Fashion Scout Live Streaming designers catwalk shows

Fashion Scout, the sister event to London Fashion Week, opens on Friday 17th February and a number of its featured designers will be live streaming their shows.

This will be the first time that one can watch Fashion Scount's fresh talent showcasing their new creations from wherever you are via the Fashion Scout website, and experience the events as if you are a front row VIP even if you don't have the ticket.

Among its line up of designers on their schedule, the following will be live streaming:

Friday 17th February
14.30 N&S Gaia
15.30 Ones to Watch: Joanna Berling; Krasimira Stoyneva; Orange Culture and RU

Saturday 18th February
11.00 Mimi Tran
13.30 Dubai Design & Fashion Council: Azzalia and Deborah Henning
15.30 Malan Breton
17.00 Merit Award: Katie Ann McGuigan

Sunday 19th February
19.30 Carballosa

Monday 20th February
16.30 Barrus

Fashion Scout London will take place 

at FREEMASON'S HALL
60 GREAT QUEEN STREET, LONDON WC2B 5AZ

The Spirit of young fashion line-up for Autumn/Winter 17 / 18

Fashion: Glamorous

Fashion: Jack T

Fancy lace and embroidery, statement prints and vibrant influences from latino cultures along with directional beading on feminine silhouettes, bold colours and clean lines are some of the key fashion line-up showcased at the National Hall Gallery in Kensington Olympia, held 12 - 14 February.

Fashion: Explosion

Fashiion: Wal G

Fashion: Wal G; Shoes: Colors of California

Fashion: Daphnea; Bags: Nali; Shoes: Car, Jaxks;
Hat: Seeberger
Earrings: Naturaj Collection

Featured as some of the highlights of the Pure London event, the Spirit catwalk shows gave a glimpse of what's in store for young women's fashion for Autumn/Winter 17/18.

Fashion: Glamorous

Fashion: Bayside Clothing; Bag, Nali; Shoes: Ravel; Jewellery: Naturaj Collection

It was a great opportunity for buyers from the UK and international independents, multiples, department stores, relaiers and mail order, to discover collections launching for the season ahead.

Fashion: Fashion: Relax Baby Be Cool; Necklaces: Nali

Fashion and shoes, above and below: Glamorous

All images © Lucia Carpio 2017

Pure London showcases Autumn Winter 2017 trends ahead of London Fashion Week

As the fashion buying season in the UK commences and before the fashion world descends upon London Fashion Week which opens in a week's time, the Pure London trade fair showcases the styles and trends for Autumn Winter 2017 at Kensington Olympia between 12 - 14 February.

As part of the highlights of the exhibition where more than 800 exhibitors across womenswear, menswear, footwear and accessories are showcasing under one roof, daily catwalk presentations play out new everyday luxury and directional smart designs from international and British brands.

Key looks include autumn transitional designs in natural and recycled fabric to kickstart the season, while minimalist pieces offer longevity beyond the season.

Dark tones along with muted colours and feminine, deconstructed shapes are pointing to a bold modern look.  On offer are architectural influences, clean lines and utilitarian fabrics.

Look for tactile fabrics including faux furs, wools, tweed, waterproof textiles and mottled surfaces.

For mid-autumn, the colour palette is a natural one; primitive and soft colours include ochre tones, blue contrasts, muted greens and deep browns.

Heritage outdoor styles will see chunky knits, matte textures and woodland tones on sports-inspired elements for a folkloric-centred look.

For winter, there are luxe tailoring and deep majestic jewel tones in dark shades of charcoal, complemented by metallic accents for a sophisticated, sensual winter palette.

Smart materials and inventive innovations lead the way for a tech-savvy trend in line with modern lifestyle.  

Voluminous shapes and stylished details reflect the modern digital age, while minimalist and maximalist styles nod to the past, present and future with subtle period references.   

According to WGSN's director of retail and buying, Sara Maggioni, who gave an overview of the main trends of the AW17 season, the four overarching themes are Design Matters, Earthed, Nocturne and INfusion.  Natural and recyled fabrics kickstart the season, she said, with the overt use of pulped fabrics, repurposed yarns and patched denims expected among the sustainable fashion mix.  While minamalist pieces and light layers for transitional dressing are played out in muted colours, as evidenced here.

All images © Lucia Carpio 2017

Scoop International and Pure London have opened.

As Premium womenswear trade show Scoop International returns to the Saatchi Gallery in London’s Chelsea for its three-day trade fair this season, over at Kensington Olympia, Pure London has opened to a steady but positive start.  Both fairs are well sought-after by national and international buyers for their offerings of brands for a wide spectrum of apparel and accessories.

Colour trend for Spring/Summer 2018 - positivity infused with optimism

It is not easy to predict what the future will bring, but with the state of world affairs as they are, it is encouraging to learn that come Spring/Summer 2018, it will be a more positive global season infused with lots of optimistic colours, according to textile trends predicted at the just concluded Premiere Vision Paris trade fair which took place 7 - 9 February at the Parc des Expositions exhibition centre in Villepinte, north Paris.

It is an obvious study in simplicity, venturing optimistically between real and unreal sensibilities, with creative playfulness, interacting tones to enhance our everyday life.

Yellows and greens (turquoise, acid green, shadowy green), being bright and tasty are prominent, while equally key are the blues, especially a lilac colour called Heady Mauve.

Along with divine blues are real dark brown. pigmented water, aqua minerals, vitamins, bright shades, orangey reds, pinks, digital colours, stimulating, timeless, interesting when combined with neutrals.

Key colours.
For Womenswear Harmonies:-
1, Urban Primitive
Semi-floral, semi neon, weaves, jacquards
Strong focus on ultra bright shades, technical accents, trimmings in fuchsia
2, Icy Acids
Heavy mauve and cold tones, icy tones, aqua mineal
3, Floral Vibrations
Duos, bright duo combinations, embroidery, laces in a fresh spirit
Key:
Heady Mauve

Menswear:-
Shifting towards feminine influences, lighter, fresher approach.
Harmonies:-
1, Asphalt Flowers
Moving away from cold shades, khaki, dark brown replacing navy
Winter reds, pinks, esp. for shirts and polo's
2, Plant-like
Light colour ranges, Neutral softness
Flowery, neutral, bright tones and weaves, vegetal
3, Tonal Fantasy
Fantasy tone on tone, solid turquoise, artificial, cold coral for warm shades,
4, Black Asphalt and Red

All images © Lucia Carpio 2017

Wearable textile technologies on show at major trade fairs this February

As the popularity of our well-being and the importance of sports continue to infiltrate our daily life, it has given textile and fibre technology producers the impetus to continue to research and develop new techno-infused qualities.  Such new developments have provided new avenues of enriched offerings for global fashion and sportswear brands to meet the growing demand of well-being-minded consumers.

At major trade fairs in February including Premiere Vision Paris and ISPO Munich, Swiss company Schoeller Textil AG will present a development in the field of wearable textile technologies: a durable, heatable  e-soft-shell material which can be flexibly cut to size. 

This new laminate is structured like a conventional soft-shell with corkshell™ technology and can be produced for sale by the meter. The incorporated textile electronics permit consistent heat distribution and are functional at common voltages. Furthermore, the material can be dyed and washed. The vision for the future of the e-soft-shell material includes washable electrical contacting, smart batteries and sensor technology that operates by smartphone. A prototype vest in the new e-soft-shell fabric (see picture left) will be shown at the respective trade fairs to potential customers.

An additional e-textile project:Together with the companies KJUS and Osmotex, as well as the EMPA Institute, Schoeller is also working on an electro-osmotic membrane for use in outerwear. The aim is to ensure a pleasant microclimate in the face of fluctuating external temperatures and exercise level. 

While Greenery is the colour of 2017, the Cactus is the plant of the moment.

While the nature theme continues to reign supreme, the key plant of the year is the Cactus, replacing the motifs of 2016 - the palm and the pineapple in home textile, as well as fashion fabrics and accessories.

Look out for the cactus appearing on the market in all shapes and sizes this year, for interiors especially.

If you can have the real thing, group them bold and mighty, or arranged together in neat containers for effect.

Above shows a selection of cacti-themed home products available at Made.com

If you can't get the real thing, opt for home decor designs that come in different materials and for various functions, from lighting to vases, textiles and bedding.

Cactus print party napkins from French brand My Little Day.