Admittedly, I am somewhat uncultured and usually traipse around museums patiently waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel: the gift shop. The V&A’s Future Fashion Now therefore came as a lovely surprise. The collection features highlights from the Royal College of Art fashion graduate’s final collections ranging from leopard print suits to Russian military furs, and along the way reveals detailed aspects of the design process through preparatory sketch books and design boards, illustrations and photographs, models and , of course, the finished garments.
Read MoreSearch Results for “westwood”
Get 50 per cent off Chloe at the Secret Sample Sale
Fancy 50 per cent off the spring / summer 09 collection by Chloe? How about over 200 lines of samples from the autumn / winter 2009 collections of designers including Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli, Gucci and Prada? The Secret Sample Sale is happening again in London from this Friday until Sunday June 7. The sale is located in the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane and stock includes ex-catwalk, studio and showroom samples and clearance stock at up to 90 per cent discount. Brands on offer include Biba, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Fred Perry, Blumarine, Jimmy Choo and Armani. Download your members pass
Read MoreBurberry to make a come back to London
Burberry will show at the next London Fashion Week as opposed to its’ usual home in Milan. Burberry will be presenting the Spring/Summer 10 range at London Fashion Week’s new home of Somerset House. Not only that but Burberry will be closing Fashion Week on 22nd September, which will be followed by an exclusive special event. It’s all terribly exciting. And it’s exciting for two reasons, one is that we get to see Christopher Bailey’s creations up close and personal. And two because it is so important to get the big names back to London. London misses out big time each fashion week, it is glossed over in favour of New York, Milan and Paris where the big design guns reside. Here, we produce the talent, the Alexander McQueen’s and Matthew Williamson’s of this world and then they flee. Vivienne Westwood came back to our shores a couple of seasons ago, but now Burberry as well signals that London is back on the fashion map.
Read MoreScottish Fashion Awards: The nominations
The nominees for the Scottish Fashion Awards have been announced. There are a few surprises this year. Up for the big award; Designer of the Year 2009 sponsored by Vogue.com, are Christopher Kane, Jonathan Saunders, Graeme Black and Laura Lees. Whilst Christopher Kane, Saunders and Black are known on an international scale, Laura Lees is still a relatively small designer.
Read MoreDinner with five fashion icons!
Have you ever been in one of those long term relationships where you fall into the comfort zone and then suddenly find yourself falling in love with your partner all over again? It’s a wonderful feeling, getting those butterflies back. Yes, I’ve fallen in love again, but this time it’s with a style icon we have been in a relationship with for years.
Read MoreThe Bafta TV Awards: The superstars
The problem we have with television awards is that you either get those who try too hard or don’t try at all. Often it feels like all stylists took a holiday and left their clients crying helplessly into their Louboutins. There were some real horrors, but there were also a number of lovely dresses. Davina McCall looked great in a royal blue gown whilst the majority of past and current Eastenders stars looked frighteningly awful. Here’s our pick of the very best and the very worst of those stars of the small screen. The super cute
Read MoreThe Jumble and Pearls vintage and designer sale
What: Ditch the elbowing and bustle of your average designer sample sale and head over to the monthly Jumble and Pearls vintage, high street and designer sale. Running since late 2008, the sale is steadily gaining a cult following. When: Taking place on the first Saturday of every month, the free entry sale offers shoppers vintage and designer brands including Vivienne Westwood, Sonia Rykiel, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino and high street labels such as Diesel, Boxfresh, Fenchurch, Adidas and Stussy. There’s also a good dollop of vintage kitsch accessories. Why: For those that arrive early, there’s cups of tea. For those who have had a hard day’s shopping, there’s cocktails galore. Genius. Where: The very gorgeous Albert and Pearl cocktail bar on London’s Upper Street. Embrace fine cocktails, sharp, classical DJs and sumptuous, boyfriend-friendly surroundings. For more details go to the sale’s
Read MoreModel watch: Tosin Akeredolu
Based in both London and Cape Town, model Tosin Akeredolu has been on our radar for a while. With a gazelle like figure, it’s no surprise that her modelling c.v includes stints at Vivienne Westwood and Agent Provocateur. Frustrated by the under-representation of Black and ethnic models in the UK, the 6ft beauty bravely relocated to Cape Town where she’s been inundated with work. Currently with
Read MoreFashion gets political
Perhaps it’s the Michelle Obama effect, perhaps it is a fabulously well-played campaign or maybe it is a love of fashion, that has pushed the Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown to stand up for UK fashion. The PM’s wife paid a visit to our fabulous London Fashion Week; she even had time to stop off at Stephen Jones’ very exclusive party. Where she mingled with the likes of Erin O’Connor, the man himself and everyone from Giles Deacon to Anna Piaggi. But when she wasn’t parting the night away she was on her very own fashion campaign. She has called on the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and the Royal Family to help LFW. It isn’t as widely acknowledged as Milan, Paris and New York, and tends to be overlooked. She is asking our leaders; to help us fashionistas put our home on the fashion map once and for all. Speaking about her commitment to the BFC during its 25th Birthday, Sarah explained: “The Mayor, the Palace-we should all work together to keep London Fashion Week as big and bright as we can. It’s in all our interests. She really is doing her best to get involved, not only attending the party, but also trekking around the exhibition, and watching the Vivienne Westwood show. It’s a positive step forward for British fashion. [Image, Source]
Read MoreLondon Fashion Week: It can’t be…it is, it’s Kanye!
This London Fashion Week has been a strange one, nothing happening quite as you expect. Usually mundane designers are creating kooky collections, whilst the ‘ones to watch’ are falling flat on their faces. Then there was the whole Lily Cole supermodel army at an off schedule show (Qasimi), it has been very strange indeed. But none weirder than my experience at Peter Jensen, there I sat staring at a man opposite me, thinking “I’m sure I know him. And of course I did, but I wasn’t certain and so omitted my celebrity spotting from my post on
Read MoreChristian Dior: The Musical
Please welcome the all-singing, the all-dancing Christian Dior. No, it’s not a joke, but a weird and wonderful reality. Malcolm McLaren as in Vivienne Westwood’s male counterpart and collaborator, and manager of the Sex Pistols has told WWD that he is planning a musical about the life of Christian Dior. The musical is reportedly titled ‘The Life and Times of Christian Dior’, McLaren has been working on the concept for the past year and in October 2008, he discussed his inspiration with Interview magazine: “I began to really read about Paris after the liberation, and about what happened, and about what its youth was, and then suddenly I saw a story that really could define music and fashion and how it all happened after the postwar and where it all went. And if I could do that, and trap it, inside this house of Christian Dior, from its birth in ’47 to Dior’s death in ’57 — that seemed to me something worth really investigating as a musical. And if I didn’t have to do it in the way that musicals were made in the past, then that would be something I would — really fight for. So it was a question of coming up with the vision of how to do that. It’s a sexy story about the time and inside the house and the life and times of Christian Dior.” The castings will be taking place over the next month in New York and the score will be in tune with 1940s Paris (not punk for all you eager sex pistol fans). McLaren said he can’t quite imagine a singing and dancing Dior, so we will just have to wait and see what he comes up with. The musical is expected to be ready in the next two […]
Read MoreSex and the City: They’re back…again!
You would think a movie grossing £300 million worldwide would be enough for four women. But it would seem world domination twice in one lifetime is not nearly enough. After the success of the series and then the film, there is reportedly another movie on the way.
Read MoreStreetstyle
Karen: Sales Consultant
Favorite Designer: Vivienne Westwood
Kate Moss for Topshop: Over before it even began
It may be doom and gloom all round for many a high street retailer, but not for Topshop and their golden goose Kate Moss. Kate’s eighth collection for Topshop launched yesterday and it’s proved to be the most successful to date.
Read MoreModel.Live Episode 9: The Breaking Point
As last week’s episode of Model.Live wrapped up, Cato had walked a slew of shows in Milan while Madeline and Austria struggled to even catch a glimpse of a runway. It was all very disheartening for them, while for Cato it marked the pinnacle of her career thus far as a model. With no shows booked, Madeline and Austria find Milan’s most picturesque cobbled streets all too depressing so the two checkout early of their rather humbling Milano sojourn to get a head start in Paris castings.
Read MoreFashion Fix: Lusting after Burberry!
We still have a thing for metallic bags especially this creation by Burberry. This metallic leather shoulder bag is blinding…we know, but the beauty is in the detail. [Purse Blog]
Read MoreCelebrate British Fashion with British Style Genius!
Not to be missed (if you’re in the UK). British Style Genius, a five part documentary about British Fashion and Style, hits BBC2 next Tuesday and we already know we’re going to be hooked.
Read MoreDesigner Alert: Disaya
Now London Fashion Week is over and we have stopped fantasising over the unobtainable delights of Westwood, Macdonald, Luella…I could go on, its time to become reacquainted with the delights of lesser known designers.
Read MoreThe Queen, the New Kate Moss?
Between the lace, the cocoons and those sheepskins you might think you’ve exhausted all the trends, but never fear there’s another trend for you to dabble in! I am of course talking about tartan, how could you miss it?! It’s everywhere, the magazines filled with tartan-clad models. Those D&G campaign images are drool-worthy!
Read MoreLondon Fashion Week: Reem
If Beatrix Potters’ Mrs. Tiddywinkle had decided to design haute couture with Vivienne Westwood it may have looked a little like Reem. The creations are fantastic; skirts are layer upon layer of rich lace, like the material equivalent of an apple strudel, but the seams are rough and uncomplicated – providing the designs with more edge than flounce.
Read MoreSelfridges Goes Back to the Future
Selfridges, my favourite British department store, is famed for its unusual and art-inspired windows. In the past they’ve had nude window models, painters and neon signs, and the latest offering is no short of fabulous.
Read MoreSex and the City, A Review: Never Mind The Critics
Yesterday, like many other ladies, I rushed to catch the official showing of Sex and the City the Movie. The plot is set three years after the ladies left us and Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha haven’t changed much since we last saw them.
Read MoreBring It On: The Tartan Trend
Tartan shirts were a big trend during A/W ’07 and have appeared yet again on the A/W ’08 catwalks. I know it’s a bit early to start getting excited about winter fashion, but I do so love tartan. The question is, how will you wear it?
Read MoreHillary vs. Barack: Politically Stylish Designer T-Shirts
Fashion has had a long and turbulant relationship with politics. From Vivienne Westwood’s manifesto, style can be shorthand for personal politics – without all the speeches. Fitting, then, that amidst the excitement of the Presidential Primaries, two designers have stepped in to show their support in the most ancient of all mediums – the printed t-shirt.
Read MoreAW08 Trends: Great big hats in Paris!
We loved the great BIG, GIGANTIC headwear that came out of Paris fashion week. Galliano, Yohji Yamamto and Vivenne Westwood were among the designers that featured oversized headwear in their playful collections for next season. At least bad hair days won’t be so terrifying come autumn!
Read MoreLFW AW08 Favourite Shows: Aganovich & Deryck Walker
The most common question asked while waiting for shows to start has got to be, “So…which has been your favourite show so far?” Now that all the chaos is over and I’ve had a chance to reflect on the week that was Jaeger London, Armand Basi.
Read MoreZac Posen to show at Berlin Fashion Week
Vivienne Westwood has confirmed she’ll be showing her second line “Red” during London fashion week next year, Herve Leger and Halston are making an anticipated comeback to New York Fashion Week in February and now Zac Posen has announced he’ll be closing Berlin Fashion week in January with a presentation of his Resort 2008 collection. “Today Berlin is what New York was in the 80’s. Berlin is one of the most dynamic cities in Europe and is full of creative energy and spirit. says Zac Posen. “I’m delighted to show my collection in such an amazing and inspiring atmosphere. Berlin Fashion Week will kick off on Jan 27th with the HUGO by Hugo Boss Collection and is scheduled to close Jan 31st with Zac Posen. Photo courtesy of Vogue
Read MoreBritish Fashion Awards: The winners are…
We usually have something to say about the awards dished out at The British Fashion Awards , we generally tend to disagree , but this year all we have to say is “predictable. Before we get going can we start by declaring that this year Agyness Deyn and Lily Allen looked gorgeous in Giles? We love the feathers!
Read MoreI Heart Sunglasses…in the winter?
OK, so it’s been established that wearing sunglasses indoors is something only Bono or MJ (circa “Thriller) should be allowed to pull off…but what about sporting shades in the dead of winter? Recently, celebs seem to never leave home without their tinted spectacles firmly glued to their faces, no matter the temperature or wind chill. They do this partly to shield their rolling eyes from the blinding flashes of the paparazzi and, of course, to add an air of mysteriousness and that “je ne sais quoi. Lucky for them, their favourite designers, like Marni, Vivienne Westwood and D&G, all pushed their latest collections of Fall/Winter eyewear at shows and in fashion magazines.
Read MoreSample Sales: Designer Warehouse
Head on over to The Designer Warehouse Sales, 45 Balfe Street, London, N1 9EF from Nov 30th to Dec 2nd for discounted womenswear from Vivienne Westwood, Valentino, Prada and many more!
Read MoreShopping: Oversized Cardigan
So it’s not sweltering but it’s not exactly freezing. The weather is at that all important in-between stage which you either love or hate. But regardless of feelings one thing is for sure, it’s the perfect time to break out the oversized cardigan (so long as it’s not raining). We love the chunky knit goodness of this Cashmere blend Cardigan, £340, from Vivienne Westwood’s Anglomania collection available at net-a-porter. It’s snuggle friendly and perfect for almost any day outfit!
Read MoreBillion Dollar Sales…
Address: Lindley Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls, Vincent Square, Entrance on ELVERTON STREET, London, SW1P 2PE Plus an exclusive one day only Diane Von Furstenburg sale in Los Angeles on April 21 at W Hotel – Westwood , 930 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 9002 Visit billion dollar babes to RSVP
Read MoreStanding Tall
Now, thanks to the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Prada, to name a few, not only can we look as if we ourselves have just walked straight off the catwalk but we can also experience the world from the same altitude of those who grace it. Platforms are back…good news for the vertically challenged! Platforms are a fantastic asset to ones wardrobe this season, wear with jeans, shorts, skirts, tights….socks, what ever takes your fancy, just as long as you wear the with pride. In addition to the overall height benefits of the ‘platform’, they instantly makes your legs look longer and thinner, which lets face it, is never a bad thing. I really love this patent lace black pair from Strutt Couture, which in comparison to others out has a more modest platform, but really there’s no limit to how high you can go. Just be careful, keep running to a minimum and remember the higher you go, the higher the need for caution!
Read MoreBringing a sample of high fashion to the masses….
There are often details of one sample sale or another practically every week. But at one time (not so long ago), sample sales were hard to come by. Indulging in designer pieces meant spending a small fortune, high fashion was and unashamedly for the elite. Being one of the few in fashion to not frequent sample sales, I decided it was time I found out more about the sample sale phenomenon and made arrangements to get together with founder of one the first and most established sales in the UK “Designer Sales UK (DSUK) Elaine Foster Gandey. By the time I arrived to Brick Lane, late after losing my way and walking round in circles for over half and hour, I had literally lost the will. Vowing (although I still haven’t) to get myself a pocket A-Z I waited feeling slightly nervous. A couple of minutes later Elaine emerged from the back, striding towards me confidently with a smile, putting me totally at ease and erasing all my earlier feelings of complete and utter distress.
Read MoreBritish Fashion Awards
The results are out from The British Fashion awards which took place last night at The Victoria & Albert Museum in London…. DESIGNER OF THE YEAR: Preen, Luella Bartley, (*Giles Deacon* – Winner) MODEL: Erin O’Connor, Alek Wek, (*Kate Moss*- Winner) ACCESSORY DESIGNER: Georgina Goodman, Judy Blame, (*Stuart Vevers for Mulberry* – Winner) FASHION CREATOR: Kate Phelan, Edward Enninful, (*Eugene Souleiman* – Winner)
Read MoreDSUK – June 2006
June 1st – 3rd Designer Sale 2006 will once again bring Brick Lane alive, bringing you the very best of current and past season, samples, stock and catwalk pieces from your very favourite designers. Sign up for your preview tickets on www.designersales.co.uk DSUK we offer dazzling goodie bags for each purchasing customer with many surprises inside! The great coffee chain with a difference, Coffee @ are giving DSUK customers a fantastic buy one get one free offer, vouchers to be found in your goodie bags! So what are you waiting for?! Get down to 95 Brick Lane, the place to be for the best clothes and coffee London has to offer! The first 100 customers through our doors will receive a free Tsunamika pin doll. DSUK is working with the Tsunami disaster appeal to better the lives of the survivors. You’d be crazy to miss our fabulous catwalk shows throughout the day displaying your favourite design talents. With new stock arriving daily, DSUK is where it happens! Along with your usual favorites, we are also looking forward to stock from duffer of Frost French, Griffin, Moschino, Vivienne Westwood, Miki Fukai, y3, see by Chloe, Yohji Yamamoto, Gharani Strok, Alexander Mcqueen, Clements Ribeiro, and many more June sale opening times: Preview day Thursday 3rd 1pm ¬ 10.30pm Friday 2nd 10am to 7pm Saturday 3rd 10am to 5pm The sale will be held at: Studio 95, The Truman Brewery, 95 Brick Lane, London, E1 [Text: DSUK]
Read MoreAustria stamps on Naomi
Supermodel and notorious bad girl Naomi Campbell will be adorning Austrian postage stamps as part of a fundraiser to help Sir Elton John’s AIDS Charities. The Austrian public will be able to buy stamps of the doe-eyed beauty for 75 cents due to be released to coincide with the annual Sir Elton John life ball. Naomi’s scheduled to host the ball alongside Sir Elton, which will be held on the 20th of May in the Austrian capital, Vienna. According to contactmusic.com a spokesperson said of Naomi’s participation, “Naomi is a keen supporter of AIDS causes and saw Nelson Mandela in Africa earlier this month. She’ll be hosting the Life Ball, which is a gorgeous event at Vienna’s city hall and has featured designs by Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano.”
Read MoreHonours List
The Queen’s New Year Honours list has seen Vivienne Westwood become a Dame and Ozwald Boateng honoured with an OBE (Order of the British Empire) [bbc news]
Read MoreFashion rocks in Monaco
America?s greatest pop band Blondie, the godfather of Brit Urban Craig David, the stunning Skin, new R&B sensation Amerie and art rockers The Kills add to the superstar line-up for Swarovski Fashion Rocks for The Prince?s Trust. A star-studded, once in a lifetime fusion of fashion and music, Swarovski Fashion Rocks for The Prince?s Trust will take place on the 17th October at one of the world?s most glamorous locations ? Monaco – in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. These mega artists will provide electrifying performances, paired with their favourite designers: Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, Viktor and Rolf and Vivienne Westwood who will be showcasing their latest designs. Hosted by world-renowned model and TV and West End star, Jerry Hall, the event is to support the youth charity, The Prince?s Trust and will be televised by Channel 4 in the UK. For further information visit Fashion Rocks Text: The Prince’s Trust
Read MoreVivienne @ The V & A
Great Vivienne Westwood slideshow from Hint Mag (thanks to Raquel for the link) Visit her exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum from 1st April to July 2004. This exhibition celebrates the extraordinary career of Vivienne Westwood. She played a vital role in the emergence of Punk Rock in the 1970s and has gone on to become one of the most original and influential designers of our time. Fashion, she said, was ‘a baby I picked up and never put down.’
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