Austrian company Lenzing celebrates 50 years of Lenzing Modal®

Austria-based company Lenzing is ready to celebrate their 50^th anniversary for producing and marketing their Lenzing Modal® brand of fibres which has attained global success.

Lenzing’s CCO Robert van de Kerkhof announced the half-century mile stone at a conference during the Premiere Vision Paris September trade fair held earlier this month in Villepinte, north Paris.

The company has planned a programme of celebrations in November with their international customers and "friends of the brand", according to COO Mr. Robert van de Kerkhof pictured above at Premiere Vision Paris in mid-September. Photo by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

To read the full report, click HERE.

Exotic drama - Ethologie by Jasper Garvida presented at Essie Persian Carpet

So many times I have walked pass the Essie Persian Carpet showroom in Piccadilly opposite to The Ritz in London, and last week, this family run carpet shop was a fitting venue for designer label Ethologie by Jasper Garvida to present a collection of beautiful dresses and striking ensembles.  

Bold patterns, exotic colours and gold touches echo the Persian and oriental patterns of Middle Eastern and north African cultures.

 

Equally dramatic are the bold jewellery that add that extra oomph!  What a collection.

Éthologie designer, Jasper Garvida, graduated in womenswear from the Central St. Martins, and has worked with labels such as John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood.  Upon graduating, he swiftly gained the role of head designer for Michiko Koshino.  Referred to as “one of the young designers to watch out for”, in 2009, Jasper was a finalist for Fashion Fringe competition. His first collection debuted during London Fashion Week at ON/OFF, a leading independent fashion showcase platform for emerging and pioneering fashion and creative talents.

Jasper Garvida’s designs have appeared in Vogue Italia, Russian Vogue, ELLE, i-D, V magazine, Dazed and Confused, The Telegraph, Grazia and other fashion publications. His garments have been seen on performers and celebrities, including Katy Perry, Rhianna, Britney Spears, Florence Welch, Lady Gaga, Elizabeth Hurley, Sophia Coppola, Cheryl Cole, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sugababes, The Saturdays, Girls Aloud and Helena Christensen to name a few.  His show-stopping designs have graced the red carpets of high profile events such as the Oscars, the Golden Globes, MTV Awards, Cannes Film Festival, The Brit Awards and a plethora of other highly visible global events.

Little Shilpa shuns catwalk for Library to showcase new AW15 collection

The Oxonian splendour of the Library on St Martin’s Lane in London's west end was the perfect setting for showcasing Little Shilpa’s new collection the Madness of Muchness, inspired by the curious world of Lewis Carrolls "Alice in Wonderland.”  

With denim as the key fabric of the collection, the ensembles are embellished with pleated appliques and textured details strategically-placed for drama, and complimented with whimsical head-pieces.  Sometimes the model's face is covered in a mysterious mask-like design.

Setting the tea-party scene were tea china ware, cupcakes and the unique ambience of the Library decor - a creative space for contemplating.  

Little Shilpa is the eponymous label of Shilpa Chavan, who offers handcrafted, fun wearable fashion, headpieces, accessories and jewellery.
All photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

Made in Britain debate to launch Buy British Day 2015 set for October 3rd

An event to endorse buying British products will be held on October 3rd at London's King's Cross.

This year, partnering with Made In Britain will be Wayne Hemingway’s The Classic Car Boot Sale in Granary Square, London – and central Preston (way north), in a pop-up retail outlet in the middle of the Fishergate shopping centre and on the Preston Train Station concourse.

Cherchbi - one of the British-made brand currently on show at Design Junction, Victoria House, Holborn.

Buy British Day 2015 was kick started earlier this week at ‘The Great British Debate’ hosted by Best of Britainia at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts.  The conversation subtitled ‘Can we make it all here?’ where British brands, manufacturers and industry figures came together and discussed the opportunities, limitations and future of British manufacture and design.

Engaged in a lively debate was a panel of experts, campaigners and commentators including shirt-maker Emma Willis MBE, Patrick Grant of Norton & Sons and E.Tautz (of BBC The Great British Sewing Bee series) , Drapers editorial director Eric Musgrave, Jonathan Jones of Tregothnan Tea, Made In Britain’s John Pearce, managing director of The Manufacturer Nick Hussey, British Chambers of Commerce Adam Marshall and Kate Hills from Make It British. 

With Best of Britannia’s own Antony Wallis as host, the panel’s discussion touched upon:

·         the use of the Union Jack in branding as a mark of excellence, and the esteem with which the flag as a ‘made in Britain’ marker is received; UK brands’ reticence in using it, as negative perceptions can arise from so-called ‘nostalgia branding’ and the assumptions that a product is made in Britain when in fact it has been made elsewhere

·         proximity to market and its associations with growth in industry – with mention of boat building in the UK

·         there is no reason NOT to make everything in the UK, but the progression and growth of smaller British manufacturers are restricted by lack of investment to make it viable; growing British manufacture is a long, slow process, but worth the investment – we just need the investors; predictions that investment in British manufacture will come from abroad

·         the value of media in demonstrating to the consumer the manufacturing process and where and how their product is made: from pattern-cutting to building, the role of storytelling – and how brands need to get better at telling their stories

·         the pro’s and con’s of the GREAT campaign – it achieved astonishingly positive results as a vehicle for promoting British innovation, but small brands got lost in the system

An initiative from Best of Britannia – an annual event and website that showcases more than 200 of the very best British-made brands and products – Buy British Day aims to engage with consumers who care about the provenance of what they’re buying.  See you there!

Clarks and Christopgher Raeburn collaboration debuts at London Fashion Week with The Salek Sun

British shoe brand Clarks' first collection working with designer Christopher Raeburn sees eleven styles combining Clarks rich heritage of craft and shoe making expertise and the inspiration for Christopher Raeburn’s Spring/Summer ‘16 collection: Sarawak, a Borneo theme, with the anthropologist Tom Harrison at the centre of the story.

The Salek Sun is the first sandal collection to be seen on the catwalk alongside Christopher’s SS16 Women’s Ready To Wear. Woven detailing and bold ankle straps combine with block heels made using lightweight EVA and recycled EVA to create a sandal which is modern yet functional. Webbing and cork are unexpected materials which lend an intrepid feel.  Can't wait for Spring 2016.

Hobbs Collection No 5 takes tapestry inspiration from Hampton Court Palace

London fashion retailer Hobbs' newly launched Autumn/winter 2015 Collection No5 was inspired by the grand interior and gardens of Hampton Court Palace.


The range features floral patterns reminiscent of 17^th century tapestries often found in the palace.  The designs blend ideas that span centuries. 

Look for “Verdure” patterns, embroidered with flora and fauna, colourful jacquard blooms, bringing historical designs up-to-date for an ultra feminine look.

Elaborate tapestries, like those found at the Hampton Court Palace, were a fashionable way to display affluence, the finest costing as much as a battleship. 'Verdure' patterns, embroidered with flora and fauna were among the most popular, and the colourful jacquard blooms give this tapestry theme a modern refashioning.

A silk blouse in the collection has been inspired by an early 17th-century wall hanging at Hampton Court Palace. The `Verdure' tapestry incorporates a highly decorative embellishment. It features a beaded collar with historical references.

Photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

A Missoni moment at the Texprint prize presentation ceremony in Paris.

Left to right, Texprint creative director Peter Ring-Lefevre, Texprint chairman Barbara Kennington,
Rosita Missoni and Gilles Lasborde, Premiere Vision Design managing director.

Texprint's prize-giving ceremony held annually during the September edition of the prestigious Premiere Vision Paris fair ( for fashion, fabrics, design and related trade) brings great expectations every year, as much for design and textile professionals who await the announcement of the winners, as for the selected designers who participate in the UK charity's competition in hope the event would bring them good career prospects.

This September, without exception the event held last week was graced by the presence of the grand dame of European fashion, Signora Rosita Missoni, who is matriarch of the fashion dynasty of vivid stripes and iconic zigzag stitches.  Her special role at this year's Texprint was to present the 2015 Awards.  Four textile design graduates chosen from 24 short-listed outstanding design graduates won prizes for Colour, Pattern, Fashion and Inteiors.

Rosita Missoni in centre, flanked by Texprint 2015 prize winners Emma McCluskey,
Anja Alexandeersdottir, Jessica Leclere and Joanna Robins.

Now in her 80s, signora Rosita's words of wisdom for the class of 2015 were to "believe in yourselves and follow your dreams", while she nostalgically recalled how she met her late hustband Ottavio and together they co-founded Missoni some 60 years ago and found international fame although they came from a humble beginning, after setting up a small knitwear workshop in Gallarate, not far from their home village near Milan to being discovered by American Vogue magazine in New York. And the rest is history, as they say, and today the Missoni iconic zig-zag pattern needs no introduction.

"I am very pleased to be here to applaud the young talents," said Signora Rosita to the 24 finalists set up stands at Texprint during this September's Premiere Vision Design fair as part of Premiere Vision Paris.  "Premiere Vision Designs is a wonderful opportunity to bring them to the attention of the industry and the fashion world which need to invest in new fresher talents and ideas.  I with the 24 designers to keep their curiosity, enthusiasm, passion and to transform them in wonderful careers," said Rosita Missoni.

Summing up the 2015 Texprint Awards, chairman Barbara Kennington said, "The Texprint village at PVD (Premiere Vision Designs) provides a unique opportunity for all 24 designers to showcase their unique and exciting collections, to meet icons in the world of textile design such as Rosita Missoni, and to greatly enhance their understanding of the industry and the opporunities globally.






The 2015 Texprint Awards and winners are as follows:-

The Texprint Colour Award, sponsored by Mode Information goes to Emma McCluskey who studied Textile Design at Duncan and Jordanstone College of Art & Design

The Texprint Pattern Award is presented to Joanna Robins, who graduated from University of West England (Bristol) having specialised in Textiles for Fashion Design

The Texprint Fashion Award winner if Jessica Leclere, who has just competed an MA in Textiles - Knit, at the Royal College of Art (RCA).

The Texprint Interiors Award goes to Anja Alexandersdottir who studied Weae at Heriot Watt University.

Jessica Leclere also won the Woolmark award.

The judging panel this year who made the selection in London in July included British courturier Nicholas Oakwell, Ariane Bigot, associate fashion director for Premiere Vsion, Sarah Lawry, colour & materials designer at Aston Artin Lagonda, and Julie Hall, head of design at Bedeck which is also giving a special new award to be announced shortly.

For more details on Texprint, a charity that has for more than 25 years nurtured, mentored and promoted UK textile design graduates, click here for their website.

All photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

Congratulations to Winners of PV Awards for Fabric and Leather developments announced in Paris.

AND THE 6 PV AWARDS PRIZES FOR 2015 GO TO…

           

On September 15^th, the opening day of the prestigious Première Vision Paris trade fair, Philippe Pasquet, the CEO of Première Vision along with a jury of 12 influential international fashion and textile industry professionals announced the six winners of the PV Awards 2015.  Three of the prizes were for outstanding fabric developments and three were for creativity in leather for the first time.

PV Awards with judges. Photo by Premiere Vision Paris.

The award ceremony of this seventh edition took place at the Première Vision Fabrics Forum (Hall 6) in the presence of the global industry as well as international press and media. 

Alongside Presidents Livia Stoianova and Yassen Samouilov, founders of the Haute Couture brand ON AURA TOUT VU, the prestigious jury members made their choices from the autumn winter 2016-17 fabrics and leathers selected among exhibitors’ collections for the shows’ forums.

For the first time this year, the PV Awards was opened to leather developments presented by the tanners at Première Vision Leather, one of the six specialised sub-shows under Première Vision Paris.

This showcase of modern textile and leather creativity had led to a reorganisation of the event itself. In total six different awards have been awarded: 3 in the fabrics category and 3 in the leathers category.

The 2015 winners are:-

PV Awards Grand Jury Prize

For the most outstanding and pertinent development of the season.

Fabrics category - Eusebio

Leather category - Megisserie Alric

PV Awards Handle Prize

The development for the most distinguished fabric for its tactile and behavioural qualities.

Fabrics category - Fabrica Tessuti

Leather category - Russo Di Casandrino

PV Awards Imagination Prize

The most original development in terms of decoration, finishing, innovation or technology.

Fabrics category - Fedrico Aspesi Srl

Leather category - Fedi Silvano

Watch out for the full results and report of Premiere Vision Paris next week.
Photos by Lucia Carpio unless otherwise noted.

Transgender model to open London fashion show on Sunday

A leading transgender model Johanna Londinium will be opening the F.U.S.E show during London Fashion Week at the Montcalm Hotel on Sunday 20 September, according to Petra Truneckova, director of Bellus Events and LGBT wedding expert.

Petra Truneckova, Director, Bellus Events and LGBT

As a believer that the fashion industry influences people across all sections of society and has an important part to play in making the world a more inclusive place, Petra says: “We are all influenced by familiarity and I hope the show will help our audience and the fashion industry to be more accepting of the transgender community.  I have worked in the fashion industry for over twenty years and this would have been unheard of just a few years ago. The world has changed but there is a long way to go.”

The show will start with the appearance of Londinium body-painted by the leading body artist, Bobbi Bicker. 

Petra Truneckova commented: “It will be a creative and colourful opening that will certainly be a talking point.”

Johanna Londinium, whose ambition is to represent the transgender community at a higher level and to a more mainstream audience commented on the fashion show: “The only way to educate in a positive way is if people are exposed to transgender people like me at events like the F.U.S.E show."

Events open to the public during London Fashion Week this September

Photo by Lucia Carpio.

London Fashion Week is upon us.  It is as much for the industry as it is for all interested in the latest looks and styles.

Here is a list of some of the events open to the public during this London Fashion Week.  The host of events that are opportunities for consumers to meet emerging young designers, see behind the scenes of a photo shoot or watch a new collection being launched.

18th – 23rd September - #FashionAtMbyMontcalm

M by Montcalm - the new hotel in Shoreditch is presenting an exhibition of creations by young fashion designers in collaboration of London Fashion Week SS16. Installations and fashion films by Basharatyan V; Beautiful Soul; Caitlin Charles-Jones; Charli Cohen; Ethologie by Jasper Garvida; Imogen Belfield; Little Shilpa; NODE studio; phannatiq;  Sophie Cameron Davies; Sports Philosophy

Until end of September - Felicities Designers in The Permanent Pop – Up

A number of designers will take part in The Permanent Pop Up at 33 Smiths Court, Soho,  where consumers can shop these fantastic young designers AW collections  including those of Little Shilpa, Sophie Cameron Davies, Style Notes by Basharatyan V, Sports Philosophy and Charli Cohen

Saturday 19th September - Charity Fashion Live

9am – 7pm – Follow the main event on social media when Oxfam and stylist Emma Slade-Edmondson recreate London Fashion Week looks, just moments after they emerge on the catwalk, using only the second-hand clothing they find in one Oxfam shop. 

Follow #CharityFashionLive to comment and join in the conversation. 

Also events in …..

Oxfam Covent Garden, 23 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5RH - Time 14:00 – 16:00 

#FashionSalvage

Head to Oxfam, Covent Garden between 2 - 4pm for an introduction to second hand textiles & fashion design followed by a crochet workshop hosted by Fashion industry Pioneer and Founder of Fashion Revolution Day -  Orsola de Castro and London designer and queen of crochet Katie Jones.

Oxfam 29 Islington High Street, Islington, London, N1 9LH - Time: 14:00-16:00

#Fashion Salvage

Visit the Fabrications up cycling and alterations pop up desk where you’ll be able to add something personal to a garment from Oxfam or perhaps something you’ve brought along with you. Barley will be on hand with embellishments galore and a sewing machine to help you create something unique, to take up a hem, or for some alterations advice!

Oxfam 254 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2SE - Time: 14:00- 16:00

#FashionSalvage

Visit Oxfam in Westbourne Grove for a consultation with Stylist and Costume designer Illishio Lovejoy. Pop in for advice on putting together a look for attending fashion week or that special event you have coming up.

Saturday 19th September - Ariella Event

12.30 – 2.30 House of Fraser Window , Oxford Street

Ariella invites customers to come along and be part of the event, posing with the models on the red carpet outside the House of Fraser store, having their pictures taken by official fashion week photographers, and enter to win one of new Ariella London dresses.

Premiere Vision Paris - the essential show for all professionals in the Fashion, Design and Textile Industry

The September 2015 edition of Premiere Vision Paris - six shows covering fabrics, yarns, designs, leather, accessories, and garment manufacturing - all in one venue at the Parc des Expositions, Villepinte, Paris, attracted close to 61,700 visitors to view the latest Autumn/Winter 2016-17 new developments on offer from some 1,924 exhibitors.

All photos of Premiere Vision Paris by Lucia Carpio for
My Fashion Connect.

  Click HERE to read the report on Premiere Vision Paris - September 15 - 17 2015, at Parc des Expositions, Villepinte, north Paris.

LondonEdge reports biggest show.

As one of the first shows to kick off the autumn fashion trade fair season in the UK, the September 2015 edition of LondonEdge reported its biggest show for three years and an increase in footfall against last year, according to the organisers.

Held from 6th-8th September 2015 at Islington’s Business Design Centre, LondonEdge Managing Director Carole Hunter said she was very satisfied with the turnout and growing popularity of the fair:  “We’re absolutely delighted with the results of with the 32nd LondonEdge.

Early indication is that we have seen a rise in footfall from this time last year. Not only that but also really pleased at the high number of potential new exhibitor enquiries that we’ve had at the organisers’ office during the show. We’re looking forward to the next show at Olympia West between 7th-9th February 2016.”

LondonEdges’ 32nd show also saw the beginning of Edge:Edit. launched as a snapshot showcase of up and coming new brands from young designers of the future, Edit included utterly creative collections from fresh & talented Sera Ulger LDN, Sanctus, Librastyle and Nympha.

While the show welcomed new exhibiting brands this season that included The Ragged Priest, Motel, Syd & Mallory & Jeffrey Campbell and others, trade visitors and buyers were also treated to a daily programme of catwalk presentations, featuring brands such as Dolly Dotty, Bright & Beautiful, Collectif, with brands such as Voodoo Vixen, Hell Bunny and Queen of Darkness, Innocent, Banned, New Rock and others.

Seminar speakers left to right, Fiona Cartledge and
Karen Savage. Photo by Lucia Carpio for
 My Fashion Connect. 

Also for the very first time this season there was a new programme of seminars presented by industry experts to share a wide range of educational and inspirational topics, ranging from the benefits of blogging to insights on online retailing, from finance issues to trends and from new business top tips to the continued influence of 90’s fashion and club culture.

Click HERE to read more.