ANNOUNCEMENT| Graduate Showcase designers named

May Tang (London College of Fashion), Shengwei Wang (Central Saint Martins)

Maia Bergman (London College of Fashion), Chloe Jones (Bath Spa)

Adam Jamieson (Westminister), Serena Gili (Central Saint Martins)

Shubham Jaim (Royal College of Art)

This season sees the return of February's successful Graduate Showcase- a presentation serving as a continuation of Graduate Fashion Week, and the closing-university collections both post, and prior.

Those showing with us this season come from a selection of the UK's leading design schools; Central Saint Martins, London College of Fashion, Royal College of Art, University of Westminister, and Bath Spa. The first graduates confirmed as taking part are as follows:

Adam Jamieson (Westminster) 
Chloe Jones (Bath Spa) 
Maia Bergman (London College of Fashion)
May Tang (London College of Fashion) 
Serena Gili (Central Saint Martins) 
Shengwei Wang (Central Saint Martins) 
Shubham Jain (Royal College of Art) 

Taking place during London Fashion Week's first day, the Graduate Showcase will feature a selection of three looks from the final collection of each of the graduates selected- all styled, and curated by Fashion 156 Creative's Guy Hipwell. The aim of the presentation is to provide a platform for exposure to key members of the fashion press, buyers and industry insiders, ensuring the strongest of starts to what will no-doubt be a successful design career.
Be sure to attend the showing at Freemasons on Friday, 14th September, and experience the next generation of fashion's future first-hand.

Image Credits: 

PHOTOGRAPHY: INDIA HOBSON AT FASHION156CREATIVE.COM
STYLING & CREATIVE DIRECTION: GUY HIPWELL AT FASHION156CREATIVE.COM
MAKE-UP:  JO SUGAR USING BODY SHOP
HAIR STYLIST: TIM FURSSEDONN AT TONI&GUY USING LABEL M
MAKE-UP ARTIST ASSISTANT CAT LANGDON
MODELS:  ANNA S & LOU LOU AT PROFILE.  EMILY D A AT STORM
SHOOT PRODUCTION: FASHION156CREATIVE.COM
ASSISTANTS: Becca Deakins, Lisa Fifer, Lauren Whitehead & Mei Corbett
SHOT AT: ROCKWELL STUDIOS www.rockwellhouse.co.uk

NEWS | Pam Hogg designs Lady Charteris’ bridal gown

The designer herself holding the train

Going for something a little less traditional, Mary Charteris’ opted for a Pam Hogg designed wedding dress for her marriage to musician Robbie Furze.

A fan of Pam Hogg’s work, she is said to have favoured the cream lace body suit from the show in Paris. Mary and Pam worked together, excitedly with fittings and meetings, bringing more and more ideas forward.

Deciding on something with a vintage aesthetic, it was the designer’s SS10 “War Bride” look that was used as inspiration for a starting point. Pam talks about the construction of the dress saying to Vogue, "The biggest challenge was the actual making of it as I hand-sewed most of it, with no mannequin small enough to place it on. The frills alone took a couple of weeks to design and make. They were so complicated that, eventually, I had to code them with different colour threads - as on my lap it was impossible to see which were from the front or the side or the back."

The ceremony included guests such as Lily Allen, Daphne Guinness and Florence Welch who all admired the blushing bride. “Everyone loved it, and said it with such emotion so it was a great relief as it's difficult to design for someone else. You want it to be just right for them.” Pam Hogg recalls a moment sitting by Jerry Hall as she complimented the gown, as well as how proud she was to create something special for Mary and Robbie.

Text by Vanessa O (@wewearblack)

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT SS13 | Ming-Pin Tien

Spring/ Summer '13 'One-To-Watch', Ming-Pin Tien 9 years’ of experience has seen him work with one of Taiwan’s most popular boutiques, as well as assisting womenswear designer Jolin Wu. The Taiwanese born designer recently graduated from London College of Fashion’s Fashion Design & Technology MA course with a collection titled “Metaphorical Distance”.

The minimal colour palette of his graduate collection- with its unusual shapes- showed potential and innovation. It is his focus on pattern cutting that has made his work so interesting, showing true craftsmanship in his creativity. Bringing the conceptual to life, it is his skill for turning the abstract into reality with details that make him somebody to watch out for in the fashion industry.

Ming-Pin Tien will show his new collection on the catwalk as part of the Ones To Watch showcase on Saturday 15^th September.

By Vanessa Omoregie, @wewearblack

NEWS| Phoebe English Autumn/ Winter featured in Interview magazine

Autumn/ Winter '12 Merit Award winner, Phoebe English hasn't been short of coverage since her February showcase with VFS at Freemasons. After a collaborative effort with Nick Knight's digital platform, SHOWstudio, exploring movement in the context of dance, and successive features in ELLE, and Because- to name a couple- the most recent string added to English's bow is part of her Autumn/ Winter'12 collection being featured in Warhol-founded magazine, Interview.

English's piece is featured in an editorial "how to" by renowned hair-stylist Charlie le Mindu; lensed by photographer Mari Sarai. Also making an appearance is an MA collection knit from menswear designer Joe Turvey. Click here for the full feature.

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT SS13| Lu Liu

Describing her label as “a new breed of fashion company”, designer Lu Liu's quality pieces are both cutting edge and feminine. A recent graduate of the London College of Fashion, she is Chinese-British, based in London, and has gained experience under the likes of Giles Deacon. Bold colours, signature pleats and luxurious fabrics may make for confident pieces, yet her garments remain more wearable than one may first expect. She's also no stranger to press attention. Her work has already appeared in Vogue and Elle, as well as been displayed in exhibitions in London and Paris. If you want to see the luxurious, statement Lulu Liu pieces up close, they will be exhibited in our Freemasons hall during London Fashion Week.

By Josh Walker

Follow him on Twitter @josh_walker_

NEWS| FAD Teens to Showcase Great British Talent at LFW S/S'13

Twenty-one London, and Manchester based-teens have been selected by design charity, FAD to compete for the 2012 FAD Junior Awards crown this season with Vauxhall Fashion Scout during London Fashion Week.

The 16-19 year old finalists are up for George @ASDA sponsored award on-part of their engagement with the long-standing support network, FAD, by way of participating in the charity's series of 'Fashion Futures' workshops.

Running from January to March of this year, the workshops' aims are to provide hands-on opportunities to gain insight, and skills useful for those pursuing careers in fashion- in addition to paving routes in-industry for those from disadvantages backgrounds.

The FAD Junior Award finalists ahead of Spring/ Summer 2013 are as follows:

Tuesday, 18th September is the date that sees these young designers go head-to-head for the George @ASDA supported title of "FAD Junior Award winner 2012". The VFS-hosted event will take place in the Freemasons Hall, Covent Garden, so be sure to get yourself a ticket, and attend this fashion week for a look-in to fashion's future.

Follow Fashion Awareness Direct on Twitter @FADCharity for more exclusive insights.

NEWS| Raffaelle Ascione interviewed on Crane.tv and featured in Papercut Magazine

Vauxhall Fashion Scout designer Raffaele Ascione has been busy in the run up to his first ever catwalk showcase, taking place on our runway at Freemason's on Saturday 15th.

Since premiering his MA collection at Central Saint Martins' 2011 graduate show, the VFS designer has shown no signs of slowing. With an Autumn/ Winter presentation with us, international press features, and worn by the pop culture icon, Lady Gaga, Ascione is cementing a platform for a steady rise to success.

Now into his third season running eponymous label Raffaele Ascione, we're told snippets of a development in direction; an extension of the femininity infused into his sportswear-inspired design. To hear more about Ascione's forthcoming Spring/ Summer collection- including exclusive previews of next season's work, you can watch the full interview on Crane.tv here.

Images - screen shot of Crane.tv interview and Papercut magazine

EXCLUSIVE| Behind the Scenes, SS13 Preview Shoot in collaboration with Fashion 156 Creative

Last Friday saw the Vauxhall Fashion Scout and Fashion 156 Creative teams work collaboratively to present an exclusive preview of Spring/ Summer '13 VFS designers' work.

With F156 Creative Director Guy Hipwell at the helm, and photographer India Hobson, and film director Katie Davies behind their respective lenses, the shoot centered on select Spring/ Summer pieces from Kirsty Ward, David Longshaw, Timur Kim, Hellen van Rees, and various other forthcoming collections showing with us throughout London Fashion Week.

For the finished images, and list of designers featured be sure to check out the Fashion 156 website, and Tweet us your favourite shots, @FashionScout and @Fashion156.

For the Spring/ Summer '13 schedule to find the times, and location of the designers featured, click here for the updated schedule.

Credits: Photography by India Hobson @Fashion156 Creative; Styling, and Creative Direction by Guy Hipwell @Fashion156 Creative.

Make-up by Jo Sugar using Body Shop; hair styled by Tim Furssedonn at Toni & Guy, using Label M; MUA Assistant, Cat Langdon. Models: Anna S, and Lou Lou at Profile; Emily D A at Storm.

Shoot production by Fashion156Creative.com; shot at Rockwell Studios

Assistants: Becca Deakins, Lisa Fifer, Lauren Whitehead & Mei Corbett.

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT SS13 | Steven Tai

Steven Tai is the womenswear design graduate from Central Saint Martins who was previously featured in Vauxhall Fashion Scouts Graduate Showcase last season. Being selected as a finalist at the 2012 Hyères Festival by Yohji Yamamoto and winning the inaugural Chloé award a few months ago, are just some of this young designer’s achievements. Originally from Canada, he has gained experience around the world from working in Amsterdam with Viktor & Rolf to working in London with Stella McCartney.

Berlin Fashion Week saw the debut of his SS13 collection, winning him praise and recognition for his unusual inspirations and whimsical “intellectual chic” aesthetic. Featuring a spectacular pen nib dress which he collaborated on with creative technologist John Nussey, the collection presents a reinvention of “geek chic” that we’ve seen many times before. This time Steve has taken this concept, focusing on the aspects of technology and the beauty of awkwardness. His techniques include mimicking the stacking of books with fabric, carving them into beautifully peculiar shapes.

Featured in Vogue Italia, Elle, Dazed & Confused, Wonderland Magazine and more, Steven Tai has been recognised for his talent and potential. His plans for the future include participating in Camper’s sponsored shoe workshop, going to Milan for the White Young Talent showroom, as well as presenting his latest collection at 4FashionShake in Athens in November. He will be showcasing his work at Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s Exhibition from September 14 – 18.

By Vanessa Omoregie, @wewearblack

Collection images - Steven Tai
Exhibition Image - Vauxhall Fashion Scout

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT SS13 | Patrick Li

Patrick Li started his career having completed a fashion design and business studies BA at the University of Brighton. Moving onto the MA Fashion Womenswear course at the Royal College of Art, he graduated just last year with experience working with Hussein Chalayan and Viktor & Rolf.

Chinese-born London based designer, Patrick Li was featured as part of Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s Graduate Showcase last season where his collection inspired by the photography of Edward Burtynsky gained recognition. Combining elements of organic shapes with mechanical structures, the Patrick Li brand aesthetic is focused on giving a feminine touch to architectural lines.

The RCA graduate will be one of many talented designers showcasing their work as part of Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s exhibition during London Fashion Week from September 14 – 18.

By Vanessa Omoregie, @wewearblack

Images, VFS. 

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT SS13| Liz Black

It's modern design, elegant wearability and beautiful tailoring that come together to form the aesthetic of Liz Black. An already acclaimed graduate of Central Saint Martins, the designer launched her label in 2010 in an attempt to give her freedom to express her creativity. Designed for the “independent, empowered and fashion-forward” woman, Black's conceptual label is definitely impressive. Black has appeared in fashion publications among the likes of  POP magazine, Fashion 156 and Vogue - as well as press international following Lady Gaga wearing her Circle Bow Dress - whilst her garments are already stocked worldwide. Add to that being selected by Roland Mouret as a semi-finalist for the 2011 Fashion Fringe awards and being described by Vogue Italia's Senior Fashion Editor Sara Maino as a 'Vogue talent', and it's safe to say that Liz has well and truly caught of the eye of the fashion world. To see the aesthetically beautiful yet minimal statement pieces from Liz Black do not miss her showcase at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout Exhibition Space at Freemasons Hall throughout London Fashion Week, 14th-18th September 2012.

By Josh Walker, Follow him on Twitter @josh_walker_

Edited by Cass Gowing, Editor. Images from Liz Black's website.