SS11 Press Days: Snow PR

Last week I also stopped by the Snow PR showroom for the inaugural time. With a great client list (highlights of which below) I was keen to check out their best brands in person. The first works I spotted were by  fashion designer and artist Zakee Shariff, whom I have written about previously. As a massive fan I loved looking at her newest prints and accessories in a plethora of bright colours - I particularly like the skull print. 

Another designer whom I spotted was that of On|Off founder/ director Lee Lapthorne who launched his eponymous range of scarves and hoods two seasons back. This time round the colour palette is light and crisp with beautiful digital prints in cool colours and silks.

A firm favourite is PPQ, who in my opinion didn't produce their strongest collection to date, however their SS11 offering was filled with lots of cute cocktail dresses (such as my favourite pictured right). Perfect for edgy and youthful sophistication.

A treat on the catwalk and a treat in the showroom is how I view the work of Pam Hogg. I absolutely love her space and 80's vibe aesthetic (above) and love how for SS11 its been mixed in with thick and heavy linens (below), with an intriguing straight-jacket theme reminiscent of a SS09 Converse trainer designed by Ozzy Osbourne.

 Lastly I spied the work of Horace, above and below, whose painterly, distressed and slightly OTT garments are brilliant - definitely a brand now firmly on my wishlist.

'Searching for Light' by Zakee Shariff 04/09-26/09

If you’re in the East end and are looking for an exhibition and bar in one then why not pop down to the new print exhibition by Zakee Shariff  titled ‘Searching for Light’ which opens tomorrow. Held in one of my favourite hangouts when I was a cool and impressionable teenager, Dream Bags and Jaguar Shoes on Kingsland Road in the heart of Shoreditch.

Although I’m going to miss the private view (clash with Liberty’s event) I’ll definitely head down this week to see her bright new works such as Chrystal Light, Multi Tri and Rainbow Path (pictured below).
Searching for Light’ is sponsored by Roxy Heart and is showing at Dream Bags and Jaguar Shoes until 26th September.
Invitation and artwork courtesy of Zakee Shariff.

Roxy Heart by Zakee Shariff launch pop up store @ Beyond the Valley- 26th August

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of previewing the FW09 Roxy Heart ‘Fly Like an Eagle’ collection, which launched with a pop up store within hip central London boutique, Beyond the Valley. As I arrived in Newburgh Quarter (the small area of shops and bar’s hidden behind London’s infamous Carnaby Street) I could see cheeky triangular arrows leading the way to the entrance of the pop up store. Recognising these triangles from the invitation (pictured above) I eagerly followed their path (see pictures below).
Once inside Beyond the Valley I was directed into the gallery space which was covered from top to bottom in what I would later discover to be Zakee's signature Multi Tri print, which also featured heavily throughout the collection. Comprised of approximately 15 garments Zakee’s range for Roxy Heart is simply stunning with several cute separates and some iconic hero pieces, such as the ‘Cat II’ leather jacket in midnight red (pictured below).
Taking inspiration from nature, in particular the four elements; earth, water, wind and fire, I found Zakee’s collection to be really fun yet chic, playfully combining superior cuts and fabrics with illustrations of mountains and seascapes on the actual garments themselves (pictured below).
Another of Zakee’s inspirations for this collection is the Steve Miller band’s 1976 hit album ‘Fly Like an Eagle’ which inspired the designer to create an illustration of an eagle as an emblem for the collection, to be featured on several garments such as the heavily embroidered ‘Alice’ jersey top (pictured below).
Other stand out pieces were both the ‘Niel’ top and ‘Ellie’ dress (worn on the night by Zakee herself) which featured the signature Multi Tri print. Bringing a sense of luxury to the collection both garments were made using silk and were cut so beautifully that I’m confident they would flatter any figure. A personal favourite from the collection has to be the beautiful chunky knit ‘Jacko’ cardigan which featured the eagle emblem in addition to a smattering of stars down both sleeves. Available in navy blue/yellow and grey/pink colour schemes this is one item I have definitely got my eye on.
All items mentioned pictured below. With free flowing beer and champagne all night there was a really great crowd and atmosphere despite the rain. And to top it all of there were hundreds of posh cupcakes on offer which had been lovingly decorated with the Fly Like an Eagle emblem.
Additional pictures of event below.

All in all a great evening out and a great show from both Roxy Heart, Zakee and Beyond the Valley who surpassed themselves with such kitsch branding throughout! The highlight for me other than viewing the collection was meeting Zakee herself and two lovely fellow bloggers Marlboro Martini and Platform Princess who write the Cigarettes and High Heels blog.
The Roxy Heart pop up store at Beyond the Valley is open until 27th September.
Invitation and cut out/lifestyle images courtesy of Roxy Heart.