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.

The high street in Britain has been an important feature of the country’s towns and cities since the 1960s, but the turn of the century saw it begin to take on a completely different role. It has long been the case that fashion is dictated from the catwalk. After seeing trends and designs from the high fashion designers, high street brands would often follow suit, as well as offering customers with a lower budget the chance to follow the latest fashions. It is over the last ten years that this process has really increased in pace, with some high street brands, such as Lipsy clothing, offering high fashion trends for a fraction of the price just moments after they have been seen on the runway.

It is through collaboration that brands on the high street have really begun to take fashion to another level. By inviting a guest designer from the world of high fashion to design a collection that is available in a high street store, the lower end brands can offer their consumers a piece of designer clothing, but at a much more affordable price.

It is through these collaborations and the offering of high fashion inspired styles that the high street in Britain has managed to retain a healthy following.

With so much inspiration from eras gone by, the 2000s have struggled to develop a specific identity of clothing style. But it is from the high street that individuals are able to embrace one of the most prevalent trends of the 21st century; showing off their individuality. Whether it is done through modifying vintage and mixing with current season garments, or taking some inspiration from high fashion and interpreting it in a completely individual way, the 2000s will be known for their ability to let people express themselves.

Fashion Fringe has gained a new Chair for the next two years in none other than Burberry’s Chief Creative Officer, Christopher Bailey. In his new role, Bailey will be responsible for judging, selection of candidates, and mentoring the three lucky finalists as well as the winner. Fashion Fringe is the focal UK platform for unearthing fresh, new talent in the local fashion world.

Fashion Fringe works by providing a number of promising new designers with a venue through which they can showcase their skills and work. It was originally started in 2003 by fashion journalist, Colin McDowell, who has long garnered international acclaim. McDowell worked in conjunction with IMG Fashion Worldwide, to give birth to Fashion Fringe, with the main goal of helping emerging designers to break into the industry. More specifically, it also helps the fashion industry by allowing the best of the best not only to launch their new businesses, but to also make them sustainable in London. 2013 marks the project’s tenth anniversary, and coincides with Bailey’s new position. McDowell did admit that he had Bailey in mind as a potential chair for quite a while, since both he and Burberry are leaders in youth trends and popular fashion. There is no doubt that Fashion Fringe also stands to benefit a great deal from their new association with the Burberry brand.

For his part, Bailey credits his own mentors and inspirations for helping him during the early days of his career in fashion. Previous chairs for Fashion Fringe included heavy hitters such as John Galliano, and Donatella Versace. Past winners of Fashion Fringe have gone on to successful heights, such as Corrie Nielsen, Basso & Brooke, and Jena Theo.

Banana Republic is again turning to the tumultuous era of the 1960’s for inspiration with their newest capsule collection. With pieces made for men and women, the collection is a result of a collaboration between Banana Republic and the award-winning and highly acclaimed costume designer for AMC’s hit television series “Mad Men”.

There is something cool, suave and essentially masculine about the styles of the 1960’s. Men had mastered the art of casual dressy as well as business perfect, and there are distinctive themes seen throughout this collection. From the posh shirts to the trousers, the pieces found in this collection are all subdued but fashionable. They can make a man look sharp and clean cut, ready for everything from a day on the golf course with business partners to an evening out with the lady of his dreams.

By taking vintage classics and updating them with a modern twist, the collection effectively gives a nod to that bygone era but doesn’t overpower. In other words, while it’s obvious that these clothes are sixties’ inspired, they don’t appear dated. More than 40 items in this collection will hit stores in March of this year.

If you want to keep up with fashion, then you not only need to be aware of the latest trends, but you also need to know when a trend has run its course.  Once you know what is out, you can start making space for what is in.

Midi Skirts

Midi skirts made a comeback this autumn/winter and we saw them on all the major runway shows, but unfortunately, it is already time for them to go.  Spring is now on its way, and there is no place amongst the super sexy styles that are about to hit the shelves, for the midi skirt. Instead try Republic clothing for super sexy minis in bright summer shades.

Stars

Dolce and Gabbana showed off these astrological prints during their autumn/winter 2011 runway show, but this print is making a swift exit from our wardrobes.  Stars do have a tendency of resurfacing in the fashion world though, so be ready for their return.

Single Prints

Last year, designers such as Marc Jacobs preferred the single print option with a less is more approach to the designs.  This year, a completely different attitude has been adopted, and the more the better is what we will be seeing on the runways.  Mix and match your prints to stay truly on trend this season.

Silver

In 2011, we saw plenty of cool and steely metallic slivers.  For 2012, metallics are still going to be prevalent, but this year they are warming up, so opt for gold instead.

The 50s

We all love the glamorous Fifties, but now it is all about the roaring Twenties.  It is time to trade in your full skirts and box handbags for flapper dresses and skullcaps.

Grey

The spring/summer 2012 styles centre on colour.  Whether it is bright, bold neon colour or pastel shades, it is time to embrace the colour and brighten up your wardrobe.  Grey was a great shade to utilize when trying to break away from the heaviness of black and Haider Ackermen showed us how to make this work during autumn and winter, but the days of grey are over. Coloured denim jeans is where it’s at for us ladies so make sure you wardrobe has a couple of pairs!

Olympic fever has already gripped the nation and it is not surprising that the up-and-coming London Olympic Games have inspired many of the looks for spring/summer 2012.  At Paris Fashion Week, Givenchy’s Wimbledon-green suit won over the crowd faster than Usain Bolt can sprint his way to medal success, but while sport is the overarching trend on spring/summer menswear, the trend is associated with varying degrees of success.  Turn to designer Dries Van Noten, whose Paris collection consisted of desirable yet minimalist sportswear-inspired looks, for an insight into how this trend can work for the not-so-sporty among us. 

In spring 2012, expect to snap up a sporty parka or mac in navy, wet-look brown or upbeat yellow – perfectly practical for British weather.  Dig out your old rugby shorts and embrace the look envisaged on the catwalks by Margaret Howell.  If you don’t want to be missed or if you get caught in the rain, try a red nylon cape for size, as brought to the table by Martin Margiela.  Perhaps the best way in which to rock the sportswear look – without forking out for a gym membership – is to dust down your old-school footwear.  Think Nike and New Balance – but without the socks.

Olympic Logo

The famous dress worn by Amy Winehouse on her Back to Black album cover will auctioned to raise money for the charity created in her memory. It is expected to raise up to £20,000 for the Amy Winehouse Foundation which is a charitable trust set up by the late singer’s family.

The memorable printed chiffon dress was returned to Thailand-based designer Disaya after the album cover shoot in 2006 and now the designer has decided to put it up for auction at La Galleria, London, on November 29. All the proceeds will go to the foundation which has been set up to support charitable activities for vulnerable young people after the death of Amy Winehouse in July.

Fashion auctioneer Kerry Taylor said: “In my opinion, what makes this particular dress so special is that it is an emblematic reminder of the magic voice and sublime talent of Amy Winehouse – a sound that resonates with an entire generation, and always will.”

The Back to Black was a multi-platinum-selling album and sold at least 3.2 million copies to date and features chart hits Rehab and You Know I’m No Good.

Amt WInehouse Back to Black Album cover

You would easily forgive British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood if she made the decision to sit back, put her feet up, and take it easy as she enters her seventh decade in this world, but that is not how this godmother of punk chooses to operate and she has moved onto another bold new venture, this time aiming to help those in Africa take control of their own lives.

Speaking about her Ethical Fashion Africa Collection, Westwood said: “What I do, making bags, can make a difference.  This project gives people control over their lives.  Charity doesn’t give control, it does the opposite, it makes them dependent.  These people have more control over their lives and can therefore choose not to exploit the environment because they have an alternative way of making money.”

New Range of Handbags from Recycled Materials

Westwood’s latest collection is a range of handbags that have been produced from a wide variety of materials including old tent fabric and recycled flip-flops. These have all been converted into highly desirable accessories by many of the poorest people living in Kenya, all the while ensuring they are working in the fairest conditions.

Head of the International Trade Centre’s Poor Communities and Trade Programme, Simone Cipriani, said “Our project enables some of the world’s poorest people to enter fashion’s value chain as producers.”

Vivienne Westwood

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

Perry Ellis was an American menswear designer responsible for reinvigorating the sportswear market in the United States and Europe. Considered instrumental in elevating the reputation of casual clothing to designer levels, Ellis earned a master’s degree in retailing from New York University, then worked for John Meyer, a sportswear company in New York. By 1978, he had launched Perry Ellis International, serving as both chairman and head designer.

His menswear line, marketed as the Perry Ellis Menswear Collection, was instantly successful and focused on ‘non-traditional, modern classics’. By 1986, the company had wholesale revenues in excess of $250 million. When Ellis died in 1986, industry insiders questioned the future of the company without his leadership.

Those fears have proven unfounded. Today, almost 30 years after his death, the Perry Ellis line earns more than a billion dollars each year in retail revenue, with garments distributed in more than 50 nations around the world. The line has 36 licensees, in addition to its own 12 international Perry Ellis brand stores.

The brand’s design aesthetic continues to be inspired by beachwear and the American culture, with today’s designers striving to keep each garment looking both masculine and modern. Other important considerations are that pieces appear timeless and sophisticated, yet remain unpretentious. Ellis once claimed, “I don’t make fashion. I make clothes,” and the company he founded has continued to use this philosophy as its guiding principle.