Hyper Japan at The Old Truman Brewery

Following on from a recent post about the trend for all things ‘Japaneazy-Peazy’, it came as no surprise that last weekend saw the first ever Hyper Japan Exhibition at The Old Truman Brewery.  Three days of nothing but in your face Japanese Pop Culture – from Manga, anime, snacks to technology, street fashion and so very much more.

Event Poster

The entertainment was diverse, including fashion shows, film screenings, cooking lessons, sake tasting sessions and first dibs at the latest Playstation 3 game, ‘Dragonball Raging Blast 2’.  The vibe was fiercely buzzing!  As for the outfits, well, take a look for yourself.  It was almost as though Harajuku had moved to the East End.  Priceless.

An audience with one of Japan’s top Lolita Models, Misako Aoki, was a roaring success.  The Q&A session was hosted by Tania Tanzil, representative of UK-based Lolita fashion fans, and Naoki Matsumura, Editorial Supervisor of KERA magazine, Japan’s leading street fashion magazine.  Naoki, talked of her joy in bringing Lolita and gothic fashion back to the UK: “These styles are heavily influenced by the daring punk fashion pioneered by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren. Obviously, it has transformed over time in Japan, but it’s a great honour to be here in the home of these style icons, showcasing what essentially is a product of London’s fashion innovation”.  (You see, it all started over here.  In London.  Of course.)

Kera Magazine

So, reading between all the sparkle and shine, it appears as though the trend for all things ‘DECO’ is set to continue.  By ‘DECO’, I mean the next step up from customization.  True personalized decorating gone bonkers!  Quite frankly.  Check out ON THE LASH, where you can turn your otherwise dull eyelashes into full on spider eyes - a look which was already picked up by Katie Waissel when performing at the judges house on X Factor recently.  (A raw fashionista in the making that one - mark my words!)

Another avenue with which to go 'DECO' crazy, is with gadgetry.  Now we know how the Japanese are famous for their love of contraptions.  (Just remember the Japanese kid in the film The Goonies).  Well, check out this video for some ideas on how you can go about upscaling your mobile phone.  The Japanese 'bling' is nothing like the footballers bling as we know it.  Japanese bling is simply fantastical, magical and cutesy to the bone.  Go on try it.

                         

Issey Miyake for Evian

                            

The Miyake Design Studio (Issey Miyake), has teamed up with evian® to design a limited edition "...pure bottle, glowing with both optimism and freshness". The press release continues in this chirpy manner, talking of the "shimmering flower" being an "essential source of life" and "symbol of youth".  Yuk!  This sickly piece of blurb was almost enough to take away from the cutesy and quirky aesthetics that the bottle does in fact offer.  Sometimes it's best to let the visuals do the talking - isn't that the whole point of design?  Anyway, that being said, the bottle itself was enough to make me smile again.  (Don't forget I am born and bred a Londoner - I have to find something to complain about first, before I put a positive spin on things.  If I do.  Naturally.)

Anyway, I'm certainly not a fan of floral (shock horror!) - but with a contemporary twist expressed through a nod towards the Pleats Please range from Miyake, I will most certainly be tracking down one of the two limited edition bottles, for personal keep-sakes.

  

In the end, I am a bit of a sucker for collectable design objects (some may even call me a hoarder) - and whilst this may not be the most mind-blowing collaboration in the world, I am certainly not offended by it (press release aside).  Just remember, whatever you do, don't drink it!  Place the bottle on a safe shelf and dust every so often - give it minimum of 10 years and then put it on 'ebay'.

Available to buy at either one of the Issey Miyake Stores in London (Issey Miyake on Conduit Street or Pleats Please on Brook Street - both W1).  

Final Farewell to Alexander McQueen

17 March 1969 – 11 February 2010

As the pandemonium that is London Fashion Week unfolds in it's usual chaotic style, the inside motley crew were at St. Pauls Cathedral today making their peace with the death of their close friend and uber talented designer, Alexander McQueen.  As we all know, McQueen took his own life in a tragic twist following the death of his mother, in February this year.  The fashion scene has been in mourning ever since.


As we (us lesser motely peeps) were not invited to today's ceremony, I thought I would allow those of us who wish to - to also pay our respects to the legendary fashionista.  I have included the song below; a version of Gloomy Sunday (the song about contemplating suicide, originally by Billie Holiday) which was performed by Björk at today's ceremony.


For full effect put on your favourite pair of heels, light a candle and remember McQueen at his best...


                         


Farewell Alexander McQueen... you will be missed....


R.I.P

London Fashion Week Kick Off!

The time is very much NOW.  London Fashion Week’s official kick off is today, followed by the start of the London Design Festival from tomorrow.  It’s a beautiful crisp day, autumn is in the air and so is the anticipation for the creative potential set to be unleashed.  I will chat a little about London Design Festival tomorrow – for today ladies and gentlemen, it’s ‘FASH-WON’ all the way.  This Summer may be coming to a close... but next Summer is just about to begin!

So last week the excitement began, of course in New York. Fashion Week was a triumph over there as usual, with the main story transpiring being that of 70’s inspired colour and silhouette.  Nice.  The biggest excitement for me personally was British designer Sophia Kokosalaki (we've got to wave the flag over there too, don't we?), unveiling her first catwalk collection for Diesel Black Gold as womenswear Creative Director.  Her sexy, yet feminine; hard, but soft signature style, was prominent and picturesque.  Kokosolaki’s used a lot of leather and a neutral colour palette; a lot more subdued than the rest of the week’s more obvious bright collections.  Diesel called the collection “an ode to the wild creativity of the West Coast arts and crafts movement, the free spirit of rock festivals and the sun-drenched landscapes of California, as seen through the eyes of Kokosalaki”. Go to the Diesel Black Gold website to see the entire show - it really is 70's Californiatastic and yummy.  Roll on next summer girls – it’s going to be a sizzler! 

My blog, however is not about New York, it’s about LDN, thank you very much, but if you were excited by NY, then just wait and see what London has to bring.  After all, what NY is to sophistication, London is to ‘cool’.  Bring it on! 

 

As well as the prominent players in the our city’s fashion scene, what I love about London Fashion Week more than anything, is it’s strong support of new emerging designers.  I am as excited as ever to see this year’s winners of BFC NEWGEN sponsored by TOPSHOP, which has brought us the likes of Alexander McQueen, Julien McDonald, Gareth Pugh, House of Holland, Marios Schwab and Christopher Kane; most of these now key features in the week’s catwalk schedule. This year's winners include David Koma, Holly Fulton, Louise Gray, Mary Katrantzou, Michael van der Ham and Peter Pilotto. From Koma's powerful and confident female attitude; to Louise Gray's mad textural mix with a street edge; to Katrantzou's bold industrial jewellery and crazy prints - there will be lots to talk about.

 

Let’s not forget NEWGEN ‘MEN’, which has followed in the footsteps of the original scheme, since 2009 (SS10 show), which has brought us the likes of Carolyn Massey - a super talented menswear designer, who I remember clearly could roll off every seasonal trend and catwalk collection since the dawn of time, from any designer – you name it! (we were at university together back in the days spent fighting over dress dummies and fabric swatches – ahh – memories).  With men spending more and more on fashion than ever before, designers such as Carolyn Massey and James Long are like dynamite and will be explosive.  Be warned.

With so much fresh talent – and I mean ‘fresh’ – London is set to be making headlines again this year, so keep your ears to the ground and eyes wide open.  I’ll post again at the end of the week, once every last bottle of Moet has been drunk and dust has settled on the final runway.... it should be interesting.  

In case you're not sure where to go this week, Red Maps has created and handy guide to get you about town.  I know where I'm going, after all, I am 'Design Girl About Town' - but do you?! Do not fear, that's why I'm here (to inform you how) - so check out the Red Maps Blog for lots of handy tips; where to eat, drink and of course shop.  Enjoy.

One last thing - when you are out and about this week, MAKE SURE YOU REPRESENT!  This is London, WE are London, YOU are London… look good, strut your stuff and make an impact.  Just because you’re not on the runway, it doesn’t mean people won’t be watching.  They will.  We always do! (**evil laugh optional**)

Liberty Vs. Selfridges – My Shoes are better than your Shoes!

Some may think it’s a case of, ‘what Selfridges can do we can do better!’  It is after all shoe crazy over there on Oxford Street!  What am I talking about; you honestly don’t know?!  Come on ladies - the new shoe emporium at Selfridges has been in the making for a while now - and as if that wasn't enough, as of last week, Liberty has played its hand and has unveiled the wicked and wonderful world of Manolo Blahnik in the famous Regent Street store.

                               

Yes, indeed; having sourced through his archive to create what Liberty is calling a ‘lust worthy’ collection, this exclusive range of Manolo Blahnik is visually astounding. I'm actually predicting that there are enough die-hard Blahnik fans out there, to rinse this collection in no time at all.  I should add that there are also some fabulous accessories available, so if your purses can't quite stretch to footwear, you can take a piece of this world home through another fabulous item of beauty, such as a handkerchief, pillow or umbrella.

Personally, I am still aroused by the shoe frenzy at Selfridges.  Just in case you had forgotten my post at the end of last month, the AMAZING new Shoe Emporium at Selfridges is being unveiled this season (the final completion being this Thursday 16^th).   Liberty had no choice but to pull out its guns – I mean, come on - alongside the dribblingly fantastic and awe-inspiring exhibit of Vivienne Westwood’s shoe history (being showcased in the Ultralounge), Liberty couldn't just sit there and take a hit bashing!

Unfortunately, the Vivienne Westwood Collection merely flavours our minds with a  retrospective of the punk Queens' world of mayhem - the pieces are not for sale - but that's OK.  Even being in the same room as this collection of playful and passionate pieces of footwear, was enough for me to get to 'that place' (don't get me started).  Here is a selection of my favourite pieces.  Miaaooow!

I have to admit, I am slightly biased towards this designer, having carried out a work placement with her whilst a young and hungry fashion student.  I fell in love with her artistic endeavours back then and have folllowed her work ever since.  To me, no one will ever quite get the right mix between, sex, silhouette and rock 'n' roll like this lady.  She truly, just is....

I will end by saying, if you haven't already - check out the magical Vivienne Westwood shoe story on the Lower Ground floor at Selfridges in the Ultralounge - showing until 3rd October.  If you're more of a Manolo Blahnik kinda girl, you will love Liberty this season.  If however you’re more of a Choo girl, all I can say is ‘unclench’ - your time will come.

My sentiments exactly. 

Levi’s® Curve ID - Nice Ass!

“All asses were not created equal” – is the new slogan from Levi’s® – and they’re not talking about ex boyfriends either.  What is being emphasized here is that it’s not the size that matters, but the shape - (I couldn’t have put it better myself. Ahem.)

Following on from the biggest research into global 'fit' in recent times, the new range of Levi’s® Curve ID jeans pays attention to three key female silhouettes – slight curve, a demi curve and a bold curve (the latter representing the infamous JoLo behinds out there).  These three shapes reportedly make up 80% of women's backsides.  Interesting!  What Levi’s® also realised during their mammoth drive for consumer insights, is that most women try on numerous amounts of jeans before they find the one that fits just right - half of us trying on as many as 10 pairs, apparently.  As a result of this key discovery, Levi’s® decided to make life a little simpler for us and take the trend for all things personalised, one step further.  You gotta love 'em!

Remember girls – sexiness and sassiness comes in all shapes and sizes!

Levi’s® Curve ID - In stores NOW!!

Lanvin for H&M

Exciting news has finally been confirmed on the UK’s high-street this week.  Wait for it…. Lanvin will be the next luxury name to be collaborating with H&M.  Yes indeed.  It’s like music to my ears.  Joining Stella McCartney, Sonia Rykiel, Jimmy Choo, Comme des Garcons and Viktor & Rolf - Lanvin is set to add even more kudos to this already fiercely, fashion forward high-street brand.

The collection will have a special unveiling on 2^nd November, before hitting stores on 23^rd November.  Designed by artistic director Albert Elbaz and menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver, the Lanvin signature detailed tailoring style will be as sharp and refreshing as ever - even more so because it won’t hurt our flexible plastic friend!

When Stella’s collection for the label first landed in H&M’s Oxford Circus flagship store in 2005, it was total mayhem.  I remember the carnage vividly through first hand experience.  It was eat or be eaten – seriously.  Each collaboration since has been equally as successful, with pieces flying off the rails faster than a cheetah on heat. 

I’ve said it before and I will say it again - the fashion high-street in London is like no where else in the world.  That’s one of the main reasons why I love living in London.  Just remember to wear extra padding around your ribs that day, as it’s set to get vicious.  Good luck.

i-D Magazine Celebrates 30 Years on Top of the Underground

This month i-D Magazine celebrates 30 years at the forefront of style and youth culture.  This cult publication has come a long way since it was first created in 1980, by former Vogue Art Director Terry Jones.   Back then it was produced as a low budget hand-stapled fanzine - can you believe it?! 300 issues later and i-D has certainly matured to WOW status.  To mark this momentous occasion, the fanatical style publication will be showcasing Pre-Fall, Fall and Winter issues under the title of THEN, NOW and NEXT.

Intrigued?

Good.

These next three birthday issues will be busting with 200 of the biggest names in fashion and style.  To make them as special as possible, the celebratory editions have been shot completely in black and white under the watchful eye of legendary photographer Nick Knight - who else? Knight has seriously pulled out all the stops on this one throughout his three-week long photo shoot, at Somerset House.  With gems like Vivienne Westwood, Florence Welch, Lara Stone and Gareth Pugh, to name a mere few - I'm sure you'll agree, we're all in for a treat!

As an avid magazine collector myself, I'm predicting these beauties are going to be worth a bomb in a few years, so make sure you get hold of these three mega issues - and for crying out loud, treat them as you would treat a pair of virgin Louboutins.  Got it?!  With one-eyed cover stars Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Lady Gaga - you should all be very excited.  I know I am.

If a magazine is anything like a woman (not sure if it is - but humour me and my and my analogy) - then we should be expecting this next decade (having hit the big 3-0) - that this amazingly sexy publication will be reaching new heights of maturity!  **WINK**

An Ode to a Shoe Fetish

With less than a month to go till the grand opening of Selfridges’ new Shoe Gallery on 16th September, there is a growing level of anticipation amongst London’s shoe elite.  This is the biggest project undertaken by the Westons since buying the store in 2003 for £628 million.  Pocket change.

The new shoe ‘emporium’, as they like to call it, is reportedly going to be larger than the ground floor of the Tate Modern.  Wow – I know!  A section of it's already open, giving us all a mere taster as to the level of grandiosity that is to come.  With carefully considered collections all pleasingly exhibited, piece by piece on varying heights of plateau, it is hard for the eye to do anything but devour each style one by one.  So many too choose from already - my heart is racing just at the thought of it.  So much so, I may need to sit down for a second on one of the vintage cinema seats in the central floor space.  How cool are these?

I guess partners also need somewhere to wait whilst we gawp at the selection of frivolous footwear.  They don't mind.  After all let’s face it - men love that sexual power that we ooze once we are elevated in one of those magnificent creations.  At the same time, we love towering over them, with a look of lusty confidence and dribbling satisfaction.  It's as though the world is at our feet (literally) and we are the Queen of our own destiny.  (Sorry, I went off on one for a second - back now.) What the hell am I going to be like when they open the entire floor?  Honestly.  

One of the sales assistants told me how she has to dust the large glass shelves three times a day.  “I should bloody well hope so!” - I told her.  With labels including Chloe, Stella McCartney, Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Miu Miu, Balenciaga, you name it - you won't be disappointed.  I warn you though, enter at your own peril.  Not for the faint hearted, that's for sure. Mi-aaow!

So you don't get too over excited, I have just included one pair.  Baby steps.