Entries Tagged as 'Fashion'

Miu Miu Fall 2013 show

08.03.13

“The silhouette made the collection.” Cathryn Horn commented  in The New York Times on the Miu Miu Fall 2013 show– a versatile  and prim presentation with that signature cheeky Miu Miu edge- models swathed in velvet, stripy socks and the sweetest silk neck ties. What’s surprising is how tactile the imagery is, I wonder how much the prevelance of imagery for e-commerce will begin to affect designer’s choice in material and styling.

Miuccia told Style.com she wanted the collection to have the feel of something sport, industrial, contemporary and tough all adjectives I would not immediatly associate with Miu Miu as a brand- but that is of course what Miuccia does so well- taking bold risks to present something really new, fresh– not just the same formulaeic brand ID. Although she did manage to sneak in some polka dots and pink which she apparently gets somewhat instinctively drawn to over and over again…you know what Miuccia me too, me too. 

Do Consumers Really Want British Made Goods?

03.03.13

On February the 26th London’s Mayor Boris Johnson was in Bethnal Green, not to hang out at Shoreditch House or pick up some Vintage off Brick Lane, but to formally open East End Manufacturing, London’s newest garment factory.

The business, which is owned by Barry Laden (ahem ultimate factory owner’s name)  focuses on jersey and has interest from big names including Next. He recently told Drapers: “Obviously we are not at the stage to produce Next’s mainline garments, but for special ranges or test runs we can produce items in the low thousands. There are some things we will never be able to compete on – jeans for example – but with certin products we can compete on price and quality as well as making things quickly.

With more scrutiny than ever on British retailer’s supply chains ( see Horse Meat Scandal) will consumers be willing to seek out those ‘Hand Made in Britain’ items and in most cases pay a premium for them? It’s a trend I know many of my jewellery designers on MYFLASHTRASH.COM will welcome, as with our office,most of them are based in London’s jewellery district Hatton Garden and help support a thriving community of CAD designers, setters, platers, stone and chain suppliers- but from a retailers point of view rarely has the origin of the jewellery or the material ( many high fashion and recognisable jewellery brands simply silver or gold plate brass) been questioned by the consumer until now. As customers are more frugal and selective with their purchases thoughtful touches such as hallmarking and packaging are helping incite trust.

Gold Suitcase Necklace  Gold Crown Ring

1. Gold Suit Case Necklace £175 Hallmarked by Katie Mullally  2. The Beautiful boxes for BARK jewellery

All signs that whilst the high street is shedding its skin looking for a new identity, ‘the maker movement’ is in full throttle, as Etsy holds its position as the most pinned company on pintrest more and more people are investing in local individual’s hand made goods that start life as hobbies and over time become legitimate brands. So perhaps the answer is yes to British made goods and a revival in British manufacturing but not just on a factory scale- its the kitchen table production lines that are bit by bit propping up local economies and taking up a significant share of the e-commerce market.

I love Lanvin #PFW

02.03.13

How beautiful the Lanvin Fall 2013 show was on Thursday!  The brand continues to be more flirty and fun than ever under Alber Elbaz‘s direction and for Autumn it seems he envisaged girls throwing open a dressing up box. ‘I felt this change of direction, a kind of crazy mood in Paris that I didn’t see before’ the designer told WWD. Alluding perhaps to the fan-fare of fashion week in all it’s parading maximalist glory, the bold word necklaces stamped with ‘Cool’, ‘Happy’ and interestingly ‘Help’, were layered amongst swathes of pearls and chains- a look you can easily see being emulated by many for the pleasure of street style photographers.

The buzzing bees were the final touch that caught my eye pinned as brooches on top of butterfly or dragonfly printed silk dresses- its reminds me of playing dress up with friends as a little girl, our house in the English countryside on a warm spring day, the sound of laughter – sunlight streaming through an attic window and the hum of buzzing bees in a nearby meadow..#fashiondaydreams   

Click to SHOP Lanvin

 Capturing life.

  

image credits: Vogue.co.uk, FashGif, WeHeartIt

Chanel and the Diamond

28.02.13

Are not the most beautiful things made to circulate? Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel asked, this brilliant short film from Chanel highlights the designers first folly with the diamond.

 

Whilst over at BOF – CEO Talk | Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Executive Board, Swarovski

‘It fits into my great-great-grandfather’s motto. He thought that diamonds were for royalty, and he wanted to create a product that felt like a diamond, but that anyone could afford. From the beginning we have been about the democratisation of luxury as well.’ READ ON 
Skull RingGold 'Diamond' Earrings Jordana Necklace
1. Skull Ring £40 Mei Li Rose 2. Gold Diamond Earrings £100 BARK  3. Jordana Necklace ( Engraved with ‘What Goes Around…’ £160 ALONA

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