I believe it has a lot to do with my Pisces nature that I embrace Dualism. Fashion is no exception. I get so thrilled when I can style a garment in two contrasting ways. Minimal versus maximal, feminine versus masculine, or sporty versus dressy… well, you get the picture. In this post, I will showcase a fabulous sleek lilac dress in my wardrobe, styling two ways.
Look One: Polished & Sophisticated
Firstly, I streamlined the silhouette of the dress by ditching the matching belt. This monochrome number’s smooth draping fabric should take centre stage. Choosing deep red accessories against a soft shade like lilac felt like a gamble. But then they turned out to be far more harmonious than I first imagined. Who knew that cherry red meets jacaranda purple could be a thing? Not me! And, thanks to their shiny and glossy surfaces, the clutch, the dress, and the heels all worked fabulously together!
Look Two: Laid-back & Sporty
We know baseball caps and runners are synonymous with looking sporty. In this ensemble, the matching belt is back on. Not only does the belt help to emphasise the waistline; its motif created by the visible stitches lends it a funky character. And the extra length of the belt also echos the charm of the dress’ drape. Colour-wise, the accessories in dusty pink, neon apricot, and grape purple in the cap and the runners also continue the playful manner of the look.
Location for Look One: The Palm House In The Royal Botanic Garden
I have always loved the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney. So much so, that I have used it as a location for my photoshoots countless times. If I were to share all of my portraits taken at this Sydney landmark, it would be a large project of its own! Having said that, even after shooting here so many times, I had never once stood in front of the graceful glass Palm House.
On this gloriously sunny day in May when we came to take pictures, the location of my first choice did not have the right lighting… So Kent asked me: ‘What are you looking for?’ I replied to him: ‘A not-so-busy background with a touch of elegance.’ So that’s when Kent suggested the Palm House, and the rest is – history!
Look Two Location: The Construction Site Of The Sydney Modern Project
This ephemeral location is worth mentioning. The scaffold, the blue shade-cloth… the construction site of the Sydney Modern Project (also known as the Sydney Modern Art Gallery) is almost an artwork itself – think Christo and Jeanne-Claude. And since the official opening of Sydney Modern in December, 2022, this particular scene no longer exists! Yes, timing is everything for people who fancy a backdrop like this. The dark blue fabric mesh, the neon orange safety barriers; the road safety yellow signs, and the white towering crane offered the edgiest cityscape we could ask for. We just loved the vivid colours and the urban vibes! Both Kent and I were, and still are very pleased with our take on Sydney Modern – with Kent maintaining it was better before the scaffolding and the ‘drapes’ came down!
Being a slow fashion enthusiast, I know it is only a matter of time before I render more looks from this lilac creation. In fact, I did just that for my birthday lunch this year! Now, here’s a question… If you were on assignment to create two completely different styles for a dress, what would be your approach?
Photography by Kent Johnson. Styling by Vivienne She. Fancy similar types of location shoots? Simply book Kent for his outdoor photoshoot package.
