“Nachtwandler”
Posted: January 31, 2013 Filed under: Autumn/Winter 2013, Men | Tags: 2013, autumn, claudius holzmann, dopamin, julia heiermann, ligawest, nachtwandler, tim labenda, winter Leave a comment »Despite barely touching Spring/Summer 2013 just yet, I couldn’t wait to introduce you to German menswear designer Tim Labenda‘s Autumn/Winter 2013 collection, “Nachtwandler” (“sleepwalker”), a collection of Tim’s that I’ve deemed as my favourite yet. “Inspired by the contrast between the frenetic energy of urban living and the search for solitude, stillness and tranquillity in the context of the metropolitan jungle”, this collection has something for everyone. Knitwear, mohair and shearling linings warm the collection whilst shiny rubber pieces and sharply-cut cottons or wool blends “suggest a confident and outgoing man who is at ease in the city”, according to Tim. Black, orange, sky blue, navy, grey and brown are just a handful of admirable colours Tim has used, all of which are taken from Tim’s city inspiration.
You can view the full collection on the Tim Labenda website.
Photographer: Claudius Holzmann
Model: Dino @ DOPAMIN
Hair & Makeup: Julia Heiermann @ Ligawest
Images courtesy of Tim Labenda
Ksenia Schnaider Sweatshirt with Black Camo Print
Posted: January 30, 2013 Filed under: Men, Shopping, Spring/Summer 2013, Women | Tags: 2013, camouflage, ksenia schnaider, spring, summer, sweatshirt, unisex Leave a comment »Okay, so I’ll admit it… I’m a big fan of this unisex sweatshirt from Ksenia Schnaider‘s Spring/Summer 2013 collection, ‘Camouflage’. Made from 80% cotton, 20% elastane, I imagine it to be very comfortable. Not to mention I really like the thought of wearing a sweatshirt with a pair of shorts. The piece is handmade by Ksenia in her studio in Ukraine, emphasising the garments luxury aspect and the amount of work that goes into creating this simple but sublime piece. I really, really want one, and you’d be crazy to not be thinking the same thing!
Sweatshirt, £250.00, Ksenia Schnaider
Images courtesy of Ksenia Schnaider
Rum or whiskey?
Posted: January 29, 2013 Filed under: Music 1 Comment »I’ve always been a bit of a fan of English indie rock band Noisettes, composed of singer and bassist Shingai Shoniwa and guitarist Dan Smith, and I’ve recently become obsessed with “Never Forget You”, one of their first tracks. If you haven’t heard it before or it’s been a long time since you last listened to it, I highly recommend that you have a listen!
You can view some new material from Noisettes on their official website.
“I’ll Never Get To Heaven”
Posted: January 29, 2013 Filed under: Autumn/Winter 2012, Shopping, Women | Tags: 2012, autumn, caption london boutique, dominique kral, i'll never get to heaven, jamie cowlishaw, phoebe moule, sophie benson, temi aboderin, winter, zandra rhodes Leave a comment »Just before all my attention goes to Spring/Summer 2013 and Autumn/Winter 2013, I wanted to share one last Autumn/Winter 2012 collection with you, that being the beautiful collection of British womenswear designer and digital print specialist Dominique Kral. Talented stylist Sophie Benson and her wonderful team including photographer Jamie Cowlishaw and hair stylist & make-up artist Temi Aboderin, assisted by Phoebe Moule, put together a wonderful lookbook for Dominique’s Autumn/Winter 2012 collection, “I’ll Never Get To Heaven”, which I’m now completely and utterly in love with.
For Autumn/Winter 2012 Dominique presents a small collection that is dominated by her knitwear pieces, expanding on those which won her the Zandra Rhodes Catwalk Textiles Award 2011 upon graduating from Northbrook College Sussex, and her jaw dropping digital prints. With a basic palette of black, grey and purple, the collection is entirely fitting to the season. An edgy but feminine shift dress, skirt and shirt are complemented by Dominique’s versatile 100% lamb’s wool hand knitted knitwear pieces, emphasising the practical, versatile and luxury aspects of the collection. It’s cool, quirky and edgy, all words I continue to associate with the name Dominique Kral.
You can view and purchase the full collection through the Caption London Boutique.
Photography by Jamie Cowlishaw
Images courtesy of Dominique Kral
Interview: Nikoletta of Rtister
Posted: January 28, 2013 Filed under: Internet, Interviews, Shopping | Tags: alaia, buyer, nikoletta sedlak, noir, rtister Leave a comment »After interviewing Shahrzad and Ashkan, the duo who founded online store Rtister in 2012, I couldn’t help but ask Nikoletta Sedlak, Rtister’s buyer, a few questions…
How did you come to take on the role of Buyer for Rtister?
After working in the Fashion Industry wearing many different hats, buying was the next step for me and something I had always looked forward to in my career.
What do you look for in a brand or collection when considering what to stock on Rtister?
I look for inspirational potential. They have to make me want to NEED their pieces and give me creative inspiration so that I can feel confident they will inspire customers to want to wear their looks as well. Also, fresh ideas that stand out from the crowd.
What were you doing before you took on the role of Buyer for Rtister?
I had been working as a denim specialist and assistant buyer with popular brands and was a stylist.
Describe a ‘typical’ day in the office…
Everyday has a bit of a different flare to it. Normally there is a lot of communication happening between the designers and me because I like to have a more personal relationship with them. I make sure to check how sales are doing, read the industry publications, and am constantly searching for the next best designer to bring on board. So, going through tons of look books.
What has been the highlight of your fashion career so far?
It would have to be working with Rtister and having a hand in its development.
What’s your favourite garment to buy?
It would have to be shoes and not a garment. Are shoes not a girl’s best friend? I love looking at how creative the shoe industry is getting each year and how a great pair of shoes can change your mood.
Do you prefer to buy for men or women?
Women because it’s more fun. I love men’s clothing as well but women have more options when it comes to accessories.
What do you like about emerging designers and brands in comparison to the more commercial designers and brands?
Emerging designers are fresh and they are always happy to hear feedback on how to make their collections even better. When a new designer gets picked up by the industry it is because their collection(s) offer something that isn’t being seen in that way at that moment. That’s what I love! It creates more inspiration.
What is your idea of an ideal weekend?
Finding markets and seeing what is out there. I love vintage jewellery. It’s my thing. I can’t get enough of it.
What’s currently your favourite designer piece in your wardrobe?
My Alaia shoes. But I am looking forward to getting my pieces from Rtister’s SS13 designers in the next few months.
What advice would you give to those who are looking to become buyers for stores such as Rtister in the future?
Be prepared to work hard and stay focused. It is truly a fast paced industry and career. You need to have a vision that coincides with the company and keep pushing forward.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – be sure to have a snoop around Rtister, where you can purchase some of Nikoletta’s brilliant designer choices.
Images courtesy of NOIR, provided by Rtister
Caption London Boutique
Posted: January 26, 2013 Filed under: Caption London, Internet, Men, Shopping, Women | Tags: camouflage, caption london, caption london boutique, dominique kral, freak factory, jewlia, jor by gudmundur jorundsson, ksenia schnaider, rusty heart, yulia zhdan Leave a comment »As most of you know, I launched Caption London, a London based PR agency for new, independent and emerging designers and brands, last year. I’ve experienced a good amount of success with the agency and therefore thought it’d be a nice, innovative idea to launch an e-boutique where consumers would be able to purchase the collections of Caption London’s clients. I did some brainstorming and spoke to all of my clients, and finally the Caption London Boutique was born. However, for the time being, it is simply a trial boutique that I will be running through Big Cartel in order to deem whether there is a demand for the collections of my clients, which I really hope there is. On that note, not wanting to single anyone out, Caption London Boutique offers free international shipping, meaning that you can purchase beautiful garments no matter where you are in the world.
As of today, launch day, the Spring/Summer 2013 collection, ‘Camouflage’, from European unisex brand Ksenia Schnaider and an assortment of sale items from Lithuanian womenswear brand Freak Factory‘s Autumn/Winter 2013 collection, ‘Rusty Heart’, is available to purchase. Items from British womenswear designer Dominique Kral will be added within the next couple of weeks, followed by JÖR by GUÐMUNDUR JÖRUNDSSON‘s debut Spring/Summer 2013 collection, ‘JEWLIA’, and Freak Factory’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection, ‘Love. Popeye.’, within the next month or two.
There are lots of beautiful garments available for both men and women through Caption London Boutique, so please do have a poke around!
Photography by Yulia Zhdan
Images courtesy of Ksenia Schnaider
MASC Spring/Summer 2013
Posted: January 25, 2013 Filed under: Spring/Summer 2013, Women | Tags: 2013, billy yick, duncan shaw, masc, rtister, selfridges, spring, summer Leave a comment »“Founded by design duo, Duncan Shaw & Billy Yick, MASC has been selected by Selfridges as part of their ‘bright young things’ initiative, featuring in a dedicated window display and available in-store to buy”. Both Duncan & Billy graduated from Nottingham Trent University, receiving Gold Award nominations at Graduate Fashion Week, and went to Paris to study their Masters in Fashion Design at The Institut Francais De La Mode.
For Spring/Summer 2013 Duncan & Billy have presented a collection that continues to hold the brands signature aesthetic such as its focus on folding techniques, sharp tailoring and silhouette manipulation. Panelling is an evident aspect of the collection as the duo has pieced together unique shapes in order to form a whole. The subtle palette of black, white, blue, pink and yellow is beautifully appropriate for such an intriguing collection. Each and every piece oozes a feeling of cool elegance that is given edge by the duos unique collection of acrylic pendants, accessories that complement the collection in its entity.
I also have to mention that all MASC pieces are handmade in England, ensuring that you will, without doubt, be met with flawless quality upon purchasing a piece from the brand.
You can view the full collection on both the MASC website and Rtister, where you can also find out more about the brand.
Images courtesy of MASC, provided by Rtister
Sweatshirt by X’U
Posted: January 23, 2013 Filed under: Men, Shopping, Women | Tags: hako, ksenia marchenko, sweatshirt, x'u Leave a comment »I’ve come to admire Ukrainian youth clothing brand X’U, and not only because it’s headed by the very talented and wonderfully pleasant Ksenia Marchenko. This printed cotton sweatshirt is one of my favourite unisex pieces currently available through Hako. Made from 80% cotton and 20% polyester, and featuring contrast panels, this casual sweatshirt would be an admirable, affordable addition to any casual day-to-day outfit.
Sweatshirt, £28.00, from X’U
You can purchase this sweatshirt through Hako alongside a handful of other sweatshirts, tops and trousers from X’U.
Images courtesy of X’U via Hako
