NEWS| Myrza de Muynck featured on Style.com

Myrza de Muynck Autumn/ Winter '13 images via Style.com

Think back to February of last year, and as distant as it seems, the 'One to Watch' picks for Autumn/Winter have proved there's truth to that claim with the successes following their inaugural showcase. 

The most recent to be featured online is Dutch-born Myrza de Muynck, whose subversion of classic silhouettes, and conventional qualities of the 1980's ubiquitous shell-suit has earnt her a steady-following of revered professionals.

Adding to coverage from the BBC, Because magazine, and several posts by Susie Bubble, a conceptual short supporting de Muynck's Autumn/Winter '13 collection now features as part Style.com's Video Fashion Week.

Watch the film here, and find our exclusive interview with behind-the-scenes images here.

ANNOUNCEMENT| Fashion Scout Kiev Begins

Following our announcement this week of Fashion Scout's expansion to Kiev with Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days, we are ecstatic to greet day one! Fashion Scout are showcasing a selection of designers from Eastern Europe at the event which runs from today (March 21) until Sunday 24th March  at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Place, Moskovsky Avenue 22. 

Showcasing as part of the Fashion Scout Catwalk:

Lera Leschovajann Kolomoets

Yana Chaplygina and Yulia Efmtchuk

Showcasing with Fashion Scout Kiev's Exhibition:

Bevza/Litovskaya

Valery Kovalska

RCR Khomenko

Yasya Minochkina

Domanoff

Ksenia Schnaider

Zinaida Lihacheva

Dash

Vova Vorotniov

Idle Idol

Roman Lazar

Borovik

Tvortz

Daniil Kovachev

Dzhus

Maria Proskurovskaya

Cyan

Pure Shop

Also running Fashion Scout Louis Franck Party at Bibique Bar and a lecture as well as mentoring programme by Director and Co-Founder Martyn Roberts. 

View the full schedule here on Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Day's website. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor. 

ANNOUNCEMENT: Fashion Scout Kiev

We are thrilled to announce our continuing partnership with Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days has continued and expanded into a Fashion Scout Kiev platform.

Following our partnership with Kiev Fashion Days during our Fashion Scout London FEB'13 showcase, we will now be adding a showcase in Kiev to our international design showcases.

Over the past 14 seasons, Fashion Scout have scouted and presented in London and Paris a whole generation of creative, international talent including  designers David Koma, Peter Pilotto, Felder Felder, Pam Hogg and Eudon Choi. Since our rebrand at the beginning of this year, we have enforced our global audience and international outreach through continuing to present worldwide talent- something that has now expanded further with Fashion Scout Kiev.

We caught up with Fashion Scout Director and Co-Founder Martyn Roberts on the news: "I am thrilled with the further expansion of Fashion Scout and the continued partnership with Kiev Fashion Days through Fashion Scout Kiev. 

Through exhibiting key emerging Ukranian talent at our Fashion Scout London platform, we provided them with the global audience and recognition they deserve. This continued partnership enforces Fashion Scout's global expansion as the key platform for creative talent worldwide and I am proud to add Kiev to our Fashion Scout enterprise."

For more information please visit our website. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor. 

NEWS| 'Design is heating up across the pond' according to Paper Mag with Kirsty Ward

 

Featured in Paper magazine's "new london: Design is heating up across the Pond" editorial, Kirsty Ward for David Longshaw's S/S13 necklace. The spread, which sees the acclaimed American magazine Paper celebrate emerging British designers with their edgy shoot, features two necklaces from continuous Fashion Scout designer Kirsty Ward's S/S13 collaboration with fellow Fashion Scout designer David Longshaw. 

In addition, Kirsty Ward have been receiving excellent UK consumer coverage with features in Marie Claire, Company Magazine as well as on ELLEUK.com.

For more information on Kirsty Ward, visit our interview with the designer ahead of her showcasing at our Paris Showroom this season.  

NEWS| Shao Yen A/W13 Film 'Stalker'

SHAO YEN 2013 AW Stalker from LaLaLa on Vimeo.

Fashion Scout former Ones To Watch designer Shao Yen released his surrealist inspired fashion film showcasing his AW13 collection shown at Fashion Scout’s Paris Showroom. 

The designer who has been featured in Vogue China features his collection of metallic panelling and feminine shapes in a film that calls on references from the likes of Dali, Bunuel, and Cocteau. Never at loss for references, Shao Yen’s work mixes various avant garde genres from the 80s and 90s with street style being a focus point. The Taiwanese born designer's exciting pieces brings a vibrant perspective on creative design incorporating craftsmanship with art savvy nuance. Having previously worked on projects with Selfridges, “Stalker” is the designer’s latest creative project that captures a world outside fashion with a persona that ties neatly with his pieces. 

The Central Saint Martins graduate has developed a signature style, becoming known for his use of unconventional materials in classic techniques that has cultivated a fan base eager to see his next work.

Vanessa Omoregie(@wewearblack)

NEWS| Fashion Scout designers featured in Collezioni magazine

Four Fashion Scout designers have been focused on by Collezioni magazine as part of their accessories edit for A/W13. The Editors from Collezioni came across Fashion Scout designers Taeseok Kang, David Longshaw, Nova Chiu and Kirsty Ward at the Fashion Scout Paris Showroom last season and has consequently selected them for this feature. 

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| Pam Hogg joined SHOWstudio's live panel discussion for McQueen A/W13

Pam Hogg recently talked Alexander McQueen's AW13 collection during Paris Fashion Week as a part of SHOWstudio's live panel discussions. Throughout the talk, the cult-punk designer gave insight to her own work, as well as McQueen's influence as a designer and the show pieces themselves. Describing the work of McQueen as something with “undeniable energy that's so powerful and so beautiful”, she offered both an interesting and genuine take on the pieces.

Rewatch the video here on SHOWstudio or click on the YouTube video above. 

By Josh Walker (@josh_walker_)

NEWS| TANK magazine features Yifang Wan and Ai Weiwei

TANK magazine have highlighted on their social media channels FEB'13 Merit Award Winner Yifang Wan's encounter with Ai Weiwei prior to her A/W13 show. Published on their Twitter and Facebook channels, the eponymous magazine stated:

"Young designer Yifang Wan met with Ai Weiwei when she was in China. Little did she know she was about to get a make over.

As a way to test how comfortable people are on letting a total stranger in, Ai Weiwei cuts strangers hair and documents this on his instagram. 

Here's Yifang's finished do!"

We blogged about Yifang's meeting with renowned artist Ai Weiwei during fashion week, read the full post here. 

Blog Post by Editor Cass Gowing

First photo, images from Ai Weiwei's Instagram as used by Tank Magazine, second images courtessey of Yifang Wan

NEWS| Kirsty Ward collaborates with Williams Handmade

London- based, British born designer Kirsty Ward and fellow British designer, Sarah Williams of Williams Handmade has collaborated for a most inventive, AW13 collection. 

Whilst Kirsty’s brand aesthetic celebrates unconventional structures, bold cuts, defined form and the most powerful of embellishments; Williams Handmade is renowned for it’s utilisation of historic regional craftsmanship, which celebrates traditional British heritage while illustrating the need for a greater appreciation of cultural diversity and preservation of local and regional differences – an element personified through innovative, original designs.

Through their joint work, the duo have produced a capsule range consisting of four bag styles, each featuring detachable and interchangeable straps. The designs include a structured rucksack and three satchel varieties, showcased through a palette of rose pink, turquoise and grey. The fusion of traditional style and craftsmanship, twinned with quirky, bold signature embellishments provides wearable bags, whilst illustrating a conceptual amalgamation of two innovative brand aesthetics.

By Brooke McCord (@BrookeMcCord)
Images by Alexander Jordan, from Twin Factory

PARIS| Fashion Scout Paris Showroom Overview

Another Fashion Week season comes to a close as Fashion Scout return from presenting the very best of global fashion and design talent at our Paris Showroom. Held from Thursday 28th February through to Tuesday 5th March 2013, the Fashion Scout Paris Showroom was once again a resounding success. 

Our eighth season in Paris, yet the first since our global relaunch as Fashion Scout, we showcased the best of UK and International designers, straight from our Fashion Scout London showcase. 

Thank you to the designers who showcased at our Paris Fashion Scout showroom as well as all buyers, members of press and industry who attended. 

PARIS| Final Day in the Fashion Scout Showroom

As Paris Fashion Week draws to a close, Tuesday the 5th March is the last day to sample Fashion Scout’s selection of the best international design talent. Fashion Scout’s Paris showroom brings together 20 of the most skilled new designers from the UK and around the world.

With a reputation for attracting the leading buyers from all corners of the globe, Fashion Scout Paris has a proven track record for delivering results. Its been an excitingly busy week so far and thanks goes out to Vogue Italia, Vogue China, Sister Tokyo, Debut, Joyce, No.6 Store New York, British Fashion Council, Acne Paper, i-D Magazine, Dolce & Gabbana, Ships, Opening Cermony, Beams, The Number 4, Voulez Vous, Mode Walk, Dash Magazine, Vogue Taiwan, Bengt and Cement to name a few for their visits to the showroom.

Our 20 designers are showcasing for one final day and available to visit at 23, Rue du Roi de Sicile, Paris 75004 until 5pm.

PARIS| Yulia Kondranina at Fashion Scout Paris

New face and Ones to Watch star Yulia Kondranina is showcasing her collection in Paris at the Fashion Scout showroom after a well received London catwalk show and exhibition. Yulia’s impressively hand worked collection is centred around beautiful tasselled work and impeccably cut tailored pieces. 

Yulia, tell us about your main inspiration for this current collection?
I wanted to continue on with the same technique I created for my graduate MA collection. But this time I wanted to use even more feminine silhouettes and start to include tailoring in my collections. I have also introduced colour this time. I am always inspired by my material processes, sculpture, style, art and craft – experimenting with new materials and then seeing what happens along the way! The tasselling came from artists I saw and liked, namely Anton Pevsner, Jurgen Mayer and Claire Zeisler. 

Do you have a favourite piece from your collection?
The tailored Jacket with a cut out tasselled back and my colourful dresses. I think these together sum up my whole collection. 

How have you found the Fashion Scout Paris showroom?
It has been really good, everything is new for me because I have not before designed my own label independently. Fashion Scout have been a great way to learn about everything from Branding and Marketing, to pricing my collection and how to chat with buyers.

So what are you planning to do next?
I am thinking I will have a couple of days break after Paris, then back to London and moving forward. I love being constantly busy and am really looking forward to a new collection and developing something new. Style wise I am experimenting with new craft processes to bring in something new. 

Text: Lauren Slater

PARIS| Designer Collection Apu Jan at Fashion Scout

New face Apu Jan is following hot on the heels of his catwalk show in London at the Freemasons Hall showcasing his collection at Fashion Scout’s Paris showroom. We caught up with the designer to find out how he is finding his first Paris showroom experience.
  This is your first collection and your first Paris showroom. How are you finding the Fashion Scout Paris showroom?I have had some really great feedback, and because this is my first collection this is very valuable to me. Particularly on the marketing side, speaking to buyers and finding out which pieces will sell well.
  What do you think are the advantages of showing in Paris? To meet more international buyers, people who don’t go to London. Also to get more feedback. For me as a new designer a big advantage is to see the amazing professional standard of displaying work and to see how other designers present their collections for sales.
  What was your main inspiration for this current collection?It all came from Petroleum, how it comes into existence – so mining the Petroleum from the sea. The history of Petroleum and the fact that it is slowly disappearing Is reflected in my collection which ranges from heavily printed pieces to solid black garments. This tells the story of how we have mined it into almost non-existence and the black represents the present day and lack of these recourses.

Apu's collection is available to view until Tuesday 5th March at the Fashion Scout Paris Showroom.   

PARIS| Designer Feature - Timur Kim

After great success showing at the Freemasons Hall during London Fashion Week Timur Kim has bought his elegant printed collection to display at the Fashion Scout Paris Showrooms. We caught up with Timur to find out more about his beautifully executed collection.

What are you looking forward to most about the Fashion Scout Paris showroom?
To see new buyers and the way that you can promote your collection – you never know who is about to walk through that door.
 
What do you think are the advantages to showing in Paris?
You kind of have to show in Paris, its how this industry works. If you don’t show in Paris you will miss out on valuable relationships with buyers.
 
What is your main inspiration behind this latest collection?
Caviar and Russian Heritage. I like the idea of the total print look so taking this Caviar idea into print. There is also the luxury element to Caviar, we are doing a collaboration with Oliver Sweeny to create this great line of printed luxury accessories for men too.

Timur Kim’s collection is available to view until the 5th March in the Fashion Scout Paris showroom, 23 Rue du Roi de Sicile, Paris 75004.