shooting maison fleur
Nimes with the team
Some collections arrive with a very clear sense of where they belong. Maison Fleur, with its jacquard weaves, painterly florals, and silky satins in colours lifted straight from a summer garden, always belonged in the south of France. So we found an extraordinary house in Nîmes, packed up the team, and made it happen.
Beth, Sarah, Saf, Millie and Laura flew into Nîmes, swiftly followed by our BTS photographer and videographer Jack, his girlfriend Laura and their pup Bonnie (soon to become the team mascot) and arrived at the house that would be home, studio and set for the next two days.
Eclectic and full of character, every room told its own story - terracotta tiles, stunningly eclectic furniture, walls that had clearly lived a little. Exactly the kind of place that makes a creative team excited.
The first working day began with Sarah and Laura setting the tone. Fabrics, threads, illustrations and inspiration images were laid out across the table as a mood board took shape. Not just for Maison Fleur, but a deeper articulation of the Hope & Ivy brand itself. Jack captured every moment of it, stills and video.
Once back at the house, the team gathered for a long alfresco lunch before the afternoon continued in much the same spirit - creative, collaborative, and punctuated every ten minutes by everyone stopping to fuss over Bonnie. As the day wound down we wandered into the city to find Nîmes mid Roman festival along Place d'Assas - warm, buzzing and completely unplanned. A brilliant end to the day.
On the day of the shoot began with everyone around the breakfast table, pastries and fruit and yoghurt, talking through what lay ahead. Bestie model duo Camille and Doralyse arrived late morning and brought exactly the warmth and ease Maison Fleur called for. Hair, makeup, John set up with his camera, and we got started.
It was chaotic in the best possible way. The house gave us everything - sun-drenched walls, gorgeous antiques, a bookshelf stuffed to the brim with old books. Lunch was another alfresco affair before the afternoon shoot carried us through to the final looks.
We wrapped, headed to the airport, and flew home tired, happy, and already missing the house, the light and Bonnie.
And now the best bit - it's your turn. All of those pieces you saw being steamed, styled and shot across those two days in Nîmes are live on site now. We had the best time making this collection and honestly, we think it shows. Head to the link below, have a proper look around, and if you've got any questions our team are always on hand. We can't wait to see you in it.
