They Called. We Danced. We Went Home Together.

We met quite by chance and after four days together it was impossible to ignore the connection between us. The experiences and adventures we had shared spending 8 hours a day together since meeting took us beyond the initial attraction and mere infatuation and we couldn't help thinking that this was no chance meeting, but rather they looked over at me, called out to me by name.

   

  

   I walked over.

    























We danced. 

We went home together.

Nikki
x

The humble Veldskoen an international trend

It certainly isn't uncommon to see the return of trends many years after we breathed a sigh of relief in the belief that we'd seen the last of the flowing kaftans and high waist trousers of the 70's or the big hair and jumpsuits of the 80's. Not that uncommon, either, you might argue to see clothes or shoes originally designed for their practical wearability - like cowboy boots, riding boots, jodhpurs and even overalls - to have their moment on the catwalk. I do wonder, however, how many South Africans would ever have foreseen the rise in popularity of the humble Veldskoen (fɛltskʊn) or vellies. 

Yes friends and fashion trendsters, the origin of those funky comfortable 'desert boots' find their humble beginnings in South Africa as the velskoen (later veldskoen) and have for the greater part of my life time, been reserved for dads, farmers and those likely to opt for two-tone shirts.

Nathan Clark may have popularised the 'desert boot' design, but these shoes have been around since before The Great Trek  (they are thought to find their origin withe Khoisan) and it's actually Shier Veldskoen, who hold the title of most popular brand. Amazing that this Swartkopmund based company has been going since 1938, but it's not surprising when you see how they have adapted their product to move with the times and current trends.

How cool are these guys in their veldskoen/desert boots? Copyright Shier Shoes.

I love the fun and funky homepage images, which have fun incorporating the brand's origin and location with current trends.  Shier shoes is perhaps not the company which immediately springs to mind when considering brand development, but it certainly will now be on my radar.

These hide vellies are great. I wonder if I can convince my father-in-law to donate his most recently acquired skin towards a pair of these for me? 

I know that his wife will be on board with anything shoe related.

Fashion facts to drop into casually drop into conversation over the weekend.

Hope it is a fabulous one.

Nikki, Alex and Nick (whose hunt for desert boots inspired this post.)

'Boet, it's vellies you're after and we can't wait to see them'.

x

This information is courtesy of the ever faithful Wikipedia. Thanks for satisfying my curiosity.

Our new video courtesy of LPS Films

Preparing for our most recent shoot by flicking through model profiles I stumble across a short film which one of the models has made. The film is great and I think, 'How cool would it be to have a short film of our upcoming shoot?'

'Amazing, just amazingly cool.'

Furiously Googling away to find the credited LPS Films, I stumble across their (later discover that they is a he and he is Luke Sheldon) Facebook page. I rattle off a short message to explain how I found LPS Films and would he be interested in coming along to our shoot to make a similarly, yet very different film? It would be grand for Curious Orange. Would it be grand for LPS Films style note.

Then comes the speculative wait, where I run through every possible response I can imagine - no exaggeration on the every possible option either. 
Perhaps he will be keen to make a film, perhaps he won't, perhaps he is sailing around the world and would love to join us, but being on the other side of the world makes it impossible.  I wonder how much a ticket from the other side of the world would cost and whether Branson's support of young - or not so young - entrepreneurs might extend to getting LPS Films to and from his sailing trip for the shoot. 
A thankfully quick, short, positive response -  

'I am always interested in helping people out with film.'
'Seriously?!'
'Was it Saturday or Sunday you were planning on shooting' - 
this availed me from awkwardly phrased 'Dear Virgin Sponsorship Person', titled letters.

So it came to be that on a rainy Sunday morning Luke and Kelsey joined us for our location shoot at Clare College.
Patiently waiting as I chat to Meg (yes, the amazing make-up artist) about the outfits we're shooting and brief our fantastic models Natalia, Liv, Amber, Drew and Sam on the schedule for the day.
Luke's resolute calmness is unnervingly calming.
Everyone is manically getting ready, hair and make-up is in full swing, I'm introducing him to the models, showing him the garments and he's calmly going along with it all.
Kelsey immediately offers to help in anyway she can.
'I don't have anything in particular to do so I'm here to help you.'
Seriously, this is a woman after my own heart.

Moving from scene to scene Kelsey is stuck in, helping carry props and chatting to the models. I keep checking to see whether Luke is getting the footage he needs as he quietly and unobtrusively gets on with filming. 
'Just shout if you need to do a retake or have a suggestion or request.'
'Yeh, I think we're fine.' Luke assures me.

Hours later, all completely exhausted after two days of shooting. We are packing up and saying what seem to be rather unsubstantial farewells and thanks to  a wonderful team of people who have worked unimaginably hard for the last 48 hours all the while smiling and joking as they work their good looks and talent. 
Five days later Luke is in touch with the final version of our film.
It is brilliant! I immediately send it on to Alex and Nick. Equally impressed we battle to hold back on showing friends until the new site launches with the clip set to feature on our homepage. A small group huddle around Alex's phone at a bbq to view the clip.

So impressed and thankful for all Luke's hard work. I thought you'd be eager to see it too.

Curious Orange from LPSfilms on Vimeo.


We would love to hear your thoughts on our first film so add those comments.



So looking forward to working on our next Curious Orange project with LPS Films, but in the interim we're teaming up to produce a promotional piece for a great new web app.

Nikki

x

If you're looking for a film maker you can get in touch with Luke Sheldon at LPS Films via Facebook.

Models: Amber, Andre, Natalia, Liv and Sam. Hair and make-up: Meg Lindow. Film: Luke Sheldon at LPS Films. Styling: Nikki Finnemore.

This film is the copyright of LPSFilms

Our latest shoot with Meg Lindow

What do I enjoy most about being a part of Curious Orange?
That's easy. It is without a doubt the variety of wonderfully intelligent and talented people I get to work with. From designers to models, studio owners, our couriers (Royale International), the folk at Business Link, cameramen and photographers. They're the people who help us keep the 'virtual' doors open and working with intelligent, talented, creative individuals is the undeniably the thing I love most.

Natalia and Liv for location shoot with hair and make-up by Meg Lindow

Two weekends ago we were shooting in studio and on location and I was once again had the chance to work with a great bunch of people some of whom I'd only met via facebook or email. But I thought I'd kick off the 'people we love to work with feature' an extremely talented young women who I got to work with earlier this year - the lovely Meg Lindow.

I met Meg after she responded to my 'Desperately seeking...make-up artist' Gumtree post in March. I don't know what possessed her to call me in response, much less why she agreed to work with us and then come back again, but I am so happy that she did.
Arriving at the studio Meg is in the dressing room confidently unpacking her compact metal cases, averaging about 15kgs, and getting set up.
She greets me with her warm husky Northern 'Hello'.
A peck on the cheek and warm hug and we're down to business.

Francesca is in the chair and I am flashing outfits at Meg as she starts applying the base layers. We're starting with the casual day wear pieces and Meg will build up the make-up as we work towards the evening wear to glam it up.
Relieved to leave hair and make-up to Meg, confident that she'll do an amazing job, I get down to steaming and hanging the clothes. Francesca and I ply Meg for make-up and product tips as she works away with a cool confidence. We're enthralled as Meg updates on the work she's been doing, with 'chicken tonight' up in two weeks and a cool bloggers event she did with fellow MUA's.

And just like that Francesca is ready. Clothes. Shoes. Accessories.
On set Alex is ready and waiting.
Lights, camera and Francesca walks onto the set.

I turn to Meg,
'She looks amazing, thank you!'
'Really?' with scepticism and her enduring humility.
'Yes,really!'
As we grab smoothies and walk into the studio

The burst of the flash and the pulsating click of the camera start. 
This is what the hours of planning, recruiting models, hunting down accessories and coordinating schedules is all about.
Working with people you love and loving the work you do.

We head off after a 'high energy' shoot buzzing with enthusiasm and slightly wary realising that we're shooting on location at 11am the next day. We said our farewells and zoom off in different directions. Some to see the Olympic flame and others to avoid it, but all of us to find some food to suffice as a late lunch.

It's hours later after supper and some friendly poker and with Sam and Drew that we start to flick (or rather click) through the photo's and the full realisation of how talented this young Miss Lindow is hits home. Francesca and all the guys look amazing. Perfect skin with light shades of colour to outline bone structure and lips that pop.


Just like that I am wide awake and eagerly looking forward to the following day on location
where we'll reunite with Natalia and get to meet  Luke from LPS Films.

The fantastic results of Meg's work on Francesca for our studio shoot

I'd love to hear what you think of the hair and make-up for our latest shoot? 


Nikki
x


If you're looking for a make-up artist and would like to get in touch with Meg Lindow you can contact her via Facebook.
For fashion styling and photo shoot management services please contact me via email.

Hair and make-up: Meg Lindow. Styling: Nikki Finnemore. Photography: Alex Finnemore
All images are the copyright of Curious Orange Ltd.

The short story - one for the guys

It's Friday and time for our first guy-centric post at Curious Orange. 

Did I mention that we now stock independent designer clothes for guys? 

Yes, I know I have, but I am well chuffed that we now stock two great Cape Town designers. 

More of that to follow in our Designer Profile post next week.
Now onto the issue at hand. Shorts.

We’ve all heard the lyrics,

“We like short shorts Who wears short shorts We wear short shorts!" But do we all wear short shorts? Well as summer kicks off in the Northern hemisphere and we enjoy long, balmy evenings around the bbq or enduring drinks in the city I challenge you to take the plunge. Find yourself a pair of tailored, slim fit shorts - above the knee goes without saying, but don't be to generous with thigh exposure as you'll achieve a rather different effect - and wear them with confidence.

And now you're thinking,

"That's great in theory, but how do I ensure look more like Al, and less like Bill?

Al and Bill

Exactly what I was thinking before Keith Henning coaxed me into a pair of his tailored shorts and now I'm a short shorts evangelist. So I offer you 6 top tips.

Follow these rules and you won’t be impeached for fashion crimes this summer:


1. Get a tan from your local sun or shop or bottle. I won’t judge you.
2. Unless you are The Hulk, avoid excessive pockets that make your shorts look bulky.
3. They don’t have to be hot pants but they do have to end above the knee, unless you’re a certified gangsta
4. Solid pastel and bright colours are in. They work best with simpler, more formal shorts, you don’t want to look like a clown. Do you?
5. Checks, stripes and tartan work best on swimming trunks, and tend to clash with everything else you are wearing. Don’t wear anything else, and repeat step 1.
6. Always choose a leather or rope belt to complement your shorts style, not to hold them up. Shorts can look great, but are a minefield of faux pas, so use this guide and use shorts only 
for good. 

A final word on what to wear under your shorts. Shoes. Avoid socks. Aim for boat shoes, espadrilles or slim sneakers. Good luck. Good luck.


Alex

Spring into Pink

Spring is here and so are all those colours that have been buried at the bottom of your wardrobe over winter. Coral, Apricot, Raspberry are big this season so find the shade that works for you and invest in one of the hottest colours this season. Ease yourself out of grey and team pink jeans with a neutral T or add a splash of colour to an outfit by with a pink belt, bracelet or nail polish.
The bolder few might chose to wear every shade at once... Really? Yip really.

Hope you enjoy musing over my collection of pink musings below.

Happy Spring Shopping
nikki
x

Behind the Scenes: Curious Orange studio shoot

Everyone with an internet presence - whether blog, online store or Facebook - knows the importance of having fantastic photographs to attract purchasers to a site. As shoppers we tend to see more of the end result rather than what goes on behind the scenes so I thought I'd post a few of our behind the scene's photo's from our first studio shoot to satisfy your curiosity and hopefully wet your apetite for the final product of the shoot - our beautiful redesigned website.

We had such fun working with Natalia and Juliett, the two beautiful models who joined us for this project. I can't wait to work with Meg Lindow, extremely talented make-up artist (this lady is going places) who didn't blink at a tight schedule and still managed to give all of the ladies on set some advise on make-up brands and "eye-popping" eye shadow colours.

Thanks to Meg, Natalia, Juliette, Martyn (at The Works Studio), Alex (photographer) and Molly (runner, steamer and doer of all behind the scenes bits).


Curious Orange