Words: Sarah Barlow
Photography: Christopher Dadey
Illustration: Kelly Sheppard
Saturday, 18 September 2010
Ones-To-Watch : A.Hallucination Catwalk Review
Ones-To-Watch : Charlotte Taylor Catwalk Review
When Charlotte Taylor’s collection, Inspired by vintage robots, sail making, copper and rust, first popped out on the catwalk I was charmed by it’s playfulness. A sweet pair of girly high waisted shorts made from a delicious dusty green velvet shimmered somewhat in the light as the show opened. There were soft light cornflower blues, buttercup yellow and bands of poppy red, areas of fabric were cut away at the midriff leaving a cage detail wrapping around the form making simple silhouettes frivolous. The bold tones were contrasted with muted taupe and decorated with industrial T shape metal pendants, some dangling solo and other stacked to create a grid like shape, alluding to the theme of mechanical objects.
There were thick loop straps in each of the key colours stacked strategically on shoulders as Charlotte toyed with interesting necklines, slits and areas cut out like missing puzzle pieces. A personal favorite was what I can only describe as a Juicy yellow and taupe toy robot print playsuit and a pleated front dress in the same print but with the pattern broken down into panels at the back. When I later looked in my goody bag I found a little robot cookie matching the collection!
Charlotte’s collection had an appealing innocence and zing about it, what an amazing London Fashion Week debut for this young designer!
Ones-To-Watch : LiLee Catwalk Review
Womenswear designer LiLee was the first of four to grace the catwalks in our Ones-To-Watch group show this season, the perfect launching pad for budding young designers. The first look breezed out in a cloud of white, as a prettily adorned sculptural dress fluttered down the catwalk, folds of sheer white fabric clustered to create a bed of raw edged texture. With a minimalist palette of predominantly white and touches of navy and black, LiLee’s collection focused on form, detail and silhouette. The fabrics were intricately yet subtly detailed, a trellis motif mesh, sheer white lines cut into crisp tailored yet delicate separates and ghostly chiffon whispered down the catwalk. Dresses featured tiers and pleats reminding me of slatted white windows, slivers of skin peeking through between the opaque sections. Diagonals and vertical lines traced the model’s silhouettes, as short neat collars crisply contrasted the feminine forms. The collection was complimented with white and gold chain necklaces rested tidily upon collarbones. Overall a stunningly fresh collection to kick of an inspired group show.
words by Lara Angol
Images by Natalia Ilina
Images by Natalia Ilina
Illustrations by Kelly Sheppard and Vic Riches
Bottlegreen Back Stage at Ones To Watch
Our main drinks sponsor, Bottlegreen, has been keeping everyone refreshed back stage today with their range of sparkling presses in thirst-quenching flavours including Cox’s Apple, Cranberry and Elderflower...
Photography: Natalia Ilina
Photography: Natalia Ilina
Friday, 17 September 2010
Kingston Catwalk Review
Fashion Scout witnessed the most packed show yet, with bustling crowds clamouring for seats. Raised conversations and obsessive fanning ensued, before the lights dimmed..
Yasmin Siddiqui opened the show. A beautiful colour palette of nude and grey with the occasional pop of aqua and red flowed down the runway, whilst trance music played.
Stacey Grant followed with sophisticated tan and navy pieces, waistcoats and blazers.
Thirdly came Raine Hodgson presenting a huge faux fur coat with high-rise trousers for her first look, a personal favourite if anyone knows of my fur addiction. This was followed by khaki and tan coloured outfits, such as a contemporary style suit twinned with a leather and tweed backpack.
As MGMT’s Flash Delirium filled the room, models strutted forward in Faraz Hussian’s creations. His menswear collection included a fringed belt, jacket with visible stitching and hood and a pair of paint-effect leather leggings.
Judy Zhang followed with her statement symmetrical shaped and mirrored jewellery layered over camel and dusky pink tones.
Alison Firth focused on an earthy colour palette and the models were seen with scrunched socks, military boots. I loved her light brown cape offering.
Jackie Leung introduced block white pieces onto the runway, particularly an oversized trench coat.
Menswear designer Helen Taylor, showcased a quirky English gentleman look. Tailored trousers and brown satchels were seen amidst structured headpieces and rubber cuffs.
Next up was Victor Chan’s sophisticated New Woman creations, in midnight blue and green. These ladylike shapes were contrasted by black leather gloves and chic silver necklaces.
As the audience listened to loud distorted beats, Patricia Osbahr gave us black on black, “technology on craft”. Gloves, bat wing shapes, opaque tights and shoulder pieces all made up the overall look.
Stephanie Grace Foy continued the show with innovative yet simply cut pieces, including Perspex cuffs, trousers with transparent side strips and a layered dress with bib.
However, all shows must come to an end so the audience watched as the final graduate’s collection graced the catwalk. Eunjin Oh did not disappoint. Mannish shapes, buttoned cuffs, maxi dresses with cut-out sleeves and heavily structured shoulders on all her designs embodied her theme, ‘A Woman Confined’.
With such breathtaking pieces seen this year, Vauxhall Fashion Scout is overjoyed by the continuing talent of Kingston graduates for the second season.
Words: Tess Stam
Photography: Nicole Trundle
Words: Tess Stam
Photography: Nicole Trundle
Kingston Presentation Review
Entering Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s exhibition hall filled with the MA students’ designs gave me an insight into the innovative minds of the graduates. A wild mix of knitwear, modernistic shapes, and contrasting textures greeted the eye and the viewers struggled to choose whose dramatic idea to focus on first! Would it be the ‘fractured dress’, colourful knitted body suit or interestingly draped skirts and dresses?
Final designs ranged from lycra catsuits, quilted dresses and voluminous jumpsuits showing just how versatile and diverse the students all are. Lianna Sheppard undeniably stole everyone’s attention with her surreal 3D structured creations. Of her label ‘Modu_gram’ she says it, “is as much about process as it is about product.” A personal favourite was Yuka Maeda who has named her designs ‘You’re all mine (you’re all in me)’, she urges viewers to “read my stitches, look closely at the embroidery, all my secrets revealed”. The final look consists of cheeky long socks and school girl style neutral coloured dresses.
To the side of the hall, students displayed key pieces from their collections. These ranged from sparkly masks, wooden head pieces, geometric shaped bangles and folded leather necklaces. Judging by this preview, the show later today is bound to be a success!
Words by Tess Stam
Illustration by Laura Cremene
Photography by Nicole Trundle
BodyAmr : Featured On Harper's Bazaar Online
Today on the eve of their London Fashion Week catwalk show at Vauxhall Fashion Scout Harper's Bazaar speaks with BodyAmr about Fashion Week fittings, pre-show jitters and Celebrity admirers!
Click here to read more...
Krizia Robustella Catwalk Review
Today Vauxhall Fashion Scout saw Robustella showcasing her new s/s 2011 collection, ‘Beautiful Beach’. As the stylish audience crowded into the venue, the bright white catwalk was lit up by a slide show of waves, palm trees and seagulls as a sound-track of crashing waves was heard. An early 90’s pop track began as the first models took to the runway. Krizia’s label presents an eclectic mix of sports deluxe with casual fashion wear, focusing for this collection, on a fun and youthful beach theme.
The opening look was Baywatch inspired, with the girls parading down the catwalk in yellow swimsuits and bright red heels. This colour palette continued with strong block coloured items in yellow, cerulean blue and red with orange accessories. The male models were dressed in logo-heavy t-shirts and matching trousers or towelling fabric tracksuit tops with sewn on badges. Also seen was Hawaiian style skirts and flower neckpieces. The models held a laid back stance throughout to complement the cool, commercial and youthful designs.
The sporty swimwear based collection was kept modern by white fringing, seen on leggings and mini dresses, transparent backs and ruched bangles and statement necklaces. Overall a refreshing show, and as autumn draws ever closer Krizia's summery show has us excited for next summer already!
Words by Tess Stam
Images by Nicole Trundell
Illustration by Laura Cremene
Illustration by Laura Cremene
Exhibition Designer : Tramp In Disguise
I caught up with Sini Moilanen of Tramp in Disguise on the first day of her stand here at Freemasons’ Hall. After rushing to prepare her collection for exhibition, she took a minute to chat to me about the inspiration behind her designs and why she loves creating such striking pieces.
Sini began her artistic journey studying Textile Design, continuing with a Masters in Fashion Knitwear. Beginning her own label seemed like the perfect step forward in order to channel her wild ideas.
How did you come up with the catchy name for your brand?
It actually came from a friend of mine who once described me as a tramp in disguise. I loved this idea and found it very funny so I guess the name just stuck.
What inspired your latest collection?
It began with the volcanic eruption in Iceland, which gave me tons of ideas for my clothing. The collection sprang from the story of the beautiful and tempestuous Pele, Goddess of Volcanoes. I wanted to capture her fire and magic and translate this through modern design.
Is this what influenced the strong colour palette?
Yes, the graphic prints symbolise volcanic eruption and fire, whilst I created some pieces in light greys to signify ash clouds. I used seismograph print on some of the pieces to echo the effects of earthquakes following an eruption.
What about the shapes of your designs?
I prefer flowing silhouettes and introduced cut-out pieces on some pieces (such as the cropped cardigans) which represent the craters left behind in the earth after a volcano.
Sini wants to see her brand grow and grow so she can continue to present her strongly inspired creations to the fashion industry.
Words: Tess Stam
Photography: Nicole Trundle
Photography: Nicole Trundle
Goody Bag Design By Georgia Hardinge
Those who were lucky enough to sit front row at our esteemed 'Ones To Watch' Show earlier this evening, would have received one of these fantastic canvas goody bags designed by our very own Vauxhall Fashion Scout designer, Georgia Hardinge. The featured digi print, inspired by the sculptures of Versailles, is also present in Georgia's SS 11 collection entitled 'La Belle et la Bete'.
Friday's Exhibiting Designer: Una Burke
With so many talented designers exhibiting with us this season, it’s a shame that not all of them can present everyday. Displaying her structural leather 'wearable pieces of art' for today and today only is Una Burke. Following our previous conversation earlier this summer, I caught up with Una this afternoon to find out what she’s been up to since…
"Since our last meeting I have been busy contacting buyers and concentrating on the new collection. I’ve also been getting a bit more exposure in the press; today actually a Norwegian magazine called Vixen came out which featured one of my pieces on the cover, modelled by Keith Richards daughter, Alexandra."
So tell me about your latest collection…
"I still have my signature body, neck and arm pieces but I also wanted to create a series of bags and belts; something that’s a bit more accessible and wearable for my customer."
How’s today gone so far?
"Really good: I have had quite a lot of press visiting my stand, as well as some stylists from both LOVE and Tank and a buying scout."
For more details and images of her SS11 Collection, visit Una's website.
Sarah Barlow, Illustration by Laura Cremene
Prophetik Catwalk Review
As I entered the catwalk hall, following a relaxed drink reception in the foyer, I was greeted by a flurry of sensations. Olfactory, visual and audio, no sense was left untouched. The air smelt of an orchard and swirled with the scent of freshly cut grass, whilst a melodic tune of an all American west country band bounced around the room. Stretched out along the catwalk was a crisp green length of turf, transforming the pristine white catwalk into a charming meadow, the mood was set!
Styled by Rebekah Roy the models, crowned by their wispy fair hair folded into fishtail braids, wondered down the catwalk with a nonchalant elegance. Presented on the catwalk were off-white prairie style boned gowns worn with boots laced along the curve of the heal, dip dyed romantic floor length dresses and thinner flirtier a-line shapes.
The men’s looks were equally as romantic as designer Jeff Garner played with layering. Weathered shirts sat casually under waistcoats, one of which was mottled at the back by a painterly hand-dying process.
The Atmosphere continued even after the show as the audience swarmed Jeff to celebrate the success of the show. I managed to steal a few seconds and found out what comes next for the ethical fashion advocate.
“It’s a lovely feeling now the show is done! We are actually closing Vancouver Fashion Week, so I’m flying out in about a week. I’m going to stick around in England to ride a horse first!”
As promised Prophetik delivered another theatrical show this Spring/Summer 2011!
Words: Lara Angol
Photography: Nicole Trundle
Illustrations: Kelly Sheppard
Photography: Nicole Trundle
Illustrations: Kelly Sheppard
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