Introducing Obscure Couture...

Welcome to obscurity! Bold, extrovert and inspiring, Obscure Couture’s appearance in A La Mode is certainly not to be missed. The brand is based on the philosophy of creating handmade pieces with a unique look that will definitely make you stand out from the crowd. With celebrity appeal already, namely in the form of X Factor’s Little Mix, the future looks very bright for the brand! Obscure Couture creates pieces in limited numbers so that customers truly know they are wearing special, non-mainstream pieces. Expect the unexpected with this brand!

Fistly, welcome back to London Fashion Week. How does it feel to return?

It's vey exciting, we really feel we are growing with each show, it's great to get to the stage where we know what to expect and how to deal with the roller coaster that is LFW!!! Each season we grow as a brand and as designers "The Lithium Party' for AW12 is our strongest collection to date.

 

 

Why do you think it is important to have two seperate ranges: couture and ready to wear?

Couture is a wonderful thing, we get to unleash our full creativity, show our full potential as designers and generally show off...  Ready To Wear allows us to reach a different market, it allows everyone to have some Obscure Couture.  The RTW ranges are more wearable and more accessible to everyone. We really enjoy designing for both they are so different but still anchored by our seasonal principals.  

 

 

Obscure Couture’s clothing is very bold and distinctive; do you think this reflects the personality of your customer base?

Yes, definitely.  The Obscure Couture woman is bold and strong, confident.  We always say we create street / stagewear for the introverted extrovert.  You may not feel bold or confident or strong but when you put the pieces on they empower you and allow you to stand out, proud from the crowd.   

 

 

What would you say the brands philosophy is?

Obscure Couture is quite organic in its philosophy, we keep things local and collaborate with up and coming, exciting designers, we don't follow trend books we follow our instincts - this ensures true design ethics and means we have literally no limitations when we create.  We also keep all our collections limited edition and numbered, handmade with love in the UK.

This season you will see some extraordinary collaborative head pieces from Jenivieve Berlin Millinery. 

How does it feel seeing celebrities, such as Little Mix, wearing your collections?

It's crazy, so far we have dressed Laura Whitmore, Amelia Lily and Little Mix.  Seeing them in the pieces was brilliant, we were dancing around the living room and screen shotting like mad!!  It's amazing to get requests from such high profile people, it really gives you the drive to keep upping the anti.  We have a hit list for this year so fingers crossed we keep getting this support.   

 

 

And, finally, how do you want a woman to feel in your designs?

We want them to feel truly empowered.  Unique and beautiful, we make piece to evoke emotions, we want our clients to really feel amazing, transform into a different version of themselves.   

LGN Events Announce their 7th Season 'A La Mode' London Fashion Week Line-Up

The LGN Events Spectacular "A La Mode" Catwalk show will once again return to London Fashion Week in February, to showcase the A/W 2012 collections of a selection of must-see independent designers.

The show returns for its seventh consecutive season of success during London Fashion Week at the Contemporary RSA Vaults Venue just off the Strand. The event offers a prestigious platform for local and International emerging and independent designers to showcase their designs to press, buyers, celebrities and a selection of upscale consumers who have a keen interest in fashion and luxury.

The AW12 line-up sees a number of notable brands return to showcase and some exceptional new comers. Brands showcasing include Obscure Couture, Luna Sky, Us Trendy presents ‘Kami Shade’, SEEN by Sumayyah Al Suwaidi and Rehmali.

"We are excited to be celebrating our 7th season and working with some amazing Independent brands once again. Our shows continue to bring innovation and diversity to London Fashion Week", says LGN Events Fashion Director.

LGN Events have been featured in a number of prominent publications and media outlets such as Cosmopolitan, The Independent , Glam Media, Sky and Channel 4, just to name a few. Some past and present sponsors include worldwide recognised brands such as Dermalogica, Yonka, Quick Energy, collection 2000, Perrier Water, Top Model UK, itsocks.co.uk and Hush Puppies.

Offering a vibrant and exciting atmosphere, the shows will take place on 17 February from 7pm.

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Product placement or sponsorship enquiries need to be directed to yolande@lagenevenorth.co.uk

For all other enquiries including press please email Joanna at fashion@lagenevenorth.co.uk 

For other info please visit www.lgn-events.co.uk

Introducing Obscure Couture...

By now most of you are all aware that aside from our 'A La Mode' Show, this fashion week we also have our 'Emerging Designers Catwalk Presentation' in association with Browns Courtrooms. This week we caught up with the ladies behind fashion label Obscure Couture who will be showcasing at the show on September 19th.

Tell us a bit about your brand?

We are Obscure Couture, we create street/stage wear for the introverted extrovert. All of our limited edition, individually numbered collections are handmade with love in the UK.  Here at Obscure Heights we use only the finest materials we can get our little mitts on, from the most pampered Kobe leathers to the most delicate French lace and back ground to amazing hand knits.  Make your other clothes jealous!

How did you come up with the name?

My partner Lyndsay started Obscure Couture while I was working in Sydney, she originally came up with a name that was a bit naughty then decided to change to Obscure Couture.  I love it! Not so much fun to say when you have had a glass of wine...

What clients do you aim to target?

Our pieces are aimed at the introverted extrovert.  That person who likes to be an individual, stand out, loud, from the crowd.  It's not for wallflowers.  We say, Get Obscure Couture on and feel fearless, desirable and in demand.  A lot of our pieces are very stage orientated and really showcase the person wearing them. 

Why the twist of punk in your traditional Victorian designs?

The Victoriana punk was our inspiration for AW11/12.  The two just go so well together, we wanted to harness punks stark harshness and create a brash clash of sex and beauty.  The Victorian silhouette is lots of fun to play with and the complete over indulgence from both influences really gave us a brilliant base from which to show off!!

Where do Obscure Couture’s inspirations come from?

We are inspired by EVERYTHING, it's hard for us to focus and keep in our 'seasonal' bubble as we tend to run off with ideas and have the next three seasons on the back burner.  We do tend to go for things that are generally stereotyped or labelled and try to bring them a fresh breath.  Inspiration from the most unimaginable beauty and the darkest depths, emotion evoking extremes!!

You say that you don’t follow trend books, what trends would you like to set?

We are big advocates for dressing how you feel, really expressing yourself or expressing your values and opinions through style and choice of garment.  It does happen, everyone does it but mainly just 'oh I feel drained today, I think I'll pull this massive black sheet on".  I guess the 'trend' we would like to set is for people to be more expressive and give the option of choice.  

What is your bestselling piece?

We have had such a great reception so far, it's been overwhelming.  Can I give you our top three??  Our big pieces have been the mandible skirt (high waisted ombre silk chiffon with gorgeous full length ruffles and tiered train), our Trapezium top (studded kobe leather and hand painted silk trapeze top) and Malleus skirt which is pink lamb nappa with oversized pockets lined with kobe leather and hand stud details.

What factors do you consider when creating your designs?

We initially think of our inspiration, the season, fabrics.  The most exciting part for us is the photo shoot, we like to tell stories through them so we think of our stories, how we imagine people wearing the pieces and the over all message we want to get out. 

This season is SS12 and we have made realistic adaptations to the normal Spring/Summer ideas, lets face it, we are not getting the weather to justify ALL these tiny summer outfits!!!  

Which celebrity do you think would make a great ambassador for Obscure Couture?

We love Fever Ray, YoLandi Vi$$a, Chloe Sevigny, Georgia May Jagger and Pixie Geldof.  For starters haha! All these girls have immense style and exude confidence.

What have been some of your career highlights to date?

We launched Obscure Couture in October 2010 so we are a relatively new business.  We were nominated for Young Designer of the Year at the Scottish Fashion Awards 2011.  That was huge considering we had created just one collection; we were up against people who have been in the business for years.  It’s brilliant to get the recognition so early.  Then, of course showing our debut collection 'Flesh and Bone' at London fashion week in February 2011.

What should we expect from Obscure designs in the coming future?

Expect the unexpected!!!  We do not want to become complacent, resting or making do.  We love the challenge of surprising people and never want to become boring in our design ethos.  

For more information visit: wwww.obscure-couture.com