COLLECTION| Raffaele Ascione launches A/W13 collection and holds sample sale

Big things are happening for Fashion Scout designer Raffaele Ascione as he launches his A/W13 collection, short film and holds a sample sale.

Raffaele chose to focus on finalising his A/W13 designs as opposed to showcasing them through an exhibition or catwalk presentation this season. Consequently, launching the collection live on his website and across his social media platforms (through his lookbook and subsequently his short fashion film - see above-) shortly after fashion week. 

The collection itself? Darker and more subversive than his prior collection, each garment's shapes have ballooned to oversized yet maintain an intense element of femininity and wearability. A progression of more luxe fabrics are completed with lace appliqué, material juxtaposition and strong zip detailing.

Raffaele will be holding a sample sale of his last four collections this Saturday (16.03.13). For more information, visit Raffaele's Facebook page. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor. Follow her on Twitter @CassGowing

Images from Raffaele Ascione

NEWS| Raffaele Ascione S/S13 in the press

Vauxhall Fashion Scout designer Raffaele Ascione was featured in an 1883 editorial just days before showcasing his SS13 collection at VFS's Freemasons Hall during LFW. 

1883 magazine teamed up with Martin Zahringer in order to promote Raffaele's collection with an editorial spread which was styled by Holly Ounstead. 

Vauxhall Fashion Scout hosted Raffaele's first ever catwalk showcase on Saturday 15th September 2012 (he also presented his AW12 in a striking presentation last season at VFS) where the Central St Martins student showcased his line of aesthetically feminine-streetwear chic clothing through his highly anticipated SS13 line

Fashion 156 described his "jocular mix of references and textures provide just the right amount of eccentricity to keep London at the forefront of statement fashion", NOT JUST A LABEL made reference to his "contemporary mix appealing to all women" whilst his collection was also featured on British Vogue and Glamour.

By Editor Cass Gowing, follow her on Twitter @CassGowing

Images from 1883 magazine and Vogue.com

CATWALK| Raffaele Ascione S/S13

Images by Christopher Dadey

COLLECTION| Raffaele Ascione S/S13

Raffaele Ascione reinvents luxe fabrics with neon and sequin detailing. The Central Saint Martin’s graduate takes inspiration from Fruit of the Loom sweatshirts developing his graduate work for this Spring/Summer 2013 collection that attracted an excited crowd.

Hip-Hop and R&B fills the room as the first model opens the show with a mood of pure attitude and energy that embodies the collection. A-line silhouettes and detailing challenges feminine norms and breaks the mould of what is expected. Street meets regal in dishevelled quilted fabrics and bursts of colour creating a new type of woman and a look that is full of attitude. Customised hooped earrings and platform shoes show the creativity that Raffaele has when bringing together luxury and street style. Raffaele brings his own flair to this collection, decorating each piece with a bright signature style that doesn’t go missed. Inspired by his closest friends, the looks focus on statement accessories that represent strong professional women in his life.

Charming day dresses, coats, and shorts compose the collection with a mix of pastel shades incorporated with leather skirts and shorts that giving an edge to classic feminine shapes. Experimenting with materials and textures the designer creates a remix of looks with embellishments and lace.

Embedding the collection with personal details, the designer is very much a part of his work making each look fun and exciting. Neons, sexy cut outs and lace panelling make the collection youthful showing Raffaele Ascione’s energy as a young designer.

Text by Vanessa Omoregie (@wewearblack)

Images by Ryan Bater

BACKSTAGE| Raffaele Ascione S/S13

For Raffaele Ascione's first catwalk show plays with colour and sportswear in an incredible manner, and though the designer confesses himself as 'non conceptual", the same sporty trend transfers to the beauty look with ease.

For that 'post-run glow' we seem to covet season after season, The Body Shop team layered their 'Radiant' highlighter both over and under their 'Extra Virgin Mineral Foundation' to create a dewy and fresh base for the skin. Using the lighter shade in their 'Moonshine Shimmer' duo eyeshadow, an additional highlight to the cheekbones and eyes was added.



On the eyes it was decided to switch from black eyeliner to a more energetic shade of 'Brilliant Blue' with a brand new blue eyeshadow (unnamed, at the moment) from next year's releases pack over the top. Brows were left groomed but natural and the eye look was finished with lashings of The Body Shop's 'Brilliant Volume' mascara on both top and bottom lashes.



The athletic and glossy look made its way to the hair by the hands of the Toni and Guy crew. With no heat, sea salt was worked throughout the lengths of the hair to create an undone and almost sea-strewn texture. With ears peeking out, hair was combed and flattened to the top of the ear from the scalp and will receive a few extra sprays of sea salt before Ascione's runway debut.







Text  by Lela London, 

Images by Asia Werbel

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| Spotlight on Raffaele Ascione on My Fashion Life

As part of British based feature in the run up to the Olympics, VFS designer Raffaele Ascione has been featured on My Fashion Life. 

The online publication focuses on the London based designer as despite being German born, he manufactures all of his collections here in the UK. 

"As well as having two of the biggest popstars on the planet wearing his designs (click here to check out Mother Monster [Lady Gaga] showcasing his awesome theatrical cape), Raffaele Ascione has already staged several flawless fashion week shows, with his latest being at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout at London Fashion Week last season".

As posted on our blog last week, Raffaele is currently raising funding for his next collection. Click here to support the emerging designer. 

By Editor, Cass Gowing

Images from My Fashion Life

NEWS| Raffaele Ascione featured in SYN magazine editorial

Issue three, or 'The Fatal Issue' of SYN magazine has featured the detailed dresses of VFS's designer Raffaele Ascione in one of their editorials. The independent, quarterly online magazine is one with the aim to "represent the fresh and creative of the new generation" and so his pieces are right at home. Ascione is a London based designer and has gained experience under the likes of Max Mara and Gareth Pugh. A recent womenswear graduate of Central Saint Martins, his work's been published around the UK and Europe, as well as showcased at London Fashion Week.

Josh Walker, VFS contributor (@josh_walker_)

NEWS| Raffaele Ascione in Papercut magazine

Raffaele Ascione’s Autumn/Winter pieces are becoming somewhat of editorial-regulars- having already been seen in POP, and Wonderland to name just a few.

This time, the VFS designer has had his work featured in a romantic, old Hollywood style shoot in Papercut magazine's June issue; his wide legged palazzo pants, and fire-brick red skirt showcasing the versatility of Ascione’s pieces.

You can check out the remaining shots on Papercut magazine’s website here.

NEWS| Raffaele Ascione talks 'Drop Everything' Festival

Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s Raffaele Ascione recently attended Ireland’s ‘Drop Everything’ Festival as a guest-speaker, sharing insight into the industry, and imparting some of his personal fashion wisdom.

London-based Raffaele hasn’t always been based in the city, and started his fashion education in Limerick; so attending the festival was a case of getting back to his design-roots, and speaking to creatives whose position he once shared. We caught up with Raffaele after the Arts and Culture fest to find out how it went, and to hear about his weekend highlights.

“It went really well… it was really nice to be back where I started, as my fashion education started out [here] in Limerick…. And the festival vibes were amazing, as there were so many artists invited from London, New York, Iceland and Ireland.”

… and Raffaele revealed he’s no one-trick [design] pony when we asked for his weekend-best-bits, showing he can try his hand at any construction technique:

“The highlight was my workshop with one of the original old ladies, who was part of the Aran-Knit generation. I was knitting with her… it felt really overwhelming.”

To find out more about ‘Drop Everything’ fest, and to keep tabs on when it next takes place, visit the website here. Be sure to also follow Raffaele on Twitter @ascione_studio for Spring/Summer ’13 updates.

DESIGNER EXCLUSIVE| Fashion Fringe Semi-Finalist, Raffaele Ascione

Vauxhall Fashion Scout recently caught up with Fashion Fringe semi-finalist, Raffaele Ascione to talk prep for his coming interview with chairman, Christopher Bailey, and the roots of his hip-hop-infused feminine design. Meeting in his studio- the back room of his shared apartment- Raffaele talks us through images tacked to his walls- sharing wall-space with toile, and sequin samples that hint at what to expect next season- and his career "near-miss" ( surprisingly more in keeping with Beyonce's "Run the World" playing in the background). Raffaele- also an established illustrator- starts with where it all began: drawing.

... I've been drawing since forever. My Mum says now, "my God, Lello, you used to draw all the time. On everything. Anything you could find: bills, anything that was lying around". She'd go mad over it. 

VFS:... not the usual kindergarden scrawls on the living room wall?

RA: When I was in Kindergarden in Austria, it was clothes- in my teens, it was Britney Spears, and Destiny's Child outfits- I really would draw literally every day. It was my only way of being creative at the time. When I decided to study fashion, I began thinking differently... especially because at the time, I was thinking "am I going to be a professional dancer, or am I going to do this?". So, I did take it more seriously, and I would tell myself "you need to practice one hour a day. At least." Second year [of my] BA, I had my first solo exhibition in London, then in Frankfurt a year later- which sold out- and the commissions started coming in, so it really became... "something". 

VFS: So, Frankfurt's where you grew up? It sounds as if you've lived everywhere- Germany, Italy, Ireland- here- where's home?!

RA: Fankfurt's home. If I want to escape, and I have the time, I'll go there. I lived in Italy as well for two, or three years, but I was born and raised in Germany. It'll always be home. Italy completely inspired me all the time though; I grew up with very traditional, Italian women around me. My nan really inspires me- she's one of those really passionate- stubborn- Italian women. That's where my feminine "side" probably comes from; and that side of my work as well, with the lace.

VFS: Do you think the nomadic upbringing is how you've come to work so successfully with two aesthetics that can be considered poles-apart: the traditionally-feminine, with street-wear?

RA: Yeah, growing up Germany, my friends were really into hip-hip culture, and were listening to Fugees, Dr.Dre, Tupac... we were mad about LL Cool J, and I used to wear my Southpole baggy jeans, and Nike oversized T-shirts- well, I'm kind of going back to that now... but you will always see sporty elements in my clothes- but going back to the women I grew up with- I'm also always going to be mixing it with the feminine. 

VFS: So, your aesthetic is already pretty established; what can we expect to see next season? I'm seeing a lot of sequins samples tacked to the wall...

RA: It's important every season to be moving my textile forward. I really want to develop the lace- push boundaries with it, try something new- that's the first focus... and then the sequins came in. I'd like to be bolder with colour; it'll be a continuation of the pale blues from Autumn/Winter- corals, mint greens, baby blues... but then obviously really mix them in with the black looks. 

VFS: It feels bolder.

Yeah.

... and not the extended, uncertain "yeah" of designer afraid to take risks. Ascione knows what he wants; knows where he's going; knows it in detail... down to the Studio 54 walk of his look book girls (see?). 

Images and text by Sara McAlpine. Follow her @sara_mcalpine

INTERVIEW SNEAK PEEK| Fashion Fringe Semi-Finalist, Raffaele Ascione

Exclusive photo from Raffaele's studio yesterday

Raffaele has been chosen by Christopher Bailey as a semi finalist, image from Fashion Fringe's website. 

Yesterday, whilst VFS's Selection Panel for SS13 designers was under way, Sub Editor Sara McAlpine popped to VFS designer Raffaele Ascione's studio to grill him on SS13 and what it feels like to be chosen by Christopher Bailey as a Fashion Fringe Semi-Finalist. 

Wednesday is our usual Designer Exclusive day, however, this exclusive interview is so juicy and packed full of gossip - we're going to leave you waiting another day!

NEWS| Fashion Fringe names semi-finalists

Yesterday saw the announcement of the 2012 Fashion Fringe semi-finalists; one of which was Vauxhall Fashion Scout's own, Raffaele Ascione. Shortlisted by chairman- and creative director at Burberry- Christopher Bailey, Ascione, and his fellow semi-finalists are competing for the chance to showcase their respective collections during next season's London Fashion Week. 

We spoke to Raffaele following the news, and here's what he had to say about the achievement:

"I'm really excited- chuffed- to have been hand picked by Christopher Bailey, as I like his work. myself.
I am working on one outfit for the interview, so will be focusing on that, and making sure its going to look absolutely amazing!"

... & no doubt it will.

Click here for details of the selection process, and the nine other semi-finalists named.

COLLECTIONS| Raffaele Ascione, Myrza de Muynck & Leutton Postle Press & Sales Day

This week, we paid a visit to VFS designers, Raffaele Ascione, Myrza de Muynck, and Leutton Postle for their AW12 press and sales day. Whilst you may have seen us boast of cake on Twitter, we can promise, that's only the second thing that kept us there... 

The Central Saint Martins grads took to Mowlem Galleries to set up shop, and discuss their collections with the press; discussions that dropped hints at what to expect beyond Autumn/Winter... We can't share anything yet, but when the time comes to spill, you're first on our list, so make sure you follow us on Twitter! You'll find Raffaele, Myrza and Leutton Postle on there too, giving you first-hand insights into their creative process.

Images & text by Sara McAlpine

Follow her @sara_mcalpine

NEWS| Private Sales & Press Day for Vauxhall Fashion Scout Designers Myrza De Muynck, Raffaele Asconi & Leutton Postle

NEWS| 'POP' Interview Raffaele Ascione

Vauxhall Fashion Scout's Raffaele Ascione recently caught up with POP Magazine's Rachel Miles to talk Autumn-Winter '12, and where things are heading for the CSM graduate's Spring/Summer collection. Interviewed alongside best friend- and shoe designer- Claire Davis, POP got details from the design process, to how it feels working so closely with a long-time friend.

Click here for POP's interview, and accompanying editorial.

You can also find our interviews with Raffaele, and Claire by clicking each of their names.

INTERVIEW| Raffaele Ascione on AW12 Presentation

With his first showing since his 2011 MA, London-based Raffaele Ascione’s Autumn/Winter collection has been a long time coming, and one that’s been eagerly awaited by a growing number of international fashion press. Post-show, we flagged down the young designer to ask what’s changed since his Central Saint Martins graduate showcase, how it finally feels to have a new collection out there, and why he thought carpets would be best placed on-your-person.

VFS: Your Autumn/Winter ’12 collection is a lot more feminine and fluid than your previous MA’s; was it a conscious decision to work with less structure, and focus on the fluidity of the pieces?

RA: I think my style before [the MA] was more fluid, then when it came to the MA collection, it was about approaching- and pushing- a new aesthetic and making something else that was still “me”. Now, I think that after the MA, and doing loads of research, and really trying to figure out what I wanted, that fluidity came back- especially because you don’t usually see fluid pieces in the Winter; I thought “f*** it, I’m going to do it”.

VFS: A lot of time has passed since that collection, so how do feel now that you’ve thought about, designed, and created a completely new set of looks- and now that these looks are finally out there?

RA: Overwhelmed. Thinking “is this really happening? Is this really my work?”. You always think, “I’d love to a presentation, or a show at fashion week”, and it’s happening. It looks beautiful, and the girls backstage feel beautiful, and they love wearing the stuff.

VFS: We’ve seen- they’re clutching those new season bags very tightly. [Shoe designer] Claire Davis told us that those bags are actual carpets that you’d folded into bags; what made you decide to incorporate carpets into the show’s accessories?

RA: They’re literally things I’d been collecting- Indian rugs- and just thought “f*** it, I’m going to make accessories out of this”, and we just approached it like that...!

VFS: Well, two collections in, it’s obviously an approach that’s earned you a lot of attention. How do you think working with Vauxhall Fashion Scout in particular has impacted upon your progression as a young designer?

RA: They’re been super supportive. They’ve actually been contacting me since my BA- which was in 2008- and since then, they’re been at my back, and been absolutely amazing so far. I recommend any designers work with them.

Interview by Sara McAlpine VFS Sub-Editor

Follow her @sara_mcalpine

Images By Natalia Lina