Spotlight Sessions 2013 #1: Thai Pham Photography

Last year, i was attempting to get this up and going but i seriously was so busy with the Tonalita Record that i have a massive backlog of interviews and chit-chats with fabulous people. Basically with my line of work, I get to work with and meet such talents; people who are just phenomenal at what they do and it intrigues me as to how they got there, what they aspire to become and what makes them, simply them. Everyone gets 10 questions and I pick out what my favourite images are that i feel are linked to them.

The first spotlight sessions is THAI PHAM.

Name: Thai Pham

Occupation: Business student by day, photographer by day/night.

From: Hanoi, Vietnam

Lives in: Ho Chi Minh City

Star sign: Scorpio

As a self-taught photographer, Thai Pham is a photographer definitely to watch out for. I had the pleasure of working with him on several occasions in Saigon, shooting for Elle Magazine as well as other promotional campaigns. 

These are my favourites that he has done for me:

Wearing Lam Boutique vintage.

with Li Lam, designer.

for Elle Magazine, Street Style segments

For Elle Magazine, Street Style Segments

in performance in Saigon, June 2012.

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

1. What camera are you using right now? im using a canon 5D mark 3





2. 3 words that describe you as a person



: young, wild and dangerous

3. Favourite color



? Black. [VA: black is not a color]. ok then, green :)

4. If I gave you a plane ticket now and you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?



 Paris, the only thing in my head now

5. What's your favourite subject to photograph?



 I think u should know it best ha ha. WOMEN!





6. Do u have a muse and if so, who?



 I find that any beautiful woman with a cool personality could be my muse, very easily.

7. Describe your photography style





I always want it to be unreal. Like out of the normal world - even if the subject and the concept is normal





8. If you were stuck on a deserted island, what song would you listen to? i am not sure yet but it will be a song that can make me replay all the old memories I had in my whole life









9. If you weren't a photographer, what would you be? probably a business man. I am very good at human resource

s 

and maths :)

10. What do u want to achieve in 2013? I want to be an international photographer, a proper one :D

Some other shots that i have loved by Thai:

You can check out more of Thai's work at:

website: www.thaiphamphotography.com

facebook: www.facebook.com/thaiphamphotography

He is truly a talent to watch out for! Loving your work and seeing the evolution darling!

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Love and grace,

Van-Anh xoxoxox

Recording the Tonalita Album

G'day everyone!

Goodness me, i feel like i've been reborn. I'd love to say I'm starting a new chapter but really, the saga continues. Having stepped out of the studio 2 days ago, I'm still feeling mentally, physically and psychologically exhausted. 

The last 2 weeks was spent between my home studio, REC Studios (the old 301, now owned by Savage Garden), in my car and my bed. All i remember doing was looking at computer screens to finalise scores for  my 9 piece orchestra, practising piano, scoffing down the odd piece of gluten-free bread or hot chips ... or if I was lucky enough, whisked away by a friend here and there for a meal forced upon me (gladly so though, otherwise i would not eat because I was so immersed in the process of finalising tracks and for many days the diet would consist of only tea, coffee, lollies and the odd muesli bar). Quick massages also made a sporadic appearance to de-stress and take away a throbbing migraine with thanks to my barista/dear friends (who knew some of these friends had such hidden talents haha).

4 days in at REC studios, 10 tracks + one bonus track, 16 people involved. 

Thank you to Victor Caringal Photography for capturing these behind-the-scenes moments (these ones are from Day 2 with more to come):

I cannot wait to get back into the cutting room to mix and master. The CD launch concert is locked in for Sunday December 2 2012 @ The Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House so please do keep that day free.

You're all in for a show and i cannot WAIT to get more details out to you all.

with much excitement, love, blood, sweat and tears,

VANANH :)

And for what's now:
Fav food: longans.

Reading: no novel at the moment but eventually, i'm sure i'll have to read 50 Shades Of Grey.

Wishlist: anything Patricia Changy right now! her robot collection is SOOOO fricken cute!

Current city: Sydney

 

Listening to: old school RnB.

Fav clothing item: All Saints dress.

Next destination: Beijing

 

Missing: my girlfriends.

Recycled Fashion

Good morning!

Are You OK? Yes, it's National ARE U OK DAY! And to be honest, yesterday, i wasn't. Nothing seemed to be going right. In essence, the ARE U OK day is on a much more serious note and please get out there and ask someone you know, or even a stranger, ARE U OK? because, it's really ok not to be. 

I had a real downer of a day. I can't say it was writer's block but the sound i wanted for a particular song i was cleaning up wasn't quite right. I was struggling as my parents had just left for a one month holiday in Asia, my sister just left for a 9 month contract to teach English in the South of France via Rome (envy much?!) and I was suffering from the travel bug (not long now til Beijing and Tokyo but still!). Not just that alone, it was 28 degrees outside and I was in my studio crunching away at finding the right sounds. So, i decided a change of clothes would change my mood. And not by going shopping (which is the usual quick fix, i mean, they DO call it retail therapy right?). I've banned myself from shopping until after the CD launch concert is over. Insert RECYCLED FASHION.

Clothing is totally a reflection of you. How you feel. It can totally be a pick-me-up as well! Threw on a complete outfit change with not a spot of black and it totally changed my mindset and I was ready to go again (not to mention a snip by my amazing hairstylist Sandy Farac!).

Today, I woke up refreshed and decided on the same thing. It's Spring. Bright colours. The key rule: rummage through the wardrobe and pick something you haven't worn for ages and mix and match. There's no real reason to be 'on trend'. Just wear what makes you happy and what reflects YOU. On a side note, i found many pieces that I had totally forgotten about (and realising i don't fit other pieces because i'd put on weight = WINNING!) :) It's like shopping all over again, just in your own wardrobe :D

So, my outfit today consisted of:

Zara silk shirt, Maurie & Eve Blazer, Vintage knot necklace

The entire outfit with Maurie & Eve boyfriends blazer, Voila Watch, Zara silk shirt, vintage knot knecklace, Leonardo Salinas tailored pencil pants, Peep Toe Shoes heels, Gucci sunglasses, BLVD Collective silver handbag.

The amazing Voila 'V' Watch 

Today's look. 

Barbie-doll corporate chic.

And none of it was bought recently!

And for what's right now:

Fav food: pineapples and strawberries.

Reading: The 4 Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss (for the 2nd time)

Wishlist: oh there is SOO much! the Karla Spectic jumpsuit first and foremost, followed by Zimmermann Clique Twist Playsuit and a Unicorn onesie from animalsuit.com.au :D 

Current city: Sydney

Listening to: Hot Chip - How Do You Do (Todd Terje remix) (thanks to DJ Matt Cahill for the link! UNREAL!)

Fav clothing item: Jonak Ballet flats whilst writing music. mmmm soft leather.

Next destination: Beijing

Missing: shopping.

Happy ARE YOU OK DAY everyone :)
Love and grace,
Van-Anh

xxx

August in Adelaide

This post is much overdue but better late than never.

For some, Adelaide is a sleepy town.. the city of churches they say. It is also named the Festival State. Churches they do have a-many. I did not have a chance to check out any of the festivals/gigs however was down for a whirlwind trip to be part of a fashion show as well as visit Penfolds and wander good old Rundle St.

The Lyric Theatre show, Sydney (in the same dressing room that Stevie Wonder & Elton John was in!!!)

the night before we head to Adelaide ... late night snacking :)

right down the middle of Rundle Mall

street art off Rundle :)

don't mind if i do :)

sunset from Penfolds winery

being silly with the lovely Miss Shirley backstage :)

running into Kamahl at Sydney Airport on our way to Adelaide

It was a tiring but fabulous weekend.
And for RIGHT NOW:
Fav food: thai papaya salad and hazelnut gelato from Green Peppercorn (salivating as i write this)

Reading: Korg Triton Le Workstation Manual (so many buttons to press!!)

Wishlist: Aurelia Costarella gowns and anything form the Nicholas collection.

Current city: Sydney

Listening to: Frank Ocean ~ Thinking About You (can't get enough of this song)

Fav clothing item: Alexander Wang pants... sooo comfy!

Next destination: Melbourne

Missing: long chats with old friends.

Adios my friends xx til next time,

love and grace,

VANANH :-)

Shu.... Sizzling Chic Szechuan meets imaginative Industrial.

Start with some quirky multi-colored light installations, add Kartell Ghost chairs, throw in the key ingredients to Szechuan cuisine, insert deep dark sound waves, set into an old-converted pizzeria then have a fashionista-turned-chef erect all of that up and what do you get? Shu. 

industrial meets playful colorful = warm atmosphere to wine and dine in!

Upon approaching Shu, my eyes gaze upon a jigsaw tower of perspex chairs in the window display,  colored lights shining through. Typical Melbourne style, the entrance is not through the front but we are diverted down the side of a dark alley. Pushing against a door that i am unsure of that is a kitchen back door or store room, we indeed step into the restaurant that is Shu. Inside, contemporary heaven. My eyes diverted from left to right, up and down, back corner, kitchen, front window. The mix of contemporary furniture through to light installations with unique decor pieces such as old vices, vespas and vintage Gucci tables set in a very industrial 'stripped-bare' room creates an eclectic feel to this fusion Szechuan restaurant.

Beyond the amazing out-fittings of this restaurant (with particular note to the coat-hanger light feature and the spoons light feature of which Shu made himself - true art!), the food is divine. 

The back room which serves as an art gallery for up and coming artists needing a space to exhibit as well as Shu's own wall creations, made out of coat hangers (yes! now i know what to do with those annoying metal hangers that come from the drycleaners!!) :)

Shu offers a set menu of $45 pp where he will choose for you two starts, two appetizers/entrees and 2 mains. With my posse of diners, we decided to go with the daikon rolls, the egg dumplings for starters (beautiful presented particularly the daikon rolls - i felt like i was eating a mini pot-plant).

Egg dumplings and Daikon Rolls.

We then moved to our entrees of the broad beans in szechuan chillis and duck breast. Beautifully presented, the simplicity of the broad beans dish was still full of punch and flavour. The duck is marinated in a beautiful sticky sauce garnished with ginger.

scrumptious broad beans..cooked to perfection.

duck breast dish

Of course as we're eating, we've got a projector screened onto the white-washed walls of images and docos/movies which Shu has finely selected to accompany with the deep-dark music in the background, complimenting the atmosphere of the industrial room.

Our mains included the pork belly, the eye fillet and organic chicken (Shu's take on Kung Pao Chicken). All three dishes in my eyes are flavoursome but our posse all agreed on the fact that the organic chicken was by far the best dish of the night. 

To finish off, we tried Shu's dessert of poached pears in white wine and red wine sauce garnished with flowers... This will be available on Shu's new menu which he is going to change in the next month.

dessert - perfectly in half! white wine and red wine (the white wine is more potent ;) )

A left-field choice of wines are ready for selection to accompany the meal (ranging from wines of Spain, Australia, NZ, France, and Italy). We chose the Barossa Valley's Mother's Milk Shiraz for our night (purely on the basis of the crazy name and then the comical bottle label) - a fine red may i say though.

Dishes average between $25-$35 and mains are made to share.

Shu is open every day except Tuesdays. Address: 147 Johnston St, Collingwood.

the most fabulous outfittings - chic- modern meets industrial

Absolutely LOVE Shu's creativity - simply done by having a paper mache balloon and sticking all the plastic spoons together, then popping the balloon! GENIUS!

I loved eating at Shu. The simplicity of the food set in a contemporary industrial artistic setting with emphasis on lighting, finer details and unique decor makes the eating experience not only memorable but leaves you craving to come back again. It's like eating in a moving art gallery. Now, if only you opened one like this in Sydney Shu :)

with the lovely Shu himself :) Love your work Shu!!!

Green Peppercorn Pre-Launch

For those who know me, I have a HUGE spot and lots of time for good food. Even more time for food than fashion at times (most notably and recently the occasion where I was meant to make my way to a particular store on Carnaby St in London but got distracted by a sign which said “$5.95 burger and chips …. Yes, I never made it to the dress store).

The burger and chips in Kingly Court, off Carnaby St, London (totally worth the skip of the dress store eh? ;D)

Coming back to Sydney, I’ve arrived back in time for the opening of Green Peppercorn (1 Hamilton Rd, Fairfield, NSW). Manager Tona Inthavong comes from a family who own one of my favourite Thai/Laos joints, Holy Basil (122A Canley Vale Rd, Canley Heights and 127 Liverpool St, Sydney).  With a string of awards and reviews under their belt (Forkley Awards, spoonies, urbanspoon etc etc), Green Peppercorn hits at a younger, fresh and vibrant atmosphere.

Similar menus but with the added Sugacane Dessert Bar serving such delights such as Pandan Crème Brulee, Panna Cotta, Macarons and an assortment of ice creams in fabulous ice-cream bowls (hazelnut gelato and chocolate brownies to name a favourite), the presentation is gorgeous.

With a black and white theme interior, a tuk-tuk parked by the bar, lovely traditional golden statues and hangings on the walls and french provincial seating for the dessert/drinks area, Green Peppercorn brings trend to Fairfield.

What makes me appreciate this restaurant so much more is that in the making and process of all three restaurants, it was all a family affair. The entire Inthavong family - from Mum to Dad, brothers through to sisters and of course friends all put a helping hand in (you'll know when you try to chicken wings or marinated beef that comes with "Mum's sauce".... DELISH!).


My favourite dishes are still the Laos sausages, tom yum soup at super hot spicy level (served more milky than Holy Basil’s but more so the style you’d find in Thailand), the papaya salad and hazelnut gelato.

lychee daquiri ... simply YUM!

spicy tom yum soup (the king prawns and mussels are divine but the extra coconut milk to make this dish more milky makes it even BETTER!)

prawn stir-fry in oyster sauce (delish!!!!)

hazelnut gelato with whipped cream, nut crumble and brownies + vino rosso = winning!

A lovely selection of wines are on offer as well. 
With nicely spaced out tables and chairs, a large area which can seat up to 250 guests and a function room too, Green Peppercorn will be the place to hang in the West (especially when it's open til 2am on Saturdays).

I congratulate the Inthavong family on what is another wonderful restaurant and look forward to the 700+ guests to arrive at the launch! My deepest and heartiest warm wishes to them ALL for the launch tomorrow, Friday 20th July 2012.

I am a huge fan! That is all :-)

With love and grace,

Van-Anh