Knitted Festive Jumpers are for Christmas!

As we gradually step into the heart of November, and with Halloween out of the way, no doubt soon we will be thinking of Christmas.  Just look at all the festive decorations in the city that get us into that celebratory mood.

In terms of wintry fashion, nothing sums up Christmas more than the classic jumper especially when the temperature starts to tumble and we need something to make us feel warm and cosy all over.

Superdry women's Ombre Brushed Fairisle Knit jumper featuring a Fairisle inspired pattern, a ribbed neckline and a Superdry Mountain logo patch on the sleeve. 

Now there was a time when Christmas jumpers were just a novelty – often too jolly for everyday wear.

But the ones on show here are nothing but desirable and trendy, now available from that very cool British brand Superdry .

An embellished Fairisle Crew Neck Jumper featuring a fairisle pattern across the chest and shoulders, with layered embellishment across the front and sleeves, finished with a Superdry Knit Co logo patch above the hem.

Superstar knitted jumpers with all over festive print featuring metallic thread detail, ribbed cuffs and hem and finished with a Superdry logo patch on the right arm.

Two versions of knitted jumpers featuring the polar bear.   (left) A crew-neck fairisle-style jumper featuring a polar bear design running across the chest and back with a subtle metallic sparkle thread.  (Right) A super soft, brushed knit jumper featuring a Superdry polar bear pattern with hints of metallic detail and a ribbed neckline. 

There’s no prize for guessing which one is my favourite.  All left to add is a mug of hot chocolate.

All product photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

Jean Paul Gaultier goes KAPUTT for Swarovski

In German, the word Kaputt means “broken”.  And that is the name for a new collection of crystals from the Austrian house of Swarovski, designed by French haute couture ‘rebel’ and design genius, Jean Paul Gaultier who champions the art of ‘imperfection’ for the new family of Kaputt crystals.

Photo courtesy of Swarovski

Accordingly, following a visit to Swarovski headquarters in 2013, Gaulter was inspired to create a crystal design of his own and felt that the only way to make something that is already perfect, was to make it new by adding a unique touch of imperfection.

Combined with the technical expertise of Swarovski, Gaultier’s creative idea came into fruition a year later, after much experimentation and adjustments, and the new Kaputt collection was created featuring multi-faceted stones with random rugged surfaces and enhanced by a contrasting effect between clear and matt glass finish.  

The new collection are to complement Swwarovski's Autumn/Winter 2016-17 collection, and consists of two pendants and three fancy stones in rich shimmering metallic colours that highlight the stones' irregular forms.  

Perfectly imperfect – as Gaultier likes it. 

Additionally to complement the Kaputt collection are stones and pearls in a Crystal Scrabaeus Green effect.  The stunning colour is mesmerising, as these take on colours that consist of a combination of green, alternating with blue-purple and tarnished copper like those of the scarab beetle once worshipped by the ancient Egyptians. According to Wikipedia, the scarab was seen as “a symbol of (a) heavenly cycle and of the idea of rebirth or regeneration."

Inspiration for the design also came from the Verdigris roof of the Paris Opera House - a bright bluish-green encrustation or patina formed on copper or brass by atmospheric oxidation, consisting of basic copper carbonate.  The story goes that when Gaultier was a young lad, he would frequently go past the opera house and was fascinated by the green colouring of the tarnished copper roof.

(Click HERE to go to “This is Personal”, to learn how you can customise your unique Swarovski crystal to create a bespoke gem for your own personalised jewellery.)

All photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect unless otherwise captioned.

Happiness is ... the Mademoiselle Privé exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London

Despite the long queues, the Mademoiselle Privé exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London is where one can find happiness because it allows you to experience stimulants to your five senses.  

From the colours and the sound of birdsong at the specially-created garden prior to the entry of the building to the audio commentary provided by Mademoiselle Chanel, the delightful installations and sculptures and the sweet fragrant of the sensory lab, to the feel of textures provided by floor to ceiling draping curtains and the sight of alluring couture designs and beautiful jewels.....

Be sure to download the Mademoiselle Privé app before entering the exhibition, which enhances the experience with interactive content that is revealed throughout the visit.

This is the final week and the exhibition finishes on 1st November.  

If you haven't been yet, click HERE for the link to the website.

All photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

Cheeky faces by Anne-Valérie Dupond at the Affordable Art Fair until 25 October

Just look at these cheeky yet adorable faces.  They are Animal Trophies by French artist/textile sculpturist Anne-Valérie Dupond.

Made in fabrics, wadding, cardboard, buttons, trimming and beads, these wall-hanging Animal Trophies measuring 20 x 15 x 24 inches / 51x 38 x 61 cm are currently on show at The Affordable Art Fair under DECORAZON gallery now at  London’s Battersea Park until 25^th October.

Anne-Valérie Dupond, born in 1976, studied at Marc Bloch University in Strasbourg, and obtained her Master’s degree in Fine Arts in 2000.

Since 2001, Dupond has worked with Parisian Gallery Edgar, and until 2011, with Dufay-Bonnet Gallery, also in Paris.

Not only has Dupond’s work been exported around the world, but she has collaborated on numerous high profile projects, including fashion houses such as Kenzo, Undercover, Le Printemps, and Comme des Garçons, which is quite evident in her body of work, “Travaux de Couture”.

“My work is making sculptures with fabrics. I’m working simply with recovered fabrics, needle and thread. I try to create a world crafted from sensitivity, ranging from the bestial (hunting trophies and animals of all kinds) to human representations such as busts of historic figures, pin-ups, and baroque sculpture. Whatever the representation, I like to approach the female/male duality with humour, playfully caricaturizing the stereotypes.” 

Anne-Valérie Dupond currently lives and works in France, and is represented by the  DECORAZON gallery.

All photos here by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

From Moroccan tiles comes striking jewellery by London brand Chalk; exotic Marrakech Mint tea from Whittard

It is not unusual to get inspired from our travels to foreign lands.  It's what we do with the inspiration we garner that matters.
So I was pleasantly inspired by British tea house Whittard coming out with a blend of tea called Marrakech Mint.  It so reminded me of the wonderful time I had in Morocco some years ago.
Whittard blended their smoky Gunpowder Green tea with pure peppermint leaves, inspired by the tea served in the souks of the Moroccan medina, and have also added a sprinkling of blue cornflower petals for a bit of a British touch….  Great for this British winter.

Now I am particularly drawn to what London-based designers Hazel and Malaika have created for their jewellery brand - The Chalk House - following a recent trip they had made also to Marrakesh.

  

The dynamic duo who are also architects have been inspired by Moroccan tiles.

And the result of their creativity is a selection of intricately-handcrarfted necklaces and earrings featuring bold geometric patterns and colour combinations of the Morocco.

The designs are made in walnut pieces, laser cut and infilled with teal, orange, cream, blue and gold acrylic to emulate the exotic patterns of Moroccan tiles.
For the full range of the statement jewellery, go to the Chalk website.

Fabric Inspirations from Swarovski to enhance the pattern and floral print trend

Just a week ago, I was treated to a preview of wonderful presentation of original Liberty fabrics and floral prints which continue to entice us today, and the current exhibitions Liberty in Fashion and the The Art of Pattern both at the Fashiom and Textile Museum present a myriad of design ideas for fashionistas and designers alike.

A couple of days ago, I was shown by leading Austrian crystal house Swarovski how they can add glamour and sparkle by proposing a number of ways to enhance fabric patterns and prints.

Rather than following the lines of the motifs, Swarovski arrange crystals in the shape of feathers and leaves as shown in the picture above, and on the iconic Liberty fabric below, Swarovski crystals and stones add a touch of fantasy to the Art Nouveau pattern.

Swarovski design experts customise and add surface interest by applying a selection of crystal stones in various shapes and beads of different colour effects to these fabrics below, lifting the patterns off the fabric.  They do give designers much food for thought indeed.

Photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

The Art of Pattern Exhibition feeds the current appetite for 70s fashion and all things retro

 

A treasure trove of inspirational prints and patterns by designers of Liberty from 1961 - 77 are
on show at The Art of Pattern 9 October 2015 - 29 February 2016 at the Fashion and Textile Museum.

It’s official –floral-printed shirts and blouses are the key fashion item this autumn, according to WGSN, as the 1970s trend continues to grip our imagination and  is predicted to stay hot well into Spring at least.

WGSN’s Instock data reveals that fashion-conscious consumers are drawn to a number of 70s-retro styles now available on the high street, from “those super feminine, frilled and pussy-bowed numbers” to Western-shirt styles, and that amorous rose prints and bold retro floral patterns are among the best-sellers.  

And for fashionistas and all working in the industry alike looking for more inspiration for this trend, what better way than to have access to valuable archives of original inspiration floral prints and retro patterns for their research.

Head over to the Fashion and Textile Museum (FTM) in London's Bermondsey Road, and you will find an invaluiable event called The Art of Pattern now on until 28 February 2016 as part of the major Liberty in Fashion exhibition in the FTM.

The Art of Pattern showcases a wide range of work by two designer-sisters: Susan Collier & Sarah Campbell, who were producing print patterns for Liberty between 1961 – 77, from scarfs to fashion and furnishing fabrics.

There are more than 100 originally hand-painting designs, sketches, printed swatches, fabric lengths and objects to highlight the designers' painterly approach to fashion and furnishing textiles.

Along with swatches of floral fabrics on show were Limited edition hand-made dolls (which are also on sale in the FTM shop) using vintage Liberty fabrics.

The exhibition though small showcases some of the most recognisable textile designs of the late 20th century.  Among the designs is a range of florals and patterns that according to the designers were created based on the traditional design motif of Liberty - a little floral on Tana Lawn, as well as variations of the paisleys (originating from India and the Orient) and the hugely successful 'Bauhaus' range seen here at the left.


To read the full story, click HERE.

All photos of the exhibition by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.