An early start and a bumpy ride along the winding mountain roads took us into the stunning mountains above Kathmandu. An intrepid crew of 8, including our gorgeous models Shimran and Shilpa, we made our way up, away from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. Loaded with clothes, scarves and camera equipment we headed for Nargarcot with an ambitious plan to achieve a photoshoot with beautiful landscape shots and a mountain backdrop.
Despite the photographer's concerns of the mist shrouding the mountains, I was determined to find a clear spot and so lead my team up and down the mountain stopping at times to have a reviving hot cup of masala tea and to do the model’s make up, optimistic that the holy grail of a clear vista could be found.
Eventually, tenacity and a little bit of luck came our way and we found ourselves elated, overlooking a valley filled with evergreen and a perfect clear blue sky behind.
Prayer flags are strung up along the mountain to bless the surrounding countryside and today the Stupa was lined with vibrant flags to mark the Tibetan festival.
The colours have different meanings, each representing one of the Five Elements and the 5 pure lights - Blue for sky and space White for air and wind Red for fire Green for water and Yellow for the earth.
According to traditional Tibetan medicine, health and happiness are achieved through a balance of the five elements. We love unexpected flashes of colour at Thread Tales Co. and the idea of colour creating wellbeing and joy, so these beautiful flags both lifted our spirits and provided the perfect backdrop against the white Stupa.
Later, we ventured into the valley for further picture opportunities and made friends with the local children who were desperate to get in the photos. They totally won us over and even brought us one of the family's goats to feature in our shoot!
It was one of those days you don’t want to end and, as the sun was setting in the valley below, we headed back down the mountain, for some of my favourite Momos (Tibetan steamed dumplings).
The styling for this shoot was designed to reflect the local culture and the stunning surrounding countryside of the Himalayas, and will be used in our campaign featuring an animated film “Opening the Doors to Ethical Luxury”
These remarkable carved pieces of art were the starting point of my inspiration for our Spring Summer Collection when, on my last visit to Nepal, I fell in love with their sun faded, coloured Patina and their time worn beauty. I see these doors representing our values of opening up awareness of the importance of ethical and sustainable fashion; the door opens to reveal luxurious, tactile one of a kind pieces created with thought and a conscience, by the hands of skilled Artisans.
