Edun's striking AW11 campaign

Photographer: Mathias Sterner @ MINK MGMT.
Creative Direction: Champagne Valentine
Concept: Champagne Valentine + Jeff Kling
Art Director: Laetitia Migliore
Producer: Ted Bergcrona Wallenius
Stylist: Karen Langley
Stylist assistant: Monica Pinelder
Make up: Emma Luoise
Hair stylist: Irene Peeters
Hair assistant: Elise Hama
Designer: Sharon Wauchob
Models: Kim Jaspers @ WW Models, Truus Hoolveld @ Paparazzi Models, Robin Von der Krogt @ 77 Models, Mark Williams, Emmanuel Adjei, Ida Carlsson.

Here comes Henrietta

A designer whose collections I absolutely adore is Henrietta Ludgate and last night I was excited to attend the launch of her brand new store in Whiteleys Shopping Centre. Entitled Work-shop, the space is kookily decorated with fabric rolls and is a lofty open space that showcases the brightly coloured sculpture of the Scottish designer’s collection perfectly.

Doubling up as a literal workshop, Ludgate is daringly putting herself on show in a bold move that will further encourage consumers to engage in the process of creating sustainable design.

Co-hosted by customers and ethical fashion champions, Livia Firth and Laura Bailey it was nice to see the usual suspects of our small niche of the industry.

Art-iculate: Simeon Farrar's Of Rainbows and Halos

Last weekend I went down to the heart of London’s Carnaby district to view the fantastic new art installation by esteemed designer and established painter Simeon Farrar. Having caused quite the stir with his LFW stand back in September, Farrar displayed a rainbow paint splattered shed with an endearing cloud covered roof to embody the theme for his SS12 collection, Great British Weather.

Best known for his iconic portraits of Kate Mouse (of course based on supermodel Kate Moss), which get updated each season (this time with a Ziggy Stardust vibe), Farrar puts his other creative streak to good use, decorating his garments with his trademark iconoclastic prints.

In this new exhibition entitled Of Rainbows and Halos, Farrar take his magical shed into a kooky basement, where it is placed alongside dozens of works which utilise a variety of media; from screen printed t-shirts and paintings to lino prints on paper and what appear to be resin casts of bottles.

One of the most versatile and colourful artists I’ve had the pleasure to meet, Farrar continues his exploration of the dire British summer with panache and fervour, giving fans and shoppers alike the opportunity to explore his perspective.

With new works being added to the exhibition during its duration and old ones taken away, Farrar builds up a rapport with his visitors, keeping them engaged and leaving them wanting more – a canny move which has led to a near sell-out show.

An innovative use of an awkward space, Farrar’s wit and creativity come to the fore and this really is a musty-see exhibition.

Of Rainbows and Halos is showing at The Basement Gallery, 10 Newburgh Street until tomorrow!!

Marc B: When quilting became cool

Anyone who’s ever perused the accessories floor in Topshop Oxford Circus will know Marc B are a brand with a huge in-store presence selling thousands of chic and super shiny quilted bags each week. The go-to brand for those seeking sophisticated arm candy at an affordable price, Marc B offer a plethora of sleek designs in a variety of pop colours, complete with elegant link chain straps.

At the Surgery PR press days earlier in the month the newest addition to the AW11 Marc B range, ‘Amelia’ caught my eye. Reminiscent of an old-fashioned doctor’s bag, this structured design boasts the brand’s signature quilting, chain detailing and funky a leopard print lining!
**Images throughout courtesy of Surgery PR.

Fashioning the Future Awards 2011 (written for SIX Magazine)

Images courtesy of Alex Maguire and LCF

Last Thursday SIX Magazine were invited to the annual Fashioning the Future Awards pioneered by London College of Fashion’s Centre for Sustainable Fashion. Held in the heart of the financial district in Canary Wharf’s domed East Wintergarden, aspiring designers and S+E fashion experts gathered to find out which graduates were to be crowned cream of the crop for 2011.

Founded just three years ago, the awards have gone from strength to strength encouraging a new generation of fashion innovators to pursue design-led solutions and sustainable practice in business. In a short space of time, the Fashioning the Future Awards has become the leading international student competition for design and innovation in sustainable fashion, attracting thousands of entries from around the world.

Up first was the award for Unique Balance which went to the deserving Sara Emilie Terp Hansen from Denmark. Using cork, a material usually associated with the wine industry, and giving it a new lease of life with a fashion forward application, Hansen was a clear winner highlighting the neglect of a valuable natural resource. The cork industry is currently threatened by the growth in plastic alternatives to classic bottle stoppers. This threatens the continued existence of cork forests worldwide; an important natural habitat and source of livelihood for many communities.

To read the full article visit SIX Magazine.

The allure of the black dress

Ever wondered why the ‘little black dress’ is so ubiquitous with style, elegance and sophistication? The go-to garment for many women in a rush or just looking to wear something they trust they will look good in, the little black dress is a wardrobe staple for many, which is why I was impressed by a new brand I discovered at the recent SS12 Surgery PR press day.

Dedicated to finding you the perfect dress for whatever the occasion, Black Dress HQ is exactly what it says on the tin – and is an ingenious business idea. There is clearly a market for all manner of black dresses, so what better way to tap into this expansive customer base than by creating an outlet that stocks exclusive designer dresses from a global selection of designers.

As Karl Lagerfeld says: “One is never over-dressed or underdressed in a little black dress”.

Kiss Pristine (written for GLASS Magazine)

As someone who learnt the benefits of make-up relatively late in my teenage life, for the past five years I’ve been on a quest to find a lip colour that does what it says on the tin. Kiss-proof, smudge-proof, waterproof, bleed-proof and other such false claims are rife in the beauty industry. However, light is at the end of the tunnel, as I've finally found a strong contender.

Available in fifteen pastel and warm pop colour shades, the Just Bitten lip stain and balm by Revlon is a revelation. Coming in a two ended wand, on one side you have pure colour. Applied with a nib much like that of a felt-tip pen; the idea is to colour dry lips with precision and wait for the colour to dry (in approx. 30 seconds). Then the other end of the wand comes into play. Take the moisturising lip balm and apply over lip stain to leave a smooth and glossy finish.

To read the rest of my review visit the GLASS Magazine website!