Fashion profile: Amanda Shadforth

Beautiful pictures are Amanda Shadforth’s forte. Her blog Oracle Fox is a constant stream of visual inspiration. Amanda admits that she initially started her blog as “a giant mood board”, however fast forward a few years later and Amanda’s “mood board” has now turned into a very successful career. I had the pleasure of working with Mandy on Fashion Bloggers and I can attest she’s a woman with impeccable taste. Here Mandy talks about her shopping weaknesses, dining at Louis Vuitton’s house on her birthday and why she keeps trying to steal my Balmain jacket!

My first blog post…

My first blog post was a picture of the sun setting over some cane fields near my house, I titled the post ‘From little things, big things grow’ and looking back now, it seems very apt. I’m sure I was thinking “no one is going to see this” but that’s the beauty of this industry, you never know what’s just around the corner.

My blogging highlights

Being able to connect with my readers that are all over the world has been so fun and a completely unexpected part of the job. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with some of the most interesting and influential people in the industry which can be very surreal but so inspiring. Oh and let’s not forget having the opportunity to meet and work with your lovely self too!!

Filming Fashion Bloggers…

I spend a lot of time in front of the camera for Oracle Fox, however filming is a very new experience for me. I would be lying if I didn’t say I was a little apprehensive and nervous leading up to the show.  The crew and producers are very professional though, and we had a really great time in the process. It was great spending time with the other girls and having the cameras there to film some of the big projects that are in the works for Oracle Fox. At the end of the day though, being a photographer I much prefer life behind the lens.

My go-to outfit

It’s no secret that I love black, I’m a serial offender! My go-to outfit this year has been a pair of Isabel Marant leather pants with motorcycle zippers, a good quality basic shirt and a Balmain jacket. I’m obsessed with Balmain jackets. As you already know I keep trying to steal yours when you’re not looking! (laughs).

My “what was I thinking?!” outfit… 

Oh my god every girl’s nightmare is post-outfit regret. When I was pregnant I actually made some very obscure fashion decisions. Let’s just say that this is part of the reason why I stay safe with so much monochrome these days!

My fave style icon…

In my opinion, Jane Birkin is the ultimate iconic. Natural skin, doe eyes and simplicity never go out of style.

 

My most memorable travel experience…

Every time I travel to Paris for Fashion Week something spectacular happens. It’s honestly one of the most magical cities in the world. This last Spring/Summer Paris Fashion Week I was actually invited to the home of Louis Vuitton in the outskirts of Paris. It was such a privilege and honour to dine with the team at this very special residence and to top it all off it was also my birthday the same day.

If I could only be dressed by one designer for the rest of my life…

 It would be an equal tie between Givenchy, Cèline and Ellery. Each of these designers are some of my favourites and all bring something unique to the party. I’m a tomboy at heart and I love the hard edge cool factor of Givenchy, I also find that Cèline do such beautiful subtle pieces each season and the silhouettes are just divine. I wear a lot of Australian designer pieces and Kym [Ellery]’s work is just a little bit feminine with an element of structure.

 The one store I’d max out my credit card…

Hands down Colette in Paris. I know that it might sound predictable but seriously it’s not just about the beautifully curated selection of designer pieces from all around the world but I always stock up on beautiful photography books, magazines and those cool little tech gadgets that they sell at the counter.

The most prized item in my wardrobe…

 My Céline heels that I just couldn’t leave Paris without purchasing during last season’s Fashion Week. Definitely an extravagance but also an investment. 

The next thing on my shopping list… 

You know I was only getting ready to go somewhere this week and I thought I really need a handbag that’s not black! I’ve been thinking for a while that I wouldn’t mind a new bag in a dove grey or perhaps a khaki or navy.

One image I wished I’d taken…

Hands down Camilla Akrans is one of my favourite photographers. There is an editorial that she shot for Vogue Japan in March 2010 featuring Anja Rubik wearing all of these beautiful white semi transparent pieces. It’s just so divine, so simple and beautiful and oh, Anja is holding a baby lamb, say no more! 

 

The key to a good Instagram post… 

Styling photos for my Instagram is one of my favourite parts of the work day. Great lighting is always key and I couldn’t do without a perfect white backdrop. Lastly I always use the Afterlight app, it’s excellent for sharpening images and adding a subtle filter.

What’s left on my blogger bucket list… 

Mmmm this is such a good question! I always feel as though I don’t know how to answer this question because I feel as though this is only the beginning and we just don’t know what the future will hold and where we will be this time next year, I feel as though we always supersede our expectations. Oracle Fox has doubled in the last year with the amount of projects that we’ve taken on, with the amount of staff that I have working for me and also in the quality of the content that we’ve been able to take. My biggest goals for 2015 are to really focus on those relationships that we’ve built over the last year and work on creating some magical projects for the next year. Lots of travel, creating editorials with more high profile faces and brands and some exciting collaborations on the radar! Stay tuned…