Jeffrey Michael

Jeffrey Michael Debut Fashion Film Teaser

2012-01-23T04:48:00.000-08:00

Having the debut for Jeffrey Michael creep up next month on February 19th, the team at Jeffrey Michael have been working hard creating the elegant lookbook and fashion video. Take the first look at this amazing creation by Ben Charles Edwards and an award winning team who have taken on their own respective realms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbyNxqeByl0&feature=plcp&context=C37b82f3UDOEgsToPDskL5GNRQIWW4JPUdRnIsI8Ml

Video Credits :

Director - Ben Charles Edwards
Assistant Director - Alexander Appel
Stylist - Claudia Behnke
Hair & Makeup Designer - OscarAlexander Lunberg
Makeup - OscarAlexander Lundberg
Hair - Aaron Blondell
Water Model - Skye Victoria
Wind Model - Anja S (Profile)
Earth Model - Laura
Fire Model - Lina (Profile)

Jeffrey Michael A/W 2012

February 19th, 2012 - 3 pm - 6 pm at the Lightbar, at St Martin's Lane Hotel.

'The Preternatural Deity'

An exciting look into the four piece London Fashion Week Video that will be displayed in the debut show by Jeffrey Michael.

This collection was inspired from the silhouettes of the Golden Age of Hollywood, when women like Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Marilyn Monroe ruled the silver screen with poise, grace and elegance. Beauty was inspired from elegant draping fabrics, sumptious colors, and timeless fitted cuts that showcased the shoulders, back, or breasts; not all at once, but in revealing captured moments up on glamorous movie posters and throughout the memories of movie lovers for all time. These women will forever be remembered in their flowing red carpet dresses, and timeless hollywood movie roles that have left them in every stream of our current day existence and popular culture.

Specifically the movie moments in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, of the sexually frustrated Elizabeth Taylor in the classic Tennessee Williams play to film showcased a women who was both sexual and refined, classic yet volumptous in soft whites, and creams. Her personality was embued with hearty tension, while showing composure and pleasantry in her beautifully crafted wardrobe. As well in the young daydreaming Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina and Roman Holiday, and the firey sexual Marilyn Monroe in Gentleman Prefer Blondes, and How to Marry a Millionaire.

The collection silhouetes play off of these themes in long flowing evening dresses in deep rich colors, that showcase couture hand applique, and fine detailing in each dress piece. Having long flowing dresses contrasted with open side slits, sweetheart necklines, and teardrop backs revealing portions of skin in the most flattering way harkens back to these rich movie histories.

Similarly the ideas of embodied symbolisms of women deity and elemental references which have led the collection to reflect upon the four natural elements of earth, fire, wind and water. Showcasing these classic hollywood women in the light of fire, in the breath of air, etc in an attempt to bring each garment to life with motion and light. Within the visceral potent film that accompanies the main showcase at London Fashion Week will showcase these elements brought to a sophisticated reflection in the four main garments of the collection representing their four elements earth fire wind water. Through these elements and the film, the act and cycle of creation, destruction, then creation again are influenced upon the pieces in a way that embues each dress with a living entity in itself. Therefore the idea of this strong ephemeral woman almost becomes the symbolic woman, in both the eyes of the world (hollywood) and in nature as this immortal diety.

A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers.

Summer Couture

2011-12-09T18:05:00.000-08:00

This summer was busy and exciting and Jeffrey Michael was all over the US, Canada, and Europe.

One exciting project were custom made pieces for Mark Sheppard, talent force who has been travelling around the world performing, most recently in Glasgow's street performers festival. Some noteable performances were Mark in show with Cascada, and Gaga in her early career.

Here are some pieces created custom made for Mark's music video Automatic Weapon.

DEBUT collection at London Fashion Week

2011-11-26T09:29:00.001-08:00

So an exciting new venture is being undertaken after a year of research, planning, investment, and honing in on the design asthetic for the new collection for Jeffrey Michael.

Showing Feb. 19th, 2012 will be the first collection by Jeffrey Michael at London Fashion Week, venue below, to an excited and expanding guest list featuring exciting previous pop star clients, and phenomenal press royalties (which will be named closer to the event).

After spending time this summer in Los Angeles, Montreal, New York City, London, and Toronto, Jeffrey Michael has returned to its roots in London and will showcase there as the main homebase for the collections. Having worked in London the past three years head designer Jeffrey Michael has gained respect, followers, and loyal collegues who will be teaming up to create some beautiful things for this exciting official launch into the fashion realm.

The collection, which is half done, is being created in the designers native Canada with a skilled team of craftspeople. Jeffrey Michael has scoured the continents locating the brightest and most talented to assist in the creation of this line which means so much to the brand and will always be remembered as a first.

In being asked by many press, and industry friends again and again what the collection will feel like compared to previous works or designers a rough likening can be taken to reaching for that of Alexander Mcqueen meets Elie Saab, and flowing creatively like that of Early Thierry Mugler meets Iris Van Herpen. Of course these masters have their very own distinct styles, but it is difficult to pinpoint where a designer fits in amongst such great names.

Pushing those ideas and feelings forward the collection also uniquely expresses ideas of organic and natural material exploration, layered textiles and textures, and the use of natural layering and organic methods found in plants, animals and nature.

Furthermore, the debut will continue to explore ideas of integrating technology that Jeffrey Michael has explored with his previous showpiece explorations. Integrating lighting, and expressive technologies will always be a reoccuring theme for collections to come as Jeffrey Michael wishes to press the boundaries and understanding of clothing as we experience it on our body, and where clothing will be in 5 - 10 years from now.

Lastly the collection will attempt to explore beautiful evening wear, and signature pieces fit for red carpet, as well as for the budding pop star, and actress royalty that have accepted and announced fashion as a seamless existence for their expanding experiences in fame and the public world we know and love.

Jeffrey Michael is excited and ready to finally display this explore and anticipated launch and will be showing in February at London Fashion Week, followed by showroom in Paris. Some discussions have began for the collection to show at a very exclusive sect of Canada's Toronto Fashion Week, but more on that as it becomes official.

Wish us luck !
Jeffrey xx

SLiNK Magazine Interview

2011-09-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

SLinkmagazine.com

A new exciting article in SLiNK magazine by me is heating up as one of the main features of this new issue. Just recently being named the new features editor, I snagged the exciting up and coming Gabi Gregg for an interview in this new issue of the magazine. Some of you may know her from the hugely successful 'Young, Fat and Fabulous' blog (recently retitled GabiFresh) that she writes that showcase personal style, and dressing for a fiercely real woman, but I got behind the scenes to chat about her transition from MTV to the world of styling.

Gabi is known for being the MTV Twitter Jockey for the last year and is an amazing stylist who has been featured in magazines all over the world since her epic work. Meeting Gabi last year in NYC on the Brooklyn Bridge supporting her during an amazing plus sized fashion show as one of her challenges to win the spot on MTV set into motion an amazing exciting friendship that has lead to this wicked interview in the magazine.

A conversation about body image, understanding what it has been like on her journey to fame and styling, as well as touching on how things have changed her blog and outlook on the world. A heartfelt conversation with an intellegint, one of a kind woman who knows where she is going and what she has to say.

Check out the interview (expand the online flipable magazine on the front page), and also check out SLiNK magazine in its luscious new issue ! The presentation in this magazine is refined, clean, colorful and on trend. The editor Rivkie Baum knows how to do it and shows a polished and refreshing taking on lifestyle and fashion. This is a magzine for women of all sizes, and promotes women wearing fashionable exciting season's trends. This magazine is groundbreaking in its ideas about marketing to the entire world's average sized woman, but does it in a way that is all about the fashion and lifestyle, and not about promoting a cause. It is seamless and beautiful. I am so proud to be apart of this new idea, and new magazine !!

Now go read the article !! GO ! GO ! :)

Jeffrey xx

Runway Passport

2011-08-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

Many have blazed through these experiences before me, and have seen this baffling life unfold before them. Through my own journeys so far, so many bizarre, amusing nuances have occurred towards which in my mind the final achievement is of my brand standing strong amongst these burning idols. People like Elie Saab, Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, and Alexander Mcqueen – oh, Alexander Mcqueen.

Check out the first installment of : Behind the Scenes with Jeffrey Michael , of which a little preview is above.

One of the stops along the way to moving to New York City is that Jeffrey Michael will now be one of the writers for the luscious online fashion collective Runway Passport. Covering news and events in fashion all over the world, JMD will now partake by lending monthly a luscious article featuring behind the scenes of his journey to becoming an international designer. Each month three questions will be answered from readers around the world who tap into the amazing Runway Passport.

I met the amazing creator and editor of Runway Passport on my adventures in New York City, a fiesty, unique, fantastic woman named Liz Entin, and over several trips and two summers we have had many chats about up and coming projects, simulatenously covering massive ground stomping around in New York during the sunny summer days.

So check out Runway Passport online and their upcoming new platforms at the below links !!

http://runwaypassport.tumblr.com/
&
http://www.runwaypassport.com/
J xx

Summer @ Jeffrey Michael Design

2011-07-05T18:06:00.000-07:00

A new summer awaits Jeffrey Michael Design and the team is getting ready for some epic adventures.

As you may know summer time is when JMD adventures out into new territory and works on expanding the brand into bigger and better iterations. Specifically, like last summer JM has been working hard at moving the brand and its goals int New York City.

Already having visited Los Angeles and New York City once to meet new contacts, discuss possibilities with one of a kind stores, and to meet with investors, JMD is returning this week to New York City for some of the biggest meetings to date for the brand.

(In LA at the Maxfactor / Hollywood Musuem - this is wear they made Marilyn blonde !)

A major goal and meeting that is set up is that of finding a New York City based PR so that Jeffrey Michael may expand into North America. Already doing very well in London it is time to harness the connections and thrust that has naturally been happening in the many clients and suggested work in this fantastic city. JM will be meeting also with some very interested parties who want to show Jeffrey Michael at New York Fashion week in a very sexy avant garde location.

Jeffrey Michael Design has been working with excitement and heavy hand at creating the first capsule collection which will be presented in Kiev in the Ukraine this October to the international press. This fantastic city laid host to Jeffrey Michael and his creations last March to amazing response and revue. Presenting, mingling, and being interviewed by the talents of Kiev including Daria Shapavola, and meeting with previous head of Russian Vogue Alena Porkskova, JMD was encouraged to create its first capsule collection to be reviewed by the international press.

(JM with the notorious, charming and famous blogger 'The FaceHunter' and other exciting shots from Kiev Fashion Days in the Ukraine)

Now onwards to New York to purchase fabrics, notions and all the adventurous pieces that create a collection by JMD - keep your eyes pealed for sneak peaks as we have the same amazing style and flavor that has come to be known for the Jeffrey Michael Brand.

*special thanks to Kiev photos from Icon Photography (all other credits just contact me and I'll put them up :) !)

Dionne Bromfield in custom JMD

2011-05-22T13:18:00.000-07:00

Dionne Bromfield's new music video - ' Foolin' ' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hda2MlISmS8&feature=player_embedded

The very talented Dionne Bromfield has just released her newest hit pop single ' Foolin' ' which croons out soft soulful melody and sultry vocals by the young fresh 16 year old. Jeffrey Michael was introduced to Dionne several months back via her fantastic stylist Melanie Thomas, and plotting was had to create a unique one of a kind JMD piece for her new promotions, as well as this specific music video.

The video features beautiful visuals in which three Dionne's play sassy characters discussing a man they are in love with who is not a good influence for them. Each girl is decked out in a fully fantastic outfit, with one of the main looks being the beautiful iradescent JMD black feather dress. Fitted, and full of hand attached iradescent purple, green, black feathers the dress fits perfectly into this soft and sexy look, matched with amazing heels, and dripping beautiful hair.

In the video the look receives front and center when the final scene of the video features Dionne on a see through curved architectural chair in a Los Angeles feeling mansion poolside. Dionne decides to give the boy a chance and also showcases the soft feathers as she does her signature cateye pose.

Dionne rose to fame as the protege to Amy Winehouse on Winehouse's self made record label Lioness Records. Dionne has hit the red carpet, the Brits, and been seen and heard all over London (even meeting up with lil Justin Bieber). Her mentor Whinehouse can be seen in photos with her, as well as felt in the guidance to Dionne's silky voice.

Check out also the amazing behind the scenes footage of the making of the video and also see more of this up and coming pop sensation on her website.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiP81nvbzp0 - Behind the Scenes

http://dionnebromfieldmusic.com/ - Dionne's Official Website

Jeffrey x

Jessie J in Jeffrey Michael Design

2011-04-30T15:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSZVYZTze74

A new exciting music video has debuted for the ferousciously conquering pop star Jessie J , featuring a new lightup one of a kind piece by Jeffrey Michael Design. Featured as one of the signature looks in the new video 'Nobody's Perfect' this piece is a huge new step forward for JMD.

This music video directed by Emil Nava and styled by famous celebrity stylist Anna Trevelyan, known for her work with Lady Gaga, used one of JMD's custom lightup costume pieces in one of its main scenes.

Commissioned by Anna for Jessie specifically, the piece was flown onsite to Bulgaria, where it was used as one of the key signature looks seen within the video on Jessie. The piece was conceived to showcase dark twisted sophistication, highlighting aspects from such references as MadMax, and Metropolis along with the signature Jeffrey Michael Design lightup features. The look was created using a combination between reclaimed old film reel, cassette reel, and several other layered films with overlaid lighting to be seen carrying offstage. The look came off as seamless, haunting, and perfectly executed thanks to Anna's amazing skill and vision for Jessie to be surrounded by beautiful mocking lips and trapped within the lighting.

" It's one of the most honest and raw songs on there... Every time I sing it I relive the moment that I wrote it about. I think it's important to expose your flaws in music as well as your positives. As it says, nobody's perfect. I'm definitely not!" - Jessie on her recent hit

Visit the website to see more video, pictures, and catchup with the pop star to see more about her new album, Who You Are , and her third single 'Nobody's Perfect' !! http://www.jessiejofficial.com/

Jeffrey xx

Kimberly Wyatt in JMD

2011-03-10T13:27:00.001-08:00

JMD has been blessed to work with the very talented Miss Kimberly Wyatt formerly of the Pussy Cat Dolls in the form of several exciting costume projects that have and are coming up.

Meeting for the first time last month, the two plotted and planned new costumes for the exciting dance epic tv show, Got to Dance, in which Kimberly is one of the main judges. The second last filming of the show saw her as judge turned act on the show, as she performed in an amazing JMD collaborative cinderella-esq gown, co created with Vivienne Westwood, and Wendy Benstead. JMD created the exciting lighting and undercarriage pieces for the dress to spin and twirl while fully lit up and illuminated in the on stage fog, mist and exciting stage lighting. The performance also showcased Kimberly's new group Her Majesty and the Wolves. The performance went amazingly and can be viewed here on youtube :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kit_qDHe0Y

"International pop star and dance judge Kimberly Wyatt steps into the spotlight to show the level of talent she's looking for on Got to Dance. See the mysterious side of Kimberly with spooky lightning, shady forests, capes, masks and much more, courtesy of Her Majesty and the Wolves..." - Sky1 TV

Spencer - the other piece to Her Majesty and the Wolves can be seen sporting the green lit illuminated JMD gloves, which he uses like flowing water to beat box and move through the air throughout the songs & performance. The amazing lit wolf heads were a collaborative piece conceptualized by JMD with Karl Willet, who is Kimberly's amazing celebrity stylist that has been working on the all of HM&TW amazing projects with Kim. Collectively with the whole team, Kimberly and Spencer make up this amazing new group Her Majesty and the Wolves.

Upcoming are some exciting new music videos being created next week in Los Angelos for the group that will see more of the JMD pieces and creative direction in the "little red riding hood' themed feeling, combining the ideas of a Midnightsummers dream feeling with that of the big bad wolf that is HM&TW. Lighting, capes, crowns, and over the top wolf heads come together to create something unique, theatrical and exciting.

Check out Kimberly (@kimberlyKwyatt ) and Spencer ( @afarinezey )on twitter for more details and performance info and keep watching Jeffrey Michael Design - @jeffrey_design for some behind the scene pics of ProudO2 and Got 2 Dance

To sum it all up in Kimberly's words,

“Even in the Pussycat Dolls, I always felt that when you get onstage you just turn into a lion. And I know that of myself. I’ve been onstage since I was seven. On stage I just like to get lost in the music. It’s not exactly Kimberly Wyatt up there, but it’s definitely an extension of me.”

She is definately a force to be watched and JMD is excited to display some of its newest pieces on this electifying talent.

Jeffrey x

JMD on the Cover of Sideview Magazine

2011-01-26T07:11:00.001-08:00

After shooting with the amazing milliner Louis Mariette last November, finally out in its quarterly magazine is the lovely couture creator himself, Louis wearing a custome made Jeffrey Michael Design piece on the cover.

http://sideviewmagazine.onsugar.com/

Made to match his supple brown hues of eyes skin and hair, this piece was conceived after an exciting meeting with the editors of Sideview magazine last fashion week between sips of coffee after shows at the ON/OFF venue at Chancery Lane.

Visualized for the cover, the artist Jeffrey Michael created the piece using his typical organic and found materials to create this soft, cozy shoulder zip bolero. The piece soft lights through its dense organic material to illuminate soft brown lighting over its wearing party.

Made to be slightly asymetrical and to be worn open on the cover, Louis made this piece come to life. Shot by the amazing Karl Lake, and brought to life in the garden area outside Louis's studio space, we spent the day with him getting the story of our lifetime from a true gentleman. Thanks to the Sideview team and luscious editor Dumebi !!!!

Jeffrey xx

Groove Armada in JMD

2010-12-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

For the recent final tour of Groove Armada an epic show was had and all were very sad to see the group go their separate ways after 20 plus years.

JMD was very greatful and lucky to have been able to create one of the distinct outstanding looks for the front runner of GA, Saint Saviour. The spunky, exciting, high energy vocalist, that punctures through the air waves with her luscious sound in one of my new favorite songs, Paper Romance, a must have most recent track for Groove Armada.

Seen here, Becky is alive to the beat, and shot from the audience's many millions of hand held cameras, the energy and life are captured along with the first reactions to this one of a kind lit up piece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8QuEFYJR8I

In this clip a full on energy spectrum is seen as the costume does its job of pumping up the volume and taking the song to the next level. I was lucky enough to be invited behind the scenes in Brixton Academy for the second last performance, to meet the group and give out my congratulations, and to talk of future projects with the lovely and very secretly quiet Saint Saviour.

Many thanks to my collaborator Ada Zanditon who worked back and forth with me via NYC to London for several months before hand in our epic creation of this vision together :) ! Ada continues to wow and make waves with her current seasons collection having an amazing following with vogue.com and one of her most strengthy patrons Viktoria Modesta.

Keep posted as some luscious discussions are in the works for the piece to be on cover of a very exciting mag, on none other than Groove Armada !!!

Some other links to the show I was at !! And many thanks to the photographer who captured GA in action - Ray Kilpatrick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru9R-3f0GqY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4q8vxlbTdE&feature=fvw (awesome light at 0:33)

Jeffrey xx

SugaSmak wears JMD

2010-12-01T07:28:00.000-08:00

The very talented Nate James wears a custom made pair of Jeffrey Michael Design lightup glasses last Thursday at a fierce performance by SugaSmak. At a packed gig in Central London at Punk, Nate crooned out soft sexy music to match the upbeat techno beats.

More to be seen on SugaSmak by JMD as the season unfolds and some exciting new pieces are under discussion for the new year !! Keep your eyes pealed, and ears open for more lightup pieces by JMD. Check out Nates music on his myspace.

Jeffrey xx

Nate James Collaboration

2010-11-16T07:05:00.001-08:00

Jeffrey Michael Design will be working this week with the luscious techno heat band SugaSmak featuring a pair of signature lightup JMD glasses. The glasses will be seen on the wicked MOBO Award-nominated singer SugaJack (Nate James) as they beat and pulse to the sounds of the music. Bassline will be had, and a wicked performance will be seen on this Friday the 19th, and next Thursday the 25th at the ever cool secret location bar in East London (click facebook link below and accept to get the details)

links to the event via Facebook here !!! Come see a wicked perfect collarboration.

RSVP to ITOLDYOUIWASFREAKY@LIVE.CO.UK for information on how to get to the secret east London Location (WHERE oh where is it going to be lol!!??)

Glasses are for sale, and for rent for events so inquire at jeffreymichaeldesign.@hotmail.com ;) (glasses visual above of the lovely DJ Laura Fares of Disco Damage wearing a pair)

Jeffrey xx

NYC Summer 2 - Farrowtone

2010-10-14T06:34:00.000-07:00

Throughout the summer many new amazing artists were met and taken into the JMD consultation and creation process. This included my second major artist of the summer, the incredibly talented Farrowtone.

Breaking out into the charts and climbing higher and higher with his current single "Bedroom" (currently sitting at number 13). His music is soft, silky, and a throwback to the greats like Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley. Mix that sound with a modern soft beat and you've got some of the best chill, sexy time music around.

Another artist under the Caelum Entertainment wing, Farrowtone introduced himself to me mid summer, and we clicked instantly. Immediately seeing him as classic, old hollywood, and a bit modern day Elvis Presley, the case was open to create a new meaningful look that balanced out his music and persona.

I wanted to create on him something that both evoked the lavish hollywood in golds, and jet blacks, as well as bringing a very soft masculine fit to whatever was created. In my journeys to the MET and Natural History Musuem (countless ideas brewing) I was inspired in the knight wing. I saw there knights in formation riding into battle full plated with underlink chain fitting the body.

Finally weaving this into a soft tight cut dress shirt as a shoulder piece topped with a modern custom made JMD pair of glasses and we were set for our shooting day. We took shots for both potential album covers, and for promotional shots. Thanks to the wicked Frank Kuzler of DeadPro Inc. was our photographer shooting up a storm. Also keep your eyes peeled for his next single coming out in November and shows in California, NYC, Miami and hopefully London! Jeffrey xx

NYC Summer - Sterling8

2010-10-14T05:43:00.000-07:00

An amazing adventure was undertaken by Jeffrey Michael Design this summer in trecking halfway across the world to our friends in New York City.

Originally undertaken to create the looks and album cover / single coves for the talented and amazing Sterling8 , the summer turned into a place to create new exciting contacts, and to meet ever talented new JMD artists (more on that in the next blog).

So to begin, the summer went off with a big bang in the creation of the image and looks for Sterling8 and his newly released first single Hypnotized.

Full of beat, soul, and Sterling's characteristic high 'falsetto' the track is a smash hit in the dance clubs already, and pumping its way into remix after remix (best being the German remix available for download by Sven Erler!) The track was created by the talented Gaetano Lattanzi of Caelum Entertainment.

The look I created for Sterling8 was "organic futurism", a play between a not to distant future and the earth, in which design and clothing had morphed so far as to come back around to the organic natural materials. This piece (below), titled "Aztec Warrior" has shapes designed in a protective armor patterning, while the materiality contradicts the piece in its soft, colorful layered papers.

The next look (below) along the same theme needed to create a new look for his soon to be released second single which is a sweet, sexy, and powerful creator playing off the instinct for love. Therefore the piece was darker, more mysterious, and played into the duality by pairing a glass woven corset, with a soft organic neckpiece made of flowing red maple leaves. Both piece reflect off of each other to create a dynamic and exciting soon to be release for his upcoming song.

The last look was a mix of the dynasties that Sterling is so attracted to; Egypt, Atlantis, and Rome, all in the styling and hair (created by the fantastic Broadway hair and makeup Jon Carter who came in with his fantastic team for the shoots). All the fantastic photos were shot by Shelby Chan, noted fashion and product photographer, who we had the amazing fortune of working with.

Looking forward to the next few weeks in which you will see Sterling8 on the radio, in performance, and releasing his next few tracks. Watch out Caelum Entertainment! You have a fireball ready to explode! Find out more information about Sterling8 on his website at http://www.sterling8music.com/ and make sure to follow him on twitter at @sterling8music

Jeffrey x

London Fashion Week & JMD

2010-09-30T11:12:00.001-07:00

A new season of fashion with Jeffrey Michael Design presented in many new and exciting ways. Several amazing contacts have been made for new projects with fantastic new magazines and online publications, as well as the royalty of British Pop. JMD was a contributing editor during fashion week for the ongoing tweeting and response to all the fashion shows seen by LABB magazine (current issue below) and all of its emerging artists, and had an opportunity to view new and exciting designers and fashion shows this season at the ON/OFF venue, and with Vauxhall Fashion Scout. JMD seen with LABB magazine at the Lako Bukia show above enjoying the fierce and flowing creations of a truly inspiring and talented creator.

Some of the exciting new upcoming projects brought from meetings at the fashion runways of London Fashion Week include negotiations for a second piece with Diana Vickers, who this month is on the cover of Random Magazine wearing a couture one of a kind lightup paper dress by JMD (below, at newstands NOW ! ), and with Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes who will be soon wearing her own one of a kind creation made specifically created for her persona.

Other collaborations include a featured piece on the cover of Sideview Magazine on their exciting yet to be announced covermodel (who I know and am so excited to be working with!), and a cover spot on the upcoming Womens Issue of LABB magazine (more info as able to be printed out to the world). Finally a new spread in Idol Magazine with a custom made piece specifically for the magazine, and negotiations to begin with the luscious BLOW magazine.

During fashion week JMD was also contacted by TOP10 Magazine to contribute his piece to an exciting article about "Young Fashion Week" in which Daria Shopovalova (above) , famous model, presentor, and magazine editor, wore and glamorously displayed upon herself the couture showpiece that is the "bauble dress". http://top10.ua/fashion/2010/09/29/young-fashion-week (third picture in) and styled by the ever amazing Sofia Shershunovich (who has her own amazing blog - click here)

JMD was also present at several key, exciting London fashion week shows, most noteably at the Ozwald fashion show were he mingled with the likes of Shingai of the Noisettes (pictured above), Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child (recently in the London cast of Chicago), Dame Fierce, and Janice Dickinson (pictured below).

Other loves and likes of the JMD team as tweeted by Jeffrey Michael for LABB were

Jacob Kimmie's live tableau presentation: " Amazing pieces by Jacob kimmie for #lfw http://twitpic.com/2pc5al "

Masha Ma : " Draped, layered and with a focus on metallic and creams - Masha Ma delivered http://yfrog.com/2mkz7lj "

Teresa Cruz de Almeida : " Teresa Cruz de Almeida - of men ' it's not just the women that should enjoy high heels ' - http://yfrog.com/9glqajj "

and Colin Monroe - " Colin Munro designed body suits said to keep you feeling streamlined and sexy. We agree http://yfrog.com/e8g79j #lfw "

and click here to see the full pics from the Diana Vickers shoot available from her site now http://www.dianavickersmusic.com/global/images/diana_press_cuttings

More exciting blog projects to come as press and projects from fashion week begin trickling out :) ! Jeffrey xx - jeffreymichaeldesign.co.uk

*photos of JMD with Shingai and Janice courtesy of snappylifestyle blog - fierce, fab and on the mark with trends and gorgeous shots covering fashion !!!

Diana Vickers wears JMD

2010-09-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

Another JMD adventure with British Pop Star Diana Vickers. JMD worked with Random Magazine to come up with a couture one-of-a-kind dress for their September Issue magazine, featured both on the front cover and inside. The dress is fully made of paper from the previous Random magazine cover and insides, and came from Jeffrey's quest to create the ironic twist of having the magazine's own cover on its new cover by way of the dress. Diana's songs and music have been much loved by JMD since her time on XFactor, and it was an exciting adventure to bring this piece to life and to light just for her. Her new song, The Boy Who Murdered Love, with wicked video can be seen at this link :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1wKCXbrK74

As seen in these low light shots, the dress becomes like a paper lantern, lit from many layers within, overcasting the front and back images of each page in hues of selected purples, reds, and blues from within the magazine.

A sneak peak at the cover selection which is now on Newstands as of today, September 14th around London (and soon in NYC !!!) You can check out the Random website (below) to find the nearest magazine shop in your city.

The dress and Diana have already been seen on Popjustice, and in "The Heat" magazine, and more soon !!! Thanks to Random Magazines creators Tom and Rivkie, and shout out to the new music from Diana :)

http://random-magazine.com/index.asp (random magazine online link)

http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4981&Itemid=9 (pop justice link)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1wKCXbrK74 ( Diana's new song "The Boy Who Murdered Love" )

Jeffrey xx

Groove Armada

2010-08-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

http://www.groovearmada.com/#Home

As seen from their most recent performance in Amsterdam, Groove Armada is an epic force to be reckoned with, being a very long established music maker from its humble beginnings in the early 90's. JMD has had the great fortune of partnering with Groove Armada, and Ada Zanditon to come up with a light up costume creation for lead singer Becky for their upcoming touring this year.

Paper Romance Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74cQF2ebgOM

To be created as a brainchild between Ada and Jeffrey, this piece will speak to the future of both of their careers, in lighting, and creative throwback. Taking references from Tron, Broken Glass, and futuristic design inspirations in both of their collections, this piece will be used throughout the upcoming touring season for the band's lead female singer.

Groove Armada has played all over the world, taking in Russia, New Zealand, Ireland, Turkey, Los Angeles, two sold out tours of the UK, which culminated in three consecutive sold-out nights at London's Brixton Academy, and two-sold out tours of Australia, ending with a live New Year's Eve gig for 20,000 people on Bondi Beach, Sydney. Of special note gig wise is the amazing London outdoor festival Lovebox, of which Groove Armada has headlined along with the likes of Goldfrapp and The Flaming Lips

Ada Zanditon interned with Alexander Mcqueen before studying at the London College of fashion, where she graduated with high honors. Since then, she has worked with the likes of Patrick Wolf, Bishi, Robots in Disguise, etc etc (so many amazings), and shown her collections on many prestigious runways at London Fashion Week.

Jeffrey Michael and Ada had the chance meeting throughout the last year at many mingles, runway shows, and adventures through common friends (it was destined before long) and joined forces recently several months ago with the intent to create something visionary that lent upon both of their skills. Utilzing exciting lighting schemes, structural design, and intense costume creation, the two have madly been scheming and creating in coordination with team Groove Armada.

Get excited, this is the big time !! Look to see the piece this September and keep posted for finished pics ....

Ada's Collections = http://www.adaz.co.uk/index.html
Info on Groove Armada =http://www.groovearmada.com/#Home
Paper Romance Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74cQF2ebgOM
Jeffrey's Collections = http://www.jeffreymichaeldesign.co.uk/costume_daniel_stepin.php

Jeffrey xx

The Sterling8 Dynasty

2010-07-11T20:21:00.001-07:00

A new Jeffrey Michael Design project has began on the up and coming artist Sterling8. Sterling has just released his first debut single "Hypnotized" which is cracking out and getting airplay all over the US, and recently just broke into the UK market. Being already remixed in Germany and Japan, the track has broken open new possibility for the artist. JMD and Sterling have partnered up to create iconic, couture, one of a kind pieces to showcase Sterling as a top celebrity artist.

JMD has currently been brought out to New York City to work on the full costume design for Sterling8's performance, media, and album cover which is being shot this coming weekend. Noteably being shot by Shelby Chan and hair and makeup by Theo Faulkner , this shoot holds much promise for the up coming single release. The costume piece is one that has been in the brain of JMD for several months over discussions with Sterling for the perfect one of a kind look that suited his personality and music type.

Decided to be titled 'organic futurism', Sterlings look is a contrast between soft organics like leather, feathers, and earthy materials, and hard sharp diamonds, black, and reflective materials. This best reflects both his high fasetto (seen in the new single hypnotise) and his soft gospel infused low range (soon to be seen in his upcoming 2nd and 3rd track).

Upcoming events for JMD and Sterling include a soundcheck with a very high profile celebrity (more info on that to come), and a very exciting selection process for the background dancers with celebrity choreographer Candice Franklin who has worked with Janet Jackson.

JMD is very excited to be working on this project with such amazing fellow team members and looks forward to the exciting array of key signature, iconic pieces commissioned by the Sterling8 dynasty.

The single can be seen on Sterlings website : http://www.myspace.com/sterling8music.

To see work by the other artists working on the Sterling8 project please visit their webpages :

Theo - Makeup/Hair - http://www.theoafaulkner.com/

Shelby - Photographer - http://www.shelbychan.com/scfinal.html

Candice - Choreographer - http://www.sceneinteractive.com/talents/candicegetsdown/

Jeffrey xx

A New Look

2010-06-16T05:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.jeffreymichaeldesign.co.uk/

With a fresh look, a cohesive brand, and a new website done by Alisa Afkhami Graphic Design, Jeffrey Michael Design is ready to head forwards and upwards.

So many exciting projects are turning up this month, including opportunity for magazine editorials, cover spreads, costume design projects in other countries, and work with several pop icons (pictures to come next blog!! keep your eyes pealed).

Shown here is the amazing Media pack created for JMD by Alisa which features swing tags, catologue, coffee table book (for sale for 75 GBP), and fantastic (my favorite) JMD shoulder bag.

This month as well, JMD was featured in an article in Grand Designs Magazine which can be seen if you click the link on the new JMD website. The feature was done on one of JM's clients Noel Qualter, noted film producer, who lives in a beautiful penthouse in Kentish Town. The Shakespeare lamp owned by Qualter was featured in one of the focal pictures in the article as seen in his home. A great honor to be in one of my favorite design magazines.

Special thanks to Alisa Afkhami (Graphic Design) and Jake Pyne (web development) for all their hard work on the branding and website. Please use their links to contact them if you want a chique, fresh, and amazing website or branding.

xx Jeffrey

The Warhol Screens

2010-05-16T17:32:00.001-07:00

These one of a kind wall mounted lighting installation pieces, titled The Warhol Screens, explore the idea of grand design and art gallery proportions. These pieces, which are ideal for lofts, art gallery, showrooms, and larger installtion spaces in offices or wide open-spaced homes, offer a clean luxurious soft lighting. They are made by hand in the artists studio, with no two being the exact same. Each photo is carefully selected for color and placement and the overal look is prescribed uniqely to each installation. The deep colored trim is smooth and organic in contrast to the vintage iconographic photographs, dated victorian newspapers, or antiquated music sheets used to create the light screen. Each screen is hand made, and the topography of the ridges and valleys of the central piece is unique and one of a kind to each piece. The inspiration from these larger than life pieces came from the work of Andy Warhol in his study of iconic faces and moments in time which have lasted over the ages in our minds. Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor. All integrated into a flowing tapestry of light and movie history. Presented in soft organic lighting, and bold enough to become a conversation piece in any grand space.

Trained as a classic architect, Jeffrey Michael the designer started off his designs 5 years ago in Canada. He moved fluently between architecture and lighting design during this time in his projects. After several trips to Paris and London, this collection features the presentation of many years of reflection and study into the dynamics between iconic aged imagery in his lighting design. His other collections also feature sit and stand lamps with vintage papers including ones fashioned with old shakespearian poetry and old vintage comics to create unique one of a kind lamps.

Height by Width - 1.73 meter by 1.73 - vintage movie stills - lit from behind, fire proofed, max 60 watt bulbs - energy efficient, LED, or low wattage bulbs
07552607694

http://www.jeffreymichaeldesign.co.uk/
jeffreymichaeldesign@hotmail.com

These pieces are soon going to be entering into a lovely furniture art gallery fusion, "The Collections", in Chelsea on Kings Road in London, under the direction of a fantastic arts buyer. It marks the high end range of the Jeffrey Michael Design lighting collection and is a sneak preview from my autumn winter collection for next season. It has been a labor of love and in the future you will see me using more iconic images in more of a stencilled, exciting light and shadow way. These will be the pieces that garner the adoration of the people, as they will portray the royalty of our time in a way that Andy originally debut his pieces in his time. To us some of them have lost their luster, but images like Marilyn and Elvis and Liz have lived on into our pop culture as vibrant and bright images.

(Now available in store for purchase)
Jeffrey xx

Wonderland Magazine

2010-04-14T05:22:00.000-07:00

A new venture with Graphic Designer Alisa Afkhami, has lead to an amazing proposal and branding of Jeffrey Michael Design. It has been an ongoing quest for JMD to find the perfect web designer and branding agent to reinvent the look and feel in a way that was the original intent of when I first began last year. I am so happy with the presentation and accomplishments already of Alisa in her quest to unify and simplify the image of JMD.

Of one of the first big wins together is a new pitch to Wonderland Magazine that has been completely accepted with great enthusiasm on both ends. The pitch involves a sexy viral video which will feature JMD light up costume pieces, and the creative brain of Alisa Afkhami Graphic Designer. Together a creation worthy of Wonderland has been put forth and successfully claimed to great excitement.

On the first page of Wonderland online is an example of the Dior Homme video made for Wonderland which will give you an example of the amazing quality of video produced for the magazine. Our pitch includes full workings with the heads of their creative teams in makeup, filming, hair, and being in contact with the magazines editors and visual people. This is a fantastic opportunity, and will be taken with extreme creative mind.

Here is a part of the pitch which was created for the magazine:

Look:

Incorporating the emerging trends from London Fashion week into a dark and brooding viral, accompanied with designs by Jeffrey Michael. Jeffrey Michael - a costume and light designer who exhibited at London a la Mode this season at LFW, incorporates lights into garments to add a dynamic and contemporary performance element to fashion.

Viral Treatment:

A dark empty space. An eerie and echo feel about it. White florescent lights are placed on the floor and wall. Space is pitch black with white florescent lights flickering on the floor, to create dramatic flashes and a feeling of neglect. Four models with a edgy punk/rock look are styled in reference to Alice Palmers AU/W10 collection. (Studs, structure shoulders, Doc Martins, leather, etc). Jeffrey Michael light designs are incorporated, in either accessories or by adding to existing garments. Each model will have some element of lighting attached to them.

When light quickly flashes, sections of the styled models are revealed, but not revealing the whole piece. Flashing light begins to fade out and is replaced by the flashing of the costume piece, until light finally stabalises and stays on. (As if the lights on the garments are stealing the power from the florescent lights.) Again costume pieces are only shown in sections, giving viewer a small taster of the piece. Camera moves quickly from one shot to another, and from a variety of obscure angles. Last shot is longer than all others finishing with the Wonderland logo overlayed.
Big bass/eerie beats accompany the visuals, with the shots changing

Alice Palmer link - interviews - http://www.fashion-stylist.net/blog/2009/03/03/an-interview-with-knitwear-designer-alice-palmer/

Alisa Afkhami - Graphic Designer and Branding - http://www.alisaafkhami.com/

Bottom Shot of Johnny Lazer - Recently photographed by Peter Ashworth

- Jeffrey xx

On The Set - Rimmel Makeup

2010-03-31T03:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c0ym7JzVfE&feature=related

Finally revealed is the commercial I worked on last October, for Rimmel London, "get the london look" who's fabulous new spokeswomen are Georgia May Jagger and Coco Rocha. I had the honor and privelege of working with miss Jagger, and had the joy of her signing the British Vogue that came out that same month with her on the cover (of which she delightfully said was the first autograph she had ever been asked to sign!!). It was delightful to be on set, and Georgia could command a complete silence of about 50 odd people when she walked into the room from makeup. Young, beautiful and perfectly what Rimmel is all about.

Linked on this page half way down is the "the making of video" , behind the scenes for both scenes in the arcade, and the internal tunnel which were both giant sets completely created from nothing. http://www.rimmellondon.com/UK/OurFace/OurModelLooks.aspx?look=125

It was an amazing experience to watch over two days a white set the size of which could hold a small ship, to be transformed into a working arcade, and visually identical tube station. Between takes we actually were encouraged to play into the games which worked incase of need for background models (which didn't happen sadly!) In the behind the scenes you can see the first glimpses of the motorcycles and Georgia trying to hit the line, "get the london look" camera straight on, hair flowing. Amazing to view, amazing to help with !

My job on set was to light the fabulous motorcycles, which were made to resemble arcarde games. The whole concept of the commercial was the girls "racing to the finish line" between Georgia and another up and coming beauty, Flip (her name) . The two girls started with a walk off, and then hopped on the 15 000 £ motor bikes to then race on. My job was to install the side lighting and game lighting to give the very masculine realistic motorcycle, a playful simulated look. The lighting used was color change LED nodes on sticky tape, which was attached and followed the lines of the motorcycle. Linked wirelessly to a controller I was onset for two days playing with the flashing colors which went from a static pinkish purple, to then flash through blue, red , green and yellow.

An amazing learning adventure, and totally professional cast and crew, and a lovely new cover model Georgia May Jagger for Rimmel London.

Links to the cover of Georgia - British Vogue November 09 - http://models.com/work/british-vogue-british-vogue-november-cover/12984

Link to Coco Rocha fab site - http://www.coco-rocha.com/

Link again to the commercial - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c0ym7JzVfE&feature=related

Rendered Images of motorcycles by Morgan Kennedy and thanks to everyone on set ! Fantastic

Jeffrey xx

Gabby Young - Set and Costume Design

2010-03-13T04:50:00.000-08:00

Another adventure for Jeffrey Michael Design in a new partnership with Gabby Young, and her fantastic musical creation, Gabby Young and Other Animals. From a chance meeting in the Miss Kiki Salon debut party for a line of beautiful scarves (at the Reading Room) last February came a sequence of meet-ups and discussions over the fashion week festivities. Before hearing Gabby perform in person for the very first time that evening, Gabby had spoken with me and requested some lovely lamps that she had seen in a beautiful photograph and the chance to work together on future set design and costume design. Over the next few days of catwalked venues and afterpartys we forged a new friendship and a beautiful new vision for the upcoming show at the Bloosmburry Ballroom that cullminated in a very rich and rewarding design experience.

The set concieved originally on a cocktail napkin over a quick brainstorm featured Gabby through a lovely frame for her to play and dance within. The stage was to be draped with hanging feature lighting all around her and the band like cave stalagmites. Mixed in with beautiful ambient colored lighting (purple and magenta) that the stage had been set with, the event went off without a hitch. The melencholy beauty of Gabby`s voice evoked something haunting and pointed in the center of the stomach as she danced through melody and songs .

Utilizing a full band, including horns, accordian, guitar, and drums, her sounds evokes something of a soft jazz, mixed with great upbeat harmonys. A bit of a mixture in my mind of several of my favorite artists (Feist, Amy Whinehouse, Florence and the Machines), there is something unique and new about Gabby`s sound and collection of animals. Her heart and soul come out with each song, and the enjoyment is clearly readable within each passing moment of her onstage. With many thanks and shout outs, the sets went too quickly for my likes and we were quickly into the final part of the evening.

Afterwards Gabby graced the ballroom for mingling in the Fire Necklace. Worn in a new and unique way with the beautiful dress made by Salon Gabrielle, and married with beautiful hair extensions in glowing red, it was if the entire outfit was completely made from one glowing ember. Photographer Andrew Harvey was onhand that evening to capture the mischief and mahem of the animals, as well as the creative stalls that were surrounding the outside of the dance floor. Jeffrey Michael Design displayed some of the Spring Summer 2010 lamp collection, that was also on stage as featured lighting.

Finally the evening closed with Gabby, Andrew and myself in a tiny corner hallway, of which we found the most beautiful area for photos of the Fire Neckpiece. (top two photos) Against the soft purples and blues of the stage streaming through antique glass, Gabby crouched down a small set of side stage stairs and put on a tremendous face after such an amazing set on stage. Tired, and almost last in the house, we captured some of my favorite images to date. Thanks to everyone who was involved in making this a night to remember, including Brett (Gabby`s manager), Miss Kiki (for the stalls and amazing dress), the band, and the amazing people at the Bloomsburry Ballroom who helped me get everything together onstage. Looking forward to several opportunities in the summer that have come from this including several stages at a huge 5000 person music festival, of which Gabby will also be playing :) !!

Jeffrey xx

http://www.gabbyyoungandotheranimals.com/ - the official website for Gabby

http://www.misskikisalonpresents.co.uk/ - salon gabrielle

http://blog.arharvey.com/2010/03/gabby-young-and-other-animals.html - photos of the set and light up neckpiece worn by Gabby taken by Andrew Harvey

www.youtube.com/pascalgregoire - the event in video :) !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxcV2lz9jTg&feature=related - my favorite song official video :) ! - Gabby Young and Other Animals - "We're All in This Together" Official Music Video *HD*

http://garethsgigs.wordpress.com/2010/03/05/gabby-young-other-animals-bloomsbury-ballroom-thurs-4th-march/ - pics of the stage

http://www.smvblog.com/nonita/?p=5618So - interview and background of Gabby

http://www.myspace.com/gabbyyoung - what band is complete without the myspace !! (sample the music! love love all in this together :) ! )

The garment and headpiece are from the Salon Gabrielle collection, designed especially for Gabby Young by the Miss Kiki Salon Presents artists collective. The headpieces is by UglyLovely , go check it out !! © Sofia Kalaitzidi, Kundalini Arts and Robert Burton. Live lighting design and programming by Marie Sanders.

300 Friends - Set and Lighting Design

2010-03-10T12:52:00.000-08:00

An amazing debut for Jeffrey Michael Design, creating the Set and Lighting Design for 300 Friends, a play by Sarah Elaine Stewart. An up and coming director with a talent for creating moving and resenating moments, Sarah has her own theatre company which claims space at this site here : http://www.whitespacetheatre.com/ We met several months ago quite by chance through friends and began upon a journey that resulted in a very well acted and performed play. The play debuted at the Albany Theatre from the 3 - 5 of March, and was very acclaimed by audience members, some saying after that the play that it`captured a character that came from their own life`, and that `appealed to their own questions about the insanity of the day to day`.

The screens for the set design were created in a similar method to my lamp making process. They were important to the play as they embodied the idea of absent authority and static in the scene, used in a way physically that in combination with spot lighting demarked rooms on a set. At points the characters interacted in a central living room space, and at other times had conversation alone and together in their own rooms. Each space overlapped and therefore the set had to be cleverly able to adapt to each charcters feeling and mood for the lines performed. A very key set piece that I had imagined from the beginning was a moveable chandelier which is almost a main character in the play. Its main use is to motivate the plot forward and to challenge all the characters. The chandelier began in the play lowered near the ground and broken, promting the household to have to fix it. Through this broken experience it reveal`s each characters dreams, hopes, anxt, and troubles in how they do or don`t attempt to fix the lamp. At points in the play characters lift the chandelier, play with it, fight with it, and finally at a pivotol climax, raise the lamp up after fixing it, symbolizing freedom and clarity.

An amazing journey and a really beautiful venue. The play has been covered by many blogs and write ups and here are just a few of them. Thank you to all the actors, Sarah Elaine Stewart (the fab director) Lauren (amazing costumes), Tom (fab soundtrack) Susan (for keeping us organized) and to Andrew Harvey ( http://arharvey.com/ ) for amazing photos that we could only begin to dream of :) ! Thank you to Andrew who took time out of his schedule to come be on set for a day with us to capture these moments during our final rehersals.

The publicity :

http://blog.arharvey.com/2010/03/300-friends.html - andrew harvey blog (set and actor shots)

http://www.300friends.co.uk/ - 300 friends blog (photos, write ups)

http://www.whitespacetheatre.com/page6.htm - the whitespace theatre (blog and photos)

http://soundcloud.com/disapia/300-friends-music - links to the music of the play created specifically for the moments and magic of our actors and set (truly amazing)

http://annaiceland.blogspot.com/ - behind the scenes and event photos at play

Johnny Lazer's January Debut

2010-02-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

A fantastic show was had at the Goldust by Johnny Lazer. I had the pleasure of working with him on his costume design which included some of my light up creations. The main piece worn was a white tank with insewn color fields in multicolorings (blue, green, yellow, fuscia). Johnny threw it up his own style by adding in a found vintage yellow baseball pant (with string crotch) and light up boats in reds and yellows that went very well with the soft blues of his upper body.

As always I love to have photos taken both on the evening and post show to show the different sides to the costume pieces but also to present the costume exactly as it was on the evening. The top two photos at the Goldust, were taken by Andrew Harvey (you can see his work at http://arharvey.com/ ) as well as the bottom two of Laura with my light-up glasses creation.

As well Johnny was photographed by Eddie Blagbrough http://www.eddieblagbrough.co.uk/ , in Johnnys flat in central London. Together me and Eddie created a sexy low lit adventure that allowed the costumes and his photography to play out to their best. Johnny wore the light up gauntlet made to be a metaphorical 'lighthouse' to shine out into the audience during his performance.

Finally the lovely Laura Fares, his amazingly talented drummer, wears a pair of my hand made light up glasses. During the performance they both were solid light and flashing to the beat of her drumming, giving her the attention she deserved to highlight her amazing talent. Both Johnny and Laura played an amazing show to great acclaim, and hopefully to promote Johnny to getting signed :) ! A great team to work with, and amazing photographers worked together with me to put these beautiful photos together. Thanks to everyone who helped out.

Jeffrey xx

For Sale at Camden Interiors

2010-02-13T07:46:00.000-08:00

An amazing shop, Camden Interiors, on 19 Chalk Farm Road NW1 8AG (across from Camden Market, the entrance beside Cyber Dog) has picked up 2 lamps from my Spring Summer 2010 lamp collection. They are an amazing shop which features new trendy, and very chique designers. Their clients come to them knowing they are getting something fresh and new for their homes. A very excited stockist Atai, accepted my invitation to bring my lamps into the showroom upon our first meeting with great excitement saying that they would easily fit into the surroundings (with my agreement). My dream showroom has brick walls, hardwood flooring, and an eclectic mix of furniture from reclaimed sources. That is just what I found in this beautiful shop that I have had my eye on literally since I first moved to London. With a very catchy large rocking chair as its symbol and proudly floated outside its sign on the corner it is hard to miss on Chalk Farm road and I have passed it many times thinking to myself, one day Jeffrey that will be your shop, selling your lamps.

Go see the website and go to see the lamps on the basement floor (where the gorgeous fireplace is) right when you walk down the stairs. Situated amongst reclaimed wooden framed mirrors, and lovely antique desks and drawers, my lamps feel quite at home.

http://www.camdeninteriors.com/

:) ! Jeffrey xx

Press Coverage

2010-02-04T11:19:00.000-08:00

A bit of coverage by a lovely blog, featuring me and the up and coming new designers of London ala Mode. An excited discussion about what is to expect from the showroom that I will be featured in this month.

http://thefashionscoutsept09.blogspot.com/2010/02/showtime-london-la-mode-pop-up-showroom.html

Another fab blog that presents tres chique new feature collections and pop-ups and talks about our work in the showroom at Liberty House.

http://www.emergingfervour.com/fashion-events/a-dream-for-buyers/ergingfervour.com/fashion-events/a-dream-for-buyers/

JMD Catologue Spring Summer 2010

2010-02-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

What an amazing month this has been so far.

The showroom at Liberty House is all set up and buyers have been coming in for all of the designers for the last two days. I have gone out to get some appointments to much success. I have booked myself to start showing in a lovely shop that is one of my long time favorites in London, called the "Camden Interiors" : http://www.camdeninteriors.com/ . They will be for sale starting next week on Thursday !! Go see them in the sexy lower floor right set into the gorgeous mantle piece on an antique chest of drawers (specifically chosen spot by myself), and have a chat with the floor manager Atai. We had a great chat about the store and he said they love new designers because they keep the pieces they bring in "fresh and new" so that people keep coming back with high expectations for good quality and flare for design.

Fantastic :) ! Much more to come from the showroom experiences at London ala Mode pop up . If interested in viewing the showroom feel free to contact myself at :

jeffreymichaeldesign@hotmail.com or

Emma Crosby , Popup Showroom Controller and owner of London ala Mode at:

info@londonalamode.net and the website at http://www.londonalamode.net/

- Jeffrey xx

Liberty's Show

2010-01-28T10:00:00.001-08:00

Another adventure has begun for the month of February in which my work will be featured with some other amazing designers at Liberty House , 222 Regent Street.

This will be the Jeffrey Michael Design Spring/Summer 2010 collection featuring the Shakespeare's Lamp, the Vintage lamp, and the Comic lamp.

As well there will be a test lamp of the teardrop jute lamp, and a costume piece of mine from the last blog will be featured.

This is the first professional show, and I have several exciting meetings set up with many shops from around London to view the collection. I'll be very excited to report all succesful actions during the month and will be putting up my catologue in the next blog.

PR for the events and my lamps - www.londonalamode.net
the venue and salesroom - http://www.liberty.co.uk

Jeffrey xx

Fire Neckpiece

2010-01-07T14:19:00.000-08:00

After a year of discussion and thought, a lovely collaboration piece was done this Christmas/New Years season between me and Mark Sheppard.

Several amazing performance by Mark on New Years, including "Play" nightclub, and "The Empire Ballroom" were notable for the evening and Mark put this costume piece on display and worked the room with it. (Check last blog for pics of the shows and piece at the event)

Above (top three) is the sexy photoshoot that was shot by me in the late hours of the evening at Studio Mark Sheppard. Truly a dream come true to work with the person responsible for much inspiration in my career. I have always wanted to do a photoshoot with Mark in one of my pieces, and along with several other photoshoots this day, we carried out the " FIRE NECKPIECE ".

Focusing on the solid color palette of red, with red lighting, this piece was mean't to emphasize and draw light up the neck and along the jaw. It was situated centrally on Mark's body, creating a dynamic focal point, featuring explosive radiating color and light. Like the many other costume pieces by Jeffrey Michael Design, this piece also saught to push forward creative unseen design, as well as to integrate the lit aspect into a dynamic, wearable, moveable piece. The attention draw to the wearer, such as happened on the evening, amplifies both the aspect of the performance and conversation and through heightened interest and excitement.

This was an amazing shoot, styled with a simple red dress, and an exotic headpiece made of feathers, of which I really was thinking a mix between Rihanna's mohawk and sexuality, and the Vegas Showgirl. It turned out even better than i could have imagined, and Mark made this a pleasure to create and shoot. His gorgeous camera gave me a taste of the professional world and his set and studio are to die for (I aspire to have the same someday soon!!).

Finally on display are my photoshopping skills which I pushed to the limits in these top three photos. I would like to get good enough to go out on a professional level working for myself, amongst my many endeavors. If you have any interest in this please let me know.

Here are some easier to read examples of what the piece looks like on its own. It drips down the front to a stop near the navel, and has a small featured larger shoulder on the left hand side to add attention from the back. The lighting is all self contained and does not require a plug in. It is mobile and dynamic.

If you are interested in this or other costume pieces for purchase or rental, please contact jeffreymichaeldesign@hotmail.com .

jeffrey xx

New Year's 2009

2010-01-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

Another fabulous New Years has passed by, and I was able to celebrate in style with Haus Mark Sheppard. Along with his fabulous backup dancer's, Sinfully Sweet, I assisted Mark with his light-up costume design and photography over the evening.

Shown here, my newest creation was glowing and golden red throught the evening at both the Empire ballroom, Play Nightclub, and later in Studio Mark Sheppard. We had so much fun, with a bit of crazy mixed in getting between all the venues, but in the end I had so much fun.

The main event photos on the big black stage were at the Empire Ballroom at which it felt like a grand stadium and Mark's intro video got the ground pumped up to a crazy height, with them going mad as he came out to sing his new single 'JUMPSTART ' ! I had so much fun being in the audience taking photos, mingling, fielding questions of why Mark is so fabulous.

The evening was a huge success and the costume piece was on display with the right man. I specifically designed this piece for him as a one of a kind commission. I brought all my costume making devices all the way to cold cold Canada and used his studio the days leading up to the event.

I even got to wear it for a little bit of time in some photos! So amazing.

Shortly to follow will be the big shoot I shot in Mark's studio featuring the piece and some hot styling, as well as some direct photos of the piece on a glowing white mannequin ! Keep your eyes peeled over the next few days !

Jeffrey xx

A Christmas Flurry

2009-12-23T09:33:00.000-08:00

A very festive Christmas season has been seen by Jeffrey Michael Design. A whirlwind of fancy Xmas parties have dominated my season thus far this year, most noteably a party by London a la mode http://www.londonalamode.net/ thrown by the fabulous Emma was one of my highlights (photos of Lumnie Santi, my fabulous model, and me).

We had a great time and a great fashion photographer, Paul Linus had an impromtu photoshoot with Lumnie on one of the tables as we all watched with joy. The top two photos of her and her with me are courtesy of him.

Of noteworthy goodness, is that I have been for the last 2 months working with two very talented gentlemen in the London music scene, Donny Slack (above), and Johnny Lazer (sexy blonde below). I am currently working with both boys on some very lovely light-up projects.

The really exciting project is featured top picture. I will be lighting up a military blazer for mister Slack (above) that he will be showing in his upcoming promotion and concerts. He is a great singer and someone I believe to be a future star in the music industry, not only in the UK but internationally. So it is a great honor to be working with someone so talented.

As well the glorious mister Lazer will be having his big gig in January to be announced and I will be continuing to work with him on several costume ideas including light up shoes. He is a crazy rocker, and both of these gents have worked their way into my hearts with alot of great music and fantastic showmanship ! Johnny at Camden was a fantastic show and my first time seeing him perform to my delight.

Through these lovely boys and through my work at Digitaria I have met a never ending rotating door of connections of which include Lady Gaga, U2, Mika, and some very exciting London music scene executives. I have to say it is all at the same time overwhelming and extremely exciting. All of the above mentioned meetings will be happening over January February so I won't say anything until I have them confirmed. Lets just say its going to be big, bold, and beautiful.

Finally some very exciting new is that the Jeffrey Michael Design costume pieces will be featured in the upcoming January issue of "The Cut" which I will link to as soon as it is published. For now im going to put up one teaser photos (to left) from the behind the scenes of me and the lovely model after our very cold outdoor shoot at my studio. The studio is a very old factory building and has underground alleys that we accessed (quite legally hehe !) and is the main reason I snapped up the space. Apparently also there is a roof terrace area (photoshoot!) that is stunning and has a glorious view. TBA for me getting access to that gem !

Ok Merry Christmas and hope everyone is taking a little bit of break. Thanks again to Donny and Johnny !! My sexy lovely musician boys :) !

Jeffrey xx

Selling My Lights in Camden Market

2009-11-29T08:12:00.000-08:00

This shop hosted by the fantastic Stephen is in the Camden Market Stalls. Surrounded by antiques, mirrors, old suitcases and countless other treasures, Stephen has taken my lights into his home in Camden. The pieces fit in well with the decor of his shop because he sells vintage posters and antique maps, along with all sorts of old ads and treats. He is also the man who sourced to me the vintage porn for the other lighting. There is a lovely lineage of life history working through here and I am proud to be apart of that. My lamps are on sale in the stall from now on and can be purchased there from him. If you are interested in viewing them, go into the horse entrance, turn left, and first right down the middle. It is the 3rd or 4rth stall on the left. Just ask for Stephen, as his bright outgoing personality has gotten him much love and respect with all the vendors in the market and they all know his name :) !

- Jeffrey xx

Illuminated Dress Design

2009-11-26T18:50:00.000-08:00

As seen on "Stylist in the City" - http://annelook.blogspot.com/2009/11/bauble-dress.html by Anne Look - http://www.annelookstylist.com/

Me at a sexy event held at Digitaria tonight featuring my work, costume design, and the work of the fabulous Ada.

The piece featured in this blog has been created for a photographer from Italian Vogue, Kofi Paintsil, for a feature he is doing with storm models. He will be doing the shoot tomorrow in which the fresh faces of storm will be featured in my glowing gown. In his initial conceptualization he called for a gown made to metaphorical resemble a Christmas tree. I wanted a very luscious curvy hip and sweetheart neck line, and of course my quest for ever more lighting design interwoven into costume piece design with a new material. The glow is created by magic of course, in the color white which reflects of the matt and glossy balls. A show stopper walking down Oxford Street we almost caused two car accidents (sorry gents not for sale yet ;) .. ) . At the party alot of interested parties including meeting a lovely singer Bishi. Very sexy and very classy. Amazing style and we had a quick talk and exchanged cards. Hope fully that works out because her music is delightful and very snappy and I loved her new video that was shown.

The luscious model Lumine was gracious and glorious the whole evening wearing and selling the idea of my garment. Eternally greatful darling ! She did her own hair and makeup upon our collaboration and was perfect fit in the garment (very tiny girl). If you are interested in these or other costume pieces I have created please contact jeffreymichaeldesign@hotmail.com and I can consult further for future pieces. I will be using EL Wire to create shoes and boots for another show (Johnny Lazer) and as well have been contracted to make a shoulder piece of eagle feathers and to do pre work on some full fledged Victoria Secret angel wings (three test pieces required). Keep your eyes peeled for that and will post the pics of the shoot from tomorrow as soon as its hot off the press. - Jeffrey xx

Work at Digitaria

2009-11-26T18:23:00.001-08:00

www.digitariaworld.com
http://www.londonnet.co.uk/fashion/fashion-news/digitaria-london

Yesterday I went and hung up the lighting for today's showing of my lighting at Digitaria in conjunction with Ada who had her sample collection from last season on viewing and for purchase. A lovely woman who had alot of interesting collaborative ideas for the fashion integration with EL Wire. I am going to meet up with her in some idea proposals and a good old fashion brainstorm. http://www.fashion-stylist.net/blog/2009/04/10/an-interview-with-ethical-designer-ada-zanditon/

As for my lighting it went off with a bang with a buzz of people talking about it. It graced the sexy stalls set aside for the lovely women and men trying on Ada's creation to enter into and served the purpose of illuminating them as they tried on the designers creations. As well I brought in one of my costume pieces that will be in a photoshoot tomorrow and will have pictures in the next post along with links from a few fashion blogs that have snapped photos of my creation for their own bloggings.

Included in the lighting collection are two of the vintage porn lamps, and two of the comic book lamps. One of the vintage porn lamp (the large flat bottomed one) has been sold as said before, but the other elongated one (to the right) its still for sale. I really think so far this is my favorite shape that I have created for my hanging lights in this medium. As well I am fascinated by the black and white with touches of color and really enjoy the way the red illuminates. Its very graphic, but once the light comes through it is almost a different type of viewing, the lines and form of the paper is more apparent than the subject matter of the lighthing itself. Very interesting allowing for a different look vs on and off lighting (night and day).

Look to the next post for pictures from the party featuring the illuminated costume piece. I met some lovely people from different fields including some requests to work on catwalk design for next years fashion week, and to work on creating some costume pieces for Vishee , very lovely singer !! More to come :) !

Jeffrey - xx

Vintage Porn Lamp

2009-11-23T16:51:00.001-08:00

A new release from Jeffrey Michael Design. Commissioned by a very famous hair stylist, this lamp is based on very classy vintage gay pornography sourced from a stall in Camden Market dealing with vintage magazines and ads. Made with overlapping pieces of vintage black and white, the pieces have been carefully selected to contain one or two focal color pieces. At the time most of the magazines were in black and white and were just coming into the market of using color photography mainstream. Several points of contact on the lamp have color leaking through from the image behind giving of a soft glow. The light that emits is a beautiful yellow.

This piece with three others have been selected by Digitaria for a showpiece next Thursday featuring music and fashion by Ada. http://www.digitariaworld.com/ & http://www.londonnet.co.uk/fashion/fashion-news/digitaria-london .

As well they have decided to sell my pieces becoming my first retail outlet !! Very exciting news for my lighting.

The first test run has been done last Friday at another fashion party in which the vintage lamp was at a focal table, and very well received as pictured below.

Neon Wall

2009-11-18T16:38:00.000-08:00

This is a commission in combination with several others for one of my new clients. They are a lovely couple living with a gorgeous panoramic view of London. I am doing several outdoor and indoor projects for them and they have asked me to "go crazy" and just think completely outside the box for one very special area outside near the entrance to their glorious penthouse ! These are my quick renderings of my imagination for a gorgeous neon wall, giving them the crazy and less crazy option :) !

This project is an ongoing one because there are several specific lights that I have been requested to do including an office light, organizer light for the living room, and two large outdoor "rock" shaped lights of metal, and woven wood or grass. It is a very lovely job and I will probably be working with them for the next several months creating their lighting scheme :) !

- Jeffrey xx

Teaser - Industrial Strength

2009-11-16T17:08:00.000-08:00

Our fantastic models Imogen and Poya. This is a little teaser to show what is to come for Industrial Strength. I concept brought to me in a frenzy sleepless night turned into a reality ! Thanks to Kofi our fabulous photographer who is now retouching these as we speak, and to all the amazing hair , styling and makeup team who put in a great effort making this look fantastic :) !

The shoot went very well and we began quite early with makeup and hair. I took at Poya's eyebrows for an hour and a half and worked some magic, while Oliver of the hair team attacked his hair and slicked it back.

Meanwhile Raluca was doing Imogen's makeup and Kota worked on bringing her hair to life and sweeping it up like in my vision board that I sent him for the styling.

Finally, everything was ready and Kofi had prepared the lighting and backdrop on the set and we brought in everyone and began the wrapping of Imogen in the lighting to see which colors to use (white or blue) and Kofi said blue to be retouched later if required. We began with everyone on set and prepped Imogen and then slowly got the lighting and set perfect. It was a closed set during some of the shooting after Imogen was warmed up.

We then returned later to have Poya do his leaning shot such as the sketch with Imogen in the same frame. Having little time left we created our second closed set with Poya, me and Kofi, where I helped to light him in his own shots.

Really it turned out better than I could have imagined and I can't get over how only a month and a half ago this was an idea in my head waiting to be brought to life. After an intense session of posing and brain storming in Cafe Nero it is amazing to see it really come to life. To see Imogen hit the exact pose of the sketch, and to watch her look exactly as we had placed her against Poya in our original sketch was both eerie and amazing. Finally to see Kofi's creative directing on set was such a lesson in itself. Truly a professional and destined for great things.

Our next shoot is scheduled for November 27th with the girls of storm. Of which I am making a corset with Christmas Balls. Very chicque (think Cheryl Cole's recent dress)

Industrial Strenth Photo Shoot

2009-11-12T23:52:00.001-08:00

So the day is quickly approaching for November 16th !! This is the first photoshoot to brand Jeffrey Michael Design and to put up on the main website page. The first shoot is with a sexy male and female model of which I just got confirmation with both of them this past week (YAY!) and exactly the two that I wanted. I have finally gotten all the teams together for hair and makeup and styling and me and Kofi couldn't be more excited to shoot on Monday. This is the first artistic directing but most certainly not the last that I have done. Me and Kofi definately are co directing it and I am just happy to see my vision come alive. I really felt this photoshoot and saw it first in my head again from a dream I had. And then, in Cafe Nero I posed out to Kofi the strength I wanted the man to have and the support the woman was getting from him all wrapped in the lighting.

This shoot is going to mark a fantastic point in my life and I know its going to beckon so many new opportunities for me !! This is just one of many shoots that I am going to direct from now on and we have great interest from Vogue and Pop on this shoot !! I am going to attach a quick sketch from when me and Kofi first drew it at the Cafe Nero. Cross your fingers! And keep posted for the final image to be posted next week !

- Jeffrey xx

New Commission at the Stag Hampstead

2009-11-03T19:16:00.001-08:00

A new day, a new commission.

This one came from the lovely Stag Hampstead Pub, in which I will be meeting with the sexy owner tomorrow. We are discussing some new lighting solutions for his already very chique bar. His clientelle include Gwenth Paltrow!! So he said alot of new commissions will come from him showing my lighting in his bar. Im very excited to do this as I have been imagining the perfect bar, and then out of no where it came to me tonight while chatting with my friend. I wasn't aware he owned a bar and now we are going to have coffee at his place on the outskirts of Camden.

This bar is so sexy and the pictures on the website do it great justice. I can't wait to show him these sketches of which you are all getting a preview of. They are gorgeous red and navy blue bottles that have been collected by me. They are currently sitting all over my room (all 30 of them) and expertly mixing the lighting coming through my window to inspire me over and over ever time I wake up :) ! Wish me luck !!!

- Jeffrey xx

Lighting as Costume

2009-11-01T05:38:00.000-08:00

For Halloween 2009 I was invited to a fabulous evening out with some amazing friends from work. We went out to two different venues, and had an amazing adventure winding our way through the streets of London fully dressed up. We had a ringmaster, Harry Potter, Sexy Cop, Beyonce Robot (me) and Justin in his sexy red hand designed coat (fab). We decided that we were all going to go all out on our costumes (and me being me I totally felt it) and made sure I thought about it for a long while before I committeed and then started creating. The lights were supplied by work and i stitched them each one by one into my V Neck :)

I wanted to do something really special for halloween to highlight my skills as both a costume designer and lighting designer. This pieces was inspired by the Beyonce motorcycle dress. Thus the amazing shoulderpads!!

I used LED lights and connected them all to battery points which were woven around my belt. The main central pieces were taken from an old Mac computer which became my BEYONCE chest plate ! It was amazing because so many Asian tourists took photos with me all evening and SO many photos of me are now floating around facebook! Here I took pics after the party (we came back in around 5 am) to highlight the feeling of the light and darkness. I literally lit up the party when the lights went out because it was synced with the music :) ! I met so many amazing people last night and am so thankful for the new business contacts and friends I met through this costume !

As well I have decided that I'm going to be making a pair of wings (think Victoria Secret) for some parties that I will be going to and also for our work window display :) ! Amazing and sexy, and im going to make them on a frame so that I can have them bounce :) ! Ok more later!

- Jeffrey X

New Business Card

2009-10-24T01:46:00.000-07:00

Hello again! Second blog and a lovely update. So i received my business cards today and am very proud of how they turned out. I will be handing these out to all of my new business contacts.

I am invited on the 4th of November by my business partner Kofi Paintsil to a fancy swanky party and I will definately be using the luscious new photo card to hand out and market myself.

As for the future me and Kofi have decided that in January I will be debuting myself to London officially. We are going to have the opening in some sexy open lofty/warehouse space in which it is very low lit with candles, and of course just my lighting. I am going to prepare my whole range to have in there and make sure that each piece is sold. As well around the room will be works by Kofi and maybe our gorgeous advertising that we are doing with lighting in clothing all set against light boxes. Should be just fantastic. I will make sure we invite all the sexy hookups and as well Caroline who placed the first commission that amazing woman. She will be the first invite I send out to because I am so thankful for her working so hard with me and selling all of my lanterns that I gave to her in extra.

As well I have been asked by a bar / restaurant / lounge to design the lighting scheme including all focal chandeliers and spot lighting fro the ceiling. I have some ideas based on these lights that are on this blog in long skinny form, as well as some new ones. I am so thankful because the man just literally walked into the shop after me JUST saying about how i was going to do something like that. He literally 2 minutes later responded to the 'ad' out put out to the universe. Bless the secret !! Use it wisely and anything can be yours I have learned.

Ok well here is my business card and so excited for the next few days!

A Lighting Premier

2009-10-22T14:18:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Jeffrey Michael Design Blog.

I am Canadian lighting designer based in London England, currently using my design and creative talent to make lantern and chandelier design.

I have been learning from a famous lighting designer SKK (http://www.skk.net/) for the past 3 months including how to fabricate my own lighting fixtures and how to assemble chandelier pieces.

As well I have been working at establishing my own design business Jeffrey Michael Design and getting my new business card ready to have out at mingling parties. The images in this blog all represent my personal creations on one project involving aged 70's comics and the beautiful atmosphere created by the colored light emitting from them. The texture and weight of light is changed by the age and type of color print selected for each curve over the organic metal shape. These ideas were sitting in my sketchbook all year and finally come to frution one evening in the SKK design shop where i finally got the brainstorm on how to fabricate it all together. Quickly folllowing I had my firest event commission to do a fabulous celebrity party and my very first lighting debut !