Clare Buckley

Clare Buckley is an Australian fashion stylist represented by Sydney agency RP Represents. To me her work strikes the perfect balance between kooky and classy.... I also really like that crazy puffy white skirt in the top right image - not very wearable but its a beautiful shot! Also I love the props... bowling balls? Not sure but the colours and shapes work perfectly.

There's an Alice in Wonderland feel to all this work. More on Clare Buckley's website.

Tsumori Chisato styling

Just stumbled across these images I filed away a long time ago. Tsumori Chisato is a Japanese fashion designer who started her career working for Issey Miyake... not sure what she's been up to recently as I can't seem to find much of her work online since her Spring 07 collection (link above)...

Anyway... sorry these images aren't entirely current but isn't the styling stunning? I am such a sucker for overhead photography... not sure why but it always seems to appeal to me. Love the combination of colours and patterns too...

Rebecca Thuss

Receiving my copy of the beautiful Lines and Shapes volume 2 has re-ignited my long-standing professional crush on Rebecca Thuss.

Her styling work is just purely PERFECT. I honestly cannot imagine a more perfect collection of images than the ones on her beautiful website.... Sometimes I get worried that she'll take her website down, and I won't be able to see her work ever again... and then I feel I should perhaps make a copy of every single image on her site just in case. Irrational? Possibly.

Above are some images of her recent work... the detail, the colours, the textures.... ahhhhh. The handcrafted elements are like an incredible at installation...

Visit her website! (Especially if you're planning a wedding, party, kid's party, barbeque... any event at all that requires a little creative inspiration - You won't be disappointed!)

Sandra Juto perfect photos

I made so many lovely discoveries recently over at the amazing Bloesem world tour... Amongst many, many wonderful contributions, Erin from the always fabulous Design for Mankind posted her favourite artists and photographers... and every single link was gold (of course) :)

This was my favourite though... Photographer/illustrator/crafter Sandra Juto from Sweden. I love her photos the best.

Perfection.








More Sandra Juto-gorgeousness on her equally stunning blog.

Thankyou Desire to Inspire!

Lisa Cohen Photographer - via desire to inspire

Many thanks to Jo from Desire to Inspire for her response to my plea for bathroom inspiration! I have had such trouble finding classic, white contemporary bathroom reference for my own home. Strange I know. Anyway, Jo scoured her vast library of references and pulled together a gorgeous collection, which she posted on her site today. Thanks Jo!!

Wow. I feel special.

Wolveridge Architects - via desire to inspire

ps) The Wolveridge site doesn't seem to be working... and I can't find a good alternative site about them... very sorry. They're based in Collingwood in Melbourne.

Japanese Books

Selected pages and front cover of one of my favourite Japanese books. It's about paper craft and collage, it's published by Pie Books, and I have no idea what the title is(!) but the ISBN is 4-89444-471-2.

Japanese books are one of my few internet shopping indulgences... occasionally I'll order up big on Amazon Japan or Yes Asia... and the thrill of receiving that package and flicking through the pages of perfectly styled photographs, carefully selected paperstock, beautifully sketched diagrams and indecipherable kanji just gets me every time!

I can't put my finger on why these books are so seductive (especially given that I can't read a word of Japanese) but I'm not the only fan! Crafting Japanese is a great resource for selecting and buying Japanese books... a vast number of contributers post images of their purchases with the ISBN numbers here, which is the easiest way to track and buy these books if you don't read Japanese. There's also a pretty good selection on Flickr... try searching for 'Japanese Books' or 'Japanese craft'.

Most of the books in my little collection are craft project books with beautiful shots of handmade bags, purses, cushions, baskets, printed fabrics or papercrafts... and gorgeous sketched diagrams to accompany each project. These delicate, hand-drawn little diagrams are usually enough to work out the construction of each item. But if you're not handy with a sewing machine (or if, like me, you're just a little short of time and motivation!) the photography and prop styling in these books is so stunning I guarantee they'll still be an inspiration! If craft isn't your thing, there's also a wide range of inspiring interiors and travel titles - for a kooky Japanese take on subject matter like shopping in Stockholm or Parisian kitchens! (images below)

above - cover and pages from 'Paris Kitchens', ISBN 4-07-24600-7

above - cover (top left) and pages from 'Lotta Jansdotter's Travel Style', ISBN 4-07-244191-0

Oh, and did I mention that most of these Japanese books are usually surprisingly cheap? Seriously... I don't think I've ever paid more than AU$30 for one. Best to order a few at a time to save on shipping though... (not that you'll need my encouragement).

Husk Window Display

Husk window display - I love how all those colours are working together - the dresses in the foreground and the bags on the floor. Gorgeous. (Sorry for the reflection)

I was at Husk in Hawksburn on the weekend... I just love that shop - a peaceful atmosphere, a beautiful interior, and a unique collection of fashion and homewares from all around the globe. Somehow my wardrobe has been getting more and more black and white in the last few years, but Husk's collection makes me want to dress up in oranges and mustards and acid yellow (that dress in the window is beckoning me!) If only my wallet could keep up.

Anyway, as usual they had a stunning window display - a gigantic set of knitting needles stands crossed behind the mannequins, with a swatch of knitting in bright orange nylon rope hanging from them. It's such a cute concept... I like the reference to handmade crafts - as many of Husk's labels have handmade elements. It's also a nice reminder that winter's around the corner... despite today's temperature!

(I also couldn't help but notice also how well this ties in with Friday's post about Tin&Ed's fantastic oversized 'wool' props for the Tourism Victoria campaign!)

Previous windows - stunning stuff.

ps) Also the cafe at Husk is so lovely - I recommend the incredible date and apricot fruit toast for breakfast (from Baker D. Chirico - of course) or the Chicken sandwiches for lunch (sounds boring but they're so tasty).

Husk (Hawksburn Store)
557 Malvern rd , Toorak

Mon-Thurs 9.00am - 5.30pm
Fri 9.00am - 6.30pm
Sat 9.00am - 5.30pm
Sun 10.00am - 5.00pm

Tin & Ed

Tin & Ed are Tin Nguyen and Edward Cutting. They're a young graphic design duo based in Melbourne. Their name oftens seems to pop up on lot of kooky and cool design projects in Melbourne... Things like the Crumpler ABC website (weird but wonderful), the Next Wave Festival program, and also I keep seeing their photos on threethousand.

They are also in part responsible for this lovely print campaign for Tourism Victoria.... (photo above).

They made those giant 'wool' sculptures! Now that's quite versatile for a graphic design company! Nice styling huh? I really like that giant woolball. I like the illustrative shapes - the arrows and the hand. I like that they physically made the props and didn't just photoshop them! (for proof of this you can see the giant shapes in 3D here)

Also have a look at the lovely TV commercial that goes with that print campaign - really cute art direction... makes Melbourne look so pretty!

I was all set to email Tin&Ed and see if they wanted to be interviewed but alas I have just found a fantastic interview with them here at Chaos Generation, and they pretty much answered all the questions I was dreaming up. Blah.

Interview - Janet Lodge

Photos - Chris Daile, Stylist - Janet Lodge

Janet Lodge is a fantastic food stylist based in Melbourne. I have had the pleasure of working on a handful on TV commercials with Janet and I can say in all honesty her job is one of the most stressful on set! There are often between 5 and 10 ad agency executives and clients peering over her shoulder whilst she diligently works away perfecting the all-important product shot! The results are always stunning... and amazingly, Janet always seems so calm and unaffected by all the fuss and stress around her. She is a true professional!

Janet took a moment out of her busy schedule to answer some of my questions about her background, the ups and downs of her exciting job, and her creative inpiration...

Tell me a little about your background - what did you study and what path led you to food styling?

I initally wanted to teach cooking so that children would learn how to make great food for themselves, rather than the blancmange and sago pudding I was taught to cook in High School (yeah, even in the 80's!)! I studied Home Economics at RMIT then decided that teaching wasn't for me, so ended up (thankfully) working as an assistant to a great food stylist and food consultant in Melbourne. This naturally led me to do some styling work myself.

What are a few brands, companies and/or publications you have worked with?

I work on a lot of packaging eg. KR Castlemaine, Birdseye, Coles, Black Swan, etc. Magazines such as Gourmet Traveller and Table. TV commercials for Old El Paso, Coles, Maggi, etc.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

There really is no typical day! It could be writing and testing recipes at home. Spending a whole day shopping for a TV commercial, running around looking for the the ultimate little blue bowl or perfectly shaped platter. Preparing food on a stills photographic job, tweaking food with tweezers and skewers! Making and running food about on a TV commercial over a very long day.

What has been one of your most memorable jobs and why?

I recently worked on a Maggi TV commercial involving mega quantities of food! Scene after scene required tables and tables of platters of food! Tables ran through city streets, along suburban paths and through parks – up to 40 tables at a time. We were working out of a catering van making massive pots of casseroles. It was exhausting, demanding and amazing.

Do you have an agent? How does work come your way?

I am lucky enough to get work through word of mouth alone.

Where do you find inspiration?

I collect magazines and cookbooks constantly. Often just leafing through them to look at the images. I also love eating out and am frequently in op shops picking up strange and unusual props.

What's the best thing about your job?

The opportunity to work with great people in all sorts of strange and wonderful places. The chance to spend time just playing with food!

And the worst?

The last minute pressure. I am often working late into the night before a job - packing the car and collecting last minute bits and pieces. It can be very difficult to guess what the client is thinking, so I have to pack lots of prop options and think of anything that could go wrong and dream up a solution (just in case). Also preparing recipes that just don't work can be very tricky, especially when you have a photographer, client and designer waiting for the food!!

What would be your dream project?

I would love to work on a food movie. Working with extravagant food settings, with beautiful colour combinations - with enough time to feel that I have done a great job.

Do you present all your meals as beautifully at home as you do at work?

I wish!! Let's face it, my dinner would be stone cold if I fussed around with it as much as I do while working!! After a long hard day in the studio I often sit down to a reasonably plain salad and a glass of wine, with maybe a chunk of watermelon for dessert!!

Do your friends and family expect perfection at your dinner table!?

They might expect it, but I generally opt for the casual dining experience! It is a 'help yourself' kind of affair! I like to keep the food simple and seasonal.

What/where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

I have really enjoyed Movida and The Press Club. Beautiful food, intense flavours - not too messed about with! I also love my frequent bowl of Vietnamese soup - always delicious!

What are you looking forward to?

A life that is less frantic. Enjoying cooking and sharing slow food. Growing some more vegetables and laughing with friends!

desire to inspire

Stephen Roberts
D'arcy Jones Design
1100 Architect
Jonathan Adler
all images via Desire to Inspire

Desire to Inspire is a blog so choc-full of interior design eye candy it'll make your eyes water. ha ha! The site is a collaboration between Jo and Kim, both with a serious eye for great design. Their forte is sourcing the most beautifully styled interior shots from a wide variety of sources - magazines, photographer/stylist portfolios and all around the web. I don't know how or where they find it all!

Kim's recent post on staircases offers no less than 18 examples of different, unique staircase options! I also loved her fireplaces round-up last week.

(Actually when I was googling Megan Morton yesterday I realised that Desire to Inspire have covered a lot of Megan's work on their blog. Megan has even contacted them directly and sent in some exclusive personal shots of her more recent work...)

Megan Morton

Megan Morton is a fantastic interiors stylist based in Sydney. Every time I open an Australian magazine and am inspired by a beautiful photograph of some gorgeous house - 9 times out of 10 Megan Morton seems to be the stylist. Seriously! This means a) she is very good at her job, and b) she gets some fantastic blank canvases on which to work her magic!

Megan is representated by Flipp agency, who also represent many other talented photgraphers and stylists worth checking out.