NEWS| Vogue feature Vauxhall Fashion Scout's One's To Watch Designers & Merit Award Winner, Heohwan Simulation

Charlotte Simpson

Hellen Van Rees

Ming Pin Tien

Heohwan Simulation

Vogue are world renown for their aptitude in finding the most talented and exciting designers to hit the runway, and this season is no different. Fashion Features Editor Jessica Bumpus has selected her favourite 'picks' from London Fashion Week, and amongst the vibrant crowd are our very own One's to Watch designers- Charlotte Simpson, Hellen Van Rees and Ming Pin Tien, and prestigious Merit Award Winner, Heohwan Simulation. 

The selection of designers, who have been hand-picked by the Vauxhall Fashion Scout team and a Selection Panel of esteemed Fashion Industry members, are just one of the highlights of the Vauxhall Fashion Scout schedule, with our One's To Watch show taking place at 11am on Saturday 15th September, and the Merit Award show at 3.45pm on Friday 14th September. 

To celebrate this fantastic new talent, Vauxhall Fashion Scout teamed up with Fashion156 to create our seasonal Preview shoot, giving you an exclusive insight into some of the most highly anticipated collections of London Fashion Week. Guy Hipwell, Director of Fashion156, styled and directed the shoot along with his talented team from the online creative magazine- Fashion156.com. 

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

INTERVIEW| Guy Hipwell, Director of Fashion156 talks to Vauxhall Fashion Scout ahead of Graduate Showcase

The Vauxhall Fashion Scout Graduate Showcase is the opening event for Vauxhall Fashion Scout S/S13. Celebrating and supporting the freshest graduating talent from universities across the country, this is the only place at London Fashion Week to meet tomorrow's design icons. 

Collaborating with Fashion156, the online creative magazine that creates a platform to launch the best of new and exciting talent entering the Fashion Industry. Fashion156 Director Guy Hipwell joins Vauxhall Fashion Scout, curating the space and aiding these bright new graduates on the path to their future careers. 

We caught up with Guy to find more about the background behind Fashion156 and his ideas for this season's amazing Graduate Showcase. 

This is your second season working with Vauxhall Fashion Scout on the Graduate Showcase. What is it that keeps bringing you back? 

It just mirrors exactly the ethos and reasons I set up Fashion156 - to support the strong talent coming through our fashion schools each and every year. Graduates need all the support possible, especially with the current challenging economic climate. 

Fashion156 is a "celebratory platform" for new design talent. Why do you think the Graduate Showcase is such an important part of supporting these emerging designers? 

I am very impressed with the whole support behind the showcase, the mentoring Vauxhall Fashion Scout offer and that is it not just a one-day wonder. So many pay lip service to the graduate collections, but this showcase goes so much further.

Pressure for Graduates continues to get more intense. What advice would you give to new and up-coming design Graduates entering the Fashion Industry? 

Quality and attention to details are so important, especially as everything is documented and shared so readily on social media. Try to buy the best possible fabrics you can afford and take time to ensure you have the best possible fit. Finally mix up some strong show pieces, with other outfits that have an element of wearability. 

As Director of Fashion156, you are constantly looking out for inspiring and interesting Graduate Talent. What is it that you look for in new designers? 

Authenticity. So many graduates get side tracked and produce collections that are taking too much literal inspiration from the big name established houses. Try to add some unique elements that are totally personal to you, such as buttons you removed from some old school uniforms, trims you found in a junk store, or a jacket you've sprayed the perfect sky blue with car spray.  

The Graduate Showcase is the highlight of the Graduate student calender and takes place from 10.00am-1.00pm on Friday 14th September. For more information, go to the VFS website by clicking here.

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

NEWS| Joe Turvey in the press in the run up to London Collections

Vauxhall Fashion Scout menswear designer and recent graduate Joe Turvey is a very busy bee - as he is preparing for his installation at the London Collections: Men which commences tomorrow, he has been featured favourable in the online fashion press. 

First off, French publication WAD magazine looks over Joe's AW12 collection and praises the vibrant shades: 

"We leave the black faithful to winter aside, to slip on acid colours such as yellow, orange or pink. What [a way] to warm up the cold season.”

Meanwhile, Fashion 156 previews a look from Joe Turvey's SS13 look ahead of the London Collections. This tie-dye, Hawaiian inspired shirt and short combo whets our trend appetite of what's to come from Joe. They interview him as part of their 'Designer Track' Series where they chat colour, Beyonce and Vauxhall Fashion Scout. 

 “You seem to have progressed quickly through from your graduate collection to showing at VFS and now COLLECTIONS. Can you describe how it feels?

It doesn’t even feel like it’s happening to me it’s so surreal. I’ve been doing this for a while and it’s like the people who I’ve met and the people who have requested things I’m like, really!? Is this happening to me!? Pretty scary." Read more.

We can't wait to see your full SS13 collection at London Collections: Men this weekend!

By Cass Gowing, Editor

Images 1 and 2, Joe Turvey AW12 taken from WAD magazine

Image 3 from Fashion 156