First photo shoot for 3rd Floor Publication!

Today we have been shooting our 'Structure' themed editorial! It has been going AMAZINGLY!! We have got the most fantastic model from Oxygen- Stacey...she's a dream to work with!! Check out some sneaky behind the scenes previews on Twitter ...very excited for the next 5 shoots to go now!!

Beautiful jewels...

Some snaps of a few pieces both old & new from my ever growing accessories collection...

from left: Topshop, Accessorize, Topshop, Vintage

from left: Accessorize, Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Accessorize

all Topshop

Vintage pendant from my Mother

Topshop, Vintage, Accessorize

H&M Regent Street

Topshop, Oxford Street

Outfits of 2011

A few snaps of some of the outfits I've been wearing this year so far...

polka dot sheer blouse: Next, silk mix pleat shorts: Miss Selfridge, black knee high socks: Topshop, lace up army boots: Vintage

jade ruffle vest top: Zara, patchwork style knitwear: Vintage, grey high waisted wool mix shorts: River Island

ditzy floral dungaree style playsuit: Primark, cream chunky knit cardi & semi-precious stone pendant: both Topshop, knee high suede mink boots: Vintage

raspberry knit cardigan: Berksha (London), floral jumpsuit: Primark, ostrich feather pendant: Topshop

tan chunky heeled platforms: Office

mustard chain detail satin top: Topshop, daisy print maxi skirt: French Connection, bangles: all Vintage, gold key and egg timer pendants: both Topshop

mustard 3/4 length sleeved jumper: Topshop, black jersey maxi dress: Miss Selfridge, chocolate fur gilet: Dorothy Perkins

tan floral print box bag & burgundy sheer scarf: both Vintage

wooden heeled leather buckle detail shoes: Primark, ribbed stone ankle socks: Topshop

salmon chiffon blouse: Topshop, grey double breasted buttoned trousers: Miss Selfridge, floral scarf: Vintage

tan leather brogues: Vintage

white chiffon blouse with gold buttons: Topshop, grey wool mix high waisted shorts: River Island, taupe knee high ribbed socks: Topshop

leopard print mac & fur russian style hat: both Vintage

mint & cream embroidered shift dress & oversized off-white cardigan: both Topshop, beige knee high socks & gold chain necklace: both Urban Outfitters,

charcoal pussy bow dress: Primark, leopard print skinny belt: Vintage, cream chunky knit cardi: Topshop

fur rimmed ankle socks: Topshop, lace up mink brogues: Primark

striped button down jersey sleeveless top with collar & wool mix tan city shorts: both Topshop

'cest pas vie' sequined tunic: Mango, black high waisted shorts: Miss Selfridge, hold up style tights: Topshop

lace inserts angora cropped jumper & layered polka dot tutu skirt: both Topshop, lace up army boots: Vintage

white embroidered shirt: Kookai, shorts: Miss Selfridge

black devore detailed sheer cardigan & gold layered necklace: both Vintage

rusty vest top & tan chunky knit cardi: both Urban Outfitters, grey beaded embellished skirt: Miss Selfridge

When I grow up...

I was compiling some mood boards the other day as I had a sudden jolt of inspiration all to do with memories, specifically childhood memories. It lead me onto thinking what I remember as a child, the stories I learned, the films I watched, toys played with and sayings and phrases which were reeled off when you're young. I thought of how I used to play dress up and put on mini shows on playdates and creating outfits and scenarios with my countless barbies and endless amount of beautiful miniature clothes for them - which has only just dawned on me, is most probably where my love of clothes, styling and drama have arisen from, bearing in mind I started doing this from about the age of 4, it has obviously been a burning passion within me from a very early age!

I also thought about some of my favourite childhood films: Black Beauty, The Little Princess, Fairytale, The Secret Garden and Andre were just a few (which all made me cry and probably still would today!)- a true girly girl which has appeared to also stay with me after all these years! I remember my favourite doll, Annabelle whom I insisted on taking everywhere, along with her many outfit changes tucked away in beautiful turquoise toy suitcases my mother bought for me in France when I was very young. How I loved that doll; I must delve into the attic when I am next home to look at her again! 

Another thing that sticks out in my mind from my childhood, were the Enid Blyton books my mother used to read to me; I had a collection on a shelf and at the time I was clearly too young to appreciate the beauty and authenticity of them- but looking back now they were lovely, quaint, old fashioned books, which I would love to get my hands on now due to my love affair with all things vintage! Which...makes me realise where I got this from; my mother would take me round antique markets, bootsales, and vintage stalls searching for old fashioned beauties- namely French postcards! At the time, I would moan and would long to be relieved from my boredom...but now I can't get enough of it all! I thank my mother for opening my eyes to the beauty of vintage trinkets and imagery now!

The place that defines my childhood holidays is a little village called Northam in Bideford, Devon. We would go there most summer holidays to visit my Grandparents (still do now) and I loved to visit the local beach- Westward Ho! play on the 2p slot machines and eat vast amounts of Hockings icecream, which can only be described as the BEST icecream around!! Oh to be young and carefree again without a single worry in the world!

The Little Princess: such a beautiful and emotional film

The Secret Garden: another beautiful, profound movie

Faiytale: utterly enjoyable and totally fantastical!

Wish I had kept these books...

All this reminiscing has brought on a strong sense of nostalgia and I'm beginning to become very inspired to create a shoot relating to all these things...some Victorian inspired styling perhaps...

Red Riding Hood 2011

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of Red Riding Hood, featuring Amanda Seyfried due out next month. I'm quite partial to a modern day remake of a fairytale- I loved Alice in Wonderland even though I know it provoked a vast amount of criticism..but although I am interested in the story, of course, I take more of a delight in seeing the modern twist being put into the costumes and the styling, and to see how it differs to what one would consider to be the generic clothes and image that has been depicted through picture books as a child. I find it fascinating. Although I do usually prefer a soft, romantic, 'airy fairy' story, I am looking forward to seeing this as I am hoping to gain some inspiration for the fourth issue of 3rd floor magazine. Watch the official trailer here.

The Runaways

I can't wait to see this film! It just looks so effortlessly cool...and I cannot believe how much Dakota Fanning has grown up! I remember watching Uptown Girls with the late Brittany Murphy (bless her soul) and thinking what a superb and sweet little actress she was! Time certainly does fly...now she's playing the part of a saucy, rock chick, sex kitten!

The film is a coming of age story set in the mid seventies, and shows the formation of the band, The Runaways and focuses on the relationship between the two main characters, Cherie Currie (Fanning) and Joan Jett, played by Kristen Stewart. I look forward to seeing all the radical 70's clothing styles in the movie! Out in cinemas this March...

Watch the official trailer here

Twenties Girl

A few weeks ago a friend on my course asked me to do a spot of modelling for her final major project; the theme was the glamorous, 20's era. Although I had so much to do at the time I of course agreed to help her out as I know how stressful it is trying to get everything done! She only needed a couple of outfits, as it was for a 20 page book showing different aspects of that period. I styled the outfits together, and had so much fun! Usually of course I am the one behind the camera, and I'm no model really but it made quite a nice change- a novel experience! Here are a small selection of shots from the day...

chocolate fur coat: river island, leather driving gloves: new look, green beaded velvet devore scarf: river island, brown & gold devore velvet scarf: vintage, faux pearl headband: vintage, black faux snakeskin peep toe platforms: faith (all stylists own)  

white beaded sheer shift dress: river island, hold up style tights: topshop, purple devore velvet scarf: vintage, black fur wrap: vintage, large white ostrich feather earrings: topshop, black beaded headband: vintage (all stylist own apart from earrings)

Photography & Concept: Danielle Pullin

Styling: Maddie Potter

Hair & Makeup: Maddie Potter

Post Apocalypse Shoot

So I finally managed to do my photo shoot! And it was a great success! My model was amazing and didn't complain once about the 8 outfit changes in the bitter December weather! Absolute Star. You can follow her here at takemetozenith.


The shoot is for my pitch to be chosen as stylist for 3rd floor magazine - the fashion department's independent annual magazine at Southampton Solent University.
My theme was mostly based around a post apocalypse era... thinking about the idea of salvage..restoration..a broken civilisaton..


I was inspired by a wide variety of things..firstly I started looking into every thing weird and wonderful, mysterious and 'other wordly'..this included everything from dreams, delirium, hypnotism, insomnia, de ja vu, surrealism, the supernatural, spirits, superstition, lucky charms, old wives tales and remedies...to gypsy and folklore, travellers, Greek mythology, mermaids, sirens, druids and paganism, religion, utopia, paradise....yes..rather a lot to take in there! So to add even more mind boggling I decided it wasn't enough...this had all been done before, so I wanted to contrast these notions with a twist..this is where I was inspired by (weirdly) the film 'Predators'- which my boyfriend had made me watch a few weeks previously!!


I was intrigued by the idea of another being and the element of control and dictatorship from them..this lead me onto sci-fi/ futuristic thinking..where I was inspired by 'War of the Worlds' and other films of the like.
I had already began thinking about some bizarre props that I wanted to use..which is what lead me onto an apocalypse idea: the use of these props to convey a feeling of salvaging what is left after the breakdown of civilisation, and being forced to return to old ways, such as remedies, lotions & potions etc...and mixing this with a slightly futuristic feel to create a bizarre, surreal, eerie, dreamlike quality! PHEW!!


I looked at films such as 'Mad Max' and 'Resident Evil' to get some inspiration for my styling and also looked at George Orwell's '1984' and 'A Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley', which also added a surveillance..'watching' factor to my inspiration!
So after all that, here are my moodboards and a sneaky peak at a few images from my shoot- they will all be uploaded to my website....when it is finished (hopefully soon!) Enjoy x

A few (!) from my shoot...

beaded bolero: vintage, navy mesh tunic: charity shop, mystic patterned skirt: vintage, gold medallion pendant: stylist's own, lace up army boots: primark, headpiece: stylist's own.

 black creased leather waistcoat: topshop, grey leatherette pannelled trousers: topshop, geometric sheer shirt: charity shop, single silver chain earring & silver cuff: mua's own, black studded cuff: punky fish, caged heels: primark

metallic silver leather jacket: stylist's own, burgundy velvet dress: vintage, agate necklace: topshop, rings and earrings: vintage and stylist's own

 velvet tunic: primark, velvet leggings: next, feather bolero: next, wrist pads: stylist's own, rings: stylist's own

 silver headband: stylist's own, charcoal corset zip top: topshop, black velvet dress: vintage, lace up army boots: primark



 grey mix cobweb chiffon top: next, pewter shiny leggings: charity shop, knee pads: stylist's own, black studded knuckle covers: next

black leather jacket: stylist's own, geometric maxi dress: primark, flying goggles: vintage, ram head necklace and egg timer pendant: both topshop

Hair & Makeup: Yasemin Bilgic

Model: Stephanie Tanner

Stylist: Maddie Potter

Photographer: Maddie Potter

For any information regarding this shoot please contact: maddie_potter90@hotmail.co.uk


To view my development on this project and the final magazine spreads, click here