Estethica Press Day

Ada Zanditon

Lu Flux

Lu Flux and Michelle Lowe-Holder

Maxjenny

Michelle Lowe-Holder

Henrietta Ludgate

Always keen to sniff out new talent, as well as support our designers past and present, the Fashion Scout team hot-footed it down to Somerset House last night for the Estethica press day, where ethical fashion is the name of the game. Brimming with designers showing anything from wartime inspired, vintage-looking pieces, to handcrafted jewellery, to full on, statement shoes, we were spoilt for choice, and the comp canapés went down a treat, too.

As well as catching up with the lovely Ada Zanditon and spying some very cute Lu Flux items, we also really liked Christopher Raeburn's ultra wearable, lightweight windcheaters and Henrietta Ludgate's sculptural, modern tailoring. Michelle Lowe-Holder's eye-catching cuffs and embellished bibs were another highlight, mixing tribal and Elizabethan elements to create some truly beautiful pieces, whilst over at Maxjenny, we were bowled over by an array of fresh, vibrant prints and voluminous silhouettes. Ethical fashion just got a serious dose of sophistication, and we love it!

Fiona Anderson

  

Stranded in Shanghai

Our very own Fashion Scout Director, John Walford, has been held hostage by the volcanic ash cloud! Originally over in China working on Shanghai Fashion week, John has become one of the many thousands stranded abroad in wake of the airport chaos.

To fill the time John has turned into our own foreign correspondent and has not only sent us these images but has reported back on his experiences of his extended stay.

“If one is going to be stuck anywhere, Shanghai is as good as any. It is a shock when you hear instead of flying tomorrow you are not going to fly for another 3 weeks! First feelings are despair, depression and anger. Days are wasted on the phone to every airline and all possible routes (Fly to Turkey and get the Orient Express or go to Beijing and get the Trans Siberian Railway). “

John continued, “In many hotels, you see big groups of Europeans just sitting in total despair and the airport is amazing for being virtually deserted”

On a positive note, he informed us that, “At least Chinese laundries are as good as their reputation.” Glad to know your not having to turn your socks inside out John!

“Virgin are giving me an allowance of up to £60 a day for food and accommodation so it is not as bad as it could be. Also I have been made a priority so I will be on one of the first planes out. And the Chinese are incredibly generous both with their time and the effort they have been making to entertain me with meals and drinks.”

When asked what he was missing most whilst stuck in China John told us, “On a personal note, I knew Malcolm McClaren and was asked to organise his memorial service and am very, very sad to be unable to pay tribute to such a charismatic man.”

Wishing you a speedy return John!

Amy Finch

Exhibitions: Iris Van Herpen

After storming the runway last season with the most staggeringly beautiful slashed leather creations, Iris Van Herpen has scored a loyal following of fans. September may seem like a long way off for those eager to get another fix of the IVH magic however, have no fear, as Iris will be taking part in a long list of art exhibitions over the summer back in her native country of the Netherlands, and also Germany. So, if you happen to be heading that way, check out the master of construction for yourself, you won’t regret it.

25 March to 8 August: MOMU Exhibition: 'BLACK. Masters of Black in Fashion & Costume ', Netherlands

Open now until 6 June: 'Haute Couture, Voici Paris!', Gemeente Museum, Netherlands

From June to 12 September: ´In Your Face´ exhibition in Centraal Museum, Netherlands

16 May to 22 August : Jubilee exhibition, Help U Zelven Galerie, Netherlands

8 April to 2 May: Best of Dutch Design Exhibition in Red Dot Museum, Germany

Fiona Anderson

Adore Velour

Velour Magazine

Marko Mitanovski

Omer Asim

Bryce Aime

Gemma Slack & Marko Mitanovski

Marko Mitanovski

Now, we at Fashion Scout don’t normally go out during the week, however we’ve recently found that a mid-week drink and fashion party is the perfect remedy for the post-weekend blues. Last night, the Fashion Scout team attended the launch party for VELOUR magazine and, always excited about the prospect of a new printed magazine, we weren’t disappointed. Beautiful shoots, thought-provoking articles and in-depth interviews all create incredible content printed on top quality paper, and is it just us or does anyone else love the smell of a freshly printed mag?

The first photoshoot is not only in black and white (which we love), but also features some incredible Vauxhall Fashion Scout designers, including Omer Asim, Marko Mitanovski, Bryce Aime and Gemma Slack. The page-turning shoot was styled by Alexia Somerville with photography by Nick Kelly.

At £3.50, it’s well worth getting a copy of this first Spring issue of Velour magazine, before it flies off the newsagents’ stands!

Emma Drinnan

Spotted! Amanda Seyfried Wears BODYAMR

Hollywood A-lister, Amanda Seyfried, has been spotted wearing a stunning little number by BODYAMR to the premier of the film Mother and Child. Sauntering down the red carpet in this unusual, two tone printed cocktail dress from the brand’s AW10 collection, Amanda may have decided to try a back to front approach with this satin creation (see above), however we think she totally pulls it off.  Directional dressing with confidence and panache.  Gorgeous.

Fiona Anderson

Designers Go Disney!

Whoever said the fashion industry folk take themselves too seriously? Well, Disney cartoonist, Ulrich Schroeder, has proved all the critics wrong with a brilliantly zany new project, showcased in this month’s issue of Elle Spain. Using his Disney drawing skills, the illustrator has turned some of our best loved fashion designers, in the shape of Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, Stefano Gabbana & Domenico Dolce, Donatella Versace, John Paul Gaultier, Sonia and Nathalie Rykiel and Alber Elbaz, into some very familiar-looking characters. And just in case that’s not cute enough for you, there are even some well-known characters like Tinkerbell, the Toy Story gang, Peter Pan and loads more making an appearance. We love it!

See more.

Fiona Anderson

Romina Karamanea: Sample Sale

The supremely talented, Romina Karamanea, who first cut her teeth with Fashion Scout and is now a regular at Dazed Digital and Vogue.com, is preparing to host a sample sale! Offering the chance to pick up some of her expertly designed, hyper structured and intricately detailed pieces at very attainable prices, there’s bound to be something to suit both the budgets of style bigwigs and fashion interns alike. And, if that’s not enough to whet your appetite, Romina will be putting on a fashion film screening throughout the event, too.

The sample sale will be held on Sat 1 - Sun 2 May, 12 - 8pm.

The fashion film screening will run from Thursday 29th - Sun 2 May, 7pm - 8pm

Address:
1st Floor Studios
32 Fortescue Avenue
London E8 3QB

Fiona Anderson

Sketchbook Sample Sale

Harriet's Muse

Yan To

Alice Palmer

 

Viking Wong

Ada Zanditon

Friday saw us spending our lunchtime at the lovely pop up shop, Sketchbook, for their one day sample sale, involving a bunch of our hottest designers.  Rifling through the rails of Alice Palmer, Ada Zanditon, Yan To, Viking Wong and Harriet's Muse, the bargains were fantastic and the funky, Carnaby Street setting was perfect.  We even got a chance to have a catch up with the designers themselves, as Viking Wong told us, 'I've had a really good response (to my collection) this season.  I've got a brand new stockist who has bought several pieces'.  A great way to support new designers, as well as get your hands on pieces by stars in the making, the sample sale was a rip roaring success. 

Keep your eyes on the blog for more sample sales coming up in the next few weeks!

Fiona Anderson