Austrian company Lenzing celebrates 50 years of Lenzing Modal®

Austria-based company Lenzing is ready to celebrate their 50^th anniversary for producing and marketing their Lenzing Modal® brand of fibres which has attained global success.

Lenzing’s CCO Robert van de Kerkhof announced the half-century mile stone at a conference during the Premiere Vision Paris September trade fair held earlier this month in Villepinte, north Paris.

The company has planned a programme of celebrations in November with their international customers and "friends of the brand", according to COO Mr. Robert van de Kerkhof pictured above at Premiere Vision Paris in mid-September. Photo by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

To read the full report, click HERE.

Exotic drama - Ethologie by Jasper Garvida presented at Essie Persian Carpet

So many times I have walked pass the Essie Persian Carpet showroom in Piccadilly opposite to The Ritz in London, and last week, this family run carpet shop was a fitting venue for designer label Ethologie by Jasper Garvida to present a collection of beautiful dresses and striking ensembles.  

Bold patterns, exotic colours and gold touches echo the Persian and oriental patterns of Middle Eastern and north African cultures.

 

Equally dramatic are the bold jewellery that add that extra oomph!  What a collection.

Éthologie designer, Jasper Garvida, graduated in womenswear from the Central St. Martins, and has worked with labels such as John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood.  Upon graduating, he swiftly gained the role of head designer for Michiko Koshino.  Referred to as “one of the young designers to watch out for”, in 2009, Jasper was a finalist for Fashion Fringe competition. His first collection debuted during London Fashion Week at ON/OFF, a leading independent fashion showcase platform for emerging and pioneering fashion and creative talents.

Jasper Garvida’s designs have appeared in Vogue Italia, Russian Vogue, ELLE, i-D, V magazine, Dazed and Confused, The Telegraph, Grazia and other fashion publications. His garments have been seen on performers and celebrities, including Katy Perry, Rhianna, Britney Spears, Florence Welch, Lady Gaga, Elizabeth Hurley, Sophia Coppola, Cheryl Cole, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sugababes, The Saturdays, Girls Aloud and Helena Christensen to name a few.  His show-stopping designs have graced the red carpets of high profile events such as the Oscars, the Golden Globes, MTV Awards, Cannes Film Festival, The Brit Awards and a plethora of other highly visible global events.

Little Shilpa shuns catwalk for Library to showcase new AW15 collection

The Oxonian splendour of the Library on St Martin’s Lane in London's west end was the perfect setting for showcasing Little Shilpa’s new collection the Madness of Muchness, inspired by the curious world of Lewis Carrolls "Alice in Wonderland.”  

With denim as the key fabric of the collection, the ensembles are embellished with pleated appliques and textured details strategically-placed for drama, and complimented with whimsical head-pieces.  Sometimes the model's face is covered in a mysterious mask-like design.

Setting the tea-party scene were tea china ware, cupcakes and the unique ambience of the Library decor - a creative space for contemplating.  

Little Shilpa is the eponymous label of Shilpa Chavan, who offers handcrafted, fun wearable fashion, headpieces, accessories and jewellery.
All photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

Made in Britain debate to launch Buy British Day 2015 set for October 3rd

An event to endorse buying British products will be held on October 3rd at London's King's Cross.

This year, partnering with Made In Britain will be Wayne Hemingway’s The Classic Car Boot Sale in Granary Square, London – and central Preston (way north), in a pop-up retail outlet in the middle of the Fishergate shopping centre and on the Preston Train Station concourse.

Cherchbi - one of the British-made brand currently on show at Design Junction, Victoria House, Holborn.

Buy British Day 2015 was kick started earlier this week at ‘The Great British Debate’ hosted by Best of Britainia at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts.  The conversation subtitled ‘Can we make it all here?’ where British brands, manufacturers and industry figures came together and discussed the opportunities, limitations and future of British manufacture and design.

Engaged in a lively debate was a panel of experts, campaigners and commentators including shirt-maker Emma Willis MBE, Patrick Grant of Norton & Sons and E.Tautz (of BBC The Great British Sewing Bee series) , Drapers editorial director Eric Musgrave, Jonathan Jones of Tregothnan Tea, Made In Britain’s John Pearce, managing director of The Manufacturer Nick Hussey, British Chambers of Commerce Adam Marshall and Kate Hills from Make It British. 

With Best of Britannia’s own Antony Wallis as host, the panel’s discussion touched upon:

·         the use of the Union Jack in branding as a mark of excellence, and the esteem with which the flag as a ‘made in Britain’ marker is received; UK brands’ reticence in using it, as negative perceptions can arise from so-called ‘nostalgia branding’ and the assumptions that a product is made in Britain when in fact it has been made elsewhere

·         proximity to market and its associations with growth in industry – with mention of boat building in the UK

·         there is no reason NOT to make everything in the UK, but the progression and growth of smaller British manufacturers are restricted by lack of investment to make it viable; growing British manufacture is a long, slow process, but worth the investment – we just need the investors; predictions that investment in British manufacture will come from abroad

·         the value of media in demonstrating to the consumer the manufacturing process and where and how their product is made: from pattern-cutting to building, the role of storytelling – and how brands need to get better at telling their stories

·         the pro’s and con’s of the GREAT campaign – it achieved astonishingly positive results as a vehicle for promoting British innovation, but small brands got lost in the system

An initiative from Best of Britannia – an annual event and website that showcases more than 200 of the very best British-made brands and products – Buy British Day aims to engage with consumers who care about the provenance of what they’re buying.  See you there!

Clarks and Christopgher Raeburn collaboration debuts at London Fashion Week with The Salek Sun

British shoe brand Clarks' first collection working with designer Christopher Raeburn sees eleven styles combining Clarks rich heritage of craft and shoe making expertise and the inspiration for Christopher Raeburn’s Spring/Summer ‘16 collection: Sarawak, a Borneo theme, with the anthropologist Tom Harrison at the centre of the story.

The Salek Sun is the first sandal collection to be seen on the catwalk alongside Christopher’s SS16 Women’s Ready To Wear. Woven detailing and bold ankle straps combine with block heels made using lightweight EVA and recycled EVA to create a sandal which is modern yet functional. Webbing and cork are unexpected materials which lend an intrepid feel.  Can't wait for Spring 2016.

Hobbs Collection No 5 takes tapestry inspiration from Hampton Court Palace

London fashion retailer Hobbs' newly launched Autumn/winter 2015 Collection No5 was inspired by the grand interior and gardens of Hampton Court Palace.


The range features floral patterns reminiscent of 17^th century tapestries often found in the palace.  The designs blend ideas that span centuries. 

Look for “Verdure” patterns, embroidered with flora and fauna, colourful jacquard blooms, bringing historical designs up-to-date for an ultra feminine look.

Elaborate tapestries, like those found at the Hampton Court Palace, were a fashionable way to display affluence, the finest costing as much as a battleship. 'Verdure' patterns, embroidered with flora and fauna were among the most popular, and the colourful jacquard blooms give this tapestry theme a modern refashioning.

A silk blouse in the collection has been inspired by an early 17th-century wall hanging at Hampton Court Palace. The `Verdure' tapestry incorporates a highly decorative embellishment. It features a beaded collar with historical references.

Photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

A Missoni moment at the Texprint prize presentation ceremony in Paris.

Left to right, Texprint creative director Peter Ring-Lefevre, Texprint chairman Barbara Kennington,
Rosita Missoni and Gilles Lasborde, Premiere Vision Design managing director.

Texprint's prize-giving ceremony held annually during the September edition of the prestigious Premiere Vision Paris fair ( for fashion, fabrics, design and related trade) brings great expectations every year, as much for design and textile professionals who await the announcement of the winners, as for the selected designers who participate in the UK charity's competition in hope the event would bring them good career prospects.

This September, without exception the event held last week was graced by the presence of the grand dame of European fashion, Signora Rosita Missoni, who is matriarch of the fashion dynasty of vivid stripes and iconic zigzag stitches.  Her special role at this year's Texprint was to present the 2015 Awards.  Four textile design graduates chosen from 24 short-listed outstanding design graduates won prizes for Colour, Pattern, Fashion and Inteiors.

Rosita Missoni in centre, flanked by Texprint 2015 prize winners Emma McCluskey,
Anja Alexandeersdottir, Jessica Leclere and Joanna Robins.

Now in her 80s, signora Rosita's words of wisdom for the class of 2015 were to "believe in yourselves and follow your dreams", while she nostalgically recalled how she met her late hustband Ottavio and together they co-founded Missoni some 60 years ago and found international fame although they came from a humble beginning, after setting up a small knitwear workshop in Gallarate, not far from their home village near Milan to being discovered by American Vogue magazine in New York. And the rest is history, as they say, and today the Missoni iconic zig-zag pattern needs no introduction.

"I am very pleased to be here to applaud the young talents," said Signora Rosita to the 24 finalists set up stands at Texprint during this September's Premiere Vision Design fair as part of Premiere Vision Paris.  "Premiere Vision Designs is a wonderful opportunity to bring them to the attention of the industry and the fashion world which need to invest in new fresher talents and ideas.  I with the 24 designers to keep their curiosity, enthusiasm, passion and to transform them in wonderful careers," said Rosita Missoni.

Summing up the 2015 Texprint Awards, chairman Barbara Kennington said, "The Texprint village at PVD (Premiere Vision Designs) provides a unique opportunity for all 24 designers to showcase their unique and exciting collections, to meet icons in the world of textile design such as Rosita Missoni, and to greatly enhance their understanding of the industry and the opporunities globally.






The 2015 Texprint Awards and winners are as follows:-

The Texprint Colour Award, sponsored by Mode Information goes to Emma McCluskey who studied Textile Design at Duncan and Jordanstone College of Art & Design

The Texprint Pattern Award is presented to Joanna Robins, who graduated from University of West England (Bristol) having specialised in Textiles for Fashion Design

The Texprint Fashion Award winner if Jessica Leclere, who has just competed an MA in Textiles - Knit, at the Royal College of Art (RCA).

The Texprint Interiors Award goes to Anja Alexandersdottir who studied Weae at Heriot Watt University.

Jessica Leclere also won the Woolmark award.

The judging panel this year who made the selection in London in July included British courturier Nicholas Oakwell, Ariane Bigot, associate fashion director for Premiere Vsion, Sarah Lawry, colour & materials designer at Aston Artin Lagonda, and Julie Hall, head of design at Bedeck which is also giving a special new award to be announced shortly.

For more details on Texprint, a charity that has for more than 25 years nurtured, mentored and promoted UK textile design graduates, click here for their website.

All photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.