Fresh From The Production Line: Fairtrade Collective

Fairtrade Collective stand at Estethica

As always visiting the British Fashion Council’s Estethica exhibition during LFW is an eye-opening experience, guaranteed to uncover the newest brands and initiatives promoting fair-trade as a global multi-faceted concept, and in this case, sustainable fashion. This season proved to be no different with the Fairtrade Foundation introducing the Fairtrade Collective; uniting the Fairtrade Foundation with producers, designers and ASOS to make a big impact on fashion as we know it.

Design by Julie Verhoeven

Teaming up with 14 designers including - one of my favourites - Julie Verhoeven, Holly Fulton, Ada Zanditon, London Undercover, Tim Soar and Marios Schwab to name but a few, Fairtrade Collective has created a bespoke range of highly exquisite and desirable scarves - for both men and women - made from fair-trade certified cotton, sold exclusively by influential fashion e-tailer and market leader, ASOS.

Design by London Undercover

Using only the finest in digital printing techniques, each scarf bears the handwriting of its designer, acting like a signed piece of art – which will hopefully exude the same ‘priceless’ qualities. Choosing a combination of the established old guard and a staple of new generation talent, each designer has created a unique scarf that is on-trend for the forthcoming season and screams luxury.

Design by Tim Soar

Available from ASOS since the end of February to mark Fairtrade Fortnight (28 February - 13 March), each scarf purchased will come packaged in a beautiful draw-string bag made from fair-trade certified cotton repeating the same fabric choice and design of the scarf itself, cleverly maximising its longevity.

Design by Holly Fulton

On her involvement with the Fairtrade Foundation, Holly Fulton says: “It’s vital to utilize cotton in a modern fashion through strong design. Hopefully projects such as this will encourage that; I certainly look at fair-trade in a different light now.”

SS11 Press Days: ASOS

My first stop last Wednesday was the ASOS press day. As someone who has never bought anything from this retail giant (as I can't quite get over not being able to touch fabrics, inspect quality and most importantly try things on), the press days are especially important as each and every season they show me in absolute terms why I should be shopping there, although I do think they should consider opening an outlet, for internet clothes shopping phobes like me. Don't get me wrong, I'll buy the world and his wife online, just not clothing, or at least not yet.

 From the BLACK collection (above ), I love the luxe and light fabrics. Gorgeous dresses with a chic colour palette and alluring cut-out detailing, embellishment and draping. In the SALON collection (pictured below), I love the playfulness and variety of embellishments on display (demonstrating a lot of time and skill) and I especially like the vibrant yellows and greys.

From the WHITE collection, standout garments include the blue and white dress and the luxe charcoal silk top complete with yellow zip detail.

Each season I'm especially keen to see what the ASOS AFRICA collection - in collaboration with SOKO Kenya - will throw up, and once again I wasn't disappointed. With vibrant patterns one might expect of such a great nation, the SS11 collection is peppered with deep oranges, browns and blues (much like the REVIVE collection, with accessories deftly created from diseased wood, putting nothing to waste.

It was great to see a small capsule collaboration with Jessica Ogden. I absolutely love the red and white take on traditional sailor gear, with bows and little rope details highlighting every piece.

On the accessories side of things I love these boxy structured handbags and love the bright colours, especially the greens and yellows, which remind me very much of the early 1970's.

 As you'd expect from ASOS, high heels were plentiful so I've picked out my absolute favourites below.

 On the menswear side of things I really liked the cut out detailing on the leather lace-ups and especially liked the tan leather woven moccasins (below, right).

I've tried to keep all of the pics relatively in order in terms of which collections are which, but just *incase* I've made any oversights, rest assured everything you see will be on sale somewhere at http://www.asos.com/ next SS.

ASOS launch The Barbie Lounge

ASOS are currently celebrating 2 fashion icons; Barbie and the little black dress, with the creation of The Barbie Lounge. Stocking a series of elegantly attired and heavily customised Barbies, exclusively on sale at ASOS within UK, customers are invited to accessorise Barbie Little Black Dress, from a selection of 3 packs – priced at £15 each - bursting with the funniest accoutrements for a fashionable girl about town; she can grab a takeaway coffee, check Barbie's website on her laptop, select from a myriad shoes, flick through her favourite magazines (Chic Chic and Dream House), listen to some vinyl, she can even walk her perfect little dog! Love it!

SS10 PRESS DAYS: Part Nine

Earlier today I attended the New Look press day and am rather glad to say that this is the last one I’ll be attending this year! As with the ASOS press day there was a lot of colour on show and lots of embellishment everywhere I looked. Funnily enough the majority of the embellishments appeared to heavily feature on racer-back vests, waistcoats and tops, which to date I haven’t seen so strong anywhere else on the high street. Could New Look be starting a little micro trend I wonder...?

My favourite embellished piece was this cotton waistcoat embellished with several dozen plain cream buttons. Whilst it looks great, this is something that strikes a chord with me personally as I’m a sad fucker who collects buttons – so was overjoyed to discover a way I could put them to good use and be on trend next summer at the same time. I liked the pattern they’ve gone for here, simple yet chic, but think I’d mix it up a bit with mismatching buttons....

There were also lots of tops with slashed and cut backs...

Not too much that really stood out other than the accessories. More of the same (in terms of what we’re used to seeing everywhere that we already love) just tweaked a little and brought up to date for next season. I guess my favourite piece was the ‘lovely’ necklace which is quite a bargain at £25.

Something I did love (similar to that which I brought to your attention from the Miss Selfridge range, and also similar to the Agnes B locket pendant) was this beautiful heart shaped floral printed silk purse. Loved the florals and colours and just love this spin on the chain link bag. What I like is that these cute heart shaped bags are fun, sexy and are very summer-drinks-at- a-swanky-bar type bags. The only realistic reservation I have is that as a keen hoarder I like my handbags a bit bigger, but this beauty is well worth the squeeze.

Frivolity aside this is a stunning bag which I think could truly be worn with most outfits in any wardrobe unless you’re a Juicy Couture tracksuit type, and in that case I’m not sure why you would be enjoying this blog as if I could I would ban them being worn within a one mile radius of one’s house. Meaning the corner shop is okay, the school run is just about acceptable, but for anything more than defrosting the freezer wear some less chavvy clothes! Wanting to be fair and give credit where its due the two ladies that founded Juicy Couture have built up a huge empire and are minted beyond my wildest dreams, so they obviously know what they’re doing and are catering to a market who can’t seem to get enough of their LA Wag style.

Obviously on a bit of a ramble today so much so that I’ve almost forgotten to mention the Gold label collection by Giles. Shock Horror it was very, very nice. Really liked the embellished illustration T-shirt dress, only trouble is if you’re a bit booby it looks really shit and spoils the image so regretfully that won’t be making its way into my wardrobe. Really like the black and white striped mack which looked quite silky, and alos like the monochrome sequined dress which was tres chic.

SS10 PRESS DAYS: Part Eight

Yesterday I popped into the ASOS press day on my way to dinner at one of my favourites, Nando’s. As a fan of ASOS who has never actually bought any clothing online I thought it was my duty to pop down and have a little look.

What stood out for me about this press day more than others was the immediate feeling of summer I got whilst walking around the huge space. I loved all of the bright colour and pattern and luxurious silk kaftans, beautiful swimwear and embellished pieces that seemed to be everywhere.

As you can see from the images below there was plenty of texture on offer in the form of sequins, crystals, beads, feathers and jersey cut out strips and panels.

A couple of garments really caught my eye both by designer Belle Savvage. The first was a beautiful twist on the shift dress in black with a deep V-neck and beautiful and colourful geometric pattern.

The second garment that I would have really liked to take away from me was this silk dress in the most gorgeous pastels which are not something I’d usually go for. I don’t really know how to describe why I liked it, it was just beautiful from the subtle statement shoulders, to the snug fit, to the slightly structured tulip shape of the skirt – amazing!

Whilst I’m not sure who all the brands were there was a beautiful selection of jewellery on show which included chunky hand painted bracelets, necklaces embellished with layer upon layer of beads and charm necklaces which included the cutest plastic models of kilted bagpipers.

Another thing I really liked was the use of African prints and fabrics throughout the presentation of the collections which I felt helped to hammer home the subtle tribal tones and mood reflected on many of the SS10 catwalks.

On the way out I had a quick glance at the menswear and really, really liked the footwear. Loved the subtle changes and updating of the boat shoes, brogue, leather sandal and to my surprise and great delight there was even a man’s gladiator sandal which is fab, and I look forward to seeing these on the streets next year.

Introducing CAMP TERROR by Buckstyle

A few days back an intriguing Halloween inspired YouTube clip appeared in my inbox so getting into the festive spirit I thought I’d take a sneak peek. Part gore fest part fashion extravaganza CAMP TERROR is brought to us by the lovely people behind Buckstyle. Showcasing the latest winter apparel from brands as varied as Paul Smith, Woolrich, Topman and Asos, this fashion short is a cross between (a much better) Blair Witch Project and an illegal rave in the woods with lots of guests turning up impeccably groomed only to run into a meat-cleaver wielding maniac– giving it quite an impact!

Whilst on the subject of Buckstyle I remember going to the launch party around this time last year so all that remains to say is: Happy 1st birthday Buck!