'New African Woman' Magazine with Menaye Donkor featuring Nicol DeNoir Corsets

'New African Woman Magazine' editorial shoot and interview with Menaye Donkor, wife to footballer Sulley Muntari and former Miss Universe, featuring Nicol DeNoir corsets styled by Lauraine Bailey.  Available in WHSmith Apr/May issue 2012.

Front cover featuring Menaye Donkor

Menaye Donkor 'Who's that girl?'.....

Menaye shown on the right wearing Nicol DeNoir Gold Metallic Corset

Knitted dress, Korlekie by Beatrice K Newman is gorgeous 

Black leather corset by Nicol DeNoir

Black and Gold Leather corsets by Nicol DeNoir

Photography: Jason Venkatasamy

Styling: Lauraine Bailey www.laurainebaileystyling.​co.uk
Fashion Assistants: Natalie Wo at Fashionblag and Naomi Harrison
Hair: Bianca Scott
Make up: Claire De-Graft

Knitwear Dresses: Korlekie by Beatrice K Newman

Corsets: Nicol DeNoir (made to order)
Jewellery by Bee

I attended this shoot on the off chance, while dropping off an item that hadn't been included with the courier.  The shoot wasn't too far from where I was based, so I decided to drop off the luxury piece in person which was returned midday from another stylist.  I don't always get the chance to meet all the people involved in shooting my work, as I am often busy working on other projects and producing the goods. Unless of course I am doing my own shoots.

On this occasion is was nice to be out of the studio although I had a deadline to meet for the next day for another shoot, hectic week I know! but great to be in demand and busy at every turn.  So it was refreshing to see others working away while I just watched as the shoot progressed.

I arrived while the model Menaye was just being laced up in my gold corset by the stylist Lauraine Bailey.  She looked fabulous and at that moment I felt very proud of my creation.  It wasn't too long to go before the shoot was finished so I decided to stay a little while, rather than organise the return.  I spoke to Menaye for a little while, who at the time I didn't realise who she was.  I remember thinking what a lovely woman.  She was so humble, graceful and definitely someone to look up to in admiration with a killer figure and great cheekbones.  I was hardly surprised to learn that she was also a former Miss Universe winner representing for her native country Ghana.  Menaye currently resides in Milan with her husband AC Milan footballer Sulley Muntari.  To find out more about the Celebrity visit http://www.menaye.com/category/blog/ 

Copyright © 2012 Nicola Desnoes T/A Nicol DeNoir™ corsets. All Rights Reserved

Nicol DeNoir - Celebrity interests

Last month the interest for my products began to increase greatly as I started generating interest from celebrity PR and stylists for TV programmes, advertising and editorials.

This was a particularly busy month, as I had previously that week also been approached by Elle Mcpherson's personal stylist Anna Bromilow, for a shoot with celebrity fashion photographer Rankin.

Anna Bromilow, source: thesartorialist.blogspot.com

The fashion stylist originally began a fashion career in Vogue and was later approached by Tatler and offered a position as fashion editor, then eventually 'appointed Fashion Director'. She has travelled around the world and has also styled Cindy Crawford, Hilary Swank, Diane Kruger, Eva Herzigova, Christy Turlington, and Keira Knightley. For more info http://annabromilow.com

Rankin, http://Rankin.co.uk
Photograph: Anthony Devlin/Press Association

Rankin started the Magazine Dazed and Confused once graduating with Jefferson Hack. In 2000 Rankin went on to set up other magazines such as RANK, Another Magazine, Another man and HUNGER. Also founded a production company called Dazed Film & TV, and has worked with many A-list Celebrities such as Britney Spears, Madonna, Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue, Vivienne Westwood, for more info on Rankin visit wikipedia for more details. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rankin_(photographer)

Calum Best at the UK film premiere held at the Empire Leicester Square. London, UK for The Interpreter.

I was also recently contacted by Celebrity PR Erin McKee for Calum Best to shoot his new underwear line 'BEST' by Calum Best. Luckily for me I wasn't mad busy that week like I usually am and decided to drop the pieces off in person at Knightsbridge to meet Erin, Calum and the rest of the team. Calum Best, son of the late great football legend George Best, worked as an international model in his teens and early twenties for campaigns such as Burberry, Tommy Hilfiger, Jockey Underwear, sketches and also featured in Vogue, Cover of Evening Standard Magazine, Sunday times and many more...

As March has been such a productive and colourful month it really deserves a mention, I couldn't be happier!!! Not sure which of my products have been used but we'll soon see, but either way Nicol DeNoir really appears to be moving in the right direction, making and leaving real impressions!

Nicol DeNoir Chifon Blouse - styled by Lauraine Bailey

Nicol DeNoir™ Black Chifon Blouse www.nicoldenoir.co.uk
Copyright © 2011 Nicola Desnoes T/A Nicol DeNoir™ corsets. All Rights Reserved

Photographer: Charl Marais www.charlmarais.com
Stylist: Lauraine Bailey www.laurainebaileystyling.​co.uk
Hair: Ryutaro www.ryutaro.co.uk
Make-up: Sam Lascelle www.samlascelle.com

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day click link

Check out Menaye Donkor's blog for International Women's Day.  We also get a mention too.  Thanks Mrs Donkor and Lauraine Bailey the fabulous 'stylist' who invited me down to the shoot (one to watch out for) and introduced to the team 'behind the scenes.

On this occasion I was very fortunate to attend the shoot with Menaye Donkor as I am often far too busy making up or designing new pieces for my collections (although I did have another shoot to prepare for the next day in Canary Wharf and pushed for time). But it wasn't too far from where I was based and as I needed the items for the next days shoot, it only made sense to hang around and save time with returns.

Lauraine Bailey has used some of my products a few times now and really deserves a mention. She has great vision and really does know her stuff, with a great eye for textures, sheers and layering. Definately one to look out for as I believe she really is starting to make her mark. I really do love her work as she is an extremely talented individual who is also very familiar working with celebrities, tv and magazine editorials.

I previously met Ms Bailey at a 'Pop up' shop in Hatton Gardens, set up and run by Jennifer Williams-Baffoe CEO of Creative Cornucopia a business development portal for creative businesses, when I first became public.

Lauraine's creativity is expressed throughout her work which she describes as an eclectic mix of old and new, textured and soft, architectural and conceptual, contemporary and classic. Specialising in Film & Television / Fashion - Commercial, Beauty & Editorial.

Visit link to view some of her fabulous work
http://ailovefashion.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/lauraine-bailey-for-deluxx-magazine/

Issue 13: 'New African Woman' Magazine teaser trailer 'behind the scenes'

Sneak preview behind the scenes shoot for 'New African Woman Magazine' with Menaye Donkor, wife to AC Milan footballer Sulley Muntari, former Miss Universe Ghana, wearing Nicol DeNoir corsets Styled by Lauraine Bailey.

Menaye Donkor, in 'New African Woman Magazine' wearing Nicol DeNoir

Menaye Donkor features as cover star of New African Woman Magazine on sale at W H Smiths and most good newsagents from Wednesday 4th April 2012.

Nicol DeNoir, why Corsetry?

I began producing corsets once hitting a cross road and deciding my next move, long after graduating from University and building up loads of experience. I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted to do once I completed my degree, accept focus on Music, Fashion & TV but funny enough looking back at my old Uni sketch books, the interest for corsetry was always there, way before I even realised it myself. It was as if it was my destiny to turn this creativity into my main profession.

Copyright © 2012 Nicola Desnoes T/A Nicol DeNoir™ corsets. All Rights Reserved

I learnt to do garment construction first before I knew how to design, only by accident, after my Art portfolio from school was mislaid and never found. Three years worth of some real artwork, dedication and commitment for the subject that I had achieved my highest grades, lost forever and all completely gone, never to be seen again.

I was devastated and tried every college or university for fashion that I could, to be told that without the artwork I didn't stand a chance. All I had was a few drawings, that I tried to put together, but there was no way I could compete with the work I had previously. So eventually I got into college and was offered a place in garment construction instead (to my huge disappointment) at my local college, which involved very limited artwork.

Copyright © 2012 Nicola Desnoes T/A Nicol DeNoir™ corsets. All Rights Reserved

This disappointment actually became a blessing in disguise years later, as I soon discovered. By learning about garment construction first, it then gave me the technical mind that I now have, to create a garment from a completely different prospective. Just because someone can produced a piece of clothing it doesn't automatically turn that person into a designer, which some people seem to think it does. Once you study the art you soon realise they are completely different skills in all areas of design and garment construction, and actually quite difficult to master. You have to have a creative mind to know how to turn something into a piece of art. Corsetry really is more than just a item of clothing, and that's why I try to produce something that is just a little bit more than what you see as a typical or traditional corset.

Copyright © 2012 Nicola Desnoes T/A Nicol DeNoir™ corsets. All Rights Reserved

I tend to work with bright colours; maybe this came from being a beauty consultant and applying years and years of makeup to women from all over the world, which I began two years before I decided to go back into study. I never wanted to be a makeup artist, but that too was also something I got into by accident and carried on throughout my studies. If I'm not working with colour then I use various textures as my medium.

Corsetry is a challenge but the end results are always great as it makes the wearer feel fabulous, confident and extremely feminine. It often surprises me when I receive emails from PR agents, magazines and stylist for their celebrity clients, which is something I am only just getting used to now, But when I began this business I never believed in a million years that the young teenager who was turned down by every single educational establishment, to do Btec in Art & Design, would eventually be approached, commissioned or collaborate with some of the biggest names in the public eye.

Copyright © 2012 Nicola Desnoes T/A Nicol DeNoir™ corsets. All Rights Reserved

These bold coloured metallic corsets were created inorder for the wearer to stand out from the crowd, to make a bold statement. I am who I am, when you spot a Nicol DeNoir corset, it's only then will you recognise it's all about the brand! Once you own one, you'll always be wondering 'when can I wear it again'.......

When I was young I was discouraged by a few people, until one day I met a tutor while studying at Central St. Martin's College of Art & Design who said I was more than ready to do a degree, although I didn't have the correct qualifications, but she was positive the level of my work was higher than average. It was so encouraging that I then became so determined to go for it, and since then I just kept going and never looked back. I persevered trying all opportunities and working my way up. The Nicol DeNoir fashion label really is only just the beginning..........