STYLE KITTEN #5: Jessica Cochrane

Jessica Cochrane, the enigmatic, bright eyed fashion-in-veins artist is one of Canberra's finest exports. Now based in Woolongong, working towards a design degree and fashion blogging with the best. (click click)

I have to say when first met Jess, was completely awestruck by her sheer raw talent, drive and ease with channelling her art form. For me, being from a similar arts/graphic design background - in many ways wish I'd been more like Jess - thriving as an artist instead of running the corporate rat race when beginning. To be driven by pure art and organic passion, is one of the most honest things you can do in this life.

Jessica will go far with anything she decides to do creatively. It's inspiring just hanging around someone so lovely! Naturally, this boho kitten comes from an artist family who were kind enough to allow us to shoot around their home and in her studio.

There's so much beauty and depth in what Jess creates. A knowing, story telling fashion illustrative approach to art. I remember visiting her working on the wall for LA DE DA bar, she was able to literally draft and recreate on this massive space. It was beautiful to witness the creative process happening live. I felt shivers - knowing first hand just how much work would go into such a piece of modern wall art brilliance.

Painting wall art at LA DE DA

Among the ridiculously gorgeous closet of high fashion items - one of my faves was a very cute pair of zebra wedge Jeffrey Campbell's. Have no idea how anyone actually walks in those bad boys, but do know I want to find out... ;) Jessica poses with an absolute command of her body, having modelled before as an artists model - she takes direction amazingly and really thinks of how to move in different ways to ensure a better photo outcome. LOVE that.

Hope ya'll enjoy the photos. We had a great afternoon working together on these. Admittedly, this shoot is from last season, and due to a world trip, finally posting today. I love them just as much now as I did then, am happy to share with you, kittens. Enjoy!

Have a beautiful day!

Allura xxx

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

Jessica: "Well I’m Jess. What do I do? Just stuff mostly. I work at General Pants Co. in the city playing with clothes all day and styling people up which is super fun. If I’m not at work then I’m usually avoiding my UNI work by painting naked chicks or taking photos and finding inspiration through clothing, music and late nights, or drinking coffee. Lots of coffee I am the sort of person who, if is not passionate about, or inspired by what they are doing, will fuck it off entirely. So I guess I am passionate about everything I involve myself with. Fashion, art, love, everything. Passion is what keeps me happy."

Question 2: Tell me about your work (& journey) as an Artist? How long have you been creating?

Jessica: "I’ve been drawing since I came out of the womb. I can’t remember a time when I was ever not drawing or sketching or playing dress ups. My dress up box when I was a kid was definitely enviable. The first artistic achievement of mine was probably having my work chosen to be exhibited in Head Space 8 at the National Portrait Gallery when I was in high school. When I got to college I studied art, graphic design and photography. And happily fell victim to hiding out in the art room at lunch sketching out images of models that I had torn out of every imaginable fashion and pop culture publication. I also started attending life drawing classes outside of college, which most people were surprised and curious about considering I was 16 and gladly drawing the naked female form. But I have never seen it as a big deal. The naked body is a pretty beautiful piece of work. I’ve always found women and girls are the main subject in my artistic work. Last year I started studying graphic design at UC but have felt more inclined to work as an artist and illustrator in the last few months. I made a blog to keep as a record of my work and through the blog, I have been offered amazing opportunities around Canberra such as painting a mural at the super cool bar, La De Da, and several exhibitions at other bars and rad spots. I’m currently working on a solo exhibition so I’m really allowing my self free reign. Its really exciting to watch this body of work progress and speak to you."

Question 3: Describe your style in 3 words 

Jessica: "Not too girly."

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

Jessica: "I guess if I had to sum up who and what inspires me and my style it would be anyone that brings their work to a personal, off-beat level and doesn’t give a toss what others think because they are doing it for themselves, not for others. "

Question 5: Who is your favourite designer/ artist? 

Jessica: "I can’t count on fingers and toes how many designers and artists and other things inspire me. I’m inspired every day by something. However, a few favourites worthy of mention are: Alexander McQueen, Gustav Klimt, Egan Schiele, Scott Schuman and his blog The Sartorialist, any dude or dudette cruising the streets, with their own sense of style, and Adelaide based graphic design company MASH. "

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

Jessica: "I have a crush on neon yellow at the moment teamed up with black and white."

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

Jessica: "High waisted jeans and beautiful sheer tops, traffic stopping coats and shoes and curious accessories. I’m also dying over anything with a jungle print or palm tree print on it!"

Question 8: What do you predict will be trending this winter? 

Jessica: "Tessellated digital prints, high waisted jeans that are practically a second skin, And fur coats. Oh, and messy sex hair. "

Question 9: What is your favourite colour? 

Jessica: "I actually don’t have one! I have tried all my life to pick one but its too hard! I love them all! Embrace all colours I say! They’re all great."

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

Jessica: "Hmm, I’ve never had to think about this before. Flume’s remix of Zimbabwe by new navy."

BTS

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....

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