At Strattons Hotel in Swaffham, this month’s atmospheric fashion shoot gives a nod to literary classics and luxury decadence
COMBINING bohemian style, understated glamour and beautiful must-have spring wear, this month’s fashion shoot - sponsored by Strattons Hotel in Swaffham - will inspire and rejuvenate your wardrobe.
The award-winning, family-run boutique hotel in the heart of the Breckland town is famous for its green ethos, and with its quirky, glamorous interior it proved the perfect setting.
“Life at the hotel is never dull,” says Hannah Hughes, Strattons’ HR and marketing director. “Every day is different and rooms, gardens and food have to meet the ever changing needs of our clients and guests, which makes for some interesting artistic collaborations. We have hosted some amazing national and international artists, from popular music, art, film and literature, to share this special building, as Lady Emma Hamilton once did. It’s so important to keep developing the business, and art is very important to us.
“The fashion shoot with Norfolk Production was very exciting and we really appreciated working with a brilliant local company who listened to our brief to express the lovely varied interiors of this beautiful listed Palladian villa.”
She says the hotel’s food offering – which includes a restaurant, café and deli – is a vital part of its success, and there is nothing nicer than getting dressed up for a vintage afternoon tea.
“Food is a big part of our offering and we have another year of fabulous themed afternoon teas, including Valentines, Mother’s Day, Easter and Wimbledon, as well as our Bank Holiday brunch clubs and delicious a la carte evening and Sunday lunch menu.”
strattonshotel.com
Literary inspiration
The shoot by Norfolk Production was styled by Susie Lloyd who grew up and studied in Norwich and who has styled shoots all over the world for celebrity and commercial clients.
“Each room at Strattons has been individually decorated with quirky opulence and I was inspired by the way the architecture, sumptuous fabrics, wallpapers, objets d’art and paintings have been put together to create an environment of lavish decadence,” she says. “I took The Bloomsbury Set and F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Beautiful and Damned as creative inspiration but wanted to give this a modern twist. We dressed the models in gorgeous outfits with old-world elegance embodying a lively spirit.”
Get the look
For hair and make-up, Katie Barns combined a hint of bold glamour with a natural, loose, untamed style.
“Lips and cheeks were both treated to a dab of soft creme blush - a super quick make-up fix if you’re short on time - with a sparkly eye to draw focus and add drama. Underneath those elaborate accessories and hats, the models’ hair was kept natural by scrunching in texturising powder or salt-spray,” she says. “Grey hair is bang on trend but it takes a lot of work to maintain such silvery tresses! Don’t over-process with heat or chemicals as it can turn yellow. Use Paraben-free products if possible and natural lemon-juice to lift and lighten the hair.”
