From Detroit To London An Olympic Pin Up Post

Model/Muse: Lisa C., Stylist: A. Lozano, Shoot Assistant/Direction: Rose Suau, Makeup: Haily C., Hair: Lilly S., Photos: Merlin Elsner

A short American Pin Up photo post to celebrate the opening of the London Olympics.

In the spirit of excellence in world class athletic achievement, we support all of the American Athletes who work so hard to compete for the gold!    xoxo - FreeStyle In Detroit

Happy Birthday Frida Kahlo

Shooting outdoors with Evangelos K, photo by Rose Suau

My 3D Photo Collage of Frida Kahlo

I model as Frida Kahlo, Photo by Rose Suau

Remembering Frida Kahlo: Photo Rose Suau

Today is the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo's Birthday.  She was born on this day in the year 1907.  I'm honoring her bold and distinctive personal style with this post and a few photos from a recent art/fashion shoot.  I hope they inspires a host of Frida Kahlo shoots for my next pop up art exhibit. 

Artistic work and expression is very much a language of it's own in the Mexican culture.  A heritage I'm proud to share and celebrate.  Viva Frida and Viva Detroit!

p.s. A special thanks to the creative team of talent who helped to make this shoot possible, Rose Suau for photos, makeup, and shoot direction, Caitlynn DeMaggio for assistant editiing wardrobe stylist, Lindsey DeMaggio for hair stylist, and Vankou Photography, Evangelos K. for professional photos (Not posted here)

Fireworks at the Roostertail: An Evening To Celebrate

Ice Sculpture with Fresh Lobster, King Crab Legs, Blue Crab and Shrimp

The Covered Deck on the water was a wonderful space for mingling and enjoying the perfect summer evening
Elaine F. and Friends

Happy and colorful guest at the event; I pose with a dear friend Elaine F.

I snapped a photo of the event photographer and a Model hired by Conway MacKenzie for the celebration

Fireworks danced in the sky between Detroit and Windsor Canada on the river

Entrance to the Roostertail celebration sign on  the marqui

The lovely and gracious Martha Reeves posed for a photo with me after her performance at the celebration

See The Huffington Post Detroit News Article for more details on this event

This blog post is referenced in the story.

The 25th Anniversary Celebration party I attended with girlfriend Elaine F. for Conway MacKenzie was a fine gathering on a perfect summer evening.  Seafood and desert offerings were abundant and beautifully displayed (Starbucks Coffee and Ben & Jerry Ice Cream also had guest stations in every room).   The live music was top notch with an array of bands, singers (Including the talented and delightful Martha Reeves) and musicians performing throughout the evening. 

While the fleet of hired models wore a uniform figure hugging sexy black dress, most of the guest wore a variety of color, style and upscale professional attire.   My friend Elaine wore a beautiful Tadashi Sohji Teal off the shoulder dress and I wore a vintage Flora Kung silk kimono style dress.

The evening also included an exciting fireworks show on the river.  It was a splendid evening I tell you, one worth sharing.  Thank you dear Elaine for the invite and to Conway MacKenzie for doing it big in Detroit, Cheers!

I Would Wear It On My Head.....

alvitafreestyleindetroit: polyvore set "Axis"

A little visual splendor from me to you, where ever you are where ever you go, may beauty and life be your blessing.

I have often thought when admiring flowers in bloom that they are a sort of smile from mother nature to us all. 

I also love how Fashion Designer Mary Katrantzou adds so much visual art to her textiles and designs, this set is inspired by her work.

Lately I have been studying the personal style of Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo, who wore large flowers and ribbons in her up braided hair.  This set is also inspired by her as well.  If it were possible for me to make this a three dimensional image I would definitely wear it on my head as an ode to Both Mary and Frida, two Women with big love for nature and art!

The Man, The Camera and The Power of Fashion Photography



All Photos By Evangelos Koutsavdis Model is Vonnita Jones, Hair: Ashley Lenee, MakeUp and Wardrobe Styling is Melissa Whitt

Model: Kristie Kbabie Beard

The Man behind the camera shooting the best independent fashion photography in the Detroit Metro area is none other than Evangelos Koutsavdis.  The above photos are some of my favorite selection of his recent work.  As you can see there is absolutely no reason to have to go to New York for the highest quality production print work.  Detroit has vision, the models, stylist, and photography skills to get it done right.  A special thanks to Vonnita Jones, Ashley Lenee, Melissa Whitt, and Kristie Kbabie Beard for their amazing talent and work on the above photos.  FreeStyle In Detroit is a fan!

The "Young Hearts" Production Photo Gallery, An Invisible Twin Project

All above photos shot by Rose Suau for the Young Hearts Project
See  "Young Hearts" credits for Models

Invisible Twin: Rose and Mario Suau, photo by Janna Bisette

Invisible Twin is a local creative team working in original ambient music, visual art projects and music licensing with other artist for commercial use.

Rose wears many creative hats, shooting photography, creating original art, writing, graphic design, and is also a musician.  Together with her husband and creative partner Mario Suau they have been composing music for many years.  Currently working on a new album to be completed later this year, it will be released on various digital platforms so check their FB page for updates.

The team can be hired for a variety of commercial work, including web page sound branding. 

If you have not already seen their "Young Heart's" audio narration project please check it out.  Y.H. is the first project of it's type for the duo and was well received at a pop up art gallery earlier this year.  They produced something deeply sober and true.  For many of us much of youth is a process of trial and error, confusion and pain.  Each photo invites the viewer into a mini story that unfolds differently for each viewer and that is what I love about Rose's work.  She is a captivating storyteller.  The music is beautiful and haunting, the perfect marriage for the piece.  Let me know what you think of it.

Mr. Song Millinery, Kentucky Derby In The News

Models: Jessica Phillips and Cami Beauregard

Models: Valerie Landwehr and Cami Beauregard

Ms Teen Michigan: Valerie Landwehr and I

Alvita, Valerie, Cami and Jessica smiling for Luke

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/mornings/style-file:-kentucky-derby-hats-20120502-spb

Yesterday morning Luke Song gathered the four of us together for a Kentucky Derby segment on his latest work for Fox 2 news.  The photos are a few we snapped in the prep room at the station.  It was a lot of fun and I was impressed with these three young Women ( Valerie Landwehr - Ms Teen Michigan, Cami Beauregard, and Jessica Phillips ) they are so professional and charming. 

Most of you know I am no model and have never been on television, so keep that in mind and be kind. 

From Detroit with love to all you Derby fans and a huge thanks to Luke Song and Mr. Song Millinery for their wonderful work!