Emma Kimber checks out the exciting range of Burlesque costumes from a new Swindon designer photographed by Kris Talikowski.
A woman’s innate love of the ‘dressing up box’ never seems to get old. From a 5-year-old in mum’s heels to a grown up getting ready for a night out, the excitement of playing someone else, of slipping on a new you, will never fade.
Rosa Bloom, the new fashion brand of Rosa Hirsch-Holland, right, is mother to hundreds of innovative and fanciful designs, treating Swindon to a delicious helping of fashion like it has never seen before.
Rosa Bloom creates a theatrical spectacle from the past and uses a strong burlesque streak. With clear influences from centuries gone by, Rosa sells a collection of delicate and elaborate vintage pieces, altered and adjusted with a special Rosa Bloom twist. Next to these one-of-a-kind pieces in her magical wonderland touring-boutique, patiently sit an incredible rainbow array of bustles, rails of boyish bloomers, delicate and girlie bras and draping beaded jewellery.
Thematically drawn to florals and plush fabrics, Rosa’s pieces have an essence of elegance about them, as well as being characteristically fun and dramatic.
A fashion shoot for Rosa Bloom, before she took off for her first commercial outing at Glastonbury, was organised for a sunny weekend in June, and I played stylist in this production of dress-up. Thanks to a previous article at SwindonLink, fashion creatives from all over Swindon united in this project after contacting Rosa Bloom who was more than keen for a shoot to take place.
Compiling the Rosa Bloom pieces was incredibly enjoyable and felt almost like organising an art gallery; placing pieces beside each other to complement, but not to outdo or crowd. Hoards of clothes, accessories, and vintage props were taken on location to a farm in Lechlade. All of the team members were greatly enthused by this shoot; all of us benefitting from the originality of the designs; the freshness of the location and the fun and theatrical element to this entire aesthetic. 
All of the models performed fantastically, bringing unique styles to each outfit, injecting character into these static items. Putting life back into the vintage and playing with the new pieces that are ready to hit Glastonbury next week, the models spent an entire day being dressed by me, and having their hair and make-up done by Hair and Make-Up stylist Gemma Sutton.
Swindon fashion photographer Kris Talikowski was ring master to this staged production, and ensured the final images got the creativity and originality that the garments themselves begged for.
From the point of view of the stylist, Rosa Bloom is a treat to work with. Utterly unique, the art of dressing up has endless possibilities with this expansive collection of colours, fabrics, exaggerated shapes and the creation of hundreds of potential characters. Thanks to a glorious day, beautiful location and innovative ideas, the contrast between the theatrical and the rural really shone through.
The Rosa Bloom bubble of fantasy is sure to create waves of child-like excitement wherever it goes. Bringing out the lover of the dressing up box in everyone, Rosa Bloom is what fashion should be all about. 
• Emma Kimber is a Fashion Journalist and Fashion Stylist. She studied in Southampton and now, newly graduated, lives in Swindon. Working part-time in a fashion museum, Emma’s love of fashion history is reflected in her styling and her love of vintage garments. Emma can be contacted by email on emma_kimber3@hotmail.com or by telephone on 07895 266338 and is interested in any upcoming fashion projects in and around Swindon.
• Kris Talikowski is a professional photographer based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Kris specialises in portraiture, events, weddings, fashion, commercial and music photography.
Kris is always looking for models wanting to work on a number of fashion/commercial/portfolio projects. Call him:Contact info
tel: +44 (0)208 133 4905
skype: kris.talikowski
email: info@kristalikowski.com
Look for him also at: facebook, flickr, model mayhem, twitter and linkedin Kris Talikowski is a professional photographer based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Kris specialises in portraiture, events, weddings, fashion, commercial and music photography.Kris Talikowski is a professional photographer based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Kris specialises in portraiture, events, weddings, fashion, commercial and music photography.
