Page 75 – Lemontrend

AMERICAN FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER

Sallida | 22. April 2016 | Photographers

American Photographer Cemhan Biricik

A couple of weeks ago, I was looking for inspiration in Instagram, and I discovered a super cool account from an American photographer, he is an artistic visionary who is truly gifted in evoking emotion through his work. His passion is capturing what is usually hidden from the naked eye in normal perception.

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, at the age of four, Cemhan traveled with his family, who were designers, to Paris and then ultimately to the U.S. Even as a child, he was drawn to images and photography.

We make his interview to discover more about his starting in the world of photography.

Can you tell us about yourself and how you got started in photography?

Becoming a photographer was completely an accident. I actually started as an IT geek following the footsteps of Dell and Microsoft I dropped out of college and started my own computer company. 10 years later I felt the need to be creative and went on to expand my family's high fashion clothing business in Soho. I don't know the rhyme or reason but I purchased a camera. I shot mostly landscapes and family just as a hobby. I hired some models for events we do at the store. I figured it would be nice to have some shots of the models for our website and ads. Then it really clicked. Something deeply moving about directing the model, creating the moment and feel of the woman I envisioned her to be, and what her story was. I amazed myself at the images I was getting; much better than anything I had shot before. It was the perfect combination of everything I loved from the fashion industry and everything I loved from the IT (post-editing) it was a very odd and roundabout way of finding my passion for photography.

How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?

Emotional and cinematic in a way that it's the defining moment in a movie, that split second where everything changes for the character. The climax of the story!

At what point did you realize that photography is what you wanted to do as a career?

Another incidental path. As I was at the climax of my story in the fashion world I had strengthened the Soho flagship store and began to open in the top luxury malls. I had a tragic accident. I had a hard fall in the ice and fractured my skull and suffered from a severe concussion. I had issues with memory loss and the ability to speak. This was extremely difficult for me since those were my two biggest strengths. This was the first time in my life I stopped everything I was doing and then I realized I hated what I was doing, I wasn't happy with where I lived, I didn't see my kids or my wife enough. So I decided to make a change. A huge one as those is the only kind that makes a real difference. I sold my company packed our bags and moved to South Florida. I had nothing waiting for me here I just felt this is where I would heal and everything would be right. I went fishing for a couple of months. Reconnected with my children and my wife. Everything seemed right but my wife looked at me and said what are you going to do (for a living she meant. The money we had would not last forever) the first thing that popped in my head was what I loved, photography, so there came my new career...

What kind of impact do you hope to make in the fashion world in the next 10-15 years?

I hope to make an impact that outlives me. a legacy for my family to be known by and proud of. Imagery that outlasts the test of time and defines powerful moments of the lives of our generation and inspired the generations to come.

What projects are you working on now?

I'm just about to do a high fashion editorial shoot in a luxury waterfront house that we will be destroyed according to our vision. Sledgehammers, spray paint, broken glass. A sort of broken dreams meets the Phoenix story with a deep contrast of edge and glitz.

How much equipment do you typically bring to a photo-shoot?

Very minimal a strobe or two with a reflector. I like to work quick (that's the New Yorker in me) I feel life is a series of moments and the faster I go the more moments I'll be able to capture and experience.

What photographers from the past or present have influenced you the most?

Annie (her image of Cindy Crawford and the snake really moved me), Mario ( his work inspired me to better myself once I became a fashion photographer), and Steve McCurry ( my father would get me Nat geo I always loved the images and adventures I found in these, especially his afghan girl)

What makes a great photograph?

An image that not just moves the viewer but changes them in a way that every time they feel a certain way they get flashes of that image as the embodiment of that emotion.

If you want to know more about this amazing photographer, please visit: Cemhan Biricik

THE BEAUTY BAR VIENNA

Sallida | 14. April 2016 | Beauty

Beauty Bar Vienna

A couple of days ago, I had the opportunity to go to the beauty bar Vienna. The Beauty Bar Vienna is the first walk in of its class. That means you don’t need an appointment. The Beauty Bar has amazing interior design and offers a lot of different treatments.

What I also discovered, is that you can find 3 different Lilette’s juices to be the perfect companion at the moment you want to make your treatment.

You see, growing back in Venezuela, we are used to waking up with a fresh juice, it doesn’t matter how exotic the fruit is or it is just fresh orange juice, and to be honest I miss that privilege to have my daily fresh vitamin kick.

Since Lilette’s open one year and a half ago, this has been my favorite place in Vienna, where I can get lovely and so precious fresh juices.

At the beauty bar you can find 3 different fresh juices: Be fit, wake up and Refresh and relax

Be Fit: Beetroot, Apple, Ginger, Carrots, Basil, Asai

Wake me up: Carrots, Orange, Ginger, Guarana

Refresh and relax: Green apple, Mint, Lemon, Chia

I personally like Be fit, and this is the juice I choose to get my manicure. For the manicure, I choose Shellac treatment, which is more durable than the normal manicure.

Almost every shellac treatment will last around 2 weeks, and some people find that the nail polish stays in place for a full month, but the new nail growth will send you back to the salon for a touch-up.

The difference between Acrylic and gel manicure and Shellac is the for the first two fake nails placed over your natural ones, which in the long term they actually weaken your natural nails.

Shellac is a blend of gel and nail polish, and although it cannot be used to extend your nails, it does add strength and durability to your natural nails. In the long term, shellac is less damaging to nails that the traditional Gels or acrylics treatment.

To be honest, I don’t have too much patience and time to make my nails every week, and that the reason I choose the shellac treatment, and I am really happy with the results.

So if what you are looking for cool treatments in the heart of Vienna, and get your vitamin boost at the same time that’s to Lilette’s, the beauty bar is the place to go!

For more information about this great place please visit: The beauty bar Vienna and for the vitamin boost: Lilette’s juice bar

CITY FASHION JEWELRY AUSTRIA

Sallida | 10. April 2016 | Fashion

City Fashion Jewelry Austria

Today we want to show you some pieces of the look book of City Fashion Jewellery. CFJ was established in 2002 by innovating the world of fashion jewelry available for everybody under the brand Dve Smizl. In 2012, a new brand was created by the name City Fashion Jewellery offering exclusive luxurious handmade jewelry for the global market. Today City Fashion Jewellery is present in Serbia, Holland, USA, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Switzerland, Austria Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Montenegro.

City Fashion Jewelry has unique and luxurious pieces, all handmade and it can be done for each particular taste, what is cool about this brand, is that if you have a special event, you can send a photo of your dress and within 5 till 7days they will send you the design of the matching piece just for you. Glamorous, unique and luxurious are the main characteristics of their products.

City fashion jewelry offers to their clients high quality, handmade and unique fashion jewelry in combined with Swarovski crystal and semi-precious stones at competitive prices; if what are you looking is to have an outstanding piece, here is where you will find your answer.

Today in the fashion world is important to have unique pieces that represent your personality, and sometimes it is really hard to find these unique pieces that will not just match your outfit but that gives you the glamorous final touch you want.

Each piece made by City fashion jewelry is truly beautiful, and the best thing is that it can be done to any taste, and is affordable.

And to show you more about this brand we pick the most beautiful pieces to give you a look oft he glamorous pieces this brand have, however, is important to say that you can find this pieces no just in a store in Austria but that you can also order them online, or again send a picture of your dress and let the piece you want to be made just for you.

Photo Credits: Michael Lehner

Fashion: Runway Vienna

Grey Dress: Maiken K

Black Dress: Elisa Malek

COFFEE TABLE FASHION BOOKS

Sallida | 6. April 2016 | Fashion

Coffee Table Fashion Books

Today's post is about my favorite fashion books, these books are the source of inspiration for me and I love to have them on my coffee table.

As an artist, is really important to keep inspired all the time, and each of these books represents me a starting point, at the moment, I need to paint or design something.

Fashion history by Taschen

For starters my very first Fashion book back when I studied Fashion design in Venezuela was the Fashion history of Taschen, this is book showcase the story behind the garment with an emphasis on western women clothing, this fashion book has a wide range of historical garments, underwear, shoes, fashion accessories from the 18th century to the present day.

The authors: Akiko Fukai (Chief Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute), Tamami Suoh (Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute), Miki Iwagami (Lecturer of fashion history at Sugino Fashion College (Tokyo)), Reiko Koga (Professor of fashion history at Bunka Women’s University), and Rie Nii (Associate Curator of The Kyoto Costume Institute).

If you are a fashion designer; this fashion book is a must in your book collection.

Geschminkte Wahrheit by Yasmin Heinz

My second favorite book I discover not too long ago, in fact, this book is from my friend Yasmin Heinz. The truth about makeup (Geschminkte Wahrheit) it is a compilation of Yasmin amazing work, and tips and tricks for all of us.

I have to say I have learned a lot about makeup thanks to the amazing hands of Yasmin, and I can totally recommend to all of you this book, not just for the tips and tricks but also worth seeing the delicate work of this wonderful artist.

Glamour para Llevar by Margarita Zinng and Mario Aranaga

Last but not least, another favorite is Glamour para llevar from Margarita Zinng and Mario Aranaga, Margarita is a Venezuelan designer who has an incredible taste, and this book is a little guide of what you should have in your closet, and teaches how to combine key pieces. Mario Aranaga is the director of an important magazine in Venezuela.

Mario and Margarita got together to write this great manual for women who are in search of their personal style, beyond money and fashion.

FASHION DESIGNER NATALIA MAZZEI ZUBILLAGA

Sallida | 30. March 2016 | Designers

Venezuelan Fashion Designer

Today post is about Natalia Mazzei Zubillaga, she is a Venezuelan designer fashion living in New York, I personally discover her in Instagram, and after seeing her whole feed I was in love with her aesthetics, and after I discovered she was from Venezuela, and that she worked for my illustration teacher back when I was studying fashion, I knew had to make her an interview, to discover more her creative process and how this story began.

For those who don’t know you, tell us about your background

My mother is an independent curator who taught me, since I was little, to value and understand art. I’ve had the good fortune to have been raised in a nourishing environment and travel the world; this has allowed me to visit beautiful places and meet fascinating people. I was raised to appreciate art from our everyday life to the smallest detail, and it is exactly in those details that we designers find our inspiration.

I love to visit galleries and museums as well as reading and walking in city parks and leisure spaces. Living in a city like New York allows me to enjoy great and varied cultural events. I consider myself a dreamer, but always with my feet on the ground trying to make those dreams a reality. I’m direct, perseverant and an overall perfectionist person. I work to reach excellence in everything that I do.

Why did you pick New York for your brand?

New York, being a multicultural city, offers me a life full of great learning opportunities. The city is one of the world’s most important fashion capitals and it is home to the very renowned Fashion Institute of Technology, where I am currently continuing my academic preparation.

What was your first job in the fashion industry?

My first formal job in the fashion industry was at the Caracas’ store location of Venezuelan designers Maria Fernanda Pulgar and Audra Blanco. Without a doubt, it was a fulfilling experience and a great start that allowed me to get to know different parts of the creative process, a key element of fashion design.

Talk about the changes in your life since you’ve your own Brand.

Changes… Since I started NMZ I now spend all of my time devoted entirely to the Brand, I find myself working 24/7! I’m also in constant search of how to better myself as a designer and as a person, by reading, studying, writing and acquiring new knowledge that I can then translate to improvements for NMZ.

How do you choose your inspiration?

My sources of inspiration depend on where I am physically and how my surroundings influence my being. However, a constant source of inspiration for me has always been art, in its different forms.

What do you like about your work?

What I most enjoy is the creative process. Having an idea, putting in on paper and then being able to make it a reality. I also love seeing a woman dressed in NMZ and being able to appreciate how she feels confident and happy while wearing my designs.

When did you know you wanted to be a fashion designer?

My love of fashion started since I was very young. My mother was a huge part of that since she taught me to value and understand art. As I grew older I started to focus my interest in the art world and began entering the world of fashion design.

What's it like being in the Fashion industry?

It is utterly fascinating, without a doubt. However, it is far from easy to succeed in it. You need to have the will and talent in order for you to be able to cope with the demands of the Industry. Creativity is key and there are always new things to discover!

What advice would you pass along to those starting out in the Fashion Business?

I would tell them that it is not an easy field. In fact, it is the total opposite. The most important thing, I think, is to feel passionate about the marvelous industry that is fashion. I think that is the secret to achieving success. I would advise them to be curious, to always be on the lookout for things happening around them, and that by keeping their curiosity alive it will allow them to develop themselves in this creative world.

What inspires you?

Inspiration is everywhere. In nature, places, people, even in everyday activities. However, a constant source of inspiration for me has been art, in its different forms. Inspiration for me is a very personal process in which I try little by little to interpret an idea through my designs.

What was the inspiration for your last collection?

My most recent collection is Holiday 2015/2016. Its starting point is the city of New York. The creative process for this collection coincided with me moving to New York City, which resulted in me finding inspiration from episodes that happened during such an important life event. The collection depicts the agitated characteristic of Cosmopolitan cities and aesthetic timelessness.

In one word: how would you define yourself as a designer?

Demanding.

If you want to know more about this great talent, please visit: Natalia Mazzei Zubillaga