El hondureño Merlin Castell, una de las figuras más prometedoras de la moda en Los Ángeles, ha elaborado una colección “galáctica” para el otoño-invierno inspirada en el personaje de “Barbarella”, pero fiel a su estilo “Sex on the City”.
Castell, que se define como un creador "camaleónico", se ha labrado un nombre en el mundo de la moda de California donde, desde 2003, lucha por consolidar su marca a base de constancia e imaginación. Famosos como Paris Hilton, María Conchita Alonso, Carlos Santana, Paula Abdul, la Spice Girl Mel B, Priscila Presley o Karina Smirnoff, sucumbieron ya al embrujo de las creaciones de este "mago" del diseño, como también se le conoce a Merlin, que desearía vestir a Nicole Kidman, porque es "como una gata fina con pedigrí". "Soy el ceniciento que se convierte en un príncipe de la moda", confiesa Castell en entrevista, quien asegura que vive en un cuento de hadas con final feliz: "termina con un castillo en Inglaterra, saliendo a cazar zorros cuando tenga 65 años", afirma jocoso aunque convencido. Este modisto, que afirma que mira al futuro con los pies en el suelo, vaticina el advenimiento de una mujer cada vez más independiente y fuerte "como Barbarella" -personaje al que dio vida en la película homónima de 1968 Jane Fonda- lo que trató de reflejar en su nueva colección. "Es una mujer que sale adelante de todas las situaciones y la veo con colores metálicos, cuellos muy altos y hombros extendidos para demostrar que la mujer está a la misma altura que el hombre", explica. Una pauta que encaja con el perfil de la mayoría de sus clientas, que él mismo cataloga como sacadas de la serie de televisión "Sex in the City". "Mujeres ejecutivas que viven al límite y quieren vestir más frescas", declara Castell, que añade que sus diseños también calan entre la alta sociedad donde han dejado de llevar "solo Valentino" para ponerse sus trajes, que pueden superar los 10.000 dólares. El lanzamiento de la colección, celebrado la noche del miércoles en el club Goa de Los Ángeles, sirve para dar a conocer también la nueva temporada del programa de televisión de Janice Dickinson -Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency-, una personalidad del mundo de la moda que asegura acuñó el término "supermodelo" y que ha acompañado a Castell de principio a fin de la gala. Este hondureño autodidacta señala que sus colecciones le salen de adentro, "a veces en sueños", y no es extraño, declara, que dos años después triunfen en el mercado. Natural de Sonaguera, Colón, Castell fue el menor de una familia humilde de siete hermanos a la que no le alcanzaba para zapatos y que a los ocho años ya aconsejaba a su madre sobre qué ropa le favorecía más. Aquel niño terminó estudiando diseño, primero en México y después en Milán, hasta convertirse en una figura carismática sobre la que han puesto los ojos algunos productores de Hollywood, deseosos de convertirlo en un personaje de televisión. "Están tratando de convertirme en un icono, por mi estilo, por la capacidad que tengo para proyectar mi talento", declara Castell consciente de que la pequeña pantalla supondría un empujón definitivo a su imagen y a su marca. Este modisto, que parece uno de esos ejemplos de lo que se vino a llamar "el sueño americano", desvela que uno de los ingredientes en la receta de su éxito en EEUU consistió en "mirarse al espejo y repetirse: yo no soy inmigrante, soy una persona con talento". "Nunca me he sentido fuera de lugar, estar fuera de mi país no ha sido un obstáculo para mí, para nada", manifiesta, si bien admite que la distancia le priva de "las doblonas -tortillas de harina- y el queso" que desayunaba en Honduras. "Pero en la vida hay que hacer sacrificios porque no se puede tener todo", reconoce. A su manera, Castell sigue vinculado a su país, prueba de ello es la contribución de su compatriota Rocío Silvana a su nueva colección, en la que aporta los complementos de rocas que simbolizan el poder de la mujer estos días.
Showing posts with label mojo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mojo. Show all posts
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Merlin Castell Fall/Winter 2008/09 Collection Preview Slide Show
This video slide show was produced by fashion photographer/Chris Ford (http://www.fotomojosm.com/)
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Iconic Merlin Castell Publicity Photo Shoot By Chris Ford
Publicity photo shoot for fashion icon, Merlin Castell by Christopher "MOJO" Ford of fotoMOJO, LLC at the Red Door Studio in Los Angeles, CA.
Image Creators: FotoMOJO - Fashion Photography Genius
October 27, 2008
Image Creators: FotoMOJO - Fashion Photography Genius
Fashion photographer Christopher Ford uses mojo to get the hottest fashion shots. Ford, a Los Angeles fashion photographer, became known as “Mojo” for his uncanny ability to create a vibe or a chemistry where ever he goes. Ford picked up photography as a serious hobby in 2003 then left his legal career and moved into professional photography in 2004, establishing his namesake, fotoMOJO (http://www.fotomojosm.com/) in San Francisco, CA. Though Ford’s work has always been inspired and influenced by fashion, he claims he isn’t himself a fashionista.
“I just recognize good fashion when I see it,” says Ford, 39 and with his own trendy style, wears spiked hair, aviator sunglasses, and a long-sleeve collared shirt, only half tucked into a pair of hip-hugging, gingham checked trousers from H&M. “But, good fashion, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.”
His style is nothing less than unique with a perspective that details color and texture, while capitalizing on dramatic shadow depth. It leaves a visceral and lasting impression that viewers connect with, and each piece of work he creates becomes a deeply personal portrait. “Clothing is art; it has a life of its own that reflects the personality of the designer. You can feel it.” Says Ford, speaking of the method to his photographic wizardry.
In early April, 2008, Ford orchestrated “Mode.électrique - A Couture Editorial”, a feature editorial exposé of The Pink Line by Baily Rose, a Denver, CO “street couture” designer (photo above). He placed four models on the rough terrain of a San Francisco Bay Area power plant to create what he pens, “a Euro-style fashion editorial with a French influence.” Ford’s science fiction creations on mode.électrique appeared in print ads and clothing labels for the line.
David Durkee (http://www.daviddurkee.com/), long-time friend to Ford, provided production assistance for the mode.électrique project. Durkee said, “the set was brilliant, and the talent worked very hard. We traveled a distance, and it was freezing cold, but the team pulled together to bring Chris' big ideas into reality and he got the great shots.”
Driven by his passion, Ford relocated his studio to Los Angeles in September, to be closer to California’s fashion and entertainment industries. Within three weeks of his arrival, he was commissioned by celebrity fashion designer, Merlin Castell (http://www.merlincastell.com/) to produce a set of publicity photos for the designer (featured above and below).
Ford admits he has a special place in his heart for haute couture, and Castell certainly resonates in the arena. Recently featured on the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency show (Oxygen / Tuesday nights), Castell and his designs have appeared on Eye on LA, The Insider, Premier Impacto, Dancing with the Stars, on red carpets at just about every gala Hollywood event, and in print in Bello, Vicious and many others. His lavish designs are made-to-order and have been sold direct, at Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as in high-end boutiques.
"Although my clothing was first for men, women were buying it. It was amazing, so I had to move into the heavy competition, designing clothing for women," states the Honduran born designer, Castell.
In spring, Castell will launch his new clothing line which includes a dress that can be used for a formal dinner or turned into an elegant garment for a cocktail party...and you KNOW I can't wait to see that!
Castell and Ford have already begun collaborating photo shoot concepts for the Spring collection. “I am very excited to work with Merlin again, and this time, exploring his beautiful designs with my camera,” says Ford. “After only a few weeks, I’ve been commissioned by a fashion icon - that’s big, very big. The energy drives me to push harder, and it just tells me that if you really work hard, despite tragedy, the possibilities really are endless.”
Image Creators: FotoMOJO - Fashion Photography Genius
Fashion photographer Christopher Ford uses mojo to get the hottest fashion shots. Ford, a Los Angeles fashion photographer, became known as “Mojo” for his uncanny ability to create a vibe or a chemistry where ever he goes. Ford picked up photography as a serious hobby in 2003 then left his legal career and moved into professional photography in 2004, establishing his namesake, fotoMOJO (http://www.fotomojosm.com/) in San Francisco, CA. Though Ford’s work has always been inspired and influenced by fashion, he claims he isn’t himself a fashionista.
“I just recognize good fashion when I see it,” says Ford, 39 and with his own trendy style, wears spiked hair, aviator sunglasses, and a long-sleeve collared shirt, only half tucked into a pair of hip-hugging, gingham checked trousers from H&M. “But, good fashion, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.”
His style is nothing less than unique with a perspective that details color and texture, while capitalizing on dramatic shadow depth. It leaves a visceral and lasting impression that viewers connect with, and each piece of work he creates becomes a deeply personal portrait. “Clothing is art; it has a life of its own that reflects the personality of the designer. You can feel it.” Says Ford, speaking of the method to his photographic wizardry.
In early April, 2008, Ford orchestrated “Mode.électrique - A Couture Editorial”, a feature editorial exposé of The Pink Line by Baily Rose, a Denver, CO “street couture” designer (photo above). He placed four models on the rough terrain of a San Francisco Bay Area power plant to create what he pens, “a Euro-style fashion editorial with a French influence.” Ford’s science fiction creations on mode.électrique appeared in print ads and clothing labels for the line.
David Durkee (http://www.daviddurkee.com/), long-time friend to Ford, provided production assistance for the mode.électrique project. Durkee said, “the set was brilliant, and the talent worked very hard. We traveled a distance, and it was freezing cold, but the team pulled together to bring Chris' big ideas into reality and he got the great shots.”
Driven by his passion, Ford relocated his studio to Los Angeles in September, to be closer to California’s fashion and entertainment industries. Within three weeks of his arrival, he was commissioned by celebrity fashion designer, Merlin Castell (http://www.merlincastell.com/) to produce a set of publicity photos for the designer (featured above and below).
Ford admits he has a special place in his heart for haute couture, and Castell certainly resonates in the arena. Recently featured on the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency show (Oxygen / Tuesday nights), Castell and his designs have appeared on Eye on LA, The Insider, Premier Impacto, Dancing with the Stars, on red carpets at just about every gala Hollywood event, and in print in Bello, Vicious and many others. His lavish designs are made-to-order and have been sold direct, at Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as in high-end boutiques.
"Although my clothing was first for men, women were buying it. It was amazing, so I had to move into the heavy competition, designing clothing for women," states the Honduran born designer, Castell.
In spring, Castell will launch his new clothing line which includes a dress that can be used for a formal dinner or turned into an elegant garment for a cocktail party...and you KNOW I can't wait to see that!
Castell and Ford have already begun collaborating photo shoot concepts for the Spring collection. “I am very excited to work with Merlin again, and this time, exploring his beautiful designs with my camera,” says Ford. “After only a few weeks, I’ve been commissioned by a fashion icon - that’s big, very big. The energy drives me to push harder, and it just tells me that if you really work hard, despite tragedy, the possibilities really are endless.”
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