Spices of India and Louis XIV with a Twist: Two Studio Looks

Two Styled Looks, Three Models

At Elegant Exposures, we like a studio day with a strong theme. This one had two: a celebration of South Asian dress, and Louis XIV court fashion pushed somewhere modern. Sue Hardy styled both looks, and three models carried them.

The Creative Team

Sue Hardy – Fashion Stylist

Sue’s background covers hairdressing, millinery and theatrical costume, and all three showed up in this session. She mixes period references with modern pieces, and the layered results give me a lot to photograph.

Bob Foyers – Photographer

As the photographer behind Elegant Exposures, my job is to light the styling properly and direct the poses so the detail Sue builds actually reads in the final image. Studio sessions like this one give me full control of both.

The Models

Three models joined us for this session:

• Morrigan, calm and poised in both looks.
• Crystal, regal in both settings.
• Adam, all theatrical presence and movement.

The Two Thematic Looks

Look 1: “Spices of India”

This set drew on the textures and colours of South Asian fashion: embroidery, flowing fabrics and ornate accessories. Sue picked each outfit to hold its own alongside the others without clashing.

Outfits and Styling:

• Adam wore a black silk tunic and trousers, complemented by a black and red waistcoat. Accessories included black and red flip-flops and a striking red and blue jewelled earring.
• Morrigan was adorned in a beautiful Indian dress featuring gold, purple, blue, and orange tones, set with gold and silver jewelled stones. She completed the look with a gold shawl, silver sandals, gold bangles, and a statement Indian gold necklace with matching earrings.
• Crystal was styled in a vibrant purple and green Indian dress with silver and gold embellishments, accessorised with a green and gold-edged shawl, brown sandals, a purple bracelet, and multicoloured drop earrings.

Lighting and Backdrop:

• Warm, neutral-toned backgrounds to highlight the richness of the garments.
• Soft, diffused lighting to enhance fabric textures and embroidery details.
• Graceful, unhurried poses to match the clothing.

Look 2: “Louis XIV with a Twist!”

This look took Louis XIV court fashion and pushed it somewhere modern, with bold colour, statement accessories and far more expressive posing.

Outfits and Styling:

• Adam wore a lilac ruffled blouse paired with pale blue satin trousers, red winkle pickers, and a black bowler hat. Accessories included pearl necklaces and a drop pearl earring, blending 2025 fashion with Louis XIV grandeur.
• Morrigan was styled in a dramatic red and black Louis XIV-inspired dress, layered with net petticoats and bright orange stockings. She completed the ensemble with blue and white Irregular shoes, gold jewellery, a red fan, and a voluminous white wig adorned with jewellery and flowers.
• Crystal embraced the theatricality of the era with a regal purple and black Louis XIV-style dress, net petticoats, bright yellow stockings, and purple and white Irregular shoes. She accessorised with a yellow fan, a delicate purple and silver necklace, matching drop earrings, and a striking red wig embellished with flowers and diamanté pins.

Lighting and Backdrop:

• Rich, dramatic lighting to create depth and highlight fabric textures.
• A Baroque-style backdrop featuring deep reds, golds, and vintage drapery.
• Expressive, theatrical poses to match the costumes.

Why the Styling Matters

Sue’s care over colour, accessories and texture is what holds images like these together. Decisions as small as jewellery placement change how a frame reads.

What We Are Aiming For

At Elegant Exposures, the aim is always a step beyond conventional portraiture: images with enough detail and character that they reward a second look.

Wrapping Up

Two very different themes, one studio day, and a set of images none of us could have made alone. That trade between styling, photography and performance is the whole point of the project.

If you are interested in Fine Art Studio Photography, Cinematic Portrait Photography, and Creative Studio Photoshoots, this shoot shows the kind of work we make together. Commissioned photography is booked through Foyers Photography.