COLLECTIONS| VFS Press-Day Picks at Felicities PR

Final stop of our press-day tour was the Felicities London show-room where the Autumn/Winter collection of VFS designer, Lako Bukia hung- or should we say "shone"? Be it on the rails, or mannequins, light refracted off every surface of the collection's streamlined lamés, and textured lurex knits, in silvers ranging from near-white polished to gunmetal-grey.


Mirroring the fragmented shards of broken-glass, the lucite heels drew attention to the collection's unifying theme: one addressing the multiplicitous readings of our reflections, and [at times] our avoidance of it. Mirror-gazing a little longer than our morning routine require still isn't quite top of our "to-do" list, but getting our hands on Bukia's Autumn/Winter boots now is... 

Images and text by Sara McAlpine

Follow her @sara_mcalpine

NEWS| Mattijs interviewed by 1883 magazine

1883 magazine  is one of the well known platforms that consistently pushes emerging talent within the sectors of fashion, music, art, culture and lifestyle. The magazine has covered many VFS designers and Mattijs is the latest label in the spotlight. As 1883 lists, Mattijs has been listed as "one of the most promising young designers" by British Vogue so they're on the money by interviewing 29 year old Mattijs van Bergen.

The interview discuss Mattijs's signature style, the label's inspirations and Ewoks, but don't take our word for it, read the full article on 1883 Digital. 

By Editor, Cass Gowing, 
T: @CassGowing
Image 1, edited from 1883 online. 

FEATURE| E.Tautz trench listed by GQ as one of the best coats in town

Well the weather outside has certainly been frightful; it's been raining cats and dogs all week. We might have a bit of sunshine in London today but who knows how long that's going to last. Luckily, GQ magazine have selected the best mens trench coats to keep fashion forward gents sheltered from the rain. Amongst labels Burberry and Balenciaga, VFS designer E.Tautz has been chosen by Mr Porter. 

By Editor Cass Gowing, 

T: @CassGowing

Image from GQ's website 

NEWS| Zeynep Tosun in the press

Autumn/Winter '12 'House of Evolution' designer Zeynep Tosun is the latest Vauxhall Fashion Scout designer to be featured by online magazine, FASHION156. Writer, Joshua Drew spotlights the young designer's "urban warrior", and talks the details that make Tosun one to keep watch of. Read the feature here. 

NEWS| Fashion Monitor's Hannah White on Vauxhall Fashion Scout

The Fashion Monitor Team (Hannah centred) wearing Vauxhall Fashion Scout Designers from London Fashion Week Exhibition

Before our final show kicked-off- ending another season with Vauxhall Fashion Scout- we managed to get some closing comments from Hannah White, Editor of our official media sponsor, Fashion Monitor. Here's what she had to say about us, as a platform for emerging designers, and what's so great about sticking with Fashion Scout throughout the seasons.

"Vauxhall Fashion Scout completely bridges the gap between emerging designers, and London Fashion Week. It gives them the opportunity to showcase to the press and buyers in a professional environment, and allows them to have the shows, as well as the exhibition space, so that [press and buyers] can really see, and feel the collections. [Vauxhall Fashion Scout] are really supportive, in terms of the business advice that they give the designers throughout the year, and the help they provide to put on a show.

Also, with the ‘Merit Award’ winner, and the ‘Ones-to-Watch’, you can see how they progress into full-fledged designers with that support; for instance, Phoebe English started as ‘One-to-Watch’, now she’s a ‘Merit Award’ winner, and three seasons down the line, she’ll be flourishing- which is really, really great to see."

Hannah White- Editor, Fashion Monitor

Interviewed by Sara McAlpine VFS Sub-Editor

Follow her @sara_mcalpine

NEWS| Pam Hogg interviewed by 'AnOther'

Fashion Scout veteran Pam Hogg caught up with AnOther magazine's Dean Davies, where the pair talked music, the early days, and her recent commotion in Bermondsey... semi-clad models were involved, but we'll let her explain that one. Read the interview here, and find out how Hogg went from shy and "in awe" to one of Britain's most audacious, homegrown creatives. 

Text by Sara McAlpine

Follow her @sara_mcalpine
Image by Rowan Papier

NEWS| VFS designers stocked at one of London's hottest boutiques

Vauxhall Fashion Scout designers Georgia Hardinge, Ekaterina Kukhareva, Baartmans & Siegel, T.Lipop as well as VFS alumni Jasper Gardiva are all stocked in the fab boutique Wolf & Badger. 

The boutique focuses on showcasing innovative and emerging designers both in its stores and online. Described as 'Britain's best boutiques' by Vogue UK, Wolf & Badger first opened 'The Lab' in Notting Hill two years ago, but now also has a flagship site 'The Shop' in Mayfair and a store in Porto Montenegro. This retailer makes exciting and innovative new designers accessible to all, view their site now.

By Editor Cass Gowing 

T: @CassGowing

Images from the Wolf & Badger website

COLLECTIONS| VFS Press-Day Picks at Starworks PR

Set in a Central London town-house, the Starworks PR show-space was an apt setting for the high-end collections hanging within. Vauxhall Fashion Scout's E.Tautz was one such label, with it's simply cut, tailored pieces showing how Saville Row can be worked into the everyday. Hand woven tweeds, cotton poplin shirts, and over-sized check scarves are just the sort of pieces you can wear everyday, but what makes them different is Patrick Grant's considered approach to how they are constructed. Grant said to us in February that he wasn't "actively trying to change the perception of Saville Row tailoring", but intentions aside, that's exactly what he's done- well, we no longer picture top-hats and monocles when "one" mentions Saville Row, anyway... Or was that just us to begin with?

Images and text by Sara McAlpine

Follow her @sara_mcalpine

NEWS| VFS alumni Peter Pilotto praised for down jackets in Elle online

Vauxhall Fashion Scout is known for launching the careers of many of this countries most innovative fashion designers, including David Koma, Felder Felder and William Tempest. This week, it's been VFS alumni Peter Pilotto who has been making waves within the fashion sphere. His down take on puffa jackets have earned him a feature in Elle online. Peter was interviewed alongside designer Christopher de Vos at the launch of their collection Townhouse 23.

Talking to Elle, he describes his revamp on the jacket stating, "I loved the idea of a girl wearing a really elegant cocktail dress for evening and just throwing a down jacket on top. It’s cool, and very bold".


In other news, Peter Pilotto is now being stocked at US high fashion heavyweight retailer Opening Ceremony. Here at VFS, we're like proud parents. 

By Editor Cass Gowing, 

T: @CassGowing

Photography from Farfetch.com 

INTERVIEW| VFS catches up with Grazia winner

Back in February, just hours before the official start of Vauxhall Fashion Scout's AW12 season Grazia launched a competition to win an amazing opportunity at Vauxhall Fashion Scout as well as a whole load of amazing goodies... 

Rachel Charlton-Dailey, a blogger from Mon Polkadot Cheri was the lucky, lucky winner of two tickets to VFS's Ones to Watch Men's and Women's shows, a chauffeur driven car courtessey of Vauxhall (to chaperone them to and from the venue) as well as a whole host of goodie bags from our lovely sponsors. Editor, Cass Gowing, caught up with prize winner Rachel this week, to look back at her amazing opportunity.

Vauxhall Fashion Scout: What made you enter the Grazia competition?

I saw the chance and I took it, I was already at LFW as I'm a writer so I thought there was no harm in trying.

VFS: Did you ever think you'd win?

Because of the appeal of the competition, no I didn't, but someone had to win!

VFS: Briefly talk us through your day at Vauxhall Fashion Scout. 

Myself and fellow blogger Rachel Michaella were picked up from Somerset House by our driver at 3.30pm and driven to Freemasons Hall, it was a lovely journey and he even stopped to get coffee for us! When we arrived, we were allocated our backstage passes and allowed to wander around the exhibition. Just before the show started we were ushered to the front of the queue where we were given second row seats. We saw the Ones to Watch Womenswear show and then were allowed backstage. Afterwards, we visited the press lounge and wandered the grounds. Then the driver took us to our next show. 

VFS: What goodies did you grab?

Free sweet treats [from SugarSin], magazines, Toni&guy hair products, Body Shop make up products and other press items.

VFS: What do you think of the Freemason's Hall as a showspace?

I thought it was a great place, very historical and cultural but easily transformed.

VFS: What designer caught your eye during your visit to VFS's Freemason's Hall?

Shao Yen because of their cellist playing live and Nova Chiu for the bright colours and fabrics.

VFS: What was the best thing about the experience?

Being treated like someone important in the industry and not just another competition winner!

Here at the VFS, we’re thrilled that Rachel had such a great time at Freemason’s Hall during Fashion Week. Read Rachel's report on her blog here. 

Interview by Editor, Cass Gowing. 

T: @CassGowing

Grazia image, edited from Graziadaily.co.uk and photography by Natalia Ilina

COLLECTIONS| VFS Press-Day Picks at Katch PR

London's Cirque du Soir played host to more of our designers' Autumn/Winter '12 collections as a temporary Katch PR showroom. First to meet our eye was Zeynep Tosun's futurist, urban tribalism, with precisely cut coats, and ferocity infixed in the finer details. The rigidity in the collection's structured outerwear, and stiff leather peplums was juxtaposed by the sheer panelled shirts, and fluid, white dresses. It's contrasts like these, and the minute silver tusk details in the pieces' fastenings that embody the urban, young woman today; with a vulnerability beneath the defensive exterior. 

Similarly, MATH Collective's Shahzad Mohayudin also works modernity into his collection through form and structure, ensuring an everyday wearability in a collection of luxe-material pieces. It's MATH's traditionally high-end fabrics, worked into sportswear-inspired silhouettes that emanates an understated elegance, making MATH seem a reliable choice for today's "out-the-door-in-five", but put-together woman. Another press-day showroom displaying the versatility of our designers, and how their differing aesthetics can translate similar themes.

Images and text by Sara McAlpine, 
Follow her @sara_mcalpine