Pure dkny

As previously mentioned

Here are the first beds that I worked on in my new position.

They launched at Bloomingdales last week

Hats

 photo by Helen James

 "Life is like a new hat. 

You don't know if it suits you

if you keep trying it on

in front of your own mirror."  

Shirley McLaine.

If you missed it yesterday you must head over to Showstudio to watch Philip Treacy create a unique Hat which was live-streamed.
Watchers were invited to submit questions. 

Philip's candour and generosity are astounding. 

Have a great weekend and don't forget to wear your hat.

Helen James bag at Talent for Haiti

 

This is your last chance to nab one of my bags and help a really good cause.

This Helen James metallic leather and cowskin handbag is currently up for sale on the Talent for Haiti ebay site.

bidding ends Thurs evening

Em........ and if any of you would like to buy me these Eileen shields boots

I am accepting gifts

or just click over and buy them for yourself for goodness sake. You deserve them!!  but hurry 

Good Luck x

Faded Romantic

 

Feather star Headpiece Florica by Helen James

all clothes Helen James

So here are the images from the new photo shoot.  Based on Italian 16th century portraits all shot against the background of the beautiful Turbotstown House, Westmeath.

Headpiece Florica by Helen James

Vintage nightdress

All other clothing by Helen James

Headpiece  Florica by Helen James

All clothing Helen James

Headpiece Florica by Helen James

All clothing  Helen James

Headpiece and flower belt Florica by Helen James

All Clothing  Helen James

Headpiece and flower in hand Florica by Helen James

All clothing Helen James

The photographs were published yesterday in The independant Newspaper, to read the article go HERE

To read more on the background of the Shoot go HERE

All photographs by EJ Carr 

Model Vanessa at Morgan The Agency

Hair and Make up Ivey Sullivan at Morgan the Agency
All clothing and accessories (unless stated otherwise) by Helen James
Concept and styling by Helen James

New items on Florica

 

2 new items up in Florica Shop.

Both are Haircombs.

Have a great weekend.

Florica delivery

Off to Dublin today. We will be uploading all the amazing donations for Talent for Haiti and the auction will start in the next few days.
While I am up in Dublin I will be delivering these 2 Florica pieces.

They are for 2 very different but equally glamorous ladies, and I hope they like them.

Both are hand made silk flowers with feathers and are on hair combs

 

in boxes with labels

I will be doing more items similar to these for the Florica shop next week.

Helen James Inspiration

image US Vogue Oct 2003 via MOODBOARD 

Head over to Moodboard today to see a post about the US Vogue editorial that was part of the original inspiration for this Helen James shoot.  

 

 

 

To see more images from this shoot and read more about it go HERE

Photographer David Timmons

All clothing and accessories by Helen James

V&A Headpiece delivery

Here's a peek at a headpiece which was a special order for a shop, rushed through and popped in post today.

This is an adaptation on a style I designed last year. The customer wanted 3 the same, made smaller than the previous style.

 

They are made with silk, cotton, silk chiffon, lace and velvet ribbon with some beading detail.

The design was inspired by Victorian dresses and embroideries I saw in the V&A

Image via V&A Museum

Like this one from 1885

image via V&A Museum

and this one from 1890.

It is the sense of opulence and abundance I was trying to capture. I like the idea of wearing something so bursting with detail as an accessory with a really simple dress.

 

I am thinking I will make some more for Florica

HELEN JAMES PHOTO SHOOT

This has to be one of my favourite photo shoots I ever did. We shot it in 2004 and I think it looks as beautiful today as the first time I saw it. The collection was based on the paintings of Vermeer and i feel it totally evokes that while remaining modern and fresh.

The model is Julie Flynn from Morgan the agency this was her first ever photo shoot. She since went on to grander things, including a John Rocha ad campaign. She totally captured the innocence and grandeur I was after.

We painted Julie's hands to add an otherworldly and painterly feel. Make up by the talented Tom McInerney . The amazing Sonya Lennon styled the shoot for me, she is now the presenter of the TV show Off The Rails but back when we shot this she was just an amazing stylist whose fresh eye and incredible talent made my pieces look so beautiful.

The final touch was the vision and wonder of photographer David Timmons. It was the first time I worked with him and I hope to do so again real soon.
I truly loved doing this shoot, it was hard work organising it and they can be prohibitively expensive , but this one was worth it all