Onwards and upwards. For the second installment of Style Whispering, I bring you a photographer's labor of love resulting from an all day shoot one rainy Saturday at longtime London fashion darling Amanda Wakeley's Fulham Road flagship store. Six hours, four incredibly sweet sales assistants, countless cups of tea, one Pomeranian and the largest selection of gorgeous eveningwear I've ever had at the disposal of my unworthy grubby little fingers. Oh, did I mention the diamonds? Yes, there was even one chunky crystal wrapped in a filigree cage of pave that belonged to Amanda herself. Sigh, a girl's best friend...sorry Butters!Our first shoot with the one and only Pat Lyttle of Getty Images could not have beleaguered a better location. While outside the heavens may have opened, flooding the streets of South Ken, inside Amanda's pristine store, we 3.5 were snug as bugs in near-couture Grecian draped jersey rugs.
Pat, an ex chef and celebrity photographer, brings to the Whispering table not only superb technical know-how when it comes to whipping out a pic or two, but an eye for the pristine and the perfect. Reckless snapping no more, muscles in my legs began to cry out in gym-neglected pain whence posing in some ridiculous position tucked in amongst the rails of gowns for more than five minutes as Pat quietly and ever so gently, tucked, pinned and draped. Feeling like I was making the face of an ogre (i.e. pre camera lift sucking in of the face and futile attempt at the SMIZE): "DON'T MOVE," he'd instruct. Really? REALLY. Now that I've seen the pictures, I put myself completely in Pat's very capable hands going forward. If he says put both legs over your head, smile with your third eye and levitate, I'd find a way to do it.
As for the clothes themselves, it was truly an embrace of my inner goddess. Draping galore, I've never felt so glamorous in my life. My favorite dress of the day, which I made Pat shoot in two waves because I just could not bear to take it off just yet, was a Grecian toga style white floor length frock with beaded neckline and belt: a Didonian dream. The first round, I shot it paired with fierce zebra heels to bring it out of the Second Sophistic and into the 21st century. But then my inner Classicista melted and couldn't resist the chance to strike an Aphrodite pose. So the shoes came off, the hair got pulled back and I climbed aboard a stool pinched from the dressing room to serve as simu-pedestal. By the way, Pat's Japanese street style website, www.jstreetstyle.com, goes live today at 3PM GMT. Be sure to check it out!
But the icing on the cake, as if an entire afternoon of unabashed red carpet gown frolicking wasn't enough, was that the lovely Amanda herself took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few of my questions. And whence I received the well thought out and diligently crafted responses, I opened the accompanying portrait of the gorgeous blonde with the pensive and piercing eyes and thought to myself: when we whisper Amanda Wakeley SS10, we should just shoot the designer herself.
To scope out the shop yourself, head on down to 175-177 Fulham Road, London SW36JW. Or click here to shop online at www.amandawakeley.com
Clothes Whisperer: Tell me about the current collection (AW09), what was the inspiration behind it? What is your favorite piece, if you have one?Amanda Wakeley: My autumn/winter 09 collection was inspired by the way the Tibetan people dress – in particular the layering of their clothes, piece upon piece. My satin eyelet dress is certainly a key piece. Satin is an iconic fabric for me but the cut of this dress makes it very modern. We’ve used eyelets to control the volume so it’s fitted through the body and then flows out from the hips with a drape that creates the pocket effect. The back is sleek to balance out your silhouette. It would work equally well with a pair of boots or heels. I also love the long cross-strap jersey and tulle dress. This is all about goddess dressing. Superfine jersey and silk tulle are draped all around the body like a couture dress. It’s one of those fantastically easy pieces that looks glamorous and yet is also very comfortable to wear thanks to its internal corseting. Best of all, the fabric means you could throw it in a suitcase and it will still travel well.
CW: Who is your favorite star to dress? Who best embodies the spirit of your dresses on the red carpet?
AW: Dressing Scarlet Johanasson was a highlight. She has an enduring yet current beauty. She is the embodiment of true Hollywood glamour. I am very selective as to who I choose to, each of these women embody the essence of my brand is some way.
CW: Being a designer renowned for her evening wear, have you noticed any changes in the way women shop for occasion dresses during the recession?
AW: Although there are slightly fewer events and occasions to dress up for this year, people are really making an effort with those they are attending. Women always want an opportunity to get dressed up and feel beautiful.
CW: Even though you are considered to be one of Britain's best-loved designers, with three British Fashion Awards under your belt, it was only this past January that you finally bought back the intellectual property rights to your brand after ten years and set up your own design studio in Chelsea, how does that feel? At a time when so many designers are going under, Luella most recently of course, why do you think that you were actually able to drive your business the other way and take complete ownership yourself as others fall into administrative hands?
AW: I have always been in complete creative control of my brand, through a sequence of events I was in a position where I was able to take back complete control of my brand again for the first time in ten years. Obviously this feels incredibly liberating and empowering and I am now truly in a position where I can steer my brand to exactly where I want it to be. Running a business in a recession really makes you sharpen your pencil, we are now a far more stream-lined and effective team than we have ever been.
CW: Speaking of Luella, what are your thoughts on her going bust?
AW: I have no doubt this will be an extremely traumatic time for her. I am ever the optimist and believe that true talent will always prevail.
CW: As a designer, do you have any inside shopping or secret style or shopping tips and tricks, "whisperings," if you will, that you wouldn't mind sharing with the readers?
AW: I am a huge believer that your clothes should always make you feel beautiful, confident and should enhance your natural shape.
...guess what, Amanda...WE REALLY DO!!!
"I just love the sheen of the calfskin and the luxury feel of this coat. Again, we have a statement collar to create a layering effect but this is balanced out by the three-quarter sleeves. I would wear this day and night – it’s not fitted so you can throw it on over anything, from a little cocktail dress to a pair of jeans, and still look fabulous"--Amanda Wakeley
"I love the cut of this wool jacquard coat. The fabric is exquisite and very unusual, which makes this piece so special. Although it is a heavy fabric the overall effect is streamlined, as we’ve bound every seam with silk and then overlapped them. You can see the Tibetan inspiration particularly in the cut of the collar, which is folded to create layers. The contrast between the long, skinny arms and layered, statement collar is striking. With tweed so on trend for this season, this coat would instantly update anyone's wardrobe"--Amanda Wakeley 
1 Whisper-backs:
That are some lovely collections of images .Thanks for sharing with us. Those collections are really great.
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