Tuesday 28 June 2011

Fashion East Announces Line-Up for Spring/Summer 2012







Fashion East, the first young designer support scheme of its kind, was launched in 2000 by The Old Truman Brewery and Lulu Kennedy. Its outstanding role call of alumni includes Gareth Pugh, Meadham Kirchhoff, Holly Fulton, Marios Schwab, Michael van der Ham, Richard Nicoll, Roksanda Ilincic, House of Holland, Jonathan Saunders and Louise Gray.
The SS12 line up sees the return of James Long alongside newcomers Marques’Almeida and Maarten van der Horst, both fresh from Central Saint Martins’ womenswear MA.



Marques’Almeida- Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida is the London based womenswear label created by Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida both from Portugal. They met while enrolling for Fashion School in Portugal, which they both graduated with distinction in 2007. They met at Fashion School in Portugal, from which they both graduated with distinction in 2007. They moved to London in 2009 where they gained industry experience at Vivienne Westwood/Anglomania (Marques) and Pereen (Almeida). In 2009 they started the acclaimed fashion MA at Central Saint Martins and began working as due. Their graduate collection reworked street wear references, championing a relaxed, deconstructed, effortless aesthetic. They plan to develop this mood and approach for their debut season with Fashion East.

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
I love the idea of effortless beauty and fashion, it has the sense of it being original and natural. All I can say about Marques’Almeida's collection is Errrrrrrr Ah-Mazing! Don't you think? We have always had a great love affair with denim and the big question for years had been, to double denim or not to double denim? and the one question that this collection can answer for me and so many others is, of course you can double denim and you can make it look effortless, comfortable, natural and very sexy.
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Maarten Van Der Horst undertook his BA at the Artez institute of the arts, the college famous for nurturing Viktor & Rolf. During his studies he completed an internship with ChloĆ© in Paris. His BA collection featured handpainted, bright and joyous pieces that reflected his preference for highly personal statements using D-I-Y techniques. Van der Horst developed his distinctive aesthetic further on the womenswear course MA at Central Saint Martins. His AW11 collection channelled transvestism and escapism, marrying intricately embroidered, second-hand nylon petticoats with Hawaiian shirts, Capri trousers and Bermuda shorts, creating a John Waters-inspired wardrobe. His designs are technically advanced yet highly wearable, exuding a light hearted, joyful elegance without neglecting craftsmanship.
Photobucket
James Long graduated from the Royal College of Art with an MA in Menswear and Accessories, and has since become one of the most sought after talents in London. His signature look of luxe hand knits and tough leather pieces executed with sensitive detailing translated effortlessly from menswear into womenswear and his AW11 debut at Fashion East enjoyed huge critical, with interest from Dazed and Confused, Vogue Italia, V magazine, Elle and I-D. 
Photobucket



Spare a Penny or Two?

Photobucket

Thursday 23 June 2011

Andreia Chaves- Invisible Shoe

I came across Andreia Chaves through one of  my many sessions I spend looking at all the wonderful and talented  designers on NOT JUST A LABEL. NJAL describe themselves as the world’s leading designer platform for showcasing and nurturing today’s pioneers in contemporary fashion and let me tell you, they do it very well! It is probably the on site that I religiously go to and try to share as much information on there with as many people possible. They have made innovative, contemporary fashion accessible to fashion and design lovers in all parts of the world with just a click of a button. NJAL has diminished the walls between fashion designers and the market as designers are able to feature their designs and gain public exposure through an online shop. At the end of the day, isn't this what fashion it really about?
Photobucket

Which brings me to the ever so talented Andreia Chaves,  a native of San Paulo, Brazil, her work has captured the attention of international media even before her graduation from Polimoda Fashion institute in Florence, Italy. Her first commercial studio series was launched this year at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The series entitled 'Invisible Shoe' was also shown in New York in an exhibition organised b Mercedes-Benz in collaboration with designer Herve Leger and has now been launched in Asia were her designs can be found in Beijing Market Comme Des Garcons. Her ambition is to bring a fresh perspective to fashion, fusing the mastery and traditions of making with a visionary approach to design while also embracing the potential of 21st  century technology.  Her designs are a magnificent means of expression, explorations and endless possibilities that question the true idea of fashion and what is really means. 





Photobucket


Described as a study of optical effect applied to shoe design, the 'Invisible Shoe' series explores the concept of invisibility through the 'chameleon effect' while the shoe's reflective finished surface creates an obscured optical effect with each step taken. This innovative design greatly exceeds the primary function of the shoe, where "protecting" the foot also means "deleting" or "immersing" it without he environment. It is definitely a fashion forward approach on the  how far you can push a shoes design, that stretches beyond comfort and style and transports you to many environments just by moving your foot. 

The series is available in limited edition, in three different models, is handmade in Italy using a combination of leather making techniques together with advanced 3D primary technology. For the development and manufacture of the external structure, Chaves has collaborated with the renowned Dutch Company FOC (Freedom Of Creation). 

Photobucket

Saturday 18 June 2011

Peter Jensen Resort 2012 Collection

From  Meryl Streep to bunnies to L.A scenes, Peter Jensen's Resort 2012 Collection is one that I have extremely fallen in love. The colour palette for this collection ranges from soft lilacs, shades of blue, whites and wonderful mustards.  The muse for this collection is Meryl Streep in her incredible earlier perfect blonde days; which can seem quite strange to some people but when you look at some of the roles she played in the 1970s such as Deer Hunter and Manhattan you will understand the simplicity with a touch of sophistication this collection shows.
Photobucket
The choice of fabric, print and my favourite part of the collection, the wonderfully tailored cotton canvas trousers, shows how polished and refined this collection is. I am quite fond of a statement trouser and with the prints that Peter Jensen and his team have come up with for this collection, I can easily say, I don't think we will be seeing many designers produce such quality, style and elegance in any collection.
Photobucket
PhotobucketPhotobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket




I am extremely happy to see the Peter Jensen 'bunny' appear more in this collection. You will see the bunny on soft cotton T-shirts, on some of his bags on shirts and of course on the wonderfully tailored cotton canvas trousers.

Photobucket
PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket
PhotobucketPhotobucket
Photobucket

Thursday 16 June 2011

Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me A Tale

I went to see Michael Kiwanuka support Owiny Sigoma band at Cafe OTO a few weeks ago and I decided right before I left home that I would not take my camera along... Eeeeeerrrr..one big big mistake! As  soon as I stepped foot into Cafe OTO and saw the backdrop for the stage and how intimate the venue was , I knew I should of had my camera in my bag. I really wanted you to her I'll Get Along which I uploaded but for some strange reason the Video has been removed from many sites, so I have changed it to this wonderful tune Tell Me A Tale..In all honestly this took my breath away and I just had to share it...

AVE. Summer 2011/2012 Collection


I had a little chat with Australian designer  Sarah Taylor about her label AVE. and her Summer 2011/2011 collection. I adore the soft colours and the simplicity of each piece mixed in with the hardness of the hand dyed digital prints. I have written previously about my love for kimonos and capes and I love   the silhouette, print and detail of the Kimono in this collection. 
Photobucket
PhotobucketPhotobucket
If you could only use 7 words, how would you describe AVE.?
Fresh, understated, soft, tailored, fashion forward, sophisticated. 

Where did you get your inspiration for this collection and what fabrics have you used?
Summer 2011/2012 was inspired by menswear detailing; suit shirts, tuxedo shirts and cumberbunds, with a contrast of classic womenswear with modern lines and using unpredictable print as a hard/soft element. All fabrics are custom dyed and digitally printed locally in Sydney using silk/cotton voile, silk organza, cotton/linen and Italian leather with accents of superfine cotton/model and spandex/model.
Photobucket

How did you get into fashion and were you into fashion as a child?
I have always been passionate about fashion and clothes. From when I was little I always noticed people that I thought dressed well, my favourite teacher was always the one who dressed the best, who was the most stylish and very elegant. 

From as long as I can remember, all I wanted to do was design clothes and dress people. I was lucky enough to have one very supporting teacher in my late senior years who informed me about East Sydney Tech, Sydney. I felt that if I couldn't get in there, I wasn't good enough to be a designer. First year out of high school I was accepted and completed their toughest course. Throughout the 4 year course I did internships with numerous Sydney designers that were really beneficial. 
The past 4 years I have worked for a few Sydney based labels, most recently Zimmermann as well as a year in New York styling for Antoine Verglas.
Photobucket

Who are your top 3 designers you follow and why?

Alexander McQueen - dare I say more... Proenza Schouler - so modern, so cleaver and Rodarte - beautiful textures and visionary with their prints and silhouettes. 


PhotobucketPhotobucket




Where can people find your wonderful designs?
AVE. online pre-sale opens the end of August - avenueave.com 

Retail stores in Sydney - Estate of Mind, 277 Crown St Surry Hills, Sydney
                                       - Alfies Store 348 Darling St Balmain, Sydney

Sunday 12 June 2011

Alfies Antique Market

So I stumbled across Alfies Antique Market while I was researching a shop that sold vintage collectables and antiques and just like that Ta Da Alfies Antique Markets pops up. When I visited the store I was amazed by the amount of collectable vintage pieces, furniture and jewellery I found. I spent about 2 hours on my first visit and walked out of there feeling that I had to spend another 2 hours to see everything there. One of my favourite stops was Persiflage that had an extensive collection of hats, masks, period clothes, lace, buttons and linens. I loved the drawers filled with buttons, old photographs, scarves and cases filled with vintage hats.
Photobucket
PhotobucketPhotobucket
PhotobucketPhotobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
PhotobucketPhotobucket
PhotobucketPhotobucket
Photobucket
If you are after a vintage hair and make up salon then a visit to Alfies Antique Market will do! Nina's Hair Parlour is the UK's first and only exclusive specialist in vintage retro hair and make up. 
PhotobucketPhotobucket

Francesca Martire and Michael Ahose love traveling all over the world searching for desirable, interesting things, all with a story to tell and find it a thrill gathering them together in their showroom. The interiors and settings create a unique blend where items of different periods magically co-exist in harmony and style, delivering a vision with edge and academic knowledge. I was fascinated by the amount of intricate lighting they had on offer...

Photobucket
Photobucket