NEWS| Browns Blog Takeover Day Five: Tui Lin

Day five of the VFS Browns blog takeover provided insight into one of fashion's most creative, and conceptual supportive outlets for new, and established talent: the world of editorial fashion within a magazine.

The industry insider imparting insight is Fashion, and Marketing editor of POP magazine, and Fashion Editor for men's fashion bi-annual, Arena Homme+, Tui Lin. Tui has been working with Vauxhall Fashion Scout for two seasons, selecting, and supporting fashion's future as part of the VFS Selection Panel; as well as reinforcing that support through her work with POP, commissioning shoots featuring many of designers' pieces- Raffaele Ascione, and Myrza de Muynck to name a few.

Exclusively for our Browns Blog Takeover, Day 5, we bring you an insider interview with Tui. 

We will be continuing our blog takeover this weekend - giving you an insight into the VFS office and a catch up with VFS co-founder and director Martyn Roberts - a must view for this August Bank Holiday!

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT SS13| Emma J Shipley

Emma J Shipley is a luxury scarf label launched with the intention of blurring the lines between fashion and fine art. With a debut collection inspired by the Amazon jungle, mathematical equations and nature's patterns, Shipley's pieces are imaginative and beautiful. A Royal College of Art MA textiles graduate, the designer launched her label at London Fashion Week in February of this year and creates scarves from her own hand-drawn sketches. Although a relative newcomer to the fashion world, she's already stocked across London and has plans to expand internationally this season. To see for yourself how Emma J Shipley successfully merges fashion and fine art in the creation of detailed, wearable garments, then get yourself to our Freemasons hall, where the VFS exhibition will be held throughout the duration of London Fashion Week.

By Josh Walker

Follow him on Twitter @josh_walker_

NEWS| Browns Blog Takeover Day Four: Leutton Postle

We're over half way through our VFS Browns Blog Takeover and today we brought you an exclusive catch up with former Merit Award Winners Leutton Postle. Luxury knitwear designing duo Sam Leutton and Jenny Postle chatted with us about the honour of being stocked by Browns, the support they've received from Vauxhall Fashion Scout and the upcoming SS13 season...

"You're showing with Vauxhall Fashion Scout again this September, what can we expect to see from you this coming season? What's been the biggest source of inspiration with regards to Spring/Summer?

This season we are doing a salon show presentation, which is new for us. It will be very different to the wham bam boom of the last two seasons but we want to excite in another way. As for inspiration we're keeping everything under wraps until September, but we hope to raise heads with the direction we are taking. What we will say is we're working with introducing the idea of 'luxury' to Leutton Postle, which is both challenging and exciting!"

As always, read the full post on Browns Blog here!

ANNOUNCEMENT| Fashion Monitor launches 'Style Lounge' during LFW S/S'13

We're pleased to announce that official VFS media partner, and leading provider of fashion news, Fashion Monitor have launched an exciting new destination to head to during London's upcoming Fashion Week.

The Spring/ Summer '13 'Style Lounge' launches September 14th, in partnership with London Fashion Week's official hotel sponsor, The Mayfair, and online PR, and digital platform, Fashion GPS. 

The 'Style Lounge' serves as pre, post, and between-show retreat, held in The Mayfair's  'five star' luxury setting, for members of the British, and international fashion press.

Those heading to the retreat will have access to hair, and beauty treatments, whilst simultaneously keeping update with the latest London Fashion Week news.

For more information about the 'Style Lounge' sponsorship, and showcase opportunities, contact Fashion Monitor-Editor, Hannah White at hannah.white@fashionmonitor.com

Further details to be announced in due course.

NEWS| Browns Blog Takeover Day Three - Emma J Shipley and Yasmin Kianfar

For Day Three of the Vauxhall Fashion Scout Browns Blog Takeover - we take an in-depth look at two Vauxhall Fashion Scout designers that are stocked in Browns this season. Following in the footsteps of established VFS alumni David Koma, William Tempest and Hermione de Paula - Emma J Shipley and Yasmin Kianfar are the latest designers to be stocked in the eponymous store. 

We take a look over the press Yasmin has received since launching her label in 2010 and catch up with Emma J Shipley to discuss showcasing her collection at the VFS Exhibition this London Fashion Week.

To read the full story, head to the Browns Blog.

By Editor Cass Gowing 

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT SS13| Hana Cha

The first collection of VFS's One To Watch Hana Cha found inspiration in the difference between social classes and the ideas revealed by the way one dresses. The pieces themselves are a collaboration of fabrics, colours and structures that embody just that. With an MA in womenswear fashion design and technology from the London College of Fashion, as well as a BA in fine art under her belt, the Korean born designer is right at home in her field. Having won 'Womenswear Collection of the Year', her work was featured at a V&A catwalk show and being a runner up of South Korea's Project Catwalk equivalent, Cha's future seems an exciting one. To see the work of this skilled designer first hand, make sure you visit the VFS exhibition, running during London Fashion Week in our Freemasons Hall, as well as seeing her SS13 collection on the runway as part of the OTW showcase catwalk presentation.

By Josh Walker

Follow him on Twitter @josh_walker_

NEWS| Browns Blog Takeover Day Two - Jessica Bumpus

Day two of the Vauxhall Fashion Scout Browns Blog Takeover sees an exclusive interview with Vogue.com's Jessica Bumpus. Jessica has worked closely with Vauxhall Fashion Scout through our selection panels and mentoring events for the past five years therefore it was vital that we chatted all things VFS with her. 

"What is the importance of Vauxhall Fashion Scout as a platform to emerging designers to the fashion sphere – and particularly British fashion?

Vauxhall Fashion Scout is a bit of a fashion gem really – there’s so much great talent there and if you trace back various designers’ fashion history, you’ll see they showed with VFS. I think they’re very supportive in a very down-to-earth way and that’s important for young designers starting out who don’t know what lies ahead."

For the full article, please head to the Browns Blog. Don't forget to follow us and Browns Fashion on Twitter all this week for exclusive updates. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT SS13| Yifang Wan

Continuing our insight into our recently announced designers, we take a look at Yifang Wan.
Making waves with both her BA and MA Central Saint Martins collections, Yifang Wan’s designs have won her the L’Oreal Professionel Young Designer Award in 2010 and built her up as a designer to look out for.

The young designer from southern China presented a collection of bold shapes with oversized wooden belts at the Central Saint Martins MA AW 12/13 show. The collection which Yifang has described as starting from the idea of optical illusion takes us on a journey that explores geometric shapes, scale, and 60s minimal art.

Interning at Preen gave the designer an insight into pattern cutting and techniques which she has brought into her own work. In the future Yifang Wan hopes to develop her own label aswell as an art studio. She will be showcasing her new collection at Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s exhibition space across LFW in September and her designs on the catwalk on Saturday 15th September.

By Vanessa Omoregie, follow her on Twitter @wewearblack 

Imagesfrom Yifang Wan and 1granary.com

NEWS| Browns Blog Takeover Day One - Heohwan Simulation

"What am I looking at?", you might ask? Well, if you've been following #TheTakeover hashtag on Twitter, and keeping up to date with us @FashionScout, you'll have seen we've been busy as of late with the #VFS Browns blog takeover. That's right, we've been handed the reigns of the blog of one of London's leading independent fashion boutiques, Browns.

That's #VFS sandwiched between international design success, Christopher Kane, and revered couturier, Azzedine Alaia.

Day one's seen us feature another "great"- handpicked as a 'One to Watch' by us, and British, and Italian Vogue, and now next season's Merit Award winner- Heohwan Simulation. The guest-post features an exclusive insight into the head, and studio of designer, Hwan Heo, so be sure to head over to the Browns blog now, and let us know what you think on Twitter.

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT SS13| Hellen van Rees

In the run up to fashion week, we're taking a closer look at some of the new faces to the VFS line up. First up, we look at Hellen van Rees. Hellen is one of our four Ones to Watch designers for SS13 and will be showcasing her work with a catwalk presentation and exhibition showcase. 

Quickly gaining a reputation for her unique use of fabrics and creation of silhouettes, London based designer Hellen van Rees certainly knows how to impress. Graduating with both a BA in Fashion Design at ArtEZ Institute of the Arts in 2009 and an MA in Fashion Womenswear at Central Saint Martins in 2012, VFS's One to Watch launched her own label. Producing handmade pieces and wasting nothing, the designer prides herself on her sustainability. With collections inspired by Chanel tweed fabrics and 3-dimensional artworks, animals with exoskeletons or the flow of water, Rees is a designer with a truly imaginative approach to her work. For a chance to step into the world of Hellen van Rees, be sure to attend the Ones to Watch show on Saturday 15th September 2012 or the VFS exhibition - which runs the full five days of fashion week - in Freemasons Hall.

By VFS Contributor Josh Walker

Follow him on Twitter @josh_walker_

Images from Hellen van Rees

NEWS| Autumn/ Winter Carlotta Actis Barone in August issue of i-D

Always one to address socio-political issues past, and present, pieces from Carlotta Actis Barone's Autumn/Winter collection dedicated to the memory of Holocaust victims have been featured in the August 'Just Kids' issue of i-D.

One of the stark, barbed-wire print bodysuits that intermittently punctuated the designer's most recent collection has been featured in an editorial inspired by the 70s psychedlia of the drug-fuelled antics of a previous generation's youth.

For the remaining editorial shots, be sure to pick up the issue on newstands before September issues hit shelves. Also check out our review, and show images here for more details from Carlotta's A/W'12 collection.

REMINDER| VFS Browns Blog takeover starting on Monday!

A quick remind that starting on Monday 20th August 2012, the Vauxhall Fashion Scout blog team will be taking over Browns Blog!

Head to http://weblog.brownsfashion.com/ for exclusive interviews and insider information all next week!

Browns image from Drapers

NEWS| Merit Award winner Heohwan Simulation's Autumn/Winter fashion film

HEOHWAN2012 AW FILM from KIMhobin on Vimeo.

Recently-announced 'Merit Award' winner, Heohwan Simulation has just released a fashion film entitled "Le Flâneur", featuring the Autumn/Winter collection he showcased as a 'One to Watch' with us back in February.

Named after the style of photography Korean-born, Hwan Heo cites as inspiration, the video provides insight into the roots of the aesthetic Heo has established. For more images, and Heohwan Simulation updates, be sure to check out the designer's blog- with the attention the label's getting, it'll undoubtedly be updated soon. #VFS

NEWS| Susie Bubble's feature on Kirsty Ward

http://www.stylebubble.co.uk

One of our favourite fashion bloggers seems to have a bit of a penchant for Ms Kirsty Ward.... Susie Bubble has previously featured Vauxhall Fashion Scout designer Kirsty Ward's necklace in an outfit post but this week she has dedicated an entire feature to her designs. 

We don't want to spoil it for you... so go straight ahead to Susie Bubble's blog to read the beautiful feature for yourself. 

"Kirsty Ward has made quite the knack out of combining jewellery and clothing so that one piece jumps seamlessly from one another, mirroring structure and palette and ensuring that both tell a somewhat similar tale.  Her metal spring jewellery has been something of a trademark for Ward and it has served her well with creating dynamic necklaces and bracelets, which quite literally make me think of all the best "!!boing!!" onomatopoeic noises that one can imagine. " 

By Editor Cass Gowing
All images from Style Bubble

ANNOUNCEMENT| Vauxhall Fashion Scout Announce Provisional Schedule for LFW SS13

Vauxhall Fashion Scout is thrilled to release our provisional September 2012 London Fashion Week Schedule for our SS13 catwalk showcase. This season’s events will deliver some of the most exciting emerging designers with over 30 catwalk shows, presentations, installations and exhibitions throughout the week. 

We're proud to kick off Vauxhall Fashion Scout's LFW SS13 with our Graduate Showcase, presenting the next generation of fashion designers from recently scouted graduates. Meanwhile, former Merit Award winners Leutton Postle and Phoebe English as well as familiar faces Pam Hogg, Nova Chiu and Math will be returning to our stage. 

This season will see Heohwan Simulation make his solo catwalk debut as the Merit Award winner for SS13 on the first day of fashion week whilst our newly announced and eagerly anticipated Ones To Watch award winners will showcase their designs the following day.  

Vauxhall Fashion Scout's showcase will take place during LFW on 14th - 18th September 2012 at our catwalk home, Freemasons Hall, Covent Garden. September 2012 sees Vauxhall Fashion Scout in it's 13th season as the home and launch pad for new and emerging talent.

For press and sales contacts (including ticket requests) please visit www.vauxhallfashionscout.com

ANNOUNCEMENT| Vauxhall Fashion Scout's Browns Blog Takeover

Vauxhall Fashion Scout are pleased to announce that between 20th – 26th August we will be Browns guest bloggers!

Over seven days, the Vauxhall Fashion Scout blog team will be taking over the Browns Blog to give you insider interviews with designers, studio and collection images as well as an exclusive insight into Vauxhall Fashion Scout way of life. 

Browns, the luxury independent designer retailer, prides itself on it's revolutionary attitude towards stocking emerging designers - making the London boutique a pioneer in supporting British talent. It is therefore natural that Browns has stocked many Vauxhall Fashion Scout designers, past and present.

Go to the Browns Blog between Monday 20th August to Sunday 26th August 2012 for our seven day blog takeover, but make sure you also follow Browns and Vauxhall Fashion Scout on Twitter for extra updates!

We're excited, we hope you are too!

By Cass Gowing, Editor of VFS Blog

NEWS| Georgia Hardinge in the press, featuring Wolf & Badger and Universal

Georgia Hardinge stockist and all round ulta-cool independent designer boutique Wolf & Badger are hosting a range of 'Designer Profiles' on their blog and last week, they featured former VFS Merit Award winner Georgia. 

Beginning with a brief summary of Georgia's background and design trademarks, the blog then interviews GH on the progression of the label and on her inspirations for her collections. 

"Since then [graduating in 2009 from Parsons] the brand has gone from strength to strength winning the merit award from Vauxhall Fashion Scout and collaborating with many exciting brands such as Lancome,Victoria Secret , Samsung and L’Oreal."

Meanwhile, not content with her designs being seen on Florence Welch, Jessie J and the Alpines's Catherine Pockson - Georgia Hardinge hit Germany to style the music video for Universal's band Livingston. You can view the video, which features purely Georgia Hardinge designs - worn by the male and female in the video - here.  

By Cass Gowing, 

Images - screenshot from Wolf & Badger blog, 

Video images courtesy of Georgia Hardigne

EXCLUSIVE| Mattijs on blogging for ELLE

Dubbed “one of the most promising young designers” by British Vogue, and “Prince of Dutch fashion” by ELLE, it's no surprise that one of the world's best-selling international titles wanted VFS's Mattijs van Bergen on board with their publication.

The designer behind the eponymous label can add a new accolade to his already extensive record- alongside various design awards, and sizeable log of press clippings- and that's guest blogging for the Dutch edition of ELLE. We grabbed the Vauxhall Fashion Scout alum for a quick word about his new position, and what to expect next- here's what he had to say...
On working with ELLE:

"We have been doing so much stuff together in the past [few] years.

Little over a year ago Dutch ELLE had their 20th anniversary, and had six covers all with Doutzen Kroes. Next to five big name brands they chose a black pleat [sic] dress of mine. It was such an honour! With knowing the team so well [as well], it feels quite natural to blog for ELLE; it's so much fun! It gives a little more insight to what I think and do as a designer."

... and on what to expect from his eponymous label, including whether or not he'll maintain his signature pleating:

"I am working on a collection that feels the most personal to date- work[ing] from my own strength... work[ing] honestly... show[ing] personal weaknesses in collections. I think that power (at least for me) as a young designer lies in showing where you really stand, and hope to get noticed. And yes, pleating will definitely [still] be a big part of the coming season!"

To see what Mattijs has to say on his ELLE blog for yourself, be sure to check his regularly updated guest-page here, and follow his Facebook for exclusive images. #VFS

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.