James Lakeland…designer clothing… Spring 2011
James Lakeland
James Lakeland has been quietly doing his “thing”without the attention of fashion hacks of the glamour press, clammering over the torrent of activity of the catwalk shows. It is if he doesnt need that level of attention, because he is very successfully persuing his purpose of designing and delivering an excellant RTW range every season. Yet , I will give the analagy that his collections are akin to being like a big koi carp, which is moving forward with purpose in the gentle serene waters near the lily pads. And like koi, the collections are a beauty to behold …ohh look at that one one there…and that one… all so colourful and so contempoary with elegant lines. James Lakeland is a great place to start your designer collection… as if you need to be told that!
Quality designer clothing at Moda
You don’t have to go for the haute couture to put on a eye catching show, as you can see from this small example of the spring and summer collection, they are lovely; and above all,the when I inspected the collection at NEC Moda exhibition a few months ago, I can genuinly confirm the excellant quality of the garments.
Ideal workwear
James’s collection would be great for stylish workwear or popping out to the theatre, cinema, pizza restaurant etc. There really isn,t any boundaries for this ready to wear collection, they are adaptable for all occassions, I will be definitely getting a few of this years collection to add to my workwear wardrobe, and I will add a black court shoe, or even a fashion boot to the two pieces below,…that would like quiet effective for this winter.
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Wendy Stevens …a phoenix rises…metal handbags.
It never ceases to amaze me about the number people who go through devastating life changing experiences in their life only to rise again to success. One such “phoenix” is Wendy Stevens, a handbag designer from Pennsylvania, USA. Her workshop was completely gutted by fire, she had lost everything. Fortunately that didn’t break her spirit and with strength and believe in herself, she has created a unique niche in the handbag market….metal handbags!
Her stunningly beautiful creations are hand-made by Wendy and her small team, bringing not just one or two choices but a full collection of styles for all occasions. If your needs are for a small clutch or a large shopper, the Wendy can fulfill your needs with a durable handbag. With a little care, these designer handmade handbags will last you a life time, what a great piece of artwork to pass on to your loved ones after you.
I love the way Wendy is creating your own designs on to the sheet metal, and the finished design is one which I would personally have in my collection, because they are so different. Not only would you have durability, style and elegance but its a work of art, a safebox, a “legal” self-defence tool, mini step-ladder, an anchor for sailors, yes this is getting rather silly, but fun nonetheless.
Unique handmade handbags from across body bags to clutches,totes to shoulder bags Wendy covers the full gambit…she will be one designer you will wish to watch over the next few years…she is going to escalate in popularity. Just look below at this stylish bib bag on the left and a drop bag on the right….oooohhhhh!
My personal choice must go to this shopper bag …”la camisa”, the red colour of leather against the glimmering steel, offers an experience I would love to have…and the prices are pretty good for a designer handbag, ranging from £150 to £400.
I adore and admire the classy lines of this bag, in fact, I adore the whole of the collection, what do you think…do join in with like-minded friends of Voulue on our Facebook page, or comment below. See you soon, bye for now.
Pencil paparazzi… British Bohemian… Blue Logan
There are many side issues which surround any of the large fashion shows which often take a backseat and often they are completely overlooked in the melee of the main events. Pencil paparazzi art is just one of these elements which I haven’t had time to look into. And being objective, it is art of varying levels of competency and accomplishment . As for me being an art critique, yes I’m subjective and my personal likes and dislikes will come into the equation, for example I personally do not like the work of Tracey Emin, even though she is an acclaimed artist on the world stage.
I know that good or even great art isn’t necessarily about reproduction of a realistically image, but about the interpretation and execution of the message which they are trying to give. Yet, nonetheless, I do get the message, and the feel for the occasion from one acclaimed “British PPA” , that of the work by Blue Logan.
As you can see from Blue Logan’s work, it is executed with speed, which is an essential requirement to capture just the bare essentials of the theatre evolving in front of the artist. This minimalist approach removes all the unnecessary clutter from the finished piece, leaving a condense time capsule for you to enjoy.
Well for the fun of it I’m going to have a go….here is my attempt at being a “watercolour paparazzi” and if you like it , let me know I will do some more….mmm. This is at Somerset house, near the coffee stall during London Fashion Week. I loved this group of fashionistas socialising just before the Maria Grachvogel show. With a low autumn morning sunlight catching the scene, it produced …to me…a lovely feel to the whole scene…
That’s enough about my “artistic talent“, and as Blue Logan has had a lot more practice … yes I can procrastinate about not spending more time creating masterpieces!!!
Do visit his website to see more from this contemporary Toulouse Lautrec, leading and recording a Bohemian lifestyle from around the world…Blue Logan . I must go out more to those evening parties during fashion week, I just might get into one of his pictures…!! Perhaps that isn’t a wise thought…I prefer to have a quieter time and the end of a buying trip, and enjoy time with a few of the designers over a meal and a glass or two of red wine.
Lanvin’s winter creativity, gorgeous models,
Lanvin winter 2010-2011
Like most people, which includes my father, though publicly he would probably deny it, have a great interest in the art produced in the photographs published by the great houses of fashion. I thought I would catch up by showing a few of this seasons…Im sure by now my regular followers will know that my photography idol is Annie Liebovitz for Vuitton, but as I mentioned her yesterday, today we have another great and talented photo artist, Steven Meisel, working here for Lanvin.
Steven Meisel crams so much into a small space and yet delivers an “effortless” and artistic composition. In the box are Mariacarla Boscono (30), Anja Rubik (27) and Magdalena Frackowiak (26), I have included the ages only to make a point that a models’ life isn’t all over by the age of twenty. This past week I have received more than two hundred modelling applications for our modelling vacancies.I get from many applicants letters a sense of desperation, that at 18 or 19 this will be their last chance. Please note that even professional, fresh and beautiful models are rejected,this is just part of a selection process the photographer does with his client to achieve the brief they were given to complete. As rejection comes with the territory don’t be disheartened, it isn’t personal, it’s just the image we are looking for.
By creating a mirror image and stitching the images together we get a double page spread…looks wonderful.
Model for Us!
Voulue has several photo calls registered at starnow.com, maybe you are just a beginner, that’s fine, you may have the looks we require for our product and creative photo shoots. Look for us on Starnow.co.uk you may find yourself in a modelling career!
Casting Call Number: 189334
If you copy and paste these numbers into the search box on “StarNow.co.uk…where talent gets discovered,” you will find us.
Felipe Oliveira Baptista…tour de force en fashion
Felipe Oliveira Baptista
I was tempted to deliver a montage of designers like I did yesterday, but I feel there is something rather special about Felipe collection, enough to devote a full-page to his Spring summer collection 2011. Ready to wear it certainly is, though “stylish” I feel, is an inept and somewhat flaccid adjective to describe this selection. It’s a “swaggering passion feast…,” no, it’s more than that…take a look, and see if together we can get a better description by the end!
Felipe has removed all un-necessary distractions leaving you with very clean-cut lines,… impeccable, delectable….mmm!
As you can see all but a couple in this collection are sleeveless,which is fine because 2011 summer is going to be the best we’ve had for a long time…well that’s my fantasy for today,but being in England my umbrella will not be too far away.
There is such a variety of tops and skirts which you could easily interchange, the soft caramel looks good with the black or the white, it just takes your imagination and plenty of nail-biting moments to make your decision as to which ones suit you best.
Well, I’m really struggling this morning for meaningful descriptions, perhaps none is required. It may be a collection in which we just have to absorb ourselves into, and be happy that we know it,s there without having to tell anyone…our own personal secret.
Feel free to make your own descriptive comments,… I will add them to my note-book for future reference! Bye for now.
Paris Fashion Week:Fatima Lopez,Rabih Kayrouz,Anthony Vaccarello,Nana Aganovich
It is so difficult to stop myself writing at great length about individual designers, but you would be here all day and the world would come to a stand still !! There is so much to see, so here is a quick fix of what Paris has to offer.
Fatima Lopez
Lisbon, Portugal is the home of Fatima Lopez who’s work in general she describes as “irreverent”, though this isn’t the word I would instantly throw at it. Minimal material providing a maximum impact, is the name of the game with Fatima’s collection, and I would prefer the climate of Portugal in the spring and summer to wear her outfits. The swimwear though is not for me, I’m going with the more “Lady Like” trend for next spring, less skin showing will be more!
Rabih Kayrous
If you wish to get a full spectrum of primary colours than Rabih Kayrous, a Lebanese designer, will gain your following. Tutored at the knee of Dior and Chanel his work gives a flowing element to the body form. Going bare footed in the grass would also add another sensual dimension for the girl experiencing Rabih’s talents, and as a new convert to knitted wear my eye was drawn to architectural structure of the blue top…isn’t that gorgeous!
Anthony Vaccarello
Anthony Vaccarello, is for those girls who can accept ingenuity in her fashion statement. These creations are more than just clothing to look good, they are a symbiotic relationship with the mind. A two-way relationship which is shared with your audience just like an artistic exhibition… yes, and I do not mean a Damien Hurst, more like the illustrator Jirayu Koo with her strong geometric lines.
Nana Aganovich
She has been called “quirky” again this int the adjective I would give, mine would be “intelligent design.” Aganovich is London (Whitechapel) who gains inspiration from her colleague Brooke Taylor, a writer who provides conceptual narrative in which she can acquire her images of inspiration.
Incredible interpretations of words,which give you such a strength of presence and being.
I hope you have enjoyed this little look, and you can now leave comments on this site, I didn’t realise it was “locked”…bye for now.
Fatima Lopes photo credit unkown. Rabih Keyrouz photos by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom Anthony Vaccarello photos REUTERS/Benoit Tessier Nana Aganovich, unknown Karim Bonnet for Impasse de la Defense REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Paris Fashion Week…Cathy Pill, Devastee, Alexis Mabille, Bouchra Jarrar and Lefranc.Ferrant.
As Paris rehearses its performance for the world stage of fashion, I thought I would remind you of a few of this seasons exhibitors’ winter collections, and just to refresh the names and their fashion signatures. Often the UK maintains its borders only allowing the established names of European fashion into the country. Perhaps Al Murray is being too influential….but to France we must look, as the, like the UK, have a wealth of new talent, designers with impeccable curriculum vitae, as well as seasoned practitioners such as Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin. Today I want to tempt your taste buds with these five designers:
Cathy Pill
A world-class designer, is already a success in the USA, Far East and Europe. Only occasionally heard of here in the UK, which is just a shame, she is a great designer. With her Art Nouveau inspired elements she creates a wonderful. Nationally heritage for Cathy though belongs to Belgium, and she shows regularly in Paris…time for us to adopt her work.
Devastee
Creators of Devastee are Ophelie Klepe and Francoise Alspy, … they will be showing their spring /summer collection today, and I will contact their press officer to see if we can get any more information about the collection. If so, I will devote a little more time to this genre of fashion later in the week. Black and white if done well just looks spectacular, and this sample of their strong graphical design does them justice,
Alexis Mabille
Impeccable qualifications from the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris, nine years designing for Christian Dior, Alexis invites you to ” delve into his highly personal, frivolous, dynamic, imaginative and racy universe in order to take a fresh look on his unisex fashion”. It has been a long time since I heard the term unisex, and I don’t mean wearing our mans’ rugby shirt around the house, though it is applicable. I can see the hair styles applying, but perhaps it’s just me but I can’t see many men wearing these outfits…not being too narrow-minded or bigoted,… if it makes you feel good guys to wear Alexis Mobille’s clothes…go for it.
Bouchra Jarrar
Studio director at both Balenciaga and Christian Lacroix, Jarrar brings class with delicacy of the feminine form added to astute understanding of the tone his style creates. This is the ultimate in classy femininity. I would beg, borrow or steal (I wouldn’t really steal,.. its just a saying) to wear one of BJ’s dresses. I could string together a line or two of complimentary adjectives, but that would waste time, time better spent looking at his work, don’t you agree?
Lefranc.Ferrant
Mario Lefranc’s pedigree is extensive; Chloe, Guy Laroche, Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin. Mario has teamed up with Beatrice Ferrant, a fashion designer with experience from Frederi Castet, Jean Patou, Catherine Malandrino, and for Balanciaga licences. With such strength in this working collaboration, then you are going to expect a show… structured and luxurious. If it is boldness of colour which is required in the wardrobe department, these guys are for you.
I hope you have enjoyed this taster of A/W 2010 from across the Channel, …mouth-watering wants, Paris fashion Week is going to rock the fashion world…see you soon!
Aminaka Wilmont “Psyche” collection 2011
“Fantasy” covers a very wide range of topics, but for Maki Aminaka Löfvander and Marcus Wilmont, the two designers behind Aminika Wilmont label it’s about an individual journey. “PSYCHE” takes you on a journey into the world of dreams and fantasy. 
Gieman’s genre of writing on the other hand, hasn’t ever been on the radar, let alone my reading list; it just doesn’t appeal to me, not even as an academic exercise. Initially when I saw the title of the collection I was hoping that the “Psyche” was from the more classical fantasy stories from the ancient world rather than the contemporary one! Earlier I mentioned about the shoes, and I have just noticed this in their press release “An explosion of Butterflies that fill the room” is it coincidental that the “Psyche” is also a small white butterfly from India, with a black spot on its wing, rather like the small white butterfly we see here in the UK. There is quiet a story unravelling here with this collection, but I will let you try to escape reality and enter the realm of fantasy…happy shopping.
Holly Fulton inspired by Memphis,Krushenick & Joan Collins
When Holly Fulton was asked the question of who has provided her are inspiration for her spring/summer 2011 she said “Memphis design, Nicholas Krushenick, and Joan Collins on a cruise circa 1967.”
Memphis design, which started some thirty years ago, was a design theory or approach aimed to remove the conventional rules which “guided” good design in the 1980’s. Originating from Italy… Milan to be exact, quickly spread into furniture and architectural design…so here is a sample of the style, which you will see quiet clearly in Holly’s collection.
The underlying ethos of the Memphis movement was to break away from the convention of the time, was not too surprising, when you consider it was the era of Punk and their anti-establishment attitude…nice to kick out occasionally, it generates the creative process.
New York artist Nicholas Krushenick is another inspirational key which Holy as used, a Pop Art exponent of the 80’s. Clear elements of the genre involved the use of thick border lines and colour blocks. Personally, my preference would have been Roy Lichtenstein…his work has a terrific impact and a strong storyline. I would love to see Holly capture his magic in a future collection!
These designs are very eye-catching and as a bonus, you could, on an intellectual level, tell everyone about the influential factors which have created your masterpiece.
Holly has included a few long dresses to the collection, wether or not the Maxi trend continues into spring will be irrelevant, these elements will comfortably fit into any social occasion.
Fluffy clouds with graduating grey to white is very effective, and I feel the quickness in the design, added to the simplicity of the overall image works exceedingly well. As for the elements from the “Joan Collins cruise circa 1967” I haven’t been able to identify them…but that doesn’t matter, the combination of the elements has unlocked a great collection for Holly, don’t you agree?
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