NEWS| Fashion Scout's Ukrainian Designers Featured on iD

Fashion Scout's AW14 Ukrainian designers have been featured on iD online. In an article named 'A Fashion Revolution: How Ukraine's Designers Took On Paris', the piece describes not just the unique work from our Ukrainian designers but the industry's unfaltering support for the situation on their side of the world. 

The article describes the work of PASKAL and Anna October, both runners-up of the LVHM prize, as follows:

'Inspired by the architectural Suprematist movement of the 20s, Julie’s autumn/winter 14 collection for her label PASKAL turns skyscrapers into perforated, milk-white garments, creating a kind of futuristic Modernism that doesn’t look like anything else, while Anna October has carved out her own slightly gloomy and very intricate niche of what Mower calls “non-flashy, elegant party dresses”.'

It goes on to continue praising the designer's aesthetics, as well as their thoughts whilst showcasing in the Fashion Scout Paris showrooms. “We are very passionate about what we do, and there’s something in our mentality that makes us strong and forward-looking,” Julie says in the article. “When your country is on the brink of war, it is the worst and the best pressure simultaneously."

Read the article from iD in full here.

By Josh Walker, Editor, (@josh_walker_)
Images by Hannah McGee.

NEWS: Fashion Scout Kiev Designers Featured On Style Bubble

Following the success of our Paris Showrooms at the end of the AW14 season, a selection of our Kiev designers have been featured on Style Bubble. With Susie Bubble personally attending the Fashion Scout drinks reception on the closing day alongside other industry figures such as Anna Wintour and Hamish Bowles, it was a true celebration of Ukrainian talent. 

Talking to Anna October, Paskal and Yasya Monichkina, as well as commenting on their talent and the statement t-shirts from Anna K, there's no doubt that the Ukrainian designs made their mark.

Be sure to read the article in full here.

Top image, Anna October AW14 look book.

Middle and bottom images taken by Hannah McGee. 

NEWS| Fashion Scout Designers Shortlisted For LVMH Young Fashion Designer Prize

We are pleased to announce that designers Anna October, Hellen van Rees and Paskal have been shortlisted for the LVMH Young Fashion Designer Award. Chosen from over 1,200 applicants, the winner will be selected from an industry panel which includes the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Marc Jacobs on February 26th and 27th. As well as personal mentoring for a year from the LVMH team, the winner will receive a grant of €300,000. 

Born in Ukraine, Anna October debuted at Ukrainian Fashion Week with her SS11 collection. Soon after she showcased with Fashion Scout and since, attracted attention from top international press among the likes of Vogue and Business of Fashion, as well as being sold internationally. 

Hellen van Rees graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2012 and has since, with a standout aesthetic of tweed textures, made a name for herself. She was one of our Ones to Watch in September 2012 and has now finished her fourth collection under her label.

A womenswear designer creating garments of the sharpest quality, Julie Paskal studied architecture before launching her fashion label. Renowned for her minimalistic tendencies and innovative precision, Paskal took the Fashion Scout catwalk during the Kiev Fashion Days show this season at our Freemasons' Hall. 

All three designers will be showcasing their new collections in our Paris showroom from 27th February - 4th March.

Images: LVHM Prize press (top), courtesy of Hellen van Rees (middle).

PARIS SHOWROOMS| Anna October SS14

Anna October’s family name was given to her Grandfather after he served in The Great October Revolution in 1917. Growing up in the industrial city of Zaporozie with a strict military family, it was near enough impossible to achieve her teenage dream of becoming a fashion designer. Anna escaped to Odessa at the age of seventeen as she moved to study fine art at Art College Named After M.B.Grekov. 

Just one year after moving to Odessa Anna launched her womenswear label so she could spread the world with her ideas. This seasons Paris Showrooms will help the young designer to do so.

Anna October will be showing her skilled tailoring through her light and sparking garments with a touch of irony. Her timelessly elegant feminine silhouettes will no doubt be a hit at PFW SS14 . Look out for the 'OTRADNOE' collection at Paris Showrooms. 

By Emily Black, @emilyy_black
Photos from Anna October AW13 lookbook

NEWS| Fashion Scout Designers featured on Vogue Italia

 

On Saturday we interviewed Senior Fashion Editor of Vogue Italia, Sara Maino. Before watching Merit award winner Yifang Wan, Sara visited our exhibition of international designers and has featured nine of them in her Impressions from London 2 feature. The feature on Italian Vogue's website curates a selection of moments, images, products and styles providing a visual story of London Fashion Week.

The prestigious fashion editor featured designs from Hellen Van Rees, Anna October, Claudia Ligan, Lulu Liu, Emillium, Yulia Kondranina, Ming Pin Tien, Christopher Waller and Nova Chiu. 

By Darcie Thompson-Fields, @DarcieTF
Images from Vogue Italia

INTERVIEW| Kiev Fashion Days: Anna October

A favourite at Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days Anna October is already an international hit being stocked in Antwerp as well as in Paris. Her Fashion Scout runway debut yesterday created a buzz with everyone talking about her use of materials and amazing metallic textures. Fashion Scout spoke to Anna about showcasing at this international platform.

You’ve used amazing materials in your collection, how did this come about?

I’m using a lot of shimmer and very tactile materials because I’m making classical feminine silhouettes but in combination with these modern materials with some added plastic details that are changing colours with the fringing so it becomes more modern and futuristic.

Is there a story that you’re trying to tell with this collection?

Yes, the inspiration for this collection was the tradition of giving presents. The title of the collection is actually “Present” and the idea of gift giving as well as in the present time. I wanted to express the present time of aesthetics.

How do you combine feminine shapes with strong textures?

In general the heroine of my brand, the girl as I see as my muse, she is a young lady but she is also very sophisticated.

How have you found it presenting your work in the Fashion Scout venue?

It’s amazing; I like this experience so much. It almost feels like school for me because I’ve been learning so much, I love London.

Interview by Vanessa Omoregie (@wewearblack)
Images by Bex Day (@Rebecca_Day)

COLLECTION| Kiev Fashion Days FEB'13

The Kiev Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days showcases nine Ukrainian designers at Fashion Scout with designers Anna Kolomoets, Paskal, Yasya Minochkina, and Anna October presenting their collections on the catwalk. The showcase launches the best in Ukrainian fashion giving these international designers a creative platform here at Fashion Scout.

ANNA KOLOMOETS

The youngest designer in the Mercedes-Benz fashion showcase Anna Kolomoets’ designing debut began at the age of 16, she studies Fashion Design at the College of Kyiv National University of Technologies.  The Feb ’13 collection takes a look at definitive shapes spinning them with a mix of metallic inserts and relaxed pieces that are quietly complex. Statement pieces stand out with beautiful and intricately designed cut outs that show the designer’s stunning attention to detail. Anna Kolomoets’ youthful energy is reflected in the collection’s innovative reinvention of separates and classic shapes.

YASYA MINOCHKINA

Yasya Minochkina presented a strong look of feminine elegance, integrated with a playful use of materials. Using inspiration of Parisian style, London's street cool vibe and Ukrainian structure, Yasya's A/W13 collection was a true taste of internationality. Classically feminine silhouettes were made with simple fishtailed cuts and scoop necklines - a variety of fabrics and materials were integrated with ease. In particular the use of velvet and more vibrant hues - including the jade threading in the tweed - added a sense of youth and frivolity to the looks. 

PASKAL 

Julia Paskal founded her label in 2010, with a background in architecture she uses these skills in her collection where she creates new forms and structured pieces.  She uses a monochromatic palette adding texture with black on black and creating dramatic looks with leather cut outs teamed with lace. The collection was filled with daring subtleties that kept a demure attitude throughout that show inspirations from retro films, classical music and post modernism.

ANNA OCTOBER

Fashion Scout Exhibition Designer Anna October showcased her collection as the final designer of Mercedes-Benz's Kiev Fashion Days. A-line shapes with nipped waists were accentuated with vertical, horizontal and asymmetrical metallic stripes whilst cut-backs and panels created a varied yet undeniably feminine line. Real movement was created through fringed black and silver shaggy jumpers and dresses whilst more structure was supplied through high necklines, collars and neckpieces. 

Cass Gowing.

By Editor Cass Gowing @CassGowing and Vanessa Omoregie @wewearblack

Images by Rebecca Day (@RebeccaDay)

PREVIEW| Kiev Fashion Days Designers

Taking place at Fashion Scout today for the first time, Kiev Fashion Days. We are thrilled to showcase nine Kiev Fashion Days designers at Fashion Scout London allowing us to cement our global talent rebrand through providing them with a UK platform. Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days is the only international fashion event in Ukraine, it represents a new generation of designers and acts as a strong platform for their development and growth as designers.

Taking place in the Kiev Fashion Days catwalk showcase: 

Anna Kolomoets 

Paskal 

Yasya Minochkina 

Anna October 

Whilst joining them at the Kiev Fashion Days exhibition:

Ksenia Schnaider 

Natasha Zinko 

Sasha Kanevski 
Mariia Bekh 

Zinaida Lihacheva 

The Kiev Fashion Days exhibition takes place today, Sunday 17th February at 12pm whilst the exhibition runs from 10am to 6pm on Monday 18th February. 

EXHIBITION| Anna October Feb'13

Graduating from the College of Technology and Design in 2008 and later studying Fine Art studies, Anna October launched her own brand that was recently placed in the top 10 most promising designer brands of Eastern Europe by Marie Claire (US).

The Ukranian-born designer is known for her modern, feminine and timeless designs. October presented her AW13/14 collection at Fashion Scout's Exhibition Space and spoke to us about her collection, 'Present'.

What was the inspiration behind this season’s collection?

This collection was inspired by the post-Soviet countries clichés and the tradition of giving presents. This is something that was common in these countries, they gave a lot of gold and silver, people expect to have these presents. So these clichés were really interesting to me, as I am a child of the 90s, a generation that doesn't practice these traditions.

Talk to us about the materials of your collection.

I am addicted to shimmering textiles and I was experimenting with different jacquards throughout the collection. All the materials were made especially for this collection in different productions in France.

What do you consider your signature pieces?

I like to work with feminine cuts that shape the body, and combine it with modern 'strange' fabrics to give a modern look. My signature pieces are definitely dresses, feminine dresses.

Where do you see your brand going in the future?

I see it moving forward in a conceptual way. As the brand grows and matures, I think more stockists and publications will come then.

Words by Toni May <a href="https://twitter.com/fashion_loving">@Fashion_Loving</a>

Images by Daniella Farrow (@DaniFarrow)

PREVIEW| A/W13 Designers

With just days to go until Fashion Scout London's A/W13 showcase, we are pleased to present our designer preview for February '13. Illustrating the range of creative talent from a selection of our international designers, these exclusive shots of the A/W13 collection give an indication of the incredibly high standard of design to expect from our showcase and exhibition. 

Designers featured are in the following order:

YEASHIN

ZIAD GHANEM

HELLEN VAN REES

CARLOTTA ACTIS BARONE

CHRISTOPHER WALLER

 DAVID LONGSHAW

KIRSTY WARD

ANNA OCTOBER

ROHMIR

LIZ BLACK

TAESEOK KANG 

For the full list of designers showing their collections on the catwalk- click here.

POSTCARD FROM PARIS| Anna October

Vauxhall Fashion Scout have an unrivalled platform for launching new talent and recent VFS addition, Anna October, is quickly developing a substantial following. As Anna joins us in Paris, we take a quick look at the inspiration behind her coveted new collection...

Please tell us about the inspiration and development behind the collection?
This season I was aiming to make a tribute to sky. A dreamy story about sophisticated, intelligent lady, with good manners, who loves art and the same time she is young and cool. It's the first time I used digital prints in my collection. The idea of prints is the view on sky through the digital bad render. This inspiration came to me through the photos made by broken phone camera and  bad internet connection which gives you bad pixelized image. But the same time I like how random and interesting could be the picture when it's destroyed- new colors and textures are appearing. All the printed art works were made in collaboration with artist Dina Lynnik. 

What has the initial response been to your SS13 collection during Paris Fashion Week?
I have already had a good response from buyers and press. They especially liked my digital prints which were created in collaboration with artist, Dina Lynnick.

Is there a favourite piece from the collection or a look which encapsulates your aesthetic?
My favourite piece would have to be a flat printed coat. It is minimalistic and elegant and shows my addiction to combining colours. 

What is the importance of of showcasing your collection in Paris?
It's my first season in Paris, so its very important to see the reaction from buyers and press and to place new orders.

As a platform, what support has VFS provided you with this season?
It has been an amazing experience to be part of the VFS Paris Showroom. I have learnt many new things about the processes involved in your first selling season in a showroom environment. 

What will you be doing in Paris outside of the VFS Paris Showroom?
Going to fashion shows during Paris Fashion Week and meeting with friends. Paris is also a great city for inspiration!

You can view Anna's full collection in the Vauxhall Fashion Scout Paris Showroom until 2nd October 2012.