Jay McLaughlin photography exhibition as part of Feathers Boutique's 40th Anniversary Celebrations

Jay McLaughlin has been commissioned to create a unique photography exhibition at Feathers Boutique on Hans Crescent in London as part of the boutiques 40^th anniversary celebrations.  The exhibition runs in the boutique from the 1^st – 30^thSeptember 2014.

The exhibition of ten stunning Black and White images by fashion and celebrity photographer Jay McLaughlin has been sponsored by Olympus UK.

The display includes stunning imagery of couture gowns and accessories.  By using classic and timeless black and white photography, the textures in the garments and the shape and feminine form of the models they adorn are highlighted.

One of the series of photographs will be the key image for FASHIONatMELONDON, during London Fashion Week – when the image will be featured on a large window displayed at ME LONDON Hotel on the Strand and on the marketing materials for fashion week. 

Jay McLaughlin has always had a keen interest in photography. ‘I’ve always been a visually driven and creative person and being an artist of some description was the obvious career choice’.  Initially choosing to study graphic design, his interest in photography dominated and as a result heavily influenced the direction of his design portfolio.  Eventually pursuing photography outright, within six months he had secured his first magazine cover and within a year he was shooting for national magazines.   Jay is currently focusing on both fashion and celebrity editorial alongside commercial and advertising projects.  In his role as Olympus Brand Ambassador, he presents seminars to both small and large crowds and has also been a guest judge for several prestigious photographic competitions.

Leggera Nell’Aria Supporting New British Fashion Designers

London boutique on King’s Road, Leggera Nell’Aria, is offering young designers shop windows to showcase their graduate work this September.

The three designers launching a pop-up at the shop are:-

• Sade English featuring her androgynous, edgy outerwear;

• Lucy Jane Gray who cuts biker jackets out of multicoloured pony skin;

• Roxanne Cassandre Europe Scudier, designs adverse effects with nuclear fallout as inspiration, creating a variety of asymmetric pieces.

Roxanne Cassandre Europe Scudier

Lucy Jane Gray

The fashion graduates are from institutions like London College of Fashion and Ravensbourne, and they will have whole windows devoted to their pieces.

Leggera Nell’Aria means ‘lightness in the air’ in Italian and ‘aria’ is also a play on the name of the owner, Arianna Cefis, who has accumulated two decades as a leader in the global theatre of advertising (her last job was global director of Lowe & Partners), before starting her own high-end boutique on King’s Road, regularly stocking new designers from Europe, Africa and North America.

Arianna also support local arts & crafts initiatives in Kenya and by showcasing the fine artisanal skills of African designers.  For example, hand-rolled newspaper necklaces at £50 for three strands sold out this summer, and all the proceeds went to the children who made them in a small village in Kenya.

Leggera Nell-Aria has featured a roster of talented designers, whose pieces are either unavailable in the UK or in less than 3 stockists.  They include:
• British-African Anita Quansah whose bohemian tribal neckpieces areinspired by her Nigerian-Ghanaian roots. Anita who has collaborated withChristian Lacroix and Donna Karan is a storyteller who weaves folktales withher statement jewellery and fashion accessories;• Finnish designer Teija Eilola who was snapped up to work for MichikoKoshino after graduation in 2006; singer Kate Nash is a fan;• Eclectic Spanish designer David Delfin who came to fashion from the finearts route, painting on cardboard, wood and clothes; he shows in Madrid andNew York and has designed the interiors of two hotels so far;• Edward Achour whose hand-finished accessible French style has earnedhim praise from the fashion houses of Yves Saint Laurent and Guy Laroche;• Istanbul-born Derya Copur who is now based in London half the time isknown for her weave-worked designs and leather pieces;• Persian-Canadian, London-trained Golnaz Ashtiani whose signature styleis a mixture of sporty classics made of unusual luxury fabrics precision cut with draping techniques;
• Portuguese designer Alexandra Oliviera whose brand Pe de Chumbo has afollowing for designs made from knitted, woven fabrics which she producesusing a handmade process.

Leggera Nell’Aria also hosts a seasonal pop-up for the well-known Italian brand Aspesi, showcasing their chic basics and luxe casual wear to the London shopper; the 70-year old Alberto Aspesi, once called an anti-fashion player by Wallpaper magazine, is only available in this boutique in London.

"Fat Lad At the Back" catering for an Expanding market

Looking the part.  Cycling apparel from new brand - Fat Lad At the Back supplies top quality jerseys, jackets, bibs and a range of accessories in sizes ranging from 28” to 60” waist and 36” to 58” chest.

Since Britain’s success at 2012 London Olympics and Tour de France, the popularity of cycling in the UK has grown leaps and bounds.  Just pick any weekend of the year to drive through the Surrey Hills south west of the capital and you would see hundreds of cyclists pedaling fiercely along parts of the 250 km long Olympic cycle route, trying to emulate the feats of their national heroes and heroines such as Bradley Wiggins and Lizzie Armisted.  Nearly all of them are clad in the colourful spandex uniforms of the pro-team cyclists, providing a boon to sportswear suppliers.  Every age group, size and shape seems to be represented and all of them want to look the part by wearing the right kit.

Now new clothing brand Fat Lad At The Back, founded by Richard and Lynn Bye,  has amassed fans from across the world in the very short time since it was launched reaching new and experienced cyclists alike due to its unique attributes: catering for riders of larger physiques.

The Yorkshire-based brand has secured a listing with leading cycling retailer, Evans Cycles and more than doubled their customer base already.

Michelle Arthurs, Head of Social Media at Evans Cycles comments “Fat Lad At the Back is a brand that carries a story and when we launched the range on social media it prompted an unprecedented response and a strong run of orders. We’d received requests in the past for clothing that catered for larger riders, and FLAB have filled that space in the market.”

By understanding the ever expanding niche market not previously catered for, co-founder Richard Bye said “There’s always someone faster than you on the bike, and although we cater for everyone from 36” chest and 28” waist to a size of 58” chest and 60” waist, everyone who’s ever been on a bike knows what it feels like to be the Fat Lad At The Back.”

 “We are continuing to hear tremendous success stories from Fat Lads who are inspired by the brand and who are cycling more frequently, further and riding more comfortably than ever before because of the clothing,”.

According to Fat Lad At The Back the brand was originally conceived when three large framed lads decided to take a trip to the Alps and take in several of the iconic climbs that make up the Tour de France. After years of squeezing into ill-fitting and often unflattering kit they decided to create a range of easy to wear, high quality garments using the best technical fabrics available.

The garments are based on actual waist and chest measurements, rather than the traditional and confusing "XL/XXL" sizing. To ensure each ‘Fat Lad’ gets the right size when they order, customers are asked to get measured before buying, following simple instructions from the website. 

The Leather Biker's Jacket continues its iconic journey via SuperDry

The leather biker's jacket - iconic of the 1960s American pop-culture (think iconic Hollywood stars James Dean and Marlon Brando, as well as movies such as Easy Rider) - continues to be relevant for Autumn/Winter 2014, according to British brand Superdry.  
From their Black Label Garniture collection are variations of this iconic winter wardrobe stable updated with appliques, badges and beaded embellishments.

Meanwhile, at the London Piccadilly Royal Academy is an exhibition- "Dennis Hopper: the Lost Album" (until October 19th) providing a rich source of inspiration of 1960s pop-culture.
For fashion pundits and movie buffs, this exhibition is not to be missed.
Photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

FASHION ACCESS and CASHMERE WORLD are open for Registration.

FASHION ACCESS – the international must-see fair for fashion buyers - which will take place September 25 - 27 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is now open for registration.

To register, click HERE to go to the FASHION ACCESS website.

To be held concurrently will be CASHMERE WORLD - the only trade event dedicated to cashmere and luxury fine fibres – as well as  the Cashmere World Forum with a line-up of international experts to share their industry insights.

To register, go to the CashmereWorld website.