1st December 2007 World Aids Day

Watch this space. Yes, just this space.

The Beginning.

As we begin this journey, we must remember that the collection is based on hair colour - therefore over the coming days there will be postings for each page of the technique brochure. Stay tuned, won't you.

Credit where its due!

Credits for the (RED) photograph collection are as follows:

Colour Richard Munslow
Hair Emily Deasey
Photography Kent Mathews
Make up Anna Scott
Stylist&
Assistant Casey Donne

For enquiries concerning this collection please address to Alastair J Gourley @ Pickle Public Relations
picklepr@mac.com

Now that this blog is live, it will be updated regularly on the progress of the collection and future assignments surrounding the photograph collection.

Richard Munslow presents (RED) Part 2

(RED) Dawn
Vibrant hues of copper flourish through the hair to add radiance and light. (RED) Dawn an asymmetric fringe with clean sharpe edges. Tonal changes excentuate and create a focal area that blends seamlessly within.

(RED) Light
Lighter and brighter strands of red glow against a dark silhouette. (RED) Light full fringed and balanced with sleek sharp length. The fringe is the focal area allowing the rest of the hair to frame it.

Richard Munslow presesnt (RED) Part 1

(RED)

Inspired by (product) Red whose mission is to help raise awareness & support to the people living in Africa with HIV & Aids. (RED) is a simple yet powerful collection of bold colour using a palete of many colours but always ensuring there is some (RED) somewhere somehow in every one. Soft, wearable & feminine styles give some everyday glamour to each of the models.

(RED) Blush
Soft subtle hues of pink, violet and beige, entwined together to give a soft feminine look. (Red) Blush, a soft outline and interior. The colour infuses however the hair is worn to give reflects of the palest tones.

(RED) Alert
Never failing to catch the light rich vibrant reds will always shine. (RED) Alert style has a rounded baseline and smooth interior that follows the shape of the head. The sine line pickls up on this an adds drama.

FACT

Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa has just over 10% of the world’s population, but is home to more than 60% of all people living with HIV—25.8 million.

In 2005, an estimated 3.2 million people in the region became newly infected, while 2.4 million adults and children died of AIDS.

Ref UNAids.org

More from the shoot day!

Its not all about perfect pictures as you've seen in the blog already, there is lots of hard work and of course, lots of colouring to make the collection pictures both perfect and unique.

Remembering Crusaid 2006!

The salon directed by Richard Munslow took part in Crusaid's Walk of Life in 2006. We came across a photo that summed the hot and sunny day up. Not so sure the blue shorts are in fashion, any longer. Both team members that have been figures in the world of 'RED - Support Mankind' happen to be Alastair and Emily featured in the photograph.

10 Things you should know (number 10)

Last installment of our guide of things to make sure you know to tell your friends and family. Knowledge is POWER.

There’s a lot you can do to look after your own health.
You can help yourself by eating well, reducing stress, not smoking, and exercising. Make sure you get good quality, impartial information about HIV to help you make good decisions regarding your health and treatment.

Ref Aidsmap.com

Nelson Mandela Ref Nelson Mandela Foundation

Twenty five years into the AIDS epidemic, it is an opportune moment, this World AIDS Day, for all of us to take stock and reflect on both our achievements and failures, make sense of what works and move forward boldly in dealing with its continuing devastating impact.

Over the last quarter of a century twenty five million people have died as a result of AIDS, and today forty million people live with HIV. AIDS is an exceptional disease and requires an equally exceptional response.


It requires ongoing leadership at international, national and indeed, at community level. We applaud the increased regional collaboration demonstrated by various bodies around the world.


One of the greatest challenges we face is gaping – and growing - disparities in the response to HIV between countries and regions around the world. AIDS related stigma and discrimination is pervasive and a real barrier to stopping the expansion of this disease.


The vast majority of the 40 million estimated people living with HIV are unaware of their status. Fear of being stigmatized is a great factor. It requires bold and visible action by top leadership - at all levels of society - to root out this deadly form of discrimination.


It is evident, that as we contemplate the next 25 years of this epidemic, we should remind ourselves that AIDS remains very much a human rights issue. Let me reiterate: we have to act, we have act decisively and above all, we must work together. The answer to turning around the devastating impact of this epidemic lies within us.


Thank you.


Nelson Mandela, World Aids Day, December 1st, 2006.

Some very touching posters

Courtesy of blog (Red) - just click on the banner at the top to visit the blog and read about the miraculous work being done in Africa today. (RED) hair - the collection inspired by (product) Red aims to promote (product) Red and its aims and objectives as well as spread awareness of the HIV and AIDS virus, and educating as many people as we can along our path. There few posters, say all the right things.

10 Things you should know (number 9)

Mother to baby transmission of HIV can be prevented in nearly all cases.
The use of anti-HIV treatment, having a caesarean delivery, and not breastfeeding can reduce the risk of a mother passing on HIV to her baby to less than 1%.

Ref Aidsmap.com

Support from New York Webzine

Alastair J Gourley:

I'm pleased to say that I got a rather nice message from a colleague in New York! Please read below!

Destroyer: The Blogzine and Destroyer Digitales are proud to support Richard Munslow and his collection of (RED) hair collection in association with Pickle Public Relations. We believe this will help further the cause of (RED) to spread HIV awareness & education in addition to raising much needed funds so people who can't get vital medicines, will be able to.

Jeffrey Dwayne
Founder & Director
www.destroyerdigitales.com
www.destroyer.typepad.com

Do check the site for the latest in the fashion world up to the minute in New York City, USA.

More shots from behind the scenes

One of my main goals for this blog was to show the process of the shoot and how the collection became the RED hair collection.
Besides, it gives a little insight into how as a colourist, the shoot is put together, its not easy, and it does take a whole day of dedicated hard work.

I think I've got the best team ever - TEAM RED! IT takes a lot of organising to create a hair collection nevermind trying to create the blog and then tell everyone about the collection, and making the right turns for using this collection to raise money for the worldwide charities connected to HIV/AIDS. The few shots I've blogged today are a mix, just taking us through the process of the shoot again, the models, the decisions, the stress and the relief!

Hope you enjoy them!

10 Things you should know (number 8)

You may still be able to pass on HIV to somebody else even if you are taking anti-HIV treatment.
Condoms effectively prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Clean needles and syringes are available if you inject drugs - never share needles or other injecting equipment.

10 Things you should know (number 7)

HIV treatment is free.
If you are entitled to free NHS care, then all your HIV treatment and care will be free. If you are not entitled to free NHS care you may have to pay for your treatment and care.

10 Things you should know (number 6)

HIV treatment is there to protect and improve your health.
However anti-HIV drugs can cause side-effects. Make sure you tell your doctor, as there’s a good chance you’ll be able to do something about them.

Making our actions count

Today, Alastair who has been working behind the scenes is here to share his thoughts about the RED project.

"I've been working on this idea for a few months now, coming up with what we should be doing, and directing as best I can how we can bring HIV knowledge to the forefront like it was in the 80's. HA! I'm showing my age. What Richard has done is create something quite unique, a collection using one colour group. A big risk for the awards, however, he really did have his mind made up and the rest of followed suit appropriately. The inspirations I've taken has been from the many blogs, the worldwide support for this project, in fact there will also be a fashion webzine launching the collection on its new york pages at the same time as this blog goes live. It seems odd writing on a blog, that I know noone can read - yet. Perhaps it'll all become clear, just like this journey we're on here" Alastair J Gourley

10 Things you should know (number 5)

You need to take all your anti-HIV drugs as instructed.
If you don’t, there’s a risk that the drugs you are currently taking, and any similar drugs,won’t work.

The model booker speaks of her experience

Casey Donne, has worked with Richard Munslow for the past 8 years and has been involved in many of the photo shoots for the salon's collections during the previous years. This year for (RED) she was the delegated model booker, searching high and low for the best people to represent the collection. "We opted to use real people for this collection much like the previous Richard Munslow collections, however, this time it was vital the right models were chosen for this particular project. The internet played a huge part as well as getting out on the street, and stopping those faces that I thought we could use. The internet sites such as shooting people and myspace also helped us evaluate the applicants, as well as root for new faces! It was an experieince this shoot, and I hope we get to be shortlisted as finalists and get to do this all over again' Says Casey Donne, Model Booker for Toni&Guy Hemel Hempstead.

10 Things you should know (number 4)

Taking HIV treatment can mean a longer, healthier life.
Even though there’s no cure for HIV, doctors are now hopeful that you can live a more or less normal lifespan if you take a combination of anti-HIV drugs.

Reference Aidsmap.com

ouch!

A letter arrived today, my heart sunk, it turned out to be a subscription letter - and not the results letter! Hoorah!

10 things you should know (number 3)

The best HIV care will be at a specialist NHS HIV clinic.
HIV doctors at specialist clinics will regularly check your health to see how HIV is affecting your immune system and explain what treatment you need to take.

Reference Aidsmap.com

10 things you should know (number 2)

HIV testing and treatment is confidential.
Your HIV clinic won’t tell anybody that you have HIV without your permission.

Reference aidsmap.com

(RED) Breif interview on the focus

Alastair :What was the inspiration to (RED)?

Richard Munslow: Inspired by (product) RED and the work they are doing to raise awareness of HIV & AIDS in Africa, I wanted to produce a fashion led collection of hair colour using red palette of colour to create a truly beautiful hair collection that is inspiring to hair dressers and sexy and wearable to consumers.

Alastair: Why did you choose real people?

Richard Munslow: Using real people opposed to models allows me as a colourist to work a little more without constraints. We can work with an overall look that extends beyond 'just the day' to something that truly is wearable.

Alastair: Is it not risky to enter a colour award, with just one colour?

Richard Munslow: Risky? well i have limited myself using a singular colour family, but with imagination you can see with limitation there are so many possibilities.

Alastair: What do you hope to achieve with this collection of photos?

Richard Munslow: If i can create a thought, as to their inspiration, then hopefully it will be one thought more than if i hadn't existed.

Alastair: Was it a long day?

Richard Munslow: The shoot was a long day, but only the tip of the ice burg in the grand scheme of things when it comes to the preparation involved in creating a hair collection. Getting everything to work in unison so that hair, clothes, make up and the photography all work together to reach the final goal.

Alastair: Any points you remember that stand out?

Having no hair washing facilities at the studio on the day of the shoot proved a challenge. With final touches of colour needing to be applied on the day and a small shower cubicle, seeing a model laying on her back with her head in the shower tray was truly a point that stood out !

Alastair: Any final message that would sum up your experience?

Richard Munslow: I have enjoyed every moment of this experience so far and it is a great feeling truly feeling proud of what i have done and content that i wouldn't change anything. I'd also take this opportunity to thank Emily Deasey, my stylist, as well as the photographer Kent Mathews, and the Make up artist Anna Scott. Oh of course, and not forgetting my publicist, thats you Alastair!!!

Alastair: I was waiting for that. Only kidding, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!

The 10 things you should KNOW (number one)

Having a test to find out if you have HIV could save your life.
If you’re HIV-positive, the sooner you find out, the sooner you can receive medical care. Every year in the UK 200 people die because they found out they were HIV-positive so late that treatment couldn’t work. HIV tests are free to everyone via the National Health Service (NHS).

Reference www.aidsmap.com

Updates

Hi!

Whats been going on? Kicking off, the wait is still on, it seems endless! However, we have much work to do in the meantime for the (RED) collection project. We have had such an amazing response from contacts in South Africa, as well as the UK. There is great scope for raising the desired funds for the charities that we have in mind. But of course first, we must await the results! Pickle PR frontman Alastair Gourley, really can think up thee most amazing ideas, maybe a little too much, but everything counts, every idea. I plan to introduce the models one by one on the web site here, at some point soon, but I can't do this as you are aware right this moment (what if blogger went wrong? I'd go mad)

The wait is on

Its been just over a week since the entry has gone in. The wait is now on, and it'll take its toll for the time being. In the background however, there is a lot of work happening, as Pickle PR continues its work for the collection of photos. Where to start? Well, I believe that London will be the first venue for the photo collection to be shown, but you know how these things are, you never really know whats happening until its final.

Mysef, I've been just trying to relax, I had to have a tooth pulled on the evening of the deadline date over a week ago. I am now able to say, I can work in complete pain and agony. I don't miss that tooth at all. I'm with Gloria, I will survive thank you.

The entry is in

The entry is in and now being judged, in the hands of the hairdressing gods. More news coming soon, its been a hectic week. But for your pondering, I found this quote that I love, and relates to what my team and I have been trying to succeed in doing.

A few careful images...

A few specially selected images are here, just to give you a feel of the day, the team, and myself have just about recovered !

Its never an easy thing creating a photo shoot, or a collection but this has been an amazing experience much more so than I ever imagined!

Enjoy the images!

The shoot is over

Now we're at the point that we have taken hundreds of photos, so many so, its quite easy to get confused as to what ones I'd like to use. Its a very proud moment for me right now, as I look at them, I find it impossible to choose one image from each set, as they are all above standard - They are simply excellent! The vibrant colours in them, just ignite excitement within me.
I am still hugely tired, I could almost sleep on my feet while i'm colouring in the salon, and if I stop, I am asleep! This week has been the longest in history and the toughest, so its no wonder that I'm tired.

I'll check in again when there is more news to tell!
As always
I am,
Richard Munslow

THE shoot is OVER

Its been an incredible day, I can't believe how well the whole shoot went, of course there were some hair raising moments, pardon the pun, but the day went very smoothly. My photographer Kent Mathews is quite an amazing man, I have never not used him for the photo collections. This is easily my best. Naturally, I couldn't have had such a good day without my loyal team with me. Pickle Public Relations working on video diary entries all day, as well as multiple photos being taken of the whole process. Its amazing to think that we can use this material. Right now, I'm downloading all the footage just to have a look while I have a few glasses of Baileys. Well-I have to relax.

Keep tuned.

The heat is on

I've taken two minutes out of today Wednesday, the photo shoot day just to do a quick update. Yesterday Tuesday was a manic day of colouring hair to get it RIGHT! All this and also Creative Head's UK's MOST WANTED award application to do as well. Never just rains, it pours! The photographs are going to be amazing, Alastair from Pickle PR has the video camera with him doing a video diary (some concept or another) - which I'm trying to get away from! AND another person with a digital camera photographing our every move! Its simply crazy. I have to admit, I may have lost my temper once or twice already. Need to get back to it.

As always,
I am
Richard Munslow

Day of rest

Its sunday and its a day of rest for me, time to think deeply about the colour and what i want my collection to be. Might seem like an easy job, but really the depth of thought thats going into every photo shot that will be done is huge, and its taking all my time, believe it!

I'll blog tomorrow after the first day of colouring and how that all goes, its all arranged and sorted out at last!

Till tomorrow guys!

The story so far...

All is a little heated, yes I'll admit it, the stress of getting things together is taking its toll on me, and probably on the team too. I know Alastair has been working very hard behind the scenes, trying to secure areas to exhibit the collection to provide a gateway of our goal. That being highlighting the HIV/AIDS education and issues, as well as fundraising for the charities involved. I know its all a little different from anything I've done before, however this collection is very selfish, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Back to whats happening behind the scenes, so I'm told, emails have been sent out to our first point of call including a few select journalists, who can keep a secret :) So we wait to hear whats going to come of it all perhaps in the next few days or weeks, we're really not sure! Not to worry, the photo shoot is merely days away and we are viewing further models later today for their suitabilitiy. Fingers crossed! As a reward for his hard work, please meet Alastair from Pickle PR and also the stylist assisting me in this collection, Emily Deasey from Toni&Guy Hemel Hempsetad.


As always,
I am
Richard Munslow

P A N I C (and its not at the disco)

6 days to the shoot, I know I've blogged, but I'm panicing already. Panic. HELLLLLLLLLLP

The story so far...

Its 31 May 2007, the sleepless nights are already starting to happen. So much to remember - studio, models, thoughts about direction - photographer - styling (aaaaaaaghhh). Also Pickle Public Relations front man Alastair has so many thoughts, ideas and pr direction about the photographic collection - so much happening and the sand timer is now running. The photo shoot is planned for next Wednesday (I believe so far, well thats the plan). Alastair has a big variation of ideas, photographing the photoshoot, I believe even a video diary-you know the normal kind of thing, getting up and looking like I'm badly slept and telling everyone that also, i can see it now with my sleepy eyes!

You know when so much is going on all at the same time? Thats me now. There is also a little rumour on exhibiting the photo collection to raise money in July for HIV/AIDs benefiting charities such as Crusaid, THT and The Food Chain. However, first I better crack on with the collection! Correct?

As always,
I am
Richard Munslow.

The Red Manifesto

All things being equal. They are not.

The Red Manifesto reminds why we are pioneering the first ever 'Red' Hair Collection. Every effort to help mankind should be taken, in any form that our talents allow. I invite you to comment, spread the word globally, educate yourselves and others, about 'RED'. This is the beginning of the 'Red' Hair collection.

As always,

I am
Richard Munslow