Jade Kang

Jade Kang is a Korean designer who moved to London in 2002 after studying Fine Arts and Fashion Design in his home city of  Seoul. While in Korea, Kang was the senior designer for the label Koogi from 1997-2000 and has gone on to hold other positions at different labels including Giles Deacon, Alexander McQueen and Jonathan Saunders.

In 2007, Jade Kang took the leap to start his label; drawing influence from his Korean heritage. By mixing classic tailoring with futuristic femininity and modern romanticism, Jade Kang has developed his signature style. For his SS11 collection, Kang was selected by John Galliano as a Fashion Fringe finalist and received notable acclaim from press and buyers.

Jade Kang's designs are beautiful, feminine pieces with a modern spin on them. In order to ensure that his pieces remain unique he uses rare materials mixed with creative patterns to create individual looks.

Visit www.jadekang.com to view more of his past collections.

Ryder & Rowe @ 123

I was able to attend the Ryder & Rowe launch I posted, at 123 Bethnal Green.

Ryder & Rowe is a new lingerie label by trio Naomi Ryder, Alison McCann and Dennis Nothdruft. The designers are all individually talented and presented beautiful pieces from their latest collection and I have a few pictures to share.

The launch was elegant and simple and allowed the true uniqueness of their designs to shine through. With their new collection, they have also added scarves and dresses. I loved the dresses because they are made with really delicate material and the prints are lovely as well. I would describe the collection as romantic and feminine; Ryder & Rowe is a label to be on the lookout for.

The event was held at 123 Bethnal Green, a store based in London's east end. If you haven't heard about 123 you should head down there now. The store based in London's east end. The store has 4 floors and the basement is dedicated to the Bunker Cafe, which is open during the weekends. They also had vinyl cut outs of some Ryder & Rowe's illustrations in front of the store.

Marios Schwab

Marios Schwab is a young talented designer who first gathered media attention in 2006 when he won the Best New Designer at the British Fashion Awards in 2006. In 2007, he also won the Swiss Textile Awards; these two awards made him one of the most anticipated young designers in the fashion industry. He is also a graduate of Esmod fashion school in Berlin and completed his Masters in Womenswear Fashion at the prestigious Central Saint Martins.

With only a few years in the fashion industry, Schwab has already become known for his trademark style of figure-flattering silhouettes and mixing classic style with modern sexy designs. In addition to owning his own label, Marios Schwab has also designed for Halston and his designs have been worn by celebrities like Kylie Minogue and Kate Moss.

His clothes are stocked in a range of shops all around the world; from luxury boutiques like Harvey Nichols, Browns and Barneys in New York to Dover Street Market. Marios Schwab is rapidly establishing his name in the fashion industry and I'm sure in a few years we will all be talking about him.

Orschel - Read

Hi guys!

Apologies for the lack of posts, we've been super busy so we are doing our best to keep our readers updated.

Last month I visited the Felicities showroom and discovered the menswear label, Orschel- Read. I was lucky to get a preview of his SS12 collection and some pieces from his AW11 collection and I was impressed; by just looking at the clothes you can tell that a lot of hard work goes into producing his designs. 

Orschel-Read graduated from the prestigious Central Saint Martin's college with a degree in Menswear Fashion before going on to pursue his Master's degree at the Royal College of Art. His first collection was launched during London Fashion Week in 2009 and immediately received strong press attention from publications like Vogue, AnOther, V, Dazed & Confused and The Sunday Times Style just to name a few.

The latest collection is a balance of classic style combined with on trend designs and includes wearable pieces as well as fashion forward designs. I have some pictures for you and I cannot wait for the launch of his new collection; let's all be on the watch for Orschel-Read.

For more information on Orschel-Read visit www.orschel-read.com/ and his online shop at NJAL.

FAB Magazine

Just bought the new issue of FAB Magazine, and there are some great editorials in it. I had not heard much about the magazine until I stumbled upon it and I am happy to say I was pleasantly surprised. The latest issue focuses on Escapism and each article and editorial takes you away on a different journey. They have some of the best spas from around the world, fitness tips, up and coming African talents globally, and even venture into the world of comic books and superheroes!

FAB is a relatively new magazine so it's great to see they can also provide readers with quality work. Of all the editorials, my favorite has to be 'Seventies Sister'. The styling is very modern but still holds on to that seventies glamour. This image is one of my favorites, I am in love with this dress! The dress is by Rainbow Winters, a new London based designer and the accessories are from Toshop.

FAB Magazine is available online and for more information visit their blog at www.blog.fabmagazineonline.com and website.

Ryder & Rowe Collection Preview

Hey guys! 

Today I have a fun event for you so get your RSVP sorted.

Be sure to attend the launch of new lingerie brand Ryder & Rowe's Spring/Summer 12 collection.
See you there!

Tze Goh

Tze Goh is fairly new to the fashion industry but with three collections already under his belt, the designer has mastered his signature style. Born and raised in Singapore, he went on to study in Paris and New York at the New School for Design and at the prestigious Central Saint Martins fashion program in London. 


His Autumn/Winter 11 collection presented during London Fashion Week at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout was inspired by the Japanese kimonos and the sleek designs of Porsche sports cars and these inspirations were reflected in his clothes. His clean designs remind of a classic Chloe and Victoria Beckham look, and this is very refreshing with the overwhelming number of trends available in fashion today. 

Goh uses luxurious fabrics like wool, cashmere and mohair in addition to 3D jersey to achieve the structure in  his pieces and primarily uses solid colors such as navy, black, white and grey. His designs are available online at the LN-CC store and visit his website for more of his past work.

www.tzegoh.com

Miu Miu

Miu Miu is the high fashion brand and sister label of designer brand Prada. It was launched in 1993 by Muiccia Prada and since then, the label has become a household name in the fashion industry. While Prada's style is more sophisticated, Miu Miu is considered the girlish version of Prada and caters to a wider range of consumers.
                 

Former Miu Miu brand ambassadors include actresses Chloe Sevingny, Katie Holmes, Kirsten Dunst, Lindsay Lohan, and Selma Blair among models like Lindsey Wixson. In true unconventional  Miu Miu fashion, for their A/W 11 campaign they chose 14 year old Oscar nominated actress Hailee Steinfeld. 
I love Miu Miu and every season they manage to produce amazing clothes and accessories that are guaranteed to sell out in weeks and be on every fashion blogger's 'want list'. I can't wait to see what they present for their S/S 12 collection.

 From their chic and ladylike designs to their wild prints, Miu Miu's motto is avant-garde, modern, sensual, provocative, yet sophisticated; and with every new collection the brand embodies this and has warmed the hearts of fashionistas everywhere. Miu Miu is available at a number or stores worldwide and can be purchased online via the Miu Miu website and boutiques like Net-a-Porter and My Theresa.

New Faces of Fashion at Sapphires Model Management

In the lead up to London Fashion Week, new faces are being discovered and for models Fashion Week is an opportunity to present yourself to the fashion industry as agents, photographers, and designers are constantly searching for a new breakout star. Fashion is constantly changing and models with different 'looks' are always sought after. From young and hip, to girl next door, to editorial and high fashion, photographers and designers demand versatility from their models.

An agency that I have recently discovered is Sapphires Model Management, an award winning boutique model agency that specializes in representing new, exclusive, and unseen models with a timeless and classic look. Unlike other modelling agencies around, Sapphires models and bookers are always cheerful and approachable. The agency aims to conduct business the ethical way by not pressuring models to lose weight but instead encouraging a healthy lifestyle and providing their models with access to necessary financial, beauty, and nutritional advice to further their careers.

Sapphires Model Management represents fresh new faces in the fashion industry and without a doubt the models they represent will quickly be climbing up the fashion ladder. Their clients include Harvey Nichols, Uniqlo, my-Wardrobe, Channel 4, and Nike amongst many national publications.

www.sapphiresmodel.com

Mulberry: 40 years of quintessential English style

Mulberry is best know for being fashion forward and representing classic English style. The 'Bayswater' bag was a huge hit for Mulberry and still remains a classic in fashion today, followed by the 'Roxanne'. But it was the creation of the 'Alexa' bag as part of their S/S 10 collection that caused a stir in the fashion industry and brought the brand to a new height of popularity.

Muse Alexa Chung carrying the 'Alexa' bag

Bayswater

A Mulberry bag has always been on my wishlist, but because there are so many beautiful designs I could never decide on one. I think I have finally found the dream Mulberry bag that I want to own- Polly Push Lock. Who would not want to own a bag called 'Polly Push Lock'?

Mulberry's 'Polly Push Lock' is very similar to the 'Neely' but they have added a new feature- the push lock. The push lock "gives a vintage touch to this bag and an air of 70s glamour". If you look closely at an image of this bag on the Mulberry website, I guarantee it will be love at first sight. It is well made and I really like that they've decided to use the shiny grain leather so your bag won't be completely destroyed if a little bit of rain gets on it. As part of their 40th celebration, Mulberry has put together some of their bags from past seasons and you check them out here.

Missoni

Missoni is not a new name in the fashion industry; the brand is renowned for its unique knitwear and colorful patterns that remain wearable and versatile. With every new collection they incorporate new styles but never lose the signature 'Missoni look'. For those fortunate to own a Missoni item, you are probably aware of how much craftsmanship goes into the clothes. The wool is soft, comfortable and unlike any other piece of knitwear. I  am constantly falling in love with their use of color each season and the pastel colours featured this Autumn/Winter season was simply amazing.

Missoni A/W 11

Missoni A/W 11

Missoni has influenced fashion not only in pattern and design but also have made knitwear more prominent among designers and consumers. Their clothes are typically created from as many types of fabric possible, such as wool, cotton, linen, rayon, and silk. The brand embodies today's modern culture, with 'it-girls' like Nicole Richie wearing Missoni  and even featuring Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester in their Spring 2011 campaign.

Leighton Meester Missoni campaign

Nicole Richie in Missoni

The luxury brand also has a chain of hotels- Hotel Missoni- in Kuwait and Edinburgh, with more to open in Brazil, Turkey, and Oman in the future. I can imagine the Hotel Missoni to be cool, modern with a classic approach, and of course luxurious. 

Heidi Mottram Makes Eel Skin Fashionable

Until recently, I was not familiar with Heidi Mottram until I stumbled upon one of her clutches on my hunt for an oversized clutch. Like many talented designers, Heidi graduated from London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martin's and worked with designers like Vivienne Westwood and Matthew Williamson before establishing her label in 2007.

Heidi Mottram uses eel skin exclusively for her products and design and is always looking for new areas to explore creatively. Her bags come in classic shapes and designs with a modern edge to it. When you hear the word 'Eel', handbags are not exactly the first thought that comes to mind but the use of eel skin is actually good since it is 150% stronger than cow hide. Eel skin is longer lasting, lighter, and becomes more supple with use. Eels are not killed primarily for their skin, so are a also better eco-friendly alternative to other luxury leather goods in the market today. 

My favorite piece by Heidi Mottram

This fuschia oversized clutch is my absolute favorite piece by Heidi Mottram. The color is very bold but the simple design tones it down which is what I love about it- and it's oversized too! I'm not really a fan of small clutches because I always tend to bring along more than I need with me. This clutch will also be a great accessory through  out the seasons, in winter to add a spot of color to an otherwise dull outfit and in the summer as well. 

Heidi Mottram's bag are available are stocked at several online boutiques, including her website. For an updated list of stockists visit www.heidimottram.co.uk

Beauty Review: NARS Illuminator

Hi guys! So as you know this is our second beauty review and today it will be on the NARS Illuminator.

First, I'm sure everyone is aware of the makeup brand NARS. I have always heard great things about the brand but I don't typically experiment with makeup and stick to basic foundation and eyeliner- this was until I stumbled upon the NARS makeup counter at Sephora in New York (speaking of, I think we will do really well with a Sephora in London!). Honestly, the only reason I even picked this up was because I happened to meet an over zealous worker who went on about how amazing it was; but I can now say that I am very satisfied with my purchase.

The NARS Illuminator comes in 4 shades: Laguna, Super Orgasm, Copacabana and Orgasm and I have this product in 'Laguna' which is described as golden-bronze hue and is exactly that. This product is great because it doubles as a highlighter and bronzer. I like mixing a small amount with  my foundation so it gives a really nice glow when I am in the sun. It's also perfect to use in the summer because it is not as heavy as regular foundation but blends in seamlessly. I highly recommend buying this product and if you are not too sure about what shade to get,  look for more information on the NARS website or visit their counter at Liberty, Selfridges, or Harvey Nichols -check the website for more locations in the UK

Super Orgasm- Peachy pink with gold glitter
Copacabana- Pealescent sheen
Orgasm- Peachy pink with shimmer

NARS Illuminator retails at £21.50 and can be bought online here

Rising label: Evmorfia

Evmorfia Bethanis is a Canadian designer raised in Greece who launched her eponymous label Evmorfia this year with a capsule A/W11 collection. Evmorfia moved to London and went on to study Fashion Design at Central Saint Martin's College of Art & Design and has worked in various fashion design houses including Alexander McQueen.

Evmorfia's designs focus on enhancing the female figure and uses unique shapes, attention to detail, and luxurious materials. Her clothes are luxurious, edgy and tailored well to fit women but also stand out. She is inspired by different cultures and everyday living. Evmofria should be on your top designers to watch out for.

www.evmorfia.co.uk

Preparations for Autumn/Winter

The best time to buy pieces for Autumn/Winter is during the summer. You should already be aware that there are huge SALES during this season and the best bargains are usually last season collections but be on the look for versatile and classic pieces.

If you do not enjoy navigating the crowd on Oxford Street in the summer, try high street shops online like Topshop, Zara, Miss Selfridge, and Urban Outfitters but sale items tend to sell out quickly with the more popular high street brands.

Leather Boots £20 at Zara

Waterfall Jacket £17 at Miss Selfridge

Some of my favorite online destinations are online boutiques such as Net-a-Porter, Matches, My Wardrobe, and The Outnet. Although, they typically specialize in designers brands their sales have great bargains with pieces from past seasons and you can always find something simple that can translate through the seasons.

J Crew Wool Jacket  £93 at Net-a-Porter

Shearling Gilet £92 at TheOutnet

Triple Treath: David Longshaw- Designer, Illustrator, Writer

David Longshaw is a young talented British designer who graduated from prestigious art school Central Saint Martins in 2007 and is also a winner of the BFC/Elle Talent Launch Pad. He went on to study womenswear at the Royal College of Art and worked with Alberta Feretti and Max Mara in a bid to continue developing his talent. In addition to being a designer, Longshaw is an illustrator and a writer.

Longshaw's muse, Maude, a fictional mouse he created while studying at Central Saint Martin's has her own online magazine, MAUDEZINE,on his website and blog.  He has collaborated with Kristen Ward, Heather Blake and David Mosley for scarves (stocked in Harrods and available online) and has participated in Vauxhall Fashion Scout, London Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week.

For more of David Longshaw's work visit his website www.davidlongshaw.co.uk

You can purchase David Longshaw's pieces here at Harrods and here with prices ranging from £54 - £2,160