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The Fall Photo Shoot: A Study in Themes

Our last photo shoot was in March and I've yet to say anything about it.

The official reason is because we are launching the line soon and I withheld all the behind-the-scenes anecdotes and photo fun to -

Whet the Zazou Customer Appetite For Fall:

fall...

Fall.

FALL!

The real reason is I kind of forgot.

But a great thing happened as I was looking through these months-old photos, trying to remember what that day was like.

I started to notice THEMES. Even though I was not an English major, I recognized a good hook when I found one.

So here is our Fall 11 photo shoot, circa March 18 - relevant because all of these scarves will be available very soon at zazou.com and interesting because it is broken down thematically.

So, class, let's get started. This will be on the test.

Theme 1: The Guests Who Aren't Stressed

In past photo shoots, it's been cute friends of the photographer who dance around to the music while we stand by with blood shot eyes and clenched teeth.

Last year, it was the lovely Alison. Note her carefree, blond curls bouncing. Also note stylist Enyo in the background, checking our line-up with the intensity of someone dismantling a bomb.

We've also had some male models that we've enjoyed getting to know.

Claudia, owner of Zazou, with gap-toothed, male model in white shirt circa Fall 10 (okay, I can't remember his name.)

I do remember him being surprisingly good-natured about his booster.

This year's major guest star was Lena, niece of our designer Chris. She just graduated college and did a lot of our behind-the-scenes photography.

She also helped her uncle.

And tried on headbands and hats with Enyo.

Theme 2: My Apparent Shoe Fetish

Here are a bunch of photos spanning three shoots. Of people's shoes.

Chris' sneakers.

They're Prada.

Enyo's sensible black flats.

Rico Schwartzberg's ultra hip booties.

Claudia's boots w/ iPhone.

Our model's serious heels and another version of Rico hip footwear. (He seems to fancy the brown square-toed variety - another THEME!)

I'm not sure why I take so many shoe pictures. It might be the fact that I'm a total amateur photographer. (I noticed girls new to photography go through a "look at all these photos of my feet" phase.)

My feet.

Theme 3: Naughty Snacks

I don't know what it is about a fashion photo shoot. You'd think there'd be nothing but Fiji water and fresh fruit. Coconut water. Maybe vodka.

Here's a sampling of what we had the past three shoots.

Cookies.

More cookies.

Breakfast. (No cookies until you finish your muffin was the rule.)

This year we developed a rabid fascination with this snack.

Sesame-covered, sweet crack balls from Trader Joe's.

Enyo brought them. I decided it is because she is skinny and therefore evil.

Oh, and I forget who brought this box of chocolates but they were gone in less than half an hour.

Theme 4: Minor Disasters Are Averted

Last year our model's car wouldn't start after the shoot. We had to find jumper cables and watch to see what man would step up to attach the clamps. (Yay Chris!)

This was also a disaster because we were standing beside the bar (The Re-Tox in SF) where we were about to get our well-deserved, after-shoot cocktails. Tensions were high.

This year, the disaster was much more minor and didn't involve models posing.

We had a leaky roof. But see all those cords running everywhere? And Rico's nice shoes? It could have been catastrophic.

Theme 5: Wardrobe Malfunctions

Last year one of the dresses we brought for our model had a slit so high in the front that we had no business looking at her without a medical license.

The look on Enyo's face says it all.

This year we found out that a size small at J Crew has apparently gotten bigger. Our model - not emaciated or anorexic, thankyouverymuch - just swam in everything. So we had to get the clamps out.

This prompted my very favorite photo of the shoot.

I had to snap it fast because I was afraid she'd realize what she was doing and stop doing it.

This brings me to our final theme.

Theme 6: Late Day Hijinks

As photo shoot day wears on, we begin to engage in activities that aren't all together productive. Funny photos. Old ballet routines (Claudia). Eating another cookie when we have no business eating another cookie (Enyo and me).

Here's a small sampling that I don't think I'll get in trouble for sharing.

Claudia and her French husband, Jean Michel (did I just get redundant?) examining the popular American product, 5-Hour Energy. (It was mine.)

I overheard stylist David and model Jennifer having a very off-color conversation about something that rhymed with "schmaginas". I remember whipping my head around and saying, "did you just say what I think you said?" And David scoffed, "well, what do you think we talk about over here?"

I thought about bringing up the crotch-bearing dress from yesteryear, but knew it was one of those stories that required a visual.

I'm sure a lot of other more interesting things happened. Like a ton of gorgeous Fall scarves, hats and gloves were photographed.

I also seem to remember this guy showing up trying to sell us a book called "Scarf Magic".

No, I'm jumping ahead. This is Wes, our sales manager. He's the subject of my next blog.

There will probably be photos of his shoes is what I'm guessing.

A Story of Rejection

You think things happen fast in Hollywood? Nothing compared to the scarf industry. Emotional roller coaster, I tell you.

Here's a true story, as best as I can remember it:

Over the weekend, while I was getting sunburned at a backyard barbecue...

(pre sunburn)

I received an e-mail from an editor at Woman's World magazine asking for scarves that might fit a "Fall's Hottest Colors" spread. She wanted them by ... oh, yesterday.

I baked in the sun and my mind raced. I sipped a Corona.

source

I got an idea.

"I know," I thought. "I'll find the perfect pieces and convince her - through my professionally aloof yet charming attitude - to take them late."

(Because people don't like you if you're not charming BUT they don't respect you if you're not aloof.)

Flash forward to Monday - I told Chris...

(Chris)

to find scarves that matched the pantone chips the editor wanted, called Deep Teal, Quarry, Cedar, Coffee Liqueur and Phlox....

(pantone color book)

Phlox, if you are wondering, is a magenta. It's the name of a plant with clusters of white, red or purple flowers.

Phlox Plant

Okay, I know I'm getting away from the story but realize I've just gone through a trauma. Let me continue.

Chris chooses four great scarves and I kick into high flak mode to secure our fashion foothold in Woman's World Magazine.

This is Woman's World Magazine, by the way.

Not the most fashion-forward publication but it's sold in supermarkets across the country and boasts some of the biggest female subscription stats.

Plus, if it's good enough for Dr. Oz, it's good enough for me.

I throw the chosen scarves on our trusty mannequin and e-mail the following photos.

I helpfully listed the color names on each - a clever and winning move, I thought. (I also love how camera-shy Chris happened to accidentally end up on the background of each of these! Photo karma.)

I e-mailed the editor and she responded: "I need Quarry and Deep Teal - can you send asap?"

Bingo.

I announce to the office my victory. Something to the effect, "You know, Dr. Oz is going to be wearing our Striped Linen in Denim on the cover of a major national magazine."

I was riding high. My sunburn didn't even hurt anymore.

Then another e-mail from the editor: "Can you send me photos?"

I frowned. Didn't she already see the photos I so deftly attached to the e-mail? (I am part of the technical elite who can attach photos to e-mails - I'll show you how if you're nice.)

I decided not to point out the editor's embarrassing oversight and just resent the photos. I wrote something like, "Here's your Deep Teal and Quarry!"

I might have used several exclamation marks; I don't really remember.

Then the final response:

"thanks but they don't work :("

And that's how I got rejected by Woman's Wear Magazine. One un-punctuated sentence, followed by a frowny emoticon.

I picked myself up off the floor and broke the news to everyone. Nobody seemed surprised. They know it's a cold, cold world out there. Sometimes you're on top, the next you're on the bottom.

C'est la fashion.

Guest Blogger: The Artist Behind Zazou

Put your hands together and welcome the second official Scarf Soup Guest Blogger: Zazou Designer Christopher Carroll!

Let's start with the few photos I have of Chris. I'll give each a little title.

"iPhone Face"

"Chris Desk Avalanche"

"Avoiding Vickie at a Photo Shoot"

"Official Web Site Shot Chris Was Forced To Do"

I asked Chris - a UC Berkeley alum, published author, prolific painter and chief designer at Zazou for 30 years - to expound on art and inspiration.

(That's a grandiose way to say I hounded him for two weeks to write something for the blog.)

Covertly, I wanted the opportunity to use all my failed photos and divulge the desk avalanche (it makes a dramatic noise I eagerly anticipate).

But I also sincerely wanted someone to address the artistic vision and craftsmanship that lives in every Zazou scarf. Preferably someone who really knows art and fashion.

Someone unlike myself.

Chris is the kind of person who talks about Matisse and Picasso like they were old drinking buddies. But not in the way that makes you think he's showing off. Not to "out-art" anyone. In fact, I'd say he's probably studied more about art and fashion for the sheer pleasure of it than anyone I know.

Like, he still subscribes to W Magazine.

Chris designs all of the Zazou prints by hand - by painting them, using cut paper, sketching and using really intricate collage techniques. Over the years, Zazou has done scarves ranging from Geishas on Mt. Fuji to Fifi, the pink poodle. As each season approaches, I can't wait to see what he'll come up with next.

But as you can tell from photos, Chris is not a self-promoter. So allow me:

Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Carroll!

_______________________________________________________

PRINTS

by Christopher Carroll

Prints and patterns define an era every bit as much as fashion does. It's fascinating that you can almost name the year when you see some particular polka dot or floral. We seem to have an uncanny knowledge of what print is in style and what is definitely not in style.

Zazou has been doing prints from the very beginning and we've seen a lot of things come and go - and come and go again. Each Zazou design is an original and drawn or painted by hand, even if it is heavily influenced by a particular period.

photos by Lena Carroll

Zazou does a lot of designs for museums and has been drawn to the work of many artists and periods. Toulouse-Lautrec has been in our line on many occasions and seems forever in style.

Le Moulin Rouge

We've also done a lot of Egyptian things - with these we really want them to be authentic as well as beautiful. This means keeping them true to the period without doggedly reproducing images.

Goddess Isis

Over the years we have been inspired by Botticelli, the Impressionists, the Ballet Russe, Fortuny as well as many others.

Palazzo

With florals we are always inspired by real flowers. We like to keep them botanically correct as well as beautiful. Florals can be saccharine and we avoid this by using bold shapes and strong backgrounds.

Orchid

Each season seems to have a flower - sometimes the trend forecasters can give a clue what it should be, but something always bubbles up anyway.

However, year in and year out the rose continues.

Rose

Then there's the entire ethnic influence. This again changes every season.

Crete

It is very interesting what captures our eye from other cultures -- or for that matter, who is influencing whom.

I just heard a true story that Matisse stopped at a little shop on his way to Gertrude Stein's apartment in Paris and bought her a little African statue. Who should be there when he arrived but Picasso.

source

The history of art took a new turn.

We have seen the wonderful influence of Japan and China, and lately African, motifs come into prominence - so decorative, strong and always the hand of the artists clearly in evidence.

Afrique

Tribal influences are the trend to follow the next few seasons.

Native Silk - available Fall 11

We seem to go through patterns like shoe styles. But there is always something which says, "this is new" and "this is great."

Whatever the trend of the moment, when we find ourselves at some event, we love to see Zazou - and we usually do.

And we like to think Zazou is helping to define the look of our time.

________________________________________________________

Thanks Chris! I will show my gratitude by ending on some great pictures - ones showing what I think Chris is really all about.

Walking the museums of San Francisco

Climbing the steps to his studio

Designing more scarves, I hope.