frumpy to funky: February 2012

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Bora Aksu AW12 Catwalk Collection at London Fashion Week

For his AW12 collection Aksu took his inspiration from the Vivian Girls in Henry Darger’s tale ‘In the Realms of the Unreal’.

In the tale, the young and innocent heroines find strength after enduring years of sorrow fighting a revolution against the tyrannical universe.

Portraying young innocence, necklines were high with button up collars and pussy bows,....

..... and chiffon layering brought a hazy fairytale look to the pieces.

Colour palette was the dreamy soft shades of dusty pinks, light greys and creams.

Knitted dresses were of soft cashmere with 3D prism shapes representing the simple childhood 50s spinning top toy.

As the innocence was replaced the style became more structured with tailored waistcoats, jackets and capes,.....

...... and the colour palette darkened to greys, blacks and silver metallics.

But the heroines have also found strength and this was shown in the boldness of the accent colours:

bright fuchsia,

burnt orange

and ruby red.

Aksu used a Baroque style print throughout the collection, both on tailored and chiffon garments.....

...... plus the soon to be ‘must have’ patterned tights. He deliberately repeated the same print to bring memories of children’s potato prints.

For more information on the collection email studio@boraaksu.com

Photographs by Christopher Dadey

Antoni & Alison AW12 show at London Fashion Week

This season, a kind of tradition was broken; there was no Paul Costelloe to kick off the LFW proceedings. Saddened at first but no time to mourn as the excitement mounted whilst waiting to view the designer duo Antoni & Alison‘s opening show.

On the surface, this was a kinda ‘what you see is what you get’ sort of a collection with no hidden meaning or storyline. The title was ‘Models Walking Up and Down in Dresses’ and that’s what happened. The models walked up and down the catwalk in dresses; no trousers, coats, skirts or jackets, just dresses.

However, these simply cut and loosely fitted shift dresses were not just dresses, they were blank canvases for the designers to display their trompe l’oeil works of art using digital printing.

‘We have been looking to make these pieces since we were students’ they say ‘it’s only technology that has allowed us to make them now’.

And like kids in a candy store, they’d grabbed and digitally printed everything at hand from biscuits, cellophane, brown paper bag, and staples to feathers, buttons, taffeta and tweed.

This ‘random’ assortment was well thought out producing textures and detailing whilst the actual fabric remains smooth and unadorned.

There' a few long maxi dresses:

Combining oversized buttons with wool and paper bag. And 'Putting on the Ritz' was the hand drawn bow tie and tux with long skirt of digital printed gems

To keep the focus on the prints everything else was minimal, the models wore black wigs in a short pixie hairstyle and the shoes were plain black pointed court shoes.

The collection will soon be available at their shop:

43 Roseberry Avenue, London EC1R 4SH or online www.antoniandalison.co.uk Prices are around the £400 mark.

Photos provided by Village Press

Emerging Designers showcase at London Fashion Week

London Fashion week is not only about the well established designers, but also a way to view the up and coming ones. Felicities PR support and showcased the following emerging designers:
XSENIA & OLYA

Their AW12 collection introduces the Digital Knit - the interweaving and morphing of knit and light.
Fabrics used are silk jersey, silk satin, light wool and crepe de chine in a bold colour palette of red, grey, mustard and purple.
A combination of zero waste pattern cutting techniques and digital prints to create comfortable elegance which focuses on the easy and smooth transition of the pieces wearablility from daywear to evening.

www.xo-fashionstudio.com

TRAMP IN DISGUISE

Titled 'Lady of Dead' it does sound morbid but the AW12 collection was inspired by the Mexican festival 'Day of the Dead' which is a happy and colourful carnival celebration. The colour palette is vivid tones of pink, raspberry, mint, deep blue and purple blended with shades of off white, greys, black and bieges. Fabrics used: silk jersey, silk chiffon, silk crepe de chine, basket weave silk, silk satin and a knitted silk and alpaca blend.
A fun and edgy collection.

www.trampindisguise.com

EVMORFIA

Inspired by the life of a geisha, the collection explores their rituals and kimonos. Fabrics include velvet, lace, tulle and leather in a colour palette of grey, blue grey, dark blue, white and red.

Her signature tassling brought delight to the simple shift dress.

www.evamorfia.com

BASHARATYAN V

The inspiration was drawn from the beauty of the ancient Balkarians. Prints transform traditional Balkan imagery into digital prints on silver organza. Oversized square shoulders mimick the traditional Burka coat worn by the men. The delicate silver string embroidery was created in one of the villages in Upper Balkaria.

Colour palette of soft biege, cream, silver grey, brown and navy. Fabrics: cashmere, silk and wool jersey.

A combination of modern and tradition styles to create strong feminine and elegant pieces.

http://basharatyanv.com/en/

Radley brings out red Pocket bag to support the British Heart Foundation

Radley continues its longstanding relationship with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and is delighted to announce the launch of its latest collaboration with the BHF’s ‘Mending Broken Hearts’ Appeal.

To raise profits for the cause, Radley have designed their best selling signature ‘Pocket’ bag in soft red nappa leather and attached is an exclusively designed red leather heart tag embossed with the BHF logo and the words ‘Mending Broken Hearts’.

Both bag and mirror can be purchased individually and are priced at £99 and £19. All profits will be donated to the nation’s heart charity*.

www.radley.co.uk

This unique partnership is fronted by Laura Bailey - the iconic British model, writer and BHF supporter, who has also just been announced as Radley’s Brand Ambassador and Face of its Spring/Summer 2012 campaign.

Laura Bailey comments, “The BHF is a very special cause. As an ambassador already, I feel passionately about being involved in this campaign. With Radley’s ongoing partnership with the BHF, for me, there is no better brand to collaborate with on this. On a personal level I have watched their presence grow on the high street and love that the brand celebrates creativity, quality and craftsmanship. I feel honoured to be working with them both on this campaign