Style Kitten #3: Jonny Cosmo

It's a Wednesday afternoon and I'm prepping for next style muse! The amazing cocktail connoisseur Jonny Day, charming man behind Jonny Cosmo.

By the time I arrive to his house (edit: downstairs bachelor pad) sunset is nearing. With light and time not entirely on our side, my nerves kick in to overdrive as not totally comfortable shooting in low light. But like all good things in life, we must first survive the challenge of new experience. Make the best of our resources, and succeed instinctively. Which is basically the pretext for: "I'm pleasantly surprised with the results we achieved” ;)

The very first thing you notice about Jonny are those eyes. Magnetic ocean coloured, piercing beyond a welcoming smile. It's clear the boy has presence. When you are in his company, whether it is sipping on insatiable 'can't have just one' cocktails at super stylish hippo bar or hanging out, it is a common understanding you're being charismatically disarmed.

Being the first photographer to shoot Jonny and discover not only does he exude masculine style and fashion expression but can pose effortlessly, in a way I’d expect from a more experienced model. Wooo! Another tick.

Evident by the amount of thought, pride and eclectic personal taste that goes into Jonny’s overall appearance. Judging from interiors alone, his love of design extends beyond beautiful pieces of rich mahogany furniture to quirky modern art one-offs. Vogue Living present on display (and a very hot youthful looking Keanu on the cover! yes!) I expect to see his style and home featured on the likes of 'the selby' someday. If he can find time away from chasing waves....

Hope you enjoy the results of our design filled convo hang out > style editorial shoot. 

Allura xoxo

Question 1: Tell me about yourself. What are your passions, What brings you happiness?

Jonny: "Happy people make me happy, I like making people happy and like being around positive people. I love hearing when people are following through with their dreams and ideas. It's inspiring and I always feel a boost of energy to keep pushing forward with my own projects.

"

Question 2: Tell me about your business ‘Jonny Cosmopolitan’, how long have you been doing this?
 

Jonny:
 "Jonny Cosmopolitan was an idea when I started studying Business and Marketing in 2009 and officially launched on New Years Eve 2009/2010. Jonny Cosmopolitan is a Cocktail Consulting and Catering Events Business. We offer two main products:

1 - Cocktail catering for corporate events and private parties.
2 - Cocktail and Bar Consulting for any hospitality business interested in selling cocktails or training their staff to make cocktails and be better bartenders."

Question 3: Describe your style in 3 words.



Jonny: "Versatile, Innovative, Alluring."

Question 4: Who inspires you, What style icons do you look to for inspiration?



Jonny: "Johnny Depp, Chris Cornell, Tom Ford. Anyone with a natural beauty about them. The weather always plays a role as well.

"

Question 5: Who is your favourite designer?

Jonny: "Tom Ford, Jack London"

Question 6: What are your favourite fashion/accessory items of the moment?

Jonny: "My new Jack London Hat, Black Suede Boots and of course my Turquoise rings.. All of
them!!

"

Question 7: What are you dying to wear this autumn/winter?



Jonny: "My big jackets, I have bought a couple over summer. I have a long wool coat that's rocking and a couple of nice suits waiting to be brought out."

Question 8: What do you predict will be trending autumn/winter '12?

 

Jonny: "Hat's i think guys will take the next step from baggy beanies to hat's. I have seen them come up in a couple of magazines." 

Question 10: If you could choose a song that describes you, What would it be? 

Jonny: "Getaway Car - Audioslave"

Behind-The-Scenes

Sneak preview of next style muse...

Heya Lovelies, 

Wanted to get you excited about my next feature: Jonny Day. Which will be posted asap! As usual, I am being a super perfectionist with the editing process ;) Can't wait to show you the end results.

Here's a little sneak preview from a shoot we worked on recently, also featuring Maria De Los Angeles in my studio.  As you can see from Jonny's clothes & accesories, the boy has incredible style.

 Enjoy!

xo Allura

Featured on Wardrobe Worship! yay! x

Meow!

Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to the lovely Meg of Wardrobe Worship for the feature. <3

Totally appreciate your support. Meg, one of my oldest dearest sweeeetest friends (& muses!) I met through working in the industry. Whom I am also hoping to interview (+ shoot) while she's visiting Australia on a mini holiday from London this weekend.... ;) Fingers crossed our schedules work out!

In case the suspense is already killing you - I'll leave you with some vintage meg + allura creative collaboration....

She's the bella on far right in the first foto. Was a fantastic day working with some of Canberra's most talented beauties & an international Mexican model. The conceptual photoshoot was for my portfolio, cK inspired. The main focus being working with different elements such as a large group of models, in a studio environment and getting water-happy! Great day. (To see some of the BTS: click click)

Please follow the link to check out the feature!

peace, love + chanel,

allura x

Style Kitten #2: Georgie Maguire

Hola Kittens,

ahhh.....Deliciousness. Finally my first shoot + interview has arrived for the year of twenty-12. Good to be back. It has to be said, kind of excited for my return to fashion photography. The mini summer break was nowhere near long enough, if only to momentarily allow palpable workspace for new creative thought and once returning to normal (real) life - left with that same feeling of missing bohemian abandon. *sad face*

Meet my gorgeous muse with style, poise and class well beyond her 17 years of age....

Georgie Maguire. Model. Dancer. Zumba Instructor. Fashionista.  Kokobaby. Lover of all things GG and quite possibly my fave partner in crime for the late night facebook goss & boy talk sesh.  XOXO

For someone so green in years, the kids got wisdom beyond those baby blues. It's a curious story how we met, she was learning dance through my sister's studio Kokoloco. ( & yes you guessed it, shameless plug o'clock strikes again! click click). I've known Georgie since she was kitten-size starting her training in latin american dance as a performer and proud to say I recently got to see her fast paced Salsa team routine at the Canberra Multicultural Festival. It was totally ahhhmazing! All of her hard work and committment paid off. Nothing but front row love + cheer for my koko familia! (curious? check out the videos from the performance here, under feb updates)

Some hot chocolate dates, an instant friendship, a portfolio photoshoot and intense discussions on fashion later, we get down to bidness.....photo bidness. We decide as her style is refined and classic to go with a BW-esque approach. Seeing as I basically idolise, adore but not entirely limited to worshipping the Fashionista + Queen Bee that is GG's Blair Waldorf. Inspiration ignites!

Unfortunately our gorgeous chuck bass model was unavailable on the day. But not to worry kittens, you'll meet him soon enough.... let's just say, you won't be disappointed. ;)

We shoot on the worst day in the history of Canberran summer weather. ever.  Agust with thunderstorms, harsh sunlight, random rainbows <3 and other unfortunates that made the day unpredictable. Challenge accepted. Your move, mother nature. Come at me! 

....Pretty sure we laughed the entire time whilst surviving flash flooding showers and overly keen sun bursts. We shot majority of editorial at the National Library of Australia and her house.

Hope you enjoy the mini editorial and BTS! We'd love to hear your feedback. so... don't be shy :)

<3 allura x

Question 1: Tell me about yourself. - What do you do, What are your passions, What brings you happiness?

Georgie: "I am a student in the last year of college. My passions consist of a wide range of things, but my main passion would have to be dancing! I dance at a latin dance studio (Kokoloco) and absolutely love it! The people, the atomosphere and the dancing make me who I am. I am also a Zumba Instructor, which is so much fun, I love teaching! Making people smile and laugh really does bring me joy, I know that is a bit of a cliche response but it is totally true. Seeing someone smile makes me smile too!"

Question 2: Tell me about your hopes for the future, What would you like to do when you finish you school?

Georgie: "At the moment I am not entirely sure what I'd like to do. I am just following my passions and getting as much experience as I can in the fields I think I'm heading towards. I would love to say something artistic but you just never know! I'm definately taking a gap year next year and going travelling"

Question 3: Describe your style in 3 words

Georgie: "Fun, classy and creative"

Question 4: Who inspires you, What style icons do you look to for inspiration?

Georgie: "One of my inspirations would have to be Audrey Hepburn. She had such class and flair (and totally gorgeous!) What more could you want?!
I also get my inspiration from the TV series Gossip Girl, I absolutely love the fashion. Blair Waldorf and Serena Van der Woodsen have such different styles but I admire both!"

Question 5: Who is your favourite designer?

Georgie: "My favourite designer is the late Alexander McQueen. He had such beautiful collections and raw, provocative fashion shows. My favourite Australian designer would probably have to be Alannah Hill, just love her work!"

Question 6: What are your favourite fashion/accessory items of the moment?

Georgie: "Favourite fashion item would have to be black lace tops and dresses, when paired correctly can look so classic and stylish! I am also wearing a lot of rings and bangles at the moment, love them!"

Question 7: What are you dying to wear this autumn?

Georgie: "I would love to wear more dresses! It hasn't really been a true summer, so I didnt get to wear many! Although, I do love wearing big trench coats paired with a nice scarf and beret! So chic!"

Question 8: What do you predict will be trending this autumn '12?

Georgie: "Going off what I saw online from Milan Fashion Week, lines and patterns will be trending this autumn, but then again, Paris Fashion Week had a lot of designers tending to move towards earthy colours so I'm just not sure! Mixed feelings on this one, all I can say is that I cant wait for something new!"

Question 9: What is your favourite colour?

Georgie: "I dont really have a specific favourite colour but if I had to choose it would be either blue or purple"

Question 10: If you could choose a song that describes you, What would it be?

Georgie: "Dont worry, be happy" - Bobby McFerrin 


 Behind the Scenes with the Amorosa Street Style series....

Style Kitten #1: Maria De Los Angeles

It was a quiet sunny afternoon during the end of winter. My subject: beautiful Maria De Los Angeles. Celebrity chef in the making, Canberra based Panamanian model extroadinaire. Her quirky unique colourful style is evident in Maria's chosen looks. Where vintage meets designer and costume accessories are essential. We interviewed at her house then continued on to shoot the photographic side of our day around her neighbourhood. Even, catching looks by her fav flower, the Cherry blossom! <3
As always, it was an absolute pleasure working with such a fashionista! Hope her style helps inspire your future outifts... x
(interview to follow after photos!) Please note: there will be further editorial photos added soon.

peace love + chanel

allura xoxo

Question 1: What do you do? What are your passions? What brings you happiness?

Maria: "I'm a Chef. My passions are food, music and life. Not necessarily in that order :)
Making other people happy brings me happiness. "

Question 2: Tell me about your work as a Chef, how long have you been doing this? do you enjoy it?

Maria: "Being a Chef is an incredibly rewarding career. It's hard work that requires a great deal of commitment, passion and skill, but when you put your heart and soul into it the possibilities are endless. I love being a Chef, I recently finished my apprenticeship and I am now hands on in the overall kitchen operation, learning more and more everyday. "

Question 3: Describe your style in 3 words.

Maria: "Colorful. Bold. Funky"

Question 4: Who inspires you, what style icons do you look to for inspiration?

Maria: "My absolute number one inspiration is 'Carrie Bradshaw'. SJP is just incredibly stylish. After watching an episode of S&TC I put on my high heels and get creative with my outfits. What I love the most about 'Carrie' is that she wears what suits her, she is always feminine and not afraid of trying new things. Ultimate fashionista! Other beautiful women I admire are Gwen Stefani, rockstar and glamour goddess and Penelope Cruz with her amazing figure always flawless is a good role model for hispanic women."

Question 5: Who is your favourite designer?

Maria: "I'm not too familiar with many designers but how not to love Chanel and Dior, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana? Tom Ford is amazing and chic. Also love local Allanah Hill and Spanish designer Custo Barcelona and last but not least the amazing designers from Panama Michelle Zarak and Federico Visuetti."

Question 6: What are your favourite fashion/accessory items of the moment?

Maria: "Winter is almost over but I must admit I enjoyed wearing big coats and leather gloves. Dresses that embrace the figure in bloc colors with a big statement necklace."

Question 7: What are you dying to wear this coming summer? 

Maria: "Dresses and more dresses! Flowing skirts, loose tops with shorts and comfy fisherman pants with bright colored tops."

Question 8: What do you predict will be trending this summer /11?

Maria: "Earthy, organic looks. Beautiful floral prints. VINTAGE influence."

Question 9: What is your favourite colour?


Maria: "Color in general I love, but my favorites are Yellow and Green."

Question 10: If you could choose a song that describes you, what would it be?

Maria: "Just a girl -No Doubt.  Edgy, playful and direct :)"

exciting things are happening.

watch this space, kittens. In the coming weeks, or even days I will be interviewing gorgeous girls (and boys!) that posess a certain je ne sais quois for individual style. That's right, your favourite street stalker is getting local. Prepare to be inspired. My first muse will be Panamanian Model and Canberra Chef - Maria De Los Angeles. As fate would have it, she is also my sobrinita aka step-niece! isn't nepotism a beautiful thing? ;)

You will fall in love with her style as I and many others have before you. Tropical prints, colourful layers, bright jewellery, wild curls and a 'devil may care' attitude are just the beginning of what's to come...

I'll leave you with some images of Maria that I shot for a conceptual photoshoot, last autumn.

peace love + chanel.

x x x