There’s only one word to describe working with Kelsey: Awesome! Kelsey is fantastic to work with. She knows her body and how to work it. She has an “up for anything” attitude which makes her [...]]]>

There’s only one word to describe working with Kelsey: Awesome! Kelsey is fantastic to work with. She knows her body and how to work it. She has an “up for anything” attitude which makes her a creative director dream come true. We know we can count on her to be willing to try new poses, new set up’s and new looks. On a totally different note, when you work with Kelsey the laughs don’t stop! We even spotted Kelsey doing the Cha Cha Slide while in hair and makeup… And by “spotting” we really mean we did it right along with her! We love Kelsey and are proud to have her on our site.
Here are her answers to our Country Grace questions!

Name: Kelsey Olson
Profession: Model
Years in the Biz: 8 years

What look (if any) from the shoot would you swipe for your own closet, why and where would you wear it?
It would definitely have to be the gorgeous pink Signature Anastasia Maxi Dress that I got to wear! It was so comfortable, but really sexy at the same time. I love the colors it come in too! I can’t wait to get in navy blue ! ::wink:: ::wink::

My favorite thing about being a model is…
Meeting the people that I get to work with on a shoot.
I have worked with the team of SWAK before and I have such an amazing fun time! Sometimes you forget you working, just hang out with friends, and then you see these amazing photos and beautiful clothing… definitely my favorite part.

What was the best moment of the day for you?
The whole day was awesome… but my favorite part would be when Sarah expressed how happy she was with how everything turned out. That makes me feel like I did a great job as well as everyone that worked on this shoot. Wait… and the fact that I got to walk around a beautiful horse in 5 inch high heels… I mean that something you dont do everyday.

So… What’s it like to shoot with SWAK?
I mentioned before that it is like hanging out with friends. I think the creative process is a lot of fun. The ideas that are brought to the table are very exciting. I like to find out the vision for the shoot and the fact that they care about my opinion, I think that is great. I also get to work with a long time friend Michael Anthony, which is always a good time. Working for SWAK has been such a good experience and I’m excited to continue to work with them!!

PS- Here’s a shot of Kelsey hanging with the horses in between setups!

Michael is the ringer pro you can count on to deliver when you need great shots. He is personable, funny with a naughty sense of humor and super easy going. We love the vibe he brings [...]]]>

Michael is the ringer pro you can count on to deliver when you need great shots. He is personable, funny with a naughty sense of humor and super easy going. We love the vibe he brings to the set! He is wonderful to collaborate with and really “hears” what we are looking for. With years and years of experience working in the plus biz, he really understands how to work with models to get them looking the best they can look!

Here are his thoughts about being part of the Country Grace team!

Name:  Michael Anthony Hermogeno of 8x10proofs.com
Profession:  Part time photographer, full time foodie

What was your favorite setup of the day? 
My favorite looks of the day were the set ups with the stable and horses.  The look and styling of Jenn’s set was retro and iconic.  Without looking typically pinup, it had a classic Western vibe to it.  Kelsey in the open field with the horse was just dynamic and striking.  Both looks were stunning in their own rights, and equally impactful.  My favorite setup  of the day, the snack bar of fruits and muffins!!!

But my favorite shot of the day, if I had to pick just one is… 
My favorite single shot has to be the shot of the girls along the tree line, with the setting sun piercing through from behind them.  It has a very mainstream look to it and the girls’ expressions are timeless and breathtakingly confident.

My favorite thing about being a photographer is…
Seeing and feeling the impact of a shot live and in person.  My second favorite thing is the great lunches on set!!!

Best moment of the day?
Best moment of the day is when we yell, “That’s a wrap!!!”  because it means we have another great shoot locked down and in the bag.

How would you describe your creative process for this shoot?
What creative process? I just point and shoot.  It’s the team and models who bring the beauty before my camera.  I just aim and shoot to capture that beauty.

What’s it like to shoot with SWAK?
I love shooting for SWAK because of the great vibe on set.  No drama, no tension, no nonsense.  I don’t have patience for all that mess, so it’s great when we can just team up, do our thing, and have fun on set.

Want to see more of Micheal’s work? Visit his website by clicking here to see!

How do we love Brittany? Let us count the ways! First off, she is about one of the most fun people to work with we’ve ever encountered. She is [...]]]>

How do we love Brittany? Let us count the ways! First off, she is about one of the most fun people to work with we’ve ever encountered. She is quirky, sweet and the only person we’ve met who an keep up with all our pop culture references. On a professional note– she is truly the ying to our creative yang. Brittany is excellent at collaborating to come up with fresh, beautiful and relevant looks for our photo shoots. She is careful and passionate and a true joy to have on set. Though her food choices sometimes leave us puzzled (she prefers Pringles to a muffin or bagel for breakfast and can sometimes eat rice– and only white rice– for lunch… We wouldnt have her any other way!

Here’s her thoughts on working with SWAK for Country Grace!

Name: Brittany Sullivan
Profession: Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist

What was your favorite setup of the day?
I loved the setup with the horse (CB’s her name). Though I have yet to see the actual frames, it was an absolute beautiful setup to see in person.

What, if any, trends did you play with for the shoot? How would you describe the looks that you created?
We wanted to use flowers in Kelsey and Jenns’ hairstyles to flow with the outdoor ranch location. Taking the location and the overall feel of the colors, fabrics, and theme into consideration, I aimed at creating hairstyles that had a romantically tousled effect, while incorporating flowers and braids.

How would you describe your creative process for this shoot? What where your objectives? Inspirations?  Kelsey and Jenn are both gorgeous models (they’re awesome behind the scenes too!) and I tried to emphasize their beauty while keeping the looks (as) fuss-free (as possible). For both Kelsey and Jenn, I like to enhance their eyes with smokey shadow and yes, we always use faux lashes so please don’t feel inadequate if your natural lashes aren’t looking quite as luscious as our ladies’ do – it’s an illusion ! On Kelsey, I like a flushed pink cheek, on Jenn, bronzer and a berry blush. Both ladies look fantastic in a nude lip (I love nude lips) and for one look I also gave Jenn a red lip. Why? Lipsticks don’t have to be as high-maintenance as you may think. They can pull your look together in a snap and add a little pep to your step – just put on a coat of lipstick and blot blot blot! I love the look of moderately worn-in lipstick – there’s something about a woman being confident enough to let her gloss guard down and forgo the mirror, just enjoy the moment! With all the looks from this shoot, my objective was to maintain a romantic feel that displayed how empowering a woman’s femininity can be.

My favorite thing about being a hair and makeup artist is…
It’s basically my job to fall in love with every single face that I find myself looking into and when I do that I see all the beauty I can emphasize.  Hopefully, I am able to show that person something amazing they might not have noticed about themself or something wonderful they had forgotten.

What was the best moment of the day for you?
I’m not sure the photos of Kelsey and Jenn holding hands while walking merrily down the dirt path will make it to the final product, but these ladies were such great sports. Jenn and Kelsey agreed to hold hands as they pretend-giggled for the 5th grade bff look we were going for…they had just met an hour before. Sarah and I literally acted out what we were picturing (not nearly as gracefully as Jenn and Kelsey).

So, what’s it like to shoot with SWAK?
SWAK shoots generally include a whole lotta blue-based red lipstick (per Sarah’s insistence), more boy-band music than a tween’s ipod, an exorbitant amount of random pop-culture references, laughs ’til the cows come home and of course, a full day’s line-up of actual work The best part? …You just want me to say something mushy here, I can tell… Honestly though, the people behind the brand are fantastic and every person involved in the shoots is positive and down-to-earth.

Want to learn more about Brittany? Visit her website to view her other work by clicking on this link!

When Jenn came to us a year ago, she was brand new to the industry. SWAK was her first real go-see! It was clear she was a natural beauty [...]]]>

When Jenn came to us a year ago, she was brand new to the industry. SWAK was her first real go-see! It was clear she was a natural beauty with stunning curves we knew our customers would relate to. She was raw gem! We are so proud of Jenn and happy to have her model for SWAK. She is a cool and down to earth chick with a great attitude who takes feedback and runs with it… And she is totally gorgeous. There are great things for her future, we know it.

We asked her a few questions about her experience with Country Grace. Here are her answers!

Name: Jenn Purviance
Profession: Stay at home Mom, Part time Model.
Years in the Biz: 1 year.

What look from the shoot would you swipe for your own closet, why and where would you wear it?
I would swipe the pink Anastasia! It is the Summer equivalent to Winter’s tracksuits, cozy and seasonably fashionable. If you know me, you’d know that I always dress for comfort. I really loved that it was breathable and didn’t cling to me. I would wear this around the house, to the park, or even to the Marine Corps Ball! The Navy Blue version of this dress was so elegant when I tried it on! It could totally pass as a formal gown, appropriate for the most upscale events.

My favorite thing about being a model is…
I love sitting in hair and makeup. It is so relaxing! I actually notice how the different brushes are used on my face and their softness; it is like a tranquilizer when they use a good brush hahaha.

What was the best part of the day shooting Country Grace for you?.
I loved interacting with the horses! Aww, they were so cute and friendly I kinda wanted to ditch the shoot and go hang out with them all day!

What’s it like to work with SWAK
1 word describes SWAK: FUN! We spend at least half the day in laughter. There’s lots of chatter and every so often someone busts out dancing or singing in a very tacky manner. (Fun stuff!) Sarah is the most brutally honest person I know and I really admire that in her. Everyone at SWAK has always made me feel right at home, I always leave “work” with a big smile.

Want to connect with Jenn? You can find her on Facebook by clicking this link!

PS- Here’s a funny moment caught on camera!

Till then, take a minute to check out her blog where she’s reported back on her photo shoot experience with [...]]]> Details are just about to drop for the new partnership, Project Plus, that SWAK Designs is launching with Jessica Kane!

Till then, take a minute to check out her blog where she’s reported back on her photo shoot experience with is!

You can read it by clicking here!

In 2007, Jennifer Hudson wore a [...]]]> I’m a sucker for good draping. When it comes to dresses, if you can find me a dress that fits in the right spot sways over my hips in the right spot? I’m sold.

In 2007, Jennifer Hudson wore a gathered and draped navy blue dress to the Golden Globes. I liked the dress so much, I cut a picture of it out of a magazine and stuck it on a corkboard with the vain hopes that, one day, I would have a dress JUST like that.

The Oscars last night brought another “pow” moment for me and The Draped Dress. Octavia Spencer’s white, sparkely, curve-hugging Tadashi Shoji dress was amaze-balls!!

How do I love this? Let me count the ways…
1) The gather under the bust at her midsection is PER-FECT! Look at how it glides under her breasts! How it nips in the waist! How it cocoons over her hips!! I am literally in love.
2) I’m not one to love a high neckline. Mostly because, well, I can’t wear one. (lol) But, I love how the modest neckline of this dress is so elegant yet so sexy. It’s retro, it’s modern, it’s so, SO glam!
3) The cap sleeve is perfection.
4) The color. Is it nude? Is it cream? Is it blush? All I know, is it is a white dress that doesnt look too bride-ariffic.

When I was a little girl my grandmother showed me a collection of cocktail dresses from the 50′s that she had hand beaded. The material had graceful heft to it, and each bead she had sewn on with loving care. She wore one of these dresses to my uncles Bar Mitzvah with elbow-length white gloves and a very Mad Men-esque hairdo.

What did you think of Octavia Spender’s dress? Did it take the cake for you? Do you remember Jennifer Hudson’s dress from 2007?? Over the next few days we’ll all be talking about Oscar fashion- the hits and  the misses. But, for now, I simply want to call out a stunning, classic dress that I personally would kill to wear!

S

Yesterday, we spent the day with plus media gal and Confidence Crusader Jessica Kane and the beautiful and totally fun plus [...]]]> SWAK has had some truly fantastic photo shoots recently. I am itching to share the pictures with you all!!

Yesterday, we spent the day with plus media gal and Confidence Crusader Jessica Kane and the beautiful and totally fun plus model, Kelsey Olson.

Over the next week or so, I’ll be sharing lots more pictures and details from the shoot. For now, here is a great behind-the-scenes pic of Jessica Kane looking TOTALLY fierce in jeggings, our Perfect Camisole and an Open Cardigan. Love this picture!!

Also… Every wonder what part of an accessory table looks like after a 11 hour day?? Here’s a little peek!! LOL.

How about easy-to-wear fashion? We love our Farrah sweater, and showing Kelsey wearing it in a way that is totally accessible for a life on the go!

More to come soon….

S