BLOGGERS COMPETITION!!!

Model wears: Jonathan Liang, SS11

To celebrate the BIGGEST A La Mode since we started 5 seasons ago, the team here at LGN Events are offering one lucky blogger the chance to win an access all areas pass to the flagship off-schedule London Fashion Week event. Showcasing the most vibrant, talented and exciting up and coming designers from around the world, the A La Mode show will take place at the beautiful, luxurious Charing Cross Hotel, Strand on 18th-20th February 2011. 


The lip-smackingly sumptuous prize includes:

- An access-all-areas pass to the event over all 3 nights of the event for you and 1 friend including the opportunity to head backstage and interview designers, stylists, models and hair and makeup teams
- Manicures and massages for the two of you
- A bottle of Champagne to top off your evening
- VIP Goody bags* including products from Fruit of the Loom, Perrier, Itsocks.com, Rude health and Yelp.
- Afterparty access
- Front row seats**

 

To win this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to write some amazing pieces for your blog, experience the glitz and glamour of London Fashion Week, and mingle with some amazing and highly influential fashion people, just head on over to the LGN Events website, choose 3 or more of your favourite designers exhibiting this season and write a blog about them. Simple! When you have written and published your entry on your blog, send a link to sarah@lagenevenorth.co.uk to confirm your entry in the competition. The expert team at LGN will review all entries over the weekend after the closing date and announce the winning blogger by Tuesday 15th Febraury 2011.

So what are you waiting for? GET WRITING!!



Terms and Conditions:

- All entries must be received by Sarah at the email address stated by 11pm on Friday 11th February 2011.
- Entrants will be judged by the expert team at LGN and the winner will be announced on Tuesday 15th February 2011.
*  - While stocks last
** - Winner must arrive early to claim front row seats
- No travel costs or London accommodation are covered by this prize so please ensure you will be able to fund the trip and travel there yourself.
- The event will take place on Friday 18th-Sunday 20th Feb 2011 as part of London Fashion Week. Doors open at 7.30pm each night and the show should end at around 10.30pm.

A LA MODE Schedule Feb2011

Just for all of you who are eagerly anticipating the arrival of LGN Events' flagship off-schedule LFW Show in February, I have compiled a little blog post of all the designers exhibiting as a taster of what the guests will be treated to on the 18th and 19th Feb 2011. Excited much?? Yes. Thought so.

FRIDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2011

Annah Stretton

 

This New Zealand based designer has already made a name for herself in her home country where she has established a stggering 30 own brand stores already! Actively campaigning against animal cruelty, Annah is a forced not to be reckoned with. She has also appeared on America's Next Top Model during a go-see challenge. Her designs are elegant and feminine and sure to get the girly girls riled up in London.

Berit New York

Stalwart of vintage fashion design with a futuristic twist, Brit Frady Williams' label Berit New York debuted at London Fashion Week via A La Mode in September 2011. She wowed the crowds with her beautifully constructed and intriguingly unique collection full of bright, shiny fabrics, piping and alternative tailoring.

RAJADANO

Rajadano showcased at the LGN Events' London Fashion Week Closing Party at Jalouse private members' club last September and has rocketed into the off-schedule event this season. With a unique globally cultural design aesthetic, Rana's bag label Rajadano provides a selection of beautiful, intricately embellished clutches and over the shoulder bags for daytime and evening wear.

MAJINJOO

 Being a member of the LGN Events team, I shouldn't morally have any favourites, but I am really looking forward to seeing what this young designer brings to her first ever London Fashion Week event.  Her MA graduate collection was met with huge praise from Susie Lau of StyleBubble and other well respected online fashion commentators. She uses a very edgy, modern mixture of fabrics in her work and if her previous collection is anything to go by, we ca expect to see glitter and exaggerated structural tailoring in February's A La Mode. Excited doesn't even begin to cover it!

I interviewed Jin Joo Ma of MAJINJOO on Sarah London blog in December. Check it out here

UsTrendy Presents RUMPLEMUNKEH

Super cool stylish website UsTrendy ran a competition last year for their most popular seller to win an all expenses paid trip to London to showcase their work at the off-schedule LFW event A La Mode. The winning designer was Rochelle Carino's fabulously fanciful label RUMPLEMUNKEH. Employing the use of a variety of fabrics and taking inspiration from her local surroundings (in LA) as well as Japanese style and Geisha girls, Rumple Munkeh is sure to strike a chord with the glamorous London Crowd.

Rehmali

 

Maria Rehmali is a self taught designer who started out as a stylist for some of Birmingham's most high flying, demanding individuals. She recognised the fact that everyone needs their own version of couture and set out on a one-woman mission to change the fashion scene ro match her vision. Presenting a range of feminine designs and gorgeous leather bags, Rehmali is a hot new home grown designer. And we all love a bit of Brit-talent don't we!

I interviewed Maria recently on Sarah London Blog. Check it out here

Cristina Nitopi



Australian designer Cristina Nitopi is the last name to add to the bill for the opening night of Fashion Week on Friday 18th February. Her designs verging on the avant garde retain feminine elegance and promote a ladylike aesthetic. Cristina's family originated from Sicily and she combines her heitage with the modern fashion scene to create a truly luxurious feel to her collections. Her designs have been exhibited in New York, Dubai and Hong Kong to name a few and her presence at A La Mode will mark the designers first venture into the UK market. If her previous endeavours are anything to go by, Cristina Nitopi is likely to go down a storm at LFW.

SATURDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2011

BEVZA 

 Award-winning Ukrainian label Bevza is the first name to list for Saturday's event. In her own words, "Minimalism. aristocratism, simplicity, sensuality, accuracy are brand identity of BEVZA". One of the top ten most popular Ukrainian fashion brands, the minimalistic image Bevza designs emulate will certainly be a hit with the crowds at LFW - especially given the 60s/70s influence and how fiercely on trend this style is set to be for the next couple of seasons.

Belinda Liu

#This Romanian designer made her A La Mode debut in September, marking her first foray into the London fashion scene. Thrilled with the results of showing with LGN Events' flagship show, she is returning this season to wow the crowds again with her delicate, girly, slightly antique inspired collection. Spanning tailored suits to bloomers and corsetry, Belinda Liu is a label that knows no boundaries.

Vjera Vilicnik

Croatian-born Brick-Lane based designer Vjera Vilicnik will hit LW for the first time this season. She has already taken her designs to the Mayfair Catwalk Show and has secured a sponsor from her home country, but this will mark the beginning of a whole new era for her designs. Classically trained in the art of embroidery, Vjera makes good use of her professional education and employs a modern spin on a very vintage method of design. Her collections obviously emulate her heritage but also take inspiration from her current surroundings in the hip, vintage central on London- Brick Lane.

I interviewed Vjera recently on Sarah London Blog. Read it here

Dima Ayad

Lithuanian born, Dubai based designer Dima Ayad has dreamed of showcasing her work at London Fashion Week ever since she visited the capital one year on her birthday. She is a champion of the female form and is eager to show the UK market that you can still wear elegant, floaty fabrics and show off a beautiful figure without hiding behind dull colours or ill-fitting designs. Dima Ayad is a master of drapery and knows exactly where to place a hitch or a hem. Her collection is eagerly anticipated by the whole of the London fashion scene and has already received a number of previews on various womens fashion sites.

I interviewed Dima Ayad on Sarah London Blog. Check it out here



Gloria Wavamunno

Ugandan designer Gloria will be providing the A La Mode event with a culturally divserse collection which takes inspiration from the designers African heritage. The company was only established in 2009 and is already hitting the runway at London Fashion Week.  Previous collections which she exhibited at 2010 African Fashion Week have explored structured shoulders, bright, vibrant colours with bold silhoutte prints and the full range of skirt lengths meaning this collection will suit every height, shape and size. Perfection!!

Some of Gloria's previous work can be viewed in this article on Bella Naija











Alana Hale

LA based designer Alana Hale has already dressed American Idol judge Paula Abdul and her shoe designs have been spotted on Keri Hilson, so it's a safe bet that her presence at February's A La Mode will attract some of London's tele icons! Her collection is modern and youthful, employing feathers, leather and netting to give a cutting edge appeal to her work.




I interviewed Alana Hale recently on Sarah London blog. Check it out here









Birthday Suits

German label and brainchild of Louise Walleneit Birthday Suits will be gracing the A La Mode catwalk in February. Her collections incorporate an unusual combination of fabrics such as faux hair and silk, creating a very soft yet artistic aesthetic. In her own words, "the ideas and products of birthday suits develop in a transdisciplinary space between fashion, art and research." which provides a great prospect for those attending the event in February








If the lineup has well and truly got you hyped up for A La Mode, drop us a line and let us know! Any bloggers, journalists or reporters wishing to preview any of the designers' work on their websites or publications should contact myself at sarah@lagenevenorth.co.uk. All press release, guestlist and photo enquiries should also be directed to this address.

PANTS!

The delightful people at cool heritage brand Fruit Of The Loom are confirmed as official sponsors of February 2011's A LA MODE event and will be providing some very exciting goodies for all the lucky guests at the event! I enlisted the help of a man who is very picky about his pants to test Fruit Of The Loom's men's undercrackers to see how the hold up and whether he would buy them.

So the pairs come in packs of two in some very spunky colours! I personally love the bright green - very fetching and adds a splash of colour to an outfit - and the white pair balances it out for more formal occassions.

My model, Mr Picky, is not one to wear just any old knickers and he likes to know he will be supported from all angles in his pants. He loved these Fruit of the Loom pants and has informed me he will definitely be purchasing them in the future! He loved the colours and the size and shape and was delighted by how sturdy and comfortable they were. The waistband has a subtle imprint of the logo which he liked as it meant they were not plain but was not glaringly obvious branding like certain other brands or pants. My model gave these pants 10/10 all round and is now pestering me for tickets to the show for more! Cheeky beggar....


Fruit of the Loom pants (which also come in womens designs) come in a wide range of colours including Black and Pink, Blue and White, Stripes and ed and Black.

Fruit Of The Loom will be sponsoring LGN Events off-schedule London Fashion Week show kicking off on February 18th and 19th 2011

Check out Fruit of the Loom products by clicking here

See the full line up and more info on the A La Mode show by clicking here

All press and buyers wishing to attend the event should contact Sarah@lagenevenorth.co.uk to apply for tickets.

INTERVIEW: Vjera Vilicnik

I managed to steal a few precious moments of designer VJERA VILICNIK's time over Christmas to ask her about her upcoming London Fashion Week debut and what inspires her. Clasically trained at the prestigious Ecole Lesage, Vjera takes traditional embroidery methods and incorporates them into modern tailored designs.She's a lovely person and is truly one to watch in fashion...

Where do you get most of your inspiration?

 In surrounding life.art.music.movies.people that in some way catch my imagination.

 I have to be emotionally involved with the theme, with what pushes the collection forward in order to fully dedicate myself to the story. Every collection is a love story, a poem, not written, but created, and each collection is handed out to the public as a bit of me. Every season I fall in love with a muse,song,colour or shape, and the collection tells the story of my relationship with the inspiration from wonderful beginning, through raw passion , to the saddest end.

Wow! So what prompted you to start your own fashion label?

 I had a big support from my family and close friends, and their belief in me helped with the sleepless nights and keeping my focus. Having a strong vision also helped. I have many stories to shares, and  I was very blessed that the public responded so well with the collections so far.

Great! Hopefully that will continue at Fashion week! Describe the person you are designing for? 

 The woman in my mind, my muse, is a woman full of contradictions, but they are not really opposed to each other.

Charlotte Gainsbourg

She is a girl becoming a woman that still dances the night away. She is a hard working woman, and a gentle lover. She is always kind, but strong and can hold a conversation on every topic. She loves reading big fat books, and  having coffee with friends.

She lives in a big city, and loves dusk when all the city is bursting with light and adrenalin...               but she dreams of moving to the country side and making her own jam.

 She recognises quality and appreciates creative process. My person is a person that most of all is a real woman but she creates her own world of endless posibillities.

So ideally, which celebrity would you love to see wearing your designs?

I would love to bring back Edith Piaf to life and see how she behaves today. I love Charlotte Gainsbourg, her fragility contrasts with her strength and her loveliness with her awkwardness. Outside of the celebrity world, it is my sister who is a real loving hero of mine, and who I would name my muse.

Edith Piaf who Vjera would love to meet and dress

 

What has been the high point of your fashion career so far?

  Every time I hand stitch the label on the finished garment, I realize how happy I am that the customers recognized a good product and share my aesthetic. Without the lovely Vjera Vilicnik supporters, all this wouldn't be possible and I thank them for that.

Where do you see your designs in 5 years’ time?

 Hopefully I will have my own little shop by then, work on collections with the same passion and grow from strength to strength. It would be a dream come true if designing eventually becomes a steady income.

What are looking forward to most about LFW?

 I can't wait to showcase a new collection, to meet new people and get into the unknown. Being in a new environment scares me, but also pushes me forward and makes me work even harder.

What advice would you give to other aspiring independent designers?

 Work hard! Be sure that being a designer is what you really want, most of anything. There are so many talented people out there, especially in London, so be aware that it will be hard, but even more rewarding.

Vjera Vilicnik will showcase her latest collection at the Charing Cross hotel, Strand on Saturday 19th February 2011 as part of LGN Events off-schedule London Fashion Week catwalk show - A LA MODE. 

Press and buyers wishing to attend should contact sarah@lagenevenorth.co.uk. Tickets for the general public are VERY limited but can be purchased here

A LA MODE Tickets are now on sale

A VERY LIMITED number of tickets are available to purchase for fashion enthusiasts to attend the exciting two night event in February 2011's AW11 London Fashion Week. Showcasing a smorgasbord of edgy emerging designers from around the world, the A La Mode show is fast becoming the go-to show for tomorrows next big name in fashion. Previously launching designers such as Amato Couture, Jonathan Liang and Valery Kovalska into the London spotlight, this season is one not to be missed.

Amato Couture, Sept 2010

Jonathan Liang, Sept 2010

Valery Kovalska, Sept 2010

ABOVE: Previous Designers at the off schedule London Fashion Week Show - A LA MODE

For your ticket to London Fashion Week's hottest show, Click on the link below (this ad will also appear on my blog as a banner ad...spread the word!) Tickets will sell out FAST so don't hang about!

INTERVIEW with Dima Ayad

Dubai based designer Dima Ayad (try saying that quickly!) will be showcasing at A La Mode in February 2011. She's an inspiring designer who believes that the female form should be championed, not scrutinised. Her pieces reflect this and accentuate assets whilst concealing lumpy bits! Pretty sure her work will appeal to the majority of us girls...AM I RIGHT!? Before I get too Oprah, here are the results of when I sat down for 5 minutes of interrogation about her upcoming collection and what inspires her...

Where do you get most of your inspiration?

It really does vary, sometimes it’s an emotion, other times an artist. Some of it stemmed from my mother’s vintage wardrobe or what I distinctively remember her wearing when I was growing up. The autumn-winter collection was inspired by defined lines – triangles. The power of 3 comes across a lot throughout the entire collection. Sharp, metallic and striking.

What prompted you to start your own fashion label? 

Ever since I was 20, I used to design my own eveningwear based on the lack of evening dresses that suited my liking. I wanted them to flow effortlessly, and I wanted them to accentuate my assets and hide my wobbly bits. That was a challenge and the prices of the gowns I did find were extortionate. After a few years, many would ask where I bought my dresses from, and when I said I designed them they asked if I could help them design and oversee one of their own. This extended to my family and friends. 10 years later, I decided to give this fashion thing a go, and here I am!

Describe the person you are designing for? 

 

She’s urban, a city girl, has a full time schedule, doesn’t stare at the mirror for too long, wants things to fit without having to starve before she wears the outfit. She’s always on the go, and effortlessly elegant. She doesn’t wear too much makeup, and believes that simplicity does stand out. She likes the dress to speak for her.

Which celebrity would you love to see wearing your designs?

They’ve become a few. Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Christina Hendricks. These actresses feel real both on and off screen.

What has been the high point of your fashion career so far? 

Calls and e-mails from women who wore pieces from my collection, who’ve told me stories that boosted their confidence, made them feel beautiful, and e-mails asking when the next collection will be released! Recently I received a call from a lady who called me to say that thanks to 3 of my dresses for her sister’s wedding occasions, she felt wonderful, comfortable, and she stood out of the crowd.

Where do you see your designs in 5 years’ time?

I see them in various department stores around the world I hope. I see the collections evolving by slowly adding new types of garments into the mix as the collections go by. 

What are looking forward to most about LFW?

Wow, the experience to start off with. London is my favourite city in the world, literally. I spent my summers there since I was 3, and it’s now become my city for fashion, friends, inspiration, and relaxation.

Being with other peers who, like me, are up and coming, I’ll learn a lot from that. Meeting interesting people and seeing the value of brand Dima Ayad in the global spectrum of fashion, where I need to improve, and what it’s going to take to get there will such an eye opener.

And, that there will be one (or many) buyers in that audience thinking, “We like Dima Ayad.”

What advice would you give to other aspiring independent designers?

You’ve chosen a challenging yet utterly rewarding industry to be a part of. Don’t give up no matter what! If you believe in it, it will happen!!!!

Coming from a background that is not fashion-oriented, at first your confidence isn’t the greatest since other fashion designers have studied draping, mastered drawing, and lived and breathed this industry. Yet still, believing is seeing results of your hard work.

 Dima Ayad's latest collection can be seen at the Charing Cross Hotel on Saturday 19th February 2011 as part of LGN Events' off schedule show - A La Mode

Press and buyers wishing to attend should contact sarah@lagenevenorth.co.uk

INTERVIEW with MAJINJOO.

Jin Joo Ma's label MAJINJOO is set to storm the Catwalk  at LGN Events' off-schedule LFW Show A LA MODE in February 2011. I managed to distract her from work on her very exciting new collection for 5 minutes to ask her a few questions about her inspiration and plans for the future...

Where do you get most of your inspiration?

Charles Freger

I always try to get inspiration from anywhere and anything. But it seems to be a much more powerful effect on design when I experience an unexpected situation, for example, I have stumbled upon unique pleats in crumpled tissue paper in a trash basket.

Elliot Erwitt

What I have been impressed by lately is the people in Elliot Erwitt and Charles Freger’s photographs. It is enjoyable work for me to combine images from the outside with my imagination.

What prompted you to start your own fashion label?

Weirdly, I’ve been thinking this job is just me since childhood. It is kind of my responsibility and what is the most important thing is that it brings me the moments the most alive and happy in my heart. It would be hard to realize it without the support and encouragement I get from my parents and hubby. I always appreciate them.

Tilda Swinton

Describe the person you are designing for?

I hope she is born to be elegant and humorous. She doesn’t wear too many trends but knows what the chic is. And the most essential thing is that she is wise with a truly sweet heart.

Which celebrity would you love to see wearing your designs?

Tilda Swinton and Charlotte Lucy Gainsbourg. Both of them are actresses who I have loved for a long time and are my muses. They are just the same images as those in the person I described before. 

Where do you see your designs in 5 years’ time?

My designs have attracted a lot of press and I have received many proposals from stylists and photographers, but I think that it is more crucial for people to relate to my designs because I am a designer who makes people feel desire to wear mine. So, it would be the very first step to work out my signature design and how to communicate with customers. As I have studied in London, it may be that my designs are best tailored to the European market but I’d like to work globally as a London-based designer. 

What are looking forward to most about LFW?

I hope I can hear the comments from many presses and buyers. These can be hard moments as a designer but it definitely will help to get positive feedback on my work.

 What advice would you give to other aspiring independent designers?

There are plenty of successful fashion designers and designs. Following trends is like a flood that you can get lost in.  Establish your own signature design so you don’t lose the core. That will be your asset.

ABOVE: MAJINJOO's Graduate Collection from the London College of Fashion.

MAJINJOO's latest designs can be seen at The Charing Cross Hotel, Strand on Friday 18th February 2011 as part of LGN Events' A La Mode show. Press and buyers should contact sarah@lagenevenorth.co.uk for more information