For winning Best Department Store category on the High Street Fashion Awards 2012, proving to be the best option for costumers outside of London who look for great brands, as well as their exclusive collaborations with some of fashion's biggest names. One of my favourite was the Butterfly collection by Matthew Williamson . Check out Debenhams for more info on affordable collaborations.
Thursday 31 May 2012
Wednesday 30 May 2012
In Conversation with - Mary Katrantzou
There are certain moments in your life that help you define your character and aesthetics, inspiration suddenly flows in your veins as a reaction to the impression these moments leave on you. When you try to recreate that first impression, the result may not always be what you experienced that very first moment, or it could end up blowing your highest expectations to the stratosphere; reaffirming it's relevance on your book. This was exactly what happened to me when I met Mary Katrantzou, my first contact with her work was thru fashion magazines; her MA graduation collection from Central Saint Martin, became one of my most treasured moments in fashion, did I mention it was all thru fashion magazines?
I immediately fell in love with her designs, I began feeling extremely curious about her technique and even more about her method. She became one of my favourite designers and research topics, such use of conceptual semantics is worth admiring and demonstrates the skills of the pursuer. So every season when she presented her collection, that first impression I had, was re lived, adding new amusement factors every time. Mary Katrantzou unique aesthetic and silhouette had set the bar high for the 21st century designers, becoming one of the most influential designers of our time. Her constant exploration with prints and shapes has made a legend out of her name, a Heroine of Design.
As part of the second delivery of the lecture series Heroines of Design, Mary was the second lady to be celebrated at the Fashion and Textile Museum, once again I was able to help out that day and I was thrilled to; sold out tickets, a full house and tons of excitement in the air describe the atmosphere inside the museum, while we all waited to share some time of her busy schedule, one couldn't help wonder what was to come. Once the lecture began, the audience was immerse into her universe, how lucky where we all. She shared intimate facts about her career, her words were full of humanity, revealing a down to earth individual, approachable and humble; with a huge admiration for beautiful things, sensible to art and full of rich thoughts. No wonder her designs are so complex and fascinating, they truly reflect her personality and her philosophy. Though her development as a designer wasn't a bed of roses, perseverance and discipline proved to be no match to insecurity. "I didn't consider failure as an option" she mentioned.
What make her work with prints so unique, is the fact that it is engineered work; almost as if she was following the scientific method with each print to prove it's efficiency and veracity. Each step of the process is delicately handle, the ultimate goal is to create a strong visual statement for the free spirited woman with a strong sense of style. Every print has a story of it's own, translating everyday symbols into a fashion context very successfully; exalting the very best of Hyperrealism, the manipulation of digital images is key to artists devoted to the movement, technology transforms our vision of art and therefore our values of aesthetics.
The fact that Mary Katrantzou is an experimental designer in a way, makes us admire her even more; her exploration with vertical silhouettes, volume and lines, shows she is quite a bit of a daredevil when it comes to break the molde. Her vision promotes innovation and suggests that designers can always explore the commercial counterpart, without forgetting their essence as creative innovators. She stressed on the importance women give to dressing for different occasions, and as a designer she must me able to create the perfect piece for each occasion, giving women the possibility to own a very special signature look.
If you are not able to afford her incredible pieces, do not despair, since she had created affordable collections for Topshop and Longchamp. The idea is to create affordable pieces that carried the Katrantzou signature prints to a clientele was that in part new to the brand; "we didn't water it down" she said, referring to the collection for Topshop, which happen to be the best selling collaboration for Topshop. We can only hope for more sucessfull collaborations to come and to continue appreciating her magnificent display of skills when it comes to delivering 21st century fashion.
For more information about Mary Katrantzou visit:
For more information about the FTM Lectures visit:
Saturday 19 May 2012
In Conversation with - Pat Albeck
Every heroine must follow a secret recipe to become a legend;
such a person should embrace stamina, talent, creativity, strength and wits, to
name a few. After overcoming a number of challenges, victory makes her a legend.
At least, that is how I would describe a heroine,, and how pleased I was when I
got the chance to meet one; Pat Albeck,
whose prolific career was celebrated at the Fashion and
Textile Museum last Thursday evening.
The lady took to the stand as part of the Designing Heroines’
lecture series that the Museum is hosting for three Thursday evenings staring 17th
May. As a volunteer tour guide for the Museum, I offered my assistance for this
event and was lucky enough to get involved with In Conversation with Pat Albeck.
The atmosphere in the fashion studio was warm and welcoming, and you could detect
a sense of familiarity within the crowd, almost as if you were caught in an
inside joke; I suppose orange (Pat Albeck's
favourite colour, which she was wearing that night) really does transmit
enthusiasm - the minute Pat Albeck started talking I couldn't stop smiling.
The lecture was mediated by the Museum curator Dennis Nothdruft.
As he presented Pat's designs on the projector,
she commented on the detail behind each design she had created. There was a
story to each one, and I grew even more fond of my favourites when I heard these
stories from her, like Venice Fish market with the floating roses (Horrockses,1953). The
iconic tea towels with lobsters and vegetable themes weren't forgotten either, and
as I came to understood the humour behind her work, I saw her personality present
in the stroke of every brush.
The artist's style is free and organic, very organic. Motifs vary so
much, and for Pat everything was
considered as an inspiration, even if it meant hours of
dedication. I consider her work very refreshing in comparison with
her contemporaries, and I believe she mentioned that other artists were
very much influenced by the Bauhaus school. I consider this influence rooted in
the designers of this era, due to the Second World War and political climate at
the time. However, it is very
interesting to see how individuals found creative opportunities in such
critical times. The motivation to recover from the devastation to create new
things and progress into the future was high.
It was very inspiring to meet the woman whose work celebrates an
anniversary in this Diamond Jubilee year. I truly admire her versatility as an
artist, and the way she created so many different patterns while managing to
stay true to her essence. It doesn't matter if your love for flowers has made
you trace million of them through your life; what truly matters is the passion
that went into making them. - so when you go back and read the stories behind
these iconic designs, the flame burns bright once again.
For more information about Pat Albeck visit:
For more information about the FTM Lectures visit:
Fashion in the eyes of the beholder
As a sensible human I feel drawn to specific topics, that fascinate me, human evolution and it's future as a society being one of them. I cannot seem to get enough of what's to come on emerging technologies and our response to it. It is crucial to me the reaction we have towards technology as a generation. Being married to a Software Arquitect, I have the chance to learn (in my own way of course) what is going on in tech land, and most importantly what are the projections to the near future. The future predicts the evolution of the mobile phone as a 'life assistance' device, at this point, we all live with our smart phones practically attached to our hand. We seem to have digested the idea and processed it to built up new ideas; more apps, gadgets and features are added as the tech market grows stronger and bigger.
The experience of each device promises to be unique, even in a personal level; you should be able to create your own little world in your mobile. This takes me to the point of today's post, the impact on the public with technology has been huge (as it has always been), but I believe this specific new approach has a tsunami effect on the users. Here is why I consider it so, as I mentioned before on other posts, technology has transformed, from being something you had to adapt yourself to, into something that adapts to you in the most natural manner: gestures. Besides having a dynamic experience every time you use your mobile, companies have decided that the best way to fully charm and win you to the their side, is to make that experience a personalised one.
The idea of personalising any article feeds the concept of individualism, by having control of your digital information you not only create your own universe but can freely share it with your mates. The power of the individual is determine by a different criteria, from an abstract foundation into the digital world. People are able to alter perceptions, images and content to their best standard. The fashion community has been no exemption to the new regiment, movements like the New Aesthetics in London have laid down their manifesto, sort of a facelift to fashion. We are being exposed to elements of the digital world that somehow are installed in our memories and we rapidly recognise them, take the use of pixels as prints for instance.
The movement has to do a lot with the location being Shoreditch and Brooklyn NYC the main points of blooming, moving far from the obvious, well known fashion sources and districts, promoting the impulse to discover new references and talents. Manipulation of images, facial recognition and real time global maps seem to mark the pace for this new generations of designers. Events like Cut and Paste helped me put things into perspective regarding this topic, I learned there the real implications on this matter. And even if the source of inspiration is not absolutely new, the way is being develop is new and by consequence the final products happens to be new and refreshing to the public.
The world changes and so it's percepts, although the most recognised names in fashion are part of huge corporations, sometimes we feel that there hasn't been a new approach in years; I often think of it as literal application of Smith's ideas on production, labour and profit, as a inalterable formula for success. On the other side these technologic approches are somehow democratised by the same companies that sell the devices and services to us, opening a new tag, inviting us to view the world digital devices as technologist James Bridle indicated in his last conference. If our viewing is defined by technology and its applications, our final outcome should be pretty different from what has been shown before. Exciting times to us as designers.
Cannes 2012
It it that time of year where glamour travels to french coast along side the promises of cinema. Haute couture blends in the spring air charming all the beholders. Check out the most flamboyant looks at the Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet.
Lana del Rey in Alberta Ferretti
Marion Cotillard in Dior
Lana del Rey in Alberta Ferretti
Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen
Dolores Chaplin in Lanvin
Diane Kruger in Giambattista Valli
Eva Longoria in Marquesa
Friday 11 May 2012
Today's Fashion Mood
If I were to describe a feeling it would leave the ethereal world forever and crash into the harsh world of reason... therefore I won't taint such forces just let the feeling be, revealing it's natural intentions...
Editorials - Sporty Luxe
Fashion Gone Rogue May 2012
Photographer: Elisabeth Frang
Stylist: Gisela Rydberg
Models: Patti, Elsa and Becca
Saturday 5 May 2012
Anna Dello Russo and H&M join forces
The perfect combination that will kick off fall's fashion season look, fashion icon Anna Dello Russo is launching an accessory line for H&M; affordable yet glamourous, the collection promises to be overtop Dello Russo's style. Available in stores October 4, 2012. Here's a sneak peak of the collection...
Thursday 3 May 2012
Louboutin's spectacle
I decided today to go and paid tribute to the 20th anniversary celebration of the artificier, the one and only, Christian Louboutin. My day was filled with excitement, I couldn't help to embrace the intoxicating feeling of the seductive allure of red soles and killer heels. The Design Museum in London has put together the must fascinating exhibition of Louboutin's two decades of work; the exhibition I labeled as unmissable. I was excited to climb stairs for the first time in my life, the shoe mobiles where the perfect introduction to what was to comes inside.
My fascination with inspiration was triggered by the phrases on the walls and the display of gorgeous shoes everywhere you looked, my favourite definitely was, "There is always something to see including in places where you don't expect to find anything... I try to look where others don't". I got the chance to experience Louboutin's philosophy of design, which is really the philosophy of a man who loves beautiful things about life and plans to enjoy it fully. The exhibition derives from the book where Cristian Louboutin's friends pay homage to some of his creations.
The exhibition is exquisit, brings out elements from the cabaret stage into the display context. The carrousels where to die for, the perfect way to describe it would be a mix of beauty and erotism. I believe that every woman in the room felt the power of sex and sensuality that the shoes emulate. To top it all off, the hologram of the fabulous Dita Von Teese performing a striptease. The shoes carefully placed on it's very own spotlight, as if they were little altar to contemplate and wish for a pair perhaps.
One of my favourite sections of the exhibition was the Atelier, it was an inspirational and emotive moment; specially when I got to see the exclusive pair he designed for Ms Piggy, absolutely brilliant pair of sparkly heels. The fetish portion was beautifully arranged, the way the shoes where shown in those transparent bells; a very clinical approach I thought, we all felt drawn to look inside as I noticed. The way he represents nudity thru the use of transparency is so chic; shape, silhouette and line define each and every shoe that has the Louboutin signature.
Everything about this exhibition was sexy and flamboyant, it is an ample collection, I was quite impress to see a lot of my favourite pairs ad some new additions to the list. My experience today can only be expressed as an erotic fantasy come true; who wouldn't love to be in a room full of Loubi's?
More images www.vogue.co.uk
Wednesday 2 May 2012
Spring spirit
Blend in with the background...Korea installation la Biennale Venice 2011
"Bloom Town"--W Magazine 2012
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