FEATURE| Exclusive Catch-Up with Carlotta Actis Barone

Carlotta Actis Barone has been a busy bee since she showcased her AW12 collection at VFS, Freemason's Hall in February. With coverage of her collection in Vogue, Retox and Phoenix magazine; her line has since been featured in numerous publications such as Unfolded magazine (above).

Today, Vauxhall Fashion Scout caught up with Carlotta:

VFS: Carlotta, what have you been up to since we saw you last at Freemason's Hall?!

Carlotta Actis Barone: A lot! First of all I attended Tranoi trade show in Paris then I attended press days at Blow PR which got very good reviews!

Then it's been application time, I applied for a few talent competitions and I am waiting for the answers. Just before Easter, I went to Italy to meet few production companies and fabric factories. Now I'm designing, pattern cutting and print making for my new SS13 collection!

VFS: Can you tell us anything about SS13?

CAB: Only 1 clue : colours and feathers...

VFS: We can't wait to see it!

CAB: It's always great to work with the amazing Vauxhall Fashion Scout team!!! Can't wait to see you all again guys!!

Cass Gowing, Editor of VFS Blog, 

T: @CassGowing

Images from Carlotta Actis Barone's lookbook and Unfolded Magazine

NEWS| NOT JUST A LABEL hosting Q&A for aspiring designers

Calling all aspiring designers; supporters, and online platform for emerging creatives, NOT JUST A LABEL are hosting a live Q&A from 2pm today (Thursday, 26th April). Tweet your questions to @NJAL, with the hashtag #askNJAL.

Many of our designers are now stocked on NJAL's online store- Myrza de Muynck, Lako Bukia, and Claudia Ligari to name a few- so this is a great opportunity for those seeking advice on how to launch their design careers. Let us know how it goes in the comments below, or via our Twitter @FashionScout.

VFS Sub-Editor, Sara McAlpine @sara_mcalpine

EXCLUSIVE DESIGNER INTERVIEW| David Longshaw's Editor-in-Chief of MaudeZine

She's the editor-in-chief of MaudeZine; branded "cult creation", on the cover of the London Fashion Week paper, and regular contributor to VOGUE... but ask who she is, and her inebriated assistant will promptly toss the contents of her hip-flask over you. To save you the embarrassment- as well as the clean-up- we got talking to Maude about her ongoing support of designer (... and creator) David Longshaw, fellow VFS designers, and potential rivalries between the cashmere mouse, and other editors. Read all about it below...

VFS: Morning Maude, we heard you've been busy supporting David in London and Paris; how are you both feeling post-fashion weeks? Still at eachother's sides?

M: We're still very much by each others side- he can't do with out me really- I mean, my God have you ever tried to deal with him without me there to keep him in line? He starts talking about the correct temperature for a sodding Diet Coke, or how much he likes pizza, or some bloody artist he's into. I let him talk a bit about sport, as were all rugby fans and Man City supporters at MaudeZine (but to be honest we don't get much time to go, as we're far too fabulously fashion-frantic for normal life pursuits). Apart from the odd diversion, I do try to keep him on message- by which I mean on Maude (the subject- not me I'm a cashmere mouse - he'd crush me).

VFS: We see you're already clad [ahead of time] in the Autumn/Winter looks of VFS designers- Manuela Dack, Kirsty Ward, and T.Lipop to name a few. We take it you're as big a supporter of emerging design talent as we are...?

M: I think it's important that I champion emerging talent- it's such a boost for them to have an Editor-in-Chief such as myself involved. It also makes me seem terribly modern, and relevant, rather than just banging on about how much I love Givenchy, or Prada (which I do). If I throw in an emerging designer or two it shows I'm at the cutting edge and terribly influential.

VFS: Word around town is ELLE's editor-in-chief, Lorraine Candy is just as keen on David's "lateral thinking on pattern and print" as you are. Not worried David will jump ship from team MaudeZine to team ELLE, and exclusively dress them, are you?

M: David's collection's big enough for him to dress the lovely team ELLE- as well as me... and any other editors that fancy rocking his looks. To be honest, that Longshaw will never stop dressing me- I've got too much s*** on him!

VFS: Intriguing- we'll have to get into that "off the record" later. Being an editor-in-chief is surely busy work though, and as you've said "fashion waits for no man- or fabric mouse"; so, what's next Maude? Working endlessly on MaudeZine, or sat swigging gin, awaiting news of Longshaw Spring/Summer? 

M: Work and Gin! I'm excited about David's Spring/Summer collection; I've seen plans for his new story- characters, and advising on design sketches- he's got lots already... but we're always so busy at MaudeZine; fictional magazines take a massive amount of time to run. Not only with the magazine, but also all our special projects with different mags, and consultancy with brands. There's always time for Doris's special brand of Gin though...! 

VFS: ... and finally- this stays between us (well... us, and VFS blog readers)- do you not think all the "Maude is my muse" talk is really just a ploy to get into your Agent Provocateur pants? 

M: Well, you would think! ... But David's only interested in my genius, rather than my petite, cashmere body. What most people don't realise is that Maude- like Morrissey- is asexual. They say "every hole's a goal", but I'm all sewn up- literally- or my stuffing would fall out.

Maude, MaudeZine's Tumblr page, and Twitter

Image from Vogue Illustrations by David Longshaw

Interview by VFS Sub-Editor, Sara McAlpine

Follow her @sara_mcalpine

NEWS| Fashion Scout Designer E.Tautz Announced for Mens Fashion Week in June

On Tuesday morning, the British Fashion Council announced the provisional line up for London's first ever MEN showcase, a development from Menswear day at London Fashion Week. The event, which takes place on the 15th - 17th June 2012 shows the progression of importance in menswear collections. The line up features a range of designers from classic Saville Row tailorers to international design houses. Amongst the list, which contains Burberry, Richard Nicoll, Paul Smith and Christopher Raeburn, is Vauxhall Fashion Scout designer E.Tautz. 

These exclusive pictures are from E.Tautz's AW12 show at Freemason's Hall in February. VFS grabbed Patrick Grant backstage after the show, and he had this to say regarding the progression of men's fashion "I think it's testament to the "adventurous" spirit of the English dresser that they're open to the things we're doing. I think we're discovering that more, and more men are interested in dressing in an interesting way... and that’s what we try to cater for".

Text by Editor Cass Gowing, Interview with Patrick Grant by Sub-Editor Sara McAlpine

NEWS| Vauxhall Fashion Scout Graduate Showcase Designer Steven Tui named as Hyere's Festival Finalist

For the first time ever last season, Vauxhall Fashion Scout presented our very own Graduate Showcase with 11 graduates selected from across the UK to present their work at the Freemason's Hall in Covent Garden. 

Steven Tai from Royal College of Art, London was one of those eleven graduates, and since has gone on to work for prestigious designer Stella McCartney. Now, whilst continuing his work with Stella, Steven has been hand-picked as one of 10 finalists for the Hyeres Festival in France. 

The Festival International de Mode et de Photographie à Hyères, directed by Jean-Pierre Blanc since its creation 27 years ago, brings together ten young fashion designers and ten young photographers under the patronage of an international jury.

An observatory of trends as well as an international launching pad, the Hyères festival has showcased more than 300 first-time collections by new fashion designers from all over the world and exhibited the works of over 130 young and innovative photographers. 

The festival's aim is to offer young talents a genuine, professional opportunity by providing them with material and logistical support, as well as profitable contacts and intensive media exposure.

The 10 finalists- selected by Yohji Yamamoto, will have to present their collections to a jury of fashion industry experts, before all collections go on to be exhibited in France until the end of May. 

Three awards are presented by the panel, each carrying a prestigious reputation:

The L'Oreal Professionnel Award-  A design grant is given to the winner along with the L'Academie L'Oreal Professionnel space in Paris, for the designer to produce their next catwalk show along with backstage hair styling and assistance.

The Premiere Vision Prize- Another design grant, along with full publicity at its Paris show in September of 2012.

The Chloe Prize- A design grant plus the opportunity to sell the winning design under the Maison Chloe brand name.

A 'Public Prise of the City of Hyeres' is also an award  where the audience of the catwalk presentations are asked to select the candidate of their choice. 

The entire team at Vauxhall Fashion Scout wish Steven the best of luck, and we will keep you updated with the latest from Steven and the Hyeres Festival.  To have a look at Steven's S/S12 collection- head to his website by clicking here, or learn more about Hyere's Festival here.

FEATURE| Manuela Dack interviewed for The Shop At Bluebird

Manuela Dack, photographed at AW12 Exhibition by Natalia Ilina

Vauxhall Fashion Scout designer, Manuela Dack has been interviewed by The Shop Bluebird. The prestigious Kings Road store, which is one of Manuela's stockists, talks with the designer about working with Alexander Wang, inspirations for her brand and the future of the label. 

Back in March, during her time showcasing her collection at VFS's Paris Showroom, Paul Baptiste, head buyer of Bluebird told The Independent that, "we have seen an amazing response to Manuela Dack who is popular with clients looking for innovative statement pieces". No wonder the store was keen to catch up with the designer!

Bluebird also stocks VFS alumni Peter Pilotto and Hermione de Paula. Read the full article on their site here. 

By Editor, Cass Gowing, 
T: @CassGowing

NEWS| Eleanor Amoroso featured by Trendland

Vauxhall Fashion Scout's Eleanor Amoroso is the latest of our designers to be featured online by Trendland. The young designer's sculptural, macramé knits challenge previous knitwear-conceptions, and showcase the versatility of both the craft, and Amoroso's work. 

You can find the remaining lookbook images, and Trendland's full-feature here. Share the image that best-grabs you either in the comments below, or via our Twitter @Fashion Scout.

Text by Sara McAlpine

Follow her @sara_mcalpine

APPLICATIONS STILL OPEN| Just seven days left to apply!

Images from Georgia Hardinge's AW12 show at Vauxhall Fashion Scout by Natalia Ilina

Images from Georgia Hardinge's AW12 show at Vauxhall Fashion Scout by Natalia Ilina

Backstage at Georgia Hardinge A/W12, Rowan Papier 

Backstage at Georgia Hardinge A/W12, Rowan Papier 

Vauxhall Fashion Scout closing date on applications for London Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week SS13 is one week away...

Applications close Monday 30th April

Vauxhall Fashion Scout, hailed a “talent goldmine” by Vogue.com, is renowned for launching some of the most innovative names in the industry including:

Peter Pilotto / David Koma / Felder Felder / William Tempest / Iris Van Herpen /

Hermione De Paula / Leutton Postle / David Longshaw / Eudon Choi / Phoebe English.

Designers can also apply for Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s coveted awards:

 Merit Award

Ones To Watch

Former Merit Award winner Georgia Hardinge described Vauxhall Fashion Scout as 

"a great platform for emerging young designers" adding "It has given me great support and the Merit Award has helped kick start my career."

The internationally recognised ‘Ones To Watch’ showcase is a back-to-back catwalk presentation, specifically designed to introduce some of the freshest new talents to the market and has been awarded to some of the leading emerging designers in the industry including Hermione De Paula, Eudon Choi, David Longshaw and this year's Merit Award winner Phoebe English.

Applicants can apply for:

Catwalk

Presentation

Salon shows

The London Exhibition

Paris Showroom

Please note that there will be no Menswear day at Vauxhall Fashion Scout for September 2012.

For further information please visit www.vauxhallfashionscout.com

To request an application form please contact show@vauxhallfashionscout.com


Interview with Georgia Hardinge conducted by Vauxhall Fashion Scout Blog Editor Cass Gowing

INTERVIEW AND REVIEW| Bright Young Things designer Alice Lee

Back in January, a couple of Vauxhall Fashion Scout's designers were fortunate enough to be selected for Selfridge's Bright Young Things scheme. The initiative, which is designed to demonstrate the talents of emerging designers, showcase their collections in store, online and in Selfridges' window. Amongst the chosen fifteen were VFS designers T.Lipop, MASC and Alice Lee. 

Vauxhall Fashion Scout caught up with Alice from husband and wife duo Alice Lee to look back over the response to Bright Young Things and what it was like to be part of such a fantastic opportunity as a new designer.

Vauxhall Fashion Scout: How did it feel to be selected by Selfridges as part of their Bright Young Things initiative?

Alice: Fantastic to be chosen! We were really excited to get working on it.

VFS: How did you prepare for this massive opportunity?

A: The brief was really open – design and install a concept for your window that expresses your label. We wanted something visually beautiful, but also keen and modern. Our display was mostly about the magnifying discs, so all the work was actually on the nights of install. It took all three nights to hang those discs, longer than we thought.

VFS: What would you say was the highlight of your experience as part of BYT?

A: The highlight was seeing our designs in the window in Selfridges, people we hardly knew were getting in touch saying they had seen it.

VFS: How has the experience benefited you as a brand?

A: Press wise, I think immensely. We had a lot of online press coverage so it has helped to get our name out there. A two month window display at Selfridges over LFW was a great thing to be able to tell people. Also, having Selfridges as one of our stockists.

VFS: The Bright Young Things project highlights talents in fashion, art, design and food. If you had to choose your own Bright Young Thing for each category, what would they be?

A: Helen Turbe for her exquisite jewellery designs, photographer Gregory Crewdson for his mysterious atmospheric photography (it’s a balance between normal familiar life and strangeness in his pictures) and Andreia Chaves for her amazing shoes as each shoe is an individual piece of art.

To see more from Alice Lee, head to their website by clicking here.

By Editor Cass Gowing, 

T: @CassGowing

Images from Blink London