Beauty Vs Beast 2013

It's not every day a girl gets to indulge in two of her passions at the same time. Providing vintage styling and getting close to some cool vintage motorcycles ... bliss!

Ariel Red Hunter

1962 Tiger Cub

A day spent in beautiful surroundings with a great bunch of people - oh - and it just happened to be for an extremely worthy cause. The Myelin Project funds research for demyelinating diseases including Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Leukodystrophies. These conditions are aggressive, terminal and devastating, which at present there is no known cure. Multiple Sclerosis is the most common of the demyelinating diseases and affects adults of all ages.

The calm before the storm

Makeup and hair preparations

I was initially approached to help out with hair and makeup for the calander. Being quite good at organising - and much to my delight - I ended up assisting with pretty much the whole schedule. Many of the calander themes were the brain-child of Nikki Armstrong, an extremely talented makeup artist who works alongside me at some of my vintage workshops and events.

A dear friend kindly allowed us the use of her beautiful home to do the shoot. It was perfect! There turned out to be many places on the land that made superb surroundings for the photographers Andy Monk and Anthopny P Holt.

My friend having a sneaky go on Indiana Jone's sidecar

The pretty lounge was turned into a changing room

Alison, my 1940s beauty

We improvised with the costumes. They were generally outfits we already owned. We begged borrowed and stole the rest. Catwalk Creative Vintage provided two beautiful dresses for our 1960s and Easy Rider theme. 

Beth looking beautiful

Frock 'n' Roll provided a selection of hair flower clips to finish the vintage looks perfectly.

Nikki before

Nikki after - a 'mean' Bonnie (& Clyde)

Our themes: 1960s scooter/flower power, 1970s scooter/Northern Soul, a handful of 1950s Rockabilly and a 1940s theme, Indiana Jones, James Bond, Bonnie & Clyde, Easy Rider, Cafe Racer Girl and The Great Escape/Steve McQueen.

New Hudson Autocycle

What my models get up to in-between shots

Everyone came together to make this event work and that was demonstrated to perfection by the guys who provided the beautiful motorcycles we used to style each month's theme. These guys came from far and wide to help out - some at very short notice, so our sincere thanks go to all of them. Here are two of our many heroes of the day ...

Alfie from Glossop

Gaz from Darwen

Our wonderful female models were all members of the Swan2wheels Motorcycle Club, Hindley Green, Wigan. We also had a few brave male models posing for us throughout the day. All willing victims I might add, enjoying the great atmosphere and doing something, I am sure, that was completely different ... for a Sunday afternoon anyway.

My Best Biker Bud Ben Bond with his new pal Vicki

In addition, the Beauty Vs Beast 2013 calander is being dedicated to the memory of Leah Davies, a beautiful young woman who died tragically in a motorbike incident in August. Her dear Mum and elder sister showed great strength and took part in the calander shoot. Leah was looking forward to modelling for the calander so this we hope, in a small way, is a fitting tribute to her.

A few of the many who helped make this day so special

The finished article will be out soon. 

Saz - like a little cherub

You can pre-order your calander on the Beauty Vs Beast website. And finally! A little bonus for me, although I did have to give it back ...

"Oooh! This would do nicely around Oulton Park"