Fashion Blogger, Photographer, Local Girl: Elaine Von Vintage

Ashlee Harris...AKA Elaine Von Vintage

Ashlee's Fashion Photo Shoot Work

Ashlee Harris aka Elaine Von Vintage is the real deal. Model, Photographer, Vintage Guru, and creative visionary. For here 22 years, I was thoroughly impressed with her confidence and fashion knowledge. She works at Forever 21 and hones her photography skills shooting various friends and events on the side.

I have been a fan of her stylish blog: "Elaine Von Vintage" for the last year, and adore her shopping adventures featuring thrift finds and her diverse stylish ensembles. She often models the clothes and also shares what she pays for each item.

Ashlee collects vintage handbags and enjoys thrift store shopping to find various pieces that are "one of a kind items" to add to her wardrobe.

I was tickled to find out she loves James Taylor, whom I am also a huge fan.

Check out Ashlee's flickr page "FancyDior" for her latest fashion photography and make sure to follow her blog: Elaine Von Vintage for more on this Detroit Girl Gone Fashion...and local rising star.

Local Jewelry Designer, Artist - Jennifer Vermeersch

Arctic Sea - Erte Vintage Print

Nile - Erte Vintage Print

Model Elizabeth Kincaid wearing a stunning Jennifer Vermeersch Necklace at my Modern Day Cleopatra Photo Shoot - Photo by Alvita Lozano

Another photo shoot I Styled with Jennifer's Necklace on
Model and Photographer - Janna Bissette


Aubrey Beardsley book - with Jennifer's necklace

Two separate and unique pieces layered
Jennifer's work is on display and sold at ROUGE

Jennifer wearing one of her glorious creations


The Lovely and Eclectic Jennifer Vermeersch

Eclectic Bohemian Jewelry is the desire of Women with bold personal style and Jennifer Vermeersch is a unique talent working in this rare aesthetic genre.

The jewelry featured here in my blog are definitely her more elaborate pieces, but she also makes simpler pieces, which include earrings and various custom accessories.

Her work includes a mix of glass, semi precious stones, custom metal work, vintage plastic, and precious metals. They are each finely crafted showing her high level of creativity and craftsmanship. Every piece is an artistic exploration, as she does not duplicate ideas, or materials when creating them.

Jennifer admires the work of artist Aubrey Beardsley, Sergay Smirrov, Kay Nielson, and Erte. Each of those artist has a surreal, romantic, yet graphic element to their work. Erte in particular is classic, glam deco and timeless.

I've had the opportunity to use some of her work in a couple of my fashion photo shoots recently. Jennifer's jewelry has also been used in fashion shows working with Femilia Couture in the past. Her work is currently sold at The Detroit Artist Market and also at ROUGE in Ferndale, MI.

Jennifer teaches several four week classes in jewelry making which include: Metal Smith Techniques, Glass Bead Making, and Bead Stringing. You can contact her directly for more information by e-mail and make sure to follow her Fan Page for current information.

By the way if you ever bump into the amazing Iris Apfel, be sure to tell her about Jennifer's work, I have a feeling it just might make her swoon!

Fashioning Fiction - Photography, Art and Fashion

"The viewer was slowly, incrementally, being drawn down a path that was bringing the images of fashion closer to the realities of life." - Susan Kismaric and Eva Respini co - curators of Fashioning Fiction in Photography.

I'm beyond thrilled to have this book in my library. I have a deep appreciation for History and especially enjoy the research canonized in this exhibition. So much of what the current generation is consuming in the way of Fashion Marketing today was forged by previous masters featured in this book. Similarly many Photographers in Art and Fashion are working in one of these genres weather they realize it or not. It is a critical resource for the Art Photography and Fashion community at large.

WDJS 2010-2011

Johan Sandberg

Ralph Pucci Mannequins

WDJS is my acronym for What Did Jesus Say...The answer is "Wait until you are clothed with power."

Spiritual Truth for the Ages - Also My Fashion Creed for his Glory!

A seal for my past year and focus for the next..

WDJS 2010-2011

Historical Fashion Muse and Cultural Women of Style

Wallis Simpson: Glorious Women of Style
I have been completely Captivated by her Refined Classic Style for many years

American born Wallis Simpson also became A historical women
of global controversy when the future King of England abdicated his throne to take her as his Wife. In so choosing Edward eschewed his Royal responsibility and honor for A simpler life....and they became known as The Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

Today there is a much anticipated Film called "The King's Speech" starring Colin Firth based on the true story of Edward's Brother, King George VI, who was forced onto the thrown and into history as England's next King.

I'm also thrilled to know Madonna is producing a new feature film about Wallis Simpson's life, which is yet to be released. Regardless of it's commercial success or HYPE...I am positive it will be a must see for anyone and everyone in the world of fashion.

The following quote best describes why Wallis Simpson remains a rare fascination for Fashion Historians and A Muse to many generations: "The dresses are decadent in their extravagance and beautiful in their simplicity. But just climbing into them would not have been enough. A woman needed insouciance and dash to bring them off." - Frances Osborne

Two Lovely Creatures One Dark Fashion Vision

Models Rose Suau and Janna Bisette
Photo shoot Styled by Me - AKA FreeStyle In Detroit

Collective Photo Project: Top 4 by Me (Alvita Lozano) The bottom 3 shots by Janna Bissette: LilacPop Photography

This photo shoot was the brain child of Rose Suau (Artistic Direction with an Advertising background), who came to me with an idea for a Scary Doll look she wanted to capture in photos. I don't think I would have ever come up with it myself, but of course when she sold me on the vision....I put the wardrobe together. I really do love the clothes in this shoot...I think they look fantastic on them. As you can see Janna and Rose, have amazing creative energy and it was a thrill to collaborate with them on this project. Janna is also an accomplished and prolific artist and photographer. We had unseasonably warm weather the day of the shoot and that was an additional blessing as this was an early November shoot. Thanks to Cheryl Salinas Tucker of ROUGE MakeUp and Nail Salon and Anna Latorre on Hair, we got so many lovely pics for our portfolios.

Looking For Ashley Lawler

Above Drawing is a Stock photo of Women's Body: Illustration of Dress Design by Ashley Lawler

All Other Photos are Portfolio Work of Ashley Lawler

It took a little persistence and a lot of patience to hear back from Ashley Lawler. The Fine Art Photographer and aspiring Graphic Designer is busy building an impressive portfolio of work. Her 3D photo collages are fantastic, but you will have to take my word for it. Shown above The first photo: 'The Fighter" was part of a student photo exhibition at OCC Royal Oak campus when I spotted her talent.

I asked for permission to show a very small group of photos I felt showed her eye for telling unique stories of Women. They capture something beautiful to view, but also so much emotion and most important I think they invite questions. Why is she holding her head that way? Why is her face missing? Why is she sitting on her suitcase? Why is the pink light halo glowing at the peak of the lovely umbrella? Why the firm open legged stance in such a beautiful red dress with combat boot? I love images that pull me in with beauty and questions.....A powerful combination for a fine art photographer to master.

Ashley is currently taking course work in Visual Communication and wants to work in Advertising and Film. She is also passionate about Lomography and collects exotic vintage cameras, which include: Brownies, Hawkeyes, Holga's, and Octomatt's.

I'm excited to see her portfolio continue to grow and I hope to own some of her amazing work in the future. Find out what she is up to and contact her for commissions, collaborations, and purchases by e-mail at aeglawler@gmail.com