Obscure Couture

 'We don't follow trend books. We follow our instincts'

Obscure Couture are a new, directional womenswear label based in Glasgow’s East end (BAAD, Barras Art And Design to be precise). The fashion duo Lyndsay Pagan & Jennifer Coyle launched the brand on the 15^th of October 2010 creating street/stage wear for the introverted extrovert. Taking a stance against mass-produced, faceless fashion, Obscure Couture's limited edition, individually numbered collections are all hand-made with love in the UK.

Lyndsay and Jennifer want Obscure Couture to be accessible to all which is why they create not 1 but 2 collections each season; Couture & Ready To Wear. They create their signature Couture range using only the best quality fabrics they can get their hands on; from the most pampered Japanese Kobe leather to the most delicious French lace. Their Ready To Wear collections are a more accessible, everyday wear range whilst still being anchored by the same principals and aesthetic defiance as their couture range.

“We create statement garments for women who aren't afraid to stand out, proud, from the crowd!”

Obscure Couture released their new AW12 collection “The Lithium Party” during London Fashion Week in February, surprising audiences with an entirely different, yet equally as impacting theme. This season saw the duo take a step away from neon and embrace a more refined and mature approach, mixing gold and silver amongst pastels. Confining to their rule-breaking reputation, Cole and Pagan completed the look with fuchsia wigs, illustrative head pieces (Jenivieve Berlin) and two-tone baby blue and pink lips. Furs and chiffons were particularly favoured fabrics and of course, there was the addition of the shocking colour-pop frills, prints and accessories inspired by the Victorian patterns of fashion’s past along with a model with a syringe headdress next to the gleaming slogan ‘Love Is The Drug’.

 

Us Trendy presents ‘Kami Shade’

Kami Shade' established herself as a fashion designer in July of 2004. Born in the diverse and eclectic town of Berkeley, California in 1979. Kami Shade’s family hailed from the background of the Music Industry including successful and notable Singers so it was only natural for her to follow in the footsteps of her family’s musical background. Always known for going against the grain and setting herself apart from the norm, Kami Shade’ developed a passion for another industry, Fashion. In 2000, Kami Shade’ then embarked on a journey back to her roots of California and decided to expand her passion of designing and making clothes.

She has successfully produced some of the most notable fashion events in Los Angeles and been featured in the fashion industry's top magazines including Vogue, Elle Magazine, Lucky Magazine, Apparel News & The Los Angeles Times to name a few.

Us Trendy, a website offering emerging designers a platform to promote their brands and sell their merchandise runs a competition for the most popular seller on their site to win an opportunity to showcase their work during London Fashion Week. Most recently (Feb 2012) the fabulous Kami Shade won the Competition and made her London Fashion Week debut last month. Offering women sexy, yet sophisticated, clothes, Kami Shade showcased her signature party dresses. ‘Kami Shade’ was a collection featuring mini-dresses that wouldn’t feel out of place off the catwalk and on a night out. The show’s strong point was that the designs were completely wearable and versatile for many tastes. Most exquisite were the embellishments, resulting in our new-found obsession with the LSD – the ‘Little Sequined Dress’,

The designer creates clothes which flatter and compliment women, so it is no surprise that the brand has a strong celebrity following including Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Sharon Stone, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Danity Kane, Lauren Conrad and Jessica Alba.

Rihanna is searching for Britain’s most exciting new fa shion designers!

Rihanna is searching Britain for the next generation of raw, undiscovered designer talent and has hand-picked Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts to head up the challenge for her.

Over eight weeks twelve unknown designers will be challenged by Rihanna and Nicola to create outfits for a string of musicians and celebrities.  The show will celebrate the extraordinary talent and creativity in the British fashion scene. With Rihanna, a fashion icon herself, and Nicola, who created her own Dainty Doll make-up range, at the helm, the show will recognise the increasing influence popstars have on mainstream trends.

The final challenge and ultimate task for the winner will be to design a unique stage outfit for Rihanna’s Wireless performance in Hyde Park in July 2012. The chance to dress one of the world’s most famous women for an event that will attract worldwide coverage is the perfect springboard for the aspiring designer’s future fashion career.

Executive producer, Rihanna said:
“I’ve always had a great love of fashion. It’s a constant source of inspiration in my life, and is a big reason why I’ve grown into the person and artist I am today. I have been very fortunate to work with some truly amazing designers and stylists throughout my career, and they have been instrumental in making sure my creative vision reaches the stage. I am excited to follow the journey of our aspiring contestants and see how their individuality influences their efforts during the course of the show.”

Nicola added: “I’m so excited for us to get started on finding a new up and coming British designer who just needs a chance, a little bit of help in getting their skills noticed. There are talented people, undiscovered because they don’t have the means, or their circumstances are too far away from the fashion world. This show is here to discover those people and give them a shot. I’m looking for someone who can think outside the box, and who isn’t going to give up at the first hurdle”

To  take part visit www.skyliving.com or e-mail applications@twentytwenty.tv


Applications must be received by Sunday 5^th February.  Filming takes place over 8 weeks in the UK from April 2012.

Introducing Rehmali...

Originally a personal stylist, Birmingham based Maria Rehmali is a designer who creates classic, feminine pieces which women can feel confident in. Rehmali’s creativity stems from her position as a stylist, as she was able to learn what women wanted from the clothes they wear. This inspiration has led to Rehmali’s collections being classic and accessible, with a glamorous and elegant twist. Femininity is a key concept in her collections.

So, firstly, what made you change paths from being a personal stylist to a fashion designer?

From a very young age, I have always been imaginative and creative. My career started as a stylist in well named fashion houses, surrounded by major fashion names. Being surrounded by such inspiration and craftsmanship, was a teaser for me, I wanted to be a part of this culture!!! I was known for my keen eye in pulling together and creating certain looks for my clients and general public. This led me on to designing and sketching my ideas, which acted as a meditation for me, my escape of real life and into the Rehmali world.
My education background is in finance, I have obtained a degree in Accounting. I didn’t do a fashion degree as I had a head start in the fashion industry. My imagination is a reflection on my work to creating and producing garments that my clients love and always want more!!! 

Your designs are classic and feminine, how do you want women to feel wearing your designs?

My women is an everyday lady, there is not a certain class, shape or age that my garments are aimed at, just that you love to wear couture and the love of fashion. My women feel powerful, sophisticated, classy, confident and comfortable with the Rehmali label.



What is your favourite piece that you will be showcasing in the London Fashion Week show?

My designs are realistic to every women’s figure; each garment shines out a certain characteristic. I am passionate about all of my designs and cannot choose which my favourite is as they each have a purpose.
 

What influences your designs?

My influences come from my inspiration in everyday situations. Travelling across the globe has a great input in my designs, different cultures and ways of life, give me a great comfort in how my designs should balance through the different and varitey of women across the world. From colours to fabrics, global climate has a great in packed on how a women feels, 'she should feel confident every time she leaves and enters a room'. Looking at current established designers and the history of fashion also helps me to learn and push myself to create further iconic garments.
 

Where do you see the Rehmali brand going in the future?

Rehmali brand will continue to showcase across different continents for the world to see my passion and love for beautiful, craftsmanship in my garments. My ultimate goal is to open various fashion houses across the global and to collaborate with major fashion names to produce unique and 'never seen before' designs'. Rehmali is here to make a statement and stay!!


And, finally, how does it feel seeing your designs on the runway?

Watching my creativity and my passion on the runway is a truly a dream. To be given the opportunity to be recognised for my talent in design, is emotional but exciting for the response I get back from press and buyers. This is my satisfaction and the true motivation of Rehmali.

Must have tights of this season: Patterned Tights   

         

As the winter approaches, don’t expect the return of black opaques but rather pattered tights which are in fact this seasons must have. We found these gorgeous tights by Fiore on itsocks.com.

  

Fiore have created tights with beautiful detailed flower tattoos offering classiness and edge. With trends such as colour blocking, patterned tights are perfect to compliment a simple outfit and to stand out from the crowd. 

BFC Rock Vault

The British Fashion Council (BFC) today announces the brand new jewellery initiative ‘BFC Rock Vault’ to support, showcase and promote Britain’s most innovative, fine jewellery talent. Sponsored by the International Palladium Board (IPB) and curated by Stephen Webster, ‘BFC Rock Vault’ will launch during London Fashion Week, February 17th – 21st, at Somerset House.

The ten successful jewellers who have been selected to showcase their AW12 collections within the Rock Vault are Alexandra Jefford, Fernando Jorge, Hannah Martin, Hillier, Husam El Odeh, Jo Hayes Ward, Jordan Askill, Melanie Georgacopoulos, Sophie Bille Brahe and Tomasz Donocik. The designers will feature alongside five concepts created in Palladium by Central Saint Martins students.

Housed in a structure located on the Terrace of Somerset House, overlooking the Thames, the designers will be awarded support towards creating their own unique installation within this dedicated area and will receive business mentoring support. An event to launch this initiative will be held on Saturday, 18th February at the designated BFC Rock Vault space at Somerset House.

This unique showcasing initiative has been developed by the BFC to nurture the creative fine jewellery talent based in London and give these designers the opportunity to further develop their businesses and exposure amongst both UK and International media and retailers.

The participants are invited by a panel led by Stephen Webster comprising Anna Orsini, British Fashion Council; Brad Mills, Chairman of IPB; Caroline Broadhead, Central Saint Martins’ Programme Director; Catherine Nieto, Grazia Fashion and Accessories Editor; Francoise Tessier, Browns Fine Jewellery Buyer; Jos Skeates, EC One; Katie Bain, British Fashion Council; Lara Bohinc, Designer and Cartier Consultant; Liane Wiggins, Matches Head Buyer; Maria Lemos, Rainbowwave; Olivia Richardson, Liberty Head of Buying; Sarah Mower, MBE BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and contributing editor for US Vogue.com; Valery Demure, marketing and sales, jewellery and accessories agent.

Stephen Webster, comments, “As a London jewellery designer and a craftsman, it gives me great pleasure to be curating Rock Vault, an area dedicated for the first time to the rising stars of the UK jewellery industry under the umbrella of the BFC. Together with a panel of experts, we have selected what we believe to be the best representation of young talent. Over the last 10 years, jewellery has become an integral part of both men and woman's wardrobe. This meteoric rise has meant jewellery designers have been crying out for inclusion within the established fashion platforms. Rock Vault finally offers such an opportunity. We are all very excited to realise this vision.”

Brad Mills, Chairman of IPB, comments, “We are proud to support London Fashion Week. This partnership opens a series of projects entitled Palladium Visions, which we will undertake in 2012 with some of the world’s most visionary designers, artists and jewellers to promote Palladium as the must-have, contemporary precious metal of the future.”

The International Palladium Board (IPB) is dedicated to establishing Palladium as the contemporary precious metal of the future. Palladium is a beautiful lustrous white metal, desired by jewellery designers and owners for its unique features – rarity, lightness and strength. In 2009 Palladium became the most recent precious metal to be hallmarked.

For more information please visit www.britishfashioncouncil.com/rockvault

Picture credit: BFC & The Quest For It

Introducing Us Trendy...

Us Trendy is a website offering emerging designers a platform to promote their brands. It showcases current season trends and pieces that could just not be found on the high street. Us Trendy ran a competition for the most popular seller on their site to win an all-expenses paid trip to London to showcase their work at A La Mode fashion show.

Firstly, where did the name ‘Us Trendy’ come from? 

There are three concepts that helped in the creation of the UsTrendy name. 

First, we wanted to create a site for the people…where they have the power to decide what they like without being told what to like and what's in or out. Second, one of our biggest motivations was designers and how we could assist them.  Finally, there were big companies that had the word "I" and " My" in their names (like I-tunes and Myspace). 

Our platform is for "Us”…hence “UsTrendy”

Your website offers emerging designers a platform to promote their brands, why do you think this exposure is so important? 

The fashion industry tends to be a cut throat industry where a few select people decide who makes it and who does not. I knew so many talented designers that were struggling to make it so I created a platform to help them achieve their dreams and get them the recognition they deserved. 

Can you tell us a bit more about how your website works? 

UsTrendy is a platform that allows designers from around the world to create a store on our site and sell their products directly to consumers. We also provide assistance such as major marketing, promotion, media/pr, and additional methods to help them advance their lines. 

For customers, we provide an interactive ecommerce shopping platform where they can find unique items from all over the world.

 

How did you go about selecting Kami Shade to participate in London Fashion Week? 

The people choose her.

Why do you think it is vital for your product range to originate from all over the world? 

There are many different fashions and styles throughout the world. Each culture and country has a distinct style that influences fashion.  A worldwide collection enables us to provide an incredible experience for each customer.  They can sit in their living room and shop for a unique item from a designer in another part of the world!

The Us Trendy website integrates the shopping experience with the blogging experience with the ‘Us Trendy Fashion Community’. Why do you think this innovative idea appeals to your customers? 

We empower the consumer, allow them to be in the driver seat, and provide a unique shopping experience. But most importantly at end of day - we have great products that people want!

  

And, finally, how does it feel to be supporting another designer with showcasing their collection during London Fashion Week this February? 

It feels amazing! When we started UsTrendy our motivation was to help designers and to open doors for them that they may not have otherwise had access to. It feels great to see it come to fruition.