August 2005

Nine designers, three fashion shows and one Couture definitely makes a launch party worth remembering.

Couture, the provider of new fashion experiences, launched on Thursday 11th at the Light bar in Shoreditch (London) where a union of fashion, style and partying was on the agenda for the evening. In addition to music, socialising and a general festive atmosphere, the nine designers were given the opportunity to display their work to consumers and London’s fashionista.

“The crowd is so diverse. ” Said Esther Williams, one of Couture’s core team members, “but they all have one thing is common, a love of fashion”

The first of the shows focused on designers from London’s top fashion schools including ‘Central St Martins’. Each label showcased fresh and innovative pieces for women from a generation of new fearless and imaginative designers. The labels on show were Sunny Park (Sun-Hwa Park), Iron Curtain (Luda Gelbutovskaya), Nicolerenee (Renee Christopher) and Labeija (Ian Labeija).

Emerging male models took centre stage for the second show. Dressed in the urban uniforms of Batlow (Mark Bajade & Timothy Ross-Watson) and Patrick Kevin they filled the runways with an air of strength and defiance. In between the two male designers came the surprise female swimwear section by Antoinette Olivia, featuring bags by Urban Knit. Each bag, a union of European and African influences, represented the cultural diversity of the designers Dolapo James & Dayo Omikunle.

Encompassing the entire third show, the undoubted star of the launch was Prangsta, by designer Melanie. Accompanied by a classical violinist, her theatrical pieces mesmerised the crowd with a magical magnetism. Melanie’s collection covered everything from princess to pauper, with the rags to riches feel captured in pieces almost grandiose in their design to others with exuding vintage chic. The Prangsta show only added to the overall feel of the night; the crowd realised they were witnessing the birth of something special.
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In response to the increase of fashion conscious men, Cond� Nast has scheduled a release of Men’s Vogue into the US Market for the 6th September. The magazine will start of as a quarterly title and will feature George Clooney as the face of its first cover. The actor is replacing Jude Law who was dropped after publicly admitting cheating on girlfriend Sienna Miller with the nanny of his children. According to Tom Florio, publisher of the new magazine, “Mens Vogue is very much talking to a man who is already living his life. It’s not aspirational. It’s not a shopping magazine. We’re not teaching him how to drink Scotch” Jay Fielden will be editing the magazine aimed at over 35yr olds who earn more than $100,000 a year.

[Brand Republic]

Name: Tina Eriksson

Occupation: Editor of Fashtastic

What motivated you to start Fashtastic?
Many things inspired me to start Fashtastic. I had an interest in fashion and style so that inspired me to make something out of my interest. I had already been designing websites for a couple years before creating Fashtastic. I had personal websites for a long time but after seeing other online fashion magazines and websites I was inspired to make one of my own. Gradually I started changing my personal website into a fashion website, that way I was able to bring my visitors from my personal website with me to Fashtastic that now is becoming increasingly popular.

How often do you go shopping?

More often than I should. I love shopping and with all the new trends, styles, clothes and seasons constantly being packed into the stores I can’t help shopping. I am good at saving money when I have to though. To give an estimate of how much I shop I would say about once or sometimes twice a week depending on if I am looking for something in particular like new clothes for autumn or something, for example. I try to get good buys though, I love finding something useful and pretty for a great price, I like getting my moneys worth.

Who are your favourite designers?

Marc Jacobs is one of them; his young, hip and fun designs really attract me. I also really like the Swedish designer Filippa K, she designs some very nice casual but classy clothes. I also like Banana Republic. I like a lot of different designers. I like anything from cheap things like H&M (for basics) to Filippa K (for something more high end).

Whose closet would you most like to have for a month?

Nicole Richie’s, since she changed her image I just love her clothes. She has got great style. Very much like how I dress. I love her accessories and her cute little outfits. I would love to dig through her wardrobe!

What current item in your wardrobe gets the most wear?

My American eagle jean shorts. They are SO comfortable. My cousin makes fun of me because I wear them so much. They are my best summer buy. I love them.

What’s your must have piece of this autumn?
A good jacket! I haven’t found one yet though! As I live in Sweden, where it gets pretty cold early on, I always want a good stylish and comfortable jacket to keep me warm and looking good during the autumn and winter.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Use accessories! Working accessories into all your outfits will make you shine! Accessories can do amazing things. They can make an outfit be three different outfits by just changing the accessories around.

Visit www.fashtastic.net

Jennifer Aniston talks to Vanity Fair

What do you get when you combine the front man (Will.i.am) and the head stylist (Lor-e Philips) of the multi platinum selling Black Eyed Peas? A creative and unique label by the name of I.am clothing. Founded with the motivation of creating one off pieces rather than mass produced garments, I am clothing is haute couture for the street and consists of waistcoats, skirts, blazers, trousers and scarves. Will.i.am known for his eccentric style is a former student of the LA Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising while Lor-e Philips is widely recognised for her design and styling talents in the television, film and music industry. An advocator of individualism Lor-e talks to us about what makes I.am different from the rest.

Your bio states that I.am clothing was created to awaken the world to your view of fashion, what is your view of fashion?

We believe that everyone should just be themselves, whatever that is…not following trends and be true to yourself when it comes to fashion. Wear what you like and want to, not what society dictates to you…

How would you describe your style?

Individualistic…

You produce 12 pieces of each of your designs and each piece of clothing is personally signed and numbered by Will.i.am. This is a great unique selling point�what made you decide to do this and once I.am clothing gets bigger and you produce more of each item, will it be something you can continue in the future?

We decided to originally to stand against mass production. no one wants to wear something that everyone else already has…this fall/winter collection 2005 has gone up to 500 pieces being produced, they are all still signed and numbered individually by will.i.am…

Whom would you class as a fashion icon?

Anyone who wears what they want, opposed to what they are told to, or what they think is “IN”…

I. am clothing seems to focus on individuality and everyone wants to have an individual style yet we all follow trends and eventually look the same. How do you think this can be changed and should it be?

Not everyone follows trends, but alot do, to each his or her own…if that’s what makes them happy, following trends, by all means, please do, but we are for the ones that are looking to be a bit different and are looking to have that special something jacket or that special something skirt that everyone wont already have..

What are your aspirations for I.am clothing in the next 5 years?

To continue making one of a kind hand crafted garments that reflect style… fashion and individual inspiration rather than garments that are products of trying to “make more money”..

Who or what is your inspiration?

Inspiration is everywhere. It’s hard to narrow it down to one person or thing, but I think that we are each others (will.i.am & lor-e phillips) inspiration as well as the fact that we are inspired by our surroundings and the ideas that are just born in our minds on a daily basis…

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

“Rome wasn’t built in one day” Will told me when we first started…it stands very true; to take something you are very proud of takes time, energy and the right creativity process. If we mass produced and “blew up over night” where would the artistry be?

Visit I.am clothing : Lor-e Philips