STREET STYLE| Day One At Fashion Scout

Natalie - Singer/ fashion designer

Style Icon: "Audrey Hepburn"

Ji Ji - Architecture student

Style Icon: "Mcqueen"

Sue Dray -Fashion Illustrator

Style Icon: "Isabella Blow"

Holly Dale - Student/ Fashion journalist

Style Icon: “Noel Fielding”

Sadie Clayton

Womenswear Designer

Images by Aimee Hall (@AimeeHall_), taken with the fashion forward LumixGM1 (@PanasonicUK)

COLLECTION | Lulu Liu

British-Chinese designer Lulu Liu returns to Fashion Scout for another season with her AW14 collection at the Freemasons Hall.

Opening sounds of moody storms set the atmosphere for this eclectic show. Inspired by the last Empress of China, Cixi, Liu’s collection embodied the regal spirit of one of China’s most influential women. Strong, powerful, feminine and fashionable, Cixi personifies the woman Liu has in mind with her creations. Embracing the rich history of her homeland, Lulu incorporated the Chinese royal colours of gold, blue, green and red to her designs.

Oversized ruffles, billowing silk dresses and oversized coats set the tone whilst classic two pieces were given a modern overhaul with intricate neck detailing and rounded dip-hem skirts. Rich wools and silks were interrupted with a truly unique gold woven fabric which added an imperial touch to the collection while hand painted and digital prints added a new depth.

The subtle addition of a sash to coats and dresses, incorporated an essence of the orient while a metallic printed coat and gown brought a real wow factor to the collection. Lulu Liu’s aesthetic is unmistakable- exaggerated, adventurous, contemporary and classic. Her designs are wearable yet forward-thinking and this collection is sure to bring a glint to even the most discerning sartorial eye.

By Lia Stokes, Contributor. (@LiaStokes)

Photography by Jamike Latif (@JamikeLatif)

NEWS | Pinghe AW14 Collection Preview

With Ping He set to take to the catwalk at 19:30 tonight, the designer previews her illustrations and an exclusive interview for her AW14 collection with Fashion Scout. 

What can we expect from next season’s collection?

I have been fascinated by the rapid movement of everyday life and society for sometime. With the internet and social media, I often feel the world is spinning really fast around me. I almost want to slow it down, make it gentler and softer. So, I closed my eyes and shut my ears and “the world is blurred in my eye” came to mind. When I start to look at things around me with squint eyes, things start changing, colours start melting, words gain distance. Gradually through this thinking the collection came to life. The AW14 collection is contradictory, we continue with the brand identity of 'elegant resistance’. The collection is strong but not dark; it is resistance but not muscular; it is avant-garde but reachable; it is sexy but desirable.

How do you feel has this evolved from the work from last season?

Pinghe has evolved greatly. We have grown and developed in design, marketing and production and our aim is to continue to do so.

Tell us what kick-started the creative process for SS14.

My designs are inspired by my love of architecture and structure. They revolved around contrasting concepts – soft and strong, elegant and powerful. The SS14 collection is clean cut, monochrome and personifies contemporary beauty.

What does the future hold for Ping He? Where are you stocked now and what do we have to look forward to?

We are currently stocked in Harvey Nichols, Wolf & Badger and Not Just A Label, along with some international boutiques. Our business target is to be the best new international designer label in the next five years with all design, marketing and production in house, and to continue to grow successfully as we have been.

Interview by Josh Walker (@josh_walker_)

Images courtesy of Ping He

BACKSTAGE| Lulu Liu AW14

With tousled high pony-tails and heavily lined dark lips, it was clear to see that Lulu Liu had something exciting in store for AW14. Fashion Scout caught up with the head of make-up, Lan, to find more about what was inspiring the make up for Liu’s collection. “The muse is a Chinese empress”, Lan explains. “She’s an urban princess who knows what she wants, not completely flawless, but still regal and from an imaginary world”.

The Body Shop were working hard to evoke regal urban princesses come to life. Make up artists were granted creative freedom, “I’m happy to move away from red lips” says Lan lead make up artist at The Body Shop, “We have put more of a dark twist on the make up to modernise it”. Emphasis was placed on dewy and highlighted skin to create the perfect youthful base. Messy brown and gold eyes juxtaposed against flawless skin to channel an urban, everyday girl. Make up artists put a new spin on a dark Autumn lip by working with textures. ‘Colour Crush’ and ‘Bake To Last’ eyeshadows were used to build up a plum lip working outwards in with concealer used to highlight and contrast.

Texture also made its way into the hair looks. Toni & Guy used a range products to achieve a textured and undone look set to storm catwalks this season. TONI&GUY Head Hairstylist, Chie, explained that stylists were working the hair from “dry to wet to achieve a simple, do-it-yourself look”. Models’ hair was turned into volumised ponytails set with a shine spray to ensure perfection. Face-to-Lace were working alongside the stylists to apply press on fringes to compliment the graphic aspect of the collection. Evoking the rebellious spirit of the 80s with daring, punk fringes, FashionScout anticipates the birth of Lulu Liu’s collection in her collection later this afternoon.

By Lydia Smyth, Contributor, (@LydiaRoseSmyth).

Photography by Lepa Georgievska, (@georgievskalepa) taken on the compact fashion forward LumixGM1 (@PanasonicUK)

DAY ONE| Fashion Scout London AW14

Fashion Scout arrives in London for Day One of the AW14 London Fashion Week season. Kicking off the week with a showcase of Ones To Watch designers, the catwalk with feature collections from; Carrie-Ann Stein, George Styler, Hiroko Nakajima, Sarah Ryan.

Legendary Pam Hogg returns for another season at Fashion Scout along with showcases from Lulu Liu, Ong-Oaj Pairam, and newcomer Jamie Wei Huang and a presentation from Napsugar and the well anticipated catwalk show from Pinghe.

Excited and gearing to go the season is off to an incredible start!

Make sure you stay up to date with all the events via Twitter and Instagram

by Jordan Hulse
@jordhulse