As a lot of you know, I am the Keuxtie of the Year 2020/2021.
This means that I am the ‘face’ of the Le Keux brand and get to do some amazing things with both the Birmingham and the Essex salons, including fabulous photoshoots.
So you could find me and three other beautiful ladies (Maz, Lola and Maya) in the Leigh-on-Sea salon recently, getting ready for a Gatsby style shoot.
All Pinned and Cooling
Arriving early on a Friday morning, I was introduced to the wonderful Charlie who started off by using a set of tongs to roll my hair and pin it into medium rolls before starting on my make-up.
She told me that the plan was to go with a burgundy eye and a much darker lip. I was more than happy with that and put myself in her hands.
Styling It Up
After doing the most beautiful eye, she left the lipstick for a little while so I could still drink (I am trying to get through 4 litres of water a day) and then unpinned the hair and started manipulating it into waves and curls reminiscent of the 1920’s.
Eventually she finished and left me with the most beautiful feminine, soft style which got the full approval from Anna, the owner.
Gatsby Girlie
After all of us models were done, we were ferried over to The Arlington, which is an Art-Deco inspired ballroom set in Leigh-on-Sea.
The Arlington
The venue was a gorgeous white square fronted building with beautiful black and white tiled flooring, the building promised so much from the outside and I am sure it would be even more wonderful inside.
Everything Stops For Tea
I am happy to report that I was not wrong.
Feathers and Diamante
The inside was all black granite, mirrors and plush pink booths. Tall palms, chrome and deco inspired cabinets finished the look off and it was a real delight to be shooting inside such a stunning building.
Cheers!
Anna told us what clothing she wanted us to wear for the first set of shots and I was to wear a most gorgeous dress that was so kindly sent to me by the amazing Roj at Gatsbylady; The Angelina Maxi Dress.
Angelina
The dress is a perfect 1920’s column dress with a ‘fan’ style bodice and stripes of sequins down the length of the gown, leading into a scalloped hem.
Arlington Angels
I slipped the dress on and felt like an absolute movie star, well, one from the 20’s anyway.
Rose and Gold
The dress skimmed across my body, floating over my curves and the colour was just divine.
Majestic Maya
Anna organised where she wanted us and what props we were going to use, including an afternoon tea setting, Champagne coupes and beautiful floral decorations created by Scent Leigh-on-Sea.
Lovely Ladies
The brilliant Amanda Goodyear was the photographer on hand to capture everything. She told us what to do, how to pose and took picture after picture.
Champagne!
Maya was dressed in the most beautiful vintage wedding dress and looked absolutely radiant. Shot after shot was taken, showing us clinking glasses, pouring cups of tea and pretending to eat cake. It was such good fun and the time seemed to fly past.
Beautiful Bride
Getting ready to change for the next ‘scene’, I was due to be wearing a stunning gown that Gatsbylady sent to me a couple of years ago. This was the beautiful Molly flapper dress in plum.
Flapper Style
I had worn this dress in a previous shoot and absolutely loved everything about it, especially the unusual hemline. The colour really matched my makeup, especially the lipstick and we moved to a different part of the ballroom.
A Jolly Good Giggle
We also took a fair few photos back in the banquette seating, along with the bar and some close ups.
Molly the Gangsters Moll!
Eventually it was time to wrap things up and finish our shoot, before heading back. Anna was going to take a few shots inside the salon before I headed back home.
Ladies Who Lunch
I knew it would be a couple of hours on the road so headed for the seafront first to get some food and a couple of sticks of rock for Baby Bear and Little Chick.
A Different Era For Me
There might have been a Mr Whippy too…
Well, you can’t go to the seaside without having an ice-cream, can you?
Mr Whippy, Anyone?
Till next time,
SPSG xxx