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

Christopher Raeburn - Emerging Talent Menswear - British Fashion Awards

Christopher Raeburn
Emerging Talent - Menswear
British Fashion Awards 2011

Congratulations to Christopher Raeburn on winning the Emerging Talent award for Menswear at the British Fashion Awards earlier this week.  I know it sounds like a cliche but it couldn't have gone to a nicer person.  Hugely talented too.  Well deserved!

When I first met Raeburn at London Fashion Week in February 2010, he was showing his collection of jackets, bombers and parkas created from re-appropriated military materials.  I was blown away by the innovation, research and sourcing behind the beautifully crafted collection.  I have followed Raeburn's progress ever since.

Raeburns signature designs are his flyweight wind-cheaters, which are constructed from de-commissioned military parachutes.  Each streamlined style is cleverly pieced together, incorporating taped seams and screen printed panels to create a contemporary collection.

All pieces in his collection are remade in England.

Christopher Raeburn
London Fashion Week
Estethica February 2010

Christopher Raeburn
London Fashion Week
New Generation September 2010

Christopher Raeburn
London Fashion Week
New Generation September 2010

Christopher Raeburn
Estethica September 2011
Women's wear collection

If this isn't enough to impress you,  he was also voted Most Stylish Man at the British Fashion Awards by GQ magazine.

Emesha launches an androgynous edge for Autumn Winter 2011/12

Emesha
Autumn Winter 2011/12

I love Emesha's AW12 collection!

Taking it's initial inspiration from the shirt, the collection reworks this classic shape into other garments to create a relaxed, contemporary look.  These pieces are juxtaposed with razor sharp tailoring for a clean silhouette resulting in a collection of unique pieces with an androgynous edge.  

When I viewed the collection at London Fashion Week's Estethica, what also struck me was the premium quality of it's finish and fabrics - all of which are 100% natural and/or organic.  The label is fully committed to environmental and social responsibilities:  always sourcing new eco-friendly fabrics, using sustainable materials and recycling as much as possible.

In addition to this, Emesha practices fair wage policy and production is organized to help the depriving fashion industry in Hungary.

What is there not to love about Emesha.

Emesha
Autumn Winter 2011/12

Emesha
Autumn Winter 2011/12

Emesha
Autumn Winter 2011/12

Emesha
Autumn Winter 2011/12

Emesha
Autumn Winter 2011/12

The only way is Up for Goodone

Goodone - Spring Summer 2011
Oversized panelled T-shirt
worn with contrast jersey leggings.

Goodone  the award-winning fashion label continues to go from strength to strength with each season.  I have been so impressed with the last two collections - Spring Summer 2011 and Autumn Winter 2011 - previewed at London Fashion Week.

Following on from the mentorship with Yasmin Sewell as part of a British Fashion Council scheme, Goodone's Designer and Co-Founder Nin Castle has pushed up-cycling to a "a new level of luxury".  For Spring Summer, Goodone combines re-claimed garments and surplus fabrics with new British produced fabrics to create fashion-forward styles with an Active Sportswear influence, a key look for Summer 2011:  body-con shapes, contrast panels, mesh fabrics and recycled festival tents!

Goodone - Spring Summer 2011
Panelled body-con dress with waffle knit detail
and key hole back

The Spring Summer collection is available online at www.goodone.co.uk

I'll give you a taster of the Autumn Winter collection in a later post.  Be patient.  It's a Goodone.  (Sorry!  Such a terrible pun...I couldn't resist it.)

Goodone - Spring Summer 2011
Linen and jersey jumpsuit

Goodone - Spring Summer 2011
Oversized knitted jumper with woven shoulders
worn with two-tone jersey leggings.

Partimi - Autumn Winter Collection at London Fashion Week

Partimi
Autumn Winter 2011 Collection at Estethica
Image by Re-Design for Life

Partimi
Autumn Winter 2011 Collection at Estethica
Image by Re-Design for Life

I first met Eleanor Dorrien-Smith, the designer behind Partimi,  this time last year when she was showing her work at London Fashion Week as part of the Centre for Sustainable Fashion.  It was lovely to catch up with her again to view her Autumn Winter 2011 collection 'Garden', which draws it's inspiration from lush winter gardens, childhood memories and momentum.

Eleanor explained to me how the striking prints in her collection were inspired by photographs of her father playing as a child in the family garden: an overwhelmingly beautiful place.  Another print was inspired by moss and lichen covered benches in the family garden.  The textural 'Lichen' design is digitally printed onto an organic silk satin dress to stunning effect.  One of my favourite pieces in the collection.

Other styles include a photographic palm print dress in organic silk jersey that  tucks and drapes gently around the body.  A luxuriously soft tapered leg trouser and a collar-less jacket

 with a clean silhouette - both in organic wool.  

Eleanor has created a beautiful contemporary collection that is simple yet stunning.  Oh yes!  It's also ethically produced using sustainably sourced fabrics.  The only down-side is that we have to wait until Autumn Winter before we can wear it.  

In the meantime, her SS11 collection 'Dieu Bleu' can be viewed on the Partimi website.

LOVE Monsoon for Spring Summer 2011

LOVE Monsoon Spring Summer 2011
Image by Re-Design for Life

Monsoon - the global fashion retailer and sponsor of Estethica at London Fashion Week - launches it's LOVE range this month.

The range of feminine pieces has been developed to create a fusion of clean, modern design with Indian crafts, recycled materials and organic fabrics.   The designs make use of Monsoon off-cuts, recycled glass and pearl trims and beautiful button detailing.

LOVE Monsoon - Elements
Spring Summer 2011
Image by Re-Design for Life

 LOVE Monsoon Elements evokes the rich craft tradition of Monsoon, using hand block printed organic cottons, vegetable dyed silks, organic jersey and crushed Mother of Pearl embellishments.

LOVE Monsoon - Ethereal
Spring Summer 2011
Image by Re-Design for Life

LOVE Monsoon Ethereal has an entirely Ivory colour palette of modern, feminine pieces including delicately embroidered organic cotton tops, organic lace scarves and an organic cheesecloth maxi dress embellished with crushed beads.

I hope other fashion retailers will be inspired by Monsoon's LOVE range.  Inspired to create sustainable collections using their own off-cuts.  Inspired to use organic fabrics and dyeing methods.  Inspired to incorporate traditional methods of printing and embellishment into their ranges.

One thing's for sure, it will certainly make the UK high street a more interesting and creative place to shop.