William Morris At Home teams up with Ivy & Bud

 

Spring is in the air.

Inspired by the visionary artist and environmentalist, William Morris At Home is a new lifestyle brand offering sustainable and vegan beauty and accessories for the home. 

So it's great news to learn William Morris At Home has partnered with Somerset-based florist Ivy & Bud.

You will love the British-grown ready-to-plant seasonal bulbs, moss, a little compost paired with a pair of fine china Espresso cups with the William Morris Garden design beautifully wrapped, together with the iconic Ivy & Bud posy with vase and a personal message delivered (nationwide) to the door. Available at ivyandbud.co.uk.

Independent UK design house FabFunky reveals Glorious Plumes collection

Independent wall art and home accessories brand FabFunky, founded by artist Kelly Stevens-McLaughlan, has unveiled a new homeware collection entitled Glorious Plumes.

FabFunky's Glorious Plumes Collection features a fabulously plumed bird set amongst a colourful botanical scene. Look more closely and you will find other fantastical creatures inhabit this realm, hidden away in between the brightly coloured flowers and leaves.

Encompassing cushions and lampshades, the new collection (which is available in six different colours and six different designs) features opulently plumed birds standing proud among a burst of beautifully coloured botanicals. Hidden among the opulent colours and foliage are fantastical creatures when one examines the designs closely.

The collection is all entirely handmade in England, available in six different colours and six different designs, all of which are created by Kelly who admitted there is nothing shy and retiring about the Glorious Plumes collection. 

"It is loud and bold in the best way possible, commanding attention and taking centre stage," she said. “They are perfect for those who wish to give their home a huge injection of colour and character.”

The cushions (which come in two sizes: approx. 46 x 46 cm and 61 x 61 cm) feature designs printed onto both sides of a linen/cotton blend to give a crisp image to showcase every detail of the original artwork.  They are fitted with discreet zip fasteners for easy access and finished with coordinated piping.

As for the lampshades, the original designs are also printed onto a linen/cotton blend fabric that crisply shows off the quirky details of the original artwork.  They come in various sizes for either a lampshade for lamp bases or a pendant shade for ceiling lamps. 

The lampshades come in four sizes, from Small  of approx. 20x18cm to Extra Large of approx. 45x25cm.

Based in rural Devon in the south west of the UK, Kelly Stevens-McLaughlan mainly works digitally, creating images straight onto the computer screen, and enjoy working in a few different styles.

Finding inspiration from around her, Kelly often takes pictures and type ideas onto her phone.  She's also been a collector of old books and illustrations and naturally progressed to combine her passion with her artwork. She adores using forgotten old books and bringing them back to life by putting images onto them, and also enjoys taking old illustrations and repurposing them digitally to create new images.

"I’m a lover of the absurd and whimsical which I think comes across in my artworks, and of course I’m a huge animal lover, so many of my artworks feature animals in absurd situations," said Kelly.

All images from FabFunky.com

Vibrant garden flowers abound on Maximalist wallpaper murals from Wallsauce

Wallsauce, the online specialist for wallpaper murals, propose several colourful and eclectic wallpaper designs for a Modern Maximalist look featuring larger than life garden florals to refresh the interior of any room as flowers as spring flowers are blooming in the great outdoors.

Shown below are select bright and bold wallpaper mural designs featuring giant-size colourful garden flowers by the LA-based surface-pattern artist Burcu Korkmazyurek.

Another show-stopper design is this pretty rose garden below also by  designer Burcu Korkmazyurek.

Meanwhile showcased below is this cheerful Yellow Fruit and Flower wallpaper mural designed by interior designer and artist Andrea Haase, featuring golden yellows and vibrant greens, orange and lemon, ideal for a retro kitchen.

Here at left is a bright yellow-themed Orchid Delight mural by We Paint Houses, a design studio based in The Netherlands, add a touch of tropical vibes to any walls.

All the colourful-eclectic wallpapers for the modern maximalist look can be made to order to suit any wall dimensions and are available on peel and stick wallpaper.

Wallsauce is an online, wall mural and photo wallpaper company providing bespoke print-on-demand wallpaper and wall murals to UK and international customers.

Première Vision Paris offers a redesigned event catering to eco-responsibility in July 2023

The celebrated Première Vision Paris international trade fair for the textile, fashion and garment industries, which will next be held July 4 - 6 2023 at Parc des Expositions, Paris Nord Villepinte, is evolving to meet the challenges of the global industry's transition to sustainability.

The redesign of the event has been spurred on by the success of its February 2023 show with a reinforced Smart Creation area, which had proven to be highly popular, as it provided visitors with concrete sustainable sourcing and production solutions, and valuable industry information on eco-responsibility.

The July 2023 edition will open its doors with a completely revamped format to keep pace with the industry’s changing landscape, in view of regulatory changes, the impact of the public health crisis on clothing consumption, the implications of the geopolitical crisis, the new needs of brands and buyers, adaptation strategies for supply chains, and the new challenges facing manufacturers.

The redesigned format is aimed at helping the global industry make its ecological transition in the context of new environmental and social regulations; and to respond to evolving sourcing behaviors answering to the needs of professionals by giving them inspiration, guidance and stimulation for their creative process.

To accompany those evolutions as closely as possible, PV Paris will offer a new, completely redesigned event organized around 4 main themes:

1.Eco-responsibility as the new paradigm at the heart of the show’s renewed positioning and offer, with clear and instructive guidelines designed to identify the most suitable suppliers in terms of environmental and social commitments.

2.A new layout for the PV Paris “city” spread over 4 halls; a redesigned textile sector divided along several major geographical supply chain zones; and the creation of a HUB dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and digital technologies, with talks by expert speakers.

3.The (r)evolution of fashion information and trend forums, balancing inspirational standpoints and sourcing solutions.

4.A new service policy for buyers so their experience of the show is as clear and effortless as possible.

Gilles Lasbordes, General Manager of Première Vision said, "Our privileged relationship with the manufacturers and brands has enabled us to work hand in hand to build, test and adapt a strategy that renews the show’s set-up and services, and to accompany the industry’s ecological transition.

For many months, Première Vision and its teams have developed this plan internally. It represents a true challenge, and its implementation will be gradual, particularly with respect to eco-responsibility. 

We believe that our role has evolved, too: as the leading global platform for meetings, business and communication for the fashion industry, we also proactively offer solutions for the sector."

Earlier this year, Première Vision Paris, held February 7, 8 and 9, was deemed a success registering 34,548 visitors, of which 70% of the attendees came from 118 countries. offer for the Spring-Summer 24 season.

The number of trade visitors and professionals, eager to discover complementary, creative and renewed offers from 1,246 exhibitors for the Spring-Summer 24 season, represented an increase of 48% compared to the July 2022 edition (23,377 visitors) and 62% versus the February 2022 edition (21,303 visitors).

Organisers said PV Paris confirmed once again its position as a leader and a unifying force for a fashion industry in search of inspiration and efficient sourcing solutions to produce creative, innovative and sustainably designed collections, as the show offered a wider range than ever of tools and services to guide brands and buyers in their search for suppliers. 

All photos taken at the Première Vision Paris in February 2023 by Lucia Carpio

FIT Sport Design Awards Unveils Top Innovations in Sports Gear and Apparel for 2023

Congratulations to all winners and participants of the FIT Sport Design Awards 2023 that honour exceptional achievements in technology, eco-friendly products, and gear that enhances performance. 

From racing shoes for marathons to customizable climbing holds, the winners of the inaugural edition showcase the best in sportswear and equipment design.

Above: The KICKR ROLLR by Wahoo Fitness and Creature Product Development, was one of the FIT Sport Design Awards 2023 winners as it is the first trainer to combine smart resistance training with the natural riding feel of rollers, offering a revolutionary combination in the cycling world. 

The programme recognizes innovative and sustainable sports products and solutions, as announced in Zurich, Switzerland, in this first annual competition. Entries were received from 28 countries across 45 categories, showcasing the diverse range of talent and innovation in the global sports industry.

Founder Astrid Hébert said, "Celebrating the power of design to transform the sports industry, the FIT Sport Design Awards are proud to recognize the vision and innovation of designers and brands which are pushing boundaries and creating game-changing products. We are thrilled to honor those who are driving the industry forward and inspiring future generations of athletes and designers." 

Photo from right to left: 160X 3.0 PRO, a pair of professional racing shoes for marathons by Xtep (China) Co. Ltd.; Levitate prosthetic running blade kit by Levitate Technology; Voronoi Runners - 100% biodegradable sneakers constructed without the use of any adhesives, by Rik Olthui;  and Bichack,  a powered wheelchair with two built-in magnetic resistance flywheels by Abolfazl Ghaderi

The grand winners of the 2023 FIT Sport Design Awards are:

SPORT GEAR DESIGN OF THE YEAR: Levitate by Levitate Technology, a Copenhagen-based sports equipment company making running blades for amputees. Designed by Jacob Bolton and Lasse Madsen, with para triathlete Sebastian Engwald as a contributor.

SPORT APPAREL DESIGN OF THE YEAR: 160X 3.0 PRO, a pair of professional racing shoes for marathons, by Xtep (China) Co., Ltd., designed by Xing Kou, Minqing Lin, and Jiansheng Luo.

EMERGING SPORT GEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR: Bichack, a powered wheelchair with two built-in magnetic resistance flywheels designed by Abolfazl Ghader from Purdue University, with Cheryl Qian. 

EMERGING SPORT APPAREL DESIGNER OF THE YEAR: Biodegradable Voronoi Runners, designed by Rik Olthuis from Massey University, with Lyn Garret, Emma Fox, and Chris Warren as collaborators.

Other winners of the FIT Sport Design Awards include the KICKR ROLLR by Wahoo Fitness and Creature Product Development, which is the first trainer to combine smart resistance training with the natural riding feel of rollers, offering a revolutionary combination in the cycling world. 

The AlpX climbing holds, produced by Ino'Holds with their new GreenMix, were also recognized for their durable design and customizable skin textures, providing unique climbing sensations, better grip, and performance for competitors, as well as a comfortable and fun playground for beginners. 

The Nous Sneakers by Daniel Essa and the Akademiespiele - PowerUp by State Academy of Fine Arts were also among the winners, showcasing the impact of sport on both body and mind, and its ability to strengthen social cohesion.

The winners were selected by an esteemed jury of sports gear designers, textile and clothing experts, consultants, and industry leaders, who evaluated each entry based on various criteria, including aesthetics, innovation, practicality and functionality, durability, impact, ecological compatibility, and emotional quotient. The jury members included Reinhard Pascher, Cofounder of Pascher+Heinz and a Sports-Design-Thinker based in Germany, Donte Cotton, Product and Collections Manager at Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design, Cheresse Thornhill-Goldson, Director of Design Education & Growth at adidas' S.E.E.D - School for Experiential Education in Design, and Daniel Shirley, Football Footwear Designer at Puma.

To learn more about the winners and their groundbreaking designs, visit the FIT Sport Design Awards website - fitdesignawards.com. 

The FIT Design Awards is run by the 3C awards, part of Three C Group GmbH, a Swiss-registered company based in Grabenstrasse 15a, 6340 Baar, Switzerland. 

Texworld Evolution Paris celebrates its 25th anniversary at a new venue for its summer 2023 edition set for July 3 - 5

Paris February 2023 - photo by Lucia Carpio

As France is making preparations across Paris and indeed the country for the 2024 Summer Olympics, the international Texworld Evolution Paris has announced that its next summer edition, set for July 3 - 5 2023,  will take place at a new venue, in the Porte de Versailles Expo Centre, in the 15th arrondisement of Paris, expecting some 1,300 international textile and garment manufacturing exhibitors to take part.  The fair will also be celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Texworld Evolution Paris February 2023 edition

Its recently concluded February 2023 edition, which was held (from Feb. 6 - 8) at their usual Parc des Expositions Paris in le Bourget, received close to 8,000 visitors from some 20 countries, a sign that organisers believed meant the resumption of business between the European fashion industries and major sourcing countries.  The Le Bourget location will not be available later this year as it has now been selected to host some of the Summer Olympics events, such as indoor volleyball and sport climbing, in 2024.

Texworld Evolution Paris February 2023 edition

Meanwhile Texworld organisers said they were pleased that after three years of disruptions due to the Covid crisis, the alleys of Texworld Paris and Apparel Sourcing Paris in the February 2023 fair were filled with trade visitors keen to view the new Spring-Summer 2024 collections from 750 exhibitors.  The level of attendance and trading activities were comparable to the pre-pandemic editions. 

Texworld Evolution Paris February 2023 edition

Nearly 8,000 professional buyer registered and represented nearly a three-fold increase compared to attendance in the February 2022 edition.  While visitors were predominantly French, the fair was also visited by industry professionals from the UK, Turkey, Italy, Spain and Holland, followed by Germany and the US.

Texworld Evolution Paris February 2023 edition

Photo by Lucia Carpio

The February 2023 edition was highlighted by the return of Chinese exhibitors with 450 companies, weavers and garment manufacturers.  The fair also welcomed the return of exhibitors from Mongolia, Hong Kong (China), Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Korea, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.  Turkey also had a strong showing with 122 companies including 94 grouped under the national pavilion led by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO).

Photo by Lucia Carpio

Top buyers and visitors represented such major well-known stores and retailers as the Inditex group, River Island, Marks & Spencer, Mango, ASOS and C&A came to preview the latest textile, accessories for the Autumn/Winter 2024 season.

Photo by Lucia Carpio

Organisers said buyers, who have had in recent years reorient their sourcing strategy while facing inflation issues by sourcing more from Asia and the Mediterranean region, had come to get inspiration for trends and finalise their collections. 

Texworld Evolution Paris February 2023 edition

Frédéric Bougeard, President of Messe Frankfurt France said, "The success of this (February 2023) edition shows our ability to adapt, and that our fairs are open international sourcing platforms. And they will remain so. The offer must stay organised according to the expectations of buyers, who come here to find quality industrial know-how to produce their collections in the best conditions and at the best price. Our objective is to always make this offer accessible and visible."

Come this summer, from 3 to 5 July, Apparel Sourcing Paris, Avantex Paris, and Texworld Paris as well as the Leatherworld offer, all under the umbrella of Texworld Evolution Paris, will occupy 45,000 m² in Hall 1 of the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre, compared to 25,000 m² for the February 2023 edition, with some 1,300 exhibitors expected, and it will see increased participation from China, India, Turkey, Korea, Vietnam, Ghana and Ethiopia. 

Texworld Evolution Paris February 2023 edition

"The July edition will also coincide with the International Lingerie trade show & Interfilière organised by WSN (Who’Next), the professional platforms for the sourcing of materials and accessories for the lingerie, sportswear and swimwear markets, which will be held from 2 to 4 July. This strategic choice was made in response to strong demand from buyers, who want to be able to take advantage of an extended sourcing platform at the same time of year. This will be an opportunity for us to celebrate our 25th anniversary in a new arrangement, with more services, which will bring emulation to the market," said Frédéric Bougeard.

Photos from Texworld Evolution Paris February 2023 edition / and by Lucia Carpio.

Design Shenzhen - 27th February - 2 March 2023 - welcomed 40,000 visitors

The inaugural Design Shenzhen, held 27th February - 2 March 2023 as a new show that built on the reputation of the more established Design Shanghai, was deemed a success as the show held at the  Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center, across the border from Hong Kong, injected new vitality into the design community of the Greater Bay Area.

Shenzhen is a major sub-provincial city and one of the special economic zones of China, on the east bank of the Pearl River estuary on the central coast of southern province of Guangdong, bordering Hong Kong to the south.

Organisers said the show welcomed 40,326 visitors and hosted over 250 curated brands tailored to architects, interior designers, property developers as well as the design-savvy public. 

Design Shenzhen welcomed 40,326 high-end trade visitors, leading architects, interior designers, influential property developers from the Greater Bay Area, China’s elite professional buyers and specifiers, key decision makers from the private and public sectors, and affluent design aware consumers.

It provided a journey into the future and spotlighted cutting-edge design and technology through global product launches, immersive installations, a programme of talks and feature areas.

While Design Shanghai is widely regarded as Asia’s largest and most influential design fair, Shenzhen has become the third city to host Asia's leading design exhibition and was the largest curated event of its kind ever seen in the city. 

Zhuo Tan, Managing Director of Clarion Events Shanghai Limited, "Design Shenzhen joined Design Shanghai and Design China Beijing in creating Asia’s largest network of annual design shows. The combined events have successfully created a continuous and comprehensive design platform that promotes the vigorous development of China's design industry.”

Raymond Wang, Show Director of Design Shenzhen, “We set out to make an impact within Asia and the international stage with Design Shenzhen, spotlighting China's first 'City of Design' designated by UNESCO as a host for this cutting-edge design event. Design Shenzhen brought industry pioneers in the fields of design, culture, creativity together and showcased the vitality of design within the city.”

International brands that participated in this show included Ligne Roset, Roche Bobois, Caesarstone, DURAVIT, Occhio, Aritco, Living Italy, PPG, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle and Villeroy & Boch. 

Roche Bobois was one of the participating international brands at 
Design Shenzhen.

In addition local brands such as Akyaya, Unicoggetto, Deco Deco, Casarte, VINEKO, HOPE SPACE, Beijing Contemporary and the Shenzhen based WE GALLERY highlighted Chinese culture, creativity and design styles; including local designer brand Frank Chou Design Studio which showcased its classic ORBIT sofa and Lento chair, showing the combination of art and practicality. 

Frank Chou Design Studio showcased its classic ORBIT sofa and Lento chair.

A curated Features programme focused on the latest industry trends, innovations and collaborations.  

Audi at Design Shenzhen

Among the exhibitors was car maker Audi which showcased its vision for premium mobility in China’s Greater Bay Area by immersing visitors in a world of forward-thinking technology, design aesthetics and sustainability solutions embodied in the RS e-tron GT, a dynamically styled four-door coupe.

Good Design Select presented dozens of cutting edge, award-winning designs to Shenzhen.

Good Design Select was curated by industrial designer Xiaoxi Shi in a collaboration with G-MARK JAPAN GOOD DESIGN AWARD. This section presented dozens of cutting edge, award-winning designs to Shenzhen, reflecting comprehensive design values and principles that aim to enrich lives, industries and society. It was the first domestic event to present the 64-year history and achievements of GOOD DESIGN AWARD.

Meanwhile another feature was Future Home designed by Feng Zhifeng and Zhou Jianjie, together with the A Park brand to create an inspiring future home space in a conceptual, cross-border and diversified way.

Sony Design exhibited for the first time in China with their exhibition ‘Natural Resonance’, which spotlighted Sony's cutting-edge technology and sustainable development practices. A series of visual, auditory, and haptic sensory effects enabled visitors to be immersed and experience the cycle of natural life and our resonance with nature.

WellConnect was an experimental exhibition co-curated by Design Shenzhen, David Hugh and Li Zhefeng, focusing on new ways of living in forward-thinking home and work spaces, exploring the human connection to technology and presenting innovative lighting solutions for health and wellbeing. A "meditation cave" provided visitors with a sensory journey of sound and light. Industry pioneers and thought leaders including technology brand Dose and lighting brand Ostuni were invited to demonstrate how technology and design will affect one's body, mind, work and living; how it inspires and leads more people to create healthier spaces and experiences in their daily lives and to explore a better solution for the coexistence of people, environment and technology. 

Announced at the fair was the Rural Futures Award, which marked China's first architectural practice award for sustainable rural construction, designed to recognize the architectural practice in the field of rural construction with an emphasis on exploring the value of sustainability, and to form a guide for sustainable rural revitalization. The Awards were coordinated by the young architecture community platform APT (Architecture Practice Talks). The Construction Award was awarded to Linden Centre in Dali Shaxi by Wu Mengqian, SuiPingYiLi Architecture Studio and their project Yaoli Village Courier Station won the Reactivation Award and Studio Dali Architects won the Symbiosis Award for ‘Live Together Under One Roof’, a series of architecture design projects of Xiaoshi Village in Pengzhou, Sichuan Province, China. 

Separately a Design Forum provided an international leading platform for creative pioneers from all over the world to exchange design ideas and deliver cutting-edge design concepts. Speakers at Design Shenzhen included: Dan Su, Chairman of the Interior Design Branch of the Architectural Society of China who delivered a keynote speech on ‘Creating Dreams with Color’, Robert Greenwood, Partner and Managing Director Asia of Snøhetta and Cheng Gong, Studio Director Shenzhen of Snøhetta, delivered a talk on ‘Design for Well-Being’, Satoshi Ohashi, Architect Director of Zaha Hadid Architects gave a speech on ‘Responsive Design’, Peter Schubert, Design Partner at Ennead Architects LLP led a talk on ‘Architectural Design-The Key to Restructuring Urban Life’, and Gaetano Scintilla Chairman of WAD and Design Director at VALÈ spoke on technology and the future at the talk ‘Back to Oasis’.

The next edition of Design Shenzhen returns to the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center from 14-17 March 2024.

All images from Design Shenzhen.

London Design Week March 13 - 17 2023 at Chelsea Harbour

Events aimed at professionals in the interior design industry are on the agenda at London Design Week 2023 which will take place this Spring at London's Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, March 13 - 17 2023.  The event is aimed at helping designers at every stage of their careers, and organisers have curated a number of activities on the week-long programme featuring top designers sharing the secrets of their success.

The programme for LDW has been curated to engage, inform and spark the imagination. Visitors can book talks series under the banner of Conversations in Design that offers access to the industry’s global A-listers; tickets are £10 and spaces are limited. 

One talk is entitled: How to be a Brilliant Interior Designer, to be hosted by Country Life magazine on. Wednesday 15 March, 3pm.  Designers Philippa Thorp, Henriette von Stockhausen and Brandon Schubert will share their advice and insights with Country Life's Giles Kime. 

There are also scores of free events in our Access All Areas schedule, to enjoy in and around the showrooms, from meet the designer sessions to hands-on workshops, collection launches, alongside daily discovery tours.  

One free event to be hosted by BIID, also on Wednesday 15 March, 2pm, is a panel of interior designers as they explore strategies that not only get you hired by dream clients, but also help generate repeat business and keep referrals rolling in. It is to be chaired by The Insider's Elspeth Pridham, joined by Jo Chrobak, founder of Jo Chrobak; Robert Thake, founder and creative director of Robert London Design; and May Fawzy, founder of of MF Design. 

"Design for Wellbeing" is another free event, to be presented by KLC School of Design on Thursday 16 March, 2pm.  Tara Craig, founder of Ensemblier, Edward Bulmer Natural Paints and journalist and writer Geoff Heath-Taylor will discuss the link between interior design and wellbeing, and the impact of thoughtful measures to create homes that boost mood and promote health using natural materials. 

On Friday 17 March at 3 pm is "A Career to Love: Design Workshop". Anca Enica, founder of Designeers, will talk to three interior designers as they explore business success and opportunities: expect plenty of advice on building a long-lasting career in a profession you love. Participating will be Federico Schilling of Flair Studio, Carly Madhvani of NW3 Interiors and Carmelina Dalton of Kemsi. 

For full details of the London Design Week programme, click HERE. 

Ukranian designers showcase AW23 collections at Paris Fashion Week - March 3 - 7 2023

 Seven Ukrainian designers are showcasing their Autumn Winter 2023 collections during Paris Fashion Week from March 3rd to the 7th in the first arrondissement located at 7 Rue d’Argenteuil. 

Left to right: My Sleeping Gypsy; FROLOV;  Olena Dats’;  Chereshnivska; Kachorovska;  Katerina Kvit; and Paskal

This season designers are supported by the USAID Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine.  All the brands have the same goal which is to increase their global visibility and maximise sales to foreign markets, proving that despite the war in their country they have much to offer to the fashion world.

Left to Right: FROLOV;  Kachorovska; My Sleeping Gypsy and Chereshnivska

It will showcase also the inspiring voyage for the Ukrainian fashion brands. After the most challenging year in these designers' lives and stories surfacing daily of their struggling journeys from 2022 these strong Ukrainian entrepreneurs find themselves still fighting to keep their businesses alive. 

They continue to create handmade collections under constant air raid sirens, move ateliers to bomb shelters, factories having to shift production to produce clothing items for Ukraine’s military, or construct under recurring blackouts. 

The seven designers in this season’s project aim to lead Ukrainian’s fashion industry scene in France that will include showcasing of demi-Couture, ready-to-wear, and footwear creations that will target a wide range of women to their collections. With love and sustainability, Ukraine - against all the odds - makes its second journey to Paris Fashion Week with a week-long showroom to introduce its latest manifesto to all the fashion industry professionals. 

Returning brands this season include FROLOV a couture-to-wear brand "that combines flawlessness and comfort, intelligence and provocation, social responsibility and serenity" and is recently known for the Firework minidress designed especially for Beyoncé and written about in many of the top media outlets around the globe. Kachorovska, the largest Ukrainian footwear success that ensures any woman will stand out and be desired in all her styles, with reverence and quality. My Sleeping Gypsy, a completely sustainable brand loved by all whose aim is to create wearable objects of art and embrace Ukrainian traditional roots, which go beyond fashion with a strong cultural value. Plus, last season’s grantee Chereshnivska a Ukraine-based unisex and completely sustainable brand that features unique hand-drawn prints utilising recycled materials which makes this season quite a stunning reference to all the talent lying in the capital city of Kyiv.

Left to right: Katerina Kvit;  Paskal and Olena Dats’

The other three designers are Katerina Kvit whose collection is features a minimalistic approach to design using luxury materials as well tailoring standards to create sophisticated silhouettes. Paskal presents a playful mood mastering shapes, lines, and structure, while Olena Dats’ another Prêt-à-Porter de Lux is distinguished by the most complex techniques of processing and decoration, launching Augmented Reality clothing in her studio while Ukraine is in conflict.

The project is again curated by Jen Sidary who has been working with Ukraine’s fashion industry since 2020, before the war, and implemented the idea to showcase the talented country's fashion industry at fashion weeks in September 2021. Ms. Sidary also launched a global ecommerce website ANGELFORFASHION.com built for Ukrainian designers in April 2022 supporting 30 plus brands to ensure they survive the war on their country. 

This is the fifth time USAID Competitive Economy Program has supported this project and its second season in Paris. This year USAID CEP in Ukraine provided opportunities to the Ukrainian fashion brands to showcase their collections within Paris Fashion week with the grant to the West Ukrainian Fashion Industry Cluster.

Images courtesy of ANGELFORFASHION.COM, the e-Commerce website representing 33 Ukrainian fashion designers and brands. The online platform achieved instant success receiving multiple sales in every product category and attracting visitors from over 175 countries around the world. 

Canadian brand NONE OF MY BUSINESS SS23 Collection

Canadian brand NONE OF MY BUSINESS condones a strong, exaggerated silhouette for Spring/Summer 2023.

The adrogenous Eyes Wide Shut women's collection is a sequel to its predecessor in addressing the major social dilemmas our generation faces, explains the brand.  As the name suggests, the collection was inspired by the 1999 Stanley Kubrick movie of the same title which, since its release, has attracted a multitude of controversies and conspiracies.

In fact, the subjects of class, capitalism, power, and money inspired a deeper analysis into how these driving forces affect human interactions. 

The brand says extreme wealth often leads to the loss of touch with reality, abuse of power, and this desperate search for constant pleasure which we all subconsciously seek. 

When the established norms that exists in our society don’t apply, the dark and usually inaccessible parts of ourselves resurface no matter how grotesque they may be.

In the words of NOMB, the brand offers this safe space for those who don’t belong and who never got the chance to express themselves in the confines of our reality. Absurd stiffness in the garments, exaggerated silhouettes, and dramatic stances work together to create a contradiction between the conventionally attractive vs. the unattractive. 

NOMB invites you into this dramatic interpretation of the fine line that exists between fantasy and reality – the untold stories of the subconscious. The result is intentionally odd to allow the viewers to objectively suggest their own interpretation on the collection.

Laura Ashley announces collaboration with reusable bag company Baggu

British home and lifestyle brand Laura Ashley is launching an exclusive range with reusable bag company BAGGU.  The limited-edition collection features 13 items adorned in three Laura Ashley prints.

The first print used in the collection is Rhian Daisy (seen in photo above), which was launched as part of the 1989 Laura Ashley Home Collection. It was inspired by a hand-drawn artwork from the archive, and features bunches of daisies and chrysanthemums with scrolling leaves and stems. 

The second print is Rowena, a romantic ditsy print featuring a rose bush surrounded by smaller flowers. The final print is inspired by a piece of antique fabric from the archive. Dubbed Crosby Gingham, the design features bouquets of roses with trailing leaves on a vibrant gingham backdrop.  

The range includes Baggu’s signature fabric bags in the standard pouch, mini tote, crescent bag, fanny pack and 3D zip set design, alongside a glasses sleeve, laptop sleeve, soft sun hats and packable sun hats. 

The range has launched globally and is sold in Canada, Japan, Thailand and the US. In the UK, it is available in the FOUND store in Bath.