Flashback to a few months ago, Dapper Lounge was invited to collaborate with Rummage Magazine on their third issue ‘The Elements’. Rummage, a Sydney based independent mag “presenting emerging Australian creative’s in art, design, illustration, fashion and photography” offered me the opportunity to be their featured Men’s Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger. I was commissioned to style and art direct a men’s fashion editorial and front cover feature; needless to say I was super excited to be asked to come on board and had a blast pulling together the shoot.
From location scouting to photographer sourcing and wardrobe styling, representing the theme ‘The Elements’ for this shoot, took on the form through colour and texture. I spent a few days location scouting around Sydney and brainstorming where a space might propose itself that fit the bill to expressing the theme.
Yep the cliché location of a beach and rockery did find itself on my storyboard from my location hunting expeditions, but I really didn’t feel this project lent itself an environment of the sort (nothing wrong with beach location shoots, just maybe no for this project).
Working with talented photographer Richard Hedger, it wasn’t unlit one our many coffee catch-ups that Camperdown Bowls Clubhouse was thrown into the remit, and after we both ventured for a location visit, we felt the nostalgic essence of this old school and somewhat rundown 1960s space would indeed fit the bill perfectly. From the worn timber floors, bright coloured doors and heavily textured surrounds, there wasn’t a corner or area we couldn’t shoot in. Heading out on set and doing a site visit pre-shoot day with Richard was key to the prep work from an art direction perspective. Knowing where each look will be shot and how I would best style each outfit within each space, created the opportunity to achieve the right balance of the theme while showcasing each menswear pieces.
On a two-day shoot, starting at Sun Studios and snapping away for the accompanying Q & A in Rummage which chats about all things men’s fashion and the impending Dapper Lounge blog, for part two of the shoot it was time for the Camperdown Bowls Clubhouse. With Australian menswear brand, Calibre and timepiece brand Bausele. Both brands coming on board for the shoot, my wardrobe and styling duties were made much easier with some of their brilliant sartorial pieces from the Spring / Summer collection.
Using the timber panelling walls and floors, to rich reds doors and hues of forest green textured exterior walls, all helped loan itself to a great setting. Although this was to be the third and last issue of Rummage, it was nonetheless brilliant to be part of this great magazine.
Stay dapper.
Robbie – Dapper Lounge.
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