NEWS| Leutton Postle receives acclaim in InStyle Magazine

Former Vauxhall Fashion Scout Merit award winners Leutton Postle have been featured in InStyle magazine where their knitwear pieces have been likened to Meadham Kirchhoff and Louise Gray. The brand who won the SS12 VFS Merit Award were featured on the Style Candy page of InStyle magazine where their innovative use of knit and quirky colour combinations were brought to attention.

The design duo Jenny Postle and Sam Leutton, both graduates of Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design gained experience working within the fashion industry, working at Browns and knitwear specialists Stoll respectively. They’ve made a name for themselves reinventing knitwear with handmade techniques that celebrate creativity as well as craftsmanship.

Showing their collection of earth tone knits mixed with bursts of colour, whimsical crayon-like prints and metallic accents at Vauxhall Fashion Scout last season, this is a duo that never fails to surprise us!

By Vanessa Omoregie

Follow her on Twitter @wewearblack
Image from InStyle, video from Leutton Postle's SS12 show at Vauxhall Fashion Scout

NEWS| T.Lipop's AW12 Lookbook

Vauxhall Fashion Scout designer T.Lipop has released his lookbook images for his AW12 collection. Edgy, tailored yet somewhat Neanderthal, Tom showcased the  frostbitten collection at the The Fashion East Menswear Installation moments before hitting the Freemason's catwalk in February.


Designer Tom Lipop is one of ten designers who have been granted the opportunity to showcasing their Spring / Summer creations through Fashion East as part of BFC's brand new London Collections: Men which takes place this month.

T.Lipop's SS designs will be displayed through the installation on June 17th and you can still register for an industry pass here, Meanwhile, make sure you follow T.Lipop on Twitter as he has been excitedly tweeting about the progress he's making with his designs and the upcoming event!

By Cass Gowing, Editor

Follow her on Twitter @CassGowing

Images from T.Lipop and Twitter

NEWS| Beyonce wears VFS alumni David Koma for comeback gig

 Beyonce images from Black Style Central

David Koma, SS12 collection by Christopher James

When Beyonce Knowles returned to the stage this weekend for her first live gig since she gave birth, she whipped her new figure into five different costumes. The one outfit which was on everyone's lips is the David Koma bodysuit. The black mesh leotard with geometric patterns is from the designer's SS12 collection. Koma, a VFS alumni alongside Hermione de Paula and Peter Pilotto, teamed the bodysuit with a peplum pleated blue mid skirt for his SS12 showcase last September, whereas Beyonce bared all with just a leather belt to accessorise.  

Cass Gowing, Editor

Follow her on Twitter @CassGowing

VFS Illustrator Andy Bumpus at Vogue.Com

You will recognize his work by his faceless illustration with the only appearance of his signature tiny sexy red lips.

Andy Bumpus, our Fashion Week illustrator extraordinaire, just published his illustration from SS12 Fashion Week at Vogue.com, including some of his illustration from Vauxhall Fashion Scout shows.

Have a look to all of them here.

BLOW... Presents Press Day

Liberum Arbitrium 

In his collection, designer Shinsuke Mitsuoka, combines the couture influences of his base in Paris, with the individuality and creative flair associated with London.  Translated as “free will”, Liberum Arbitrium seems to be a gothic homage to a futuristic, empowered woman.  His use of leather and sheer creates a paradox in theme, but not in tone; the Shinsuke Mitsuoka woman, is a woman to be feared, but also, a woman to be loved.

t lipop 

Although based in menswear, Tom Lipop always manages to innovate an androgyny within his work.  His materials are unconventional - some being almost aboriginal - and yet he adapts them to work within the demographic of the industry.  His collection was contemporary, modern, and conceptual; and yet, although it would seem impossible, still effortlessly wearable.  

Zyanya Keizer 

Think black. Think structure. Think darkly alluring. Think Zyanya Keizer.  Highlighting the ambiguity between what is ‘art’, and what is ‘fashion’, Zyanya created a collection that oozes adventure, ethereal quality, and enticing imagination.  At first glance, her collection seems harsh - darkly sartorial - and yet on the cut of each piece - emphasising the human figure behind it - accentuates the soft beauty underlying each piece. 

Claudia Ligari 

By contrast... Think white. Think loose draping.  Think subtle femininity.  Think Claudia Ligari. A breath of simple fresh air, amidst the bustling chaos of the fashion industry, Ligari’s collection is clean, understated, and yet deeply beautiful.  Her use of sheers and hammered silks enable her to drape the material loosely, while enabling it to fall perfectly on the body.  A perfect example of the how nudes, and flesh tones can speak for themselves.

Eleanor Amoroso 

Based on Japanese wall hangings, Amoroso work has already achieved recognition on the cover of Volt Magazine; not only for it’s beauty and elegance, but also for the effort that she goes to creating it - each tassel is hand stitched onto the garment, described as ‘a commemoration of the forgotten art of craftsmanship”. We can’t help but think it has paid off. 

Abi Gurney-Read

BLOW PR Press Day

BLOW PR is renowned for having on board some of the best talent in the fashion industry. They pride themselves on their in-depth knowledge and continually see successful results with their clientbase. They are also home to Blow Presents... a platform for emerging and original talent, in which they support innovative designers, placing them at the forefront of the industry. So, we popped along to their press day to see what they had to offer for next season.

Alpana and Neeraj

Demonstrating the sartorial beauty that can be created when combining juxtaposed elements, Alpana and Neeraj’s collection showcased themes of the extra-terrestrial - using fibre glass boning - perfectly amalgamated with an ethereal elegance - cascading drapes of material in subtle pastel shades.

    

Georgia Hardinge 

Winner of our A/W ’11 Merit Award, Georgia Hardinge is already a firm favourite, and this season is no exception.  Despite their monochromatic palette, her collection exudes excitement and movement; a celebration of the female form, without being ostentatiously exposing.  There is a contrast between severe lines, and smooth silhouettes; while all the time maintaining an effortless grace.  

Flik Hall

Her collection, “The Ghost in the Machine” settled on a dark, yet sophisticated theme; using leathers, heavier fabrics and shadow-like tones.  It’s perfection comes from it’s understated sexual allure, where each piece contours to the body perfectly, yet is far from restrictive to the wearer. 

Soojin Lee

Based on ‘The Secret Garden’, Soojin Lee collection captures the innocence, and excitement of youth.  Bright colours and decadent florals are juxtaposed with a sophisticated cut; encouraging our decidedly fashion-forward inner child to be released.

BJØRG (Jewellery)

The jewellery of Scandinavian designer, Bjørg, has an incredible power of making you want to ditch the day job, and run off to become a warrior princess.  There is a natural rawness to each piece; whether it be her horse-hair choker, or her bone-like metal cuffs.  I wasn’t blessed with the red hair of Boudicca, but with Bjørg’s stunning creations, I could definitely work her aesthetic.  

J Smith Esquire

After winning a cacophony of awards, including the British Fashion Council’s “Young Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2010, it seems that Justin - aka “J Smith” - can do no wrong; and his collection was a perfect demonstration of why this is.  Intricate, extravagant, and with stunning craftsmanship, each piece seemed more reminiscent of a sculpture than a product of millinery.  J Smith Esquire once again merges the distinction between art and fashion, with seemingly effortless ease.  

Underground (Footwear)

Edgy, rebellious, ‘authentic British Rock n Roll’ brand, Underground, stuck to their roots with this collection of footwear and still remains a firm favourite with individual fashion-enthusiasts, bringing the identity of Brick Lane to Greater London.  It frequents a regular spot on the catwalks, but fear not they are not an unattainable exclusive.  To get you want your own piece of original Punk Chic from the high-street, they are stocked in Topshop - time for a quick trip to Oxford Street! 

Abi Gurney-Read