Angus Stone Monsters Video

Byron Bay, an idyllic little beach town on the East Coast of Australia is a haven for surfers, musicians and freelance artists.  It's such a great little community that we all get together and have some fun, and produce our own little fantasies.  Musician Angus Stone was very clear about what he wanted and so the days before the shoot, my friend and stylist Marisa Sidoti and makeup artist Becca Gilmartin pulled together hair, sewed outfits, commissioned local artisan Buffalo Girl for head pieces including the antlers below and raided Spell's shop looking for the perfect pieces for our mystical creatures.  Directed by my husband Taylor and his Evil Twin artist Todd Diciurcio, it was fun to be back in the styling seat again and helping to pull together looks with a great group of women.  For more photos and interviews check out the full feature on Spell's blog here. 

I N S I G H T -Elizabeth from Spell Designs

My husband and I are looking for a production manager and when asked what the requirements for the job are we said EVERYTHING!  In answer to that the friend said, "ah yes, you need a Lizzy".

Lizzy would be the other half of Spell Designs who is the driving force behind the ever growing Byron Bay label.  The small independent boutique inspires with not only their free loving Fleetwood Mac inspired label, but the way they market the business from their social media to their multi-media platform.  Custom photo shoots and an influx of videos featuring new collections at a regular pace, is what makes Spell very unique and always interesting.

 Spell is also very interactive with their audience and fans and this sort of accessibility is what many brands are missing online.  I suspect it comes very naturally from Lizzy because if you meet her in person she is warm, bubbly, decisive and comfortable. Often if you find her out of the office she's enjoying the beach, relaxing on her gorgeous country porch or treasure hunting at local markets.  And she's kind enough to bring us all into this world through their blog.

POSTED UP: Byron Bay

INSPIRED BY: The handicrafts, adornment and folk art created by artisans from indigenous cultures - I literally get giddy with excitement when I come across these gems on my travels.

CURRENT DESIGNER: The designer that takes my breath away every season without fail is Isabel Marant. If my bank balance allowed I'd fill my wardrobe with it!

BEST RECENT PURCHASE: Spell just bought some calf high Frye biker boots - perfect for winter. But I'm 4 months pregnant and holding off on all purchases until I see how big I get... until then I'll settle for nesting purchases - all I can think about is fluffy woolen rugs for in front of the fire place, day beds, cushions....

COVETING: Is it silly to be coveting one of our own long mottled woolen maxi cardi's that we're bringing out for winter? That is probably a bit silly - in my wildest dreams I guess I'd have to put the new Balmain Fall RTW 2012 with all their intricate detailing of quilted, cross-stitched and pearled leather... stunning!

FAVE WEBSITE: For keeping up to date with all my fave blogs it's definitely blog lovin', for instantaneous mood-board inspiration it's tumblr (faves are Coyote Spirit Child, Peace of Minds, The Bohemian Muse & Sugarhigh+Lovestoned) and for personal style it's always Ashley Glorioso's Pursenboots - she always floors me!

DREAM TRIP ...a secluded South Pacific island with my fiance - nothing but coconuts and white beaches, shells and fresh seafood. Somewhere remote, no people - a stack of trashy mags... No work, no phone, no instagram... just my man and our little bubba growing in my belly!

SOMETHING ABOUT ME... I am obsessed with turquoise. I have been forever. I remember the first time I came across a really old piece of American turquoise set in old, perfectly tarnished silver - I just sat there in this small shop on the Kings Road in London, staring at it - and marveling at this feeling that it brought up inside me... I guess that's where the fascination started.

Photos from Pursenboots, Morgan Maasen (beach shot) and various tumblrs.

Byron and Beyond

It has been a busy year in this little town of Byron and here are a few projects that have been in the works.

First the Aila Blue look book for designer Mai Miyama.  We shot on the beaches of Belongil with model Alyce Crawford.  Take a look at more of Mai's beautiful silky ikat designs here.

Next up was a impromptu shoot with the gorgeous Indonesian model Fa Empel and Spell Designs featured here on The Ben Trovato Blog.  Thank you for all the positive feedback!  We have received so many emails on this one.  I really enjoyed working with Fa, the Spell sisters and Johnny Abegg who made the short film, Freedom in Solitude.

NY cult magazine Lovecat Music Issue #4 with up and coming model Maddie Daisy Dixon as Anita Pallenberg (Rolling Stone muse and Keith Richard's wild woman partner).  I was over the moon to be featured in the issue with the cover and several fashion spreads being shot by Ellen Von Unwerth (Guess ad's fame) as well as many other talented photographers.  Special thanks to Ashlea Penfold who helped transform Maddie to her Anita character as well as the rest of the team that day!

In the works is the new Anna Beck Jewelry campaign in which we (Johnny Abegg and I) jetted off to Bali to shoot Indonesian model Salvita De Corte.  We also were lucky enough to produced an Anna Beck sponsored film on the courageous and giving Robin Lim, 2011 CNN Hero.  All coming soon.

Last but not least get ready for the music webisodes filmed at our summertime beach house project sponsored by Corona.  A surf boho residence where some of Australia's best artists come to unwind, relax and record and we get to capture their creative process.



Busy busy beautiful Byron -  I do love all the creative energy and people you hold in your heart!

A Spell Summer

A beautiful video by the Spell Sister and the ever gorgeous and sweet Teresa Oman.  Spring has finally set in down under and this video makes me excited for the freedom and carefreeness of summertime. My first real summer in Byron and oh do we have some fun plans ahead!