Catching up with designer Kerry Knowles…

We quickly caught up with emerging designer Kerry Knowles who will be showcasing at our Movida Catwalk Show tonight!

1) What inspired to you to pursue a career in the fashion industry?
I have always been a creative person and as I've gone through education I've followed what I've been good at. I was inspired to do something I enjoyed and would be committed to follow.

2) Who are your biggest influences?
My family, they have always been amazingly supportive with my desire to pursue a career as a designer. Also all the people that appreciate my work.

3) From the look of your collections, minimalism is something which is present in each garment. What is it about the minimalistic look that you like so much?
My focus has always been about attention to detail even if it is very small detailing, that's why I fell in love with tailoring. By creating a minimalistic look it can give more emphasis on the shape and clean lines creating an effortless elegance.

4) In 2007, you won the Womenswear Designer of The Year Award from the UUFA. After winning that award, how much more recognition did you gain and supporters?
The award was a public vote so it was great to see the amount of support I had with that collection. I was then approached by the director of the Masters course at the London College of Fashion and invited to come to the university. I then focused my attention on creating my new collection, I am really happy that I had the chance to do it as it made me develop my skills further as a designer.

5) Who is your demographic? What type of man or woman would wear your clothes?
Someone who enjoys luxurious fabrics and tailored silhouettes. They are also not afraid to try something new and experiment with conceptual ideas.

6) Which other fashion designers do you admire?
There have been so many amazing creative designers throughout history, but my favorites are Channel, Armani, Ted Baker, and Jill Sander. Each one has created something unique within luxury clothing for their customers.

7) What is the most difficult aspect of running your own label versus i.e. design, production, sales, finance, advertising?
I think each area has its own difficulties and only through experience and learning from that things can become easier.

8) What do you believe makes a quality article of clothing?
Fine fabrics are important also attention to detail. If a garment is well made then it will maintain shape and last longer.

9) How would you describe your garments in three words?
Tailored, Luxurious, Minimal

10) What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career in fashion?
To gain as much commercial experience as possible through work experience. It is really important for someone setting out on their career to be creative but to also be aware about how the industry really works.

Words by Leah Sinclair
Find out more about Kerry's designs and label at - http://www.kerryknowles.co.uk/

Catching up with emerging designer Chantal Gibbs Jones

We Caught up with the fabulous designer Chantal Gibbs Jones who will be showcasing her cupcake inspired designs at our Movida Summer Soiree event this coming Thursday. We caught up with her quickly to learn more about her elegant designs and making her mark in the Fashion Industry…

1. What inspired to you to pursue a career in the fashion industry?
I started an interest in fashion at 10 - I used to flick through magazines and tear out what I liked (I still have them!) and started doodling in my school work books so for me it just came naturally.

2. What inspires the look of your collection?
I think it depends on the collection, for my current collection ‘All about the Cupcake’ it was all down to a piece of fabric I found on Ebay. I found a lovely cupcake print by Robert Kaufman and started designing around the fabric and then exploring with other fabrics such as polka dots and coloured buttons.

3. During your final year at university, you were mentored by Sandie Downie, who was a pattern cutter for iconic designers and fashion houses Galliano & Chanel. Being that she has had so much experience in the fashion industry, has she given you any good advice?
Take risks and sometimes you can actually design a dress that is impossible to make.

4. Who is your demographic? What type of woman would wear your clothes?
Again I think it depends on the collection but I'd say quite a wide range from 16-35. The type of woman I design for is someone who is girly yet elegant, fun and strong but in a feminine way.

5. Do you try to send out a message or theme in your clothes?
I always accentuate the waist - I love the hourglass shape where the waist is small in contrast to the hips. I think the theme depends on the mood of the collection and the season.

6. What is your favourite season for fashion?
I would have to say spring/summer because you get to play with light easy breezy fabrics and lots of colour!

7. Which fashion designer do you admire?
I'd have to say Galliano/Dior because I love haute couture and Franz Gerbe who made the most amazing dress out of cabbage leaves

8. Where would you like to see yourself in the next 5 years?
I would love to be working full-time in fashion and getting my own label off the ground.

9. From your first collection, is there anything you would change or alter if you had the chance to re-do it?
With my first collection La Divinia Amazonia there isn't much I would change other than maybe add another dress and more beading.

10. What advice would you give to other aspiring fashion designers?

Always believe in yourself no matter how much someone puts you down and always strive to be the best.

Words by Leah Sinclair

Find out more about Chantal's designs and label at - http://www.chantalgibbsjones.co.uk/

Emerging designers to showcase their new exceptional collections at the LGN Movida Catwalk Show and Summer Soirée

LGN Events will be hosting their summer soiree and Catwalk show at the exclusive celebrity nightspot Movida, in central London, on Thursday 17 June 2010.

For Immediate Release

Don’t miss the chance to see four exceptional emerging designer collections at this exclusive summer fashion extravaganza hosted by LGN Events.

Emerging designers showcasing their creations include the award winning Kerry Knowles, Chantal Gibbs-Jones, Leeanne Ripley-Garret and Rae-Emily Smith of my Fair Lady Lingerie.

Kerry knowles integrates luxurious modern tailoring with creative exploration. Kerry graduated from london college of fashion in 2010 with an MA in Fashion Design and Technology; her collection 'permutation' was unique in mixing mens and womenswear. The transformations of the concept garment allowed adaptability for each sex, with its minimal style and tailoring with great attention to detail.

University of Northampton Fashion Graduate (08) Chantal Gibbs-Jones will be showcasing her latest collection 'All about the Cupcake' - "A collection that indulges those with a sweet tooth to enjoy the naughtiness of the decadent cupcake without the added calories. Fresh cupcake and polka dot prints in sugary colours create cute and flirty 1950s inspired silhouettes that bring out a unique feminine identity.

Leeanne-Ripley Garret was inspired by Artists such as Edvard Munch, Edgar Degas and classic fairytales mixing the two elements together she developed an understanding of expressing the emotions that both of these elements create developing a unique collection of garments that are deep and meaningful with a fantasy feel about them. Growing up watching fairytales including Disney Classics such as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, Leeanne expresses “I had a vivid imagination as a child and ultimately thought that life would evolve as the fairytale happy ending, in harsh reality life is far from the world of fairytales. I am also greatly inspired by tarot cards as they have given me hope and inspiration throughout my adult life. Feelings and emotions are a large part of this collection and a need to be shielded from hurt and pain creating barriers of emotional protection.”

Rae-Emily Smith is a 21 year old lingerie designer from The Isle of Sheppey, Kent. Her label My Fair Lady Lingerie was established last summer just after Rae had finished her first year on the world-renowned Contour Fashion course at De Montfort University. The brand sells lingerie and nightwear and is aimed at strong, forward thinking women who want to add some elegance to their lives.

Top make-up Artist, Anna Orkiszewska will have her team of experienced Hair and make-up artists making up the exquisite models backstage.

Guests attending the event include buyers, press, journalists, PRs and other fashion professionals and enthusiasts.

Come and support today’s young UK designers at this exclusive event!

MO*VIDA, built beneath the London Palladium in the heart of London, has won numerous nightclub and party awards, and has played host to some of the worlds’ top celebrities.

For complimentary Guestlist please email all names to:
info@lagenevenorth.co.uk

For press/buyer queries, please email Terri at:

Theresa@lagenevenorth.co.uk

For further information please visit:

www.lagenevenorthevents.co.uk/events.html
http://www.kerryknowles.co.uk/
http://www.chantalgibbsjones.co.uk/
http://www.myfairladylingerie.com/

Lois Porte...

The fourth designer showcasing at our pre-fashion week show last night was Lois Porte who has already been featured in various publications including Stylebubble and Dazed and Confused. Lois is a knitwear designer with an incredible talent and I think you will all agree when you see her stunning new collection....

Above pic: Model with Lois Porte

To find out more about Lois Porte visit http://www.loisporte.co.uk/

Struppets by Nicole Hellrung...

The second designer showcasing last night at our pre-fashion week show was Nicole Hellrung from Germany, and her experimental label Struppets. Currently stocked in boutiques across Germany and on various online stores, Nicole’s extraordinary love for detail and quality is paramount to her collection....

Above Pic: Model Alexius Diana of America's next top model with designer Nicole Hellrung

To find out more about Nicole's collection visit www.struppets.de

Image Credits: Carl Lueng and Harry B Wade