UnTold

As a break from the exhibition posts of LFW I will share with you the Untold show that I went to at the Design Museum (20/9/10). I was invited because my lovely uni friend Jaz was in the show!! Really pleased for her I knew it was going to be great!

The show started at 6 (well actually 7...) but there was a traditional London Bus used as a pop up boutique throughout the afternoon.I had a good ol' nose around and saw loads of racks of clothing, jewellery and illustrations. I also got to see Anna Lee's collection up close and personal - she was the winner of the Zandra Rhodes Catwalk Textiles Prize at Graduate Fashion Week.Once inside everyone took their seats at the catwalk - I sat in a seat with a goody bag. The show began...

First up was Tijana and Mila Popovic who make up the group ,,R8" for eco design. Uniting ethics and aesthetics - recycling, redesign and reconstruction. Black lace and Gothic form fitting garments started the show off with floral accents. Butterfly hats and unusual fabrics. Juxtaposition of hard against soft. My favorite piece was the Neon Zip Dress (photographed).Next collection to hit the catwalk was by the Untold 2010 competition winner Ross Paul Keenan.This collection was menswear with a difference, "My collection was inspired by working on Savile row and how everything was done by the book. I wanted to rebel against the menswear tailoring that has stayed unchanged for many years. The concept came from looking into the football and Brixton riots, and I wanted to create an urban warrior."

A tropical tribal fusion came next from Eki Orleans. Interpretations of African prints on silk - a more luxurious take on a traditional textile. Swimwear, graphic prints, frills and a sexy silhouette.My favorite piece was this yellow dress.The next collection was by Karla Sabina and featured frilled necklaces and cuffs with silver seashell bags.The next collection is going to be image heavy I am afraid - and quite possibly professionally bias... But I do really like my friend Jasmine Howard-Evans collection of brightly coloured, paint splattered garments. Inspired by 1940's utility wear, aeroplanes and birds. Free fluid designs have been taken directly from her sketchbook and contrasted against dungaree utility wear. So I really like this collection and I hope you do too!
After a wonderful colourful collection an Indian inspired mens and womenswear collection by DeLeon by Richard Ramos. Pleating, folds, knitwear and feathers with traditional Indian silhouettes.After the show there was tea and cake but unfortunately I had to dash off to catch my train. It was a lovely evening in a beautiful location.Enjoy
Fashion Fantasist xx

Holly Fulton

Bright, cheerful, graphic prints. I wasn't disappointed when walking into Holly Fulton's hut at Topshop's Newgen exhibition. I really enjoy Holly Fulton's work - her use of colour and print are bold and beautiful.The design features some very angular hummingbirds and it symmetrical, almost sculptural.Also in her hut I met the lovely lovely people behind Young British Designers!! Adriana's hands featured here (above) holding a beautiful print with chains and birds.I think this is my favorite print - it looks like stained glass and features tropical plants, birds and tigers.Some of my favorites from the collection. Images from Style.com.

Best Wishes
Fashion Fantasist xx

Fannie Schiavoni

Whilst browsing the Topshop Newgen huts at London Fashion Week I came across this beautiful piece.Breathtaking...

By the talented London based Scandinavian designer Fannie Schiavoni.

Enjoy!
Fashion Fantasist xx

Enchanted Nightmares

I found this interesting collection right next to Kirsty Ward at Vauxhall Fashion Scout. It is by designer Nancy Van Ostren who graduated from London College of Fashion in 2002 and has worked with a whole host of designers including - Zandra Rhodes, Jasper Conran and Burberry.This Spring Summer 2011 collection is inspired by fairytale forests and childhood nightmares. In a fairytale everything is wonderful but there is always the wicked witch waiting in the background, "I didn't want to use black and go too Gothic or literal..." Instead she has used lightweight fabrics in candy floss hues - blues and pinks against tailored marzipan neutrals. The bold tailoring, pleats and interesting pattern cutting juxtapose against the lightweight fairytale fabrics.I think this collection is really interesting and very wearable, I like that it has the element of fairytale fantasy. My favorite pieces are the Leaf Shorts, Bubble Trousers - which have an incredible cut to them and the Willow Top.

Speak Soon,
Fashion Fantasist xx

Kirsty Ward SS11

I had a wonderful time at Vauxhall Fashion Scout with the delightful designer Kirsty Ward. I have previously posted about her lovely jewellery and her collaborations with David Longshaw but this time I will share with you her debut Spring Summer 2011 womenswear collection and jewellery."Do you remember those 80's bathrooms?"1980's Bad Taste is the inspiration behind Kirsty's jewellery and garment collection. Peach and mint green contrasted against black, silver and pillar box red. The colours were definitely bold and the fabric choices included silver Christmas tinsel."I love Christmas! I am following Santa Claus on Twitter, but as soon as I did Mrs Claus started to follow me!"

Sheer dresses are given a hard edge with heavy duty statement necklaces. Some of them are simply accessories and others are part of the garment itself.

Pattern cutting skill was evident with interesting interlocking shapes inspired by stain glass windows all finished off with neatly bound edges with boning inside."I love binding."

I really like the mixture of fabrics and textures in this collection. The jewellery complimented the collection so well with a mix of hoops and chains in peach, green and black. My favorite piece, which was worn by the designer herself, was a pair of earrings connected together by a chain - a really interesting feature!I am very excited to see what comes next from this obviously talented and lovely designer!! Here are some lookbook images that were featured on the Italian Vogue Online.Enjoy!
Fashion Fantasist xx