Max Jenny - Creating colour for a rainy day.

Max Jenny
Autumn Winter 2014
"we love colours and we just love what we do"

I love Winter!  Crisp cold days.  Snow.  Clear skies.  Rosy cheeks.  Layers of cosy clothes.

However, I am not loving this Winter.  Damp days. Rain. Rain. More rain. Grey mornings.  Grey afternoons.  Grey skies.  Grey faces hidden below dark umbrellas.

I'm sure you'll agree, what we need in the UK right now is an injection of colour to help us through this unusually wet and colourless season.  -and here it is.  Courtesy of Max Jenny.

Swedish/Danish designer Maxjenny Forslund, creates large scale, boldly coloured patterns to produce one-off pieces using rainproof and protective recycled fabric.  Max Jenny collections include clothes, functional outerwear, hats, bags and umbrellas.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Maxjenny, whose colourful, positive and exuberant personality is infectious.  Her designs are a true reflection of her.  Maxjenny! pushes fashion for rainy days just a little bit further.

Vintage window shopping - San Francisco

Vintage window shopping.
San Francisco.

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

Huishan Zhang - Label of the Month

Huishan Zhang
Autumn Winter 2012 Collection
Photograph by Victoria Tang

As London Fashion Week approaches, I have been checking out the New Generation designers who will be showing their Spring Summer '13 collections there at the end of next week.

Huishan Zhang, a Central St. Martins graduate, immediately captured my attention with his elegant and contemporary designs.  Influenced by Chinese culture and tradition, Zhang creates elegant pieces with a  modern twist by layering and fusing shapes, pattern and colour.  The "sexy and feminine" cheongsam dress is re-created throughout Zhang's collections to create his signature style of "Chinese tradition meets Western influence and modernity"

Huishan Zhang is my Label of the Month. 

I will come back to you soon with a review of his Spring Summer '13 collection.  

Huishan Zhang
Autumn Winter 2012 Collection
Photograph by Victoria Tang

Huishan Zhang
Autumn Winter 2012 Collection
Photograph by Victoria Tang

Huishan Zhang
Autumn Winter 2012 Collection
Photograph by Victoria Tang

Huishan Zhang
Autumn Winter 2012 Collection
Photograph by Victoria Tang

Something to treasure from Lilygrace Originals

Lilygrace Originals is a new online store selling unique, handcrafted, one of a kind jewellery inspired by the colour, gothic drama and visual imagination of Frida Kahlo; the intricate and unusual jewellery designs of Miriam Haskell and the surrealism and humour of Elsa Schiaparelli.

Frida Blanco
Frida Kahlo black and white cameo earrings
by Lilygrace Originals

Images used are courtesy of Lilygrace Originals

Each piece of jewellery is lovingly hand-made in the UK by Hazel Mathiot, a fine artist based in Wiltshire.  Vintage rhinestones and English cut glass beads are used together with hand modelled polymer clay shapes, antiqued brass chains and up cycled vintage photographs to create one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces.

Blue Rose Geisha
Vintage photo violet, sky and teal cameo earrings
by Lilygrace Originals

Images used are courtesy of Lilygrace Originals

Mirror Mirror
Red and yellow naughty pin-up girl cameo earrings
by Lilygrace Originals

Images used are courtesy of Lilygrace Origianls

 Influenced by the current trend for earrings and cameos, I have chosen to show these stunning cameo earrings.  The complete collection of jewellery is available online www.lilygraceoriginals.com.

Pretty as a Peacock
Blue green iridescent Show Girl cameo earrings
by Lilygrace Originals

Images used are courtesy of Lilygrace Originals

Suno continue to captivate

Since starting this blog back in 2008, around the same time that the label Suno was launched, I have been captivated by the brand's creativity.  Now a regular at New York Fashion Week, Suno continues to produce directional collections with an innovative use of print, colour and fabrics.  

Suno have also continued to be true to the brands initial ethics of supporting communities and economies in countries including Kenya, India and Peru.

Below are a few of my favourites from Suno's latest Resort collection.

www.sunony.com

Suno
Resort Collection
Image by Suno via style.com

Suno
Resort Collection
Image by Suno via style.com

Suno
Resort Collection
Image by Suno via style.com

Suno
Resort Collection
Image by Suno via style.com

Fabrica Social - innovating and empowering Mexican women

The Dzitnup
a co-operative to innovate and empower Mayan women

Image via Hand Eye magazine

I have been meaning to share these images for some time now ...

The Dzitnup
a co-operative to innovate and empower Mayan women

Image via Hand Eye magazine

I also want to share with you the work of Fabrica Social.  Fabrica Social is a Mexican non-profit organisation, which works with co-operatives in artisan communities throughout Mexico.  It's objective is to empower and innovate indigenous women through design and garment making skills.

One of the co-operatives associated with Fabrica Social is The Dzitnup, which works with a group of Mayan women in Valladollid, Yucatan.  Women in this area create the traditional "huipils", which are  hand-crafted blouses that are embroidered with brightly coloured designs.  The elaborate designs incorporate vibrant florals and geometric motifs together with symbols of fertility and beauty.

Huipils are wearable art works, which represent the women's Mayan heritage.

The Dzitnup
a co-operative to innovate and empower Mayan women

Image via Hand Eye magazine

Complete article: http://handeyemagazine.com/content/fabrica-social-0

Anne Sofie Madsen - Copenhagen Fashion Week

Anne Sofie Madsen - AW12 Collection
photo by Copenhagen Fashion Week

Scanning through the AW12 catwalk shows from Copenhagen Fashion Week, I gasped with delight when I viewed Anne Sofie Madsen's collection.  Such a wonderful display of creative talent. 

The collection combines sombre colours, digital photographic prints, a touch of  tribal pattern and a hint of 1920's frivolity.  All elements brought together to stunning effect.

Anne Sofie Madsen - AW12 Collection
photo by Copenhagen Fashion Week

Anne Sofie Madsen - AW12 Collection
photo by Copenhagen Fashion Week

Born in Denmark, Ann Sofie Madsen studied at the Danish School of Design, she trained under John Galliano for Dior in Paris before  moving to London to work for Alexander McQueen, as a Junior  Designer.

After launching her eponymous label, Ann Sofie Madsen debuted her couture-inspired collection at Vauxhall Fashion Scout during London Fashion Week, being announced as a new rising talent.

Ann Sofie Madsen's AW12 collection is her second catwalk collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week.  I certainly look forward to watching her rise as a major name on the international fashion scene.

Anne Sofie Madsen - AW12 Collection
photo by Copenhagen Fashion Week

From Somewhere for Spring 2012

From Somewhere
Spring Summer 2012

www.fromsomewhere.co.uk

Oooh! I'm loving the new Spring Summer '12 collection by From Somewhere.  A creative sustainable label producing collections from luxury designer fabric off-cuts.  Their SS12 collection also includes some of the season's key trends.

There are sportswear influences, including satin trimmed shorts reminiscent of Balenciaga's Resort '12 collection.  A hint of contemporary tribal - a key fashion statement for Summer.  Bright colours - yellow, orange, pink set back against black.  Luscious deep toffee brown.  Tones of petrol blue. Colour blocking mixed with stripes and prints.

From Somewhere
Spring Summer 2012

www.fromsomewhere.co.uk

Of course, no Summer '12 collection would be complete without a nod towards to the Sixties, which continues to be a major influence.  A simple shift dress has been created with panels of mixed textures, including a sky blue jacquard giving this 1960's classic a 2012 spin.  

The full collection can be seen at: www.fromsomewhere.co.uk

From Somewhere
Spring Summer 2012

www.fromsomewhere.co.uk

From Somewhere was established in 1997 by Orsola De Castro and Filippo Ricci.  All womenswear collections are made by up-cycling high-end fashion and surplus textiles - fabric swatches, production off-cuts and end of rolls.  The aim is to produce beautiful clothes that take into account the balance between consumpation and disposal.

Orsola De Castro is the founder of the Estethica.

Inspired by Guy Fawkes

Image by Re-Design for Life

November in England brings with it short days, blustery winds, frosty mornings and damp air.  It also brings with it Guy Fawkes night, when we remember gun-powder, treason and plot. 

Yesterday evening I wrapped myself in warm clothes, ventured into the cold evening air along with crowds of others, to watch the dark night sky burst into bright colourful patterns.  Each delivered with loud crackles that ricoched through the darkness.

November in England brings with it sparkling moments of delight.  

Image by Re-Design for Life

Image by Re-Design for Life

Image by Re-Design for Life

Image by Re-Design for Life

Corrie Nielsen - A modern couturier

Corrie Nielsen
SS12 - Arbiter Elegantiarum

Photographer: Christoper Dadey

Arbiter Elegantiarum is the title of Corrie Nielsen's SS12 collection, which was shown on the catwalk on Friday as part of London Fashion Week.  Arbiter Elegantiarum - a judge or authority in matters of taste.

Corrie Nielsen dipped into a dark Victorian mood for this collection, with inspirations taken from Oscar Wilde's gothic novel, The Picture of Dorian Grey together with influences of late nineteenth century men's tailored dress, which was brought together with a contemporary Japanese aesthetic.

Architectural silhouettes, meticulous pleating and innovative folding techniques were executed in great swathes of sumptuous fabrics.  All brought together in a restrained colour palette of deep midnight blue, gunmetal grey and ivory, with a flash of chartreuse throughout.

The overall effect was refined, elegant and contemporary.

After seeing the collection, it comes as no surprise to me that Corrie Nielsen has been described as a modern couturier and true fashion visionary.

Corrie Nielsen
SS12 - Arbiter Elegantiarum

Photographer: Christoper Dadey

Corrie Nielsen
SS12 - Arbiter Elegantiarum

Photographer: Christoper Dadey

Corrie Nielsen
SS12 - Arbiter Elegantiarum

Photographer: Christoper Dadey

Corrie Nielsen
SS12 - Arbiter Elegantiarum

Photographer: Christoper Dadey

Corrie Nielsen
SS12 - Arbiter Elegantiarum

Photographer: Christoper Dadey

Corrie Nielsen
SS12 - Arbiter Elegantiarum

Photographer: Christoper Dadey

Corrie Nielsen
SS12 - Arbiter Elegantiarum

Photographer: Christoper Dadey

Shao-Yen Chen - One to Watch Award

Shao Yen
Goddess Collection - Autumn Winter 2011/12
Image by ReDesign for Life

I am so excited to read that Shao-Yen Chen has received a Ones to Watch award from the Vauxhall Fashion Scout.  The 'Goddess' collection certainly caught my eye when it was presented at London Fashion Week in February.  A wonderfully innovative use of textures, embellishment and colour brought together in delicately sculptured silhouettes.  The designer has created a trademark for experimentation with textiles and silhouette, explaining it is "a way of reinventing traditional crafts with new materials and forms."

The One's to Watch award was set-up to support and help emerging, innovative designers to build sustainable businesses.  As part of the award, Shao-Yen's SS12 collection will be shown on the Fashion Scout catwalk during London Fashion Week in September.

Inspirations for the new collection have been taken from 80's and 90's street-wear with tribal, punk and bondage elements.  I can't wait to see it.  Especially when Shao-Yen's design philosophy is "be open to everything"

Shao Yen
Goddess Collection - Autumn Winter 2011/12
Image by ReDesign for Life

Shao Yen
Goddess Collection - Autumn Winter 2011/12
Image by ReDesign for Life

Chichia London receives EFF Innovation Award

Chichia London.  'Made in Dar' collection
3-print tiered khanga dress

Chichia London was set up in 2007 by London based designer, Christine Mhando.  Influenced by her Tanzanian culture,  the designer re-creates the traditional East African cotton "Khanga" into quirky yet wearable styles.  Christine Mhando's aim is to create pieces that are timeless rather than driven by seasonal trends.

Stunning colour combinations, eye-catching prints and intricate embellishments play a significant part in the collections.  The result is an eclectic collection of modern dresses and separates.

My favourite is  the "Made in Dar" collection.

Chichia London.  'Made in Dar' collection
Palm print khanga tunic dress

Chichia London.  'Made in Dar' collection
Khanga print shirt dress with studded shoulder.

Chichia London.  'Made in Dar' collection.
Butterfly and maxi leaf print kitenge tunic dress

Chichia London.  'Made in Dar' collection.
Print kitenge one sleeve embellised shift dress.

Chichia London.  'Made in Dar' collection.
Yellow palm print khanga and turquoise fringe top
worn with flame animal print wrap skirt.

Chichia London recently received an EFF Innovation Award.