Esther Noriega showcases Red Carpet collection in Madrid

Earlier this week on October 24, on the 30th floor of the Eurostar Hotel Tower in Madrid, Spanish designer Esther Noriega staged her fashion show, after previously participated in the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Madrid on five occasions.

Playing on her forte of celebrating the feminine silhouette in sensual, classic elegance, "Red Carpet" is the new collection from ESTHER NORIEGA for the upcoming 2018 spring-summer season, inspired by the looks popular with celebreties who grace red carpet events.

According to the designer, "Red Carpet" features a selection of premium fabrics such as crepe, plumetti tulle, with embroidered flowers and rhinestones, and motifs in black and white on silver brocade, combinations in duponi silk, crepe, organza and lace. 

While there are neutral colours and monochromes of black and white, there are also nude pink, sky blue and maroon as well as eye-catching fun colours such as bold yellows and champagne golds, silver gray, mint green and light pink and decorated with mint green and mauve colored sequins.

Esther Noriega is established for her atelier workmanship,  using local manufacturing in the province of Valladolid for fashion that are exclusive and lasting.

Having been in the fashion business for 13 years, she now plans to expand internationally and focus on collections for special occasions and parties. 

The Red Carpet collection is her debut in that new direction.

Source: Image.net / Esther Noriega

Paris Textile trade fairs report record attendance

As today's retailers continue their discussion and debates over the importance of bricks and mortar retailing as opposed to the increased popularity of online trading, trade fairs catered for the textile and fashion industry that offer face-to-face interactions are proving their continued relevance for conducting business.

As organisers at Messe Frankfurt France have reported this week, European fashion brands remain very keen on attending their recently held trade exhibitions, namely TEXWORLD and TEXWORLD DENIM  PARIS, APPAREL SOURCING, AVANTEX, SHAWLS & SCARVES – The ACCESSORIES SHOW-CASE, (the shows focusing on textiles, materials, components, trimmings and manufacturing for the fashion and accessories industry), have recorded 13.9% more visitors than the show held in September 2016, to the tune of 15,473 visitors in total.

According to Michael Scherpe, President of Messe Frankfurt France, the record turnout at these fairs, held at Le Bourget, Paris from 18 to 21 September 2017,  was "unexpected": after two years of lacklustre performance, buyers were in need of renewal and a change in fashion codes; the outlook was proactive and buyers were drawn to new products, he said.

There was a sharp increase of 15% in attendance and the top 5 countries that sent buyers and trade visitors included France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and Turkey respectively. The ranking that was identical to that of September 2016, with strong growth for all except France, which remained unchanged.  Germany came in 6th position, up by 18.7%, followed by Belgium up by 4.8%. 

“We found the September 2017 show to be extremely busy. From the very first day of the show, there was a wind of change blowing through the shows. (There was) A fresh appetite for the industries of fashion. Global ready-to-wear firms were certainly present, ready to get down to serious and enthusiastic business at the stands. Exhibitors welcomed the attendance, even from the European luxury sector. The same goes for the return by Americans (+19,38)” says Michael Scherpe, President of Messe Frankfurt France. 

The organisers pointed out that the joint trade fairs' artistic backdrops, the segmentation of the shows, and the scheduling of fashion shows and seminars along with the wide ranging exhibits all helped to enrich the experience of visitors and demonstrated that the show was open and appealing to all fashion brands.

On the "Small Quantities" circuit, large international luxury companies were set side-by-side with major global ready-to-wear brands, including young designs.  The quality of the materials was one of the discoveries welcomed by visitors.

China (with the largest contingent of weavers at Texworld Paris) was one of the main attractions, as confirmed by Zhang Tao, the Secretary General of CCIPT TEX. The improvement in the business models of domestic firms, as advocated by the Chinese government, aims to continue working towards genuine fashion products, to develop technical innovation and to emphasise sustainable development, said Mr Tao at a press conference.

At the “From Workshop to Shop” exhibition, organised by the Chinese government under the auspices of the CCIPT TEX, some 30 ensembles from 10 Chinese ready-to-wear brands were arranged around a space that, using virtual reality, immersed the visitor in the production sites. These brands for women’s and men’s ready-to-wear: Aiyimei, Upper , Bosideng, Hodo, Bridge Group, Dragon Silk, Heyi, Nikky, Top Garment, Sankei, Renoir and Yinchuan Binhe Ruyi, are already established in China and, are using the trade fair as a springboard to extend their presence on the world market.  A display of ever-more specialist skills from these 12 clothing manufacturers can also be seen at the show.

One of the highlights in the ELITE segment, an area dedicated to firms offering a wide range of tailored services, was the demonstration by a specialist attired in traditional Chinese brocades woven by hand using the traditional method of the Tujia ethnic group from the Chinese regions of Hunan and Hubei .

Upscaling was widely adopted at stands representing Turkish weavers, while the a wide range of cotton and embroidery from India was on offer, as well as quality prints from South Korea, the comprehensive offer, even technical products from Indonesian exhibitors all drew visitors’ interest. Creativity was the overall achievement recognised at TEXWORLD PARIS, said the organisers. 

Texworld Denim was a new addition this season, with nearly 80 exhibitors for materials and clothing production to celebrate its grand opening.  The area allowed makers of fabrics and manufacturers in one area to make contact and to network. 
Another area Business Beyond Borders, a partnership that fosters business contacts between players in the textile and clothing industry and small manufacturing firms, set up by Eurochambres, also met with resounding success, said organisers. Some 200 meetings were held in the dedicated space involving 258 companies from 42 countries.   
Three conferences and round table discussions took place at TEXWORLD PARIS: the sector for future clothing, Ex-aequo, the trends for autumn/winter 18/19, new technologies and new skills.

Dates for the next TEXWORLD, Avantex, Apparel Sourcing, Shawls and Scarves and TEXWORLD DENIM: 11, 12, 13 & 14 February 2018 Paris Le Bourget.

Photos: from Texworld / © Lucia Carpio 2017 

Lanvin by the book, by Olivier Lapidus - SS18

This may be Olivieir Lapidus debut collection for the house of Lanvin at the Grand Palais in Paris, but in essence it is Jeanne Lanvin projecting into the 21st Century by exploiting the power of  shape and free-flowing form.

For his first Lanvin collection Olivier Lapidus wanted to be inspired by all the figurative elements dear to the famous designer. Going even further.

Even his name and initials, worked in Art Deco-inspired typography, became "LANVIN" and "JL" prints that dot the collection. This summer of 2018 will be, in Lanvin, that of lightness.

While colours of emerald green, cyclamen, ruby, nude, pale blue, black, white and gold were the fetish colors of Jeanne Lanvin. And the alphabet of its style - kimono sleeves, pagoda sleeves, flared or twisted, flat knots, geometric cutouts, clovers, combinations, transparencies - is revisited here and there to create an ultra-contemporary and desirable...

Subtly unbalanced dresses, bare shoulders, complexity games in cuts for silhouettes that seem to float in the air; trousers long, short and very flared. For materials: georgette and silk crepe, quilted cotton, super 120's wool, striped lamé and geometric lamé on base georgette for the touch of gold ...

The accessories, new challenge of Olivier Lapidus, are beautifully present. Sunglasses, whose franes discreetly display the name Lanvin, a brand new line of bags, including a city bag that becomes a backpack, electric blue crocodile, shoes, notably boots with an open toe ... But also of many jewels: necklaces, chokers, earrings, bracelets, in light gold or ruthenium, take motifs dear to Jeanne Lanvin.#
Source and Images: Lanvin

Limited-edition collection to launch in Colette Paris celebrating Rolling Stones Tour

There is no doubt of whom this iconic image refers to.

Harking back to its psychedelic origin it is attributed to British rock royalty - Mick Jagger, front man of The Rolling Stones and his famous lips are revisited once again to grace a range of products for a multitude of brands celebrating the legendary group's NO FILTER European tour.

And what better than the iconic Parisian fashion-forward boutique Colette to unveil the limited-edition collection hand-in-hand with The Rolling Stones.

The collection, created in partnership with Bravado, Universal Music Group’s leading merchandise and brand-management company, will include exclusive pieces in collaboration with global powerhouse, Paris Saint-Germain FC, a capsule collection by Mike Amiri, a limited edition notebook collection by Moleskine, along with exclusive merchandise from the tour and Rolling Stones vinyl.

The Rolling Stones play their final three NO FILTER 2017 tour shows at the U Arena, Paris on October 19, 22 & 25.  Coinciding with these shows, the multi-brand initiative will be available only in-store at the famed retailer Colette from October 19-25th.

Lenzing launches EcoVero™ - new standard in eco-responsible viscose

Lenzing introduced their EcoVero™ viscose fibres to the global textile and fashion industry at the international Premiere Vision Paris show in September 2017.

Acknowledging that the fashion industry requires more transparency, while consumers today expect responsible retailers and brands to know their supply chains and be able to trace product origins, the Austrian company - Lenzing - a stock exchange-listed cellulose fibres manufacturer - has announced the launch of a new standard brand - EcoVero™  - to set the new benchmark in viscose fibres.

Garments made of Lenzing™ EcoVero™ on show at Premiere Vision Paris in September 2017.

With a special manufacturing system, Lenzing can identify Lenzing™ EcoVero™ fibres in the final garment, long after the textile processing and conversion steps have been completed.  This ability means that retailers and brands can rest assure that the eco-responsible viscose fibers used in their garments can be verified and authenticated as the original , and not just any generic viscose that might not be in line with their sustainability goals. 

Lenzing CCO, Robert van de Kerkhof said in a press conference held at the Premiere Vision international textile fair held in Paris in September that for too long consumers have been concerned with environmental threats raised in the so-called "dirty fashion" report, and other issues such as marine litter, pollution and waste, growing water scarcity, accelerating climate change have affected consumer confidence.

Lenzing VP of Textile, Amit Gautam, added that value chain transparency is a trend seen not only in the textile industry but also in the food industry.  While consumers' awareness of the environment is increaing, they are more and more interested in the origin of the products they buy.  

Lenzing™ EcoVeroTM fibres set a new industry standard in sustainable viscose based on the use of these sustainable wood sources (FSC® or PEFC® certified) and an ecological production process with significantly lower emissions and water impacts than conventional viscose.

With this special identification technology for Lenzing™ EcoVero™ fibres, Lenzing provides a one-of-its-kind solution for the fashion industry and its supply chain to respond to consumer demands for reliable visibility of product origins that can be traced back to the fibre, said Lenzing's Gautam.  He said Lenzing enforces strict environmental standards during viscose production and has invested heavily over the years to achieve eco-resposible production processes.  Lenzing™ EcoVero™ fibres, which are made from wood that comes from sustainable forestry plantations,  are certified with the EU Ecolabel, a world-leading environmental manufacturing standard which is awarded only to products that have a significantly lower net environment impact to comparable products in the market.

Well known retailers are teaming up with Lenzing to advance their sustainability strategies with traceable Lenzing™ EcoVero™ fibres.

For one Scandinavian retailer, Gina Tricot, Lenzing™ EcoVero™ fibres are the solution for viscose fibres.   Fashion photos shown here are examples from their current collection.

Gina Tricot's Brand Director Anna Appelqvist (pictured here) said at the Lenzing press conference in Paris, "Supply chain transparency is getting to be for us more and more important as customers want to know which kind of material is used for their garments. 

"As viscose is a very important fibre for our womenswear range, the new identification technology from Lenzing used in EcoVero™ fibres will mean we will have full supply chain transparency and our customers will welcome that and can be assured that they are buying eco-responsible viscose garments", she said adding that they are launching new T-shirts with this special EcoVero fibres this autumn. 

Another retailer from Sweden, Lindex are also considering to take Lenzing™ EcoVero™ fibres into their collection. "EcoVero™ fibres show concern for the origin of raw material as well as having a reduced environmental impact in the production process. We hope that this initiative will drive the development towards producing more sustainable viscose in the industry", explains Production Sustainability Manager Anna-Karin Dahlberg.

Lenzing's initiative is also supported by the German brand ARMEDANGELS, as its CEO Martin Höfeler had commented that as a radically responsible fashion brand this is a great match for them and they are excited to be working with Lenzing to include EcoVero™ in their future product range.

Parisian Backpack brand for the ever-growing urban cycling market

To feed the continuously expanding urban cycling market, Paris-based online company New Pharaoh has introduced its new minimal ninja-style range of backpacks to reinforce the ever-growing appetite for products designed to make cyclists look good.

In fact, NewPharaoh was founded by a bike messenger in Paris who wanted to look good whilst working.

The motivation for the products is the fusion of androgynous minimal chic combined with everyday use and practicality suitable for an active lifestyle, imbued with an urban-inspired attitude.

The products are made from durable hard-wearing neoprene, which is waterproof and extremely lightweight, as well as durable and resistant to extreme temperatures.

Each of the designs have undergone rigorously tested by cycle couriers in extended use, and tested under advanced industry standard testing  such as material tension, salt-spray testing, fastness, impact oscillations, zipper fatigue Testing, luggage shock testing, constant temperature and humidity testing.

Since its launch, the online shop has been selling worldwide thanks to its army of international brand ambassadors and their presence on instagram. The company has already developed relationships with stockists all over France, Belgium and the U.K. whilst looking to continue to broaden its reach in Europe and Worldwide.

Donnatella Versace pays tribute to Gianni's distinctive look

With a nod to modern elegance, we have seen the reborn of the silk headscarf as evidenced lately in Milan and Paris, either draped over heads or neatly hugging necks in place of a choker.



















But it is at the Versace show during Milan Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2018 that the headscarf has encapsulated the essence of an era marked by strong shoulders and bold colours, along with head-to-toe vibrant prints, the gold medallion, the chains and a strong attitude.

Donnatella Versace has paid a fitting tribute to Gianni's 20th anniversary with a collection that showcased the distinctive look that her brother was well known for and once again his look is wonderfully celebrated today.

Images : Versace 

Source : beautypress.com

Kaspersky Lab collaborates with Ben Eine for Moniker Art Fair

The eighth edition of the world’s largest Urban Art event - the Moniker Art Fair - will run from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th October at the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch, London, and it will be the fourth to be directly supported by cybersecurity brand Kaspersky Lab.

Celebrating this occasion, Kaspersky Lab announces a significant new creative collaboration with London-based Street Art luminary Ben Eine which is showcased through a large scale installation and unveiled at 12pm on Thursday 5th October.

KASPERSKY Lab 20TH ANNIVERSARY EUROPEAN CELEBRATION

Eine’s specially commissioned artwork, including a new typographic ‘K’ produced exclusively for Kaspersky Lab and featuring the brand’s distinctive colour palette.

Also being launched is “Back to work”, a short five-minute film exploring Ben Eine’s art practice commissioned by Kaspersky Lab,  offering insights into the artist’s creative process, shot on location and in Eine’s studio.

‘Kaspersky Lab has always placed a high value on innovation and creativity, both within our own company and across the broad spectrum of businesses and industries that we support. We are particularly proud of our work within the field of contemporary art, with our long-standing partnership with Moniker International Art Fair, our support for individual artist projects and our development of groundbreaking arts initiatives such as the Antarctic Biennale. We are committed to fostering and protecting creative endeavour, within the arts just as within business.’ - Aldo Fucelli Pessot del Bo, Marketing Director, Europe, Kaspersky Lab.

 ABOUT BEN EINE

Born in London, Ben Eine is one of the most successful street artists in the world and is regarded as a pioneer in the exploration of graffiti letterforms. Originally a writer, Eine started his career 25 years ago, leaving his first tag all over London before developing his distinct typographic style. Eine’s aim was to point out that street art is distinct from graffiti. He believed “street artists want to add something to the environment. They consider the audience, whereas graffiti writers don’t care about anyone except themselves, they do it purely for the kick”.
Eine's bright and colourful letters were created to stand out from the usual tags and dubs seen on the streets and can still be found in areas of East London. These letters appear on shop shutters and often spell whole words across walls. Eine first came to prominence in the “commercial” graffiti scene through his symbiotic partnership with London graffiti artist Banksy.

In 2010 the UK Prime Minister David Cameron gifted his artwork to US President Obama, while a particular area of the East End was named ‘Alphabet City’ after his colourful array of shop front ‘shutter art’.

Currently Ben Eine’s work is held in the permanent collections of the V&A, London, The Museum of Modern Art, Los Angeles and galleries worldwide, while his street art works can be seen all over the world, most recently he completed a huge mural on the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Photos and images from FLINT for Kaspersky Lab.

PREMIÈRE VISION PARIS recorded 7.5% growth in visitor numbers

Fabrics and materials are the building blocks of fashion.  And if apparel fabric fairs that cater to influencers in the business of fashion record healthy attendance, it is a positive sign for the industry, which has been marked by a complex and changing global economic environment.

Giant size balloons covered the ceiling of the main Forum at Première Vision Paris to emulate this season's
theme: Cloud of Fashion.

Thus when organisers of Première Vision Paris has reported that attendance to their September show topped the 60,000 visitors mark, it was welcome news for all in the apparel and fashion trade,

The show encompassing textiles, leather, yarns, fabric design, haberdashery and accessories,  knits finished goods and manufacturing.  demonstrated an attendance growth of +7.5%, against +3% more exhibitors this September.

 The number of exhibitors also grew (+3.0% - i.e. 1,954 exhibitors vs. 1,898 in Sept. 2016), due to the addition of  new areas: The Sourcing Connection and the Bag & Shoe Manufacturing sections.

The number of international buyers, coming from 129 different countries, increased by 8.5%, and accounted for a 73% share of the event's visitors. The top five most represented countries were France (+5%) was followed by Italy (+3%), the UK (+4.7%), Spain (+4.6%) and China. Turkey, with 2,845 visitors, overtook both Germany and the USA, while Japan snatched ninth place from Belgium, with 1,791 visitors.

The organisers headed by Gilles Lasbordes, General Manager of Première Vision (in photo at right), acknowledged that the success of this edition attests to the attractiveness and strength of Première Vision Paris, and to the effectiveness of its transversal and creative positioning. The results confirmed the show's status as a strategic vector of differentiation and growth for the industry, as evidenced by the results of the Première Vision Barometer, prepared by the IFM Première Vision Chair and unveiled at a press conference at the start of the fair.

The organisers' ability to bring focus with a full programme of events, exhibitions, conferences and social activities, including a concert on the first evening for visitors to dance and have fun had created a vibrant atmosphere to the fair.

John Malkovich, centre, with members of the PV Awards jury and the winners on the day of prize presentation duringn
the September edition of Première Vision Paris.

One of the key highlights of the September edition of Première Vision Paris was the ceremony for the annual PV Awards, whose jury was headed this year by an international star, the actor-director turned designer John Malkovich.

Gilles Lasbordes, General Manager of Première Vision, also announced the launch in 2018 of the Première Vision marketplace for upstream trade shows specialising in the creative fashion sector, a virtual extension of the event's various different sessions, initially offering access to exhibitor samples. 

Recognising the fact that in an ever more connected and technological world, Première Vision saw the need to position itself to meet future market developments.

"This is a project of a highly technological nature and we want to take advantage of the best solutions on the market, thus we will be using technologies developed buy MIRAKL, the leading French publisher of marketplaces which have conquered the B to C markets by integrating e-commerce sites. This technology offers new business opportunities to professional markets as well," said M. Lasbordes.

The next edition of Première Vision Paris is scheduled on 13th-15th February 2018.
In the mean time, the following events by the show organisers will take place:- Première Vision Istanbul on 18th-20th October, Denim Première Vision in Paris on 14th-15th November, and Première Vision New York on 16th-17th January 2018.

All photos © Lucia Carpio 2017 .