Marks and Spencer and Lulu Kennedy collaborate on new capsule collection

Marks and Spencer is launching an exclusive capsule collection by Fashion East and Lulu & Co founder Lulu Kennedy MBE for Indigo Collection, my favourite brand at M&S.

Thus I have high hopes for this new 19-piece range which will hit 33 selective stores across the UK from 15 May 2015, featuring denims, bright Caribbean colours, washed-out fabrics and a selection of global-inspired accessories.

M&S had previously featured Kennedy as one of the celebrities  in its 2014 "Leading Ladies" campaign and referred to Kennedy as the British fashion industry's "Fairy godmother" for her knack of taking unknown designers and turning them into fashion stars through her non-profit venture Fashion East that mentors young talent including launching the careers of Henry Holland, Simone Rocha and Jonathan Saunders.  They are now top stars at London Fashion Week.

Texworld Paris saw slight increase in visitor numbers

After four days of brisk business, Texworld Paris, encompassing its sister show Apparel Sourcing Paris, saw  another successful season for the textile fair held 9 - 12 February at the north Parisian suburb of Le Bourget.

Embroidery skills and young design talent were on show at Texworld.  
Photo courtesy of Texworld/Messe Frankfurt Paris. 

Under the title of "Presence", the fair presented fabric developments and new trends for Spring Summer 2016 from 626 exhibitors. 

A total of 13,639 visitors from 111 countries attended according to the organisers.

While France saw an increase of 13% in visitor numbers and the UK recorded a rise of 3%,   elsewhere in Europe, Italy, Portugal and Germany saw a slight fall, whilst Spain remained steady, supported by its numerous fashion brands.

Click HERE to read more.

Eley Kishimoto unveils new designs for Southerden Patisserie and Cafe

Southerden Patisserie and Café designed by ELey Kishimoto and Studio MacLean

Having a great design environment to enjoy good food is one of the greatest pleasures of life.

London design duo Eley Kishimoto, well known for their pattern designs for fashion, lifestyle products and interiors, have fitted out a gourmet patisserie and cafe house in collaboration with long-term creative partner, Studio MacLean.  The newly-opened Southerden Patisserie and Cafe (at 72 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3UD)  is covered from floor to ceiling in a bold graphic Venice pattern from EK's new wallpaper collection (most recently unveiled at the Decorex interior trade fair held in London last September) and complemented by Studio MacLean’s technical lighting solution. 

The new Southerden Patisserie and Cafe, set in the beautiful heritage of Bermondsey Street, opposite the Fashion Textile Museum, is just a stone's throw away from the local landmark - the Shard building and is well placed among new restaurant openings and markets nearby.

Southerden Patisserie and Cafe offers a bespoke selection of delicacies (including salted caramel doughnuts), all served with Monmouth Coffee, specialty teas and Matcha beverages.

The Eley Kishimoto partnership was forged in the 1990s, starting in the fashion world with the launch of its first womenswear collection; this proved to be such a success that the company has continued to produce its own ELEY KISHIMOTO line ever since.  Their impressive credentials include working with Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, Alber Elbaz and Jil Sander, to name but a few.

Photos courtesy of Eley Kishimoto, by Chris Tubbs

Ghurka brand luggage launches in UK and supports Gurkha Welfare Trust

On March 16, 2015 American leather goods firm, Ghurka will launch its first international presence inside the famous Fortnum & Mason store in London’s St. James’s district. The opening marks the brand’s 40th anniversary and coincides with Gurkha 200, the 200th anniversary of Gurkha service to the British Crown.  The Ghurka curated space will feature a robust assortment of its daytime and travel goods, humidors, watch collector boxes and outdoor sporting items. Also available will be a selection of elegant accessories including wallets, pouches, and wash bags. 

The Ghurka collection will be showcased on Fortnum and Mason’s third floor
and displayed in fixtures that have been shipped from the Ghurka showroom in New York.

“Fortnum & Mason is the perfect partner for our European launch,” says Pam Bristow, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy at Ghurka. “The Piccadilly store is an international icon, a benchmark for excellence, and represents the commitment to quality we hold as our standard.”

Later this spring, Ghurka will debut their G200 Collection, a capsule assortment of three styles from the Ghurka archives re-imagined in partnership with The Gurkha Welfare Trust, Britain’s leading charity dedicated to providing support for impoverished ex-Gurkha servicemen and their dependants. The bag designs utilize the famous green wool used in Gurkha uniform jackets in place of the brand’s signature twill, and will be lined in red as a nod to the military flash worn by the soldiers. The range will be retailed exclusively at Fortnum & Mason in the UK, with 25% of all sales benefitting the Trust. Further to this, a bespoke “Officer’s Field Set” consisting of a picnic table, two field chairs, a green wool blanket, two pillows and a picnic umbrella – all created by Ghurka master furniture craftsman Richard Wrightman – will be debuted. These will be sold at auction with 100% of proceeds benefitting the Trust.

“We are delighted to form this new relationship with Ghurka, whose very name demonstrates their high regard for the ex-servicemen we support,” states Karen England, Director of Fundraising & Communications for The Gurkha Welfare Trust. “The quality of Ghurka’s products rivals the exceptional standards of Britain’s Gurkha soldiers, and through our partnership we hope to raise significant funds in support of elderly and infirm veterans in Nepal.” 

Première Vision Paris gathered some 58000 international visitors to view new offerings for SS2016.

Photo by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

Première Vision Paris (previously known as Première Vision Pluriel) has evolved with the re-branding of all of its six inter-related sub-divisions of industry sectors.  Reporting high attendance of some 58,000 visitors from around the world, the organisers announced its latest edition a success.

The show was held at the exposition centre in Paris Villepente 10 – 12 February, where the presentation of colours, innovative textiles, accessories and creative designs, and related materials and leather for the Spring Summer 2016 season made an impression on the international audience.

Click HERE to read more.

Designer Ben di Lisi launches casual collection called Principles Weekend at Debenhams

Super model Sophie Dahl front Principles Weekend launch at 60 Debenhams stores.

London-based designer Ben di Lisi has launched a casual collection called Principles Weekend, which is being stocked in 60 Debenhams stores across the UK from this week.  The campaign is fronted by Super Model Sophie Dahl.

Principles Weekend is a casual addition to the Principles by Ben de Lisi brand. 

The original Principles brand disappeared from 400 high streets across the UK in March 2009 when its parent company Mosaic Fashions was placed into administration.  At the time Debenhams bought the stock to safeguard sales in its stores and later purchased the worldwide rights to the brand name.

With renowned designer Ben de Lisi at the creative helm Debenhams brought back the well-loved British brand in February 2010 and has since seen commercial success both in the UK and international markets. Taking £26m in its first year, the brand has continued to experience a growth with a 20% increase in sales over the last year.

Super Model Sophie Dahl says; “The collection is all about ease - for the shoot we really mixed and matched it, in a way that felt true to the way I dress.” 

"Within this collection there are some gorgeous muted pastels, soft slouchy trousers and grown-up ‘meet the parents’ dresses. A weekend bag packed for many an eventuality."

Ben de Lisi says; “I’m thrilled to be further building on the Principles by Ben de Lisi brand with a fresh and exciting casual collection.”

“The range is for a modern, stylish woman who has an eye for quality, cut and detail.”

“Sophie Dahl embodies everything that the collection represents – a beautiful, modern, sophisticated working Mum who always looks fantastic.”

Imagery of model Sophie Dahl will appear in windows across all stores the collection is launching in as well as in store and online.

London Fashion Week and Fashion Scount launch today.

London Fashion Week Opens today.  

For Highlights, click HERE.

Natalie Massenet (BFC Chairman) and James McArthur (CEO, Anya Hindmarch & BFC Business Pillar President) with designer business mentors at the official opening of London Fashion Week AW15.  This season, LFW celebrates the BFC's Business Pillar. 

Fashion Scout London Launches Today.  
Click HERE for details.