Aldo 'Stay Cool' for SS12

A brand that always runs playful and eye-catching advertising campaigns is Canadian-based footwear giant Aldo.

Last summer they had Lily Donaldson playing with beach inflatables and this season sees legendary photographer Terry Richardson back behind the camera and international models Anais Pouliot and Mat Gordon taking centre stage.

Entitled ‘Stay Cool’, the SS12 video is directed by the established Barnaby Roper and viewed in conjunction with the iconic print campaign perfectly captures the spirit of summer.

*Imagery throughout courtesy of Surgery PR

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Lu Flux: A-Lu-Ha

As spring approaches Lu Flux’s fantastical Hawaiian prints seem fitting and mix two of the hottest macro and micro trends for SS12; pastels and patchwork.

Creative Idle mentioned on London College of Fashion blog

 

LFW Diary AW12: Zoë Jordan

 

A designer who perfectly captured the care-free spirit of SS12 last season, wowed once again on the inaugural day of LFW last month. For her AW12 offering Zoë Jordan has drawn inspiration from the ancient and weathered lands of Andalucia, Spain.

Intermixing the romantic silhouettes, that stick in my mind from last season, with an urban and sporty slant, cocoon silhouettes dominated, while stand-out pieces such as origami structure studies of the Pompidou Centre in Paris caught the audience’s attention.

Opening the show with chunky knitwear, beautiful burnt umber and crimson wine softened the impact of sharp, graphic lines, while hand-sewn sequins, gold spun tweed and deconstructed skirt suits demonstrated ample skill.

Effortlessly blending kooky snakeskin jacquard and sharp prints with heavy lace and masculine tailoring, on paper there was a lot going on, in reality Jordan got the balance just right. A heady combination of androgynous and femininity and structured and languid no one does refined, off-beat and ethereal quite like Zoë Jordan.
Images throughout courtesy of Goodley PR

Creative Idle mentioned on Yan To's blog

http://yantolife.blogspot.com/

LFW Diary AW12: Lako Bukia

Taking inspiration from broken mirrors and the conviction of belief in her homeland that looking into a broken mirror brings bad luck, Georgian designer Lako Bukia’s AW12 offering is a shimmering collection of sleek silvers and dominatrix blacks.

Entitled ‘Broken Mirrors’, Bukia plays on her trademark aesthetic for expert cutting, subtly mixed fabrics and bold use of colour to create strong and arresting silhouettes.

Featuring a plethora of sheer blacks juxtaposed with opaque fabrics and embroidery to represent cracked mirrors and shattered glass, the underlying theme is of self-belief and challenging one’s fears. Intricately combining tough leathers with delicate silks and chiffons, the AW12 collection boasts defined curves lent structure by pencil skirts, fitted trousers and dramatic dresses.

A more wearable collection – sure to be a hit with buyers – than perhaps we’ve seen in previous seasons, several shirts, skirts and cute shorts peppered a beguiling catwalk display that was above all else fun, demonstrating the talents of a yound designer who does not take herself too seriously.

Stand-out pieces include silver leather trousers, Silver wide-leg and high-waisted slacks, suede and sheer shirts and beautifully tailored jackets.

Images throughout courtesy of Felicities.

LFW Diary AW12: Derek Lawlor

 

A striking designer I came across at LFW for the first time is Derek Lawlor. With a striking AW12 collection that focuses on the interplay between hard and soft, Lawlor builds on his signature form-fitting silhouettes embellished with unusual textures, introducing loose ladder and lace techniques that are reminiscent of delicate cobwebs.

Utilising a mixture of corduroy embellishment and knotted detailing, the results are breath-taking. Mixed yarns of mohair, cashmere and rayon combine to create a highly tactile range of dramatic designs in a monochrome palette accented by blood reds and moody greys.

Images throughout courtesy of Derek Lawlor

LFW Diary AW12: Simeon Farrar

Entitled ‘The Haunted House’ Simeon Farrar’s AW12 collection is exactly what I’ve come to expect from this multi-talented artist and designer. A perfect balance of fun prints, cute silhouettes and playful colours there is an eerie undercurrent to this offering that draws parallels between flickering candlesticks and decadent chandeliers and between cobwebs and ancient lace.

Towering, decrepit houses loom large with distant figures visible in the window, while monolithic skulls stare out with lifelike eyes. Portraying a series of ghosts as a happy-go-lucky group who skip and dance, ‘The Haunted House’ brings together an eclectic array of inspirations and characters who emerge from the shadow of vein-like tree branches or hide in the lining of leather bags.

LFW Diary AW12: Hedonism

Charlie le Mindu

One of the best parts of LFW is the static exhibitions, where you get to marvel at the latest creations up close, and this season was no exception.

J Smith Esq

Once again teaming up with Royal Ascot, the British Fashion Council showcased a selection of British milliners under the moniker ‘Hedonism’. Featuring work by Charlie le Mindu, Piers Atkinson, J Smith Esquire, William Chambers and Noel Stewart, this was only part of the project which will see the racecourse host an installation during Royal Ascot in June.

Piers Atkinson

Curated by world-renowned milliner Stephen Jones, the ‘Hedonism’ initiative celebrates the new wave of emerging British based hatters.

 Noel Stewart

William Chambers