No Photos!

Today was all about photo's. I hate being in front of the camera and today I had to be photographed for the local paper for an article we've managed to get them to feature (Me&Yu has done some tees to raise money for a Tokyo charity see more here).

It all sounds very glamorous but believe me it isn't. Local papers require a quick photo which describes the story, they're never a tasteful studio shot with good lighting. Its more a case of person, product, brand logo / nice shot of shop. It always makes me smile when the photgraphers turn up and you know they were expecting some young skinny model type. Because you're a fashion designer they have a certain image in their heads of what you'll look like and what the shop will look like etc.etc. then they arrive and they have a look of blind panic - you can see them thinking "Hmmmm how am i going to make this work......she's going to look huge...too many chins.....messy chaotic shop.....too many colours......

Hence me spending ages with my arms wrapped around a mannequin wearing a tee-shirt and me wearing a fake smile (hiding behind it so you don't get my bum sticking out)

Although what's worse than actually grinning inanely for an hour in a variety of uncomfortable poses is the moment you see it in the paper. Newsprint is not flattering but what's worse is they are un-edited. Yes that's right - no photoshop. What you see is what you get. Any spots, under-eye shadows, strange double chins that can all be erased at the click of a button are all there in full glory.

We get so used to seeing an edited version of ourselves that the reality is always too much to bear. Teenagers now spend hours with a digital camera practising their poses, editing out their acne and creating some arty black and white shots for their profile pics. I think I've got about 10 photos of me as a teenager with my friends - I always hated my photo being taken, even then! I still only own about 2 photographs of myself (older than 14) that I like - there's always something that makes me super critical. I guess a photo is sometimes the only time you really 'see' yourself - mirrors are like portable photoshop, you can edit out the bits you don't like - and you don't have to grin like an idiot!

Aw well, I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best. At least this time I didn't have my photograph taken next to Agyness Deyn! This one was taken when she called into the shop in Manchester, May 2009.