Jessie J in Jeffrey Michael Design

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

JMD on the Cover of Sideview Magazine

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

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

Groove Armada

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

On The Set - Rimmel Makeup

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

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.

Johnny Lazer's January Debut

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