I did something drastic today. I dyed my hair. And we're not just talking about going a lighter shade of blonde (I have only ever really been variations of blonde). We're talking Vivienne Westwood eat your heart out fluoro orange. Powerade orange. Super keen Netherlands supporter orange. Apple Red henna orange...
Look, I probably should've paid more attention when I googled henna dyeing and it told me to be wary if I had already dyed hair. My roots are a lovely dark ochre colour... But where the blonde highlights used to be? Well that's why I have my students telling me they can't take me seriously anymore.
I like to think of it as an eco experiment. Henna natural hair dyes. I know the young hair dresser apprentice who got so excited to peroxide my hair last time I saw him would be devastated at what I've done to my locks, but a change is as good as a holiday they say.
I'm going to keep it for a month or so this colour, then perhaps try the burghundy henna... Maybe that'll be more the 'apple red' I was expecting?
In the meantime, before I have photos of my own orang utan awesomeness, I've been searching for other flaxen haired goddesses to make me feel better. And there are some absolute beauties who I admire and hope I can live up to.
Karen Elson:
(http://img.listal.com/image/502057/500full-karen-elson.jpg)
Florence Welch:
(http://img.listal.com/image/502057/500full-karen-elson.jpg)
Vivienne Westwood:
(http://img.listal.com/image/502057/500full-karen-elson.jpg)
Lisa Weißgerber:
(Awesome German who let me steal her bed for a week while I was homeless. Ironically, she is currently doing an internship with the "wrinkly old orange" listed above her... [Her words, not mine])
The story behind the clip follows a man on a journey. He starts off finding his doppleganger brother dead underneath a tree. After burying him, he goes on a journey through fields and mountains, before coming to a door suspended in the middle of nowhere. Going through the door, he finds himself in a room- tied to a chair in front of a stage, where a drunk buresque madam forces a performance on him, and whiskey down his throat. Things start to get crazy, as the madam tries to please her pet bunny-man, before the man finds himself out of the room, but now in a coffin. Digging himself out of the coffin, he is back at the tree. His doppleganger brother is dead, and the story starts again.
It was my first experience working as a costume designer. And I think I have found what I'm meant to do... 
The 2 weeks leading up to the shoot were speant sourcing a bunny suit and rolling around in mud puddles whilst wearing it, borrowing clothes and props from many different generous friends and making trips to bondage stores. (Bunny suit is currently being dry cleaned- let's hope by the time easter is back around, he's white again to please the kiddies).
On set, my job was different. It was all about making sure everyone looked as they should- very very dirty. For future reference, cinnamon makes a great 'dust'
Day 1 was all about the outdoors, and after weeks and weeks of rain, we somehow scored brilliant weather with spectacular sunrise and sunset. From forests, to fields, floating in dams, kangaroos being chased by german shepherds, doors in the middle of nowhere and graves- the day was long, tiring, but a whole lot of fun.
Day 2 was the interiors- coffins, burlesque and bunnies. Friend Baby Blue Bergman did an amazing job as the crazy madam, while I couldn't stop smiling watching her perform- I felt like a proud mum with how professional and gorgeous she was. (Meanwhile the boys in the room were stoked at the private burlesque performance they got to watch performed all afternoon).
By the end, we all decided that what we'd just done was far better than reality. And so I now endeavor to make it my reality.
