Handmade gifts and vintage items for Christmas from Etsy and Heal’s

Etsy Announces First UK Pop-Up Shop in London This Christmas

Heal’s presents an exciting line up of in-store events in the run up to Christmas

Etsy.com has also identified four major
Christmas 2014 trends,
including Natural Scandi.  
Click here to read more.

This Christmas, handmade gifts and vintage items will be top of shoppers’ list when seeking that unique gift for loved ones and friends.

That is why it is welcoming news that Etsy.com, the global marketplace for handmade and vintage online marketplace founded in New York in 2005, is opening its first pop-up shopping experience in the UK.

'Etsy House' will open for three days from Friday December 5th to Sunday December 7th in Covent Garden, London selling a curated selection of the handmade and vintage gifts from over 100 independent creative businesses across the UK.

For sale at the Christmas pop-up shop will be a wide range of handmade gifts, home decorations, jewellery, stationery and accessories.  Over the weekend of Etsy House, visitors will be able to watch live crafting by Etsy artisans, take part in workshops led by Etsy designer-makers and have gifts customised by makers live in the store.

Shoppers will be able to purchase items at the pop-up shop using wireless card reader technology powered by iZettle, and point-of-sale payment provider Vend.

It is the first time Etsy House in this format will be executed outside of the US as following on the success of Etsy’s first ever pop-up shop in Soho, New York in 2013 which attracted over 20,000 visitors during the 10 days it was open.

Etsy.com is an online marketplace that allows people around the world to buy and sell unique goods directly from each other – anything from food to furniture . In 2013 alone, Etsy sellers sold nearly $1.35B worth of goods and 14 million new members joined the marketplace, making our global community 40 million strong.  The  company is today based globally, from the US to Australia, France, Germany and United Kingdom, United States and ships around the world.

Etsy House will open in London from 5th - 7th December at 5 Great Newport St, London, WC2H 7HY (nearest tube Leicester Square).

Meanwhile furniture and lifestyle retailer Heal’s has lined-up a series of in-store events in the run up to Christmas, to entertain and inspire customers during the winter season. From festive floristry to a masterclass in crayon making, these dynamic sessions will provide design inspiration to last through to the New Year.

On November 27^th, Heal’s Tottenham Court Road flagship store will be transformed into a hub of festive activity to play host to its annual Christmas Party which promises to be a fun filled evening with music, drinks, tastings and other entertainments.

Throughout November and December,  experts in floristry, craft and interiors will offer workshops and demonstrations in  Heal’s stores around London.

Among these events is a special workshop for patrons to learn to design, style and create their own wreaths for the festive period, jointly hosted with London florist Wildabout Flowers.

To get in the Christmas spirit, guests will be greeted with bubbles and nibbles, then set to work to create a masterpiece, worth up to £90, with the help of a talented florist from Wildabout Flowers.

Cost: £40

Book: www.heals.co.uk/event. Places are limited. To book, click here.

Dower & Hall celebrate 25th anniversary with new jewellery collections

One of UK's favourite jewellery brands Dower & Hall are celebrating their 25th anniversary by unveiling a number of new contemporary collections just in time for the Christmas shopping season.

One of the new ranges see them delving into their jewellery archive to find the best-sellers from the last two decades and meticulously reworking them into new favourites.

These are added into their popular Nomad collection (as shown in pictures above) featuring their signature multi-textured hammered finish.  The range includes mixed metal bangles, rings, free-formed pendants and bold geometric shaped earrings for a free-spirited range.

Husband and wife, Dan Dower & Diane Hall are the creative duo behind the brand and are heavily influenced by their travels around the globe.  Nomad takes inspiration from the organic shapes and patterns that are found in nature, from pebbles washed up on British seashores, to the outlines that are formed in the dry deserts landscapes of the great continent of Africa.

Timeless classic Cherish lockets allow that personal touch.

Also among the favourites is the Cherish collection in which the classic locket is recreated to turn it from a vintage keepsake to a contemporary trend for 2015.
The Cherish lockets are crated in Sterling Silver and 18ct Gold Vermeil featuring double-sided glass windows combined with planished metal.

Lockets have for centuries enabled the wearer to carry something the person treasures and Dower & Hall have also produced a range of intricately made charms and keep-sake momentos such as birthstones and little treasures that one can collect and keep inside the lockets.  Great ideas for marking special occasions or mile-stone moments.  They come in different metal hues, from 18ct gold vermeil to 18ct rose gold, sterling silver, oxidized silver and even 18ct gold with delicate pave set stones for an added touch of sparkle.

 A pair of sterling silver statement drop earrings set with 8 white topaz gemstones that graduate in size. The earrings are finished with a post and butterfly back. Organically inspired, the drops have a soft beaten finish that complements the sparkle of the faceted stones - designed to evoke the purity of fresh morning dew. Stone sizes - 5, 4 & 3mm.
Total length 85mm.

The Dewdrop range features delicate pendants, bracelets and earrings set with semi-precious gemstones such as white topaz, amethyst and blue topaz stones.  The Dewdrop collection is available in sterling silver, 18ct yellow gold vermeil and 18ct rose gold vermeil.
All photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

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