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 Kami Shade...

The fabulous Kami Shade offers women sexy, yet sophisticated, clothes.The designer has signature party dress and swimwear pieces. Kami Shade 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. 

Your move from San Francisco to Los Angeles seems like a defining moment in your career as a designer, would you agree?

Definitely. San Francisco was never established as a 'Fashion" City. It's mostly geared towards independent designers and hobbyist which was great for getting your business started but what happens after that? I knew I wanted more than just a hobby. Designing and running my own company has always been my passion and when I hit the highest points in my career in the Bay Area, I knew that I still wanted more. Los Angeles was the closest I could get to New York so I headed to Hollywood!

Which celebrity has been the most exciting to see wear your designs?

I would say out of all the Celebrities who have worn or purchased my pieces including Sharon Stone, Lauren Conrad and Rhianna, I would say a lesser known actress, Julie Andrews. She had a guest spot on Fox's Hit TV Show 'House" and wore one of my gowns in a NY Fashion Week Segment on the show. The show aired across the world it was my 1st time ever appearing on National Television. It was surreal to see something that I created for millions around the world to see.

What is your favorite piece that you are showcasing in Fashion Week and why?

My favorite piece would definitely be my Milano Sequin Dress Collection. The vibrant color, the sparkle and shine of the sequin and the way the fabric and the design on the model will be absolutely breathtaking. But also, look out my Textured Leather Dresses with my signature Galese Cuts. Not to be missed!

Your designs tend to use a lot of sequins, why is this?

Every woman wants to be the center of attention. Simple black is safe, but sequins will definitely turn heads at any event

Can you describe your customer base in three words?

Confident, Powerful, DIVA

What do you see in the future for Kami Shade?

What's Next for Kami Shade'? Expanding My Empire Internationally. The United Kingdom is my second biggest market from the United States. Making these signature pieces available for everyone to touch and feel the power of these garments. I'm deeply connected with my brand so the sky is the limit. My passion is to make my clients feel beautiful and confident whenever they step out in a Kami Shade' garment.

How does it feel to be showcasing during London Fashion Week?

It's Amazing. I have came up with so many talented Fashion Designers in my career in San Francisco and Los Angeles. We have all been through the highs and lows of the business. I'm sharing this moment for all aspiring Designers across the world. It can happen, It is possible. Keep Working Hard on your dream. This is not just for me, its for all of us upcoming Fashion Designers growing in the industry!

ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER - Paris Couture Week

ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

Paris Couture Week

24 January 2012, 18.30 CET

Alexandre Vauthier’s Spring/Summer 2012 Couture Collection juxtaposes soft fabrics dipped in luxurious pastels against structured jewellery encrusted with Swarovski Elements.

 The romantic theme was prominent with the floaty, silk dresses and the nude colours. The cuts were deep V's to expose the chest and stomach, and inverted V's to display the thigh. Pure elegance.

“To reach the extreme sophistication of my new collection, the use of Swarovski Elements is essential : their colours are so unique and amazing, that they enhance the summer and romantic trend of the collection.”

-Alexandre Vauthier

www.swarovskisparkles.com

www.swarovski.tv

    facebook.com/swarovski    

twitter.com/swarovski

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.   

Sneak Peak into Teen Vogue's Fashion News Director Jane Keltner De Valle's home

Who lives there: Jane Keltner De Valle, Fashion News Director, Teen vogue 

Where is it located: New York                                                                                                                     

What’s special about it:  Very dedicated as it shows in her work, We were distracted by the range of clustered accessories .Very  Inspirational         

  (Image Source and information from :  http://thecoveteur.com/)                    

     

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.

 

Street Style: Covent Garden

Street Style: Covent Garden

Get the Look: Selena Gomez

High Street Fashion Week and Metro hit Oxford Street to offer the best high street fashion advice this autumn

High Street Fashion Week, this year’s go-to event for every London fashion addict, will launch on 5 September 2011 in partnership with Metro.

This is the third High Street Fashion Week, an initiative of New West End Company, which will see fashion shows, exhibitions, late-night shopping evenings and glamorous launch parties where high street brands will unveil their autumn/winter collections.

Metro, the official media partner of High Street Fashion Week, will host events on Oxford Street throughout the week at a range of high street stores.

Metro highlights of High Street Fashion Week:

Wednesday 7 September - Metro High Street Fashion Week Party in association with Gallo Wines, 6pm-9pm at Red Bar on Kingly Court, this is an RSVP event only.

Wednesday 7 September - Vlogging at Selfridges.  Customers can create video blogs about their high street purchases and why they love high street fashion.  The video blogs will be aired on Selfridges and Oxford Street’s websites and social media sites.  Participating vloggers are in with a chance of winning a prize worth up to £50.

Thursday 8 September - Vogue’s Fashion Night Out, full details can be found at fashions-night-out.vogue.co.uk. 

Thursday 8 September  - Marks and Spencer shopper night at the Pantheon Store on Oxford Street from 6pm-10pm with a DJ, complimentary drinks, a  free nail bar, style talks and discounts with Thursday’s copy of Metro.

Friday 9 September  - Menswear day including free beer, snacks and gifts at Topman Oxford Circus with a copy of Friday’s Metro.

Events will also take place at MOSS, New Look, The Plaza, Debenhams, BHS, H&M, Office, River Island, John Lewis and many more high street stores .  Full information for all High Street Fashion Week events will be available at www.oxfordstreet.co.uk   from 3 September.

‘Metro The High Street Edition’, a bespoke 24 page fashion edition of the paper, will be handed out in central London on 5 September with fashion and beauty news and features, event listings, special offers, competitions, celebrity interviews and top tips on what to wear this Autumn and Winter.  An e-edition of the paper will be available all week at e-edition.metro.co.uk

Metro will also launch the week with a cover wrap highlighting High Street Fashion Week events and a competition to win £1,000 worth of vouchers to spend on the high street.

Bel Jacobs, Fashion and Beauty Editor at Metro, said: “At Metro we’re proud to be supporting the high street, the UK retail industry and its diverse talent.  High Street Fashion Week is a fabulous initiative for London's fashion industry and we hope that by highlighting what great style we have on the high street people will flock to Oxford Street this autumn.

 “This year’s High Street Fashion Week is going to be really exciting and we’re delighted to be able to offer our readers the very best fashion advice and offers from high street shops.  I’ll also be tweeting my top tips throughout the week from @bel_jacobs.”

 Jace Tyrrell, Director of Communications, New West End Company, said: “Oxford Street’s High Street Fashion Week launched in 2009 with the aim of affirming and celebrating Oxford Street’s credentials as the world’s greatest high street.  Fashion spend is crucial for September and a good period now will be seen as a positive indicator for Christmas, so retailers on Oxford Street are pulling out all the stops to generate an increased footprint of shoppers in the West End. We are delighted to be able to raise the roof of the campaign with this year’s Metro partnership.”

A One-stop Shop for all your Fashion Week Hosiery needs!

Itsocks.co.uk is your one stop shop for Hosiery this coming Fashion Week.

The website offers something for everyone. From socks and boxers for men to tights and leggings for kids they have it all. They even have a bridal collection which includes garters, suspenders and hold- ups.

Lavinia White Bridal Hold Ups- £8.20

Some of the brands offered on itsocks.co.uk include Gatta, Fiore, Gabriella and Lorres which all offer a range of inexpensive fashionable tights. Postage starts from £1.95 for UK deliveries and 3.95 for EU

Venezianna Black Fashion tight with red Henna Print- £3.99

Black Tights with Tattoo- £6.99

Itsocks.co.uk are one of the official sponsors of our ‘A La Mode’ London Fashion Week show showing their continued support for emerging and Independent designers.

If you want to see the full range of tights that itsocks.co.uk have to offer then visit their website: www.itsocks.co.uk

Get the Look: Leighton Meester

A LA MODE Schedule September 2011

Just for all of you who are eagerly anticipating the arrival of LGN Events' flagship off-schedule LFW Show in September, we have compiled a little blog post of all the designers exhibiting as a taster of what the guests will be treated to on the 16th and 17th September 2011.

FRIDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2011

Malam

After her successful debut last September with her collection titled ‘Poupees Perdues’ (lost dolls), French label Malam will be returning to London with another collection made up of one of a kind pieces. EM Lyon Business School and ESMOD Paris Fashion School graduate Emmanuelle Marie is the creative force behind the brand. She is known for her use of lace, embroidery, vintage and unexpected patterned fabrics. Her models will be strutting down the Catwalk wearing fabulous footwear provided by Portuguese brand Eject Shoes Stay up to date with Malam by visiting their blog  http://malam-paris.blogspot.com

Anniss

Anna Syczewska- Grabowska took the not so giant leap from Artist to Fashion designer in 2010 when she launched her label Anniss. Some characteristics of her designs are combining fabrics that normally won’t work together, using the colour black or reconstructing the classical style.

Read our interview with Anniss @ http://lgn-events.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-made-you-want-to-take-leap-from.html

Omar Mansoor
Returning to London fashion week for his third consecutive season, Omar Mansoor has notified the fashion world that he is not a force to be reckoned with. Designing beautiful dresses for ‘real women’ is where his passion lies. His delicately designed dresses have even been worn by royalty from the middle-east and supermodel Sophie Anderton. Read our interview with Omar @ http://lgn-events.blogspot.com/2011/07/we-caught-up-with-omar-mansoor-to-find.html

Nad Lynski 

Following her success at the LGN Event’s London summer showcase in July, French designer, Nad Lynski is set to return to London for another exciting showcase of her classic womenswear collection. Nad Lynski’s designer has worked with some famous French designers such as Pierre Cardin, Popy Moreni, Gianfranco Ferré and Lecoanet Hemant. Watch video footage of their previous collection pieces @ http://www.nadlynski.com/crbst_7.html

Alja Slemenšek

Slovenian fashion designer Alja Slemensek has always known she wanted to work in fashion. Since setting up her label in 2008 she has been hard at work having showcased her brand on various different platforms including Bitola fashion week in Macedonia and Modepalast 11 in Vienna. Read our interview with Alja @http://lgn-events.blogspot.com/2011/07/introducing-alja-slemensek.html

Bint Thani

Dubai based fashion label ’Bint Thani’ is a fashion brand that combines the Haute Couture of Paris with the trendy style of the high street. Brand Owner Khulood Althani is the first UAE national to have graduated with a Masters degree in Fashion Management and Marketing at the prestigious ESMOD Paris. Read our interview with Bint Thani @ http://lgn-events.blogspot.com/2011/06/introducing-bint-thani.html

Kaveke

Kaveke designs outfits for both men and women.

He uses African inspired themes in his clothes and adds a cosmopolitan flair which allows them to be worn by everyone. The outfits are affordable and designed for each individual person to ensure they are always flattering and suit the wearer. Kaveke is committed to creating looks that are timeless, functional and amazing. Read more on Kaveke’s profile @ http://beta.mnetafrica.com/FaceOfAfrica/Latest/Article.aspx?ArticleID=67

SATURDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2011

Luna Sky

London based designer Luna Sky aims to create beautiful pieces for the modern and sophisticated woman. Her pieces are made with the finest fabric and unmatched Italian tailoring technique.

This season sees her return to London Fashion Week to showcase her new S/S12 collection. Her designs are currently sold globally in Italy, Japan, Canada and France. Read her full press release @ http://lgn-events.blogspot.com/2011/08/london-based-designer-luna-sky-set-to.html

Nana’s Closet by Dina Said

Award Winning Cairo-born designer Dina Said debuts her unique brand Nana’s Closet during London Fashion Week this season.

Dina has gained much attention after winning Egypt’s Designer of the Year in 2010 and it is easy to see why. Her luxurious yet functional designs are the perfect mixture of feminine and masculine and her summer collection was a heady fusion of tribal and colour-blocking themes accented by her trademark embellishments. View more of Dina’s pieces @ http://bellesandrebelles.blogspot.com/2011/04/nanas-closet-spring-2011.html

Yu:I&Me

Yu:I&Me is a newly launched label by CEO of fashion consulting company mottoel, Rami Joo and Independent designer, Yu:l Seo. With their combined years of experience, passion and knowledge of the industry they both joined forces to create the contemporary brand.

Watch footage of their collection @ http://vimeo.com/26997988

Cristina Cernei

Bucharest based independent designer Cristina Cernei recently showcased her vibrant designs at the LGN Events London Summer showcase. Her passion for respecting the female body leads her to create designs that are a blend of geometrical shapes with surprising volumes, glamorous silhouettes, origami shaped or hand painted couture. Her designs have also been featured in numerous prominent publications and events including Romanian Movie Industry Awards and Transylvania International Horse Show. Stay updated with the brand via their facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/FusionByCernei

Malgorzata Dudek

Polish based designer Malgorzata Dudek will make her London Fashion Week debut this season.

Already holding an impressive client base including Hollywood celebrities and international musicians, Malgorzata seeks to expand and enchant new clients with her exquisite designs.

Her amazing creations have been featured in VOGUE, ELLE, L'OFFICIEL, FACES, BULLETT, and 160 grams, as well as looks being shown on top internet sites like FASHIONGONEROGUE.COM and STYLE.IT.Watch a video of some of Malgorzata’s pieces @ http://vimeo.com/19434206

Ghori by Azim Khan

Moving from his hometown of Karachi to London led Azim Khan to launch his fashion label entitled Ghori. Ghori is an innovative womenswear label, creating utterly attractive and sexy looking clothes that give women a positive attitude to feel and look beautiful in their femininity.  Azim most recently showcased his creations at Brighton Fashion Week and the fabulous J Summer Fashion Show.Read our interview with Azim @ http://lgn-events.blogspot.com/2011/08/london-fashion-week-is-literally-round.html

Monsura Boutique         

London based designer Monsura Ajadi will present her carefully designed, stunning crafted bags from her label ‘Monsura Boutique’. Having designed an exclusive range for UK based footballer John Carew earlier this year, this young label has also already been snapped up by several boutiques across the country in a very short space of time. Learn more about Monsura Boutique @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oljCECsASvg&feature=related

Any bloggers, journalists or reporters wishing to preview any of the designers' work on their websites or publications should contact joy@lagenevenorth.co.uk . All press release, guestlist and photo enquiries should also be directed to this address.

W:www.lgn-events.co.uk