Martinez Lierah Autumn/Winter 2012
Posted: June 29, 2012 Filed under: Autumn/Winter 2012, Women | Tags: 2012, arturo martinez, autumn, daniel libeskind, daniel lierah, martinez lierah, toshio shibata, winter Leave a comment »
Martinez Lierah is an emerging, Paris-based womenswear brand that was founded in 2010 by design duo Daniel Lierah and Arturo Martinez, and a bloody good one at that. It’s always exciting to receive an email from a designer or brand you haven’t come across before, and I can happily say that, upon receiving an email from Daniel and Arturo, and seeing their work for the first time, I knew I had found yet another fantastic brand to obsess over. Plus, design duos are often intriguing. It’s always interesting to see how two minds and a pool of ideas are combined in order to create a single collection.
I’m currently maintaining a relatively admirable crush on structure and how it is applied in the design process, and Daniel and Arturo’s work is a fantastic example of everything I’m currently head-over-heels in love with. Their designs are structured and minimalist yet is intertwined with subtle detail and unique silhouette. Daniel and Arturo’s Autumn/Winter 2012 collection is heavily inspired by the work of architect Daniel Libeskind and photographs of flooded dams by Toshio Shibata. Daniel and Arturo say that, in this collection, “Martinez Lierah continues the search for a balance between structure and fluidity, with disintegration as a reference point”. In addition to this, Daniel and Arturo also take inspiration from the idea of a memory that is dissolving and its consequences in the human mind. It’s an incredibly deep idea, yet I think that, in a way, I can see where the duo is coming from.
The palette for this collection is predominately white, with an occasional hint of what seems to be a mix of grass and olive green. It’s surprising to see that the duo have used white and green in an Autumn/Winter collection, yet I can’t deny that it seems to be working very well indeed.
You can view the full collection on the Martinez Lierah website and, for a full list of local stockists, please do not hesitate to contact Martinez Lierah directly.
Delikatessen Autumn/Winter 2012
Posted: June 22, 2012 Filed under: Autumn/Winter 2012, Men | Tags: 2012, andrzej lisowski, autumn, delikatessen, not just a label, stephen hartog, winter Leave a comment »
Discovering a new, quirky menswear brand is a great feeling, even if there are hundreds or maybe even thousands of people who have discovered it god-knows how long before you. Delikatessen is a menswear brand that was founded by Andrzej Lisowski and Stephen Hartog in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and focuses predominately on pristine tailoring and refined colour blocking. The brand is contemporary, yet Andrzej and Stephen do tend to take inspiration from traditional garments, which they then create a personal reinterpretation of.
Andrzej and Stephen’s Autumn/Winter 2012 collection mixes both the low-key and bold, and stays true to the brands appreciation for tailored menswear and colour blocking. The wonderful accumulation of garments includes everything from casual shirts and sweaters to tailored chinos, and manages to grasp the contemporary concept behind the brand perfectly. The palette for this collection includes an array of colours that have been used to feed the duos addiction to colour blocking, including an admirable shade of turquoise and emerald green, which are my two personal favourites. As expected, Andrzej and Stephen have used an assortment of fine materials, including a mix of cotton, wool, lycra and nylon, and the outcome, as I’m sure you’ll agree, is superb!
You can view the full collection on the Delikatessen website, and purchase selected pieces via Not Just A Label.
Images courtesy of Delikatessen via Not Just A Label
White Noise
Posted: June 18, 2012 Filed under: Men, Spring/Summer 2012, Women | Tags: 2012, anastacia bobrovska, annet amegan, ksenia schnaider, lena shkoda, spring, summer, white noise Leave a comment »
The wonderful Ksenia from European unisex brand Ksenia Schnaider has just sent across a handful of images from a beautiful shoot the Ksenia Schnaider Spring/Summer 2012 collection was featured in, titled ‘White Noise’, and I would have been crazy not to post at least one image from the breath taking accumulation. The photographer behind the shoot is Lena Shkoda; with Anastacia Bobrovska styling the shoot impeccably and Make-up artist Annet Amegan making the models look top notch. The minimalist, weightless aesthetic behind the shoot is what really grabbed my attention, but every aspect has grown on me and I’m almost positive that I will be looking into the stated individuals, who were a part of the shoot, a little further. A contemporary, minimalist approach is what the Ksenia Schnaider brand is built upon, and I think the whole team have absolutely nailed it!
I’m also excited to be able to tell you that I am in fact that first blogger to publish any images from the shoot, and I feel incredibly privileged to do so!
Photography by Lena Shkoda
Images courtesy of Ksenia Schnaider
“The Gatsby” Collection by MARK/GIUSTI
Posted: June 17, 2012 Filed under: Accessories, Autumn/Winter 2012, Men | Tags: mark farhat, mark/giusti, the gatsby Leave a comment »
When it comes to luxury accessories, MARK/GIUSTI is right up there. The brand is based in London, where brand founder Mark Farhat also resides, and each and every one of Mark’s bags are handcrafted in Italy. I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure it gets much more luxurious than that!
“The Gatsby” Collection is Mark’s most recent work and, as expected, each and every piece oozes with elegance and quality. Not only is the leather impeccable, but Mark’s admirable mosaic interior prints tend to add a unique edge to each piece. The palette for this collection stays true to the MARK/GIUSTI brand, as black, white, brown and yellow dominate the majority of the pieces. Mark has created an admirable mix of bags, including everything from small leather goods to your larger weekend and gym bags. At this present moment in time, I can safely say that my favourite piece is most definitely the black “Portofino” Tote Bag. Not only is it relatively casual, but it also features an admirable yet relatively minimalist, black and white mosaic interior print, which I really admire!
I’m not usually into nostalgic, luxury lookbooks that have been shot near or in a hotel or manor house, yet the lookbook for the “The Gatsby” Collection is absolutely fantastic. Not only is the lookbook dominated by tailored suits and fine accessories, but also by breathe taking architecture and classic cars. To summarise, I think Mark’s done an absolutely superb job!
You can view the full collection on the MARK/GIUSTI website, where you can also purchase selected pieces from “The Gatsby” Collection.
Images courtesy of MARK/GIUSTI
I’m fighting a war that I did not choose
Posted: June 16, 2012 Filed under: Music | Tags: delilah, love you so, music Leave a comment »Currently playing: Delilah – Love You So
It’s my brother I have to thank for introducing me to the majority of the music I admire and, as of 5 minutes ago, Delilah is on that forever growing list of vocalists and bands. She’s relatively unique in both the way she looks and sings. I suppose we could compare the beat and rhythm in this track to some of Florence’s recent work, yet I wouldn’t go as far as saying that, as individuals, they’re the same or even very similar.
Either way, this track is definitely worth a listen!
I may be speaking too soon, yet I believe that we could have yet another female vocalist sensation in our mitts!
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO LOVE YOU SO BY DELILAH!
Emma Manley Spring/Summer 2012
Posted: June 12, 2012 Filed under: Spring/Summer 2012, Women | Tags: 2012, emma manley, spring, summer, wolf & badger Leave a comment »
Between frantically worrying about which university I will attend as I’m bombarded with numerous options and prospectus’ on a seemingly daily basis, despite it being over 1 year away for me, sleeping and breathing, I have at least been trying to squeeze in a post here and there. My inbox is constantly being bombarded with press releases, and I’m finally managing to sift my way through them all, whilst also responding to emails that have been sitting there gathering dust for weeks on end. This means that I’ve been writing as much as possible in my spare time and storing countless posts on my computer, with the hope that I will, one day, take the time to publish each and every one of them. As my editorial calendar is practically non-existent, I’m a little behind and, whilst many are already thinking about Autumn/Winter 2012 and Spring/Summer 2013, I’m still managing to find new Spring/Summer 2012 collections to post about each and every day. Believe me, the list is endless!
At the top of the list is Irish womenswear designer Emma Manley. I’m a huge fan of Emma’s work, and have been for quite some time. Emma’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection stays true to her signature style, and her admiration for unique, classic design is extremely evident throughout. In a way, this collection is very similar to Emma’s Autumn/Winter 2011 collection, which I also fell for. The unusual mix of jersey, wool, chiffon and pigskin leather is admirable, and the fact that Emma has structured this unusual yet outstanding mix of fabrics so well is mesmerizing, and a real visual treat.
You can view the full collection on the Emma Manley website, and can purchase selected pieces via Wolf & Badger, London.
Images courtesy of Emma Manley
‘Yi Bang Ren’ by Chen Wang
Posted: June 11, 2012 Filed under: Women | Tags: central saint martins, chen wang, graduate, not just a label, yi bang ren Leave a comment »
I can’t think of anything better than taking an hour or two, after a long day at college, to flick through the work of a handful of recent graduates. Regrettably, I couldn’t and won’t be attending Graduate Fashion Week, as I’m currently in the process of starting my second year at college, and I’ve been told that the first 5 weeks are somewhat mandatory. Even though I can’t be at Graduate Fashion Week, the graduates are flooding in on Not Just A Label, and I can’t help but admire what I’ve seen so far.
Chen Wang, a relatively unique Shanghai and London-based womenswear designer and Central Saint Martins graduate, has produced one of my favourite collections so far. Not only is Chen’s work aesthetically pleasing, but the concept behind her graduate collection, tiled ‘Yi Bang Ren’, is incredibly complex but, at the same time, phenomenal. Chen has adopted a contemporary approach to design, and her eye for detail when it comes to silhouette is mind boggling. Not to mention, the tailoring is impeccable!
Chen has added a dash of nostalgia to the collection by taking an original design of a classic parka and manipulating it with eastern influences, alongside a prominent focus on construction. She has used a broad range of materials such as rubber, vinyl, cotton and linen. The colour palette is predominately white and ink, which is something I’ve never seen before.
To conclude, I think that Chen has an evident talent, and I’m looking forward to following her work in the foreseeable future!
You can view the full collection on Not Just A Label, and I urge you to do so!
Images courtesy of Chen Wang via Not Just A Label
‘Elements’ by Subfusco
Posted: June 8, 2012 Filed under: Men, Spring/Summer 2012, Women | Tags: 2012, elements, joshua scacheri, not just a label, spring, subfusco, summer, thom kerr Leave a comment »
If I were to name the 10 best things since sliced bread, Australian unisex brand Subfusco might just be one of them. Subfusco was founded by Joshua Scacheri in 2007 and “is built upon the cross-cultural idea of European elegance and Australian comfort”. The brand explores a contemporary approach to design, whilst maintaining a unique, creative aspect.
Joshua’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection, titled ‘Elements’ is, as expected, inspired by earth, wind, fire and water; the earth’s four elements. The entire collection is incredibly vibrant and, fitting to the title and concept behind the collection, the palette consists of black, white, yellow, orange, red, brown and blue. Joshua has used an assortment of different materials, including polyester, silk and polyester spandex, which has given him a quality collection that he could, and most definitely should, be proud of.
I’m relatively shy when it comes to wearing bold colours that will make me stand out from the crowd, yet I can honestly say that I would happily purchase and wear every single men’s piece in the collection. My favourite men’s piece from this particular collection is the Digital Fire Pants, which can be purchased for £220.00 via Not Just A Label.
You can view the full collection on the Subfusco website, and purchase selected men’s and women’s pieces via Not Just A Label.
Photography by Thom Kerr
Images courtesy of Subfusco
