Betseyville in Mexico is Whimsical, Wild and Crazy and It's All Betsey Johnson

I adore Betsey Johnson and her creative, funky and fun strong point of view in fashion design and in interior design. When I first saw her Manhattan apartment several years ago on TV (Homes across America?) before the recent redo, my heart skipped a beat (if anyone has the tape of this, please share!). It was beyond fabulous. I actually used to have a room called "Betsey" in which I painted the all the walls hot pink with florals, antique rose painted furniture, chandeliers and used bright shocking green & black for accents and displayed all my vintage clothing and wares in one special eye popping place. So, when I found out recently about Betseyville in Mexico I had to check out what Betsey has been up to.
Because no one does it quite like Betsey.

Betsey presides over an empire which includes 40 worldwide stores and is a budding real estate mogul as well. She owns the magical Betseyville villa in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. If you want to live the Betsey Johnson lifestyle, her villa is available for rent through the luxury villa rental company La Cure (the villa sleeps up to 10 people and the weekly off-peak rate is $5,500).The rooms are decorated in exuberant lime, lilac and hot pink- but what else would you expect from Betsey Johnson?

Here's an interview I found with Betsey Johnson on (i)travel (i)shop:
What is the last place you visited, and where is the next place you are going?
I own two completely different places in Zihuatenjo. One is my rentable-by-the-week villa Betseyville. Down south is my more glamorous Italianate style home, Villa Betsey. I was on hold for travelling for awhile when my daughter was pregnant. Her baby is now six months old so its time to travel again. I like to go to Betseyville and relax. If I can make sure to get my lace curtains hung at Villa Betsey then I'll rent it out. Outside of publicity trips to LA and junk like that, I really like to go back to Mexico. For Christmas this year we're going to a big hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico because my daughter's husband has never been there. Puerto Rico isn't my favourite thing to do but it will be easy. No stop, no customs, no geckos climbing the walls.
I also love to travel within Mexico. Next time I go I will make a pit stop at San Miguel De Allende, a great gothic cathedral town just north of Mexico City. Then I'm really getting the itch to do real travelling. Once the Mamounia has reopened in Marrakech I'll go there. Then I need to find a great guy and go travelling with him in the desert to find all those great oasis.
I'm always on the lookout for India or Morocco circa 1965.

I love to travel- I don't love flying- and I love to get out of New York City and the Hamptons.

How does travel inspire your designs?
It used to a lot in the 1970s when it was all the hippie-peasant stuff. I think its interesting to see what people are wearing. When I travel my assistant and I go vintage shopping in London and Paris. But fashion wise, we're all the same now. I think travelling anywhere is inspirational, even if you're just travelling a block in New York. But if I want to find the real ethnic, pleasanty stuff I need to go deep in the mountains of Mexico to see the women with their satin dresses and thick braids.


Where do you like to shop for vintage in Paris and London?
In London, Rellik is big time for us. We also hit the Portobello Market, Mary Moore and Virginia in Clarendon Cross. Steinberg & Tolkien on the New Kings Road is also good. I also like Alfies.
We've been making Paris an important stop. We go to Bridgets. We like to do the Sunday morning flea markets. You need to comb that joint when you go. I like the Palais Royale area and that's where Gabrielle Geppert is. In the Marais we go to Quidam de Revel. In Paris its also fun to go to the new designer's shops. We go to Colette, Chantal Thomas and Lanvin.
We're hoping to find some new cities to go shopping in- maybe Italy. I'd like to go to Antwerp and Prague too.
Oh yeah, in the sex store category we like Sonia Rykiel Sports Store. They have cute little rubber ducks and stuff. I also love Coco de Mer in London.

What kind of things do you like to buy when travelling?
Layla, my granddaughter, is my big focus now. I have to buy her anything that's great. For me, I do the vintage shopping and if I see something for my houses or Layla, I'll buy it. I don't usually find much for me though. See, I have my dressing formula down. I wear black jean cut-offs and a leopard skirt. So if I shop its in the shoe category. It's so easy. I'm so lazy but I know visually that it works. It's very rock and roll. I did pick up a great girlie pin-up t-shirt at Chantal Thomas in Paris.

What's your pet peeve about fashion? Do you think people have taken the fun out of it?
I think people put in or remove the fun of it themselves, whether its about fashion, cooking or decorating an apartment. We're in such a trendless time right now that anything goes. People look best when they make their own decisions. I do encourage experimentation, whether it's trying a new lipstick or a t-shirt.

How would you describe your personal style?
It's easy! My hair extensions are done four times a year. It's a piece of cake. Then my dressing formula is easy and statement-y. It's all hot wash and hot dry. Everything is folded and put on shelves and labelled. It works. The skirts are leopard and the t-shirts are colourful.

The masterbedroom

Favorite hotel in the world?
I used to like the Mamounia when it was the palace. Then they redid it and ruined it but now they are doing it again so and are supposed to be putting it back together. Hmmm. I don't remember anywhere I stayed in Japan or India. I used to have a boyfriend who lived at Round Hill in Jamaica but then I got quite sick of it all.
I loved the beauty and the elegance of the Palais in Biarritz. There were all these old Italian ladies who were just gorgeous and elegant. Everyone there really seemed to like their jobs. The weather sucked though. I like the old, decadent palace-y type places. Since I tend to travel alone a lot, I need things like good music and good flowers. Since I am by myself I notice these things more.

Masterbath

What do you always pack when you travel?
I always pack just carry-on. I love funky chiffon dresses that you can roll and twist- imagine a Fortuny fabric. I do my t-shirts and my leopard skirts and I'm good to go. I think my makeup bag takes up more room than my clothes. It's the damn shoes which take up all the room. So I wear my funky espadrilles on the plane. I also try to pack an eye mask and ear plugs, and a close makeup mirror so I'm not sitting in the sink to put on my makeup.

Guestroom

Betseyville is for sale!

- The most colorful and whimsical small beach getaway you will find anywhere ... totally designed and "staged" by Betsey Johnson as only she could do it. A setting of tropical gardens with one lap pool and one large pool, 4 kingsize bungalow suites w/bath, 1 al fresco suite with double bed under palapa roof w/bath, 2 lounge areas, 1 dining area, 1 kitchenette and 1 full kitchen, laundry room, and caretaker's quarters. Can be run as a bed and breakfast or used as a retreat for your family and friends. Very private and walled with entrances from the road and the beach.

Ready for the good times to roll!

Listed at $600,000

Wow... what a dream come true this would be. Even just to stay a few nights. I could pack a few bathing suits, a straw hat, a beach wrap and be on a plane in no time...

What do you think of Betseyville?

Could you roll with it? Then, grab that bikini or trunks!

Let's do it in Betsey style!

Ha.. Ha..

xo,

Christina

James M. Graham Photographer Of "Some Of This Is True" Book and Insightful Interview

This week I would like to take a look back at the favorite posts during the last six months of Fabulous Finds Gal's inception. I so appreciate if you have been following along and still come to visit . I have grown as a blogger through these past months and I have a way to go. But, I am so grateful for the new comers that may not have been here the whole way as I have grown, but motivate me to keep typing and sharing. You all are incredibly inspirational to me and really make it all worthwhile.

I am going to share my favorites and the posts that got the most commentary. Sometimes these are the same and sometimes not. I grow quite fond of anyone that would give me time for an interview, so let's start with the fabulously talented James Graham with some of my favorite photos and my most fun interviewer that speaks it how it dang is... Well, that's James for you. This man tells it how it is.


James Graham specializes in portraits and narrative imagery in fashion, fine art and erotica. He works in both film and digital. James has spent 20 years as a filmmaker, at various times producing, writing, directing and shooting. He has worked on a variety of projects ranging from a Guns 'n' Roses video to the 2004 Natori Lingerie Campaign. He was a nominee for Black & White Spider Awards for the category of professional fashion photography. His work has been published internationally, including in the Taschen book, "The New Erotic Photography".

His Artistic Aesthetic:
I like darkness. I like contrast and I like juxtaposition.

By darkness, I mean the full definition of the word: low light, shadow, but also something sinister. Something unsafe. Something unexpected.

Contrast, I mean in the photographic sense: sharp whites and blacks.

Juxtaposition, I think of as a means to take contrast into the emotional. Something here is not quite "right" is my preferred working style.



My work comes from my 30 year study of motion pictures. Intense study - like, I seek out who the cinematographer of my favorite David Lynch film is (Freddie Francis). I went to NYU in order to be a cinematographer and came out the other end a Producer.



How do you decide when to use color versus B&W?

If I decide to shoot color there is an aesthetic reason- a hue I want, the color temperature of the light, a piece of clothing, lipstick, hair... and when I shoot color I always shoot black and white too. Not as a back-up, really, but as a way to see the same thing the color sees differently.

What does color do or reflect in the shot versus B&W?

It's a different mood. It triggers different emotions. It looks like real life, but not really.

Can you share with us how you get the models "eyes" to be so present in each shot?

When asked what my work is about, I always say "the subject's eyes". They are what I am drawn to when I look through the lens. They're what I automatically want to bring into focus. It's a cliche', but there is something to that "windows to the soul" adage. Then there's also the connection between the model and photographer. Many times while I am lighting a subject I will ask them to look right at me. This is practical (I set the light to kick off of their eyes) and directorial (by looking right back at them I try to give them something to hold on to- trust, calm, a certain seriousness-something). What the subject does with that something is what makes the photograph "them".


Do you choose a model or location differently for a color shot versus a B&W?

Not normally, but I suppose it depends. On everything...



James has a book being launched shortly called "Some of This is True". The compilation of photographs in the book are surprisingly half nudes standing on chairs and the other half are sad playboy bunnys. Strange juxtaposition? No, not really. See a few sad and sexy bunnys below. They are fascinating, sexy, expressive and dark. The sharpness and contrast of the black and white is his signature. He also makes women standing on chairs look amazing from such a unexpected and unique position. Standing on chairs? Who would have thought that would be sexy or even vaguely interesting? James did...

A few questions regarding your upcoming book, "Some of This is True".
When is it being launched and where to purchase?

It is coming out this Fall on Luxxus Press, a small fine art imprint here in NYC. It will be available in a limited edition hardback edition as well as in softcover. It will be available online at http://www.luxxuspress.com/ and in several photography bookstores here in New York.

How did you come up with the sad playboy bunny concept?

I was struck with the fondness that that particular era and lifestyle are remembered in. You know, oh, the good old days. The good old days where women were treated like sh.., taken advantage of and made to serve. It was just a simple thought about the irony of that.

How on earth did you come up with nude ladies standing on chairs?

I don't really know. I was shooting a plus-size model and asked her to stand on top of an old wooden toolbox with wheels on it. I mainly wanted to push her limits. So that shot was interesting. Then I was shooting another model and asked her to stand on a chair, but shot her from the waist down. Then I was shooting a porn star and asked her to stand on a chair-again, don't know why, but obviously something was cooking in my head. After seeing that shot, I sat down and made a list of rules for the series, and went to work. I've heard some interesting interpretations of it from different people

How did you decide on the cover picture out of all available?

There are actually two covers as it is a "flip over" book- one series to each side. My editor/publisher suggested both shots and I agreed wholeheartedly. He's got an amazing eye.


Interesting title for your book... What about the book is "true" for you?

Naming your work is the hardest thing in the world to me. I suggested all these random titles that in retrospect were completely and utterly terrible. Most of them sounded like Morrissey reject song titles! Laughably bad. My editor/publisher surprised me with this title when we went through the first test pressing. As soon as I read it, I loved it. He said that at a previous meeting I had said something like that and he remembered it. So, technically it can be attributed to me, but really, it was all him. What about the book is "true" for me? I created all the photographs.

What Inspires you?

I think my biggest inspiration is to create. That and to leave some evidence of me in the world. I would like to be appreciated by an audience and perhaps inspire someone else, but mostly it's an inner drive to create.

You can view his complete portfolio on his website. His stylish and thought provoking blog is worth a look, as well. You can view my previous post regarding some of his amazing black and white editorial fashion photography here. James is available for commercial, editorial, fashion, and portrait assignments. He grew up in North Carolina, but resides in Brooklyn, New York.

I can't help but love his honesty, passion for being creative and his work. The eyes...oh... the eyes. I am lucky enough to have my website with James's photography (you can't see me, but I'm pinching myself) . I feel like one lucky fabulous finds gal.

What do you think of his work or what does it conjure up for you?

The Real Deal Behind the Popular Bon Bon Rose Blog Girls

One of my must see daily blogs is the gals over at Bon Bon Rose Girls. Kristen and Megan (Kristen is the gorgeous bride and her best bud and blog partner Megan at her side) are BFF's and cover daily fashion inspiration, recipes, interior design, life and have loads of fun giveaways. I've seen them grow from their beginnings to now over 600 loyal followers. Yippee girls! These gals get it, deliver it and are one powerhouse of a blogging team. They were even kind enough to do a little feature on Fabulous Finds & Co because they are cool chicks with big hearts. In the process, somehow I got an interview out of them. I can be sly like that. Check it out... because I was wondering how you go from 0 to 600 in a matter of months and thought it was worth a share.

How did you gals get together?


K: We met in high school and have been BFFs ever since. I didn't think it was possible for us to get any closer, but becoming partners has been a wonderful addition to our friendship!

M: We've been bestie's forever (seriously I think I still had braces!) and have always wanted to collaborate. This seemed like the perfect opportunity and has been so fun for us to do together even though were 1,000 miles apart!

What is your background?

K: I was that girl who had a few, ahem, majors in college and finally settled on psychology. I then planned on attending law school, but marriage and the bambino derailed those plans. I think it was a blessing in disguise, as I am now able to do something I truly love which is writing about fashion
and whatever else comes into my brain. Someday I'll make millions at it. Ah ha ha

M: I've worked in marketing and PR and always had a love for writing and doing things creatively. I'm also someone who has a thousand To Do lists at all time and love to be busy. BonBonRose had been a great way to combine it all!

Did you both have previous blogs and combined?

K: We were a package deal from the get go!

M: Nope this was 100% collaboration from day 1!

How did you get your eye for style?

K: Fashion is something I've always loved. I don't know whether I have a true eye for style, but I love what I love and I adore sharing it with our readers.

M: Well Kristin is the one with the natural eye, mine has come from ridiculous amounts of HGTV and design mags!

What's your joy from your blogging?

K: I've truly enjoyed becoming a part of such an amazing community. Blogging has given me not only a creative outlet, but it's led to true friendships as well.

M: I love getting to share my experiences with others as well as learning about design from bloggy friends and sites.

What's your challenges from blogging?

K: For me, it's been fitting in blogging around my little dude's schedule. He's number one after all!

M: My biggest challenge has been devoting the time. It has grown so fast and I want to make sure our readers get the very best of me every time.
Thank goodness I have Kristin! I don't know how solo bloggers do it! Oh and the html coding nightmares but those stories require a stiff drink in hand!

What three words describe your blog or you two?

K: Fun, flirty and fabulous. I hope. Hee hee. We try to keep it light hearted and current. Our blog is meant to be an escape from the realities of life.

M: Upbeat: I've had friends tell me that one of the reasons that they enjoy reading us is that we make an effort to keep things positive and fresh.
Open: We love trying new things, whether its a new pair of shoes or paint color. We hope to bring new perspectives to our readers and keep em on their toes!
Sisterhood: Kristin and I function like family and there is no one I count on or rely on more as a friend.

What's your goal for your blog?

K: I would love to see our baby blog just keep gettin' better as she grows up!

A: To keep growing an continually raise the bar for our own projects and posts.

What would we be surprised to learn about either or both of you?

K: Most people are surprised when they learn about my country music obsession. I have seen George Strait a countless amount of times and my cowboy boots hold a coveted spot in my closet.

M: I think for me people would be surprised at how dry my sense of humor in person is. Its hard to translate sarcasm when you're writing for a broad audience but in person its very, very deliciously dark.

What would you like to add?

K: I would like to thank everyone who finds our blog worth stopping by. It continues to amaze me that people find my gibberish interesting. Ah ha

A: A huge apology for my lack of comma use. My husband asks me on a daily basis, often after reading my posts, why I have a personal vengeance towards the comma.

What inspires you both?

K: My bambino, my hubs, my friends, what I find in the endless number of magazines I subscribe to...I'm inspired by it all!

A: Everything, especially color, food and wine!

Any marketing advice?

K: I try to comment back whenever possible. I want everyone that took the time to read and comment on our posts how much we appreciate it!

A: Marketing advice, connect with other bloggers, a personal talent of Kristin's. Also post great content daily!
--

Now, go on over to their place. I am sure you will find it fabulous!! Cowboy boots or not! http://bonbonrose9.blogspot.com/ Let me know what you think! Or, if you are already a fan of this dynamic duo. For me, blogging has given me the unique opportunity to come in contact with so many fabulous talented people like Kristen and Megan. Merci!

Wabi & Sabi~ Finding Out Who Is Behind This Creative, Unique and Oh So Inspiring Blog

As summer beach days come to a close, my thoughts go to my fellow bloggers that inspire me so. One of the many blog friends that do so is Wabi & Sabi. I was seriously curious about this person behind the blog. If you have seen it, you know... it's simply Wabi & Sabi. She is like no other. My first question to her was.... "are you an artist"? I needed to get behind the curtain and she was willing to share.

Wabi & Sabi covers everything from photography, clothing, home decor and anything that is beautiful, unique, off the beaten path and inspirational...

Some of it is crazy, but it is always eye opening and inspiring...

She shares with us:


"To sum up me as a person you could say that i'm a 50+ woman who lives in the begining of a new and luxorious lifechapter. My blog is very representive of me. It becomes a window to my soul and personality. I love to create and i would love to do this fulltime. if i could go back in time i would have tried to become an furniture and household designer or a photographer. But now i have to do the best of my life as a devoted socialmanager and thereby spend my sparetime doing what i love. I live in the southern part of Sweden, very close to Copenhagen and Danmark. People use to call this part of Sweden, Österlen, for 'the swedish Provence'. And here lives exremely many artist and other creationary people.


A couple of years ago i opend up a wonderful antiqeshop. But got bankrupt after a year, i'm a terrible buissneswoman ;) Money means nothing to me, except for when the money takes me to India. India is the country where i can imagine myself getting old. i will soon be travelling there again. The country has the same life values that i have. Dignity, pride, goodness, beauty and a love for the human race.


Dont know if this got you an idea of me as a person... But i can add that i have three grown up sons who all accepts that their mother has a very uniqe freedomneed, a very unconventional way of thinking perhaps... I want to give energy through my blog, i dont care if its someones elses creation or arts that is beeing presented. Right now i'm trying to learn to handle my new, very expensive digital camera. But i cant find the time to learn all the technical stuff."

~~This gal gives me an energy bolt each and every day I visit her. I am so blessed to have such a creative person feeding into my being. So, if you crave that as well, check out our new friend, Wabi & Sabi. Enjoy friends and kindly let her know who sent you on over.

If you know me, you know that I don't get personal too often. My Dad, JV, is having surgery tomorrow on his calf. If anyone feels like sending some love and prayers our way, it is much appreciated. He is amazing and has taught me so very much about being honest, kind, family oriented and to have integrity. Thank you.

Question of The Day... What have your learned from your fellow bloggers or your Dad?

xo,

Fabulous Finds Gal

How Does A Store Become Successful? An Insightful Interview with Lori Chandler, the Mastermind Behind the Magnificent Parisian Vignettes Antiques

What three words describe your shop?

Faded, French Grandeur. Even though: "French decor, faded grandeur & all that is time-worn is our world" is really how I like to sum it up, but that went over the word allotment! Oh Dear!

What sets you apart from other antique stores and malls?

What sets us apart from other stores is that, very early on, I figured out that there is a niche for what I love & collect-glamorous, French-inspired home decor & settings & so I made that our brand. From the moment you step inside the shop you begin an experience... Light, airy & oh so chic with soft French music playing and beautifully edited vignettes of muted, time worn elegance; this carefully orchestrated setting is not only the soul of our business, but this is what sets up apart. We don't just provide French-inspired vintage home & garden decor, but ultimately we provide a magical experience that people want to take home with them. This is our edge. I haven't strayed from that concept, just expanded on it & then, of huge importance, is the fact that, over the years I have managed to surround myself with the best of the best dealer/designers in the trade. The 20 dealer/designers under my roof are all at the top of their game; each one is extremely business savvy & experienced in the antique world, has some form of a designer background & all share my passion & love for this business. Together we focus on tracking down the most one-of-a-kind, show-stopping finds & then merchandising these grand pieces of the past, into irresistible, must-have displays. We never lost sight of the fact that our clients come to us for inspiration, to see what's in vogue & to buy pieces they won't find anywhere else, that will truly give their homes that au courant edge.

Then, there are several other factors:

• We are located in the San Diego's largest antique destination, the Ocean Beach Antique District where people can come & spend the whole day shopping, just one block from the ocean.


• I work on keeping our name & image out there with every tool possible; advertising, a website, blogging, networking, charitable donations & fundraisers, staging special events & parties, a line of brand name t-shirts, promotion, promotion, promotion & as much goodwill I can spread around as humanly possible.

• French decor, faded grandeur & all that is time worn is our world & what the shop is built around, accomplished by the most talented dealers in the business... It's a powerful combination!
  
  
  
  

  My friends magnificent booth, Tony and Lucy Torres of Paris Flea Market,
  that have had their fabulous home in San Clemente featured in Romantic Homes and Country Homes Magazines
  

  
  

After 14 years in the biz, what gets you out of bed and excited to move huge pieces of furniture around? OK, I'm being a little devil. Seriously, what inspires you?

The fact that my life-long love of all things time-worn, French-inspired & glamorous metamorphosed from a hobby into a thriving business is wildly fulfilling, extremely gratifying & perfectly feeds my vast creative needs. To this day my heart literally skips a beat when I behold a fabulous vintage find, discover a magnifique new paint color, stumble onto a worn, leather-bound French book or have one of my be-jeweled or be-shelled projects turn out better than I had hoped for. Since I always take projects as far as they can go & give 2000 percent to whatever I'm working on, having a shop was inevitable for me.

This business is a living, breathing, demanding & fascinating challenge that I thrive on & it has presented me the monumental opportunity & awesome responsibility of preserving grand & irreplaceable pieces of the past.

What do you hope customers experience or take away from visiting your shop?

A huge reward of all this hard work is that our customers "get it", love & respect all that we do & from that devotion, a huge & loyal following has been developed. They may come in for the first time looking for a particular item or just to browse, but they always, always leave inspired & uplifted by the settings & imagination that surrounds them at every turn & in every nook & cranny. Once again, it's that experience we provide. We have attracted a steady & loyal clientele & have evolved into a unique resource for interior designers, the antique trade & all ages. We are able to provide that almost indefinable, understated, old word elegance that people are searching for. We showcase the furnishings & accessories that give a room its' vintage soul & that's never been more coveted or more needed than in this day & age & that is why clients tell us every day, that we are their favorite shop in San Diego.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Finally I couldn't end this without giving my full credit to my Mother- for me going down this road of all things French. If you've read the tribute to her on the Vignettes' website then you know how she launched me on my path. She was so far ahead of her time was convinced that sending me to study in Paris, France, long, long ago, would be the influence & inspiration to set my course for life. Merci beaucoup mon mere, for from that priceless experience... Vignettes was born!

This shop is seriously an inspiring and a mind blowing experience. This happens to be the shop that Lynn from Paris Hotel Boutique did a post on recently with gorgeous photos and pictures of the gang. Merci Madame to Lori, for being such a good sport and sharing with us the behind the scenes philosophy that created this magical, unique and incredibly beautiful store. While many other antique malls are closing, this gal has made a niche' for herself, stuck to her original strong business plan and markets her little tail off. Lori has a fab blog where she keeps us updated regarding upcoming events and showcases her dealers & their wares. So, even a busy gal like me can get some daily design inspiration by visiting her blog. And, boy can this lady throw a shoire'e!

Don't walk, but run to this special Baroque Gypsy Couture Trunk Show Soiree. I truly hope to see you there. I'll be the short blonde with a bag of new clothes drooling over this creative shell chair vignette with a bonbon and French champagne in hand. And, with a camera, of course. Cheers!

Vignettes
4828 Newport Avenue
San Diego, CA 92107
619-222-9244
Vignettesantiques.com


Photos from the Vignettes & Paris Flea Market blog and website .

P.S. If you were curious, I am not getting paid for this or any of my coverage. The Fabulous Finds Gal enjoys writing about beautiful things, creative people and anything inspiring. And, I'm working on my karma points! But, I'll take donations. Just kidding.

Urban Spark Jewellery Line and GIVEAWAY~ "Real Accessories for Real Women"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Set up in 2008, Accessory company Urban Spark has flourished from a business in Jewellery to a haven where real women embrace their natural beauty through beautiful accessories. I had a chance to interview Nikki Bruce regarding their unique mission statement and quality jewelry.

Their mission is to provide "real accessories for real women". "We are made up of three people in total, myself & Nikki Strange design and manage everything creative, Steve Byles overlooks and guides us with his business experience.

We have not been launched on the web for long but have been building a community and using social networks to sell our products and advertise what we believe in. Everything we sell we believe should be like a present, it should be more of a gift from Urban Spark to you. You buy a product from us you are funding us to create new products and building your Urban Spark community. We encourage our customers to send us photos of how they wear our products as well as to show off their unique style.

When we hired our models we wanted to use real girls, Hardip and Maddie, students From Portsmouth University and Rachel from Wiltshire found through a friend of a friend connection. When they came to the photo shoot we wanted them to do their hair as if they were going on a night out and not really change their normal style at all. Hardip had tattoos all up her back stomach and legs, we loved this because it’s her style. We kept them in black to highlight the jewellery but hopefully the next shoot we can let them be a bit more adventurous with what they wear (we didn’t want to falsely advertise other peoples products also).

The Video we wanted to be a bit of fun, showing people our attitude on life, its remembering that feeling of excitement. When we visited the play area Nikki and I wanted to just jump right in, this idea of just letting loose and having fun almost not caring what you look like is what we aspire to. The reason for the girls to strip off was simply because their clothes where restricting them from running faster. The final naked scene was the risky one for us, we wanted to shock our audience a little and mimic that feeling of feeling being comfortable with yourself and free as well as making our audience laugh. Time will tell if we achieved this but hopefully our love for life nature will come across.


The first collection inspired by the ocean (the old Portsmouth coast) which is called “Jules” we named this after a picture book that inspired us of the classic Jules Vern tale Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (a tad cliché of us but we loved it). The second collection hoping to come after Christmas ready for summer is “Rosa” designed fully by myself is inspired by gardens. Nikki Strange currently is developing a new collection about exploration which will follow shortly after. Other products are a range of scarf’s and possible bags which will be in before Christmas.

The Design of the website was so important to us as we wanted it to be something a customer could enjoy, shopping should be a exciting experience. The Urban Spark website is our shop floor so we designed it in that very way, everything on the first page has meaning to us, the dinosaur, guinea pig, phone, beautiful staircase and story book all apart our story/journey. We wanted it to be genuine, even to the colour purple, the colour of Portsmouth University, where Nikki and I studied and loved.

Our plans over the next few months is to really focus on getting our Urban Spark community running, to learn and find out what our customers want from us, giving them more control. With each collection we organize small parties to let our customers decide which designs go through to samples. Hopefully once we are a bit more established we can do this on a larger scale and really become a company that makes designs for their community of customers specifically." They have just been included this week into the hip Catwalk Genius website. You can also find their daily musings on their fun blog here.

These young and talented gals are set to take the world by storm. One Real Woman At A Time...

THE GIVEAWAY DETAILS~~~

In the spirit of giving, Urban Spark would like to give a Fabulous Finds Gal "follower" one of their amazing quality pieces. All you have to do is leave me a comment on this post. Please become a follower or confirm that you already are in the comment. Let me know which item you like from this post or visit the website to view the line in it's entirety. A special someone, that resides within the U.S.A., will be chosen on Saturday, September 4th.

"Gardens in Grey" By Fashion Photographer Julia Pogodina And An Inspiring Interview

Original interview found at Paper Flowers.

How did your career in fashion photography unfold?

On July 15th, 2006 I quit my job as a foreign associate at Sidley Austin law firm in NY and started doing photography full-time.But I guess it all started much earlier. As a child, I stayed up all night with my Dad in our homemade darkroom watching him develop b&w pictures from our family trips to the Black sea. Then it was my first camera, a 35mm Lomo compact that I received for my 8th birthday. And lots of art books in my parents library, weekly trips to the museums and exhibitions with my parents, beautiful art pieces & pictures on the wall of our apartment in St.Peterbsurg where I grew up. My parents always encouraged my artistic beginnings (my Dad himself is an antique restorer & jeweler) but the harsh reality of post-Soviet Russia didn’t allow the luxury to pursue your inclinations when it was time to choose where to go to school. Instead, stable income and prestige were the criteria in choosing your future career. The latter together with my excellent grades in school brought me to St. Peteresburg Law school at the age of 18. It took me 9 years to realize that it was a mistake. Without regretting the past I moved on to a very uncertain future and started a new career, fresh, without proper education, at the age of 27.Honestly, there was no smooth transition between being a corporate lawyer and becoming a fashion photographer. I guess there couldn’t be. It was abrupt, unexpected, scary, and very exciting. I’m not sure I’d be able to do it again if I had to... It takes not only guts but also some kind of blind fearlessness, courage and sense of adventure. It’s like jumping with the parachute for the first time. I loved it! But I would be very cautious to recommend anyone to repeat this path.2.5 years later everything is different now starting with my self. The way I look, the way I spend my day, my circle of friends and acquaintances, the place where I live. Elegant suits and high heels were replaced by jeans and converse sneakers. My tiny studio in a fancy building in the West Village was abandoned for a spacious loft in East Williamsburg. But the biggest changes happened in my head. Living your dream is a difficult thing. Dreaming about being an artist is easier then becoming one. It is not an overnight process and I still have a long and exciting journey ahead.

How does a collaboration with stylists, makeup artists, models, etc... work?

In fashion photography – opposite to fine art photography, for example, - team is a key. A glossy picture that you see in a magazine is always a collaborative effort – of an art director, photographer, model, stylist, set designer, make-up artists, hair stylist, photo retoucher, layout designer, etc, etc. It’s a huge production, and each level of it is crucial.I personally always liked that part. I love working with creative people and this is one of the reasons I’m in this industry. It’s different from the type of team work people talk about in the offices – here it’s not as technical. It is a mix of creativity & different personalities. Magical in a way, and very powerful. Sometimes you feel that you have no control over it; this is when beautiful things are happening – when each team member is in love with the project and you see everybody’s unique touch in the final outcome. There are no rules in this process, I believe. With my team I’m usually the one throwing initial ideas on the table. Some inspiration, a couple of reference pictures, a short description of a concept. Then each member of the team starts working on his yourself.

What inspires you?

Lots of things. The people around me. The places I used to live or visit. My childhood memories. Literature. Movies. Exhibitions. Music. Sometimes inspiration is very directional, for example, I can watch the Pillow book by Peter Greenaway and my head starts spinning with ideas about a fashion shoot inspired by the style of the film. But usually it’s more complex. Ideas come as a mix of experiences and aftertastes, dreams and fears, sounds and quotes, flashbacks of emotions.

What photographers, artists, books, fashion designers, or mentors, etc. have influenced you creatively?

If I ever need to write down all the acknowledgements that will constitute a whole book which will be interesting only for those mentioned in it. And this list continues growing every day.I am blessed to be surrounded by incredibly talented, wise, creative, big-hearted people who always inspire and encourage me. At first it was my Dad who taught me to draw way before I could read and write; my childhood was filled with color pencils, watercolor sets, and canvas paper. My Mom was the one who cultivated a taste in fashion in me; she was the one sewing all my clothes since I was little, and always making me “the-best-dressed” girl in high school. Then it was FTV channel – one of the first foreign channels in post-Soviet Russia along with MTV. I was 16 and I was addicted. I could watch show after show all day long (skipping classes in school, of course). I knew all of the designers and their collections by heart year after year. The first fashion photographer I met was Andrey Borichevskii, my good old friend from St.Petersburg. He was the one who introduced me to names like Mario Testino and Nick Knight. He also showed me Italian Vogue for the first time. There were many others later on: photographers, artists and friends, each of whom added his or her little touch & inspiration to forming this passion in me .As of now I’m breathing editorials and ad work by Steven Meisel & Steven Klein, Craig McDean, Marcus & Piggot. They are my virtual mentors when it comes to style and quality in fashion photography.

What does the medium of photography mean to you - and why did you choose it?

I like photography for its immediate and true results. I’m not fascinated by the process of depicting a subject (for example in painting) but instead by the subject itself. In my case, it’s beautiful people - and the moment they live in. In a way it’s all about pre-production – my team and I are spending days prepping for the shoot and hours creating a look for the camera. This look usually lives for just a couple of minutes. The camera gives me a chance to capture it imminently, intimately, as I see it - and deliver the message to the viewer later on. I think only video can compete with that, but that’s a different story.

What do you like best about what you do or create?

The most difficult part is the people. This is also the part I like the most. This is the only part of the job that is always unpredictable, always out of control. It makes it challenging and magical.

What do you like to do when you're not shooting photographs?

Sleep. Read. Watch movies. Travel. Cook. In random order.

What is your dream project?

My dream project is to shoot the Pirelli calendar. Or to travel on assignment from Vogue to an exotic location – like Africa or Iceland – with my team.

What words or philosophy do you live by?

The sky is the limit!

Julia Pogodina moved from Moscow to New York in 2005 to pursue her dream. After 7 years of being a corporate lawyer she quit her office job and became a freelance fashion/beauty photographer. Her pictures stand out for their saturated colors, dynamic compositions, profound lighting and dreamy locations. Julia's commercial and editorial work, along with a list of publications can be seen at http://www.nymfea.com/.