COMING UP:
LBD - CRL
Little Black Dress
Personal book project by
Chris Ross Leong
LBD: Concept and Content
"LBD/CRL" is a personal take on the one thing that every woman needs in her wardrobe - the Little Black Dress.
It's pretty much always been there as a part of Western culture and couture, but designers Jean Patou and Coco Chanel in particular raised it to an art form of its own as far back as the 1920's.
Thing is, like most other traditional institutions, the past is past.
In this case, almost 100 years past.
So what this book aims to do is to remind younger people of what it used to be, and also to refresh the look and suggest what it might be, today and going forward into the 2020's.
The book will be a coffee table photo-book, its story following the path of a regular woman as she discovers and studies the LBD, becomes aware of what it is about the LBD that's so special, and searches for the right one for her.
And if it's really the right one for her, we'll follow her story as the magic of it happens!
LBD: Production
Mostly art editorial in content, there will be only few sessions in the studio (maybe a couple) with full hair and makeup.
For the most part the photo sessions will be quick, easy, existing light and circumstance shot quickly around town, and will be more about the woman, who she is, where she is (doesn't have to be factual, just believable), and then about her search for the right dress. And what happens to her after that.
Story wise there will probably be more chapters to add at a later stage, but at this moment I'd like to concentrate on the above - just quick, half-hour sessions shot around town as time progresses, perhaps a home, school, library, coffee shop, etc.,maybe around Melrose, 3rd Street, a farmer's market perhaps, and fashion stores/areas. Offset against that will be the formal studio fashion shoots showing off the model and her perfect LBD.
There might well be a behind-the-scenes addition to the book, as well as an interview section with the women involved wherein they tell their own LBD stories....
So that will be what the content of the book will be.
Booking wise I'd like to shoot a couple of hours or more each week (minimum) for a month around town, and then a session or two (3-4 hours each) in the studio with makeup/hair, etc.
The original concept was to shoot a little every day, but that's a lot for most people who have to work.
However, I'm up for as many sessions as possible, since more shots, in this case, will make the book better.
The informal (lifestyle) sessions needn't be more than 15-20 minutes each - we'd discover cool locations, meet there, shoot, and that's it!
The studio sessions would be what we always shoot, but this time centered on the LBD concept.
LBD: Financial
Money-wise, since this is a personal project there's not that much to go around, however, that's not to say there's nothing for anybody.
We can arrange for full payment up front, or a deposit payment up front and a balance later against book sales, whatever makes you more comfortable.
In fact, the reason why I decided to make this a book project instead of a simple personal fashion project is because as a book there will be a (good) possibility for book sales and promotions.
To that end I've started emailing people who will be able to place this book on Amazon and other online outlets, as well as a printing fulfillment house that will be able to print out and deliver the book when done, as a real coffee book to send around/sell as is.
That's what I have so far.
More details will go up on a website like this as they come together, as well as some shots I already started to give an idea as to looks, moods, and the like.
I hope that this is enough information to give you an idea as to what LBD/CRL is all about.
Hopefully you'll like it enough to join us in this exciting experiment!
If you have any questions, please ask.
All the best
Chris Ross Leong