Helmut Lang's multi-functional Autumn/Winter 2021 collection

As we gradually transition into the post-pandemic world, we’ll be looking for clothing that is easily adaptable and flexible for our “new normal” lifestyle.

The New York-based fashion brand Helmut Lang’s Autumn/Winter 2021 collection offers the right respond by focusing on creating pieces that are multi-functional and multi-seasonal, in the timeless genre that is typical of Helmut Lang.

Inspired by ski attire and weatherproof garments, functional and hi-tech materials such as double neoprene and Astro-foil are used for their water resistance and wind proofing qualities, adding padded and quilted details, while giving a sci-fi appearance through their matte, silver and reflective surfaces.

True to the brand’s heritage, both men’s and women’s collections sport timeless silhouettes and reconstructed styles using innovative materials and mixing signature Helmut Lang details such as straps, layered fabrics and patchwork.

Key items include a men’s puffer vest in a matte cotton nylon fabric with contrasting silver accents, a tracksuit made from slightly sheer nylon, fleece pieces in experimental patchwork, women’s zippered neoprene leggings, and classic sporty silhouettes such as a hoodie, long-sleeved T-shirts and polo shirts in unexpected materials.

Additionally, the brand, offers the essentials that make the foundation of a wardrobe, reinterpreted through the Helmut Lang DNA by using the brand’s staple fabrics: denim, leather, and jersey. Deconstructed basics feature cutouts and detachable sleeves, iconic padding and strapping details.

For Men’s, a casual over-shirt silhouette was re-interpreted in structured shiny lambskin, with biker jacket details, such as zippers and diamond quilted lining.

Additionally, the brand, offers the essentials that make the foundation of a wardrobe, reinterpreted through the Helmut Lang DNA by using the brand’s staple fabrics: denim, leather, and jersey. Deconstructed basics feature cutouts and detachable sleeves, iconic padding and strapping details.

Key pieces include the Women’s Smooth Rider Suit, re-interpreting the suit by introducing this feminine yet casual version. Made with cotton twill fabric with comfort stretch, the jacket is cropped like a double-breasted blazer silhouette and is paired back with a micro-mini wrap skirt with elastic tie and buckle closure, adding more utilitarian features. 

Other classic Helmut Lang silhouettes include a drapey long-sleeved dress with cut-out details and interlock T-shirts with adjustable and detachable sleeves, allowing for multiple ways of wearing the pieces. 

All photos from Helmut Lang.

Royal Albert Hall is 150 years old - A major milestone

As England is opening up its next phase of the post-lockdown roadmap, outdoor gatherings and sport resumes across the country, and we can't wait for the day when we can all be "free" to enjoy indoor concerts and entertainment that we have so greatly missed.

North-facing entrance of the Royal Albert Hall at Dusk.
© David Iliff

May we take this opportunity to congratulate the Royal Albert Hall – home to many legendary moments in music history – which is celebrating its 150 years anniversary by launching a short film directed by BAFTA-nominee Tom Harper (The Aeronauts, Wild Rose), and scored by Academy Award-winning composer Steven Price (Gravity, Fury).  Narrated by Sir Mick Jagger, the 90-second film pays tribute to live music and performance including BBC Proms, alongside appearances from artists, athletes and activists.

BBC Proms audience at the Royal Albert Hall.
© Chris Christodoulou

Against the backdrop of the most challenging conditions it has ever faced, the iconic Royal Albert Hall has today unveiled the programme for its anniversary celebrations, which will extend into 2022. 

The iconic London venue is also launching “two years of celebration, featuring major commissions from British artists, headline performances from music legends, and events showcasing the next generation of talent from around the globe.”

Violinist NICOLA BENEDETTI performing at the Hall on 25 September 2013.
© Paul Sanders

The venue’s chief executive, Craig Hassall, said the plans will also include anniversary editions of historic community events, while also revealed the completed restoration of the Hall’s historic façade, the result of four years’ painstaking work.

Mr Hassall said: “Despite the devastating impact of the pandemic, which has closed our treasured building to the public for the first time since the Second World War, we are determined to host a full celebration of our 150th anniversary.

“Since its opening, this extraordinary venue has borne witness to, and played a central part in, seismic cultural and social change. The interests, manners and social mores of the people may have changed, but this beautiful building and what it represents remains the same a century-and-a-half later: a meeting place, a reflection of contemporary Britain, and a home for exhilarating live performance and events of international significance.

One of the special highlights of this special anniversary is a commissioned 10-movement piece by David Arnold (James Bond films, Independence Day, Little Britain, Sherlock) to be performed by students from the Tri-borough Music Hub, alongside the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and a full symphony orchestra made up of players from our resident Education & Outreach ensemble, Albert’s orchestra.

The commissioned piece is a culmination of over a year’s work and celebrates the story of the Royal Albert Hall – from the seed of the idea, through construction and the unforgettable events and historical moments that the Hall has hosted.  Featuring exclusive introductions penned by outstanding British writers including Neil Gaiman, Jack Thorne, Joe Penhall and Laura Wade.

The venue has also announced that the BBC Proms 2021 will take place from Friday 30 July to Saturday 11 September.  Further details of the festival will be announced in the coming months.

The Royal Albert Hall was opened by Queen Victoria in 1871, and named in memory of her husband, Prince Albert, whose founding vision was for a venue that would both democratise and promote the arts and sciences.

The Hall’s anniversary will also be celebrated by other institutions. The Royal Mint is issuing a £5 coin to mark the milestone, while Royal Crown Derby, has produced a commemorative tea set in a design inspired by the Hall’s architecture.

The Hall’s anniversary book, with a foreword from Her Majesty The Queen, is titled A Celebration in 150 Unforgettable Moments, and published by Ebury.

From theatre redundancy to design startup triumph

It has been a most testing time ever for all of us during this pandemic.  Many of us are working from home to stay safe while others have resorted to changing jobs or resourceful ways to make a living, without loosing our sense of self-worth and preserving our sanity and well-being.

So British designer and illustrator Gail Myerscough is to be congratulated for not just surviving in the face of adversity but flourishing, having turned her side hustle into a thriving business after being made redundant during the pandemic. 

And if you're looking for affordable ways to convert your work-at-home space with inspiring and decorative ideas, Gail Myerscough's online shop sells a range of bold and colourful art prints, homewares and stationery.

Gail Myerscough's Yellow Typewriter unframed print above can be personalised with any text - be it song lyrics, a film quote, a line from your favourite TV show, poetry or special memorable message. 
Available in A4 & A3 sizes, printed on 170gsm heavyweight matt paper.

Gail lost her job as a retail manager at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester after spending six months on furlough.  Having run her design studio as a side hustle for six years she decided to take the plunge, work full time on her own business and hasn’t looked back. 

The entrepreneur, who works from her studio in South Manchester, said: “I loved my job and it was devastating to lose it after 16 years of service. But I used the time on furlough wisely - to scale up my side hustle into a fully-fledged enterprise – and it’s gone from strength to strength.” 

Gail Myerscough’s Copenhagen unframed print shows an illustration of
Nyhavn in Copenhagen, Denmark, which started as part of a personal
project to draw her past holidays.
Available in A4 & A3 sizes and
printed on 170gsm heavyweight matt paper.

Gail Myerscough Surface Pattern Design & Illustration specialises in creating bold and colourful designs, influenced by mid-century style and modernist architecture.

Apart from selling her range of designs, Gail also works to commission and licenses her art to creative companies. 

She has created designs for Tom & Teddy, Billable Hour and DefendDigitalMe as well as creating bespoke designs for the Royal Exchange Theatre.

Gail said: “It has always been my dream to work full time on my design business and I’m very excited to begin this new phase in my career.”

Gail Myerscough’s House Plant cushion features vibrant & permanent double-sided print, adding refreshing spring colour to any home décor.  Available in two sizes - 45cm x 45cm and 60cm x 60cm in 100% spun poly linen fabric cover, with 100% hygienic hollow faux fibre. 
Inserts comply with BS 5852 safety regulations.  All her cushions are cut and sewn by hand in the UK.

Working from home turns consumers into D-I-Y enthusiasts

British consumers have been busy during this past year of spending time on D-I-Y projects during successive lockdowns, thus boosting the home-improvement industry.

DIY Ombre sideboard from Furniture and Choice.

News has just emerged that Kingfisher, the owner of UK DIY retailer B&Q and the builders' merchant Screwfix,  has reported a sharp rise in full-year sales and profits, recording that underlying pre-tax profit have jumped 44% while sales climbed to GBP12.3 billion in the year to 31 January.

Under government guidelines, hardware stores are considered essential retailers thus can remain open during lockdowns.

Kingfisher boss Thierry Garnier said to the BBC that the growth in its business has been boosted by a new generation of 18-34 year-olds than any other age group, many trying out home-improvements for the first time during the lockdowns.

Garnier also said working from home had helped lift sales and profits as people invested in making their houses more comfortable, and is expecting home-working to continue even when Covid restrictions are lifted.

 DIY Ombre Wall Hanging from Furniture and Choice.

Kingfisher said this would result in "wear and tear' on the home, and the need to organize living space differently, thereby creating further demand for home improvement". 

Kingfisher said the pandemic had accelerated growth in online sales. 

E-commerce sales accounted for 18% of total sales compared to 8% in the year before.

Loungewear and casual fashion are essentials in our shopping baskets, revealed the Office for National Statistics

While our high-street non-essential stores remain closed at least until April 12th, British citizens are taking to heart the “work from home” and “staying safe at home” mandate and do most of their shopping online.  

But what clothing and products we need and want to help us through this pandemic period has changed over the past year.

Luxe loungewear from
London designer Maria Grachvogel's 
Continuum 2021 collection.

It is not surprising to learn that among our everyday essentials during these challenging times are loungewear and casual clothes, along with hand sanitizer, smart watches and hand-weights for working out while gyms are closed.

These trendy products and others are now being used to calculate the cost of living in the UK, according to an annual review by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The ONS said it has added men's loungewear bottoms and women's sweatshirts to the basket of more than 700 goods, which is used to calculate inflation, to reflect a move towards more casual clothing.

"This is especially relevant as the coronavirus lockdowns appear to have accelerated this trend and retailers are increasingly labelling clothing items as loungewear," said Sam Beckett, ONS’ head of economic statistics when speaking to the BBC.

Retailers including M&S have recently reported a boost in sales because of pandemic fashionistas buying comfy joggers and hoodies, and brands such as Reiss are incorporating more casual clothing in their latest Spring/Summer 2021 offering to ride the casual fashion trend.

"Clothing brands want to provide people with the flexibility to wear their ranges out and at home thanks to the prevalence of Covid lockdowns."

Modern staples from Reiss for Spring/Summer 2021.
Photo from Reiss website.

Some 180,000 prices are measured across thousands of UK outlets to calculate inflation, which is used as a benchmark for our finances. 

The basket of goods also includes less obvious choices such as hybrid and electric cars and WiFi lightbulbs, reflecting contemporary habits and technology to work out the inflation rate and chart the changing cost of living.  The ONS also aims to ensure that each sector of goods and services, and where items are bought, are reflected adequately in the calculations.

According to LovetheSales, a popular online shopping site, loungewear, athleisure and comfortable clothing will continue to be popular in 2021.   LovetheSales co-founder Stuart McClure said recently the unpredictable landscape of 2020 made it incredibly difficult for retailers to sell-through new-season stock. 2021 will see a continued fluctuation of shopping habits. 

He added that retailers have reacted quickly to the new fashion landscape and are merging loungewear products into new Spring/Summer 2021 lines, while designers are now matching overcoats with joggers and hoodies, as comfy clothing is incorporated into trending outfits. "Clothing brands want to provide people with the flexibility to wear their ranges out and at home thanks to the prevalence of Covid lockdowns," according to McClure in an interview with Fashion Network.

Après-ski chic and cool clubbing vibes from Chanel for the young and young-at-heart

Après-ski is very much a main part of ski holidays, and it's a theme that inspired Chanel’s autumn-winter 2021 ready-to-wear collection by Virginie Vlard, with a '70s clubbing vibe.  

Showed via a video presentation on the Paris Fashion Week digital hub this season, the collection provided those of us missing our winter skiing a good reason to start planning for next year’s escape to the mountains, while reminiscing on the Parisian nightlife that many of us so sorely miss right now due to Covid-19 restrictions.  

Shot in the famous private nightclub Catel in Paris’ Saint-Germain-des-Prés by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, the new collection included the favourite tweed boucle and chenille for coats and suits with the addition of fur gilets and matelassé ski jumpsuits and overalls, complete with Nordic sweaters and crystal-beaded dresses, finished with layers of gold and strands of pearl necklaces and gold chains, and furry après-ski moon boots. 

There are also sequined mini dresses and lurex suits, concluding with a gold trench coat to round-off the fun night out.

All photos from Chanel Autumn/Winter 2021 collection.

Lanvin's Autumn/Winter 2021 collection a couture tribute to Jeanne Lanvin

On the digital hub of Paris Fashion Week this season, Lanvin presents Joie de Vivre.

The video show on the Autumn/Winter 2021 ready-to-wear collection by the house of Lanvin - which was founded in 1889 by th visionary Jeanne Lanvin and now owned by the Chinese Fosun Fashion Group, is one of fun and glamour.  As creative director Bruno Sialelli has put it, it is one of “elegance and frivolity, of the past and a vision of the future rooted in optimism … looking backwards and forwards - drawing inspiration from the past, reinvented for the present, calibrated for the future."

In an interview with Vogue Business, Fosun Fashion Group chairman Joann Cheng says the Chinese owners are betting on China, e-commerce and accessories to bring back lustre to the revered French house.

Bruno Sialelli’s modern yet playful interpretations
for Spring 2021 collection, feature  prints inspired by
Parisian artist Erté - 
calling back the Art Déco references
from Jeanne Lanvin’s era. 
Photo from Lanvin's website.

Sialelli who joined Lanvin in early 2019 from the menswear division at Loewe is certainly looking ahead to a post-Covid world when we can all be happy and enjoy life again.

Filmed in the glamorous Shangri-La Hotel in Paris, which is currently closed due to the pandemic, the video features happy models, including cameo roles by the likes of Israeli actor Tom Mercier, rapper Eve and model Paloma Elsesser, dancing, celebrating and singing to Gwen Stefani’s upbeat Rich Girl, which will no doubt continue to ring in our heads for a good part of the day.

Whether customers' response will ring in the same upbeat tone for the illustrious heritage brand after a tumultuous few years remains to be seen.

To watch the Autumn/Winter 2021 video, click HERE.

Alexandre Vauthier's autumn winter 2021 womenswear has the modern woman well covered

 

The Autumn Winter 2021 womenswear capsule collection presented as static images by Alexandre Vauthier at Paris Fashion Week offers much to love for the woman emerging from lockdown and itching to hit the streets by day and clubs by night, and still feel comfortable in her own skin.

There’s the big oversize trenchcoat, the day suit, the fluffy woolly pullover in a shot of turquoise and the white shirt  and perfectly cut wool or crêpe coats and capes in off-white or camel.Shirt dresses and blouses with decorated jeans.

And when evening comes, there’s plenty of glamour in the form of a silver lamé pleated bustier dress, plissé lamé dresses with dramatic collar, paired with elaborately beaded jeans, or velvet, and standout pieces worked in sparkling fringes.

All photos courtesy of Alexander Vauthir/Paris Fashion Week.