Graduate Fashion Week

Now in its 16th year Graduate Fashion Week (GFW) just keeps getting bigger and better. With over 60 exhibiting stands, 19 shows and multiple industry sponsors, GFW has become a talent spotting fest. Not only that, but with the likes of Alber Elbaz from Lanvin Paris, Glenda Bailey, Editor in Chief of US Harper’s Bazaar and a Ms Victoria Beckham on the judging panel it has become a glamorous, must-attend event.


The obsession with Ms Beckham was clear for all to see, many an eye looked her way as she sat in the front row and chatted to Glenda Bailey and Zandra Rhodes. Whether she is qualified to judge our latest batch of grads is up for debate but whatever your views her attendance certainly upped the press coverage – good news for all concerned. However, let’s hope the column inches are filled with more than quips on her latest skirt length.


A dominant topic noted in the exhibition this year was sustainability and green fashion practices. Students from various colleges were invited by main line sponsor River Island to create a complete outfit from found sources. The recreated pieces were displayed alongside the main catwalk.




The London College of Fashion stand, meanwhile, was composed by recycling 120 copies of the 2006 Year Book. The neon pink and black stand certainly caught the attention of David Dalziel who presented The Dalziel + Pow Stand Award to the College, no easy feat as the standard was extremely high, in particular from Northumbria College and UWE Bristol.


Due to fantastic press and public demand organisers had to schedule 2 gala sittings. Presented by Caryn Franklyn, industry faces included the likes of Hilary Alexander, Suzy Menkes, Colin McDowell and Jimmy Choo – it’s London Fashion Week all over again. The shortlisted show included some stunning draped dresses layered with romantic ruffles in cream and black by Lilli Rose Wicks, Somerset College of Design. A show-stopping burlesque inspired collection featuring swirly metallic prints on second skin catsuits from Sara Nowell, Northumbria University. Plus a return to the 80s via ghetto blasters, lycra, hoods and block colour thanks to Julia Ison-Stierer, Westminster University.


Award Winners 2007


Strategic Marketing Award

Sarah Hawkins from Northumbria University

Creative Marketing Award

Ravi Khanna from Nottingham Trent University

Daiziel + Pow Stand Award

London College of Fashion

Jon Adam Fashion Portfolio Award

Luke Miller

Society of Dyers & Colourists Colour and Textile Award

Lindsey Pinder from University of Northampton

Mulberry Accessories Award

Rachel Dougherty from Northumbria University

Boris Trambusti Fashion Imagery Award

Lindsay May from Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication

The National Magazine Company “First Word” Journalism Award

Olivia Bergin from London College of Fashion

Media and Design Award

Zoe Jeske from College for the Creative Arts at Epsom

Visionary Knitwear Award

Lilli Rose Wicks from Somerset College of Arts & Technology

Zandra Rhodes Catwalk and Textiles Award

Jessica Clarke from Manchester Metropolitan University

River Island Runners-up Award (Receiving £2,000)

Kelly Shaw from University of East London

River Island Gold Award

(A surprising decision to split the award with each graduate receiving £10,000 each)

Nicolas Thomas from UWE, Bristol

& Jasper Chadprajong from Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication





The split top prize went to menswear designer, Nicolas Thomas for his colourful take on knitwear and in the womenswear camp - Jasper Chaprajong with his sporty luxe collection that featured oversized hoods and tablecloth prints.
Graduate Fashion Week was h

Caryn Franklin commented how “Richard Bradbury (MD River Island) and his team have provided huge enthusiasm and commitment to Graduate Fashion Week.” While Victoria Beckham went on to say she found the standard of designs on show “phenomenal.”


eld at Battersea Park Arena, London. Original garments from this year’s graduates will be available to buy at a pop-up shop in the Contemporary Department of Selfridges, Oxford Street. The GFW pop-up shop will open on October 1st for one week only – don’t forget to make a note in your diary.

Topshop Charity Event

We Need You! Get involved with our largest ever Fashion Sale for Charity. Need to clear out your wardrobe? Then do it for a good cause! Just hold your own fashion sale or host a stall at one of our market events:London - June 23rdManchester - June 30thYork - June 23rdBrighton - June 30th All money raised at the market and 'hold-your-own' sales will go straight to the National Domestic Violence Helpline, run by Women's Aid and Refuge. Plus, for taking part we'll give you a 20% discount at Topshop and the chance to win one of many £250 shopping sprees. The top three sellers will also win an all expenses paid trip to Paris! DON'T MISS - The Topshop Tombola! We'll be at the market events raffling off some seriously stunning vintage finds. Look out for vintage Manolos, Alaia, Biba, Yves Saint Laurent and Viviene Westwood. To name but a few

The new Mrs Cruise

Anne Hathway in July issue of Harpers

Anne Hathaway graces the July issue of Harpers Bazaar looking absolutely regal and elegant. I'm still undecided whether she is truly fashionable, but she sure does scrub up well.

On the evolution of her fashion sense thanks to Devil costume designer Patricia Field:"I feel I know how clothes go together now. Before, I was so desperate to have a style and a look that I would wear things I didn't feel comfortable in, that had nothing to do with me."

On Gwen Stefani:"I love her style...If I could see clothes the way she sees clothes, I'd be very, very happy."

On her relationship with Valentino:"We just get along really well, so that's why I wore him to the Oscars...You know, he's retiring, and it's one of his last collections, and I really, really, really wanted to be a billboard for Valentino that night."

On her fashion muse, Selma Blair:"My friends and I call her Saint Selma. She's, as we all say, very fierce."

On preparing for her role in Get Smart:"I have to be very, very strong, so I am working out like a madwoman...Basically, anything Jen Garner did in Alias, except in this film...lots of kicks, punches and dodges...and, oh, yeah, I have muscles now! I've never had muscles."

On working with Meryl Streep and Ang Lee:"A good day on set with Meryl turns into a master class...I love Ang. I would be his shoe-shine girl if he wanted." On how she keeps her feet firmly on the ground:"My life is moving at a fairly rapid clip, and I don't need to be pushing my own envelope. I try to cultivate meaningful moments. Don't get me wrong. A lot of meaningful moments have happened in nightclubs at 3 a.m...If I had more time, I'd probably have more of them!"

On creating drama:"I think a lot of people would love to get some separation from their lives and spend time seeing things from another person's perspective. I'm sure other people roll their eyes and think, Whatever, drama queen. But I like it."

Fashionista or just has a good stylist? What do you think?

Partners in Crime: Nicole and Paris in Harpers Bazaar

Here's a snippet from the feature in Harpers Bazaar out now

Nicole's Rap Sheet

Nicole Richie has six, maybe even seven pairs of oversize sunglasses in her handbag. Actually, she has a handbag (black vintage Chanel) inside her handbag (black Balenciaga lariat). She's also lugging around a Hello Kitty cosmetic case ("not mine"), a tangle of bracelets, a beat-up Goyard wallet, and an envelope full of cash. "I always carry at least two or three handbags at once. I'm so lazy," she says with a funny tinkle of a laugh. "I can't even get it together to put money in my wallet."
"I don't take anything lightly. Every mistake I make, there's consequences... I get caught for everything!"Nicole might be disorganized, but she's more together than you'd think. Though she can seem fragile and vulnerable -- and, yes, very thin -- in a photograph, in person she's rather breezy and robust.
Paris's Rap Sheet

Paris Hilton had a party last night, kicking off at a time when other girls turn into pumpkins. Over dinner at the Chateau Marmont earlier this evening, an overstimulated British rock star who was planning to attend explained, with a sheepish smile, "I just want to see what she looks like."
"It's weird sometimes. I think people think I'm not human."Paris, as we all know, doesn't look like anyone else. She is, of course, a professional socialite, epic babe, star of TV and the occasional movie, pop singer, perfumer, fashion designer of sorts, and eerily savvy businesswomen. (She's been offered "half a million dollars" to appear at parties, thanks very much.) She's everything that people think Hollywood is. This has made her more rich, more famous -- and, to her regret -- a bit of a caricature.
To read the full story, subscribe to Harper's Bazaar

New Fashion trend

First it was the high waitsed torusers in the winter but now this summer celebrities have been getting out their perfectly toned pins in this seasons wardrobe staple; the high waisted shorts. Fashionistas like Nicole Richie and Chloe Sevigny have been sporting the trend so it will come as no suprise if the trend is sported by campers at all the summer festivals like Glastonbury this summer.

Victoria Beckhams Denim Launch in Saks

Denimomogy confirm that Victoria Beckham is set to launch her new denim line at Saks on thursday, giving the opportunity for fans to go and get their pair personally signed by Posh herself. So what should we all expect from Posh's new line? She told she told People magazine; "my philosophy for jeans whether designing or purchasing is a tailored fit, exceptional quality and a shot of high fashion." Well if this collection is anything like the range she did for Rock and Republic, one should expect a sure hit

Oops she did it again

Britney, this really isn't a good look

Kate Moss and Pete Doherty: Faces of Roberto Cavalli

Roberto Cavalli has just announced that Kate and Pete will seperatley front the autumn/winter 2007/08 collection. Both were photographed in Ibiza. The ads are set to debut in fashion magazines worldwide in July. Whatever you say about the two, they sure as hell scrub up well.

W

Gisele doing what she does best...

Henri and Aggy Collaborate

"AGGY and I have been friends since we were 12. She used to serve chips to me when she worked at the local chippy," says Henry about his best friend and muse Agyness Deyn. The two have just announced that they are planning a design collaboration. "We're going to launch a line of jewellery together. You can expect a bit of House of Holland in it and a bit of Aggy too - she's got a strong sense of design." Henri, made famous for his cheeky sloganned T-shirts and fashion horse Agyness Deyn are predicted to hit the jackpot when the designs are launched. Watch this space! You heard it here first!

Space Odyssey

What has happened to fashion in the lastfew seasons? Everything has been revivals of old trends thatwe are becoming oh to familiar with, so it was a complete breath of fresh air to see the spring/summer collections of Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci and Balenciaga to name a few. It looks like fashion is heading towards a twenty-first-century space odyssey. Gleaming fabrics, sculpted metal and glamorous sci-fi creations point to a brave new design direction. Designs were like nothing we've seen before and were simply breathtaking. How wearable this new trend actually is, is another matter entirely. Forget wearable, I'm still swooning over it all......

Back to '94

The year 1994 is back and glourescent mini dresses, UFO overalls, and lime goggles are hitting the fashion scene. Leading the charge is Donatella Versace’s protégé, Christopher Kane. This trend, known as New Rave, is hitting everywhere from East London to New York’s Lower East Side. Anyone worth their loboutin's will be sporting new rave this summer......Coming in different variations, what will be your new rave summer staple?

Burning up a sweat

Despite the warm weather outside,celebs ahve been sporting rather 'hot' leather jackets.I know I should be using my money to start stocking up on cute summer dresses but one cute jacket won't hurt. I can't help it.....

What do you think about leather jackets? Bin 'em or keep them?

Everyones fallen for House of Holand

Holland is making headlines with his catchy wordplay T-shirts that both celebrate and poke fun at the fashion crowd. The tongue-in-cheek tees hark back to the eighties with their bold-lettered graphics (think Frankie Goes to Hollywood), but the rhymes have a fresh, insider tone.
This season, the 23-year-old riffed on designers, from U.K. darlings to Miuccia Prada. His Uhu Gareth Pugh and Get yer freak on Giles Deacon T-shirts landed on the London runway when each designer wore the other's to take his post-show bow. For fall, look for homages to his favorite catwalkers. I'll show you who's boss Kate Moss is bound to be a best-seller, but it was the chance to do a tongue twister for his muse, model Agyness Deyn, that really got Holland worked up.

Swimwear

Summer's approaching and this is that scary time of year when we're all searching around for that perfect piece of swimwear that flatters us in all the right places whilst being forgiving in others. I've been searchign for my summer staple and have fell in love with the Topshop cut-outs, which are a great balance between a bare all bikini and a reassuring swimsuit. Here's my fave cossies around....

The purple swimsuit is from Cia Martima and costs £95. I'm absolutely lovin' the warm purple tone that screams elegance and beachside glamour and work wonders to hide some deadly sins. The tones remind me of the tones shown at Lanvin and Bottega Venetta. The warm plum purple is the perfect colour to accentuate a golden tan. Team with gold jewellery for summer glamour.

The Black and green bikini is by Huit, Havanna Club Bikini and is a £69. Good for those with curves, the halterneck accentuates the bust, keeping everything in place regardless of how activeyou are on the beach. The green draws attention to the hips and the curves. This is an absolute fave of mine because it's so similar to the hite halterneck bikini Halle Berry wore in James Bond.

The black cutout bikini is a steal at only £28 from Topshop

The black cutout swimsuit is from Lisa Ho at £115. Cutouts are definately at the forefront in terms of beachwear. Perfect for tall girls, this style is great for tanning. Wear with large oversized sunnies and wedges and a cocktail in hand

Which cover do you prefer?

I'm lovin' the Vogue covers right now and even the older ones but I'm still torn as to whcih one I like best. What do you think?

Summer finally here

Summer's finally here, which means I can start stocking up on all the spring/summer goodies we all saw gracing runways worldwide last September. The show that I absolutely love and still am not getting bored of is the Chloe spring/summer 2007 show. Chloe's collection included lots of dresses inspired by the shift shapes which dominated the swinging sixties decade. It was a bit of a move away from the boho look we saw everywhere a few summers ago but still had that sixties element. Think Sienna Miller in Factory girl as Andy Warhol's muse Edie Sedgwick

Return of the Wayfarers

Ray-Ban Wayfarers are back. Since the company began reissuing the original shades late last year, young Hollywood -- from Ashley Olsen to The Killers' Brandon Flowers and Nicole Richie-- has embraced the classic chunky glasses.
Wayfarers were first manufactured in 1952 and championed by Audrey Hepburn (pictured), James Dean, and other hip tastemakers. The shades were also a fashion staple in the '80s, alongside big bangs and shoulderpads.

I don't know what colour looks best. I've seent the white ones on Drew Barrymore and Kirsten Dunst but the black are classic. Oh decisions decisions decisions!

Oops she did it again

I must confess that I am a devout fan of our Posh and I'm a self confesed follower of her every stylish move so I was disappointed to see her in this outfit as she went shopping around LA. I mean, who goes out in this for a stint of shopping? The top and the shoes are good but the skirt is not my cup of tea and the whole combo is too OTT and scream 'I'm trying to look on trend'. She gets it so right sometimes, but instances like this leave me thinking, Victoria why? Hopefully this was a little blip and not an outfit that will repeat itself in any other shape or form. What do you think; understated or high fashion druing the day?

Pap horse

The ever ready papparazi horse, Lindsay Lohan just 'happen' to be doing her daily gymin on the balcony in full view of the paps. How suprising! Like her gym stuff though