It's Raining It's Pouring

It's Raining It's Pouring

So, this British weather has once again ruined summer and rained & rained & rained & rained & rained...

With barely a hint of sunshine in the sky I'm feeling less inspired to write about summer clothes and more inclined to plan for autumn 2012.

I know, I know I shouldn't be wishing my summer away but having witnessed some of the up-and-coming trends I can't help but already start to plan my autumn wardrobe. Plus, with this wet weather this latest trend would be perfect for right now!

Wet Wet Wet

That's right; one of the hot trends for autumn 2012 is the wet look! ...but it's not just waxed shiny coats and jackets that are the next big thing, there's a whole load of wardrobe pieces created to keep you dry in this miserable weather.

Currently following the trends is a small army of Designers & just for you here's a sneak peak of what's to come:

Jill Sander

Acne

JW Anderson

Fendi

...but remember just because this is an A/W 2012 trend it doesn't mean you have to wait unitl after summer to rock this super shiny look! Why not keep your eyes peeled now and see if you can spot some wet look bargains out on the high street? I've done some of the work for you and listed my fav 5 high street buys...

Barbour

Buckinghamshire Wax Jacket

River Island

Black Leather Dress

Topshop

Matt Wet Look Leggings

 American Apparel

Leather Mini Skirt

Oasis

Tan Leather Skater Dress

Have fun shopping... and remember the wet look can be stylish!

much love

JodieRosanna

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5 Minutes with David Longshaw

5 Minutes with David Longshaw

Now a very successful Fashion designer with his own label; I caught up with David Longshaw, Manchester born and bred to find out all about his latest venture in the Fashion world, what it was like working for Max Mara and a little bit about his fictional fashion mouse Maude.

So, you’ve had a very successful career since Graduating in 2007, can you tell us what it was like working for Max Mara?

The day after graduating from the RCA I moved to Italy to design for Alberta Ferretti. I went on from Ferretti to Max Mara so I could see how a high end commercially driven label operates.

I thought it would be useful to design for a company like Max Mara to really understand how to balance the high end feel and aesthetic they have with their sales oriented edge

Studying at St Martins (where I did my BA Hons) and at the RCA (MA) the focus was very much on creativity, so it was valuable to see the other side of fashion so when I started my own label I could try balance the creativity, with the business side.

At what point did you decide to move on and create your own label?

I had always wanted to start my own label, but I wanted to gain some experience before starting it. It was whilst working at Max Mara that I realised it was the right time to start- I’d gained experience designing abroad and thought it was the best time, before I had any commitments like a mortgage or family to look after. I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could do it and to see how I could develop my own style.

What was it like winning the first ever BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad? Can you tell us a little about this?

Winning was obviously great- there are a lot of designers out there and a prize like this helps you to stand out- it draws attention to you at a critical point in the labels growth.

The BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad is an initiative between the British Fashion Council and ELLE magazine – the judging panel consisted of various members of the ELLE editorial team (including Editor-in-Chief Lorraine Candy), members of the BFC, Helena Christensen and a variety of stores and boutiques.

It was announced in The Guardian Newspaper I had won (with an article about me) and in ELLE magazine where they photo’d Helena Christensen in one of my dresses. The BFC then gave me free exhibition space at London Fashion week (twice) in the newly created BFC/ELLE TLP area, so I could meet all the press and buyers. In addition various stores whose buyers were on the selection panel went on to stock my collections. The connections I built up with the buyers who were on the judging panel has now meant I’m currently stocked in Cricket in Liverpool and Anna on the Kings Road in London.

We also noticed you enjoy illustration and writing alongside designing can you tell us a little about this?

I started to write and illustrate little stories to inspire my collections when I was at St Martins and carried on from there really.

At the RCA there were lots of visting lecturers brought in from the fashion industry (designers like Betty Jackson and Erdem and journalists like Colin McDowll). Some of the journalists liked my work and asked to see more. When I showed them they noticed my illustrations and enjoyed the stories that went with them, so they asked me to contribute to various mags.

Often when I interview people I do it through one of my characters like the fictional fabric fashion mouse Maude (Editor-in-Chief of MAUDEZINE 'the future fashion bible') and her fictional fabric editorial team at MAUDEZINE - that includes Gin addled Dois and Mildred (who sees people as dresses).

Tell us a little bit about your latest collection? Where did your main inspiration come from?
Each season I create an illustrated story (or animation) to inspire my collection. The theme, colours, prints and shapes are all taken from the story.

The story of the A/W collection:

Having fallen down a hole and into a dress, Lucia (who is trying to escape from a frightfully dull wedding) is a tad surprised to be greeted by two talking fabric mice,  Maude and Doris. In turn Maude is surprised to hear that Lucia has no idea who she is.

‘How can you not know who I am!  I’m Maude, Editor-in-Chief of MAUDEZINE, ‘The future fashion bible.’

 “Oh dear, “Lucia thought, “I have definitely had too many wines. It’s all gone a bit Alice in Wonderland here. I’ve even fallen down a hole, there’ll be a white rabbit hopping along any minute now.”

Introductions done, Maude tells Lucia about her and Doris’s adventures through the cellar they had all fallen into, journeying into rooms filled with house dresses (houses in the shape of dresses and whole cities made to look like vast wardrobes of hanging houses).

Then it was time to get back up to ground level and back to editing MAUDEZINE.

 Fashion waits for no man- or fabric mouse. They just had to figure out how to escape...

To read the full story, go to: www.davidlongshaw.co.uk

Are your pieces available to buy? If so where can I get them?

They’re available in a variety of stores around the world including:  Cricket (Liverpool), ANNA (Kings road, London), Susan (USA), Visit For (Japan), Kniq (Hong Kong), Valleydez (Dubai)…. And online at, youngbritishdesigners.com

What’s in store in the future for David Longshaw?

More Maude, more dresses, more designs, more illustrations…

...don't forget to check out the full feature on the Fashion Network's webpage!
http://www.manchesterfashion.com/c/19/946/designer-in-focus-david-longshaw/

much love

JodieRosanna

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The Ragged Priest vs Bitching & Junkfood

The Ragged Priest vs Bitching & Junkfood

I know I know...it's been a while, a loooong while! ...but I'm finally back on top of my blog (again), and with pay day looming I thought what could be a better way to come back in style than with reviewing two of my fav newley discovered brands...

The Ragged Priest

Featuring reconitioned vintage pieces covered in punky studs and tie dyed to the maximum... this brand are all about cool!

There's something about girls in these oversized studded clothes that seems to scream I DON'T GIVE A F**K, I'M COOL in an effortless manner. They're the perfect pieces to just throw on without any effort and they need no help from accessories.

Worn individually or putting outfits together from the whole collection this brand can rock your wardrobe either way... and if you're looking for cool they're definately worth investing in!

 Baby Gnarly Denim Gilet

£65

 Yankee Jumper

£38

Good Girl Gone Bad Shorts

£95

(a tad on the pricey side, andd never forget if you're feeling creative you could always have a go at making some of these yourself... check out my earlier blog post Punk Love)

 Drumstick Aran

£50

Audrey Dress

£55

Bitching & Junkfood

Another brand formed from re-inventing old clothes... featuring sheer maxi's, lots of tie dye, a few studs and plenty of interesting head wear. These clothes are still all about the cool but with a little more sexy appeal.

Revealling plenty of skin this brand are all for the braver adventurous woman! The gal who dares to show a little too much leg (although there's never too much leg), or perhaps a sexy hint of midriff.

So, if you're feeling a little brave this summer then you should ost definately invest in this brand!

MADE Safir Headdress

£120

REMADE Net Fringe Top

£55

REMADE Jamaica Fringe Short

£80

VINTAGE Aleph Tie-Dye Skirt

£50

REMADE Mesh Fringe Maxi Dress

£180

UNDERGROUND Metallic Creeper Flatform

£135

So, after looking at my favorite selected pieces whose side are you on?

much love

JodieRosanna

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What Jodie Wore

What Jodie Wore

Having not been in at TFN for 2 weeks due to being MEGA BUSY I thought I 'd start my first day back with a What Jodie Wore. The sun was shining so I thought I'd put in the effort and go floral and one again I took to my new favorite thing.... rolled up jeans with converse.

Shirt: Zara

Jeans: American Apparel

Necklace: Belonged to Granny

Shoes: Same old Converse

much love

JodieRosanna

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5 Minutes with Serge DeNimes

5 Minutes with Serge DeNimes

Following on from the Graphic T-shirt shoot I planned & styled at TFN I then went on to interview some of the featured brands to showcase on the Fashion Network's webpage and what better place to start than with up-and-coming brand Serge DeNimes...

Here is my interview with the fabulous designer Oliver Proudlock...

When did you first decide to set up Serge DeNimes?

When I left Newcastle in 2010, having studied Fine Art for 4 years, I moved back to London and decided I needed a break from painting. I have always been into fashion and for me the two come hand in hand. Therefore Serge DeNimes has felt like a very organic development into the fashion world.

What was it that first drew you to the Graphic t-shirt printing industry?
At my exhibitions, I always printed my artwork on t-shirts to give my friends a chance to buy something, as well as promote my art. T-shirts are an amazing wearable tool, to express your creativity.
Therefore when starting Serge I wanted to begin with a product that I am familiar with. I believe there is niche in the market for cool, original, graphic T-shirts, of a high quality, and therefore I decided to start with Tees.

What does Serge DeNimes stand for?
To start I wanted to establish the brand by creating original urban t-shirts of the highest quality. As well as producing our own designs, Serge DeNimes also plans to collaborate with other artists in the future, acting as a platform for up and coming talent. We hope to create an artistic community that focuses on producing cutting edge clothes of the highest quality. T-shirts are just the beginning, I want to start experimenting with denim along with other fabrics, we aspire to be an ever-evolving brand. In 5 years time, I hope to have a wide range of products including board shorts, sunglasses, knitwear and jeans!! And I hope that the brand will be stocked worldwide. The pressure is on, but I am so excited and passionate about the future of Serge DeNimes.

What was the main inspiration behind your first collection?
Our first collection is comprised of 8 limited edition designs. It celebrates the stunning photographs by renowned photographers Lena Proudlock and Douglas Villiers, taken during the legendary Rio de Janeiro Carnival in 1978. The photos were published in the book, Carnival In Rio 1978. I have always loved the book, and thought the images were unreal. Since visiting Carnival for the 1st time when I was 18, I fell in love with the place and everything the festival represents. As a result i have always wanted to print these amazing images onto T-shirts, so for me they seemed like the perfect subject for the first collection.

What’s next for Serge DeNimes?
We have a Serge Basic Line coming out, with emphasis on cut, and material. Alongside these we have some LOGO Tees, and we our currently designing a Serge Celeb. line. We are working on Samples at the moment, and they should be out for the summer!! Then for Autumn/Winter we are working on some sweatshirts, as well as some accessories.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start up their own brand?
There is a lot of competition out there and it is hard to establish yourself within today’s market. However, I think if you have a product that is original and unique, that you believe in and you are willing to give it everything you’ve got, nothing is impossible. You need to surround yourself with positive, energetic and loyal people and you have to constantly try and come up with new ideas and think of how you can stand out from the crowd. Nothing in life is easy, one has to make hard decisions, and it is this uphill struggle that makes it so exciting, and rewarding.

...and just incase you haven't already seen them, here's a quick look at some of my fav Serge Denimes tees...



Available to buy at http://sergedenimes.com/products-page/

...and if you want to check out my featured interview on TFN's website please visit http://www.londonfashionnetwork.com/c/19/939/brand-in-focus-serge-denimes/

much love

JodieRosanna

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