COLLECTION| MATH S/S13

Make-up stripped bare; focus only upon brows and lips, MATH carried a striking collection to match. Hair was kept simple, with slick ponytails complimenting the make up whilst bringing the designs at the forefront.  An array of strong pastel block colouring and delicate cuts were displayed on seperates. Dresses, skirts, blouses and slim line trousers were all in the mix, A collection that could easily be ready to wear. Neutral colours had a refreshing take with neon brights seen alongside tasteful pastels, although only seen across the hips or beside the shoulder, these lashings of colour completed the designs.

The consistent beats provided by the sound system brought a mood across the runway. One that heighted the senses and left viewers wanting to see even more. Sheer fabrics were used with many having a sense of durability taking them from eveningwear to day. The dresses became a staple throughout, with most attention being drawn to the shaping. MATH provided us with a glimpse of what can be seen on this years high street, as well as incorporating the idea of smartwear with daywear in such an effortless way. VFS look forward to seeing whats in store next for MATH and the progression of the brand as a whole.

Text by Lora O'Callaghan (@loraocallaghan)
Images by Stephanie Matti

NEWS| MATH now available at My-Wardrobe.com

Today luxury e-tailer My-Wardrobe introduced a new designer to the site- one familiar to those who followed our most recent Fashion Week coverage. The site now features the work of London-based Shahzad Mohayudin- the designer behind MATH; making pieces both understated, yet luxe a more tangible wardrobe-fixture. Working heritage-tweeds, and soft-grain leather into [now signature] sportswear silhouettes, Shahzad has built a collection around the "everyday" woman; the "out-in-door-in-five", yet seeking-attainable-luxury sort.

If you aspire for an aesthetic more put-together than your morning routine allows, you can sign-up for updates of newly-dropped MATH pieces here. 

News like this "... shows why @FashionScout is an important platform for new [British] designers", so be sure you're also following us on Twitter @FashionScout for similar stockist-updates, and #VFS news.

Sara McAlpine VFS Sub-Editor (@sara_mcalpine)

COLLECTIONS| VFS Press-Day Picks at Katch PR

London's Cirque du Soir played host to more of our designers' Autumn/Winter '12 collections as a temporary Katch PR showroom. First to meet our eye was Zeynep Tosun's futurist, urban tribalism, with precisely cut coats, and ferocity infixed in the finer details. The rigidity in the collection's structured outerwear, and stiff leather peplums was juxtaposed by the sheer panelled shirts, and fluid, white dresses. It's contrasts like these, and the minute silver tusk details in the pieces' fastenings that embody the urban, young woman today; with a vulnerability beneath the defensive exterior. 

Similarly, MATH Collective's Shahzad Mohayudin also works modernity into his collection through form and structure, ensuring an everyday wearability in a collection of luxe-material pieces. It's MATH's traditionally high-end fabrics, worked into sportswear-inspired silhouettes that emanates an understated elegance, making MATH seem a reliable choice for today's "out-the-door-in-five", but put-together woman. Another press-day showroom displaying the versatility of our designers, and how their differing aesthetics can translate similar themes.

Images and text by Sara McAlpine, 
Follow her @sara_mcalpine

INTERVIEW| Shahzad Mohaydin, designer behind MATH

Vauxhall Fashion Scout rushed backstage to catch MATH designer Shahzad Mohaydin after his first independent runway show. 


VFS: Post show! MATH's first solo catwalk show has just finished, tell me how you're feeling?
SM: It's a really difficult feeling to actually describe. because I honestly never thought this would be a reality, could ever be possible. When you are walking into the building and you see the board and you see the space, it takes you aback. So I feel amazing.
VFS: What do you think of the space here at Vauxhall Fashion Scout's Freemason's Hall?
SM: It's, honestly, so beautiful. You've got two different spaces; the clean, big room where you can have clothes that can really carry it. Then you've got the hall, which I exhibited in, which I think is so grand. It's got so many smaller, beautiful details which really fit in with the collection. I was even saying to the stylist, that even tones on the floor that match the colours in the collection! It was amazing, I love Vauxhall Fashion Scout.
VFS: What do you think about VFS as a platform for emerging designers like yourself?
SM: I honestly wouldn't be here without Vauxhall [Fashion Scout]. To have have been lucky enough to showcase as part of House of Evolution last time, then for VFS to have selected me to come back to show my own collection, it really makes you feel like you have people that really support you. In this industry, you work alone, there is one person in this business! So to have people who are backing you, it's unbelievable. I'm so grateful to VFS for everything they've done for me... It's so big! To be with VFS is such a big deal, part of that is a real honour, I really appreciate it. It's a real opportunity. 
VFS: Can you give me a little bit of information about this line, what is your AW12 collection about?
SH: It's not about a fantasy women, but inspired by the women who actually buy my clothes, who my customers are. Meeting these people, they're looking for clothes which are elegant and understated but they have a fashion edge to them. Secondly, I love London, I love this city, we've got so much tradition and heritage, there's a real culture here that has been lost slightly. But now you have all of these designers who are really pushing London Fashion Week, I think it's so important to keep London on the map. Everything [in my collection] is produced here in London. It's a real inspiration to mix the heritage with the modern roots; the leather, the zips. It's a nod to the heritage. 


VFS: Once again, congratulations on your first solo catwalk. Have fun celebrating!


Interview by Cass Gowing, VFS Blog Editor
T: @CassGowing, www.cassgowingfashion.co.uk
Photography by Natalia Ilina, www.rowanpapier.com