Picture this: the Melbourne Docklands, a quiet Sunday morning with a beautiful sun shining over the glass skyscrapers and the crystalised waters. Through the unusually quiet streets of this waterside district wanders a nautically-clad Matthew with a little uncertainly in step: Google Maps having failed me and led me astray. I was on the lookout for Quay 55, but the Cabbie having taken me on a wild goose chase had thrown off my minute-by-minute schedule, so I'd only five to make it to the Photoshoot location. I paused to sit down for a moment and change my shoes from a pair of Bally navy loafers into my more fashion-forward turquoise Vivienne Westwood tasseled slippers (You know the ones...) while trying to get my bearings. Proceeding to wander back and forth around the area I finally came across the sign that led me down to the right Quay. Before me stood, without a doubt one of the most magnificent megayachts to grace Melbourne. Sleek, black and chrome form with sophistocated lines and the sort of imposing sized decadence (the sort that only comes with private A380's and yachts of this size). This was to be the location for the World Supermodel Australia, and it was just beyond anything...
Wandering onto the upper decks and seeing makeup trunks spread out, luxe-pop music videos playing on both of the flat screen tvs, and a couple of Gucci shopping bags scattered around, I knew that this shoot was going to be something incredible to remember.
Once again I was to be assisting the unforgettable uber-stylist Lynette Pater in a brand new adventure. Callling her the run of the mill colourful character and visual genius doesn't do Lynette and her job any justice, she is consistently able to create a vision and a fantasy, and that final vision is as much a pleasure to behold as an excitement at assisting once more. As well as that there were some familiar faces in Judith Penak (designer extraordinaire of some of the amazing eveningwear). Also Mishel Vounatsos Bratsos, hilarious personality and phenomenal in her prowess to create wonderful creations with the models hair, Dan Ilicak and Eddie Teddie (the ridiculously talented photographers on scene) and Christina Lynn (the well spoken bubbly and lovely soul/ editor-in-chief of Fashion Australia.Co,) . So in short it felt like another exciting day with the gang. As well as this there were many new and talented faces to meet, as always. Each time there's an event like this now I have to spend a little bit of my time wandering around just trying to take in how efficient and excellent everybody is.
We immediately got to work, sorting through the jewelry collection on one of the King Size Beds in the Suite at the bow. Very soon the entire bed was dripping in silver and gold Haute Joallerie and we moved to another suite so that Lynette and I could begin creating looks from the clothing available. Little did I know the challenge we were facing...
Just a small hint of the general madness. So many different textures and colours and seasons and collections all thrown together to create this general jumble of high fashion. We then set ourselves the challenge of sorting through all the pieces so as to create discernible looks. What excitement though, the gems amongst it all included vintage pieces from Chanel, Versace and Gucci to name just a few. The glamour was pumping. As for me, a little more atuned to the goings on of helping style a photoshoot this time around i felt more comfortable and more capable. The themes behind this shoot involved everything from the glamour-dressing on the Amalfi coast to old-school Sicilian print clashes.
One of the most captivating scenes was during the early individual shots. 1st Runner-up for WSM from our fair Aus Jyselle donned a heavily beaded black swimsuit. The white beading caught the light just like the luxe jewels and paired with a wide brimmed black hat and zebra print lunettes just created something that to the cameras proved utterly iconic! It was easy to imagine her as a jetsetting socialite putting the rest of the world in it's place one couture look at a time.
My silk turquoise scarf even came in useful for one of the looks, beautifully draped around Jyselle's head against the printed swimsuit (see in the group shot). I originally picked it to match my shoes, and the day was an affirmation to an overjoyed me that the colour is still the hottest thing to grace any street.
As the looks came together one by one, and then played off one another, you could just as easily imagine the multi-million dollar waterleviathan anchored off the coast in Costa Smerelda, Porto Cervo: these beautiful heiresses and princesses (not in real life malheuresement) sunning themsleves and having a lovely weekend together before popping over to the Cala di Volpe for dinner and drinks before then continuing on to Formentera, Ibiza, Monte Carlo, and then Haute Couture week (Yeah, i know how the rich and fabulous play :P). It held an aura of blissful unabashed decadence, classic yet ahold of this this exquisite sensuality and provocative feel that, when exuded by the models gave a totally contemporary feel. It's the beauty that comes together when stunning models wear stunning clothes with confidence.
After finishing the shoot a group of media individuals and bloggers and further models came aboard the yacht to have the looks presented to them and formally introduced to the media in general. As such they all looked meticulous and beautiful, and it was a little disappointing that things were too busy to network with them. Believe me I was more than content in retrospect just watching their glamourous rays flitter and mingle and look entirely stunning in the process, so much so that I think i would have been far too shy to attempt actual networking
As I carefully maneouvered my way off that gorgeous gift-to-the-oceans and slowly took every last luxurious detail in, it dawned on me what a stunning set I'd been allowed to trespass upon. Not even just the set, but the lifestyle. Only a certain kindof .0001% of the worlds population ever experience wealth as such, and i'd had a moment to be privy. Magazine exposés and celebrity scandals, the decadent drama and goings on of the rich and famous seemed just that touch closer to my soul. All in all it was very motivating, some of the rewards and playthings of the super-rich seem only achieveable as the result of hard work, in this case at least. So work we all must, until yacht-hopping and everyday glamour can be all of our lots in life...
As always it was an utter pleasure to be a part of the team and see all the luxurious beauty unfold, my sincerest thanks to the lovely Lynette for recruiting my help and to everyone for making me feel so valued. A fantastic experience
Credits
Models (Courtesy of SCENE): -Jyselle Des-Forges
-Brittany
-Kheone
-Natasha
-Sally
-Chico
National director/producer: Grant Dwyer Fashion stylist: Lynette Pater Assisting Stylist: Matthew Youden Cinamatographer: Jeff Osman of Carpe Diem Films Photographer: Snipershots Melbourne aka Dan ilicak Assisting photographer: Eddie Teddie of Eddie Teddie Photography Make up: Cailyn Cosmetics Make up artist: Melissa maier & Rhianna hoad Hair stylist: Mishel Vounatsos Bratsos & Rebecca Kate Amoroso
Fashion Designers -Annette Sanfilippo -Judith Penak Couture -Jo-Anne of Vintage Designs
Menswear Designer - Eduardo Xavier
Swimwear: Goldfish designs, Nektaria Georges, Jarmila jaros Jewellery by: Stella Nemiro
Bloggers on scene: - Christina Lynn Editor-in-chief of FashionAustralia.Co
- DECS
A special thanks to Tyson Young, Dan Zizys, Alia Milano and Eric Christopher Nick Russell the Captain Lee Vitiello of Melbourne Boat Sales As well as a big thank you to Vesco - The Yacht's owner
Click below for the amazing film of the event by Jeff Osman of Carpe Diem Films