Behind-the-Scenes | The Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Resort 2020 Collection Photoshoot

Happy almost-Friday, friends! We’ve almost made it through the first full week of the New Year, and we’re only 12 days away from the launch of the Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Resort 2020 Collection (but who’s counting!? #me!). January 21 can’t come fast enough!! I’ve been sharing little sneak peeks on my Instagram Story, have you seen them?

Today I’m excited to share one of my favorite parts of the Collection process…the photoshoot. After months of designing and fitting the pieces, it’s so rewarding to see the finished Collection. Not to mention, getting to wear it!

Shooting a Resort Collection is a little tricky, given it happens in November…when it’s not exactly warm and weather can be unpredictable! After an exhaustive search, the Gibson Team found the most charming house in Santa Barbara that looked like it belonged on the coast of Capri. It was the perfect backdrop to represent Resort for Nordstrom, and bring our Italian Riviera-inspired Collection to life. It was a whirlwind couple of days, and one of my favorite experiences of the year.

Suzie’s Outfit: Fleece Top | Fleece Joggers | Sneakers

On Me: Sandals | Bangle Bracelet | Hoop Earrings | Rattan Tote
Suzie’s Outfit: Fleece Top | Fleece Joggers | Sneakers | Similar Leopard Puffer

But let’s start at the beginning, shall we? I love every single step in the process of creating these Collections with Gibson, and the photoshoot is always the cherry on top! I love the extensive preparation, anxious anticipation, and the intensive pace at which we work to capture it all.

The planning begins weeks before the photoshoot…I style each piece with shoes, bag, and accessories (from Nordstrom’s huge Vacation shop!), then create the extensive shot list. Capturing that many images in two days requires serious organization! My goal is always to show the versatility of every piece, and really showcase the Collection as the complete vacation capsule wardrobe!

Here’s a peek at the entire Resort 2020 Collection..

And here it is all packed up!

Still unsure of the power of packing cubes?! I give you Exhibit A…Every single hanging piece packed neatly in two packing cubes! It’s always my job to get the clothes in the packing cubes, then Mr. SP makes it all fit in the suitcases. He’s seriously a master at it! (See our trick for packing hats here.) 

Then it was time to head west! We had an early flight and a busy day ahead, so I opted for comfy. I used this set from CalPak, but would actually recommend this one (the shell is harder, making it a bit more sturdy). All their bags are incredibly sturdy, yet totally chic. Plus, they roll easily at both a stand-up or leaning position.

Of course I took Mama Sugarplum with me (Mr. SP held down the fort at home this time)…they are my biggest support and I couldn’t do these projects without them!

Jean Jacket | Suitcase | Fleece Top | Fleece Joggers

We arrived in Santa Barbara to sunny skies, and kept our fingers crossed it would continue (weather predictions said 100% rain both shoot days!). 

Soon after, the rest of #TeamSugarplum arrived…Suzie Moldovan for hair and makeup magic, and photographer-extraordinaire, Valorie Darling. Of course they were in matching Gibson cozies (totally unplanned!!)…so I forced them to take a pic. We honestly lived in these pieces all week!

Fleece Top | Fleece Joggers | Sneakers

Mama Sugarplum and I got busy unpacking, steaming, and organizing outfits, while Suzie and Val prepared for the busy days ahead. Later, we went out for an early dinner, then back to the house for a much-needed eyebrow and lash touch-up…courtesy of Suzie’s mobile brow business, Flybrow.

This knit blazer is always my easy go-to for looking pulled together quickly, while still being comfortable.

Fit Tip: I size down for a shrunken fit, I’m wearing an XS-Petite. 

Knit Blazer | Black Skinny Jeans | Leopard Flats | Similar Belt

The next morning started before dawn with hair and makeup (thanks to November’s short days, we needed to be ready at first light!). Suzie studied the colors of the collection for weeks before the shoot, and assembled a full palette and lip colors (she knows I love a bright lip!) to make it shine. (See many of her makeup tips in this post.)

Fleece Top | Fleece Joggers

It’s always an honor to have Val shooting our Collections…she is insanely talented and truly brought the Collection to life! She radiates more joy and kindness than anyone I’ve ever met, and has such a passion for what she does.

Val and Suzie are the total dream team, and I felt so blessed to have their talents on our project! (I honestly never even check a mirror or the camera when I’m working with them…I trust them completely!)

We loved having the Gibson team on location with us, and this inspiring woman makes it all happen! Suzie Turner, the founder of Gibson Look, has unlimited ideas, is always thinking of ways to build-up others, and has created a brand that empowers women by helping them feel beautiful and confident in their bodies. She is not only my mentor, but my friend, and I am so honored to be part of what she’s building.

The faith and trust she and Nordstrom has in me (in us!) is beyond humbling!

Bangle Cuff | Wedges

Between my mom and the entire team, someone was always fussing over me and making sure the Collection shined. I’m so thrilled to have Mama Sugarplum part of this again, and couldn’t do it without her help and support. (Plus, hello gorgeous! Wait until you see her in the Collection January 21!)

The next two days were a flurry of outfit changes, lipstick refreshing, chasing light, and a lot of laughs.

Jean Jacket | Hoop Earrings | Bangle Cuff | Sandals

Fleece Joggers | Sneakers | My Sneakers

Blush Pink Top | Satin Skirt

You thought I was exaggerating about living in these cozies, right?!

Fleece Top | Fleece Joggers

There were a few occasions I actually dressed in something besides the Resort Collection and fleece…here’s a peek at some of my outfits that week.

V-Neck Sweater (50% off!) | Distressed Jeans | Leopard Flats | Similar Belt | Bangle Bracelet

Similar Fleece Top | Fleece Joggers

Cozy Cardigan | Jeans | Wedge Sneakers

Knit Blazer | Leopard Tank | Jeans | Bangle Cuff

It’s amazing to be surrounded by such kind, talented women, with so much passion for their jobs and respect for each other! To photograph an entire Collection in two days requires constant movement and pushing forward, and I couldn’t have done it without this team! Everyone was an essential piece of the puzzle, and made the shoot both fun and successful. Sharing this experience with people I love so much is icing on this already delicious cake!

We ended the final night with dance party… even making a silly TikTok video (after calling my kids for a tutorial, ha!). You can see it here.

The last morning was a lazy one spent enjoying the house for a while… in the pouring rain!! We got so lucky to have missed it during the shoot!

Cozy Cardigan | Plaid Pajama Pants | Fuzzy Socks

Then it was back to the airport, in my go-to travel uniform… fleece joggers! Can you believe this is the Santa Barbara airport? So charming!

Similar Fleece Top | Fleece Joggers | Suitcase

A huge thanks to everyone on #TeamSugarplum for your patience, talents, support, and unlimited enthusiasm for this project!! My heart is so full after time with you, and I can’t wait to share the fruits of our labor.

And thank you to Gibson and Nordstrom for trusting me with this Collection. I’m beyond proud of what we’ve created together.

I hope you enjoyed this look behind-the-scenes, and stay tuned for more sneak peeks of what’s to come January 21! Do you have your calendars marked?! Did you catch the sneak peeks in this post? Also be sure and follow along on Instagram and Facebook for more sneak peeks!

P.S. I’m giving one lucky Hi Sugarplum subscriber a $500 Nordstrom gift card! Simply subscribe HERE, and I’ll choose a random winner on January 20, just in time to shop the Collection (current subscribers automatically entered)!

*This post is created in collaboration with Nordstrom and Shopstyle, but all opinions, styles, and grateful heart are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors.*