NEWS| Pam Hogg in Fatice Magazine

The extravagant Pam Hogg has had her work featured in Factice magazine. The photography dedicated fashion publication sees the designer's pieces displayed in their music issue. A musician herself, it's an issue she is sure to feel at home in. Styled with Givenchy accessories, Hogg's statement garments supplement the editorial effortlessly. Since launching her first collection in 1981, she is a designer who has gained a celebrity following, been featured in publications among the likes of Vogue and i-D and has truly made her mark on the fashion world. When Factice magazine state their first objective is to "offer a support and a freedom of expression to the strong personalities in the fashion industry," Pam Hogg is the perfect choice in achieving just that.

By Josh Walker

Follow him on Twitter @josh_walker_

Images from Fatice magazine

ANNOUNCEMENT| Spring Summer '13 Exhibition Designers

With our Spring/Summer '13 "Ones to Watch" revealed, along with Merit Award winner, Heohwan Simulation, and the new location of our Paris showroom, next season is well and truly on its way- more so now with the newly announced line-up for our Freemasons Hall exhibition.

The designers joining us in the exhibition space are-

Charlotte Simpson

Eleanor Amoroso

Emma J Shipley

Hana Cha

Hellen van Rees

Heohwan Simulation

Jennifer Morris

Liz Black

Lulu Liu

Manuela Dack

MASC

Ming Pin Tien

Patrick Li

Steven Tai

Taeseok Kang

Timur Kim

Yifang Wan

With a line-up consisting of Merit Award winners, and "Ones to Watch" past and present, alongside international prize-fund winners from various awarding bodies in the past year, the VFS exhibition in our Freemasons Hall is looking to be one worth walking into, with the designers themselves present to talk through recent collections. 

Vauxhall Fashion Scout´s London Exhibition launches on Friday 14th September, presenting a  static showcase of the most innovative new and emerging design talent, and runs through fashion week until Tuesday 18th September.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter @FashionScout for news regarding next season's London Fashion Week, and exclusive inside coverage during the event, taking place Friday 14th to Tuesday 18th September in Covent Garden's Freemasons Hall. 

COLLECTION| Anne Sofie Madsen AW lookbook images released

Autumn/ Winter 'One-to-Watch' Anne Sofie Madsen has just released lookbook images of the looks unveiled earlier this year with us at Freemasons. The Dutch-born designer's Inuit-inspired hues, and haunting print-work can be seen styled here on Madsen's website, along with the A/W VFS show video.

Follow, and Tweet us @FashionScout on Twitter, and Twitpic your favourite Autumn/Winter Madsen look.

Also read our post-show Anne-Sofie interview for more from the designer, and see her feature on Vogue Italia here.

NEWS| Georgia Hardinge Interviewed by Trace Publicity

Trace Publicity show their love for Vauxhall Fashion Scout designer Georgia Hardinge with an exclusive interview on their blog. 

Known for her excellent use of prints, Trace talk to Georgia about her AW12 prints and the inspiration behind the collection which she says was inspired by “Rachel Whiteread’s use of negative space and sculpture”. The designer also talks about her personal favourite print being the “Stained print” from her “Spined” collection which sold out from her store, but gives us a little to hint about her next collection saying that this one is “by far my favourite”!

A debut Resort collection and collaboration with Lancôme are amongst the many things Georgia has been up to these past few months, as well as preparing for SS13 which she describes as“print, sculptural layering, and transparencies”.  Georgia Hardinge will show her SS13 collection in September this year.

By Vanessa Omoregie

Follow her on Twitter @wewearblack

NEWS| Remembering Anna Piaggi

Image Source

The fashion world mourned a legend yesterday after it was announced that Anna Piaggi passed away at the age of 81. 

The style legend and Vogue Italia contributor was a well known face of the fashion front-row  - she even graced VFS with an appearance at our first catwalk showcase in 2007 - and was a muse to a plethora of designers, including Manolo Blahnik and Karl Lagerfeld.

Eccentric, vibrant and a true fashion inspiration to all - Anna Piaggi, you will be greatly missed. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor

Anna Piaggi, pictured at the first ever Vauxhall Fashion Scout event in September 2007

NEWS| Opening Ceremony pop-up store stocks VFS designers

Video Source

Before the Olympics hit town, the words “Opening Ceremony” meant something different in the lexicon of fashion and art enthusiasts- there are no NEXT-designed, gold-trimmed co-ords in this show-space; but you will find precious-metal coloured leathers from designers with an attention to craft, and detail a marathon-distance apart from the aforementioned high-street chain.

Just before the 2012 Olympics officially kicked-off, Carol Lim, and Humberto Leon-founded store, Opening Ceremony hit the UK with a central London-located pop-up on Covent Garden’s King Street.

Opening Ceremony is renowned for its unique commercial identity, providing an international platform for designers potentially considered “niche”, and contributing to both the recognition of stocked labels, and their commercial success- a hard balance to strike, but one they manage to no-less.

OC’s emphasis on the emerging in addition to the already-established is what makes them a VFS-draw- with names like David Koma, Yasmin Kianfar, and Peter Pilotto having previously been stocked. 

You can sign up for Opening Ceremony updates here, and follow @FashionScout on Twitter for updates on new VFS designers stocked online, and in-store. You can also shop Vauxhall Fashion Scout here, and at the King Street pop-up.

NEWS| Georgia Hardinge showcased designs at Hackney House

The work of Georgia Hardinge has been showcased in a recent Hackney House exhibition. On August 2nd, the trendy East London venue displayed the best of the fashion talent from the area, including that of the innovative and internationally stocked VFS designer. "I loved being part of Hackney House and I greatly respect the other designers involved," she said. "It was a real chance to come together and showcase our work collectively in this Olympic year! Andrew from Material PR did one amazing job!" Since launching her label in 2009 and being named Vauxhall Fashion Scout Merit Award winner for AW11, Georgia Hardinge has seen tremendous success including a main fashion feature in Marie Claire, critical acclaim in Vogue and being awarded InStyle's 'Name To Know'.

By Josh Walker

Follow him on Twitter @josh_walker_

Images from Georgia Hardinge

ANNOUNCEMENT| Vauxhall Fashion Scout Announce New Paris Showroom

Vauxhall Fashion Scout announce the launch of a new Paris Showroom for Paris Fashion Week, September 2012.

The Fashion Scout Showroom will return to Paris Fashion Week from: 

Thursday 27th September - Monday 1st October 10.00 - 19.00

Tuesday 2nd October 10.00 - 17.00

23 rue du Roi de Sicile

75004

PARIS

Nearest Metro Station: St Paul

Our seventh season in Paris, the home of new talent will be mixing the best in UK and International emerging designers, straight from Vauxhall Fashion Scout at London Fashion Week.

The new Fashion Scout Showroom is nestled in the heart of the Marais and just mere moments away from the London Showrooms, Acne, Dries Van Noten and Ann Sofie Back showrooms.

NEWS| Merit Award winner Heohwan Simulation in British Vogue

Newly announced Merit Award winner Heohwan Simulation has been featured in the latest edition of British Vogue. In September's Big Fashion Issue, Heohwan Simulation's talents have been scouted for 'The New Chic' piece by Harriet Quick.

Described as one of the 'new talents to watch', Harriet praises 'clever, neat urban wear' and features his wool and leather coat from his AW12 collection. 

"He might well be hitting our collective desire with a boxy, leather-panelled cashmere coat that took numerous toiles to perfect".

Hwan Heo, who was selected as a Vauxhall Fashion Scout's Ones to Watch designer last season and has been presented with the inaugural Merit Award for SS13, will have to get use to such favourable press in the run up to the next fashion week. 

Read more about our latest Merit Award winner and catch up on an exclusive interview with the designer. 

By Cass Gowing, Vauxhall Fashion Scout Editor

Images from British Vogue

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| Kirsty Ward wows with further coverage in the press

It was only a few weeks ago that we showcased on the blog a ton of Kirsty Ward press, from both print magazines and online publications, which led to us to chat to the designer regarding such coverage. Over the last couple of weeks, Kirsty Ward clothing has been featured further, this time in a range of breathtaking, yet contrastive editorials. The ones selected above, from Fatice, 1883 magazine and REVS, portray pieces from Kirsty Ward's collections, mostly AW12. 

In addition, a Kirsty Ward AW12 necklace was deemed an AnOther magazine 'love' for the 'BIG statement' it makes. Never a truer word spoken. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor

Follow her on Twitter

EXCLUSIVE| David Longshaw's assistant Maude channels Olympic-chic

David Longshaw has sent the VFS blog team this exclusive Olympic inspired drawing of Maude (and her pet Pertinence waving a team GB/team Maude flag). Maude is dressed in a David Longshaw AW12 dress, with a gold medal (9Maude style) and of course, carrying the Olympic flame. What better way to embrace the Olympic fever than with an on trend David Longshaw dress?!

Whilst you're in the spirit of things, remind yourself of David Longshaw's Olympic comic strip for Vogue Italia. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor

Illustration courtesy of David Longshaw

NEWS| Phoebe English's Show Studio film 'Frenetic Flesh' is available online

Back in the beginning of June, VFS designer and former Merit Award winner Phoebe English participated in a two day live stream film with SHOWstudio as part of their 'Selling Sex' season. The highly acclaimed live film, saw Phoebe collaborate with fusion belly dancer Leah Debrincat to create one-off garments which celebrates the connection between the body, movement and sexuality.

The edited film that follows the two day process process is now available to watch on SHOWstudio's website and YouTube. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor

Images from SHOWstudio

EXCLUSIVE| VFS chats to Heohwan Simulation following Merit Award announcement

Last week we were delighted to announce designer Heohwan Simulation as Spring/Summer 2013’s winner of the Vauxhall Fashion Scout Merit Award. The prestigious Merit Award provides the selected emerging designer with a valuable launch pad for their designing career. The internationally recognised award, which is worth £25,000 over three seasons includes a fully sponsored catwalk show and £1000 bursary. With the Merit Award prize launching the careers of high profile former winners William Tempest, David Koma, Hermione de Paula, Eudon Choi and Georgia Hardinge (to name but a few), it really is a valuable and exciting accolade. 

Needless to say, this season’s winner design label Heohwan Simulation are over the moon following the announcement, “Immediately after hearing the news, I was ecstatic until I started feeling the pressure build up as well. Buyers and the press have been contacting me since the announcement, and right now, the only thing on my mind is to work even harder for my future collections”.

[It is] a significant accomplishment and encouragement. After all the studying and working abroad, travelling back and forth between London and Seoul, and overcoming the language and cultural barriers, this award is really a great encouragement for me since starting my brand and fashion career ten years ago. Nonetheless, I am well-aware that this opportunity only marks the beginning. Using this valuable award as a stepping stone, I would like to continue expanding and improving the brand and be able to contribute to fashion history as a Korean designer.”

As always, the VFS blog team were desperate to get a tip off of what SS13 will bring for the label. But the label are keeping their cards close to their chest…

“You will have to wait and see! But just to give you a little hint, we hope to showcase a novel and elegant mix of couture and contemporary outdoors style.”

By Editor Cass Gowing

Images from Heohwan lookbook

EXCLUSIVE| VFS chats to OTW SS13 designer Hana Cha

Last week, we took a look at one of Vauxhall Fashion Scout's newly announced Ones to Watch designers, Hana Cha. Over the weekend, we caught up with her to discuss the exciting news and to try and squeeze some information out of her about her highly anticipated SS13 collection!

"I already knew about VFS before and I thought if I could have any opportunity to show my collection, it would be amazing and unforgettable memory.  And finally I got in!  I am so excited and cannot wait to show my new collection at VFS Ones to Watch.

I must say it means a lot to me. VFS is a springboard to move forward to a broad and an international fashion field.  On the top of that, young rising designers can be exposed to mass press and media via VFS, I think it is really good opportunity to get in. 

I am willing to give hints of my SS13 collection, however, I can give you just exclusive hints. 

My new coming collection will be shown a drastic contrast by using opposite colour palettes which are black and white. 

Furthermore, there will be a pictorial brush stroke and unique fabrication which represent my strength and identity of design. "

By Editor Cass Gowing, 

Exclusive images courtesy of Hana Cha

EXCLUSIVE| Ones to Watch: Hana Cha

Hana Cha is another of our newly announced Ones To Watch. The Korean designer, who has a degree in Fine Art, is also a recent graduate of the London College of Fashion with an MA in Womenswear Fashion Design and Technology. Her graduate collection, named the 'Diffusion Between Proletariats and Bourgeois' is inspired by just that and won her the Womenswear Collection of the Year award. With a desire to explore the different attire of varying social classes, reinterpret class gaps and create something that combines these differing social styles, a stunning collection was born. In regards to her collection, Cha stated that “Dress reveals one’s ideas - it shouts out or speaks gently about an individual’s personality and identity to the outside world.” A strong aesthetic for a strong collection, we're very excited to see what ideas Hana Cha will be shouting out or speaking gently in the future.

Text by Josh Walker
Images from Hana Cha's MA collection

EXCLUSIVE| Ones to watch: Ming-Pin Tien

Originally from Taipei Taiwan, designer Ming-Pin Tien has worked up 9 years’ worth of experience that includes being a visual merchandiser for one of Taiwan’s most popular boutiques as well as assisting emerging Taiwanese womenswear designer Jolin Wu. This year Ming-Pin Tien brings his talent to Vauxhall Fashion Scout as one of SS13’s Ones To Watch.

A recent graduate from London College of Fashion’s most famed Fashion Design & Technology MA course, Ming-Pin Tien’s MA 2012 graduate show collection titled “Metaphorical Distance” displayed an eye for innovative design with a muted colour palette and unusually beautiful shapes.

His focus on pattern cutting is unmistakeably interesting with shapes that show creativity and craftsmanship. A talent for translating his ideas, Ming-Pin’s work is based on the abstract and conceptual, which are skilfully brought to life with shapes and intricate details that make his work stand out in the crowd.

Vauxhall Fashion Scout spoke to Ming-Pin Tien to see how it felt following the announcement.

"It has been an overwhelming experience so far as it has happened in a very short period of time - I'm still digesting it! I am very happy and proud to be chosen as VFS Ones to Watch this season. I see this showcasing opportunity as my first step towards to my career in the big city, as well as to let people know what Ming is about and to see if they appreciate my design and aesthetic. 

I am fully working on my new collection for SS13. [In regards to my collection] I would like to say, "Look into the details and never forget to have a good look of the back of each outfit." Like most things happening in the world it's perfectly normal on the front with a quick glance but who have noticed what has been happening behind and under the surface...?"

He will show his new collection alongside other Ones To Watch designers at Vauxhall Fashion Scout in September 2012.


Copy by Vanessa Omoregie, Ming-Pin Tien interviewed by Cass Gowing

EXCLUSIVE| Ones to Watch: Charlotte Simpson

Charlotte Simpson is a young designer who is no stranger to success, being featured in publications such as Vogue, Elle and i-D Magazine as well as going on to win the Zandra Rhodes Textiles Award at Graduate Fashion Week. She is an unstoppable force, being announced as one of Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s Ones To Watch designers for SS13.

Studying fashion at Northumbria University Charlotte has worked with some of fashion’s brightest stars such as DKNY, Amanda Wakeley, Julien Macdonald and Olivia Rubin gaining experience in the fashion industry. Working as a freelance print designer, it was her study on the prestigious Fashion Design Technology master’s course at London College of Fashion that had her shortlisted for the Womenswear of the Year Award at the famed LCF Victoria & Albert show.

Titled “Biological Dimensions” Charlotte Simpson showed raw talent with her MA 2012 collection showcased at Vauxhall Fashion Scout in London as well as Paris earlier this year. The collection which is inspired by organic patterns and features interesting embroidery techniques brings science together with fashion with a focus on optimising the surface area of the garment. A subtle interpretation of the biology of plants as well as a unique exploration of pattern cutting methods, the collection is a testament to Charlotte Simpson’s true potential.

When the Editor Cass Gowing caught up with Charlotte to congratulate her on her success, she was very excited to have been selected!

It is a great place to be able to showcase my second collection. I really enjoyed exhibiting with Vauxhall Fashion Scout in London and Paris last season and it's amazing this time around to have such an exciting show as well. I am really looking forward to show day already! To me, most importantly it means that I have some invaluable support and guidence behind me and my label at such an early and crucial stage of my career. Couldn't be better really. 

We tried to prise information about the highly anticipated SS13 collection from Charlotte, but she wasn't giving much away!

There will be a little more colour in this collection and there is still plenty of embroidery giving that little bit of shimmer to the palette.

Charlotte will show her new collection at Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s 13^th season alongside other Ones To Watch Designers in September 2012.


Text by Vanessa Omoregie
Images from Charlotte Simpson's MA collection

EXCLUSIVE| Ones to Watch: Hellen van Rees

One of VFS's newly announced Ones To Watch is the young Dutch designer Hellen van Rees, who's aesthetic is both striking and unique. With a BA in Fashion Design from the ArtEZ institute of the Arts in Arnhem, an MA in Fashion Womenswear from Central Saint Martins and internships under Giles Deacon and Iris Van Herpen, she is as educated in her field as she is experienced. The designer's A/W 12 collection, 'Square One: The Miracle of the Space Age' is a combination of the classic and the contemporary. Taking inspiration from the 1920's silhouette, tweed fabrics used by Chanel and 3D structures of various artists, the collection's pieces are sculptural and modern. Hellen Van Rees is truly experimental in her creations and using old fabrics or production factory remnants means her pieces are completely sustainable. With such a creative approach to silhouette and use of fabric, it's no wonder she's our One To Watch.

Editor Cass Gowing caught up with the newly named Ones to Watch designer:

How you feel to be chosen at VFS Ones to Watch?

I´m very excited to be part of VFS Ones to Watch! After graduating at CSM I knew I wanted to start my own label so it´s really great to have such a great venue to showcase my first independent collection and also to show along other designers who are in this stage.

What does this opportunity mean to you?

It´s good to to get this kind of confirmation that I´m doing the right thing to start my own label! Also after graduating there´s so much still to learn, about having a business, etc. So it´s also good to know that Vauxhall gives all kinds of support and advice in case I have any questions.

Can you give us any exclusive hints to your SS13 collection?

That is the most exciting thing of it all, to be able to continue to develop new work. Spring summer will again feature handmade sustainable textiles. Cubes, lots of cubes. It will all be much lighter than the previous collection, but not less of a statement. A bit more variation... some tweed, some rubber, some glitter...

Text by Josh Walker, interview by Cass Gowing
Image1 from Hellen's AW12 collection, Images 2 and 3 - exclusive images of sample fabric and textiles. 

DESIGNER| Spring/Summer 13 Merit Award winner, Heohwan Simulation

If Heohwan Simulation is a name that sounds familiar, that's not surprising; picked as Vogue's Fashion Week favourites back in February, and later selected by Vogue Italia's Sara Maino as an exhibition-pick in Paris, Heohwan Simulation have emerged as forerunners in the pick of fashion's best.


Graduating from London's Royal College of Art in 2007, and a Vauxhall Fashion Scout 'One-to-Watch' for the coming season, Korean-born Hwan Heo has established a menswear-rooted, but fundamentally feminine aesthetic, working luxurious silks with contrasting, and exposed zip-leather detail.


The Spring/Summer '13 Merit Award winner will be awarded a £25,000 prize-fund to provide a financial springboard to ensure a platform equal in strength to their designs, starting with a stand-alone VFS showing in Freemasons Hall in September.


For more information about Heohwan Simulation, and images from their previous collections, be sure to visit the Heohwan Simulation website, here.