SAMPLE SALES GALORE

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

Yeh, yeh we should be spending money on socks for our Dads, nice smelling things for our Grannies etc. etc. but when they were scheduling Christmas, did no one ever think that this is the time of year when we want to be splashing our cash at designer sample sales? There are some real goodies on the horizon. Here are the details. Just don't blame us when you have nothing to put under the tree on Christmas day. At least you'll be wearing bargainous beautiful fashion...

ERDEM- Womenswear, Shoes and Accessories

Cash and Credit Card

Tuesday 4th December 8.30am – 8.00pm
Wednesday 5th December 8.30am – 5.00pm

The Future Gallery
5 Great Newport Street
London
WC2H 7HY

CHRISTOPHER KANE- Womenswear & Accessories from SS10 to SS12. Prices starting at £10.

Friday 30th November 12.30 – 8.00pm

The Mercer Street Studios
16 Mercer Street
WC2H 9QE

 J.W.ANDERSON- Womenswear, Menswear, Shoes & Accessories

Friday 30th November 4.00 – 8.00pm

37-75 Shacklewell Lane
Lighthouse Studios
Dalston
London
E8 2EB

BACK IN FASHION: THE CHIC NEW LEOPARD

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

The Old Leopard, as modelled by Bet Lynch (image via mirror.co.uk)

Poor leopard, has there ever been a print more ferociously maligned? The very mention of the L word provokes scrunched noses and cries of horror amongst many fashion aficionados who see the animal spots as the very antithesis of good taste, a print reserved for brash items which would never grace the backs of anyone with an iota of class. The completely iconic look of Coronation Street's most famous landlady, Bet Lynch, is a case in point. It's a strong identity which Julie Goodyear carved out for her character but one which more often ends up on some kind of hilarious list of style no-nos than as something to be emulated. However, that may be fashion snobbery speaking too soon because a visit to almost any high street store will show that there is always at least a smattering of leopard print items on offer, which means that leopard must sell however unhappy some fashion editors might be about that. We mustn't forget that leopard hasn't always had such a bad rep; Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe did it in a super sexy way, of course, but it never tipped into Lynch tack territory.

Elizabeth Taylor does leopard (image via desperatelyseekingsparkle.com)

Christopher Kane AW12 (image via catwalking.com)

Now some big fashion players have stepped in to reverse the bad taste connotations of leopard. Catwalk wise, the image overhaul can be traced back to Gucci's AW12 show in which Frida Giannini showed several looks in jewel-hued devore, imprinted with those wild spots, and also to Christopher Kane's so-bad-it's-good shiny purple and red leopard Autumn/ Winter dresses and jackets. It was a stop point between traditional leopard vamp and it newly chic relative. Then came the Resort collections, which tell us a lot about we're really going to be wearing, the new classics to slot into our wardrobes. Phoebe Philo at Celine showed stark, panelled pieces comprised of one part coloured leather, one part  unbelievably unbrash leopard. Meanwhile, Stella McCartney went all out on head-toe-leopard coats, kimono tops and sporty trousers. There's a kind of fashion genius in this transformation but if leopard sells then that's as good an excuse as any for a designer to work with it in a challenging retail climate.

Celine Resort (style.com)

Mossy does leopard

Kenzo SS13 (image via Catwalking.com)

The leopard rebirth shows no sign of abating; Humberto Leon and Carol Lim at Kenzo drenched their leopard print with colour for SS13, a look which will surely go down a treat with the army of new fans they are fast accumulating. The new leopard was affirmed last week when Kate Moss wore the print top-to-toe at the signing of her new book. The key to making leopard chic again is shape, anything which is clingy or scanty won't work for the new mood. Think loose and bold. As always, accessories are a good way to do it too, again graphic is good.

Who says a leopard can't change its spots?

Rebecca Taylor at Matches £475

Christopher Kane at Matches £1,105

Diane Von Furstenberg at Stylebop £257

GET INSPIRED, GET ART.SY

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

There's a tendency for social networking sites to suck away our time, and not in a good way. The worst culprit is Facebook where it's terrifyingly easy to fall down a black hole of wedding and new baby photos of people you barely know but somehow once became "Friends" with. Twitter is better, given that it is often teaching us something, or challenging our opinions. In the search for another timeline with something richer to offer than vacuous insights into other people's lives, I have recently discovered Art.sy, a new online destination where you can gather together imagery from your favourite artists.

Art.sy has the backing of some of art's finest financiers including Dasha Zhukova and Larry Gagosian, Like most of the art sites of its kind, Art.sy lets you accumulate a "collection" of your favourite pieces. The added bonus is the new suggestions it generates for you based on what you already like. You can also subscribe to certain genres of art like "Glamour", "Graffiti" or "Contemporary Photography".

For those among us whose budget doesn't stretch to acquiring our own real-life collection, this is a great way to curate your own space or just gather together any works which you find useful/ inspiring/ beautiful into one online space. And if you do happen to be one of those lucky few who must decide which art to invest in then art.sy is a great tool for that too. There is an "Inquire" option which lets you get in touch with galleries who have a piece you fancy snapping up for real. Art.sy also shows details about shows going on at galleries all around the world, as well as partnering with big art fairs like Design Miami .

For fashion fans, now is a very good time to get into your art with plenty of SS13 collections referencing artists. If you find that you need an invite to Art.sy then drop me a line, I have a few left.

STELLA MCCARTNEY AND ELLSWORTH KELLY

JONATHAN SAUNDERS AND BRIDGET RILEY

ROKSANDA ILINCIC AND NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE

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CENTREFOLD MAGAZINE STARRING ALL OUR FAVOURITE SUPERMODELS

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

Kate Moss, by Venetia Scott

This could be an interesting week for fashion. After the weekend's flurry of rumour that Christopher Kane would be taking up the Balenciaga post left vacant by Nicolas Ghesquière and his subsequent denial, this lunchtime news came via WWD that Kane was to leave his post designing for Versace's sister line, Versus. Whether Kane goes to Balenciaga or not, this is unlikely to be the last we hear of the shenanigans in the coming days, even if Kane is saying that he is set to devote himself entirely to growing his own brand. On top of all that, US Vogue Creative Director Grace Coddington is coming to London in celebration of the publication of her memoirs. In yesterday's Sunday Telegraph, an exclusive extract from the book was published, detailing Coddington's famous and much-examined relationship with Anna Wintour. As well as discussing the chronology of their great partnership, Coddington also offers insight into how US Vogue has changed during Wintour's tenure. She says, "Vogue now incorporates the worlds of art, business, technology, travel, food, celebrity and politics. And this is all largely due to her vision."

Sojourner Morrel by Mel Bles

In fact, where US Vogue has led, others have followed, finding their own unique spin on the potential synergy of all the worlds we can possibly inhabit. Centrefold magazine is one such- rather beautiful- example of this, doing its thing on a niche and exclusive level which means so much in our easily over-saturated world. Where a fashion week snap of Cara Delevingne might get hundreds of retweets, or a shot of Jourdan Dunn on the catwalk will be beamed to websites, newspapers and magazines the world over, Centrefold gives us something properly special. For its latest Issue 8, the publication has teamed up with Storm Models and property developers, Manhattan Loft Corporation. Entitled "20 + 25 = 8", a nod to the respective anniversaries of Manhattan Loft and Storm, this is an absolute must-buy for those among you who would like some more exclusive imagery to cherish of your favourite supermodels, from the utterly fabulous Cindy Crawford to new girls like Cara D.

Fashion and architecture complement one another as we see Sojourner Morrel in a shoot inspired by Manhattan Loft Gardens and Elisa Sednaoui posing at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.  Harry Handelsman, CEO of Manhattan Loft Corporation says, "our buildings are renowned for their incredible style and in this edition of Centrefold where the worlds of fashion, art and design come together our developments are perfectly placed to provide striking urban backdrops for the world’s most famous modelling talent." Meanwhile, Centrefold Editor-in-Chief Andrew G. Hobbs calls his latest issue a "dynamic collision of talent, achievement and creativity". And the cherry on the cake is Kate Moss, arguably Storm's Sarah Doukas's greatest find,  in all her supermodel fabulousness on the front cover. A real keeper.

Get yourself to one of Centrefold's carefully selected stockists to get your hands on the latest issue for £12. Don't forget to visit their brand new website too.
 

Cara Delevingne by Guy Aroch 

Jourdan Dunn by Scott Trindle

Cindy Crawford by Mark Abrahams