Amelia’s Magazine is 10 years old and a Kickstarter campaign is launched.

Amelia’s Magazine (a website that supports creative projects covering fashion, art, music and earth) is celebrating its 10^th anniversary with a one-off limited edition collectible artists’ book and an exclusive series of A2 limited edition art prints with real gold leaf.

Amelia’s Magazine has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise £12,000 to cover the costs of printing, paper, payment to artists, packaging and shipping. The campaign rewards for pledges include rare back issues, books, hand screen printed t-shirts, postcards and of course the limited edition book and art prints.

You can view the Kickstarter Campaign by clicking HERE. 

The artworks and writing for the book have been found through an open brief on the Amelia’s Magazine website, allowing artists from all over the world to submit work on the theme of That Which We Do Not Understand. The brief was inspired by the personal experience of two late miscarriages, and will explore the many ways in which humans seek to understand the things that they don’t understand in their lives. The brief closes on 10th November and so far there have been nearly 200 submissions.

The book and prints will be launched with a party and exhibition at Tatty Devine's shop on Brick Lane in December and thereafter any remaining artworks will be for sale with premier print destination East End Prints.  A few copies of the book will be available online and in a few prestigious bookshops, including the Tate, but most will be sold through the Kickstarter campaign.

Amelia’s Magazine has long championed new artists and this book will bring contributors’ work to a large audience. Better still, artists will receive 50% of profits from sales of the fine art prints, which will be made in editions of 10.

WEEKEND MAX MARA uses NEWLIFE™ sustainable yarn fashion

Under an advanced stylistic-industry project, Italian brand Weekend Max Mara has continued its association with Newlife™ yarn which is obtained by converting recycled plastic bottles in Italy. The polymer is spun into yarns by means of a 100% Made in Italy mechanical rather than chemical process.  

This lovely printed coat above illustrates that quality design and cutting edge sustainability can co-exist in desirable fashion.

Weekend Max Mara's “journey” into "responsible quality" begun last summer and now Max Mara introduces the new sustainable yarn in its autumn-winter 2014-2015 collection, featuring a selection of items in a special hi-tech fabric, made ​​using Newlife™yarn.  The new garments made in Newlife™ are currently for sale in 1500 stores in some 50 countries worldwide.

The manufacturing process is highly innovative and fully traceable, entirely mechanical as well as Made in Italy; it allows considerable saving in water and energy resources and a significant reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, according to C.L.A.S.S. (Creativity Lifestyle and Sustainable Synergy), an international platform that supports and promotes sensible products.

Now the science bid about Newlife™ Newlife™ is a new kinds of Italian-made yarn by the Sinterama Group.  It is created using a High Tech Conversion Model that transforms 100% traceable postconsumer plastic bottles into an unrivaled high tech quality polymer while generating considerable savings in water -94%, energy consumption -60% and carbon emissions -32% as per Life Cycle Assessment conducted by ICEA. Newlife™ is also GRS certified by Textile Exchange and is certified by Oekotex. The Newlife™ yarns platform comes in a wide range of counts with multiple functional  performances offering incredibly different choices in terms of applications in textile productions: fashion, casual wear, lingerie, outdoor, luggage, workwear, sportswear, labels, ribbons, automotive, home textiles and outdoor furnishing. The Newlife™ yarn range allows the creation of fabrics and garments that comply to all sustainability requirements in terms of design, innovation and responsibility. 
Newlife™ obtained the Best Recycled Plastic Product Award 2012, assigned by EPRO (European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organizations) and Premio Impresa Ambiente in the category “Best Product” 2012 assigned by Ministero dell’Ambiente and Camera di Commercio of Rome - Asset Camera.

SCOTLAND RE:DESIGNED announces stellar line of exhibitors for this November

As Scotland’s fashion and textile industry continues to evolve and advance, a stellar line-up of 12 designers have been selected by a panel of industry leaders to join Scotland Re:Designed (SR:D) which, along with Creative Scotland, has been championing and assisting designers in developing their businesses to the next level over the last three years.

The selection panel included Sarah Curran MBE, Susanne Tide-Frater, William Knight, David Watts, Melanie Rickey, Simon Carter, Sarah Murray and Scotland Re:Designed’s founder Chris Hunt.  
The designers' focus ranges from women's wear to men's wear, accessories and homewares.

READ MORE ...

Scare or Dare - this Halloween, or visit Terror and Wonder at the British Library, London

Want to get into the mood this Halloween?

 

Image taken from the series ‘Whitby Goths’ by Martin Parr, Magnum photos/ Rocket Gallery, 2014 – courtesy British Library.

You can put on scary make-up and costumes to Scare or Dare your friends and neighbours, or visit Terror and Wonder: The Gothic Imagination presently on until January 20 2015 at the British Library , and explore Gothic culture’s roots in British literature and celebrating 250 years since the publication of the first Gothic novel.

Alongside the manuscripts of classic novels such as Frankenstein, Dracula and Jane Eyre, the exhibition brings the dark and macabre to life with artefacts, old and new.

 

Film still of Elsa Lanchester and Boris Karloff in The Bride of Frankenstein, 1939 © Universal / The Kobal Collection.

Highlights of the exhibition include a vampire slaying kit and 18th and 19th century Gothic fashions, as well as one of Alexander McQueen’s iconic catwalk creations shown below.

Also on display is a model of the Wallace and Gromit Were-Rabbit, showing how Gothic literature has inspired varied and colourful aspects of popular culture in exciting ways over centuries.

Celebrating how British writers have pioneered the genre, Terror and Wonder takes the first Gothic novel, The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole, and exhibits treasures from the Library’s collections to carry the story forwards to the present day,

underpinning how Gothic fiction has evolved and influenced film, fashion, music, art and the Goth subculture.

Lead curator of the exhibition, Tim Pye, says: “Gothic is one the most popular and influential modes of literature and I’m delighted that Terror and Wonder is celebrating its rich 250 year history. The exhibition features an amazingly wide range of material, from stunningly beautiful medieval artefacts to vinyl records from the early Goth music scene, so there is truly something for everyone”.

Coinciding with the exhibition is a brand new series of photographs of the Whitby Goth Weekend by the award-winning photographer Martin Parr. Commissioned specially for this exhibition, the photographs take a candid look at the biannual event, which takes place in the town famously featured in Dracula, capturing its diversity and energy. 

It seems many Brits today are embracing this unique American tradition more than ever before, according to new research from Mintel, which reveals that retail sales of Halloween products reached £230 million in 2013 and are expected to grow to around £240 million this year.

Indeed, the report reveals that the number of Brits spending on products or services for Halloween rises from two-fifths in 2013 to as many as three fifths (58%) of 16-24's and over half (55%) of those aged 25-34.

Furthermore, British parents who on Halloween night are the most likely to have a fright as three in five (60%) bought products or services* for Halloween in 2013, rising to 73% of Brits with children aged 6 to 12.   Whilst two in five (40%) parents bought trick or treat confectionery, one in four (25%) bought fancy dress. However it seems that it is not only parents who are getting into the spirit of Halloween as more than one in four (28%) Brits bought trick-or-treat confectionery in 2013 and one in seven (14%) bought fancy dress. In addition, one in ten (10%) bought decorations, 9% bought special food or drink to have at home and 8% went out to a party or event.

John Mercer, Senior European Retail Analyst at Mintel, said:

“Halloween is firmly established on the retail calendar and continues to grow in importance, but it is an event marked by frugal shopping from consumers: average spend is low and confectionery is by far the most popular category to spend on.

“For stores, the gains go beyond a bite of the £240 million market: Halloween-themed ranges, merchandising and in-store events can have a “Santa’s grotto” effect, providing shoppers with reasons to visit stores, driving footfall and encouraging impulse purchases.” John continues.

In addition, the UK food and drink sector seems to be tapping into the spooky season as the number of food and drink products launched with a mention of Halloween grew 263% between 2009 and 2013. Looking beyond the UK, it seems that the season’s excitement is also spreading, with the number of food and drink products launched globally referencing the event growing by 194% in the five year period to 2013.

Chris Brockman, Research Manager, Food & Drink EMEA at Mintel, said:

“It appears that Halloween has evolved from being a largely child-focused holiday with a focus on trick-or-treating. Adults have now adopted it as a fully-fledged excuse to throw parties and dress up in ghoulish outfits.”

*NB: Halloween products include themed trick or treat confectionery, fancy dress, decorations, toys and games, special food or drink to have at home (eg party food) and fireworks.Halloween services include hosting or going out to a party, event or night out.Mintel's Seasonal Shopping UK 2014 report is available to purchase.

Chloë Haywood launches SS2015 collection for eco-chic millinery brand HATASTIC!

Talented millinery designer Chloë Haywood, founder of HATASTIC!, has launched her new collection - IN THE SHADES for Spring Summer 2015.

While the modern designs have a vintage look, they have been made using only Eco-materials such as Fair Trade hand dyed Panama straw, as well as up-cycled elements such as plastic rescued from landfill and laser cut into unique designs and a silky soft polyester Newlife™ yarn made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. 

Designer Chloë Haywood and founder of Hatastic said she has always had the desire to rejuvenate and transform the old, unused and unloved, into something strangely beautiful, and this is essentially the ethic of Hatastic!  She says her pieces are ‘Elegant, witty and timeless – everything a hat and a woman should be."

There are designs that also feature hand-cut sequins of different sizes.  And as always all designs are handmade in the UK.

"I'm so enthused with all the new and wonderful ways of upcycling and plus other types of sustainable fabrics and materials - it's so inspiring."

With collections shown at Milan and London Fashion Weeks, and designs featured in leading glossies such as Vogue, Elle as well as in The Times and The Wedding Magazine, this ethical label has come a long way since it started as a hobby in 2009. 

Chloë solely designs and creates in her workshop at the end of her garden in Surrey and is proud to be a Member 500 of The Ethical Fashion Forum.

To see the making of the new photo shoot watch the Hatastic video, click HERE.

Hatastic! Achievements

2013 Shortlisted as Maker for Triumph UK

2012 Hatty Award Winner

2012 Ethical Fashion Fellowship 500 Member

2011 Finalist of Keep it Under Your Hat Competition

2011 Nominated Accessory Designer of the Year

FASHION ACCESS reports an enthusiastic September show

The three-day Hong Kong trade fair – FASHION ACCESS – came to a satisfactory conclusion on September 27, with industry visitors and exhibitors alike acknowledging its importance for their business, while the organisers say Hong Kong remains the centre of Asia’s thriving fashion scene.

The fair - held bi-annually at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre - was attended by a host of trade buyers from 58 countries and regions, with the top 10 representing countries from Hong Kong, China, Japan, USA, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Russian Federation, Italy and Singapore.  

International buyers were impressed with the wide variety of products on show, billing it a must-attend event.

Maria Yue of Winway Fashion in Hong Kong said: “There’s a larger variety of products available at Fashion Access than in other exhibitions, which makes sourcing much easier.”
Piraya Wattanopas of Sretsis Co. Ltd in Thailand noted: “This is my fourth visit at Fashion Access. I found bags of good quality and suitable accessories for the line of clothes I designed.”

Covering a wide range of accessories for head-to-toe fashion the main exhibition focus was on bags (51%) as well as footwear (23%).  The fair was divided into two main areas for buyers’ convenience. One floor was for companies that offered contract manufacturing services that came from mainly Asian countries, while the other area of the event, Fashion Avenue, was dedicated to independent international brands from 13 countries providing buyers of high-end department stores, online stores, boutiques and specialty shops with trendy and up-market fashion items.

In this edition, the fair featured over 200 companies from 21 countries and regions, with over 70 newcomers from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.  There were participation of 9 group pavilions bringing in new names from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Korea.

Mr. Howell Williams of Manzoni, Australia, a first-time exhibitor was satisfied with his first experience at Fashion Access and expressed plans to return for the next edition: “Consistent flow of visitors and a good mix of buyers from Hong Kong and China.  I received more than 30 enquiries on the first day morning and 2 confirmed orders from Japan!”

Jean-Marie Parthenay of Kaloes Raffia Bags in Madagascar was also pleased with his first participation: “I met many quality buyers and am very satisfied with the results. Fashion Access is the best fair to promote my brand and show my products in Asia.”

Perrine Ardouin, event director at UBM Asia said Fashion Access continues to maintain its long-standing 30-year+ presence in Asia’s most favoured city - Hong Kong.  She cited Hong Kong’s status as a free port as one of its unique attributions. 

“There are no exchange controls to hinder international business transactions; that is why it (Hong Kong) is still Asia’s commercial hub for western businesses and to top all these advantages, it remains the centre of Asia’s thriving fashion scene," said Ardouin.

The event organisers also named four participating companies recipients of the “Best of APLF Awards,” in recognition for their excellent product designs excellence through the Best of APLF Awards (BOAA).  The winners were:

Best Small Leathergoods - Saturday Morning and Night, Korea

Best Men's Footwear - Deshi Shoes Company Limited, China

Best Bags - Antony Group Srl, Italy

Best Footwear Collection - Guangzhou City Quangsheng Shoes Company Limited, China

The next edition of Fashion Access – for Autumn-Winter 2015-2016  -will be held from 30 March - 1 April 2015 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong.
For more information, please visit fashionaccess.aplf.com.

When cashmere becomes fur. Italian company Motta Alfredo explains.

Renowned for its softness when it is knitted or woven in its pure form or blended with wool, cashmere fibre had never before shown as fur. This is due to a tanning process that was too stiff. 

Cashmere furs by Motta Alfredo Iberia

Today, thanks to the expertise of the hundred-year-old Italian company Motta Alfredo, cashmere is now a worthy rival to sheepskin. Chrome-tanned, abundantly nourished, the skins, which “come from the north of China” according to a tannery manager, become soft enough to be used for clothing with the hair either on the outside or the inside.  This is even truer because the skins are light, as they come from small goats that are barely a year old. “We remove the bristle to obtain an even softer fur and we only keep the down that is less than 14 microns thick. The curl is regular and therefore very attractive visually,” adds the specialist which exhibited at Cuir A Paris in September.

Luxury Italian designer Brunello Cuccinelli is very keen on this product for his luxury collections, particularly for decorating a collar or cuffs.  Natural colours like beige, ecru and grey are perfect. “We can also dye them in bright colours,” says the designer. But, as a luxury product, this is still very much a limited edition, and no more than 10 - 15 thousands skins per year are produced. All the more to make this luxury fibre an object of desire!