velvet johnstone Lookbook Inspired by the New Moon in Aquarius
Words by Ellie Kime (she/her)
Photography by Leoni Blue
Today's shoot is PURE magic, you know – and when velvet johnstone is involved, never believe it's not so. This lookbook features everything we've come to expect and love from velvet johnstone: divine design, heavenly fabrics, a cosmic, modern take on romantic that doesn't define you, but lets you define it (but not defy it.)
And not only do the images look out of this world, they're inspired by it too. When we asked for some info from behind the shoot, designer Cheryl told us this: "In true vj style, the new moon in Aquarius had woken me up at 3am all week, filling me with incredible inspiration. I ended up going to the studio super early, and whipped up the Aquarius dress (the minidress) and the Eclipse culottes I'd been dreaming of..."
Rebecca Ruby Jackson styled the lookbook to perfection, with models Kitty and Olivia wearing velvet johnstone designs with our fave AM Faulkner's gorgeous designs plus hella sass. The meadow veil, made from soft tulle and adorned with a smattering of real pressed flowers, mirrors the translucent panelling in the 'heart' gown and goes perfectly with its retro-inspired high neck, whilst the Aquarius minidress, inspired by said 3am moon wake up call, is styled with the Night veil, a deliciously contemporary black flocked polkadot design.
Central to vj's ethos – and one of the countless things we adore about her work – is her genuine connection to the forces that play out in the world around us, and so it makes total sense that all of her designs are made in an ethically conscious way. "The 'Eclipse' culottes, worn here with the 'Cosmic' bodysuit and a kitsch and delightful red velvet necktie, are all one piece using the full width of the lace. Pleated into a big bow waistband, the pattern pieces are consciously cut to create minimum wastage."
This earthly anchoring was emulated by the gorgeous floral designs from The Floral Editor, who provided stunning bouquets in delightfully graphic shapes and bursting with texture. One of the über-modern bouquets featured a warm, summery colour palette, keeping its cool with a tight formation, whereas the other trailed a beautiful tail of pale lilacs, whites, and light pinks. Flowers were also taken to adorn the model's hair, kept loose and informal, and complement the make-up, which was soft and romantic, achieved by Anna Claire Make Up.
The shoot also features stunning corsages worn on the bare arms of the Cosmic jumpsuit. Now, I know if you'd have gone back to Year 11 and told yourself that corsages were a wedding vibe, you may have told older you to jog on – but THESE. ARE. A. LOOK. In a delicate colour palette and with such beautiful soft textures and details, as chosen by The Floral Editor, these arm corsages are a subversive and frankly beaut way of accessorising on the big day. Such a modern take on the retro feel gets a major praise hands from us – and yes, that's hands with corsages on, no less.
And, of course, this was all captured to perfection by Leoni Blue. Her images totally capture the magic and movement and energy of the day combined with, of course, killer editorial vibes and powerful, dynamic poses for powerful, dynamic brides. Good bridal vibes radiate through the screen with these images, and we wanna be a part of that!
LOOKS // 01. romance jumpsuit with wild heart capelette // 02. heart gown with "meadow" veil // 03. aquarius mini with "night" veil // 04. cosmic jumpsuit with "microdot" veil // 05. cosmic jumpsuit with cosmic cape // 06. cosmic body with eclipse culottes // 07. issy may // 08. eclipse and issy styled with most curious merch by spoonful of sugar & co // 09. velveteen with floral editor crown
CREDITS
Photography | Leoni Blue
Outfits | velvet johnstone (she/her)
Veils | AM Faulkner
Florist | The Floral Editor
Hair & make-up | Anna Claire Weddings
Stylist | Rebecca Ruby Jackson (she/her)
Cape | Florence and Dot
Models | Olivia Ancell & Kitty Murray
Originally published on Way Out Wedding
