NEWS| David Longshaw continues his Vogue Italia comic strip series

Last week you first met David Longshaw's recent creations Francesca and Arthur in the first of the series of Vogue Italia's comic-strip series. Strip one, which was entitled 'The Olympic Strip'', whilst this week they prepare to hit the music festivals - head to toe in high fashion clobber of course. 

"Oh Arthur forget your bodily functions. It’s fashion never function darling!"

View the latest comic strip above or on Vogue Italia's website.  

By Cass Gowing, Editor

Image from Vogue Italia

NEWS| Baartman & Siegel featured in 'Menswear: Fashion Forward Designers'

VFS menswear designers Baartman and Siegel have been included in 'Menswear: Fashion Forward Designers', a book published by Monsa. The publication has the aim to "discover an amazing selection of some of the best menswear fashion designers that are breaking the rules today," making Baartman and Siegel a perfect selection. The London based designers, who are quickly gaining recognition for their interactive and luxurious garments have their work displayed in the book through stunning photographs of their A/W 12 'Milk Tray Man' collection, accompanied by a flattering biography.

Read more about 'Menswear: Fashion Forward Designers' here. 

By Josh Walker, VFS contributor

Follow him on Twitter @josh_walker_

Images courtesy of Amber, Baartmans & Siegel 

NEWS| Eleanor Amoroso in the press

A neckpiece by Vauxhall Fashion Scout designer Eleanor Amoroso has been featured in AnOther magazine. The bi-annual publication is a creative “blend of high fashion and world-class photography”. Being one of the most well-known of its kind, the London based designer's elegant, modern and innovative work sits well in the publication. Since launching her label last year, it's not only AnOther magazine that have chosen to feature her work. Amoroso has received press coverage from the likes of Volt Cafe (above right), i-D, Tank and Vogue.com to name a few, as well as having pieces exhibited in both Paris and London.

By Josh Walker, VFS contributor

Follow him on Twitter @josh_walker_
Images taken from Eleanor Amoroso's Tumblr

NEWS| Exclusive catch up with Kirsty Ward

Because Magazine 

Harper's Bazaar 

Crack Magazine

 Grazia Magazine

 Susie Bubble, from Style Bubble, wearing Kirsty Ward

A certain Ms Kirsty Ward has been very popular as of late, in fact it seems you can't open a magazine without seeing her name - or jewellery - emblazoned across the page. Kirsty was first hotly tipped by yours truly - Vauxhall Fashion Scout showcased Kirsty's designs as an exhibition designer for SS11 and as VFS One's to Watch for AW11 - whilst Vogue hailed her 'Designer to Watch in 2011'. 

Here's a snippet of the recent press that the acclaimed designer has received, make sure you also check out the My Fashion Life's feature as well as the Because magazine's interview with her. 

Editor Cass Gowing caught up with Kirsty Ward to see how it feels to receive such positive press...

"The press exposure is really great at the minute, I'm working with such a great PR agency (Sane Communications) they are lovely people too. The press side of the business is really important as it definately leads onto sales and helping the brand grow, which is really important to me. 

I've also been getting some really amazing press in the Middle East as my pieces are stocked in Dubai and I visited there for an event earlier this year, the press out there have been really supportive, clocking up features in Grazia, L'Officiel, Time Out, Harpers Bazaar amongst various important Middle Eastern magazines, Newspapers and TV channels."

It seems like Kirsty Ward has been a very busy bee, but what is she up to at the minute?

"At the moment its a mix of production and S/S13 which I'm really excited about, I'm currently working on the final toiles for the garments and I have various jewellery elements lying around inspiring me. As I mentioned in my Twin Factory interview a hint of my inspiration is: Tea ladies and tabards with a modern sci-fi edge."

By Cass Gowing, Editor

Follow her on Twitter

Images accredited above

NEWS| Steven Tai at Berlin Fashion Week

Former graduate showcase star Steven Tai presented his SS13 collection last week at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. We last caught up with the recent graduate Steven Tai in May following his win of the prestigious Chloe's design-prize at the 2012 Hyères festival

Tai's designs, full of playful asymmetric cuts and androgynous shapes were displayed in an array of neutral and pastel shades.  

Vauxhall Fashion Scout caught up with Steven about Berlin Fashion Week: 

"I was asked by Mercedes Benz and ELLE to participate in Berlin Fashion Week and show an extended collection based from my graduation work.  It was a heavily sponsored event and I got the chance to work with IMG production for the show. The show was a week ago and it was very well received."

By Cass Gowing, Editor

Video courtesy of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Berlin, image courtesy of Models Blog

NEWS| Spijkers en Spijkers SS13 at Amsterdam Fashion Week

A sense of the 1920s which seems to be the decade to be in right now, dropped waists, pastel shades and flirty styles subtly hint to the era that the Dutch duo Spijkers en Spijkers have a knack for capturing. After showing their AW 12/13 collection at Vauxhall Fashion Scout last season, the design team showcased their new SS13 collection at Amsterdam Fashion Week with a playful attitude… dog in party hat et al.

The collection evolves as the looks progress, a contrasting but complimenting dance between the masculine and feminine with relaxed blazers and trousers brought in showing off a little boyish charm.  The Spijkers en Spijkers signature colour combinations and beautiful use of geometric shapes on soft fabrics is one that can’t be missed and is reinvented with each collection. Large striped patterns and child-like shapes accented with primary colours are reminiscent of playground fairs and summer parties. This is tied in with black, smart shirts, and day dresses for a little reminder of the lady behind the charm; a balance the designers do so well.

There is a certain European sensibility that is fun filled, charming and sophisticated all at once that this collection so effortlessly portrays. Spijkers en Spijkers surprise us every time with new themes and new stories to tell, this time at the fun-fair, and we’re excited to see where the design duo takes us next!

By Vanessa Omoregie (@wewearblack)

Images from Spijkers en Spijkers website

NEWS| Phoebe English's A/W fashion film unveiled on SHOWstudio today

‘Merit Award’ winner, Phoebe English will later be unveiling her Autumn/Winter fashion film exclusively online with SHOWstudio. The CSM grad explained via Twitter that the film serves to explore “suspended movement”; no doubt a continuation of English’s established emphasis on the stoicism of free-moving, yet fixed material- exploring the potential of said contrasts with hair, and layered calico in seasons passed.

The film is set to go live on the SHOWstudio website at 12PM today. Also make sure to follow Phoebe on Twitter (@PhoebeEnglish) for regular updates.

#VFS @FashionScout

NEWS| Victoria Spruce wins ITS 2012 Vogue Talents Accessories Award

Above left, Victoria Spruce at ITS 2012, Trieste

Congratulations to former graduate showcase designer Victoria Spruce on winning the International Talent Support (ITS) 2012 Accesories award. We originally posted the news about Victoria Spruce being listed as an ITS 2012 finalist back in May (read the full post and interview with Victoria here) and yesterday the winners were announced following the finals that took place in Trieste. As winner of the prestigious Vogue Talents Award for accessories, shoe designer Victoria will receive a photoshoot of her entire collection which will be published on the ITS website alongside an interview. This extremely valuable exposure is integral to emerging designers and we're proud to have scouted Victoria back when she graduated!

By Cass Gowing, Editor.

Images taken from the ITS website where you can read full details of this accolade.

NEWS| Paloma Faith in Bernard Chandran for new single '30 Minute Love Affair'

Singer Paloma Faith has opted to wear another Vauxhall Fashion Scout designer; this time  opting for Bernard Chandran. 

Paloma Faith's second single from her new album '30 Minute Love Affair' features her in a Bernard Chandran AW12 gown on the single cover. Styled by Karl Willett, Paloma is wearing one of the electric blue dresses from a mostly monochrome AW12 collection, as showcased at Freemason's Hall in February. Laser cut detached shoulders and high necklines were an intrinsic part of this line, whilst the variation of fabrics and heavy embellishment featured predominantly. Malaysian designer Chandran's silhouette-focussed designs have proved popular with female songstress heavyweights such as Lady Gaga and Rita Ora whilst Paloma - a clear fan of emerging designers and new talent - recently donned fellow VFS designer Inbar Spector for a performance on Jools Holland. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor

Follow her on Twitter @CassGowing

Images from Google and AMF