Despite Lungta De Fancy designer Mai Marimoto being on her way to celebrating the 10th anniversary of the brand, penning a book and branching out into lingerie in the next coming months, the Central Saint Martins graduate remains a humble and fuss-free designer with a true passion and talent for her work – and a desire to please every one of her shoppers.

And, since we mention it, those shoppers happen to include some of fashion’s most famous faces from Lady Gaga to Victoria Beckham and Rihanna (and even a royal, too).

The appeal, it seems, is her ability to meet every girl’s needs.

You can find Lungta De Fancy in London’s New Bond Street, Knightsbridge and St Christopher’s Place, which is where we caught up with the designer last week as part of the fabulous Thank You Thursdays shopping event.

Find out what Mai Marimoto told us about her inspirations, her plans for the label, and those Lady Gaga shoes…

How do you manage to balance getting the maximum out of your creativity and keeping the prices down to (relatively) affordable prices?

I understand that every customer is special so I wouldn’t mind if someone came up to me and said ‘I love this’, but it needs to be a bit different here so each item can be individual if that’s how a lady wants it. Every lady is something special and everyone has different figures. For three of our stores we do free alterations so we like to make sure it fits the client perfectly before their special event. Like this client that’s come in today – she thinks the dress is a little too long so we are fixing it to how she likes for no extra cost.

London isn’t the only place you have a store, so where would you say you get the most clients?

In London there’s lots of different cultures – Arabic clients, English clients. I’d say my clients are about 50%. 50% live in London and the other 50 are from the rest of the world. Obviously with Arabic ladies they like their arms covered so I add the sleeves, so it gives everyone the chance to wear the designs, which is why maybe they come here.

Do you show at fashion week?

We did presentations in Paris and New York last season… next season we are going to do New York.

Where did you get inspiration for everything in this store?

Everywhere. The collections have always been different to the last collection, every collection you can see the signature. If you look through, I do things very structured, classic, feminine, girly, ruffles. It’s very feminine and romantic.

Many items are custom-made – where are they manufactured and are they of a limited quantity?

They are made in Italy. My stores carry one-off pieces and there are very limited quantities because if I go to a party I don’t want to see another girl wearing the same dress.

So lets talk about the shoes that Lady Gaga wore…

These (pictured) are versions of the ones Lady Gaga wore, she wore the boot version, and they were made in Italy. They’re very comfortable, they don’t look comfy but they actually are. Obviously for the days you run around town you wouldn’t wear these but for a party, these are fine. These are £455, and the ones Lady Gaga bought were £750. She drove past our Knightsbridge store the other night and told her PR that she wanted them.

What other famous women have you dressed?

In the past we’ve had Rihanna, she wore an oversized cardigan, then we had Victoria Beckham, who wore a dress just before she got pregnant, and we had Princess Beatrice who wore my dress the day before Prince William’s wedding. It looks so much better on, obviously. She’s been a good customer for many years, she wears some of my stuff for Ascot.

The other day we heard Victoria Beckham saying that she’d only design something that she’d wear herself – is that your sentiment?

Mostly. I think it makes it more personal. I think there’s something for everyone but I like everything that I design.

Are you branching out into anything else?

I am doing a book, and I am working on a lingerie brand under the same name. We are aiming to launch in February, and if not, the second line will be out in July. We do a silk pyjama set – Japanese kimono style – and we’ve done all the sketches already. It’s always nice to wear something pretty underneath because if you have a lovely dress on it definitely makes a difference. We’ve used some really amazing silks and lots of bold colours like you see in the store. We try to make them match the dresses.

Click through our gallery below for highlights from Lungta de Fancy…

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Those cheeky Target folk teased us over Twitter, but after much hype and anticipation, Target’s next big-name collaborator has officially been confirmed – and it’s none other than the fabulous Jason Wu.

The American-based designer hopes to have the same success as Target’s last collaborator, Missoni, although for the sake of Wu fans and Target’s webmasters, we hope it will be a little less frantic.

The launch date has been set for February 5th 2012, with prices ranging from $19.99 to $59.99.  And although the transition to the high street means his clothes will reach a wider demographic, Wu is adamant that he won’t compromise on quality.

“It was very interesting for me to translate my signature touches into a more affordable collection without compromising quality, design and sophistication,” he told WWD.

“My collection for Target features clothes and accessories that are easily convertible from day to evening – sophisticated, feminine dresses, mix-and-match separates and playful accessories all with a bit of charm and dressed-up attitude.”

You may want to start practicing refreshing your browsers from now; you know the collection won’t stick around for long!

[Vogue]

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Fashion’s Night Out kicks off around the world tomorrow, and with every designer and high street store offering bags of fun – quite literally, in some cases – deciding where to go is like a fashion minefield.

Well, don’t you worry. We’ve compiled a cool guide of what’s good at FNO in London this year so you can get planning your evening and, more importantly, what you’ll wear to impress all those famous people you’re bound to bump into.

For those of you looking for an evening of luxury, here’s a list of the best events going down at designer stores tomorrow.

Who: Alexander McQueen
What: Limited edition skull keyrings, special installations of McQueen’s AW11 collection, the chance to win a Folk tote (grab a key, take it home and register it online to be entered).
Where: Alexander McQueen, 4-5 Old Bond Street, London W1S 4PD. From 6pm.

Who: Mulberry
What: Pies, prizes, mini toad-in-the-holes, manicures, Mojitos, face painting and fortune telling.
Where: Mulberry, 50 New Bond Street, London W1S 1BJ and Mulberry, 171-175 Brompton Road, London SW3 1NF. From 6pm.

Who: Jimmy Choo
What: Get papped down the red carpet and become a part of Jimmy Choo’s online gallery.
Where: Jimmy Choo, 27 New Bond Street, London W1. From 6pm.

Who: Juicy Couture
What: See us styling the winner of our Juicy Couture FNO competition! Plus cocktails, new-season looks, the re-launch of Viva La Juicy perfume and DJ sets from Tali Lennox and Razorlight’s Jonny Borrell.
Where: Juicy Couture, 27 Bruton Street, London W1J 6. From 6.30pm

Who: Rupert Sanderson
What: A genuine 1970′s roller disco!
Where: Rupert Sanderson, Bruton Place, London W1J 6LZ. From 6:30pm.

Who: Diane Von Furstenberg
What: Cocktails and canapes, plus the chance to win a £500 DVF wardrobe.
Where: DVF Mayfair, 25 Bruton Street, London W1. From 6.30pm.

Who: Stella McCartney
What: Limited edition bracelets on sale, DJ set by Queens of Noize and a dance off party, co-hosted by Livia Firth and Laura Bailey.
Where: Stella McCartney, 30 Bruton Street, London W1. From 7pm.

Who: Coach
What: Join Gwyneth Paltrow in celebrating the opening of Coach’s new flagship store.
Where: Coach, 41 New Bond Street, London W1S 2SQ. From 6pm

Who: Matthew Williamson
What: The launch of the designer’s new diffusion line, MW Matthew Williamson, with face of the label Edie Campbell.
Where: Matthew Williamson, 28 Bruton St, London, W1J 6QH.

Who: Louis Vuitton
What: Buy a small leather item and have it customised with your initials and stripes in an array of candy colours.
Where: Louis Vuitton Maison, 17-20 New Bond Street, London, W1S 2RB.

Who: Michael Kors at Selfridges
What: Unlock one of five chests for your chance to win instant prizes, including a trip to New York, a £1,000 Selfridges voucher and Michael Kors jewellery wardrobe.
Where: Selfridges (3rd Floor), 400 Oxford St, London W1U 1AT.

Who: Hermes
What: A lesson in how to style your scarf from Hermes experts, with photographers on hand to capture your best look.
Where: Hermes, 155 New Bond Street, London, W1S 2UA.

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As far as collaborations go, Kate Bosworth‘s latest feat as the new face of Vanessa Bruno makes more sense than most – those signature Scandinavian traits, her easy, effortless style – and so, we find ourselves unveiling the first images from the pair’s advertising campaign this morning with invested interest.

The actress has been widely rumoured as Lou Doillon’s replacement at the brand for several months, but until now, when Bruno unveiled the new campaign film, no official announcement had been made.

The video, called Lov, was shot in Eastern Europe, reports Vogue UK, and shows Bosworth in the snow, surrounded by white horses, her face barely there with nothing but a sweep of pale pink blusher.

Of course, she’s also clad in the label’s latest collection for autumn/winter 2011, which is heavily influenced by Bruno’s Norwegian heritage with easy-cloth dresses, fuss-free turbans and touches of fur – something the designer, who is quite the life-long Bosworth fan, feels Kate fully embodies.

Check out the images below – do you think the pair are a good fit?

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[Images courtesy of Vogue UK]

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Usually I would swoon at the sight of a pair of Jimmy Choos, but there’s just something about these Folly suede and snakeskin Wedges that aren’t quite doing it for me – and I can’t quite put my finger on as to why.

The best thing to do in such a dilemma? Create the legendary pros and cons list, of course:

Pros:

1. Like you don’t know already, snakeskin is going to be huge next season. Tuck away your animal print and start hunting down some scaly styles pronto!
2. Wedges have been the shoe to rock this season, and they’re proving to be just as popular for autumn. Plus, they’re infinitely comfortable.
3. The skinny ankle strap will effortlessly elongate those pins.
4. They’re way easier to walk in than heels (and we all know that when you hit a cobbled road this is always a bonus).

Cons:

1. The £495 price tag is a little steep.
2. They don’t inspire me to run over anyone or anything in order to get my hands on them.
3. I love the wedge, but sometimes I think a slender stiletto creates a chicer silhouette.
4. The muted tones of the snakeskin on contrasting black suede really aren’t doing it for me, especially after the colour blocking mayhem of this season.

The verdict? All in all, I think I’ll be passing on these – you’ve got to really love something to part with so much cash, right?

Jimmy Choo Folly suede and snakeskin Wedges, £495, available at MyTheresa.

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Say hello to Valentino’s Rockstud leather bag. With its delectable curving silhouette, black leather top handles and gold-toned pyramid-shaped studs, we should be falling head over heels for this little number. However, I’m not quite there yet.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve already spotted the price-tag? At £1,235 you’ve got to hope that those studs are actual gold, and somewhere hiding in the depths of the bag there’s the keys to a small convertible. For this money, you’ve really got to fall for a bag – not feel slightly guilty about it being shoved to the back of your cupboard.

And, when it comes to studs, I’m the kind of girl who likes to go all out. I’m talking something along the lines of Christian Louboutin’s studded bag a certain Cheryl Cole was working earlier this year. Now that was the epitome of rock and roll – it made my heart beat quicken at an intolerable rate and could be used as a suitable weapon if someone attempted to mug me.

And so it goes that though this tote may be Valentino, it just doesn’t have the ‘it’ factor.

Valentino Rockstud Leather Bag, £1,235, available at MyTheresa.

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We are still very much in love with the satchel. It’s one of those statement accessories in our wardrobes that we can rely on whatever the season. Proenza Schouler’s PSI medium leather satchel, therefore, should be right on the money for being a statement turn-to piece, and gain extra fashion kudos for its autumnal shade.

However, all that said, I’m not sure whether this satchel is as good looking as its price tag might suggest.  At £1,159, someone’s going to have to prove to me why I should buy this, rather than that iconic Mulberry satchel for example. The moss green may be an ideal investment for now and next season, but being the colour-bright person I am, the colour doesn’t seem to rock my fashion boat – not when you can find colour-popping satchels in pink and yellow around just about every corner by now.

And just as I was about to say that it may have its perks – cue the roomy size, detachable, adjustable, across-the-body strap and versatile style – I remember that so does the Mulberry Bayswater, the Polly Push Lock, and the Alexa – and all for nearly half the price.

If you want my advice (like you haven’t clocked on to it already), I’d head over to Mulberry and find yourself something in a classic, versatile tan or chocolate brown that will last you through the seasons, whatever year it is.

Proenza Schouler PSI Medium Leather Satchel, £1,159, available at MyTheresa.com.

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