Deadbeat Darling styled by Joanne Black

There’s always been a strong connection between fashion and music, and I got the opportunity to prove it once again.

Deadbeat Darling, an up and coming rock/indie four-piece band from New-York, were in town to shoot the music video for their new single and approached me to do their styling. I instantly knew what direction I wanted to take. Think dusty, dirty American west. A cross between All Saints and Vivienne Westwood with a hint of Diesel thrown in for effect.

Styling the Band

With that vision in mind, I went searching for the perfect brands to style the musicians. I used Burberry, Balmain, Neil Barrett, Martin Margiela and G-Star Raw, but by far the most popular brand among the guys was the much underrated Bolongaro Trevor. I love that brand which goes back to its grass roots, keeps things simple but always offers a twist – with hints of patriotism – with Union Jack jackets and scarves.

Deadbeat Darling – © Rafal Sokolowski 2011

Needless to say the clothes I chose were a huge hit with the band, some items even being bought on the day, and it felt good seeing Americans sporting the Union Jack.

Iconic style of Helena Bonham Carter

When it comes to fashion, I’m never short of words.  I was quoted in the Daily Beast for an article on Helena Bonham Carter. Her quirky style didn’t land the Oscar nominated actress a spot in the Vanity Fair Best Dresses list 2011, yet I think she deserves a mention for her fashion prowess. Helena Bonham Carter, a British-label lover, may not be in the list this year, but she is still a style icon in her own right, waving high the flag of English style.

Read the full article on Helena Bonham Carter.

Shooting with a great photographer, gorgeous models at splendid venues always makes my job easier and the Urban Life Magazine cover shoot didn’t fail to deliver just that. We shot the cover spread at The Westbury in Mayfair and style-wise it was all about glamour and diamonds.

My inspiration for this shoot was Elizabeth Taylor and everything that made her character so unique- including her passion for beautiful jewellery. I used a superb Alberta Ferretti dress and our stunning model did an amazing job getting into character.

Working with Bernd Ott was a pleasure as he managed to materialise the vision I had for this shoot and I can’t wait to post the images.

Everyone that knows me can tell you that on top of being a fashion devotee I’m also fine dining enthusiast. That’s why I was delighted to be chosen as a member of the judging panel of the Menu de Cannes competition.

Cooking for Robert de Niro – president of the 64th Cannes Festival Jury – isn’t an easy task. The Russians and French reached the finals after battling it out with teams from around the world and yours truly was there to choose the winner that would prepare the Jury Deliberation Dinner.

Being a gastronome really helped as I judged the food, table settings, styling on and around the table. I was able to use my experience as a Michelin Star restaurant aficionado and was impressed by the creativity, the flavours and the textures from each team’s menu. I really felt the pressure as I filled my role of panel judge and it was a great experience… Oh and the French team won!

Every year, the south of France becomes the centre of attention for one of the most glamorous events where cinema and fashion seamlessly merge. Cannes Festival is all about cinema, but as a fashion connoisseur, I can’t help thinking of Cannes as more of a fashion extravaganza. Climbing up the red steps in the most beautiful gowns has become an institution and Cannes Film Festival is the ultimate playground to showcase the crème de la crème of fashion.

I spent the whole festival on “La Croisette” and was interviewed while scouting for unique pieces at Style Junky. In this interview, I talk about the latest red carpet trends, fashion faux-pas and the rudiments of a killer red carpet look.

From the red carpet to exclusive parties, Cannes Film Festival is probably one of the most important week in the world of fashion. Designers battle it out to showcase their best designs and actresses outshine each other with elegance and glamour with a little help from divine gowns and magnificent jewellery.