EXCLUSIVE| Inbar Spector Interview

Hi Inbar, thanks for taking the time to talk to Vauxhall Fashion Scout. 

We saw a head-to-toe Autumn/Winter look on Nicole Scherzinger last Saturday evening- how does it feel to know your work was being exposed that night to an audience of over 8.6 million people?

It was a great feeling. I didn't know that it was going to be on TV, so I completely forgot about it and planned a relaxed Saturday night in bed... Out of the blue Twitter went mad with friends telling me about it. It was such a nice surprise!

Your work is often seen on female stars with a strength of character and voice- Paloma Faith, known for her strong voice, and individuality; Nicole Scherzinger, thought of as a powerful, and independent woman; and Florench Welch, whose stage presence is unrivalled- how does it make you feel to see such a diverse group of women wear your clothes, despite their differing styles?

I think you described it very well. The commonality between these artists ladies is that all of them are beautiful and strong; they all have their individual style, and each of them decide themselves what they want to wear- the stylists recommend but the stars are making the decision. A woman doesn't need to be masculine to be strong, she can still be beautiful, sexy, and strong all at the same time. 

What is it about your work that you think attracts these strong, beautiful women? Do you feel proud as a designer knowing these women choose to wear your pieces for occasions when it's important to feel good, strong, and comfortable in their own skin?

It's always nice to listen to an artist in the studio, and to know that in few months from now she might preform in the outfit you're making her.

I think that if you don't feel good in your own skin, you won't like my style. My style is for very confident women; brave [and not] scared to look different. My costumers are usually the women who set the trends, not the ones who follow them.

How do feel having had the opportunity to showcase Autumn/ Winter with VFS- do you think it's contributed to these women's awareness of your pieces?

I believe that London and the international fashion industry is very aware with what is going at VFS. After shows people often tell me how much they love the venue, and how it complemented the atmosphere of the show.

The VFS team is very professional and the venue is beautiful. All the editors and stylists want to find new emerging talent, and everybody knows that VFS finds the talent. I think VFS is one of those few places you can spot [the] new talents that are forcing a change.

Interview by Sara McAlpine
Images from Vogue, Inbar Spector and VFS

NEWS| Burhan Bilici Joins VFS Production Mentoring Event

Joining our established line up of guest judges on Monday evening, VFS are delighted to announce the addition of Burhan Bilici, Managing Director of De’Atelier Ltd & Sourgrape.

Kicking off on the topic of Production, Pricing & International Exports, the event is designed to provide much needed information in advance of the close of the SS13 season and to prepare new strategies for AW13/14. 

With a family background in manufacturing, Burhan has 15 years experience in the production business, having worked for companies including Karen Millen, Whistles and All Saints. Burhan now runs his own production company with a portfolio that includes Hussein Chalayan, Erdem, Peter Pilotto, Jonathan Saunders, Mary Katrantzou, Roksanda Ilincic, Richard Nicoll, Roland Mouret, Eudon Choi & House of Holland.

Our panel of seasoned professionals will explore the issues involved in taking designs to production, advice on sourcing the best manufacturer either locally or overseas, how to optimise relationships with production units, communicating with retailers on costing, payments and delivery, quality control and how to maximise international exports. 

Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s Mentoring Events are made possible by the Mayor of London’s London Fashion Showcasing Fund.

GUEST SPEAKERS ALSO INCLUDE:

Paul Alger: Director of International Affairs for UKFT

Paul Williams: Business Counsellor for East London Small Business Centre

The event takes place on Monday 22nd October from 7pm - 8.30pm. To RSVP for the event and for more information please contact: press@fsi-events.com 

We look forward to seeing you there!

NEWS| Helen Bullock launches 'H by Helen Bullock' with Anthropologie

Print based designer Helen Bullock is to launch 'h by helen bullock' with Anthropologie. From November, the Central Saint Martin's fashion print BA and textiles for fashion MA graduate is to be stocked in both the UK and the USA. Having previously exhibited with VFS for two seasons, Bullocks designs are colourful and textured, making for a unique and distinct aesthetic.

Using fabrics as her individual canvases, the designer has gained experience under John Galliano and produced garments that have filled the wardrobe of Julie Verhoeven. With Anthropologie describing the range as “a very modern and exciting interpretation of colour and print,” with “artistic and playful dresses that make a strong statement while also expressing femininity,” we look forward to what the collection will bring.

'h by helen bullock' will be available from Anthropologie in the UK from November 2012.

By Josh Walker (@josh_walker_)

Images - Exclusive Anthropologie Sketches by Helen Bullock

NEWS| Martyn Roberts joins David Koma, Jean Pierre Braganza & Anna October at Kiev Fashion Days

Mercedes Benz Kiev Fashion Days returns for its second season with a much coveted line up of events and Fashion Scout Director, Martyn Roberts, will be there to support the next generation of international design talent. 

From 25th - 28th October, fifteen designers will show their SS13 collections in Ukraine to a host of global media and buyers and the impressive line up will include collections from current VFS talent, Anna October, and VFS alumni, David Koma and Lako Bukia. 

Alongside catwalk shows and presentations, Kiev Fashion Days introduces 'Fashion Now' lectures to provide industry advice to both emerging and established designers alike. As part of the Fashion Now series of events and seminars, Vauxhall Fashion Scout's Martyn Roberts will join Yvan Rodic, Vogue.it, NJAL, AnOther Mag, L'Eclaireur and Vogue Russia with an exclusive talk on the topic of setting up and building a fashion business. 

Ahead of Martyn's talk on 28th October, Kiev Fashion Days catch up with the VFS Director here...

Do you follow the situation on Ukrainian fashion market/ fashion market of Eastern Europe? Where do you see its strong and weak sides?Ukranian fashion is new to London but designers such as Anna October and Ekaterina Kukhareva are showing us that there is new exciting talent emerging.

Do you usually attend local fashion weeks? What are you exactly looking for beyond the borders of world fashion capitals?I always discover amazing new designers when I travel to different fashion weeks. I am looking for something new and fresh - a different way of looking at fashion.

Are you interested in collaboration with Ukrainian designers and local industry professionals?Most definitely. The fact that MBFD is inviting designers and industry leaders to Kiev is opening up new markets and enabling Ukrainian designers and brands to get international exposure and experience.

Keep up to date with the latest news, schedules and events direct from Kiev Fashion Days here.

ANNOUNCEMENT| New Season Mentoring Events- Production, Pricing & Exports

Vauxhall Fashion Scout is launching its new season series of Mentoring Events in partnership with Beach Blanket Babylon.

Vauxhall Fashion Scout is London’s leading showcase for fashion innovation and is internationally recognised as home of new talent. Actively working to promote and develop the next generation of designers, Vauxhall Fashion Scout is responsible for launching some of the brightest new design talents.

Now entering our fourth year, the first in our new series of Mentoring Events will take place on Monday 22^nd October. Kicking off on the topic of Production, Pricing & International Exports, the event is designed to provide much needed information in advance of the close of the SS13 season and to prepare new strategies for AW13/14.

Our panel of seasoned professionals will explore the issues involved in taking designs to production, advice on sourcing the best manufacturer either locally or overseas, how to optimise relationships with production units, communicating with retailers on costing, payments and delivery, quality control and how to maximise international exports.

Speakers:

Paul Alger: Director of International Affairs

Paul graduated with BA Hons in Modern Languages with Politics and Economics in 1986 and after a period living overseas and working in food marketing and sales, has spent the majority of his working life helping UK fashion and accessories companies to exports. Paul speaks fluent French, Italian and Russian and has a good working knowledge of several other languages including Japanese, Spanish and German. He has organised and headed up missions to Japan, Russia, South Korea, Hong Kong and  the USA  as well as working extensively with trade shows throughout Europe.

Paul Williams: Business Counsellor for East London Small Business Centre

With an extensive history in garment manufacturing, Paul became Managing Director for the design and manufacturing of Next, Debenhams and House of Fraser, running three factories simultaneously. Paul spent two years as a consultant, auditing and setting up factories in China and Turkey for various clients before becoming an advisor at ELSBC. ELSBC is an agency designed to provide financial and business advice and support to start-up fashion labels in the UK. 

Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s Mentoring Events are made possible by the Mayor of London’s London Fashion Showcasing Fund.

Monday 22nd October 2012

7pm – 8.30pm

Beach Blanket Babylon

Places strictly limited. RSVP essential to secure place: press@fsi-events.com