Tattoo illustrations on luxury English bone china wares

Tattoos have for centuries shocked, inspired and fed the imagination. It is an art form that crosses every boundary of culture, gender and geography and is today more popular in the west than at any time in history.

The Inkhead range designed by Florian Hutter for The New English features an intense rose skull tattoo, capturing our continuous fascination with tattoo prints and skull inspirations.

Inkhead tattoo-inspired plate in English bone china features vivid screen printed illustrations and gold details. 

 Made from English bone china in Stoke-on-Trent, the illustrations on these cups and flatwares are applied using a multi-layer, multi screen printing process to create extraordinary tonal depth.

Inkhead latte cup and saucer set.

Hand gilded and burnished with 22 carat gold on the rim and tooth of the plate and rim, tooth and handle of the cups the image is rich with detail and redolent with meaning.

The mug shown above is without the added gilding making it suitable for everyday use. 

Inkhead espresso cup and saucer.

The New English range are all available from Rume's UK showroom in Hove and also on their website. 

Cartoonist wins Weird Fish competition to design artist T-shirt for The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Congratulations to professional cartoonist Tim Harries, whose work - Raiders of the Lost Lark (clever! - shown above) won him a design competition hosted by clothing brand Weird Fish.   Tim's work will adorn the next limited edition T-shirt for The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (rspb).

Tim who regularly supplies cartoons, comic strips and illustrations to the likes of Reader’s Digest and Private Eye, said: “ I look forward to seeing the limited edition T-shirt in the shops later in the year.”

The Weird Fish and rspb partnership began in January 2015 with the launch of The Lord of the Wings T-shirt, followed by the sale of pin badges and staff members running the Cheltenham half marathon raising money for the charity. At the end of 2015, Weird Fish launched its Darth Wader T-shirt, inspired by the rspb wading bird logo. The clothing company achieved record-breaking sales with this item, resulting in 60 per cent of stock being sold within the first week.

A number of successful campaigns with the rspb are now followed by the launch of Harrier Potter and the Deathly Sparrows artist T-shirt. Weird Fish will donate £9 from each Harrier Potter T-shirt sale to the rspb, the UK’s largest nature conservation charity. Weird Fish has raised a total of £44,000 for the charity since 2015.

John Stockton, managing director at Weird Fish, said: “The new Harrier Potter T-shirt is a great example of Weird Fish’s creativity and sense of humour. It’s bold and quirky and helps support the rspb at the same time.”

John added: “Weird Fish is proud to continue its work with the rspb. We have an eco-garden at Weird Fish HQ which makes an enjoyable outdoor space for our staff.

The rspb kindly helped us out with some bits for the garden to make it a more habitable for wildlife too.”

Weird Fish clothing is available to buy in the UK from Weird Fish retail stores and online. There are 13 branded stores and stockists include Debenhams, Cotswold Outdoor, Haskins and Blacks Leisure.

Heal's flagship store launches Cat competition to celebrate Cecil Brewer's staircase

“In dire need of a news detox”, a phrase I learned earlier this week, explains aptly how I am feeling today, so I need a distraction from staying glued to 'breaking news' reports.  

Thus, I am pondering over a choice (if I may dream a little) between a couture gown in ivory satin with hand-embroidered blue foliage and an alluring train of frilly organza, and a hand-painted cat fugurine.  Both equally rare and worthy of my and anyone’s time and attention.

Ralph & Russo's couture gown, featured in Paris this summer,
was mentioned in a story in the 17 July edition of STYLE as pictured above.

Which one would I prefer? 

Say if I have the coffer of a billionaire and money is no object, I would not need to choose.

Though I love the gorgeous gown by Ralph & Russo, featured by the Paris couture salon earlier this month and was discussed in the 17 July edition of STYLE magazine (shown here),  I can’t think of an occasion on my social calendar that would do it justice. (Another words, I can't afford it.)

So I’m left with the other choice.  

Ceramics designer Mia Sarosi creating her entry for the Heal's Cat Competition.

The cat figurine - shown here at right - is a bespoke creation by ceramics designer Mia Sarosi, one of ten designers who are involved with a charity event organised by Heal’s, the British interiors specialist and retailer which is celebrating the 100^th anniversary of its iconic Cecil Brewer spiral staircase which takes pride of place at the back of their flagship store on Tottenham Court Road in London. 

The source of inspiration for the participating designers is the Heal's Cat figurine which occupies an auspicious place on the window behind Cecil Brewer's spiral staircase keeping close watch of the traffic going up and down.

The iconic staircase by architect Cecil Brewer
was built in 1916.

The ten  designers enlisted by Heal's are to create a series of special designs for charity. They have been challenged to decorate the feline figurehead with each taking pride of place in the window of their store before going to a live charity auction in November in aid of the GOSH KissIt Better appeal.   

Heal's Cat

Other participating designers joining Mia Sarosi include Orla Kiely, Louise Lockhart, Cressida Bell, Zoe Bradley, Ikuko Iwamto, Squint Studio, Ola Studio, Rachel Cave and Donna Wilson.

Each designer is to use the Heal’s Cat which normally sits at an auspicious place by the spiral staircase as their inspiration. Their creations based on the feline figurehead will be on display in the window of their store before going to a live charity auction in November in ad of the GOSH Kiss It Better appeal.

The finished designs will be on show during London Design Week in September this year. No doubt I’ll be paying the Tottenham Court Road store a visit again.

Photos: Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect Global.

Terrariums and inspirations bring a calming effect to indoor spaces

Not all of us have a garden or outdoor space in our homes, especially if we live in the city.  Thus we see the popularity of terrariums rising, enhancing the trend of bringing the outdoors into our homes.

A selection of lantern shaped terrariums and mini glass houses aailable at UK retailer Oliver Bonas.  

Sophie Thompson, who founded Terrarium Designs, has launched a range of home products called Hothouse that refreshingly bring the outdoors in through her designs.  Inspired by the orchid exhibition at London's Kew gardens in which the tropical glasshouses are filled with a vast variety of beautiful flowers, the fabric design has a botanical narrative that captures the abundance of beautiful colourful blooms alongside the lush tropical foliage.

Hothouse seat cushion from Terrarium Designs.

Hothouse lampshade from Terrarium Designs.

Coming from a family background in antique dealing, Sophie’s style is influenced by the elegance of the past as well as her love for contemporary design. These contrasting elements combined to form Terrarium.  She creates colourful handmade homewares inspired by botanical beauty, bringing nature from the exterior into the home. The web-based store features a selection of home products, from cushions of different sizes to lampshades, glass coasters and re-upholstered antique furniture.

Hothouse floor cushion from Terrarium Designs

Inspiration for Terrarium's design collection undoubtedly is drawn from a deep fascination with our interaction with nature and by capturing nature through insightfully delicate illustrations and contemporary digital processes create dramatic, detailed designs that bring a sense of serenity in today's uncertain world.

And in search of that peace, I am pleased to have enrolled myself in an introduction class to learn how terrariums can be achieved.

Let's do the Barbie look!

Since comic figures and Disney characters are among the favourite motifs for fashionistas, be they young or just young-at-heart, I guess one would like to look like your favourite doll too.

Now launching today at Justhype's store in Shoreditch, London's east end, is a new sports-luxe collection from urban brand Hype featuring a Barbie-doll theme.

The range is clearly designed for adults with a penchant for cool effortless leisurewear fusing Barbie's iconic classic pink aesthetic.  against a palette of grey, white and black.

The edit includes sweatshirts, crop tops, vests and a bold new workout-style look with a pink crop and leggings set.

Cool accessories help the Hype girl standout with Hype’s classic backpack re-imagined with a fresh Barbie makeover and Hype + Barbie baseball caps in black and pink.

To shop the collection, go to justhype.co.uk and the Hype store Boxpark, Shoreditch, east London.

Optimistic prints to disband post-Brexit blues

It is always nice when someone recognises the pattern on the bag you are carrying, especially when you least expect to receive some compliments.  This was the case when I attended the Texprint 2016 Preview this week where 24 young graduates from UK fashion and design institutions showcased their creative work that gained them a place on this year’s finalists’ list.  The two-day showcase was held at Chelsea College of Art & Design, Millbank, London.

This annual competition organised by the London-based charity will reach its climax in September as previous years, when winners of the various categories will be announced in Paris at the prestigious Premiere Vision fair.

MALMAISON – JONQUILLE by Christian Lacroix

Malmaison relates to the Chateau Malmaison, bought by Joséphine de Beauharnais, Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife during the Directoire era.

A rare glimpse of summer, it was a sunny day on Wednesday so I opted to use my Christian Lacroix carry-on bag to hold all the knick-knacks for the day.    The unique bold print features Lacroix’s signature candy stripes overlaid on bright florals against a sunny yellow ground (also featured on the Designer Guild furnishing fabric website.) 

The optimistic colour palette of this exquisite fabric entitled Malmaison – Jonquille has helped to disband the negative mood I have been feeling since the shock of the EU referendum result hit the global headlines nearly two weeks ago.

The young textile designer who recognised my Lacroix print was Lydia Knight, one of Texprint’s 2016 finalists at the London preview event.

Two of Lydia Knight's selection of botanical prints.
Photo: Lucia Carpio

Although she admitted she is not yet a gardener, Ms Knight is a keen observer and admirer of the great outdoors as her designs are predominantly inspired by forms of florals and botanical plants - blooming magnolia, orange blossoms with a scattering of butterflies, and orchids.  Obviously a keen lover of nature and formal gardens, Ms Knight says she hand-pick each flower, leaf, branch and hand draw them from life, then further develop her drawings into natural formations using digital print techniques.

Lydia Knight
Photo: Lucia Carpio

The oversized scale of the finished work on display signifies that they are perfect for interior furnishings, although she acknowledges they are also good for fashion and accessories.

A selection of garden-themed prints by Megan Clarke
Photo: Lucia Carpio

Megan Clarke at her Texprint stand.
Photo: Lucia Carpio

The garden theme also features boldly in the collection showcased by Megan Clarke, who executed her designs through digital and screen printing inspired by the vibrantly patterned courtyards hidden within traditional Moroccan riads, according to the designer, with emphasis on an abstract hand-drawn aesthetic.

Megan Clarke's prints for fashion separates.
Photo: Lucia Carpio

Amy Smith
Photo: Lucia Carpio

Another finalist who also gains inspirations from flower, or to be exact, flower markets, is Amy Smith, whose collection of printed designs are inspired by colourful photography as she explores colour separations combined with mark making to bring an unexpected edge to a feminine collection.

Print designer Isla Middleton on the other hand prefers to go for a dark, rich, more subdued and muted colour palette, which also celebrates the beauty of the plant forms through the use of a variety of image patterning, contrasting with a flowing elemental aesthetic.  

Isla Middleton with her nature-inspired prints on linen.
Photo: Lucia Carpio

A range of Isla Middleton's designs.
Photo: Lucia Carpio

A keen cyclist who travels on her bike around the UK and the European continent to experience different cultures, Ms Middleton shows a quiet sophisticated approach much suited for a wide range of interior uses.  She favours linen mainly as the main fabric for her creations.

All 24 Texprint 2016 finalists will show off their talent at the prestigious September Premiere Vision Paris fair (September 13 – 15) - in the Indigo segment of the international show.  During that time, the winners of this year’s special prizes for the various discipline will be announced in a special ceremony.

Workshops and events planned to inform on Brexit implications for UK businesses

After a referendum campaign that highlighted deep social, geographic and economic divisions in the UK and shook the world, UK businesses are in a state of uncertainty post-Brexit win, and it is important that clear guidance and encouragement are given to UK brands to help them make plans for their businesses.   As the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has pointed out, without clarity, retailers and other businesses and hence the economy will suffer from a prolonged period of uncertainty and that the Government must move quickly to explain the process of disengagement from the EU.

So it is welcomed news that Walpole, an alliance of 170 of Britain’s finest luxury brands, is planning to host a member workshop aimed at discussing the implications of Brexit and identifying key issues to campaign on.  Prominent brands represented by Walpole includes Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Farfetch, Selfridges, Harrods, Thomas Pink and Temperly and McArthurGlen. The date and location of the workshop are yet to be announced.

It remains vital to work together to ensure stability and collaboration, so said the CEO of Walpole, Michelle Emmerson in a post-referendum letter.  

“I know you will be working to understand the potential implications for your businesses. As we all know, we should find encouragement in the fact that British luxury goods and services are sought by customers from all around the world, whether they are bought here or as exported products. Europe is a big market, but by no means the only one. What’s more, it does not seem to be in anyone’s interests to abandon a single market in which goods move freely,” she said.

“Therefore, it is vital that we retain open access to the European market and throughout negotiations, we shall urge the government to fight to promote and protect the interests of the luxury industry - worth over £32 billion a year to the UK and employing 113,000 people across the UK.”

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) CEO, Helen Dickinson, keeping the cost of goods down for consumers and providing certainty for businesses must be at the heart of the Government's plans for life outside of the EU.

“Without clarity, retailers, other businesses and hence the economy will suffer from a prolonged period of uncertainty,” the BRC said in a statement.  “We are already seeing the commencement of a period of considerable volatility as financial markets react to any emerging information that might indicate how the new relationship to the EU might be shaped.  Retailers should be prepared for the possibility of significant swings, particularly in the exchange rate and consumer confidence,” the BRC warned.

Love this Union Jack cashmere pashmina shawl embellished with crystals
from CASHMERE REBEL LONDON.

In its exit negotiations the Government should aim to ensure that the trade benefits of the Single Market (i.e. the absence of customs duties) are replicated in the UK's new relationship with the EU, the BRC said.

Meanwhile another trade body, the  Creative Industries Federation has pledged to play a positive role in safeguarding the future of the UK’s arts, creative industries and cultural education and their significant contribution to the economy in light of the decision to leave the European Union.

John Kampfner, Chief Executive, said: “As the UK creates a new identity and a new position on the world stage, our arts and creative industries - the fastest growing sector in the economy - will play an important role.

“It will be vital for all sides to work together to ensure that the interests of our sector on issues including access to funding and talent are safeguarded as the UK forges its new relationship with Europe. The importance of British culture in representing our country to the world will be greater than ever.”

The Federation, whose members' poll showed an overwhelming vote in favour of remaining with the EU, plans to hold a series of events to engage the creative community on charting a way ahead, it said in a statement.

While a weak British Pound may boost British fashion labels’ exports to overseas market, a weaker British Pound means that British companies will spend more on production costs in other countries, and will have to pass on those expenses to the shoppers by raising prices; if it’s harder for other EU citizens to visit England, it may also cut down on shopping by European tourists.  Not surprisingly, 90 per cent of the members of the British Fashion Council wanted to stay in the EU.