Scottish Textiles

A fashion student has won acclaim for her designs by revisiting the fashions of the 1940s.

Janine Clark was crowned Alfa Romeo Young Fashion Designer of the Year 2012 at a recent fashion show at St Andrew’s in Edinburgh.

Designers were asked to focus on the theme of recovering the past and try and translate the Alfa Romeo brand into their creations in a bid to win the accolade, and kick start their careers in the world of fashion. Janine was one of five people who took part in the competition. Janine and those who took part had to incorporate the theme, as well as some of the Alfa Romeo colours into their designs to net the prize. Needless to say, the competition was fierce.

The twenty-two year old, who is a BA Fashion undergraduate student, created four pieces for the show, based on 1940s silhouettes.

She was awarded the accolade by fashion expert Brix Smith-Start and the prize included £1000. The award ceremony and catwalk show was hosted in partnership with the St Andrews Charity Fashion Show.

An aquatic theme is set to play an important role in fashion throughout the spring and summer of 2012. Designers such as Versace, Chanel, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney have all incorporated sea-inspired pieces into their recent collections. The aquatic trend has influenced dresses, tops, skirts and accessories.

One way to incorporate the aquatic trend is through print. Dresses, in particular, have featured heavily on the catwalks recently, displaying prints including mermaids, shells and stars. Shades of blue feature quite heavily throughout this trend, while some pieces feature bright, bold coral colours and others focus on white and pale blue colours. Texture is another key feature of the aquatic look as satin dresses create a smooth, fluid look as they move.

Accessories have also started to follow a deep-sea trend and include necklaces featuring shells and sharks’ teeth. Silver bags embossed with fish scale patterns are another simple way to wear this look. Statement accessories allow the wearer to show that they are on top of current trends with little cost involved.

Emporio Armani debuted their spring 2012 line recently, using the theme of “Grey Lightness in an Urban Haze” for inspiration. This inspiration extended from their understated collection of light fabrics and colours, everything from silk to translucent. The fashion world is abuzz about this men’s collection because of the cool, minimalistic looks seen on the runway.

Emporio Armani’s collection is also indicative of what fashion savvy men should be on the lookout for this spring. The trousers are low on the waist with multiple pleats, and are cut at the ankle right where the fabric meets the shoe. Shirts were collar-less and buttoned up to the throat. Unlike the sharp and perfectly fitted looks of the past few years, these looks were much more sober and unpretentious, a bit more loose fitting and crumpled.

The looks spanned the spectrum from techy to fashion forward, and unlike many other lines that are going with cold, bright colours for men this year, Emporio Armani delivered their usual cool, classic looks in various shades of grey. The monochromatic theme of this year’s collection does not mean boring or drab, however, and in fact came across as modern and edgy.

Garavani Valentino is a top fashion designer who has had nearly forty years of experience in evening dress design.  He is famous for his designs along with selling his company for £211 million.  This article offers more information about Garavani Valentino.

Garavani Valentino was born in Italy in Many 1936.  He took an interest in fashion early on, and learned French and fashion design at the Accademia dell Arte in Milan.  Following this he went straight onto the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne.

Garavani Valentino’s successes started early.  When he was just a student Valentino won a prize by the International Wool Secretariat for fashion design.  This prize was later awarded to both Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent.  In 1950 Garavani Valentino took his first job with the couturier Jean Desses.  Garavani Valentino was just 18 at the time.  Following this job he worked for Guy Laroche.

Garavani Valentino’s first collection was started in Rome in 1960, and he became famous for full length skirts, and he was quoted as saying, “I don’t think any man in the world wants to go out with a woman dressed like a boy”, as a result of his distaste for mini skirts.

To mark the anniversary of 30 years working within the world of fashion, Garavani Valentino hosted a party to celebrate.  The party lasted for three days and had 1600 guests.  It is said to have cost £2.5 million.

Then in 1998, Garavani Valentino sold his company for £211 million.  To mark this occasion he threw another party.  The party was in Rome, and it was here that he announced who his successor would be.  Alessandra Facchinetti, former designer for Gucci, became Garavani Valentino’s successor.  He was awarded by President Chirac of France  the Italian Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur in 2006.  He then retired in 2007 at the age of 75, having led a successful career within the fashion industry.  Garavani Valentino then chose to settle down and relax with his pugs.

Valentino

The foundations of designer menswear are very often overlooked when trying to define a distinct image.  Accessories add that finishing touch that will not only make you stand out, but can turn your outfit from good to outstanding.  The most important aspect of dressing is simplicity, and when dealing with accessories less really is more.  Just the simple addition of a watch or necklace could be enough to complete your look.

What Accessories to Wear

There are some accessories that are essential regardless of your outfit.  The wallet is one of the most important aspects of fashion and with hundreds of different styles, there should never be an excuse not to find something that suits your style.

Many people claim that they don’t suit hats but in most cases, this is false.  There are literally hundreds of different styles of hat.  Usually when shopping, a man will completely ignore the hat section of a shop assuming straight away, that nothing will be found.  Hat shopping can be difficult, but with a little perseverance you could find a hat that will suit any style.

One of the most recent fashion accessory trends is the men’s leather necklace.  Necklaces can be worn both under and over a t-shirt.  Most people choose to wear a necklace over a t-shirt if the clothing has minimal design, this will give the t-shirt a more interesting look.  The most recent range of Julie Ann Turner leather necklaces are currently on the rise.

Formal Fashion Accessories

Ties are probably one of the most overlooked parts of formal dressing.  The tie can add an elegant touch to your outfit.  Not wearing a tie can look great if you are going for a smart but casual look, however a tie can simply be all you need to bring your outfit to the next level.  It’s always worth having a selection of ties to choose from, this should include skinny and thick ties in a variety of colours.  This way you will be able to adapt your tie to the style of your outfit.

Watches, cuff-links and tie-pins can also be a great addition to a suit.  When buying jewellery it’s important that you keep the same contrast across the board.  Being subtle is key and there is nothing more obvious than having a mixture of colour when wearing accessories.

If you’re looking for a distinct collection of designer men’s fashion accessories, why not check out Designerwear.co.uk to spruce up your outfit.

It has recently been announced that Azzaro, the fashion house and brand based in Paris, has appointed Mathilde Castello Branco as its new creative director.  Branco, who has been the right-hand woman to Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz for the last 10 years, began her fashion career and education at Paris’ École Duperré before moving on to the Atelier Chardon Savard school of fashion.  She then got her first experience in the fashion world by working at Hermès before moving again to Maison Martin Margiela.

The 39 year old Branco will be replacing Vanessa Seward who took over the brand’s direction following the death of Azzaro’s founder, Loris Azzaro, in 2004.  Having been at the helm of Azzaro for seven years, Seward left the label earlier this year after guiding it from near-obscurity to the top of the fashion world and into the wardrobes of some of Hollywood’s best-known A-list celebrities.  Azzaro’s designs can frequently be seen being worn by celebrities such as Natalie Portman, Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes, Chloe Moretz, Emma Stone and Kristen Stewart.

Branco’s first collection for the brand will be presented for the autumn/winter 2012 season during Paris Fashion Week in March 2012.  It will be both eagerly anticipated as well as heavily scrutinised, but after so long working in the industry it is unlikely that the collection will do anything but impress.

Azzaro

Receiving a major facelift for Autumn/Winter, jeans have been reinvented to take centre stage rather than their usual place as practical accompaniment this season. The new jeans are skinny, colourful, patterned, printed and aptly named the ‘cocktail jean.’ Versions are available throughout the high street and designer stores with the price tag ranging from high-end to cost savvy, making the trend accessible to all.

Major A-listers such as Isla Fisher, Katie Holmes, Kate Moss and the ultimate fashionista Sarah Jessica Parker have all been spotted in their cocktail jeans by the fashion press, marking the item’s place as the hottest style of the year. By far the most sought after cocktail jean look is fun prints, especially leopard print, snakeskin or stingray. These designs are perfect for relaxed rock n roll chic, especially when teamed with a loose tee shirt and scruffy hair.

Not so long ago the skinny jean was perceived to be a difficult look to pull off, but just a short time later they have become a staple item in most women’s wardrobes. The cocktail jean is set to be the same; a little intimidating at first, but once embraced they will become a firm favourite and ultimate go-to item when looking for a quirky ensemble. Equally impressive with casual pumps and a woollen jumper for daytime or dressed up with a tailored jacket and heels for evening glamour, the cocktail jean is the one item you absolutely must have in your Autumn/Winter wardrobe collection.

Dolce & Gabbana, a favourite designer in the United Kingdom and throughout the world, has several new men’s designs that are well worth taking a look at.  Ranging from innovative shirts and trousers to jackets and coats, even the most fashion conscious man will be able to easily find clothing items that will appeal to him. 

Some of the latest shirt styles include long-sleeved and button-down shirts with a neat, tailored look.  If you are looking for something more casual, try one of the line’s black-and-white portrait T-shirts.  There are also several types of trousers to choose from, including jeans with various washes and cuts.  You can also buy trousers that are suitable for both dress and casual use, making them a doubly valuable addition to your wardrobe.

Dolce & Gabbana is well known as a good source for suits and various types of tailored jackets.  The new season’s suits feature a very professional, tailored look.  Since they have a tailored look, they are very appropriate for any formal occasion and you can easily find the accessories that you need to go with any of this designer’s suits.  Formal blazers also continue to be a focus of the new collection.

Several jackets are offered this season as well; these include mid-length casual jackets and down jackets suitable for the coldest weather.  These jackets will help keep you warm during the winter months, while still looking stylish.  If you ski or spend a lot of time outdoors in the winter, you will find these jackets to be more than satisfactory on every level.

For those who like to keep up on the latest trends and have a passion for designer fashion, sometimes you can end up spending a small fortune to create the looks you want. This is where being an eagle eye bargain hunter comes in handy. Top brands like Diesel, Abercrombie and Fitch, Gio Goi and Firetrap can be pricy, especially their latest collection, but if you keep an eye out you can find some good deals around.

For many fashion savvy shoppers the internet has been a godsend, no longer do you have to traipse around the highstreet looking for a good deal or the best savings, all this can now be done from the comfort of your own home. Online shopping has not only revolutionised peoples shopping habits but it has also brought different fashion to people.

Other plus points of online shopping also includes the ability to quickly be informed about the latest deals, flash sales or voucher codes for money off. Technology has also helped the highstreet too; smartphones give people access to the web on the go so they can easily find stuff online wherever they are. Including places that have deals in the area you’re in and flash sales.

Following your favourite designers, brands and retailers online can also open you up to exclusive offers many places now use Facebook and Twitter to promote their brands and what offers they have on. So if your favourite designer; Miu Miu, brand; Voi or retailer; H&M use social media sites then it’s worth giving them a ‘like’ or ‘follow’ to keep up to date on their deals.

It seems that the summer sales started early this year, before the summer holiday season even started and many look like their ending soon too. So there is no time like the present to stock up on summer wardrobe essentials not just for this year but for next year too!

If you’re looking for cheap designer gear then the sales are a good time to buy, you will find many stores offer huge discounts on their designer clothing, in order to tempt you to buy. One thing to remember though is no matter how cheap a piece of clothing is, it is only a bargain if you actually need it.

When I go sale shopping, I make a list of the items I need and anything that I think will be suitable for next year to, such as; plain t-shirts, vest tops, shorts and linen trousers. Anything that isn’t a fashion statement, but something that will last the test of fashion time is a good option when it comes to sale shopping.

Sometimes though, just sometimes there is a nice designer dress or designer t-shirts that I have had my eye on that when I find it in the sale, I just can’t resist buying But I bet many of us are guilty of doing that!