Industry Style: Models Erica and Katie.

Zillion foot high fashion models Erica and Katie, let me photograph them off guard after the British Hairdresser Awards photo shoot. Like you could ever catch a model off guard when there is a camera nearby (On your marks, get set pose!) I asked them what inspires their own personal style.

Erica (looking fabulous in my comedy geek glasses) has been in the industry for over 10 years.

Discovered when she was 14 and leaving Liverpool at 16 to go full time. Modeling has taken her all over the world.

''The best shows I've worked on include Vivianne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, because of the theatrics in all his shows.''

After telling me even though she has returned to Liverpool to get away from the hectic lifestyle, she still is heavily influence by London style.

Even at a towering 6 foot, Erica insists that she can't resist wearing heels at every opportunity adding even more height. She avoids trends as much as possible, yet I think she remains one of the most stylish girls in Liverpool.

Erica(left): Jacket-Ghost Vintage, Skirt-Levis Couture, Vest-Topshop Boutique, Red Top-Gucci, Belt-Vintage.

Katie on the other hand is new to modeling, at only 16 she has already walked the runway on 2 London fashion weeks. Her best show so far is been Christian Dior. She informs me the couture collection was amazing!

She describes her personal style as quite grungy,

''I love old band t-shirts and mixing stuff with vintage pieces. I never go anywhere without my leather jacket!''

Katie proves that you can look super cool with out being overstyled.

Katie: Jacket-Topshop, Vest-Topshop, Belt-Vintage, Boots-All Saints, Leggings-Topshop.

This is the first of many new portraits of fashion industry people. They will all be under the ''Industry Style'' label.

Erica has also featured in several of my fashion shoots including the Bill board campaign for last years Liverpool Echo Arena Fashion weekend...

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4988967&id=740985423

...a 7 page spread and the cover of YQ magazine...

http://www.new.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2000479&id=59012242232

And A 5 page shoot and the cover of Fab Magazine...

http://www.new.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2024994&id=59012242232

Voodou Liverpool interview.(Taken from Voodou's Face book page.)

As they are using my blog in their promotion, they have also decided to interview me.

How did you get started in photography?

I originally started as a hairdresser before studying T.V. and film make-up. Photography was required for the portfolio so I first realised I loved it then.

How did you get your first job?

It was purely by chance! I was asked to photograph a shoot I was working on..That was nearly 5 years ago and I've not looked back since.

what's been your biggest achievement?

Oh god you got me, I keep thinking of massively cheesy answers!

I've had loads of great achievements but one that springs to mind is being used for Harper's Bazaar, I love that magazine.

Go on...and your biggest cock up?

The biggest cock up I've ever had was letting an assistant be in charge of transferring the pictures from a memory card to my computer. Half the shoot was never seen again.

Fave clients?

Kirsty Doyle, We've worked together for years! The Echo- I'm about to shoot my 3rd bill board I've got through them and they still let me put a lot of input into the direction. In fact any client that listens to my creative opinion, luckily most do.

Fave shoot?

Definitely the burlesque one. (even though I'm sick of looking at it now), the caged shoot, which is all about alternatives to fur, even though when people first see it they think it's a sick excuse to show off loads of dead animals. (read between the lines)

And any other shoot that has a bit of drama in it, Delta fiasco band(see below), Anthony Hannah, Disco tek trashed couture...

Barbie. See Liverpool fashion scene update. June 09.

Photo: Matt Ford.

Make-up: Hannah Ellen.

Dress: Jenni Murphy.

June 09. Liverpool fashion scene update.

Hello Readers,

More news on this year’s fashion graduate Talent. Textiles designer Natalie Love Diggle captured her 'Disco-tech-trash couture' themed collection with a high energy shoot in Nation, the original home of Cream.

If you like clubbing you will love this shoot.

(Click here to see pics http://firecrackerfashion.blogspot.com/2009/06/disco-tec-trashed-couture-by-natalie.html)

For a student the ambition and scale of the shoot was amazing. The words 'can't do that' simply mean nothing to this girl. I hope to see a lot more and work with Natalie again in the future, so watch this space! We already have something in the pipe line.


If you’re into Scouse fashion then you should have heard of Lola Loves by now. Designer Debbie Bogg has been running her own boutique in Williamson Square for a few years now.
With an ever increasing number of seamstresses and a loyal client base that goes back nearly a decade she is now ready to open a flagship boutique in Liverpool’s luxury Cavern Walks shopping centre.

The shop opens on Tuesday the 15th June. Her official Launch party is the following Thursday. (see facebook for more details, http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=646740727&v=info&viewas=740985423#/event.php?eid=83964184627&ref=ts)

To celebrate the Launch of the new Boutique and to welcome in the new season Debbie has been hard at work designing a massive new collection. We shot the highlights of the collection for window displays and press coverage in a 'outdoor-indoor' themed studio fashion story.

Debbie’s collection consists of silks, satins and sheer with the occasional use of fabrics cut like petals, her colour scheme is pastels, peaches and the occasional acid bright. Cutting back on the massive bows and over the top frills of past collections, S/S 09 seems to bring in a more rounded and grown up feel, yet still ultimately remaining girly.(Click this link to see pics http://firecrackerfashion.blogspot.com/2009/06/lola-loves-launch-pics.html)
Lola loves runs a made to measure policy so book a visit to her consultation room as soon as she opens.

For those who like the darker side of fashion, I also have shot a surreal and fabulously disturbing cover of issue 3 of Fashion and Business magazine. Out later this week. The image is of a model with digitally enhanced arms that represent dolls limbs. I can't wait for this one.The Image is part of an on going collection called the Doll project. (click here to see the first image from the collection http://firecrackerfashion.blogspot.com/2009/06/barbie-see-liverpool-fashion-scene.html


Thanks for reading.

Matt x


P.S. Keep your eye out for my 2 Coronation Street cast, high street fashion stories in the next few Love It magazines. Available at all good newsagents. wink wink.

Disco-tec-trashed Couture. by Natalie Love Diggle. (Higlights from shoot) See Liverpool fashion scene update. June 09

Lola Love's Launch Pics. See Liverpool Fashion scene Update. June 09.

May 09. Liverpool fashion scene update.

Hello Readers,

Welcome to my first update, I'm supposed to keep this bite sized, but a lot has happened this month so brace yourselves.

Firstly it’s that time of year when all the fashion students are running round like headless chickens trying to get the collections finished and photographed.

After helping out a lot of Northwest fashion students this year and guiding them through photographing their own collections including 2nd and 3rd years from Manchester Met, Salford Uni and JMU, I found one of the most impressive has been Sarah Thow, who will be graduating from Salford this year.

After her internship at Teen Vogue in NYC, Scouse born and bred Sarah came back to Liverpool to shoot her 'Railway Children' inspired shoot, she is now up for a top styling award at this years London Graduate fashion week. I wish her the best of luck. (See her facebook page for more info)

Now to someone who I have worked with since she was a 1st year student and watched her go from strength to strength, Kirsty Doyle. This time it was her A/W 09 Look Book we were working on to show buyers down in London. We shot the collection simply on a white back drop with one spot light, minimal airbrushing and very simplistic poses.
The basic black and white shoot really brought out the strong structures, stripped back colour palette and heavy layering. (Click this link to see pics http://firecrackerfashion.blogspot.com/2009/06/kirsty-doyle-aw-09-more-details-click.html)

I'm yet to hear back how well it’s selling, but I do know that it will be on www.my-wardrobe.com in July. Alternatively visit http://www.kirsty-doyle.com/After the unfortunate closure of her shared shop ‘Tripique’ in the blue coat, I hear she's in talks to open her own Boutique in the Liverpool city centre. Unfortunately I’m sworn to secrecy (sorry kid’s!) on the whereabout’s but its certainly something to be excited about.


Has anybody heard of the House of Suga yet?

In certain circles it seems to be the talk of the town. For various reasons.

After attending their Launch Fashion Show, in no less than the Anglican Cathedral on the 6th may, with a watchful eye and accompanied by fellow critique Sara Han of the up and coming Trashed Couture label, i was pleasantly surprised to what i saw. I couldn't help but wander though, how they got away parading the girls down the catwalk in there. However i was delighted to find out I was shooting the entire collection (ASOS style) for their still in pre-launch web site and also shooting the highlights from the collection for their advertising and home page images. (the images will be posted shortly.)

The night wasn’t the star studded evening we had been promised, but with the fast paced show being filmed live for F.T.V., live soul singers J Soul and reality T..V. Star Julian Benet (Queer eye for the straight guy) scouting models for his new agency I don’t think anybody left too disappointed.

Their collection consisted mainly of Asian inspired cuts and fabrics including a white jersey harem/jump suit and a basic box cut dress using a fresh green/navy blue patterned fabric infused with gold coloured metallic swirls. My favourite piece was the lime green jewel encrusted floor length sari. So for those who missed the show, keep your eye out on this blog page for the pics from the fashion shoot.They will be available to buy shortly from their website. If you're looking for something different and want to stand out, then most of the pieces are the perfect clothes to look stylish with on holiday. Due to their airy and floaty and vibrant fabrics. With a lot of their maxi dresses being sheer they work well over bikinis, but certainly not for the body conscious.

Thanks for reading

12/05/09
by Matt Ford
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Kirsty Doyle A/W 09. see Liverpool Fashion scene Update. May 09.

The Fur Shoot. (This shoot is about alternatives to fur)

Photography and digital artwork by Matt Ford

Fashion & Words by Sara Li-Chou Han

Fur may be fabulous, but by sticking to vintage, faux and livestock skins, such as leather and sheepskin, you can look good and feel good about your choices too. Feathers provide a welcome alternative to newly produced real fur and add textural glamour. Team fur and feathered pieces with rubber, PVC and leather to give a tough edge to soft textures. Keeping warm has never looked so hot!

Jo-Emma Lavin.

The plush surroundings of the Malmaison was the perfect place to photograph the gorgeous Jo-Emma. Quoted to be, by her world boxing champion husband Joe Calzaghe (BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2007) the inspiration to win all his fights. Do you blame him?The shoot was self styled and the make-up by myself and Jo-Emma.