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Thursday 28 November 2013

Kermès

Drawn by artist and head of creative development of Bobbi Brown, Donald Robinson fused together fashion with The Muppets to create Kermès, the doppleganger to Kermit the Frog. The loveable character is not left lonely as he has also created an incarnation of Miss Piggy: Miss PiGAGAy. Donald Robinson's Instagram is full of these loveable, witty drawings.

Small Business Saturday

On the 7th December people will be encouraged to support the small businesses local to them with the event Small Business Saturday. It has been adopted from America who do this as a yearly event on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, established in 2010, and has been extremely beneficial for small businesses. Last year, $5.5million was made in sales for small businesses and has generation long-term custom for them. They want to bring this to the UK.

So, why? Well as you can see from above, it will be very helpful to generate business and money for locals. Other than that, our nation's small businesses provide nearly two thirds of private sector employment, and almost half of private sector turnover.

It has support from big businesses such as Facebook, O2, Lloyds, Twitter and many others, as well as backing from Ingenious Britain and Start-Up Britain.

Hopefully this gets you thinking about checking out the little man more often and think twice before you go into Starbucks! Here are a couple of my favourite spots for independent businesses:

1. Brick Lane Coffee
This is where I always grab a coffee when I'm in Brick Lane! They do a huge range of different drinks including my all time favourite Chai Latter with Almond milk, and also cater to those of us who are veggie or vegan. The interiors are really fun and it all feels very cosy.

2. Boxpark
This is a great place to find small businesses and pop-up shops. It's like a shopping mall specifically made for that purpose, and it's also a lovely design and has very cosy places to sit with a drink or some street food and watch some live music.


Tuesday 26 November 2013

Trend: PVC

PVC ain't for everyone, I personally have been rocking the sex worker aesthetic since I first learnt what it meant to shock your dad. But PVC doesn't have to be right out of an Ann Summers catalogue or the Red Light District. It can be fun, flirty, refined. Plastic doesn't mean tacky - think feminine silhouettes juxtaposed with boxy shapes. Here's my pick of inspiration of how to wear this seasons hottest fabric:

Monday 25 November 2013

Lady Gaga for Versace



Is it a model, is it a young Donatella Versace? No, it's musics most talked about woman Lady Gaga. You either love her or hate her, or maybe you adore one of her multiple personalities and dislike the other - however there's no denying she grabs your attention. 

Friday 22 November 2013

Meadham Kirchhoff @ The V&A

Following her success with her Topshop collaboration, Meadham Kirchhoff has been chosen for the next Fashion in Motion show at the V&A. It will consist of four free catwalk shows on December 6th, featuring the highlights of their collections.


"When approaching every collection or garment, we secretly hope to make something worthy of being seen in a museum, so for us it is an honour to present a show comprised of hand-picked pieces from our favourite" - Meadham & Kirchoff



It's a sure thing that they have achieved this of their designs, which are not only jaw-dropingly out-there and theatrical, but also beautiful and stylish. They were established in 2002 and have acquired the Emerging Talent Ready-to-Wear award from the British Fashion Council. Their fantasy world has captured the attention of many and I for one will definitely be getting tickets to see this! Their collections tell stories of whimsical and dark tales but maintain a sense of style that can be admired by many, whether you wear it or not.


Ann Demeulemeester's Departure


Dear friends,

As a young girl I dreamed of having a voice in fashion. I worked hard to realise this dream and now I feel that I have accomplished this mission.

I always followed my own path

A new time is coming both for my personal life and the brand "Ann Demeulemeester". I feel it's time to separate our paths.

"Ann Demeulemeester" is an adult brand now with it's own identity and legacy that is to continue proving without me.

I trust the company and the people that worked hard with me. We prepared this step together and they feel ready to bring the brand further into the future.

For the next winter collection we have decided to show men and women in one show on the 27th February 2014. The mens collection will be in the showroom in January 2014.

I want to thank all of you with all my heart for the trust and support you have given me. I fee proud of what we realised together.

I'm a happy and fulfilled person, ready to create new challenges in life.

X
Ann Demeulemeester

Thursday 21 November 2013

Louis Vuitton X Nicolas Ghesquiere

Nicolas Ghesquiere has now been confirmed as the creative director of Louis Vuitton, so what can we expect for the future of this well-established brand? Will he be true to their heritage or take it in another direction completely?

Louis Vuitton SS2014

Friday 15 November 2013

Caryn Franklin x All Walks Talk


Today we were lucky enough to have a talk with fashion commentator Caryn Franklin, former Fashion Editor of i-D and now co-founder of All Walks Beyond The Catwalk - the campaign that challenges fashion's idea of beauty and encourages diversity.

Thursday 14 November 2013

Kit Neale + NEWGEN

Former Ravensbourne student Kit Neale has been chosen to receive funding from NEWGEN (New Generation, created by the British Fashion Council). NEWGEN is a talent recognition scheme, and helps to promote new businesses. Other recievers of the NEWGEN award are Nasir Mazhar and Agi & Sam. 


Tuesday 12 November 2013

Conscious Fashion Gift Guide

It's that time of the year and the C-word is on everyone's lips: Christmas. Another C-word that has been on the tip of our tongue for a while, especially those in the design business is Conscious. Those buying presents for their fashionable relatives or friends should consider the idea of buying an item of clothing that cares. An item that gives again. There are many brands that have cottoned onto this idea and produce brilliant products that help charities.

Charitable Fashion



Sunday 10 November 2013

Shopping Savvy


Daily I get frustrated by the frivolous purchases that some students (or low income buddies) make. Hoards of on-trend clothing from Primark; pieces that will only see the light of day for the week that they are fashionable, or will fall apart mid-twerk at the student union. I don't have a job, my income is solely from student loan. The only other income I have is anything I can tear myself away from and sell on eBay. I will be very open and say that I pay £400 a month for my flat in London, not including bills. I pretty much support myself fully, bar the time my (lovely, generous) boyfriend had to help me out financially because I worked for free for two months during the summer. Yet I have a wardrobe full to the brim (and I mean to the brim, plus three large drawers dedicated to yours truly) with amazing clothing. How, you ask? I think it's about time I share my shopping savvy with you!


Thursday 7 November 2013

AR Wear - Anti-Rape Pants

AR Wear is a up and coming project led by New Yorkers Ruth and Yuval. AR stands for Anti Rape, and this is their big idea to give "confidence and protection" to women. They are crowdfunding their project using Indiegogo. The pants are said to give a barrier against the attacker, they are impossible to remove by anyone other than the woman wearing them, and also impossible to cut through. The incentive for the campaign is that is it proven that most rapists will be deterred by some sort of resistance and will lessen the chance of a rape taking place. But what is the real message here?


Erwin Blumenfeld + British Heritage Inspired Shoot

As part of our work for the summer break, we were asked to compile a photoshoot that was inspired by both photographer Erwin Blumenfeld and British heritage and eccentricity. Using myself as a model (since to be quite honest, it ended up being very last minute after being incredibly busy over the summer interning), I tried to emulate British style through prints and textures, whilst also using the same photographic style as Blumenfeld and applying effects post-production. I'm very pleased with the results!! I've very kindly added information on where the items of clothing are from if you were interested. I purposefully used a lot of vintage items mixed with British brands or high street to show our thrifty nature!


TURBAN - ROKIT VINTAGE

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Becky is Myth-Busting: The Elusive "Thigh-Gap"

It's the current buzzword of the fashion-industry, following Australian plus-size model Robyn Lawley's comments on it after the backlash she received when shown as the covergirl for Vogue Italia. Facebook commenters named her "hefty" and "too fat" - and why? Because her thighs touched.

Sunday 3 November 2013

Bailey's Stardust @ The National Portrait Gallery

David Bailey - he put the sex into photography. The inspiration behind the film Blow-Up, he made photography cool and fashionable, he's something Terry Richardson wishes he was. Known for being Vogue's photographer in the 60s and lover to Jean Shrimpton and husband to Catherine Deneuve, he is still regarded as one of the best photographers of all time.