Shopcade Style Council: Photographer & Judge

I'm pleased to announce that I will be one of the judges for June's Shopcade Style Battle. This will involve judging the entrants with the style council panel; including singer Kate Nash, celebrity hairstylist Lee Stafford and Editor in Chief of WEARECOLLISION Magazine.

The winner will recieve tickets to Wireless festival in addition to an exclusive photoshoot with myself to be published in the pages of WEARECOLLISION. There will be a party at the end of the month (in London) to celebrate and officially announce the winners.

I was invited to last months Style Battle party on the 5th June at private member's club Beat. It was a great event, with an insta-booth machine printing copies of #shopcadestylebattle instagram photos, delicious cocktails and a wonderful crowd. I came along with blogger and stylist @ithestylist after spending the day at an Olympus press event.

I'm looking forward to being involved as a style council member and shooting the winners- best of luck to all the entrants!

Alice Luker
www.aliceluker.co.uk

'Wedding Dresses 1775-2014' exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum

On Friday 2nd of May I had the pleasure of attending the V&A members preview of 'Wedding Dresses 1775-2014' exhibition. After a major revamp in the fashion galleries, this is the 3rd exhibition hosted in the new mezzanine space, following a rather similarly stylised 'Ballgowns' exhibition and 80s club kid-tastic 'From Club to Catwalk'

Although the V&A is currently undergoing an epidemic of bookings from the much anticipated, recently announced exhibition 'Savage Beauty' featuring a retrospective of Alexander McQueen's designs, this is a rather beautiful exhibition of exquisite couture to stimulate your eager tastebuds before it arrives.

A feast for the eyes with both contemporary and vintage couture; a real 'history of art' style collection downstairs, with a more classical normcore-I really can't believe I just said that- outlook, whilst upstairs is brimming with both classical contemporary (see Alice Temperley 'jean dress') and aspirational, truly unique pieces such as Gareth Pugh's creation for fashion editor Kate Shillingdon and John Galliano's dip dyed dress for Gwen Stefani.

Talking of Normcore, queen of the norms Kate Middleton's wedding footage projected in a cosy corner was perhaps the most popular attraction of the exhibition, flocked with both nostalgic smiles of this generations most anticipated royal wedding complete with envious glares at Pippa Middleton's perfectly pert bottom.

The queen of Kates fashion-wise in this exhibition however was filled long before the royal wedding, with Kate Moss' John Galliano dress from her 2011 wedding to Jamie Hince on display. Taking a mind blowing 701 hours to embroider the dress and 253 to complete the veil, seeing the dress (most often referred to as understated..!) in all it's glory puts the beauty of couture into perspective.

With perhaps a more appropriate use of the word, the set design was perfectly understated, with minimalist illustrations on the glass and in the cabinets reflective of a contemporary wedding venue.  One of the highlights of the set were the mannequins; posed, styled and formed to reflect the character and aesthetic of the wearer. The finest example of this I believe to be the purple corseted Vivienne Westwood number for Dita Von Teese, with perfectly enhanced cleavage to accurately fit the corsetry splendour.

My personal favourite from the exhibition has to be the Christian Lacroix finale dress from his 1992/93 collection. The dark romantic concept of the black veil and spectacular gold intricacy on the collar and cuffs was an instant attraction for me. Probably one of the least wearable as a mere mortal wedding dress, this showpiece encapsulates couture wedding fantasy in its finest form, not to mention a spectacular piece of art.

Wedding Dresses 1775-2014' runs from the 3rd May 2014- 15th March 2015

Alice Luker
www.aliceluker.co.uk

'The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014' Exhibition at the V&A

I have a slightly unhealthy obsession with the V&A museum. Ever since I was commissioned to shoot an editorial there back in 2010 (involving not only models but cats and caviar!) I have felt quite a special connection, as though the V&A is my London refuge amidst the bustling streets I regularly prowl for meetings and shoots.

Sparked by my infactuation with the V&A and admiration for Italian fashion, I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to visit their press view of new exhibition 'The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014', enriched with flawless craftsmanship and a perfect compilation of words, illustrations and interesting documents at the forefront of the italian fashion industry between 1945-2014.

As a self confessioned film fanatic, I wholly appreciated the film references, from Audrey Hepburn's dress in War and Peace to the glimmering emerald Bulgari jewellery gifted to Elizabeth Tailor by Richard Burton during their 'Cleopatra' days in the early 60s.

There were a couple of standout pieces for me (habitually influenced by editorial concepts I currently have on the go)- mainly leopard print, leather and strong tailoring. I also appreciated the selection of more contemporary pieces, including a pair of Prada shoes from 2012, inspired by 1950s motor cars and a S/S 2014 Mui Mui coat.

The 2012 Prada shoes and a tailored leather dress by Trussardi from 1963 is below.

The exhibition is in depth and prosperously laid out over a satisfying number of themed rooms. It seems they have taken note of their often crampt video alcoves, with the key projection towards the end with significantly more room, fit for a clear(ish!) view.

'The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014' is well worth a visit and thoroughly inspiring..especially for a creative soul like myself. The gift shop you are directed through at the end is also notably tempting, with relevantly themed film posters, jewellery, accessories and books.

'The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014' opens Saturday 5th April - 27th July 2014
The V&A is open daily from 10-17:45 and until 22:00 every Friday

Alice Luker
www.aliceluker.co.uk

'The Grand Budapest Hotel'

Over the past couple of years I have been increasingly inspired by film. Film is such a powerful, emotive tool, enriched with ambiguity via vast mechanically reproduced concepts of reality. From Marvel superheroes to less conspicuous protagonists, the spectrum of ideas and thematic sequences appear almost infinate.

Cinema also illustrates a fine example of how relative and thought-provoking the creative industry can be, stimulating both visual palette and conceptual thought.

Earlier this week I watched 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' (directed by Wes Anderson; known previously for Moonrise Kingdom, The Darjeeling Limited and Fantastic Mr Fox) at the Odeon in Marble Arch. I found the cinematography and set beautiful, complimented by a quirky script and satirically camp characters.

Wes Anderson's vision is alluring and unique; set within a parallel yet culturally stimulating universe to our own. Overall, I found 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' perfectly stylised and a visual treat to absorb as a photographic artist- 4/5 stars!

Alice Luker
www.aliceluker.co.uk