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.

 

Paul Costelloe S/S 12 At LFW

Well, what a show! Paul Costelloe has been a leader in the British fashion industry for the past 30 years and definitely did not disappoint with his S/S 12 collection at LFW. The designer has presented his S/S and A/W catwalk collections at London Fashion Week every season for the past 15 years. Due to Paul Costelloe’s popularity, he has opened the week for the past six seasons bringing originality and flair. The label is primarily focussed on women’s wear, but has recently become more diverse with strong men’s wear collections. This famous designer has previously stated his typical client would be an "international, modern woman, aged between 27 and 97. She is discreet; she wants to be seen but not screened” (Costelloe, 2009, www.londonfashionweek.co.uk).

The S/S 12 collection was showcased at Somerset house and was based on current season trends such as nude tones and feminine silhouettes.  The women were dressed in pretty, flirty and flattering baby doll dresses made from rich brocade fabrics. Pastel colours were prominent such as creams, candyfloss pinks and peaches, giving the structured pieces a soft, romantic feeling. In contrast with the nude tones in the outfits, the models wore pea green eye makeup which acted as a bold, flirty colour contrast. The fitted dresses featured balloon skirts and puffed sleeves, distinctive of 1960s mod fashion. Empire lines were big news as were high waists and short hemlines. Rich silks and frill detailing also added to the sweet and innocent portrayals. Costelloe pushed the boundaries by adding heeled sandals and socks to his runway looks, and we just couldn’t complain at the end result.

Similarly, the male models wore muted tones but the designs were stylish, fresh and slick. The tailored suits were in charcoals and greys and were perfectly cut. The outfits could be taken straight off the catwalk and into a business meeting and would appeal to a professional wishing to look dapper.

The show received a great reception as it delivered Paul Costelloe’s iconic style. The looks were effortlessly chic. There was much anticipation and hype for Costelloe’s S/S 12 collection and he certainly did not let his fans down.

Image Credit: www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

Caroline Charles S/S 12 At LFW

Caroline Charles is a renowned and respected British women’s wear designer and a lot was expected from her S/S 12 collection at LFW. The designer has enjoyed celebrity following over the years from Lulu to Princes Diana. Her designs appeal to sophisticated ladies looking for classic pieces which are suited for day or work wear.

The S/S collection had a Parisian theme with oversized sunglasses and round straw boater hats. These pieces were the fundamental accessories in the runway show. The clothes were chic and elegant with a feminine tailored fit. Caroline Charles’s beautiful collection could definitely be categorised as “glamour for grown-ups”. The colour pallet was blacks, whites and navy blues with a variety of prints. Check and hounds tooth featured heavily, adding fun and excitement to the modestly designed clothing.

The designs were simple and classic, as expected from the designer, using high waisted trousers and effortless shift dresses. These wide leg pants were teamed with pretty feminine blouses. Accessories were key, illustrated by the sequin embellished ribbon neck pieces and ribbon bow belts. The conservative trends were brought alive by what seemed like the new summer headwear staple – the straw hat. Caroline Charles displayed a variety of styles and colours in these hats ranging from oversized to simple boater hats with ribbon detailing.



These wearable designs could easily be visualised on elegant ladies at the French Riviera. The ready to wear looks were teamed with small black heels, offering customer’s attainable day to night looks. The runway collection certainly inspired me to dig out my old straw hat from the back of the closet and add a look of mystique to my styling with long trousers and feminine cuts. Hats off to Caroline Charles!

Introducing Alja Slemensek

We recently caught up with Slovenian fashion designer Alja Slemensek to find out more about her fashion label, what inspires her and her plans for the label. Alja will be showcasing her S/S12 collection in September during London Fashion Week.


Did you always want to be a fashion designer? If you were not a fashion designer what would you have been?
Yes, being fashion designer was always my dream since I was a child. I think a makeup artist or photographer.
How do you think growing up in Slovenia influenced your designs?
There are always positive and negative sides I think and growing up here is not a fashion designers dream ;). I wish I would know how I would turn out as a designer if I would grow up in London, Paris or New York, but I definitely believe I would be different also as a person or not?. I think there are quite a few very good designers here but it is really hard to only work and create in Slovenia and live from it... I am thinking about going abroad again.

What did your university exchange program in Denmark teach you about design?
I was accepted at Designskolen in Denmark for one year-exchange-programme. They put me in a class with older students who were already working on their Master's. That one year gave me so much. I became more confident and self-reliant designer. I also got better in technical skills. I did a few workshops, learnt how to knit. There were always consultations available if you needed help with something. It was a great experience for me in every way.
What would you describe your aesthetic to be?
I like lace, vintage styles and details. I like minimalism and less is more but sometimes I like kitsch. The label's concept is sensual minimalism, colour-themed, detailed. Designs are based on the cut of the fabric, organic lines and forms, contrast.

Where do you get your inspiration? How does it come to you?
Oh this is so hard to answer. I guess it comes from life, from how you feel that moment, everything I like can inspire me, also my friends and people I meet, dreams, films...Its in me. I don’t know how to explain that ;).
What ideas and themes influenced your current collection?
This last collection was inspired by origami technique and modern warrior (Origami Warrior) but right now this new collection that I am working on is inspired by LOVE, Romance,..
What would you say the "Alja Slemensek" woman is like?
Elegant, loves and appreciate Art, nature and animals. Confident, yet shy. Happy and positive, respectful.

To what extent did the work experience at KAUFMANFRANCO influence your work?

It was great. I got a look-in how a fashion company works; got to work in a team and meet nice talented people. I learnt a lot on different fields too and decided I have to start my own label.

What was it like to participate in the Ramazzoti runaway award for Berlin Fashion week?

It was a nice experience. The event was well-organized by professionals so I only focused on my collection. I got nice compliments in the end and also some other opportunities. 

What other fashion shows have you taken part in?
Had several fashion shows in Slovenia, one in Denmark and this April I had fashion show at Macedonia Fashion week.

How has your styling experience influenced your designs?
I like to try everything connected with cloths, fashion and so on.  To get more and different experience.

So I am happy that I did some styling for magazines and helped with costumes at music video, TV commercials and short film... I met some really talented and interesting people but I also realized that I love to design and I am more focused on that.
What are your hopes for the label in the future?

 I wish my label would be favoured with more new happy costumers. To get even better and well-known and keep doing what I love to do. I guess that is every designers dream :)


For more information please visit: http://www.aljaslemensek.com/

Introducing..... Anniss

We caught up with Polish fashion designer Anna to find out more about her fashion label Anniss and what to expect from her during London Fashion Week this September.

What made you want to take the leap from being an artist to become a fashion designer?

These two disciplines are very close. Being fashion designer also means to be an artist and being artist means that you have to design everything, everyday, everywhere. All your life is a kind of project – art project. A real high fashion is an art. Being a fashion designer does not prevent being an artist. I still do performance art.

I was always interested in fashion. As a young girl I was watching a lot fashion magazines, TV programmes etc. I liked to invent different stylizations and I had always problem with shopping. I never couldn’t find satisfied clothes in the shops, but I was dealing with that somehow. I always needed creations in my life because I was boring very quickly and I still do. Than I was studying a sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow and I discover good sense in 3dimentional. Than came performance art – which is also 3D J But the moment I started to be a fashion designer was my 31st Birthday – my mother bought me a Sewing Machine – that was the starting point. Finally I discover my real passion and complement in my creativity.

You have been involved in a lot of performance arts, how has this influenced your designs?

I can say that it still has very big influence on my fashion design. As I mentioned I still do a lot of performances. My whole life revolves around performance art – my husband Arti Grabowski is a recognized performance artist. We are travelling a lot on many performance art festivals around the world. For example next day after the show on LFW we are going directly to Vancouver on LIVE Festival and right after to New York to Grace Exhibition Space to perform.

Returning to the influence of performance art on my fashion design I can say that almost every action I see inspire me a lot. Open attitude, determination, body language, gestures, poses, everything gives me a lot of ideas, impulses and projects images in my head which I transform into my fashion design. I don’t design nice, funny or polite things. I want that every outfit I design has these attitude, determination, strong gesture.

You studied in Poland and England, having had insight into both cultures, which has influenced your collection most?

I had insight and I still have into a lot of cultures because of our international life J. It is hard to say which culture influenced me the most. In my blood is Slavic culture which is the base for everything. All the cultures based on this give a special mix which still build my temperament.

You say you deconstruct and reconstruct classical styles, is this because of your fondness of classical designs or an attempt to try and  reinvent the overdone ‘classical’ look?

I say about this because of both reasons. I’ve always loved classical styles because it gives many possibilities for creations, for new directions, for reinvent. And I’m still looking for the possibilities of deconstructions. Yes, and I think that the term overdone ‘classical’ look is the best characteristic of my works. There is many possibilities, many ways and I’m going through my path deconstruct and reconstruct in my own way for continuous reinventions the overdone classical look.

Looking at your designs it is obvious that you studied in the sculpture department, was portraying this in your designs conscious decision?

It had just happened. I passed the way from sculpture to fashion design which became this what I really wanted to do in my life. Now I feel that it comes from my blood, my heart – it is really my passion.

How do you want a woman to feel in your designs?

Not only woman J In GREATEST HITS  f/w 2011/12 collection I start to design also for men. It is very important that people feel comfortable in my designs – this is the physical side.  But also very important for me is this mental side - mood, self-confidence, determination etc. My designs are for confident, resolute, brave people and I wish that wearing my designs they can strengthen this self-confidence.

You work with the colour black a lot, is this because it is so timeless?

I always loved blacks. Off course black is so timeless and has many beautiful possibilities of combinations but also important for me is the meaning of this colour. The person identifies with the black colour is disciplined, independent, endowed with strong will and their own convictions – these is most important in my ideology of design. This is Anniss J

What item of clothing and accessory do you think each woman should have?

I think that every woman should have: sunglasses (the best are big black aviators J – but it depends from the type of face), high heels classic shoes and classic jacket – these are the starting point for many stylizations and gives really many possibilities not only in classical way J.

I also think that very important are shoes – even I can say that are most important because are closing point and the culmination of a whole design. That‘s way I also start to design the shoes for my collections. Till now I made a few individual models of shoes for GREATEST HITS collection. Lately I start to co-operate with Cockney Company from Krakow. They specialize in hand made shoes. This will be shown at LFW in September.

 What fashion icon do you want to see wearing your designs?

I don’t have any favourite. I wish that people appreciate my designs. It's nice to be aware that you are doing something that others enjoy, appreciate it and feel good with this. This encourages to further creative work.

What should we expect from your future collections?

More determination, unconventional but comfortable fit – for women and men. Many creations, many deconstructions, like you mentioned really overdone classical look – J  It is process still under construction. I know what I will show at LWF and I can say it will be strong and powerful. Later… it’s surprise.

How does it feel to be showcasing at London Fashion Week in September?

Great! I can’t wait J I hope you’ll enjoy it.

For more information please visit www.anniss.eu

Yay! Another luxury designer to reach out to the high street shoppers as Versace designs for H & M

High Street brand H&M have managed to lure Versace into designing a collection for them. Versace is of course one of many designers that have designed for H&M. Creative director of the Versace brand, Donatella Versace said this morning. "The collection will be quintessential Versace, perfect for H&M and Versace fans everywhere." There is no doubt that this collection will sell out within minutes, as it offers the people with the not so luxury budget to get a taste of the lavish fashion and own a reasonably priced designer item.                  

The designer brand Lanvin was the latest to merge with H&M and it did so successfully, as did the likes of Jimmy Choo and Stella McCartney. So can we expect more lavish designers brands to become accessible in the high street? Designers have of course been reluctant to the merge of luxury and high street fashions, perhaps it threatens their brand identity, but one thing’s for sure this collection will be a huge success, great brand awareness for Versace and great publicity for our good old H&M! 

(Image credits: www.vogue.co.uk)