BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018

London Fashion Week Men’s 6th – 8th January 2018.

Craig Green, winner of British Designer of the Year - Menswear at The Fashion Awards 2017, in partnership with Austrian Crystal maker Swarovski, will show on schedule alongside British Emerging Talent Menswear winner Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY and nominees A-COLD-WALL*, COTTWEILER and Phoebe English MAN.

Also the BFC’s NEWGEN initiative will see London’s brightest emerging menswear designers showcase their January 2018 collections. Kiko Kostadinov, Liam Hodges and WALES BONNER will host catwalk shows whilst Nicholas Daley will host a presentation.

This season Per Götesson and Wood Wood are to show at LFWM for the first time while Alex Mullins, Edward Crutchley and MAN, the Fashion East Menswear initiative, will once again hold shows on schedule.

As last season, the main hub of LFWM is The Store Studios, 180 Strand, housing the official BFC Show Space as well as the Designer Showrooms.  As part of the Designer Showrooms, the DiscoveryLAB will be unveiled for the first time – an experiential zone for thinkers, makers and explorers across the landscape of technology, fashion, art and performance.

Tom Dixon to launch new SUPER TEXTURE textiles and accessories January 2018

Come January 2018, British interior design label Tom Dixon will launch its first ever collection of textiles named SUPER TEXTURE, as well as its most recent innovation in MATERIALISM room scents,  all to be officially showcased at the prestigious Maison & Objet Paris trade fair, , January 19-23 2018.

Continuing the exploration into the construction of cloth, SUPER TEXTURE dives deep into the weave, the knits and the knots, adding colour and extra texture to the SOFT and BOUCLE ranges.

Burgeoning adventures begin in print, in embroidery and in the hand tufting and looping of wool with young emerging talent to produce new families: ABSTRACT, PAINT and GEO. Three new colours are added to the existing range – Khaki, Wine and Electric Blue for a reinvigorated exercise in colour stacking.

Heat-affected CORK, and marble studded TERRAZZO provide stimulus for two new and diverse scents this season – Dark smoky wood juxtaposed with fresh zesty fig.   Brutalist and Primitive, these vessels offer a new sensory experience to the Materialism collection.

Also to be introduced is PLANT, a double headed vase designed for floral ecosystems, and a miniature edition of the SPIN table candelabra. Both exploit the process of making, "from the generous possibilities of molten glass to the heavy-weight iron materiality of British engineering."

Tom Dixon's new collections will show for the first time at Maison & Objet Paris, January 19-23 2018 and will land in stores worldwide from 19 January 2018.

Fashion Museum Bath to launch Royal Women exhibition in 2018

With the world’s most loyal royal watchers anticipating the society wedding of 2018 when UK’s Prince Harry will tie the knot with Meghan Markel, the Fashion Museum Bath  has timely announced that it is to stage a new exhibition in 2018, “Royal Women”, celebrating fashion worn by successive generations of women in the British Royal Family.

Fashion from the era of Queen Victoria are among the current exhibits at the Fashion Museum Bath.
Photo © Lucia Carpio 2017

The family tree exhibition will include clothing worn by Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret, featuring items of dress from the Fashion Museum collection, as well as a major loan from the Royal Collection, lent by Her Majesty The Queen.

Open from February 3, 2018, to April 28, 2019, the “Royal Women” exhibition will examine their sartorial lives, looking at each woman’s unique style, the role they played within the monarchy and how that was reflected in their choice of dress.

Highlights include the wedding dress of Alexandra, Princess of Wales, a dress and cape made by Hartnell worn by Queen Mary to the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, and a grey silk satin ball gown worn by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

There are also a number of Christian Dior dresses as worn by Princess Margaret including a ‘Rose Pompom’ strapless cream silk chiffon day dress worn to Royal Ascot and a strapless black lace evening dress worn to a performance of Guys and Dolls at the London Coliseum in 1953.

Lace dresses have long been favoured by royal women, including 1950s style icon Princess Margaret and today's Duchess of Cambridge.  Photo © Lucia Carpio 2017 at the highly acclaimed Lace in Fashion exhibition
at Fashion Museum Bath in 2017.

Elly Summers, the exhibition curator, said: “The Fashion Museum is one of the world’s great museum collections of historical fashionable dress and we are immensely fortunate that amongst its treasures it includes dress belonging to members of the Royal Family; we are equally fortunate in the loan of key pieces from the Royal Collection.”

Dior's slogan T-shirt ensemble is Fashion Museum Bath's Dress of the Year 2017

Whether as a form of protest against social injustices or for raising awareness on special issues, T-shirts with messages and slogans have long been a favourite way for expressing one's opinions and beliefs.

As high-profile sexual harassment scandals around the world continue to make headlines, and women's role in today's society is evolving, it is very apt that UK’s prestigious Fashion Museum Bath (in the historical Roman town of Bath in Somerset) has named an ensemble from Christian Dior’s spring/summer 2017 collection, featuring a white  T-shirt with the slogan‘We Should All Be Feminists’ as its Dress of the Year 2017.  Traditionally chosen by a respected member of the fashion industry, this year's choice was selected by Sarah Bailey of Red Magazine.

An ensemble featuring a white T-shirt printed with slogan 'We Should All Be Feminists’ is selected as Dress of the Year 2017 at Fashion Museum Bath.  To complete the ensemble is a black wool jacket and black tulle skirt
and also a black knitted underwear.
Image from Fashion Museum Bath.

“I think a T-shirt, because it is so basic, is the easiest way to display your ideas. The slogan ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ takes over this blank space and plays with the political value of appearances,” said Dior designer Maria Grazia Chiuri who added she was honoured that her designs had been selected.

Paired with the T-shirt to complete the ensemble is a black wool jacket and black tulle skirt and also a black knitted underwear. 

Miss Bailey, Hearst Lifestyle group’s editorial director, explained: “I was very inspired by the appointment of Maria Grazia Chiuri at Christian Dior. She is the first female Creative Director in the history of the house and I admired the vigour with which she immediately started challenging the conversation around women, creativity and the gendering of genius. Her social media campaign (before we even saw any of her designs) #TheWomenBehindMyDress – heroing the petits mains in the Dior atelier – was brilliant, moving and completely on point.

The late Monsieur Christian Dior would be pleased as he helped to launch the Fashion Museum by allowing his first collection to be brought to England to be shown for the museum's benefit at the Savoy Hotel in London in April 1950.  

Councillor Paul Myers, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic and Community Regeneration, said: “The ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ T-shirt ensemble is one of the most talked about fashions of 2017, by Maria Grazia Chiuri, in Dior’s 70th anniversary year. What a wonderful addition to the outstanding museum collection of historical and contemporary dress at Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Fashion Museum. We are most grateful to Sarah Bailey for her careful consideration and for making such an inspired selection for Dress of the Year 2017. Thank you too to Dior for so generously donating the ensemble to the Fashion Museum.”

The Dress of the Year Collection at the Fashion Museum began in 1963, when the museum was founded as the Museum of Costume. Since then, a leading commentator and expert on fashion has been invited each year to select an ensemble, or ensembles, from those shown by the world’s designers during international fashion weeks.

Fashion Museum Bath '2016 Dress of the year' by JW Anderson for Loewe.
Photo © Lucia Carpio 2017.

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Fashion Museum Bath's 2016 Dress of the Year was an ensemble by JW Anderson.  It comprises a cream mohair tweed knitted dress with a leather bustier that Jonathan Anderson designed for Loewe.  which came complete with a menswear ensemble.

© Lucia Carpio 2017

The Dress of the Year 2017 will be on display at the Fashion Museum Bath until January 1, 2019. It will be the 100th object in the Museum’s A History of Fashion in 100 Objects exhibition.

Blaze Wear’s Explorer and Traveller jackets use THERMOLITE® CORE technology

As many parts of the UK are plunged into deep winter with lots of snow these few days, it is essential to wrap up warmly and keep safe.

Just in time for Blaze Wear, the premium outdoors apparel and wearable heat technology brand.

Where fashion meets functionality, Blaze Wear’s Explorer and Traveller jackets have been made using THERMOLITE® CORE technology, an insulation designed for built-in lightweight warmth, comfort, freedom of movement and durability, ideal for the daily commute or a long walk in the country. As the temperature drops the outerwear also heats up at the click of a switch.

Revolutionary Tri Zone technology is seamlessly integrated into each garment with two panels at the front and one at the back, targeting your core which naturally distributes heat around the body.

The jackets come with an internal and re-chargeable battery pack with three different heat settings, cool, medium and hot. These battery packs have the added benefit of allowing you to charge your phone while you are on the go.

Blaze Wear has also developed a Heat Therapy range with advanced therapeutic deep tissue technology that delivers targeted, penetrating heat and provides effective relief from ailments such as Raynaud's, arthritis, muscle strain and general joint stiffness, aches and pains, says Blaze Wear’s CEO, Nick Bradley,

Ultra Violet is the PANTONE Colour of the Year 2018

Global colour authority PANTONE has announced that their Colour of the Year for 2018 is Ultra Violet, described as one of the most magical and decadent colours due to its "distinctive and complex purple shade that fascinates and intrigues” while conveying originality and ingenuity, 

Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet "symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets."

“We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination. It is this kind of creative inspiration that is indigenous to PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet, a blue-based purple that takes our awareness and potential to a higher level,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. 

“From exploring new technologies and the greater galaxy, to artistic expression and spiritual reflection, intuitive Ultra Violet lights the way to what is yet to come.” Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now, said Eisemann, adding that the vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.

"The Colour of the Year is one moment in time that provides strategic direction for the world of trend and design, reflecting the Pantone Color Institute’s year-round work doing the same for designers and brands.”

Mylands Paint made-to-order and available only on the Mylands website and through their factory shop.

“As individuals around the world become more fascinated with colour and realize its ability to convey deep messages and meanings, designers and brands should feel empowered to use colour to inspire and influence. ”

Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. 

“The Pantone Color of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today,” added Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “As individuals around the world become more fascinated with colour and realize its ability to convey deep messages and meanings, designers and brands should feel empowered to use colour to inspire and influence. ”

Pantone, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated, is provider of professional colour language standards and digital solutions.

Congratulations to ethical shoe brand Po-Zu! No. ONE again!

Ethical British shoe brand Po-Zu is once again ranked top of the ethical index for shoe & trainers brands for the 11th year.  Having passed their annual independent audit for another consecutive year means that Po-Zu comes highly recommended by The Good Shopping Guide.

Along with multiple sustainability awards, including Best Ethical Fashion Brand 2017, the brand has emerged as a true ethical and sustainable footwear, producing men and women’s vegan shoes and non-leather shoes, ethically handcrafted in Portugal in line with ethical and sustainable standards, using natural materials – including cork, coconut fibre, latex, organic cotton, pure wool tweed, and chrome-free leathers.

The brand’s foundation of ethical principles begins with its mission to change the trend for fast fashion and mass-production of shoes which is eating up resources and exploiting vulnerable workers.

This year Po-Zu also released a collection of official Star Wars branded footwear including a funky range of Rebel Alliance boots and shoes for men, women and children  who are fans of the popular sci-fi series.

British craft on show in Miami

BRITISH CRAFT – THE MIAMI EDIT 2017
Brought to you by The New Craftsmen and the Crafts Council

This amazing piece of furniture makes you want to just give it a big hug.  Called My Big Fat Sofa, it is by Charlotte Kingsnorth, a multi-disciplinary designer and industrial artist who reinterprets traditional materials and techniques to create unexpected forms and effects.  Kingsnorth has revisited upholstery methods to create My Big Fat Sofa, a biomorphic seat.

Charlotte is among a new wave of British rising stars and emerging talents in contemporary British craft who will be exhibiting this week at the inaugural FORM Miami, 6–10 December 2017. 

This international showcase  of British Craft brings 10 rising stars of craft in the UK to South Beach for a four-day exhibition featuring some of the most exciting emerging talents in contemporary British craft. These unique pieces are fine craft collectors' items, including furniture, sculptural vessels, artworks and installations, many of which are on display for the first time outside the UK.

"Referring to both the tactile and emotional qualities that craft evokes, this body of work by a selection of British makers demands the engagement of head, heart and hand. The innate tactility and sensorial materiality of craft is distinct and unique, and this presentation invites you to journey through and discover the pioneering processes these makers have employed to conceive this exciting showcase."– Catherine Lock, Creative Director, The New Craftsmen

Jewels in the colour of Christmas from Anabela Chan

Top: A playful in-between-finger Orion ring in 9 ct rose gold, hand-set with a trilogy of floating laboratory-grown created gemstones, including a princess cut ruby, heart-cut rose tourmaline and a pear-cut violet amethyst.

Bottom: Stunning Berry earrings in 18 ct rose and white gold vermeil with 18 ct gold earring posts, hand-set with laboratory-grown created gemstones including pear cut sky blue topaz, sugarloaf pink sapphires and cabochon royal blue sapphire drops with prong and pave-set white diamonds and a freshwater pearl.

All from London jeweller Anabela Chan.  

Photos from Anabela Chan.

Two spectacular light shows over Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour this December

Hong Kong’s famous picturesque Victoria Harbour with its magnificent skyline is set to be even more spectacular this December with the staging of two light shows – the new version of the internationally acclaimed nightly multi-media A Symphony of Light and the winter version of the Hong Kong Pulse Light Show – from 1st to 28th December 2017. 

Hong Kong skyline by night as viewed from Kowloon.

The two extravaganzas, best viewed from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in the Kowloon side, will brighten up Hong Kong’s Christmas atmosphere with dynamic lighting effects and the illusion of an wintry setting at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

The new version of A Symphony of Lights features dynamic rays of light sent out in rhythm from 40 buildings and locations on both sides of the Victoria Harbour. The new show incorporates a variety of exciting lighting effects such as coloured searchlights, lasers, and all-new beam lights sent out like a special fan-shaped lighting effect from the roof of the Central Government Offices and the Revenue Tower. Ten LED panels on a number of harbourside buildings are for the first time joining the multi-media show, displaying images and messages to encourage audience participation. 

The show is complemented by music from Asia’s leading classical orchestra the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, providing visitors with a thrilling and unforgettable sound-and-light experience. The 10-minute show begins at 8pm every evening. 

This is immediately followed by the winter version of Hong Kong Pulse Light Show - an 8-minute performance -   at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.  The 3D projection show begins with a snowstorm which covers the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in snow and ice and blows away the numbers on the Clock Tower, stopping time just before Christmas arrives. 

An ingenious dragon then sets out to find the missing numbers which are scattered across Hong Kong landmarks. The dragon eventually finds them and restarts time to save Christmas. During the show, the piazza is decorated with snowing effect along with glowing LED balls and a giant crystal ball. 

Photos © Lucia Carpio 2017

From Midnight to 11am: Cyber Monday Sales Down Compared To Last Year

**2017 Cyber Monday sales show a 3% drop on last year from 12am-11am
** Also, online sales jumped by 18% on Saturday and 6% on Sunday compared to last year after Black Friday

New UK market research released from PCA Predict’s Ecommerce Trends this morning reveals that there has been a 3% decrease in online sales this Cyber Monday from 12 midnight to 11am, compared to last year. So far today, the peak minute for purchasing in the UK was 10.23 am.

This follows a similar trend Black Friday last week, whereby, from 12am-11am, there was a 2% decline on overall online sales, when compared to 2016.

So far today, shoppers in Kingston Upon Thames have made the most online purchases this morning followed by Coventry and South East London.  A breakdown of the top areas for online spending this morning can be found below.

PCA Predict’s Ecommerce Trends tool aggregates data live from PCA Predict's 11,000+ UK retail customers.

"It would seem that the days when consumers would be willing to get up early to bag a bargain are gone. "

Chris Boaz, ‎Head of Marketing of PCA Predict, (a GBG company) said: “So far, Cyber Monday seems to be following Black Friday with sluggish sales very early in the morning. It would seem that the days when consumers would be willing to get up early to bag a bargain are gone. We saw more and more consumers shopping online over Black Friday, blurring the lines between the two shopping events.”

“However, much like this past Friday, we expect online sales to pick up significantly around lunchtime when people are at their desks, and also in the evening time and see the amount spent surge past last year’s.”

Meanwhile, over the weekend, online sales jumped by 18% on Saturday and 6% on Sunday compared to last year after Black Friday.

REGIONAL RANKINGS:

The busiest shopping regions, in the UK are as follows:

Victoria’s Secret Angels filmed for Fashion Show in Shanghai, China for broadcast on Nov. 28

For the first time, the Victoria’s Secret Angels will be filmed in Shanghai, China for THE VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW**, to be broadcast Tuesday, Nov. 28 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the US- CBS Television Network. The world’s  renowned American lingerie brand's reportedly most watched fashion show will be seen in more than 190 countries.

Last year’s show received 1.4 billion views and more than 150 billion media impressions worldwide.

Merging fashion, fantasy and entertainment, the lingerie runway show will include pink carpet interviews, model profiles, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show and musical performances that will be announced at a later date.

The all-star line-up of Victoria’s Secret Angels will include returning favorites Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, Lily Aldridge, Elsa Hosk, Jasmine Tookes, Josephine Skriver, Lais Ribeiro, Martha Hunt, Romee Strijd, Sara Sampaio, Stella Maxwell and Taylor Hill, as well as new faces.




**THE VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW is being produced by Done and Dusted, inc. Edward G. Razek, Monica Mitro, Ian Stewart, Hamish Hamilton and Chip Quigley are the executive producers. Hamish Hamilton is the director.

Black Friday sales reveal online shopping behaviour and shoppers' loyalty

Analysis of over 7 million unique e-commerce transactions this Black Friday has revealed discounting falls as order amounts rise.  This is good news for retailers, as the average discount on an order decreased by 12 percent compared to last year, whilst the average order amount grew by 9 percent compared to that of 2016.

The data, from customer relationship experts Optimove, suggests that online customers in the UK were willing to spend more on more items on Black Friday 2017.  The average number of items in an order grew by 7 percent compared to last year’s sales day figures. Customers did not insist on receiving such big discounts in order to complete their transactions.

"It is clear that more shoppers are opting to buy online rather than in-store."

Pini Yakuel, founder and CEO of Optimove, comments: “As the numbers come in after Black Friday, it is clear that more shoppers are opting to buy online rather than in-store. Which is why it is more important than ever that retailers understand the behaviours and motivations of their online customers.

“Contrary to traditional analysis of the Black Friday phenomenon, our data shows that most of the individuals shopping with a brand on the day are actually returning, rather than completely new, customers.  On Black Friday last year, our research showed that 71 percent of shoppers had bought something from the brand before at some stage. And this trends continues.

"There are signs that days like Black Friday may be helping retailers to keep customers coming back to their brand." 

“This year, the share of Black Friday transactions which were made by first-time shoppers decreased by a further 18 percent. Customers’ pre-existing contact with a brand goes some way towards explaining why shoppers have been willing to buy more items without such high discounts this year.

“Despite the supposed ‘death’ of customer loyalty, driven in part by the ease of price comparison online, there are signs that days like Black Friday may be helping retailers to keep customers coming back to their brand.

"The challenge for retailers is to continue building on this relationship outside of the pre-Christmas and sales period."

“If retailers can continue to exchange value with their online customers – offering specific offers, personalised communications and experiences – then these positive trends can continue into the sparser months, January and beyond.”

UK Black Friday online sales expected to top Boxing day sales by 77 %

Black Friday is an American shopping phenomenon that happens after their Thanksgiving holiday and this concept has now taken hold in the UK where retailers have adopted the idea since a few years ago, extending it to a last from one day to a week.

This year, Black Friday week total online sales are expected to reach £7 billion, a 164% increase on 2014 and 77% higher than expected Boxing day total sales, according to global real estate advisor Colliers International.

This is reinforced by the decrease in the proportion of Brits shopping on Boxing Day in 2015 (32%) compared to 2016 (23%).

"We’ve seen a build-up of sales which we expect to peak on Friday. "

Mark Phillipson, Head of Retail at Colliers International commented: “Black Friday is evolving into a week-long plus event in the UK.  We’ve seen a build-up of sales which we expect to peak on Friday. This is also a period in the year when retailers should be at full margins but, essentially, they are giving away some of their profits in order to compete for a higher share of consumer spending. However, there is degree of consumer skepticism as to whether any of the deals are actually any better than in standard sale periods, so in reality, it would also seem that Black Friday has just turned into a marketing event craze.”

The research also reveals that Black Friday is becoming much more of an online event since the violent scenes witnessed in 2014. Greater smart phone use and retailers’ much improved mobile websites encourage online purchasing. As a result, footfall was lower than anticipated in 2015 and 2016.

“Black Friday is having a significant impact on consumer spending patterns."

Mark Charlton, Head of UK Research at Colliers International added: “Black Friday is having a significant impact on consumer spending patterns, causing a sharper spike in sales earlier on in the Christmas run-up.  In general, we expect the online sales increase to continue, with weaker footfall on the day itself and a higher surge in online traffic.

“Historically there has been a much more gradual increase in sales in the six weeks prior to Christmas however what we are now witnessing is a potential decrease in consumer spending in the New Year sales due to the possibility of customers suffering from “sales” fatigue.”

The Design Museum Market from 1-3 December.

Design Junction and the Design Museum of London are partnering to offer the Design Museum Market from 1-3 December.

If like me you have been inundated with emails and Emessages on huge discounts on offer coming so-called Black Friday, forget about them if you want to pick up something unique for yourself or loved ones this Christmas.

Statement scarfs from Pipet Design  will be found at the Design Museum Market.

Instead head over to the Design Museum Market 1-3 December if you are in London as this is where you will find a good selection of jewellery, ceramics, glassware, textiles, homewares, graphic design, digital and children’s products - everything from original stocking-fillers to stand-out gifts, just in time for the coming festive season.

Returning for the second year, there will be a range of new brands to discover and shop from alongside designjunction exhibitors including luxury statement scarfs from Pipet Design, home furniture from Studio Perki, stationery and homeware from Laura Knight Studio, and various original gifts from Lollipop Designs, Linescapes and Alice Bosc.

Located in the Huth Gallery on 2nd floor of the museum, visitors will also have access to Design Maker User, the Design Museum’s permanent collection.

 To see more of what's in store click here.

Report:- 61% of women in the UK are happy to be single

Recent Mintel Report: 61% of women in the UK are happy to be single, compared to 49% of men

Interesting Findings:-

n  70% of singles in the UK say they have not actively tried to find a partner in the last 12 months, rising to 75% of women.

n  36% of singles in the UK say they feel financially secure, compared to 52% of those who are in a relationship.

n  33% of singles say that they feel under pressure to make their life appear more fulfilled than it is.

As China sales on Singles’ Day last Saturday (11th November 2017) broke all previous records with Chinese online giant Alibaba reporting £33 billion of sales, in the UK it seems it unattached women are deemed to be the most happy people most of the time.

New research from market intelligence agency Mintel reveals that 61% of single women in the UK say they are happy with their relationship status, compared to 49% of single men. Overall, it appears that unattached Brits are in no rush to find a partner. As many as 70% of singles in the UK say they have not actively tried to find a partner in the last 12 months*, rising to 75% of women.

Today, 42% of Brits describe their relationship status as single**, while 58% say they are in a relationship***. Of singles who have tried to find a partner in the last year*, 68% have used digital methods, such as a dating website or app, while 40% have looked to meet someone through friends and 19% have attended events. 

Read full story, click HERE.

Soremi Jewellery launches new website with new demi-fine collections

The UK's personalised jewellery retailers Soremi Jewellery has Iaunched a new website and introducing two new demi-fine precious metal coIIections, Mobius Infinity and Boulon D’amour - just in time for the forthcoming festive season of Christmas.

Möbius Infinity transcends a trend to represent everlasting love. Each of these classically beautifully precious metal donuts opens up to revel hidden and secret hand engraved words of meaning and love.

On the other hand, Boulon D’amour is bold and utilitarian. Existing as a functional nut and bolt, these chunky nuggets of love can be worn together or separate and worn by a couple or with the Boulon D’amour Family necklace symbolising each family member with solid gold yellow and rose gold nuts. 

For a decade the Leeds-based Soremi studio team have been creating handcrafted personalised jewellery with a progressive twist for people who wouldn't usually ‘do’ personalised jewellery, according to Ghazal Ghahri-Saremi, Creative Director at Soremi Jewellery who explains that their designs are joint collaborations with their customers. 

"When a customer personalises a piece of jewellery they are led by both our creativity and craftsmanship and their own imagination, it's for our customers that we are pushing the boundaries of design. That's culminated in the launch of two exceptional, innovative, tactile new collections,” said Ghazal.

In celebration of this development, Soremi is offering customers 20% off for the first two weeks post launch till November 15th with the code Launch20.

Indian glamour and glitz returned to London over the weekend.

The National Asian Wedding Show and India Fashion Week London

returned to Olympia London for a successful show.

Opulence and glamour sum up the National Asian Wedding Show  – billed as the largest indoor Asian consumer event in Europe  - and India Fashion Week London which took place at Olympia London in Kensington over the weekend ( 11-12th November).

Organisers reported that more than 20,000 people attended the two-day show featuring 340 exhibition stands spread over some 8,000 square metres.

Several top Indian designers were brought to the show courtesy of The Times Group and  Bollywood actress Prachi Desai also made a special appearance for the Illamasqua-sponsored India Fashion Week London.  

The Indian wedding industry is reportedly valued at over £12 billion while India has established itself amongst the most desirable destinations in   the   world   for sophisticated and elaborate weddings. 

The London event thus gave soon-to-be brides and grooms much desired fashion and wedding inspirations without the need to head East and to  browse  through the exhibition some   of   the   finest   wedding   couture   and   latest trends for planning show-stopping events, all under one roof.

The two-day event focused on the marriage between the fashion and wedding industry and photos here give you a taste of opulent Indian couture and glamour.

Also   at  Ilamasqua   India   Fashion   Week   London,   the RC   Dalal   MemorialAward for the most Inspirational Fashion Designer of the Year 2017 made its debut.   Held in honour of Mr RC Dalal, Founder of JD Institute of Fashion Technology,   who   was instrumental   in   the   conceptualisation   of India   Fashion Week London, the inaugural award was presented to Niti Singal of Twee in One.

This was the   12th  year   of   the  show concept conceived  by   the production house  The Platinum Group and Founder  Mr. Manny Singh, seeing here with actress Prachi Desai.

Miss  Desai  said:  “It’s   been   an   incredible   honour   being   in London to present the best of Indian design and culture to a diverse audience. I really enjoyed walking the ramp for Illamasqua India Fashion Week London at the National Asian Wedding Show and interacting with the community in Britain and   London.”  

llamasqua:   Headline Sponsor for India Fashion Week  Associate Sponsor for The National Asian Wedding Show

The City Pavillion:  Headline Sponsor for The National Asian Wedding Show

Atlantis Dubai:  Catwalk Headline Sponsor for The National Asian Wedding    Show

New denim fabrics catering to consumers' demand for better fit and eco -friendly qualities

Denim Première Vision Paris, 14th to 15th November 2017

Come Mid-November, the textile and fashion industry’s best known denim producers will be showcasing their latest collections and developments at Denim Première Vision Paris , which will take place at the Paris Event Center, Porte de la Villette, from 14th to 15th November 2017.

Exhibitors that present their new fabric qualities and novel developments have the discerning consumer at the heart of their innovations.

Hyosung's Xplay creora® Fit2 with Bossa

Korean company Hyosung, believed to be the largest elastane producer in the world, are to promote their new Xplay collection with creora® Fit2 in partnership with Bossa, one of Turkey’s largest integrated textile companies.

With production facilities in Adana,  Bossa (just celebrated 66 years of innovation and leadership) offers high quality products and services in its range of yarn, dyeing, weaving, and denim finishing processes.

“Our   reputation   was built   on  innovation  and  delivering unique consumer value.  Hyosung’s creora Fit2  has allowed us to create   the  Xplay  bi-stretch   collection   for   the   most flattering yet comfortable fitting denim” according to Mrs Müge Tunceren, Product   Development  &  Marketing Manager of Bossa.

“We are targeting brands & retailers who want to   enhance   consumer   loyalty   through   better   fit   and superior comfort.


Hyosung’s creora Fit2  is a proprietary  technology, using a  creora®  yarn for 360 -degree stretch, offering sleek and flattering fit.

“We developed creora® Fit2 4 way stretch to meet consumer’s needs, looking for better fit  and a flattering  silhouette.”   commented  David   Jang,   creora® ‘s  Marketing   Manager   for   denim.
“We partnered with Bossa to develop the next generation of denim as consumers will realize its value  as soon as they start wearing it.”

VICUNHA TEXTIL 

VICUNHA TEXTIL 

Another exhibitor is is Brazilian denim company VICUNHA TEXTIL which is focusing on performance fabrics that add value to create flexibility for the consumer.

Anticipating the continuous popularity of an active lifestyle, demanding products that offer versatility  between  office  and  leisure  Vicunha Textil is offering a new range of denim qualities for Spring- Summer 2019.

The EVER WHITE range offers sustainable  water  based  stain  resistant  finish  on  3  white  articles: the  finish  is ZDHC approved and non-fluorinated so fits perfectly into the sustainable ethics of VICUNHA.

VICUNHA TEXTIL 

The collection ranges from the compact appearance of ‘Comaneci’ to the heavier characterful twill of ‘colour jeans stretch’.

VICUNHA TEXTIL 

The ECO RECYCLE range offers recycled yarn of various weights in rigid and stretch, produced by using reduced  water, reclaimed  energy and  minimal resources in BCI cotton that supports the growing concern of the customer for a sustainable approach to fashion.

The robust new article  ‘Outlander’  underlines  VICUNHA’s  continuing  commitment  to  sustainability  whilst maintaining a classic true denim appearance.

Additionally, soft touch fabrics aimed mostly at the ladieswear market offer a range of denim and non denim  options  with special  finishes  and  a  luxurious  touch.






Images: creora® / Bossa and VICUNHA

Lenzing continues to invest in Modal® towards technological leadership

Austrian fibre specialist Lenzing is determined to be a leader in technological development, having accumulated 50 years of experience in the production and marketing of its Modal® branded fibres for multiple uses in the fashion industry.

Earlier this week, Robert van de Kerkhof, CCO of the Lenzing group, highlighted a further benchmark in the company’s Modal production by emphasizing their strategy to continuously work on improvements, with specialisation as a key element.

“We are working continuously on improvements to our processes and have set further benchmark in Modal production with the adaptation of our production steps.

“The advantages of adapting the Modal production process are clear: Customers benefit from the very good processability which makes it easier to produce high-quality yarns. While different climatic zones and different spinning technologies, which can lead to problems with processing, play lesser roles when processing the new Lenzing Modal® fibers.

“Meanwhile higher production efficiency could be reached in the spinning mill. A patent has been filed for this new technology making Lenzing Modal® fibres universally applicable in the fibre processing industry.”

He added that Lenzing Modal® fibres which recently celebrated its 50^th anniversary is a global success and have been a permanent feature in international collections in the fashion industry. 

Lenzing Modal® fibres are particularly successful with figure-hugging products such as day and night wear and homewear. Certification according to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® Class 1 makes the fibres particularly well suited to baby and children's clothing, which could be a future market for Lenzing Modal® fibres.

High-tech fabrics at Performance Days, Munich

TINTEX presents high-tech fabrics with unique technical qualities during Performance Days, Munich, November 8-9 2017

TINTEX - a modern industrial company based in the Porto region of Portugal since 1998 - is set to present its latest high-tech fabric innovations at the Performance Days – the trade fair specifically for functional fabrics in Munich, November 8-9 2017 – featuring fashion forward developments that meet the active performance demands of the current athleisure and street sportswear markets.

With more than 120 skilled and expert staff producing market savvy fabrics for global designers and brands, TINTEX produces a range of sustainable modern hybrid jersey fabrics that offer a better, Naturally Advanced choice to all its customers in the Sportswear, Athleisure, Fashion and Underwear sectors.

Each collection counts more than 80 new qualities and styles, under three focused jersey fabric concepts: TIMELESS, FASHIONABLE, INNOVATIVE.

TINTEX's new Autumn Winter 2019 Jersey collection will be presented by its CEO Mario Jorge, who describes the new ‘Naturally Advanced’ position as “advancing beautiful and organic, natural materials to the next level with unique and advanced hybrid ‘nature/hi-tech’ smarts, with added value creativity, thanks to focused investments that will serve and secure our customer demands both now and in the seasons to come”.

Mr Jorge added that part and parcel of the TINTEX DNA is to make better eco-materials, but with new levels of performance and hi-tech smarts, thanks to its expertise in specialist dyeing and finishing techniques, coatings and applications designed with the latest equipment and processes. 

The TINTEX collection uses at least 60% of more sustainable materials such as Tencel, organic cotton, natural organic linen, ECOTEC® by Marchi & Fildi, the smart cotton from pre consumer scraps that saves up to 77,9% of water.

And, for the first time at Performance Days, TINTEX presents unique developments made with the ROICA™ Eco Smart family of premium eco-sustainable stretch fibers with proven credentials for market savvy choices that meet the needs of contemporary apparel for modern consumers.  Within this family, TINTEX has selected the world's first GRS certified ROICA™ premium stretch yarn that comes at least 50% from recycled pre-consumer waste.

Hill & Ellis bike bag - from home to boardroom to bar in style.

Hill & Ellis' bike bag is the creation of founder Catherine Ellis who decided to start up a company dedicated to making bike bags that work for the cyclists' destination as well as their journey after a fruitless search for a suitable product.

Hill & Ellis was born, named after the founder's grandparents who taught her how to ride with and then without stabilisers.

All Hill & Ellis are firstly designed to be handsome but they cunningly attach to your bike so you can go by bike from home, to boardroom to bar in style, according to the founder, calling it "The perfect accessory for the discerning cyclist." Bags are manufactured in East London by a small leather bag producer where they are handmade by artisans with nearly 100 years of experience behind them.

Timeless luxury bike performance apparel from Vélobici

Benefiting from 100% designed and manufactured in England, Vélobici's bike performance apparel is made from the fabrics knitted in Nottinghamshire and manufactured in Leicestershire.

With a timeless and classic appeal, the attractive bikewear range is made with fabrics that are rigorously tested with the latest technology, designed for all year round riding to look good on or off bike, encompassing seamless knitwear, T-shirts and accessories to provide stylish comfort.

The René (women) jerseys are made from the new super lightweight honeycomb performance fabric.
VB/Pro-VR2 is an exclusive high tech performance nylon, developed with a honeycomb fabric construction that provides a lightweight 150g fabric that excels on the road.

The new three-season jerseys promise to perform exceptionally under warm conditions, thanks to the fabric’s ease of movement and wicking capabilities, allowing the wearer ease of movement for its lightweight quality.

With a standard race fit, this full-length zip jersey shown above also features superlight ‘Vélobici’ Jacquard detailing to the side panels and underarm for added ventilation, and is completed with embroidered René and VB logos to the chest and the brand’s recognisable reflective binding to the rear pocket and hem. The use of performance nylon, over polyester, keeps this four-pocket jersey (one zipped and waterproof) durable ride after ride, while delivering better moisture wicking and odour resistance.

Scotland Re:Designed Returns: Glasgow 8 – 12 November 2017

Scotland Re:Designed Supportng Design, Commercialising Creativity & Selling Scotland 

Annual showcase of Fashion, Accessories & Interiors at SWG3, 

Glasgow 8 – 12 November 2017

Scotland as the source for top designs, quality textiles, and luxury fashion is well-known the world over.  So it is great to see emerging and young talents get the continued support they need from the industry and experts.

This November, Scotland Re:Designed (SR:D) returns celebrating luxury and Scottish making all under one roof.   The event opens on Wednesday 8th – Sunday 12th November at the multi-cultural arts venue, SWG3 .

The venue’s newly built Galvanizers will host its first ever runway plus a host of panel discussions with interior and lifestyle designer and agency, Ella Doran, Graduate Fashion Week trustee and former Fashion Director at the Daily Telegraph, Hilary Alexander OBE, and Managing Director at Graduate Fashion Week & Fashion Scout, Martyn Roberts.

For 2017, brands and designers have been encouraged to show their skills and demonstrate the knack behind their designs. Through display and workshops, with a Makers theme including rucksack-making from artist and illustrator, Alice Dansey-Wright and embroidery & embellishments workshops from award-winning textile designer Chloe Patience.

SR:D will provide industry-led panel discussions, creative demonstrations, workshops and the much-anticipated runway show and private view. A static exhibition will feature designs by April Crichton and contemporary art from Hamilton-born sculptor Martin Boyce, eyewear from Niche Optical, luxury Paisley knitwear from Pringle of Scotland, Hawick Knitwear collaborations, heritage tweeds, jewellery plus avant-garde fashion from Scotland’s hottest new names.

The weekend Hypermarket provides a unique opportunity to browse current season collections from Scottish brands and businesses. Building on SR:D Glasgow’s ‘Makers’ theme, the Hypermarket brings SR:D’s calendar to a phenomenal crescendo with exquisite food and drink,  creative demonstrations plus high-end fashion brands and interior designs to an audience of trade, media & consumers.

Live DJ sets will take place from The Scottish Alternative Music Award’s Best Live Act winners The Van T’s and Dundonian alternative pop four-piece Model Aeroplanes.

SR:D is great for networking too, offering a unique chance for industry to meet face-to-face with exclusive Scottish businesses and brands, enabling new connections, collaborations and clients for Scottish design, propelling careers and bringing local skills and making into mainstream consciousness.

Perfect for students, graduates, industry and the entrepreneurial-minded, SR:D’s jam-packed programme will feature fashion elite, interior design experts, creative start-ups and powerful collaborators including cult designer Pam Hogg, Henrik Nielsen of The Danish Fashion Institute, photographer Stew Bryden and menswear designer Kestin Hare.

For more information and tickets, click HERE.

Photos above: Model Team’s Connor Newall & Amy McSloy by Aleksandra Modrzejewska , a Polish photographer based in Edinburgh.

Esther Noriega showcases Red Carpet collection in Madrid

Earlier this week on October 24, on the 30th floor of the Eurostar Hotel Tower in Madrid, Spanish designer Esther Noriega staged her fashion show, after previously participated in the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Madrid on five occasions.

Playing on her forte of celebrating the feminine silhouette in sensual, classic elegance, "Red Carpet" is the new collection from ESTHER NORIEGA for the upcoming 2018 spring-summer season, inspired by the looks popular with celebreties who grace red carpet events.

According to the designer, "Red Carpet" features a selection of premium fabrics such as crepe, plumetti tulle, with embroidered flowers and rhinestones, and motifs in black and white on silver brocade, combinations in duponi silk, crepe, organza and lace. 

While there are neutral colours and monochromes of black and white, there are also nude pink, sky blue and maroon as well as eye-catching fun colours such as bold yellows and champagne golds, silver gray, mint green and light pink and decorated with mint green and mauve colored sequins.

Esther Noriega is established for her atelier workmanship,  using local manufacturing in the province of Valladolid for fashion that are exclusive and lasting.

Having been in the fashion business for 13 years, she now plans to expand internationally and focus on collections for special occasions and parties. 

The Red Carpet collection is her debut in that new direction.

Source: Image.net / Esther Noriega