Fashion Styling: Model Shannon McCarthy

FreeStyle Fashion Portfolio Jam Session @ The Butcher's Daughter Art Gallery

Model Shannon McCarthy

Hair Styling by: Salon Rehe, MakeUp by Camille LaMontagne

Photos by Merlin Elsner

These pics are the kind that Stir up so much emotion in me. Shannon has the kind of Timeless Vampire Beauty that Rock Stars sing about and Authors conjure up in words. Each photo captures a different Style Moment. I have to admit the one of her Smiling always makes me Smile Back!

Fashion Styling: Model Trish Nguyen

All In a Day's Work: photo by Sean Doerr
Attitude is A Hip Accessory: photo by Merlin Elsner
The Band is calling: photo by Merlin Elsner
Let the boys wait: photo by Ryan Gumbleton

Gotta have Star Power: photo by Merlin Elsner
Let's Start this Party: photo by Merlin Elsner

I selected some fun outfits to Style Trish Nguyen in based on her look and personality. That's what personal Style is all about. I also gave the photos I selected titles as they seem to tell a story. The Story of a young and Stylish girl, she's a Beautiful Quiet Storm!

Fashion Styling: Model Camille LaMontagne

Vintage Vidal Sasoon Jumpsuit

The Black Italian Dress
Vintage Christian Dior Skirt with Vintage Accessories

Honeycomb Scarf

Model: Camille LaMontagne, Photos by Merlin Elsner

I was delighted to see the different looks Camille was able to Model. I selected a range of clothes for her, from Classic to Funky. She is Eloquent, Dramatic and Beautiful in these photos. I think the last shot says it all. She has a bit of Grace Kelly in her and it's something to Behold.

MakeUp and Nail Studio "ROUGE" is Green and Glamorous

ROUGE: Cheryl Salinas-Tucker Owner/MakeUp Artist
My Photo Shoot

Happy Customer

Handmade Jewelry by Jennifer Vermeersch

Manicure Station

Makeup Display

ROUGE Art Mascot...Rosita Bonita

ROUGE MakeUp & Nail Studio is "Glam, Green & Gorgeous" and the passion of Sisters Cheryl Salinas-Tucker and Jennifer Bulatovic. Newly opened and located on Woodward Ave in Ferndale, MI.

Cheryl has a wide range of experience including: Film, Fashion shows, Weddings and one on one consultation services. Jennifer Bulatovic provides first class pedicure and manicure spa services. Makeup and spa products are natural and organic, ideal for sensitive skin types and systems. You will also find the wonderful jewelry of well known local artist Jennifer Vermeersch.

Whatever your Beauty needs are, you will be delighted to find yourself in the care of this hip and quaint retro Glamour Den.

Stop by the Studio for their Open House Party on Saturday, July 7th from 4:30PM - 7:30PM.

ROUGE is located at 23341 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, MI 48220, phone is 248 439-6010.

Portrait Artist: Michelle Kopka...Eclectic Illuminations

All photos are portfolio work of Michelle Kopka

There is an Intense Simplicity about Michelle Kopka that draws me into her work. I can't say I understand that netherworld of Light and Isolation, but I'm captivated by it in every way.

This Center for Creative Studies graduate has earned her Star in photography by exploring her unique visual voice over the past 6 years. Her focus includes a mix of Fashion, Portraiture, and Fine Art.

I was delighted to learn about her research methods, inspirations and personal collections over coffee recently. Michelle collects "Vintage Props" which are often included in her work. She is keenly attune to places and things most of us overlook. The textures at the supermarket, the color of a room, the make up section of a drug store. She is also meticulous in her approach to staging, composition and execution. Inspiration comes from everywhere and often from a favorite record, or movie.

Michelle admires the work of Dutch Photo Artist Rineke Dijkstra and Author Lauren Greenfield, who wrote "Book Girl Culture".

You can see from this collection of her photography that she is deft at capturing the beauty and solitude of the Female experience. Some of her work is ghostlike and elusive, but it's also innocent and crisp. I love the nostalgic qualities in her work. I admire her precision and willingness to be vulnerable and her ability to evoke a wide range of emotion.

Michelle displays a powerful mix of talent and intelligence that will grow and evolve as she continues to expand her photographic horizons.

"I went to a cobbler To fix a hole in my shoe He took one look at my face And said, "I can fix that hole in you"

Jenny Lewis sings those words in "Acid Tongue" and I get a sense that Michelle is doing exactly that, with her poetic photographic powers.

You are encouraged to see more of her work at http://www.michellekopka.com/ and contact her with questions and inquires at michelle-kopka@yahoo.com

Creative Fashion Volunteer Co-op Project

Shoot the Fashion - Build Your Portfolio

Fashion Photo Shoot Paper Collage Collective work: Alvita Lozano, Salon Rehe, Kaley Hedric, Shannon McCarthy, Camille, LaMontagne, Trish Nguyen, and Sean Doerr at The Butcher's Daughter Art Gallery

This project is an example of an economically creative way to jump start cooperative volunteer projects with a specific focus. In this case, "FreeStyle In Detroit” along with a team of socially progressive up and coming talent have joined forces to do three things: Volunteer their time and skills, Celebrate Fashion in Detroit, and build a collective body of portfolio work.

The event: “FreeStyle In Detroit Fashion Portfolio Jam Session” is a one time event I have organized. It is an all volunteer cooperative team consisting of A Fashion Stylist (3 Stylist Assistants), Several Models, A team of Hair Stylist, A Makeup Artist, Several Photographers, and an Art Gallery Owner. All participants have little or no professional experience in Fashion.

This team is developing Fashion Photo Shoot experience, building new professional networks and creating a unique body of Fashion Portfolio Work. All team members will receive digital copies of the best shots for their individual portfolio use.

This is an “Idea” that any industry can use to build new networks of creative volunteer work.

“In this city in this recession, creative visionaries think outside of the box opening new doors not climbing old business structures. We need to work upside down and build new teams of people to move it forward. It seems everyone is vying for corporate sponsorship and government grant money which is great, however I say use what we have and that is creative talent, time and the power of unity. Let’s not wait on some kind of deliverance, let’s push together, create the swell in Detroit and put it on the International Fashion Map Grassroots Style. That is what FreeStyle In Detroit is all about".

Photos and team member write ups to follow....stay tuned. Meanwhile I encourage you to get out there and build volunteer networks and projects of your own...I'd love to hear about what you are doing in Fashion!

Motor City Mobility: Follow those shoes!

Luxury with Edge is Distinctly Detroit

It's a Shoe Story

Meet The Girls

We might never know....

(All Photos By Alvita Lozano)

Our feet, our shoes...what's the fascination, why all the fuss?

"I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." - Luke: 3:16 OK...John the Baptist just made reference to the footwear of Jesus...Wow!

Anthropologically speaking all tribes were nomadic at one time...and guess what? Their feet were "THE" source of mobility. That's huge!

Anatomically our feet are the 'foundation" for our body structure. Think Architecture....any Architect, Engineer, or Construction Worker understands the importance of laying the best foundation...it's imperative!

I think you get the drift...there is so much more to our feet and subsequently to our shoes as well. It's not just Vanity for the Style minded..there's a lot more to it if you look beyond the obvious. Just ask a serious Runner how important his shoes are.

Men and Women of Style have an intuitively complex relationship with Clothing. Shoes are an important element of their personal style equation. Their selection is not a random process...nor is it just a utilitarian decision. It includes, Vision and an Appreciation for Artistic expression. A great Shoe can Start and Finish an outfit.

Some of us collect and keep Shoes the way others build and appreciate A Library of Books or Music. I happen to collect all three and it's amazing to me how similar they are in ways. They each tell stories... some Epic, others Simple...they also inspire a rainbow of emotion and they are all uniquely powerful in the life of a creative dreamer.

"All Roads Lead to Fashion" is a phrase I may have penned...at least I have not heard it said before. It's also a fitting phrase for discussing mobility in the "Motor City". The Auto Industry seduced and transformed the lives of people all over the globe for a century. Detroit became the epicenter in the process. Today we are shifting gears and many work to create a new map to travel upon. As we do I can't help but look down at my shoes and whisper "Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me". Psalms: 119-133 ....This is my travel prayer every day...as I follow the Man who wore those sandals John spoke of!