Why I like to photograph (Extra) Ordinary Women in my Latex Fashion Designs ..

The Phoenixx Rises from the Ashes ...

Phoenixx Designs UK business was started by myself using my designs for my Latex Fashion Designs with no funding or financial help from anyone, when I left my ex husband in 2008. It took me a couple of years to make and test trade my work and was almost blackmailed (hahaha) into showcasing my work at an event in Leeds, called SkinTwo. I am forever grateful to Terry for twisting my arm to show my work. He had so much faith in me, more than I had in myself back then. I was nervous about showing my work, scared stupid in fact. hahaha But, Terry, look how far it has come!! Thank you for all of your faith in me!!

Inviting (Extra) Ordinary Women to wear my Latex Designs ..

It felt appropriate that I wanted to show my fashions on wonderful women who perhaps have never been photographed properly before. Capturing their image was both an honour and a privilege. Perhaps this is why I prefer to shoot women who have never before worn latex dresses, as they are so enraptured by how it feels to be wrapped in such a sensual and sensitive material, its almost cathartic for them. This emotion shows so well in my photographs of them, and proves that any woman can and will look beautiful wearing it.

This is true, because that is precisely what happened to me, as my first time wearing latex was at aged 40 and I started modelling my own latex designs because I simply could not persuade larger ladies like myself to come along to one of my group shoots.

It still remains my favourite type of photoshoot, photographing women who never dreamed they could wear such a high profile material, such as Latex. Then seeing their faces as I show them the raw images on my laptop at the end of a long day of shooting, just amazing!!

Sponsored Model Programme

After a few years of trading, I also managed to persuade some beautiful open minded up-and-coming Plus Size Models to become part of my Sponsored Model Programme, thank you too ladies, your faith in me was mind-blowing!! They were invited to come along on a monthly basis to get shots of them wearing my work or arrange for their own photoshoot, if they were not local to us and they chose a dress to keep as their payment. I also worked with some gorgeous Petite (standard) size models too. However, because I am more well known for being a plus size designer, my petite sizes have not sold as well as my plus sizes.

Monthly Group Shoots

We also run a monthly Group Shoot, here in North Wales, where we invite Models, Photographer's, Make-up Artists, Special FX Artists and more recently Hairdressers, to come along and get some shots of the Models wearing both their and my work, for everyone's portfolios. These are usually themed, such as Steampunk, Gothic, Superheros, Cosplay, etc.

So, onwards and upwards, to more of the same in the coming years!!

Susey ..

xxx