Jonathan Liang Spring/Summer 2011

by Michele Yong Posted on December 2, 2010

I am sure many of you have one way or another, heard of Jonathan Liang, Malaysia’s newest rising-star. We have worked together many times before on numerous projects ever since first meeting a year ago. Recently in September, he was invited to show at London Fashion Week, which is an impressive feat for someone new to the scene, especially from our region. After that he came to Paris with me to spend some time getting to know the place and also shooting a few pieces from his new collection which was recently released during Malaysia Fashion Week 2010.

I wasn’t there but I heard from sources that his collection received rave reviews and I’m definitely not surprised. He did say that during the actual show, the wrong music was played and the hairstyles that were given for the models did not go with the looks at all but I guess that still didn’t stop the audience from loving it. You can view the video coverage of his runway collection here.

Obviously I can’t wait till he gets here next year because we will be housemates!! :D

Hair and makeup: Chris Arai & Chichi Saito
Model: Hanne-Loore Pajusoo @ StudioKLRP

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Wedding Of Nataliya & Bastien

by Michele Yong Posted on November 24, 2010

In the late August, I was invited to photograph Nataliya & Bastien’s wedding in Aix-en-Provence, south of France. Now I know I don’t normally do weddings but I knew Nataliya from when I photographed her before in Singapore a few years back. One day we were talking and I found out she was getting married in France and had a hard time looking for a suitable photographer there, and it so happened that I was about to move to Paris at that time.

It was perfect because we really enjoyed working with each other during our shoot the last time. I was a bit concerned that I couldn’t deliver the standard of images she was expecting because I had not photographed weddings for a long time, and especially not one where I was the main photographer.

Luckily, everything was as close to perfect as I could’ve asked for. The weather was nice and sunny although incredibly windy, the settings were gorgeous, everybody looked fantastic. It was a simple ceremony but Nataliya and Bastien’s style is nothing short of class so same went for the whole day. Basically it was the ideal wedding anybody could’ve photographed. We were all really happy with the photos and who knows maybe I might photograph a few more weddings next summer (although breaking my rule of trying to stay away from them!).

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ULTRA Spring/Summer 2011

by Michele Yong Posted on November 17, 2010

ULTRA is a new fashion brand which highlights on eco-friendly clothing and uses only organic or recycled materials for their products. The company is headed by Tengku Chanela Jamidah, with the principal designers being Tengku Syahmi and Jonathan Liang, two of Malaysia’s newest rising stars in the fashion industry.

This is not boring eco-friendly clothing. This is style and luxury with an awareness.

We act as a Serotonin, a hormone which is a chemical messenger between nerve cells and also a well-known contributor to the feelings of well being. With a goal that aims
to celebrate the virtues of personal style and individuality.

Every piece made, the way it falls, the way it holds, the way it folds and the texture that caresses your skin unknown to the wearer that the substances used are sustainable. Boasting of organic materials, soy and bamboo fibres, recycled PET, TPU, salmon skin and biodegradable tencel which embodies our design features and assimilates with other fabrics used in the collection.

It is luxury yet with a conscience for the earth in mind. It is the heightened ability to wear and manifest the garment on one’s own. It is the feeling of well-being, the gratitude and appreciation for art, style and sustainability. It is Ultra.

We did a campaign shoot recently for their first ever collection and this is the result of it. The design aesthetic of the brand is minimalist with attention to detail so we tried to capture that idea in the photographs as well. Photos are taken from their website.

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Yulia Dryablova: Paris, 29 October 2010

by Michele Yong Posted on November 14, 2010

Recently I’ve been trying to get back on the shooting wagon again so I did a shoot with Yulia Dryablova who is a friend of another model I’ve worked with very often before. The tall, skinny, Russian beauty from Slides @ Paris works often between Europe and Asia so we decided to do a shoot together while she was in town.

Makeup was done by the amazing Elen Kergoat and hair by Yu Nakata. These two ladies were so patient and I really loved the work they did together on this shoot. They really knew how to translate the idea that I had in mind. Because of a last minute fiasco, I had to pull together my rusty styling skills and come up with all the outfits myself. It’s been such a long time since I have styled for anything but I think I did pretty well for being out of practice!

I have to say even though I’ve already overused my apartment many times for shoots (this being the fifth time and counting), it still ranks as one of my favourites.

My next plan, to get a bigger apartment. Donations, anyone?

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Ode To Liberty: Brazen

by Michele Yong Posted on November 10, 2010

A few months ago before I left Malaysia, I was contacted by Ode To Liberty to do a shoot for them. They are a new website dedicated to fashion and focusing mainly on showcasing Malaysian designers and brands. They are also soon creating a shopping portal from which anyone will be able to purchase clothes from local brands.

I guess you can say it’s almost like the Malaysian equivalent to Net-A-Porter meets Style.com!

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