Furious Goose launches new "the Planets" collection

In a year when planet Earth celebrates the 50th anniversary of Man landing on the moon, Brighton-based British accessories brand Furious Goose launches a new collection called simply "The Planets" to celebrate the "majesty of the solar system and planetary science in geometry, colour and pattern."

The collection of unisex cosmic scarves will have sci-fi fans and futuristic fashionistas getting all excited, featuring celestial themes ... from Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system to the auroras of Jupiter, right down to the individual statistics of each celestial body.  Made in the UK, each design was developed through pen and ink sketches, then digitally and meticulously drawn and then refined with bright colours achieving double-sided print.  Each scarf is available in 100 cm in fine Merino Wool and in 65 cm in silk twill, and also in 42 cm square allowing one to use them in a variety of ways, from silk pocket squares,  to neckerchief and headscarf, or for wrapping around a handbag's handle.

Furious Goose was founded in 2016,  created by fashion and graphic designer Patrick Morrison.

Samantha Louise Emery launches IKONA / Mirrored Interior - A Collection of wearable art inspired by modern muses

IKONA 9 Malala Yousafzai,
Nobel Peace Prize winner and ardent activist
for women’s rights,by Samantha Louise Emery.

Artist Samantha Louise Emery presents a new collection of scarves and sarongs based on her series of powerful portraits IKONA | Mirrored Interior. The portraits of 10 modern muses represent the women who have inspired the artist throughout her life.

Emery presents the women in bright abstract forms with their features becoming distinguishable upon closer inspection.

IKONA 7 Caitlin Moran, columnist and candid comedian, by  Samantha Louise Emery.
Each portrait attempts to capture more than just a physical representation of the subject but seeks to reveal the deeper layers of the self and the Feminine spirit, looking to bring awareness to the positive effects of Feminine solidarity, says Emery.

Subjects of Emery's art span from an Anatolian vegetable seller Sadiye to Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and ardent activist for women’s rights, Grammy Award winner Angelique Kidjo.  There's Grammy Award winning musician Laurie Anderson, and British author and outspoken feminist Germaine Greer.

IKONA 4 Germaine Greer, author and outspoken feminist , by Samantha Louise Emery.

IKONA 3 Sadiye, matter of fact, maternal Anatolian vegetable seller by Samantha Louise Emery.
The scarves (28”x38”) and the sarongs (50”x66”) are at samanthalouiseemery.art/.  A portion of all income from the work is donated to the Working Chance charity and the Malala Fund. Working Chance is the only recruitment consultancy for women leaving the criminal justice and care systems. The Malala Fund works to give all girls the chance to an education.

IKONA 6 Krystyne Griffin, prominent jewellery designer and godmother by Samantha Louise Emery.

​Throughout the series Emery incorporates imagery of her own body, displaying her connection with her subject and laying bare her vulnerability as an artist, according to the Emery, the multimedia artist who splits her time between the UK and her studio in Bodrum, Turkey, her spiritual home.

Emery says, “IKONA honours ten women alive today who have inspired my evolution and journey in rediscovering the source of a woman’s power, the Feminine spirit.  I believe in the potential and majesty of female solidarity and feel privileged to live in a time of change, when many women have asserted their Feminine selves and have inspired others through their actions.”

The 10 muses in the series are:
IKONA 1 Laurie Anderson, creative pioneer and Grammy Award winning musician
IKONA 2 Angelique Kidjo, Fearless activist and Grammy Award winning singer
IKONA 3 Sadiye, matter of fact, maternal Anatolian vegetable seller
IKONA 4 Germaine Greer, author and outspoken feminist
IKONA 5 Alanis Obomsawin, spokeswoman for Native American and women’s rights
IKONA 6 Krystyne Griffin, prominent jewellery designer and godmother
IKONA 7 Caitlin Moran, columnist and candid comedian
IKONA 8 Jane Goodall, conservationist and impassioned animal rights activist
IKONA 9 Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize winner and ardent activist for women’s rights
IKONA 10 Lucy, artist Samantha Louise Emery

Nature- the mother of all inspiration.

Close-up of garden-themed embroidery on a dress from Bambah.

The Nature theme as inspiration for fashion, home and lifestyle products has been popular for some time now, so it comes as welcome news when leading colour authority Pantone announced in early December that Greenery is the Colour of the Year 2017.  It is a natural (mind the pun) development since the botanical theme came onto the scene last year and will continue to play a key role in 2017.

Vibrant colours for floral jacquards and brocades for AW17 as presented at Premiere Vision, Paris, September 2016.

Photo © Lucia Carpio

Enchanting garden-themed fabrics for SS17 as seen at Premiere Vision, Paris, February 2016.
Photo © Lucia Carpio

All things floral and botanical were shown in a myriad of fabric bases at the prestigious Premiere Vision textile trade fairs in Paris in February and September this year.

Eden silk scarf by designers Shan Jiang and Ying Wu at Pig Chicken Cow of London. 

Dream girl silk scarf from Cleo Ferin Mercury for SS16.

And throughout the year, botanical prints have been a driving force in interior design.

Terrarium-printed floor cushion from Hothouse.

And then, the notion of incorporating the outdoors and plant life into interior design has become a key driver.

Tom Dixon's Tank vases also available at Heal's.
Photo © Lucia Carpio

Lantern Terrariums from Oliver Bonas.

A kaleidoscopic of rich patterns and digital designs from Melo Designs

UK-based Melo Designs was set up by Brazilian-born artist Luiz Melo and interiors stylist Chris Kane who have a combined design experience of more than 24 years, producing an array of luxury lifestyle and interiors products for both global and niche businesses.

Silk scarf measuring 135 cm x 24 cm in  original Melo artwork, rich in colour and detail. Made in the UK

Luxurious feather filled, our poly velvet cushions,
  50 cm x 50 cm.
Made to order in the UK.  

While Luis have had work sold in London, France and North America and had been inspired by a child experience to create one-off pieces by painting directly onto glassware and ceramics, the two recognised there was more to be done to expand the scope of their unique talent.  Following many months of research, hardwork and creativity, the duo set up Melodesigns.

Distinctive, detailed with a hint of mystery. 

Melo Designs offer a variety of lifestyle products for the home and to wear. Rich in colour, the product range includes silk scarves, cushions, lamp shades, wallcoverings and mugs. The image of each product begins life as a hand-painted design, then shaped and embellished to create a colourful, kaleidoscopic world of pattern and movement, often resulting in a distinctive kaleidoscopic effect.

Statement hand rolled lampshade  40 cm x 26 cm from Melo Desgns.
Made in the UK using fine cotton and cool metallic inlays. 

The duo also offer bespoke services.   All products are designed and manufactured in the UK.

REW launches new luxury "Scarves"

REW's luxury Concise "scarf" modeled by
fashion designer Amanda Jones. 

Since its launch in 2011, British brand REW (founded by Rachel Emma Wright) has made its mark on the fashion scene with creative scarves and stylish neck-wrap.  In cotton knits, wool and linen, REW's unique scarves are great statement accessories.

Now the brand has just launched a new range of "neck-wear" for autumn/winter 2014/15 that oozes luxury.

Founder Rachel said her signature style of extraordinary scarves are still very popular, but the new collection - which she refers to as "neck couture" takes the decorative neck-wrap to a new level.

REW's luxury "scarf" modeled by
jewellery designer Sarah-Jane Smyth.

REW's new Concise collection (as modeled above and at left here at the SCOOP International London trade fair July 13-15) features distinctively-designed geometric patterns on fine silk twill in coral and blue diamond, chevron or wavy designs, and teaming them with fine soft lamb nappa in light grey, baby blue and black. The palette is soft and alluring.

"By combining these textures with engineered geometric pattern placement, it gives structure and form to the scarves, and the wearer can create a unique personal style by adjusting and fitting the scarves as she likes around her neck," said Rachel.  "The emphasis is on bringing simplicity to the wearer."  

All REW products are designed and hand-made in the UK.

Photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.