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.

INTERVIEW: Flik Hall

 I caught up with Flik Hall last week to ask her a few quick questions about what inspires her and how she goes about designing pieces for her collections. She's a very talented young designer and, being home-grown talent, I couldn't pass up the chance to pick her brains on where those ingenious patterns and textures combos came from! Check out her story below...

You use an awesome mix of fabrics in your work - I love the combination of hessian
with leather! How do you find which materials work best with each other and what are
you planning on experimenting with for your next collection?

The materials that I use each season depend very much on what has inspired my work and
the effect I want to provoke. I find it interesting to work with material that are unorthodox
or foreign, those with a purpose perhaps more commonly associated with something other
than clothing; or materials that we don’t get to see used very often - used in an unexpected
way. It’s more exciting because it’s about discovery and the unfamiliar. I’m currently more
inclined to choose fabrics that oppose each other in their qualities and characteristics. I love
to choose fabrics that look would be perceived as awkward together when in conception,
but combined in a configured way really work for each other. I love leather at the moment
because I’m finding it so versatile and dynamic and amenable to the ideas that I have. For my
next collection I am continuing to work with leather but with new twists!

What has been the highlight of your fashion career so far and what are you looking
forward to?

I would definitely have to say the shoot for my first collection ‘Scope of Time’. Although
I have been much more excited by more recent things, for me when you actually see your
clothes work as a piece of art for the first time....apart from in your imagination that has to be
the strongest memory.

I love the dolls arms on your SS11 collection! Where do you get your ideas for the
prints you use?

I took imagery from looking into the lives of Mexican families and the composition of
alters that they display in their homes. The alters would appear chaotic but seemed very
beautiful to me at the same time. Many of the alters are juxtapositions of items such as family
memorabilia, a white horse, dolls, cords, religious paintings and even sweet corn. I became
particularly interested by alters that were present in the home in memory of children that had
died. They would be filled with dolls of all description in various outfits, some bigger and
smaller than others. I was fascinated by the interesting spaces shaped in-between the dolls
which was what led me to experiment with porcelain dolls arms for my print. Much of the
colour palette was inspired by the state the walls had been left in the home during various
hurricanes. The hessian I used in the collection is a fabric that plays a great part in their lives
used as table clothes, clothing and even as bags for collecting sweet corn.

Do you dress in your own designs? If not, what sort of style do you adopt?

IRIS APFEL

Yes, I do wear my own designs, all of the items I design I resonate with. Sometimes part
of my inspiration is thinking about what’s not out there; or what is, but improved upon or
expanded upon (subjectively). I think that although it is important to know your market,
having enthusiasm for a garment you would love to wear yourself brings about a much
stronger piece.

I think that style is a continuous evolution so if I was to attempt to categorize my style
it would be an inaccurate description very soon. For the moment I would say I am quite
unbounded and flamboyant, how I dress communicates who I am from day to day.
Whose style do you admire?

I love Iris Apfel, her style; attitude and vision are so unique; she is one of a kind and totally
exotic! I also really admire Francoise Hardy’s effortless elegance.

Flik Hall moved to London following her school years and moved into Hackney soon after. She enrolled at Central St Martin’s college where she pursued her options, and quickly developed her curiosity in fashion design. Flik Hall discovered and developed a love for print design in particular. She then left college to take placements with various designers such as House of Holland and Giles Deacon, where she engaged in all areas of the design studio. During her time there, she began setting up her own label. She launched her first season SS10 “Scope of Time” soon afterwards.
Flik Hall’s work is brightly hued where the garments movement and print takes centre stage. Employing a wide range of prints nothing is quite what it seems in Flik's work where contrast is key. Flik’s SS11 collection, “Mannequin Parade”,  is a showcase of Flik’s signature aesthetic of bold silhouettes and captivating prints.

Flik Hall's work is available to buy on Not Just A Label.com

Check out Flik's website  by clicking here

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

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