TBT: Bethany by Sabrina Sikora: Post magazine shoot:

Shoot for SCMP, Post mag, fashion pages. 

TBT!

Behind the Label: Cherie D

Who started it? Born and bred in London, Sherina Dalamal trained at the city's Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and at L'Ecole Lesage, in Paris, France, where she studied couture embroidery. With internships at Alexander McQueen and Nicole Farhi, Dalamal's Indian aesthetics gained a deeper understanding of Western cuts and sensibilities. Her collections encompass myriad silhouettes, from baby-doll dresses to tapered shirts, and outfits enhanced by subtle embroidery and beadwork to add that hint of glitz and glamour. Having relocated to Mumbai two years ago, Dalamal is creating a niche on the subcontinent while wooing international markets from Britain to Hong Kong.

Why we love it: because she proves that a quintessentially Indian brand can create a Western-inspired outfit without making it look costumey. With the right stroke and imprint of arabesque touches and handcrafted embroidery, her glamorous ensembles are a fabulous mix of the exotic and the quixotic. Her latest collection is inspired by the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, with a palette that runs he gamut from rosy pinks to black. Dalamal skills are put to good use on fabrics such as tulle, georgette, shimmery chiffon and broderie anglaise.

What we'd pick: for its silhouette and appliqués, the black chain-mail cocktail dress (far left; HK$3,000) and the black tulle kaftan with cord-work embroidery (left; HK$3,500).

Where can you get it? Cherie D is available at Fine n' Rhine, 2/F, V-Plus Building, 68 Wellington Street, Central, tel: 3118 7338.

Caption: Pictures by Sabrina Sikora
Byline: P. Ramakrishnan
March 4, 2012

Dance in her pants: Dancer Bethany Taylor stays fit

FIT AND FAB: Bethany Taylor

The rigmarole of a gym is not for everyone. The unpredictability of weather can be a hindrance for those who like to go for a run outside, and team sports are for a chosen few. But anyone can dance at any age and at any time, right? “I suppose,” says Bethany Taylor, an interior design student. “All you need is some great music and some space.”

She started dancing at age four, when her mother took her to baby ballet in Muscat, Oman, and trained at the Emma Tse Elite Dance Academy in Hong Kong for years. “I’ve tried pretty much every style of dance – ballet, hip hop, contemporary, tap, jazz, salsa, street,” says Taylor. “My favourites are ballet and street dance; one form is strictly disciplined and the other, freestyle. I love how much attitude and fun you can have with street, while ballet is so elegant. And which girl didn’t want to be a ballerina growing up?”

Although dance is a personal and individual experience for her, it’s helped Taylor in her modelling profession, too. “It gives you amazing control over your body, and you know what angles your body looks good at. It also helps with stamina. Shoots are always so long, and you’re usually standing up, so [training for dance] helps to keep you going for long periods of time.”

Three years ago, Taylor opted to go to college in London instead of taking the difficult route of professional dancing. Although she gave up the hard-core discipline of ballet, she’s found other forms of expression through a range of classes at Studiodanz in North Point.

“Classes are mostly taught in Cantonese, but it’s helped me learn faster as I’m not distracted by what’s said and I follow the movement. I’m forced to concentrate and pick up faster, which has been an excellent form of self-discipline. And dance is the finest form of motion and discipline.”

What drew you to dance?
Ballet is so beautiful and elegant. It’s really high art. I may not do it much any more, but I still appreciate it. Now I dance for fun, and it is the most fun way to exercise.

Is there any particular dance you’d like to try?
Zumba – it’s half exercise, half dance, and looks really fun. It’s a concoction of salsa and aerobics. I’ve been meaning to go, and this year I’ll do it.

What’s your diet like?
Processed food is a definite no, but the word “diet” really puts me off as I don’t believe in dieting. If you eat properly, watch your calories, but don’t deprive yourself, maintain portion control and eat a healthy amount. You don’t need to follow whatever diet is in fashion.

What’s been a memorable dance class?
At Pure Fitness in Central, choreographer Tony Stone [who has worked with stars like Salt-N-Pepa, Falco and LL Cool J] came to teach for a brief session, and it was a serious dance-off and workout. For three hours we were moving non-stop. It was a good class. He’s in his 50s but is in amazing shape.


What other ways do you stay fit?
Gym about four times a week, which keeps my cardio up. I have regular sessions with a personal trainer, and he’s really tough. The day after our sessions, I hate him – but it’s worth going to. I do my own body conditioning regime at home to keep toned, and go to street dance classes a few times a week at Pineapple Dance Studios [in London] more for fun. There’s no exercise that I hate. I have so much energy and love being active.

What’s the secret to looking really lean and toned?
Before a shoot, I cut my carbs and salty foods, and just have proteins and vegetables. And I drink a lot of green tea and water. If hungry during a lengthy shoot, I snack on cashews and bananas.

What’s your favourite health food?
It has to be quinoa; it’s so easy to prepare and so tasty. It fills you up but doesn’t make you bloated, and you can add whatever you like to it. My favourite combination at the moment is with celery, feta and ham. I’m also a massive fan of making fresh soups. It’s cheap and easy, and you get your daily dose of veggies.

P. Ramakrishnan
ramakrishnanp@hotmail.com
Portrait by Sabrina Sikora Photography
http://sspmodels.phanfare.com/
Feb 07, 2012

Always A Muse-Ing.

Outtakes from a shoot! My muse amused. What up!

In the Heat of the Night

Photography: Mike Tao
Hair and Makeup: Karen Yiu
Models: Bethany T and David Oshry (Models International HK)

Producer: P.Ramakrishnan
































Wardrobe Captions:

1
On her: Embroidered green top by Fine'n'Rhine, accessories by Kanchan Couture
On him: Calvin Klein jeans and briefs, Cipher shoes

2
On him: Jeans and leather jacket by Calvin Klein, Cipher shoes
On her: Black embroidered cocktail dress by Fine'n'Rhine

3
On her: Jeans and bustier by Calvin Klein
On him: Calvin Klein briefs, black pants by Burberry

4
On her: Overcoat, shoes and dress by Burberry
On him: Embellished top and jeans by Burberry, shoes by Cipher


5
On her: Silver-grey shirt from Armani Collezioni (from Lane Crawford), boots by Burberry

6
On her: White linen shirt from Armani Collezioni (from Lane Crawford), boots by Burberry
On him: Dior Homme briefs


7
On her: Deep-cut red top from Kanchan Couture, black print pants Burberry
On him: Blue knit T from Armani Collezioni (from Lane Crawford), black denim jeans by Burberry, shoes by Cipher

8
On him: Calvin Klien boxer-briefs

9
On her: T-shirt by Kanchan Couture, jeans by Burberry
On him: White T-shirt from Lane Crawford, jeans and boxer-briefs by Calvin Klein, shoes by Cipher













IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT


Producer: P.Ramakrishnan
Photography: Mike Tao
Retouching: Patt Sham
Hair & Makeup: Karen Yiu
Models: Bethany T and David O (Models International)

Captions:

1
On her: Embroidered green top by Fine'n'Rhine, accessories by Kanchan Couture
On him: Calvin Klein jeans and briefs, Cipher shoes

2
On him: Jeans and leather jacket by Calvin Klein, Cipher shoes
On her: Black embroidered cocktail dress by Fine'n'Rhine

3
On her: Jeans and bustier by Calvin Klein
On him: Calvin Klein briefs, black pants by Burberry

4
On her: Overcoat, shoes and dress by Burberry
On him: Embellished top and jeans by Burberry, shoes by Cipher






5
On her: Silver-grey shirt from Armani Collezioni (from Lane Crawford), boots by Burberry

6
On her: White linen shirt from Armani Collezioni (from Lane Crawford), boots by Burberry
On him: Dior Homme briefs


7
On her: Deep-cut red top from Kanchan Couture, black print pants Burberry
On him: Blue knit T from Armani Collezioni (from Lane Crawford), black denim jeans by Burberry, shoes by Cipher

8
On him: Calvin Klien boxer-briefs


9
On her: T-shirt by Kanchan Couture, jeans by Burberry
On him: White T-shirt from Lane Crawford, jeans and boxer-briefs by Calvin Klein, shoes by Cipher




Not for print. reference shots from shoot. captions and all

OUTTAKES

Images that aren't going to print for... whatever reason.

Ethnic Chic: Mixing Western wear with Indian Jewellery

Perhaps it was Nicole Kidman that started it all. At the Oscars back in 1997, she wore a John Galliano (for Christian Dior) designed Cheong Sam, brocaded it with traditional Indian and Oriental jewellery, and took the audience’s collective breath away. She may not have won the Oscar that night, but she go the gold. Arguably, she began the trend of, pardon the oft repeated expression, East meets West in contemporary fashion. 

This year, perhaps re-ignited by the wonderous Ralph Lauren campaign featuring the exotic Ubah Haasan, mixing western attire with eastern accessories seem all the rage yet again. On red carpets, elegant soirees and amongst the glitterati, the most formal nights on the western front have an eastern invasion. 

• Photography: Gina Soden 
• Producer: P.Ramakrishnan 
• Hair & Makeup: Karen Yiu 
• All jewellery & Styling: Prerna Kumari for Neiman Marcus 
• Art direction & Styling: Prerna and Rama 
• Model: Bethany T 
• Special thanks to Mr and Mrs Chainani for location.

Captions 

• Satin cocktail dress from Voom by Paris Hilton, shoes by Versace, earrings and bracelet by Prerna Kumari 
• Evening gown by Stella McCartney (available at Lane Crawford), bracelets & rings by Prerna Kumari. 
• Tweed jacket by Stella McCartney (available at Lane Crawford), white shirt and embroidered black skirt by Shanghai Tang, earrings and hair accessories by Prerna Kumari 

Sequined white cocktail dress by Arrogant Cat, earrings and ring by Prerna Kumari White linen and lace cocktail dress, earrings & necklace by by Prerna Kumari Jacket and stilettos by Versace, anklet and earrings by Prerna Kumari Other images from shoot.

Time for Beauty

Bedazzling! This season is all about colour and diamonds. Gone are the muted shades of winter and with spring around the corner, colour is back with a bang. Reflecting that, celebrated makeup artist Karen Yiu tracked the latest trends in makeup and fashioned this beauty shoot mirroring the vibrant colours of the season. To add an extra sparkle, we approached the finest luxury watch brands and they sent their hottest lines; all dotted with diamonds! Take a time out with our sizzling beauty shoot.

Producer: P.Ramakrishnan
Photographer: Jonas Lille
Makeup & Styling: Karen Yiu
Model: Bethany T

BEHIND THE SCENE:

I wanted to produce a simple and uncomplicated shoot using watches as props. Ok I lie. I didn’t care for the watches but our readers sure did. Hong Kong/China’s fascination with arm candy (of multiple sorts!) never ends.

This shoot was prepped and planned over the weekend while caffeinating with my favourite model, the oh-so-fine Mz Bethany Taylor. Our philosophy was kiss. Er, Keep It Simple Stupid! So I gathered all my pps for the shoot and the handful of us created this non-corny watch shoot. Watches, model, photographer, makeup and hair. That’s it and a fab eight-page spread came out of it.



Karen Yiu, one of the best in the biz (on the planet), deserves much of the credit as I genuinely believe she took it to another level. Inspired by the patterns and the hues of the watches, she created a makeup colour palette for each of the shots and changed the look of Beth from page to page.

Jonas and I’ve worked together on and off over the past few years and he’s sooooooooo freaking good at what he does. Better to leave him alone to his own vices and devices, every shoot he’s produced for me has been brilliant, way above and beyond what I expected. Will put up the series asap.

A chance encounter at Goccia and Beth and I’ve been friends ever since. My model, my muse, I’ve done more shoots with Beth than any other gal, and you can see why. = o)












BTW the sharp and clear shots are by Jonas! The blurry blurs are by me!