Saturday, May 31, 2014

Backpacks back in style for Hands Free Happiness.

Love them or loath them backpacks, knapsack, or haversacks, whatever you like to call them are a pretty handy way to carry things around and if like me you tend to lug a LOT around with you; a backpack is both convenient and reasonably comfortable. But as these three pictures show a backpack can also be a very stylish fashion bag too; you don't want it bulging and groaning like a doubled-over high-school-students bag, what's that about anyway.. but you can have style and room to get some bits and bobs stowed away all the while keeping your arms available to deliver free hugs or just keep your hands free for other important tasks. These three very different and stylish backpacks spotted at Roslyn Oxley Gallery last Thursday night.

Black coat, pants and Black leather backpack/satchel - Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Brown leather knapsack with exterior pockets, vintage style - Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Yellow backpack style handbag - Street Fashion Sydney by Kent Johnson.

Never-Never Land Collabo at Roslyn Oxley Gallery..

www.roslynoxley9.com.au/ 


Street Fashion Sydney - shot with the Fujifilm X-Pro1 

Friday, May 23, 2014

Peekaboo Peep-Show Burlesque Performance - Boudoir Fashion & Risqué Lingerie Launch at Max Black.

Last Thursday evening, Max Black treated a select few to an evening of lingerie and boudoir fashion intimates. All along with performances by Australian Burlesque sweethearts Bella Louche, Frankie Faux and Memphis Mae. These beauties of the stage also modelled, paraded and posed wearing European intimate fashion labels; Something Wicked, Très Bonjour,  Fleur of England, Maison Close - Paris  and Lascivious. This was my first time at Max Black which is an 18+ 'restricted premise' and no doubt, just like you, I was wondering what I would find inside when I arrived.. What I found after receiving my tickets for the lucky door prize was a large and spacious well appointed store, friendly staff, a small bar from where the sparkling wine flowed and rack after rack of divine lingerie! I have been dining downstairs at Happy Chef Newtown for the last 20 years but it would seem I should have been heading upstairs for the last seven to check out what must be Sydney's best kept lingerie secret!
Peekaboo parade and lingerie launch show; black and gold lace bra set by Fleur of England at Max Black - Photography by Kent Johnson.
The show kicked of with a Memphis Mae classic golden-gown burlesque on the 'main' dance podium quickly followed by the arrival of two of our beauties Frankie Faux & Bella Louche wearing retro styled, laser cut, couture latex by Berlin's Très Bonjour from head to toe. After posing together on the main podium one of the ladies moved over to the mesh shrouded podium with several peep holes cut out. This would be the running style for the night and I loved this second podium's homage to the old skool restricted premises peep-show and decided there-and-then that my pictures should all go along with that entertaining piece of voyeuristic genius! Mouse over pictures for details.
Frankie Faux laser cut Latex couturier Très Bonjour stockings, panties, bra and neck piece at Max Black - Photography by Kent Johnson.

Peekaboo peep show, parade and lingerie launch show; black and gold lace bra set by Fleur of England at Max Black - Photography by Kent Johnson.



Memphis Mae in red lace bra and panties by Fleur of England, intimate lingerie at Max Black - Photography by Kent Johnson.

Peep show, belts straps, cut-away panties, Lascivious Lingerie at Max Black - Photography by Kent Johnson.

Memphis Mae in peep bra, corset, suspenders and stockings by Something Wicked Lingerie at Max Black - Photography by Kent Johnson.

Peep show - Bella Louche in Maison Close lace body stocking at Max Black - Photography by Kent Johnson.


Frankie Faux in sheer Maison Close halter neck body stocking; Peep show at Max Black - Photography by Kent Johnson.


http://www.maxblack.com.au/
Level 1, 264 King Street Newtown Sydney NSW 2042

Thank you to Bruce, Sonya and the very friendly and personable staff at Max Black for the incredible hospitality and to our performers and models for making this on of the most memorable clothing launches I have attended. If you love lingerie you will love Max Black!


Street Fashion Sydney - shot with the Fujifilm X-Pro1 

And for some reason, although the runway was pulsating to Madonna; I came away thinking of the hit track from Soft Cells Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret; Tainted love -  but while searching came across what I think is vastly superior version from this fellow below - Enjoy!

Thursday, May 15, 2014

WARNING! Nude Photos and Loud Check Shirts, as we Head-On into the Head On Festival..

Don't worry or-do, as there are NO nude photos on this page, you will need to visit the galleries to see those photographs.. there did however seem to be, at least to me; an excess of 'Real Lumber Jack' plaid shirts, at least on the men anyway and those pictures DO appear below NSFW? You decide.. Why the heavy loud plaid you ask? Perhaps that's because its winter now or perhaps that's because Photographers are real men.. or real men enjoy photography.. Oh hell! Apologies to all the lady photograp-hers out there, don't change a thing, just keep being fabulous and you may wear plaid because a plaid dress does not make you into a lumberjack no something much more stylish. And if you didn't click the link before, here's that lumberjack song.

Lumberjacks aside the Head On Photo Festival is already in full swing even though the Official Opening is TONIGHT at the Paddington Town Hall, see you there. And already I am caught up in the pictures, the crowds, the photographers and the FASHION! Speaking of Nudes, I submitted a very nice personal portrait to the portrait prize - of a friend of mine, with just a little nipple peek and it did not get selected! Which just goes to show that even if you know the organisers as I do, that does not mean you get in (although I have before). The selection is by a panel of judges so, you know, its all about the selection process, which is a good thing isn't it.
Artist portrait of Eliya Nikki Cohen at We all Went Walking – the corner cooperative. Photograph by Kent Johnson.
Artist portrait of Eliya Nikki Cohen at We all Went Walking
But back on track, I have now seen four/seven shows kicking off with Richard and Famous 2014 last Saturday at Westfield Bondi Junction; then last night I started at 10x8 Gallery Central Park Broadway for Lynn Smith's Nightrunner,  (website not fully detailed but it's on) then, as you do when its Festival time bumped my way along to two other galleries. Eliya Nikki Cohen's romping in the forest and sand nudie pictures at The Corner Cooperative, see Eliya above and reflection of nudie pictures below. And some great shoe porn as well which as you know IS the kind of fashion Porn that built the web!
Reflections, We all Went Walking – Eliya Nikki Cohen the corner cooperative Head On Photo Festival
Black ankle boots, cord jeans, crop aran knit jumper - We all Went Walking – Eliya Nikki Cohen the corner cooperative Head On Photo Festival
Leather low cut mens shoe, Clogs, RM Wiliams Cuban Heel boots - We all Went Walking – Eliya Nikki Cohen the corner cooperative Head On Photo Festival
Sailor stripe tee and long demim coat, We all Went Walking – Eliya Nikki Cohen the corner cooperative Head On Photo Festival
Black lace top and denim cutt offs, Stripe scoop top, burgundy cords – the corner cooperative Head On Photo Festival
Chocolate Platform Heels lurex socks, blue slip ons - Shoe Porn - the corner cooperative, Head On Photo Festival
Young Henry Beer Kegs and Overal wearing blond beauty, the corner cooperative Head On Photo Festival
Fawn jumper crused black velvert skirt with black stockings and brown clogs - We all Went Walking - the corner cooperative Head On Photo Festival
People outside, Red Palid shirt, We all Went Walking – Eliya Nikki Cohen the corner cooperative Head On Photo Festival
Ingvar Kenne with Kenne book at Black Eye Gallery for The Nude and The Naked opening. Portrait by Kent Johnson.
Fan (left) and Ingvar Kenne with Kenne book at Black Eye Gallery 
What is it with the door bitches at Black Eye? I know they don't have them at every show but they had them at this one; my answer is always the same, "I'm not on your list so don't bother looking, I'm here for the show." Honestly this sort of thing is going to give art in Sydney a bad name - if you want to moderate the numbers in the space, by all means do so, if you want to worry about your drinks, try tickets as they do at White Rabbit; names on list? This is bad form guys at an art show, whoever's idea it is, get over yourself. Now back to the shoe porn and more nudes at The Pool Collective's group showing 'The Naked & the Nude'.
Large crowd for The Pool Collective 'The Naked & the Nude' exhibition Black Eye Gallery.
Snake print play suit with black leggings and furry boots - The Pool Collective 'The Naked & the Nude' exhibition Black Eye Gallery.
Smile Cap on man, nude photograph in background - The Pool Collective 'The Naked & the Nude' exhibition Black Eye Gallery.
Bikini top added by yours truly - apologies to the artist.
Stilletos and UGG Boots, shoe porn, The Pool Collective 'The Naked & the Nude' exhibition Black Eye Gallery.
 Large crowd and art, The Pool Collective 'The Naked & the Nude' exhibition Black Eye Gallery.
A face in the crowd,  The Pool Collective 'The Naked & the Nude' exhibition Black Eye Gallery.
 Selfie + Checking hair and make-up in the bathroom, The Pool Collective 'The Naked & the Nude' exhibition Black Eye Gallery.
Bar girls,  The Pool Collective 'The Naked & the Nude' exhibition Black Eye Gallery.
Platform clogs denim shirt and brown winter coat,  The Pool Collective 'The Naked & the Nude' exhibition Black Eye Gallery.
 Guys smoking outside the exhibition, The Pool Collective 'The Naked & the Nude' exhibition Black Eye Gallery.




Street Fashion Sydney - shot with the Fujifilm X-Pro1 


Friday, May 2, 2014

The Australian Ballet Breaks the Rules in Digital Marketing Push - Chroma Sydney Part 2

On Monday evening The Australian Ballet did what to many will seem the unthinkable. They gave a handful of bloggers and digital media influencers free-reign to photograph, Tweet, Instagram, and Blog direct from the preview performance of their all modern contemporary dance triple bill Chroma. The 'Digital Media' as we were being called were met at the Stage Door at 6 PM sharp, issued Visitor badges and ushered through to the back of the Opera House overlooking the harbour and seated in the plush lounges to be told about theatre 'house keeping.' Artistic Director David McAllister greeted us, asked if there was anyone who had NOT been to the ballet before (there were two), gave us a little background on the nights performances - one Australian Premier, Chroma with British 'wild child' choreographer Wayne McGregor in attendance, a World Premier of Australian Ballet ART TO SKY (2014) by Choreographer Stephen Baynes and Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort & Sechs Tänze (photographed below) which is an established piece of repertoire for the dance company. David advised us to enjoy ourselves, to keep our voices down during the rehearsal periods that would follow the performances, but to generally go on and do our digital media thing and make the best of this privileged opportunity.
The Sydney opera house Sails at night - Phone Camera image. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Sydney Opera House sails at night.
Well OK yes, of course but really, why were we there? To my knowledge The Australian Ballet is Australia's oldest Ballet company with links back to the Royal Ballet in London and great names of the Ballet Stage. This is a traditional ballet company with its roots in classical ballet. What were the digital media brigade doing there, and who were these people? I only recognised one face among them! And here we were about to do the kind of thing only traditional media have been allowed to do; the freedom to photograph, Tweet, Facebook and Instagram, well whatever social media we had.. blog and post the night away! As a professional photographer who started this blog for fun supporting fashion and the arts in Sydney six years ago I could hardly believe my luck!
Preview crowd and media, Chroma, Sydney opera House Dame Joan Sutherland Hall. Photography by Kent Johnson.

An Instagram picture from Chroma - Camera Phone snap from the back of the Fujifilm X-Pro1 blogged live on the Preview night. Photographer Kent Johnson.
An Instagramed picture from Chroma - live blogged on the Preview night.
Of course before experiencing the performances I really had little idea as to what I would be seeing although I knew enough about contemporary dance to expect not to see any Tutus on the night! Chroma was electric, the lighting and the unconventional moves of the dancers, all quite exhilarating to watch see my Chroma Part 1 here. And that something very special, seeing the dancers rehearse and tweak the moves with choreographer Wayne McGregor at the end of the full Chroma dress rehearsal. So special I decided to shoot some video of the mesmerising repetitions of the dancers on the stage, warming down, studying their moves, and/or awaiting instruction from Wayne.

I loved the video so much I included it at the top of my Chroma Part 1 blog post, and sent off the link to my PR contact at the Ballet. Only to quickly find out that it was me who had apparently broken the rules, NO VIDEO ALLOWED! Can you please take it down.
Now no-one told me not to shoot video. And house rules, no photography, no phones, no video.. one assumes all are out the window in a situation like this. I was only asked to do what I do - photograph, Blog, Tweet, Instagram, social network the Ballet. Of course I took the video down, I certainly don't; want to bite the hand that feeds me, but then, surely video is part of the future of Blogging and Social Media, when every mobile device that can take a picture can also record sound  and the moving image and as well.

So instead, here's a still image of Wayne with the dancers from The Australian Ballet's production of Chroma. Should we be able to see the video as well? Let me know in the comments below and I will bring your thoughts to the Ballet's attention.

And why were we there? I think its because a classical company producing modern ballet is giving modern media a chance to spread the word - Modern Ballet is Brilliant! Check out my shots below, and Part 1 here.. please leave comments and any thoughts about video - mine was shot by a professional !-)
The Australian Ballet - CHROMA - Preview & Dress Rehearsal with Wayne McGregor - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
The Australian Ballet - CHROMA - Preview & Dress Rehearsal with Wayne McGregor

The Australian Ballet,  Petite Mort & 

A little death or is it an orgasm? Petite Mort & Sechs Tänze The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Sword play, Petite Mort, The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Sword dance, Petite Mort, The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Floating black sea reveals many people - Petite Mort, The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Classic ballet forms in modern ballet, Petite Mort, The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Classical forms - carrying the ballerina, Petite Mort, The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Male and Female leads, Petite Mort, The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.

Sechs Tänze by Jiří Kylián

Oversize black ball gowns, costume and prop, Sechs Tänze The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Male dancers in black ball gowns, Sechs Tänze,The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
The chase begins, Sechs Tänze,The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Some crime? Sechs Tänze,The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
The man revealed, nude, no flowers! Sechs Tänze,The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Male dancer in ball gown with fencing foil. Sechs Tänze,The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Jumping for joy, Sechs Tänze,The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Walk like an Egyptian, Sechs Tänze,The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Detail - Three principal dancers, classical/modern dance forms, leap. Sechs Tänze,The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
An exit! Sechs Tänze,The Australian Ballet - Preview & Dress Rehearsal - Photographed by Kent Johnson.
Special thanks to the Australian Ballet for the inviting Kent Johnson's Street Fashion Sydney to the digital media preview of Chroma.

Chroma makes its Australian debut at Sydney Opera House on 29 May for 10 performances only before travelling to Melbourne in June.

https://www.australianballet.com.au/
http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/

Telling Stories in Pictures all over..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863

Street Fashion Sydney - shot with the Fujifilm X-Pro1