Most designers know that image and communication tools are key for their brand. Some are lucky and have the skills to work on it, some have talented friends in their network. But for others, finding the right photographer, stylist, set designer, graphic designer, i.e. all the people who contribute to a successful image, isn’t an easy task. Not to mention coordinating the jobs AND giving the appropriate art direction. Fortunately, there are agencies that can beautifully handle creation and production for brands and Lila & Tom is one that I would highly recommend. The agency, based in Barcelona, is owned by Kathleen Boonen and Jan Dönhardt, a couple with Belgian, Dutch and German origins who lived in Paris, Berlin, London and Madrid. Speaking many languages must be the key for their accurate understanding of client’s needs and expectations. Between the two of them, they create appropriate stories and they deliver images that really work.  Their clients include Tammy Donohoe, Massimo Dutti, Dandy Star. Their contribution to Milk Magazine and Naif is an evidence of their precious talent.

Photos Juan Carlos Ponsa – Enric Montes.

In collaboration with set designer Frank Visser, Karin Nussbaumer makes wonderful pictures that stay with you. Her story “House in the clouds”, featured in Pirouette last June, was inspired by painting, and very colorful. With this “Little swan”, Karin explores a great new palette of powdery tones. Karin and Franck are represented by Julie Seguinier www.juliesagency.com.

What a smile! This engaging image has been taken by Eva Mueller for Baby CZ. In collaboration with VOGUE, Carolina Zapf is inviting press and clients to celebrate her Fall 2010 Baby CZ collection and the VOGUE Bambini Shop Guide featuring the best children’s boutiques worldwide. An impactful invitation to theBaby CZ event at their store, 820 Madison Avenue in New York, September 30th.

New! Kickers campaign by Melanie Rodriguez. The photographer is represented by Julie Seguinier. Brillant…

Named Sony World Fashion Photographer for 2010, David Handley made this wonderful story of African kids, as sculpturals as Liya Kebede or Alek Wek. David Handley is represented by Jackie Gibbs in London.

Photographer Julie Blackmon is back in New York for an exhibit at Robert Mann Gallery (Sept 7th – Oct 23rd). Julie has added new images to her “Domestic vacations”, a fictional and auto-biographical story that she started about 5 years ago and that explores the fantastic elements of our everyday lives, both imagined and real. “We live in a culture where we are both “child centered” and “self-obsessed.” The struggle between living in the moment versus escaping to another reality is intense since these two opposites strive to dominate. Caught in the swirl of soccer practices, play dreate the space to find ourselves. The expectations of family life have never been more at odds with each other. These issues, as well as the relationship between the domestic landscape of the past and present, are issues I have explored in these photographs”. Julie is the oldest of a family of 9 and a mother of three; she has an infinite reservoir to dig memories and inspiration from.

Thanks to Khalym Shell for this interview on StyleSight. About trade shows, beloved brands, retail, photography and more. Read the interview here.

Discover the S/S 011 images of Wovenplay, shot by young Australian photographer Alexandrena Parker. www.wovenplay.com.

While some children are already in school, others will stay another week or two at the beach. Pirouette is ready to open the tap of daily posts but before doing so, some images of the summer. Enjoy!

Thanks to Ryan Roche and Edie Ure for sharing their beautiful holiday memories.

Fanny Sundgren founded Franka in 2006.  With a solid experience in fashion (H&M, Filipa K, J Lindberg), this mother of 3 (they are all on the tree…) delivers beautiful and well made collections. Special mention to her very clean and playful website www.frankastockholm.com.