As many of you are probably aware, yesterday I got to spend the day in Cape Town with the fabulous team from ELLE magazine, at thier November cover shoot. Now, if you’re wondering what all the fuss was about, the November issue of ELLE will feature local super-celeb Vanessa Haywood, star of the Blockbuster movie District 9. Vanessa will grace the cover of ELLE South Africa for the magazine’s first locally shot cover.
In addition to being shot in Cape Town, the cover features a truley South African star and captured by renowned South African fashion photographer Gerda Genis. Now, Gerda is no stranger when it comes to fashion and she’s worked with the likes of Claudia Schiffer and Linda Evangelista, as well as a host of other local and international celebs.
“The amazing wardrobe”
I was invited along as a style blogger to give StyleScoop readers a glimpse into a high fashion photo-shoot of this calibre. If you’re thinking it is all fun and games or as ELLE’s features writer Emily Petit-Coetzee says “all canapes and champers” think again. It really is hard work and models do actually work, all day in fact. This shoot went on until about 6pm!
“Vanessa getting her hair styled by Geanette while Gerda chats to her…”
It started bright and early at 6am on Monday morning. When I arrived just after 9am, Algira Ferreira (makeup artist) and Geanette Genis (hair stylist) were almost finished creating Vanessa’s look – not that she needs much make up, this girl is truly as stunner and even more beautiful in the flesh!
“Even in a robe and sandals Vanessa looks stunning“
The ELLE team were there, including Editor Jackie Burger, Fashion Director Chris Viljoen, Features Director Annelize Visser, Junior Fashion Editor Poppy Evans (in her fabulous vintage Chanel earrings – more on that soon) as well as Features Writer Emily Petit-Coetzee (who was trying very hard to “out-tweet me”).
“The ELLE team, Fashion Director Chris Viljoen, Photographer Gerda Genis and ELLE SA Editor Jackie Burger at the shoot”
I asked Gerda how many pics she shoots before she gets “the one” and she said it can be anything from 60 to about 300. Yesterday, she shot about 600 images, and after 178 shots, she said they may just have “the one”. I think ELLE have their work cut out for them, every picture looked sensational!
I don’t know about you guys but I can’t wait to see the November ELLE magazine, which should be out mid October. But until then, I will give you weekly updates on all the fabulous behind the scenes shooting I did, all 165 photos to be exact.
“Mmm the food – how do models stay in such great shape?”
“Algria does a few touches before Vanessa starts… There were literally camera’s all over the place but Vanessa is so amazingly professional, it’s like they weren’t even there”
“Gerda shows Vanessa exactly what she want’s and the pics speak for themselves. Vanessa is rocking it in a gorgeous Clive Rundle outfit, with Zoom shoes”
“Vanessa looking stunning in this navy bodycon top by Christopher Strong and I love those leggings and heels – so hot”
“In a gorgeous Tiaan Nagel Bodycon dress. Gerda and Vanessa chat while Chris makes sure the outfit is perfectly wrapped”
“Tammy Anne Fourtuin from All Access was there – the whole day too”
“Elle’s Emily Petit–Coetzee trying to out-Tweet me”
“The All Access Interview with Tammi Anne Fortuin – this one is going to be great so watch out for it”
“It’s a wrap!”
Vanessa looks gorgeous. I wish I could go for a photo shoot like that! What wouldn’t I do for one!?
Very cool. I’d love to tag along on a photoshoot like that
It was loads of fun, but a very long day too, especially in my 13cm Aldo Heels 🙂
Looks Great……The Heels, well those we just can’t do without!