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

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

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

Things to look back upon and love about 2012.

Honest by  Bruno Pieters

Honest by Bruno Pieters
Marl sweater made from recycled wool
Creased cotton wrap skirt

Honest by

The launch in January, 2012 of Honest by.

Honest by, is the creation of the highly regarded Belgian designer, Bruno Pieters.  Pieters has created the first company in the world to have 100% transparency for it's supply chain, allowing Honest by customers to shop for innovative fashion in a completely conscious way.

Honest by

Honest by Bruno Pieters
Organic silk chiffon dress

Honest by

Honest by Bruno Pieters
Recycled wool caban coat
organic cotton facings, bindings and thread.

Honest by

Partimi 2012 collections

Partimi
Spring Summer 2012

One of my favourite sustainable fashion brands.  I love the simple silhouettes,  easy style and captivating prints depicting photographic images from designer, Eleanor Dorrien-Smith's childhood.   I loved both of Partimi's 2012 collections.  Looking forward to 2013.

Partimi

Partimi
Spring Summer 2012

Partimi
Autumn Winter 2012
Photograph by:  Nicole Maria Winkler

Partimi
Autumn Winter 2012
Photograph by:  Nicole Maria Winkler

NEWGEN sponsorship winners

A special mention to three of the designers who have been awarded sponsorship to present their collections at London Fashion Week in February, 2013.   J JS Lee, Lucas Nascimento and Christopher Raeburn.

J JS LEE
Spring Summer 2013 collection

J JS LEE
Spring Summer 2013 collection

J JS LEE
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Lucas Nascimento
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Lucas Nascimento
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Lucas Nascimento
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Christopher Raeburn
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Christopher Raeburn
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Christopher Raeburn
Spring Summer 2013 collection

Rutzou award for sustainable fashion

Rutzou
Sustainable design challenge, 2012

Danish fashion designer Susanne Rutzou, won the sustainable design challenge in May this year.  The competition - part of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit - was set to raise awareness of sustainable textiles.

Rutzou

Rutzou
Sustainable design challenge, 2012

  

Army surplus gets a sophisticated edge . Christopher Raeburn - SS13

Christopher Raeburn
Spring Summer 2013

Photo by Fillipo Flor - Go Runway.com

Readers of this blog will know that I have been a fan of Christopher Raeburn's work since seeing his collection of outwear and parkas in 2008, which was created from up-cycled army parachutes and military jackets.  I have always admired his thoughtful creativity and meticulous attention to detail.

But!  Wow!  His SS13 catwalk show - at London Fashion Week today - marks a transition for his work.  Raeburn has created a sleek collection of wearable pieces with a sophisticated urban edge.  He has managed to do this without losing his signature utilitarian style.

Stand out pieces in the collection were iridescent nylon shirt dresses, lace patterned parkas and hooded bomber jackets, grosgrain taped seams and camouflage inspired prints.

Christopher Raeburn
Spring Summer 2013

Photo by Fillipo Flor - Go Runway.com

Christopher Raeburn
Spring Summer 2013

Photo by Fillipo Flor - Go Runway.com

Christopher Raeburn
Spring Summer 2013

Photo by Fillipo Flor - Go Runway.com

Christopher Raeburn
Spring Summer 2013

Photo by Fillipo Flor - Go Runway.com

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

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

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.