as the next wardrobe stylist, but this mix up was a little outside of my vision. I still entertained the idea, and pulled the wardrobe that was specific for this shoot.
Wardrobe I was pulling from Banana Republic. Ideally, BR is conservative, business casual, suit and tie, made for the office. I kinda joke about BR style, as “Republic” stiff, closed up, button ups with layers. However… THE NEW BR is nothing like that. They have wardrobe now that is more edgy, leather, lace, plaids, and more street wear friendly. They have changed creative directors, Marissa Webb. If you haven’t checked them out, you should!! Biker jackets, moto style pants. Their collection has become more trend aware, and changed their game. They still have their basic essentials that have identified them as conservative styles, but they have mixed it up, more for the younger audience.
Call time was at 12 noon at UNLV in the Fine Arts building. The team was there, we all arrived close to the same time. From what I can tell, the team was already familiar with themselves. The hair, makeup have worked together in the past, as well as with the photographer. I was the new kid on the block for this shoot. It’s always a little nervous being the new kid on the shoots, warming up to a new team, feeling out who I can click with. However, there is always new relationships to be built to expand my contact list. We ended up shoot six looks from this shoot, starting with light daytime look. Followed by transition of night looks, dark wardrobe. The model was a perfect fit for the editorial grunge 90’s theme. I was very pleased with the process of this shoot, the atmosphere, the energy in the room. It was more plaid, more editorial, more lace, more leather, than my other recent 90s shoot. Definitely separated the shoot with two different feels of outcome for wardrobe, and the hair & makeup.
Photo Below: Hair & Makeup BTS
Going back to the lace dress with leather, the one look I was against… PERFECTION!! Was our favorite look of the shoot, my favorite look of the shoot!! The model had brought a black / grey flannel shirt by, 3 FFF, that went perfect with the look. I originally brought a plaid shirt, but hers was more suiting for the look. It was hers personally, so it had that “worn out” feeling and look to it, a natural grunge feeling to it. The final top off was the leather jacket from All Saints she had worn into the shoot, as well. Zippers, straps, buttons, texture, and the feel of natural wear & tear. Even though in the 90’s there wasn’t a feeling of glamour or luxury with jewelry and accessories when it comes to grunge 90’s, I added it to these 6 looks just to top of the editorial feel for it.
These images will be submitted for publication for fashion magazines.
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