Sarah Richardson’s brainwave to take two antithetical things and mash them together – namely leather harnesses and flowers – was a brilliant one. The effectiveness of the combination in this shoot starring Malgosia Bela has stayed in my mind, the beauty of the pastel coloured leather against primroses and hyacinth being an unexpected twist for a traditionally fetishist accessory.
Roughly eight months later we revisit that styling idea, which has been artfully recycled by Richardson in a shoot starring Abbey Lee Kershaw. But here, the harnesses are layered over dresses and the fit feels a little more cumbersome. A row of deep red roses at the neckline of a black dress, however, is floral perfection.
To try some of these looks for yourself, get thee to the garden and get creative.
Photographed by Richard Bush, you can view more of Abbey Lee Kershaw in Vogue Russia’s December 2011 issue at the gallery above.
