CAN light chandelier by Willem Heefer

CAN light chandelier by Willem Heefer
for Midhill diner, Helsinki, Finland.

Image via dutch DZINE

 Innovative, effective and sustainable product design by Willem Heefer.  

Catering sized Heinz baked bean cans were saved from the waste bins of restaurants and cafes to be transformed into industrial light fittings at Midhill diner in Helsinki, Finland.

The results are stunning with a touch of fun.

CAN light chandelier by Willem Heefer
for Midhill diner, Helsinki, Finland.

Image via dutch DZINE

Vintage window shopping - San Francisco

Vintage window shopping.
San Francisco.

Image by ReDesign for Life

OPTICS and distressed silver leather from Christopher Raeburn

Christopher Raeburn
Animal mascot bags - AW13 womenswear collection.
www.christopherraeburn.co.uk

These fabulous animal mascot bags, made from distressed silver leather,  are part of Christopher Raeburn's AW13 womenswear collection, OPTICS.

Back in February, I mentioned Raeburn's AW13 collection being one of my London Fashion Week highlights.  The collection has now launched online www.christopherraeburn.co.uk

Christopher Raeburn - AW13
Lace Wool Bomber

Christopher Raeburn - AW13
Funnel Neck Dress

Christopher Raeburn - AW13
Wool T.Shirt Dress

Margrethe-Skolen at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Margrethe-Skolen
SS13

Copenhagen based fashion school, Margrethe Skolen has a creative approach to design education.  The school's strength is it's philosophy to challenge students to go beyond their design comfort zone, to re-think the use of materials, to create new silhouettes and colour combinations.  

Margrethe Skolen's aim is to develop students' originality, individuality and innovative designs.  All of which was evident in the school's off-schedule catwalk show at Copenhagen Fashion Week.  With previous graduates including Susanne Rutzou, Sand, Bitte Kai Rand and Margit Brandt, I am sure this year's graduates are destined for great recognition on the international fashion scene.

Margrethe-Skolen
SS13

Margrethe-Skolen
SS13

Margrethe-Skolen
SS13

Margrethe-Skolen
SS13

Margrethe-Skolen
SS13

Margrethe-Skolen
SS13

Designers' Nest at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Mathilde Maalouf
SS14 Winner - Designers' Nest Award
VISION - Copenhagen 

Designers' Nest Show and Award was created as an international platform to promote and expose the talent of up-and-coming Scandinavian design graduates.  The Scandinavian students are given the opportunity to  present their collections to international buyers, designers, media and trendsetters visiting CPH Vision fashion fair, held twice a year during Copenhagen Fashion Week. 

This season's award was presented to Mathilde Maalouf of Kolding School of Design.

I love Maalouf's use of bold contrasting colour combined with minimal detail and off-the-body silhouettes.  A creative, contemporary yet commercial collection.

Mathilde Maalouf
SS14 Collection
Desingers' Nest Show - Copenhagen

The judges awarded the 1st runner up place to Catherine Bjerre.  My own favourite piece from this collection is the cut-about striped outfit, below centre.

Catherine Bjerre
SS14 Collection
Designers' Nest Show - Copenhagen

The 2nd runner up was Nilhan Johansen from Oslo National Academy of the Arts.  A collection that cannot fail to make an impact.  I love the strength of the monochromatic palette, the oversized slogans and clever play on the sweatshirt.  Fabulous collection!

Nilhan Johansen
SS14 Collection
Designers' Nest Show - Copenhagen

In addition to the winners, I would like to give a mention to three designers who caught my attention:  Huang ting Yun, Naemi Gustavsson and Signe Rode Rio.  Each designers' collection had individual outfits that I wanted to share in this post.

Huang Ting Yun - Naemi Gustavsson - Signe Rode Rio
SS14 Collections
Designers' Nest Show - Copenhagen

Vintage haberdashery at Portobello

Vintage Haberdashery
Portobello Market

Image by ReDesign for Life

A bright Sunday morning.  A casual mooch along Portobello Road.  A delve into vintage haberdashery.  Ideas materialising in my mind.

Vintage Haberdashery
Portobello Market

Image by ReDesign for Life

Vintage Haberdashery
Portobello Market

Image by ReDesign for Life

Louise Gray - Now What?

Louise Gray
louisegraylondon.com

Louise Gray the British designer who adds a tremendous sense of wit, colour and innovation to her collections, is to take a break from designing further collections for two seasons.  The tough decision has been made as the result a tough economic climate.


Louise Gray will continue to be involved in fashion by working on a consultancy basis for other designers and brands including TopShop.

I do hope we will soon see Louise Gray's eponymous label back on the catwalk.  Bringing with it her  individual approach to women's fashion.  Always with a great sense of fun.

Louise Gray
SS13 collection - Now What
louisegraylondon.com

Louise Gray
SS13 Collection - Now What
louisegraylondon.com

Louise Gray
London Fashion Week - NewGen
Image by ReDesign for Life

Louise Gray
London Fashion Week - NewGen
Image by ReDesign for Life

Louise Gray
London Fashion Week - NewGen
Image by ReDesign for Life

Louise Gray
London Fashion Week - NewGen
Image by ReDesign for LIfe

The Noemi Tote
Made in Kenya
www.stellamccartney.com

Stella McCartney is one of my favourite high profile designer brands.  Each season, I yearn to own one of her exquisitely tailored jackets to wear as a treasured piece for years to come.  One day...

I also admire Stella McCartney for staying true to her ethics.   As part of the Brand's ongoing collaboration with the International Trade Centre, a range of hand-made recycled Stella McCartney tote bags have been created in Kenya.


The International Trade Centre provides work to disadvantaged communities in Africa.  The aim of this collaboration with Stella McCartney, is to generate economic independence for the Kenyan artisans who have created the Noemi bags.   Of the artisans questioned, 93% stated that they were now able to educate their children due to their earnings from the project.

My tailored jacket can wait.  This season, my Stella McCartney purchase has to be The Noemi Tote.

The Noemi Tote
Made in Kenya
www.stellamccartney.com

The Noemi Tote
Made in Kenya
www.stellamccartney.com

My tailor is a rockstar

Studio Jux
My Nepali Tailor is a Rockstar

Studio Jux is an eco friendly design led fashion brand with a philosophy for fair trade and fun.  Jux is a German word for fun.  Studio Jux believe that fashion should be fun.  Fun for the customer.  Fun for the designer. - and, more importantly, fun for the tailors who produce their collections.

Studio Jux believe their tailors are rockstars.

To promote the tailor's who work in the brand's Nepalese factory, Studio Jux has produced a printed 100% organic cotton T.Shirt:  My Nepali Tailor is a Rockstar.

The brand have also designed labels to promote the tailors who work in their own factory in Nepal as well as factories used in Portugal and China.

Studio Jux = Design + Eco + Fair

Customers can also shake hands with their tailor by checking a numbered label in their Studio Jux clothing.  The number corresponds to a specific tailor.  By going to the Studio Jux website, clicking handshake, customers can meet their Rockstar Tailor.

http://www.studiojux.com/handshake

H&M Conscious Exclusive Collection

Embroidered and lace applique dress.
Organic cotton, re-cycled polyamide, polyamide.
Conscious Exclusive Collection.

As part of fashion retailer H&M's work towards a more sustainable fashion future, the company launched a capsule collection, Conscious Exclusive on April 4th.  Inspired by Hollywood glamour, the evening wear collection features clothing and accessories created from materials including organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled polyamide and Tencel.

The Conscious Exclusive collection has been a resounding success with many items already being sold out.  Do not despair!  Items from the collection are already being sold on Ebay.

Conscious sustainable fashion with a fast fashion attitude.

Long draped dress.
Re-cycled polyester.
Conscious Exclusive Collection.

Printed tulip dress with stone embroidery.
Organic cotton and silk.
Conscious Exclusive Collection.

Grosgrain jacket and trouser.
Organic cotton and Viscose.
Conscious Exclusive Collection.

Structured dress with bead and gem embellishment.
Organic cotton and silk.
Conscious Exclusive Collection.

Ada Zanditon presents Tigress Reign for SS13

Ada Zanditon
Spring Summer 2013
Tigress Reign

Ada Zanditon's Spring Summer collection is inspired by the beauty, strength, elegance and sensual allure of the Tigress, an increasingly endangered animal.

Whilst researching Tigers, Zanditon drew comparisons with the Tigress' behaviour - a deadly combination of intense allure, ferocity and confidence -  to that of female characters in films such as Kill Bill, Thelma and Louise, Deathproof & Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

Taking this inspiration, Zandition has created a collection of elegant sculptural pieces to be worn with confidence and a touch of glamour.  Signature looks include regal dresses, billowing separates and sharply tailored jackets.

Tigress Reign
Ada Zanditon - Spring Summer 2013 Collection

A film to promote the collection, Tigress Reign was shot in Cyprus where the team flew courtesy of Easyjet, one of Zanditon's sponsors.

Click on the link to watch the film:  Tigress Reign