SCHOTT NYC X HOUSE OF HOLLAND

12.10.2012 | Blog | BY:

Over the last century Schott NYC has become a staple in the wardrobes of many a rock-star, Hollywood pin up and style icon, so much so that the label’s handcrafted outerwear has rapidly become just as iconic as the wearers themselves. Perhaps James Dean wouldn’t have been much of a Rebel Without a Cause without his Schott Perfecto® biker… Similarly, Joan Jett’s hit record Black Leather may have been a little less inspired without hers…

With an impressive true-blue American heritage dating all the way back to 1913, Schott’s 100th birthday is soon approaching. To celebrate, the New York based label has teamed up with British designer Henry Holland, to create a capsule collection that is scheduled to launch next month. Henry adorns the distinguished Perfecto® biker with butterscotch and peach candy stripes and creates a playful version of the signature American college varsity jacket, combining Schott’s celebrated history with a youthful and contemporary aesthetic.

The Schott NYC X House of Holland anniversary collection will be available to purchase at Selfridges, London from November 2012.

schottnyc.com

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When Fanny Met Jessy

18.09.2012 | Blog | BY:

Having met during their very first lesson together at London College of Fashion and soon after discovering they shared several similarities, it seemed rather apt that womenswear designers, Fanny and Jessy, would later produce their graduate collection as a collaborative project. Now two years on the pair are still very much a pair, living and working together on their eponymous label from their East London studio.

After recently deciding to reassess their way of working, Fanny and Jessy present their latest project entitled Something Season-less, a collection free of seasonal-specifics and restrictions in an attempt to maintain focus on what is truly important; creativity.

With an armful of other exciting future plans including a take-over of the digital world, the design-duo spoke to Twin to tell us more…

For AW’12 you ‘sexed up’ sportswear – what is your latest collection all about?
J: The inspiration for this collection came from detailed images of earthscapes. It is a natural progression from our AW’12 so it still has a very sporty aesthetic – There is a lot of white, mesh and jersey.
F: We’ve also included a few pieces that are traditionally ‘girly’ like dresses but it still has a unisex, tomboy-vibe to it, as that’s central to our label.

Who then is your favourite famous tomboy?
J: Just girls who are sexy and cool but who have a casual ‘don’t care’ attitude to their style.
F: Girls like Lou Doillon, Freja Beha Erichsen and Erin Wasson.

Do you believe in girl power?
F: Well we were both massive Spice Girls fans – I lived off that shit when I was a kid… So yes!
J: We believe in Girl Power with a Tomboy twist!

I hear you girls also DJ – any other hidden creative talents?
F: I don’t know if I would say our DJing was really much of a ‘creative’ talent, more just a bit of fun on the side…

Where can we party with you?
J: We do a set at Birthday’s Club Babe night in Dalston. Also our friends are in a band called The Tricks who put on a monthly night called Bop! Club, which we also play at.

What tune(s) have been on your studio playlist recently?
J: ‘Elephant’ by Tame Impala.
F: I watched a documentary on George Harrison the other day so I’ve been listening to a lot of early Beatles stuff.

It’s no secret that young designers work 24-7 – What is your essential item(s) to get you through a long day (and night) working in your studio?
Food! It goes through extremes though – We’re either super healthy and only eat rye bread, hummus, steamed vegetables and jasmine tea or we’ll binge on McDonalds and Pepsi!

Where can we buy your pieces?
We have stockists over in Japan currently but we’ll also be selling our AW’12 through our very own online store which we will be launching this month! It’s really exciting as it means we have the opportunity to be a lot more connected to our customers. We’ll also be releasing special offers and discount codes so make sure you follow us on Twitter for updates. (@FannyAndJessy)

What does the future hold for the Fanny & Jessy label?
At the moment we’re focusing a lot more on the digital aspect of our business. As well as our new transactional website, we think social media is particularly important: Instead of having a physical presence at London Fashion Week this season we produced five different teaser films with the filmographer Danny Sangra, that we released one day at a time online.

We also recently did a blog swap with The Tokyo Fashion Diaries where we documented what was happening in London that week and vice versa. It was not only fun but really successful so we would like to do some more in the future with other bloggers from across the globe… Digital world here we come!

fannyandjessy.co.uk

 

MCQ COMES TO MAYFAIR

14.09.2012 | Blog | BY:

Not only does today mark the arrival of London Fashion Week, but it also sees the much anticipated opening of the debut standalone store by McQ; the ‘younger sister’ line from Alexander McQueen. Situated at number 14 Dover Street, the new boutique – a converted Georgian townhouse – sits amongst a hub of style and luxury, counting the world-renowned Dover Street Market and Acne’s London flagship as next-door neighbours.

The three-story conceptual retail space offers womenswear, menswear, footwear and accessories as well as a selection of coveted AW’12 catwalk pieces that featured during the label’s debut London Fashion Week show earlier this year.

David Collins, the mastermind behind the boutique’s design, explains how it was important that the interiors reflected a similar signature aesthetic to that of the fashion house itself: “We looked at fetish. We wanted the home of McQ to be a parallel view of Alexander McQueen, where eroticism is part of the fabric and design that slowly unfolds throughout the store.

Inspired by surrealism, Collins’ focused on fusing futuristic technology with time-honoured luxury: traditional Japanned lacquer lines the walls and ivory shag-pile carpeting cover the aged wooden flooring, whilst an interactive digital table displays current brand content and ‘gesture-controlled’ mirrors allow shoppers to share pictures of their new look through social media channels.

For further information or to shop online visit: McQ.com

LANVIN AW’12

03.09.2012 | Blog | BY:

Ever since Alber Elbaz unveiled his inspirational new ad-campaign for Lanvin A/W 2012 earlier this month, the fashion world has become increasingly intrigued over the identity of its featured “models”. However, last week the Parisian fashion house released a short film presenting a series of out-takes – shot by legendary fashion photographer, Steven Meisel – along with recorded interviews revealing personal anecdotes and insights into the lives of these new campaign stars. Amongst this group of colourful individuals with an impressive collective age range of 18-81 years old, we discover a salt & pepper shaker fanatic, a frozen blueberry addict and a James Bond wannabe. Also starring is the legendary former-dancer, Jacquie “Tajah” Murdock, whom recently was also featured in our current favourite fashion blog, Advanced Style.

Lanvin.com

Denim Devotee

20.08.2012 | Blog | BY:

Home to the longest Denim Wall in Europe, Selfridges’ jeans-offering is not only extensive but impressive, consisting of leading specialist brands such as Hudson, J Brand, Citizens of Humanity and Levi’s. Today marks the launch of “Destination Denim;” a two-week long celebration of ‘all-things-denim’ including styling workshops, customisation demonstrations and designer exclusives, scheduled storewide.

Each brand will be hosting their own denim-dedicated events with special guest appearances, DJ sets and expert advice: Highlights include Cabaret dancing with Hudson to mark the launch of their new LEELOO jean, Yoga lessons courtesy of Lee and their flexible exercise-friendly ‘Stretch’ range, whilst British Vogue’s Sarah Harris will be in conversation with the ex-jeans-fit-model turned designer, Paige Adams-Geller about her eponymous LA denim-wear label.

For full event listings and more information visit selfridges.com

Lady in Blue

08.08.2012 | Blog | BY:

Yesterday it was sadly announced that Anna Piaggi, the celebrated fashion journalist, muse and icon has died at her home in Milan. The 81-year-old was renowned for her trademark blue hair and a flamboyantly original approach to fashion; an attribute which she was widely admired for. Piaggi’s eccentricity was an inspiration to many, including all of us here at Twin – Anna you will be deeply missed!

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Queen of Passion

01.08.2012 | Blog | BY:

Independent, powerful, enticing and complex are just a few  of the qualities frequently associated with the infamous Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra – particularly when referring to Shakespeare’s legendary dramatised portrayal. The character in question has been played by many distinguished performers in the past, both on the stage and on the screen, but what is it exactly about this female protagonist, which despite outdated references and her archaic circumstance still successfully speaks to modern women?

In an event called Cleopatra: Not the Usual Passion Assigned to a Woman, London’s Southbank Centre invites Theatre Director Janet Suzman, Actress Kim Cattrall and the organisation’s very own Artistic Director Jude Kelly, to discuss what Suzman states as being “the most interesting role for a woman ever written”. Having had experience of both acting and directing the role, Suzman’s relationship with Cleopatra lies particularly close to the heart. Next month sees the return of her take on the Shakespeare classic, which first starred the Sex and The City actress, Kim Cattrall back in 2010.

Scheduled for this Sunday, the talk forms a series of events taking place over the next couple of weeks as part of this year’s Meltdown Festival, curated by musician and artist, Antony Hegarty.

For more information and to book tickets visit southbankcentre.co.uk

Fashion In Motion: Craig Lawrence

19.07.2012 | Blog | BY:

Avant-garde knitwear designer, Craig Lawrence, will be presenting a retrospective of his work this Friday as part of the Victoria & Albert museum’s illustrious Fashion In Motion series. The young British designer will be following in the footsteps of fashion greats such as Gareth Pugh (whom Lawrence worked with for a number of seasons), Vivienne Westwood and the late Alexander McQueen, all of who have previously staged celebrated shows at the V&A.

Fusing classic craftsmanship with contemporary concepts has become the foundation to Lawrence’s eponymous label. Every collection since its conception 3 years ago has featured Kyototex (innovative metallic foil wrapped yarns) as well as other unexpected materials creating complex yet delicate structures that continually push the boundaries of conventional knitwear design.

Tomorrows Fashion in Motion event will present 4 consecutive shows staged within the V&A’s Raphael Gallery: Book tickets now from vam.ac.uk

 

 

Homecoming

17.07.2012 | Blog | BY:

Ever since construction commenced on the 2012 Olympic village, the world’s eyes have been transfixed on East London; an area which renowned photographer, David Bailey, however has been observing and documenting his whole life.

A genuine East-ender through and through, Bailey expresses his admiration and love for his homeland by centring his latest retrospective on the area and its people. The exhibition entitled David Bailey’s East End, displays an edited collection of work from his impressive fifty-year archive with a specific focus on three decades; the Sixties, Eighties and the present.

Early candid shots depict scenes of children playing, women shopping and men drinking (very much the stereotypical roles of a working class Britain,) whilst other images focus purely on the past environment of places such as Bricklane, Whitechapel and Canning Town, largely representing the deprivation, dereliction and decay of East London during this period. Interestingly, assembled scaffolding boards and poles act as the wall mount for this display; perhaps as a reference to the most recent regeneration.

A hint of the glamour most commonly associated with Bailey’s fashion photographs only begins to emerge in the Eighties series with a number of images capturing his wife and famous fashion model, Catherine, elegantly posing next to the Royal Docks (the very location which the exhibition itself takes place). The placement of these alluring shots are cleverly contrasted against panoramas portraying towering steel cranes, dilapidated warehouses and sullied factory sites accentuating the once vast unsightly industrialism of the East London cityscape.

From Sixties Cockney boozers to the streetscapes of present today, this display is photojournalism at its best, effectively documenting the altering physical and social landscapes of East London over the past fifty years.

David Bailey’s East End is on now until 5 August at Create London, Compressor House, Royal Docks, London.
createlondon.org

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ONCE YOU POP, YOU CAN’T STOP…

09.07.2012 | Blog | BY:

Mods, Rockers, Hippies and Punks: we’re all familiar with the prominently stereotyped subcultures of the late twentieth century and their associated signature attire, but where did they come from and how did they help shape a generation of youth?

Pop! Design. Culture. Fashion, the latest exhibition to be housed at London’s Fashion & Textiles Museum, explores the significance of popular culture (or ‘Pop’) between 1956 and 1976, and the impacting relationship amongst music, film, fashion and art during this twenty-year span.

The exhibition itself acts rather like a three-dimensional time line, beginning with when the “youth bomb” first exploded onto the scene in the early Fifties. Signifying the start of a new post-war world, the Fifties created a social and revolutionary change, but it also introduced a new cultural phenomenon; Rock ‘n’ Roll. Assorted exhibits originating from this period are displayed within the museum’s downstairs show space, highlighting the influence from cult films such as Rebel Without a Cause and Blackboard Jungle as well as the seminal sounds from iconic musicians including Gene Vincent and, of course, Elvis Presley.

With the arrival of each new decade, Pop’s centre of gravity travelled from city to city, country to country: The Sixties were spent swinging in London while San Francisco initiated the psychedelia of the Seventies. The exhibition chronologically guides viewers through this journey ending with the anarchist age of Punk. For each era an extensive range of original art, fashion, photographs and memorabilia are displayed, taken from one of the most comprehensive private collections of its kind. Notable artifacts include items from Elton John’s personal wardrobe, autographed photographs of The Beatles and early pieces from Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s infamous King’s Road boutique, Sex.

Pop! Design. Culture. Fashion. is on now until the 27th October at the Fashion & Textiles Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, London.

ftmlondon.org

Hinge, Hook and Handle

05.07.2012 | Blog | BY:

Spend a day with womenswear and jewellery designer, Kirsty Ward, and you’ll never look at an ordinary household object in the same way again: Hinges, hooks and handles are just a few items that Ward has previously incorporated into her jewellery collections alongside striking Swarovski crystals and intricately structured wire shapes, transforming the mundane into the masterful.

These bold, statement necklaces, earrings and bracelets create the perfect paradox amid the clean minimalistic aesthetic of her garments; something that has notably become the signature of Ward’s work.

Now in her fifth season, Twin visited Kirsty in her North London studio to discuss tabards, tea ladies and Star Trek…

Describe your signature design style in three words…
Contradictive minimal embellishment.

Do you have a muse?
It’s not anyone specific, just a mash up of girls in my mind.

Tell us a bit about the ‘Kirsty Ward’ girl.
She loves fashion and loves to stand out with fun statement jewellery, she appreciates a fun/clever/interesting detail, and will always make a ‘look’ her own. She buys pieces that make her heart beat a little faster with excitement rather than the fact that its deemed ‘cool’ that season! She doesn’t follow the crowd. 

You’re currently working on your SS ’13 collection – any hints as to what we can expect?
Tea ladies and tabards with a modern sci-fi edge.

What has been inspiring you lately?
My new delivery of Swarovski crystals and the many ways certain garments can be merged with a shirt.

Every season you collaborate with fellow womenswear designer, David Longshaw – are there any other designers whom you would like to one day collaborate with?
It’s always great collaborating with fellow young designers; I would also love to collaborate with Nicolas Ghesquiere or Raf Simons. But on another note it would also be great to collaborate with some menswear designers in the future too.

 What music have you been listening to in your studio lately?
Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx, Slow Club, Talking Heads, Jake Bugg, Kindness, Grimes, M.I.A.

If you weren’t a fashion & jewellery designer what would you do?
Perhaps I’d open a sweet shop, with cool artisan sweeties sourced from all over the world, with amazing packaging and service.

What’s next for the label?
Concentrating on the business side of things, working on building press and stockists in various parts of the world.

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Smoke and Mirrors

28.06.2012 | Art , Blog | BY:

This summer, Irving Penn’s masterful Cigarettes series will be displayed in its entirety for the first time ever at Hamiltons Gallery, London. Although Penn is probably most renowned for his photographs of famous fashion models and iconic figures, he was also equally as accustomed to shooting various forms of still life – in this case, discarded cigarette butts found on the streets of New York in the early Seventies. By printing the Cigarettes using the Platinum palladium process, an extremely difficult and costly photographic technique, Penn advanced the status of these objects from unwanted garbage to treasured rarities.

Either arranged as singular objects or clustered in groups, the image composition remains relatively minimal, however the depth and density of the tone applied to these black and white shots highlight subtle details, features and textures which otherwise would go a miss.

All of Penn’s pictures are created with a great attention to detail and the extreme magnification applied here means this series is no exception; every burnt edge, rip and fold in the delicate paper is meticulously captured as are the stray strands of loose tobacco that sprout out at the butt ends like wiry whiskers.

Another focus is the branding that is stamped onto each cigarette; even after being smoked, stubbed out, stepped on and subsequently weathered in Manhattan’s gutters, the marks of Tobacco industry giants such as Marlboro, Camel and Chesterfield are still evidently fulfilling their intended commercial purpose.

All 26 photographs from the Cigarettes series are available to view now until 17 August at Hamiltons Gallery, 13 Carlos Place, London.

hamiltonsgallery.com

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Spread The Word

27.06.2012 | Blog , Culture | BY:

As part of the continuing 2012 Olympiad festivities, this week London’s Southbank Centre is hosting Poetry Parnassus; a celebratory gathering of poets, rappers, storytellers and singers from around the globe.  Scheduled are over a hundred events and activities, (many of which are free) generating Britain’s largest poetry festival to date.

Made-to-order poems will be available for the “literary-starved” at the Poetry Takeaway, whilst the Emergency-Poet Ambulance will be on call for private poetic health consolations, offering remedies and prescriptions in the form of ‘curing’ poems, verses and lyrics.

Numerous spoken and written word artists from over two hundred countries will be participating in the festival, fronting reading-marathons and recitals as well as discussions on political topics that are often the inspiration and stimulus behind their work.

Poetry Parnassus is on now until Sunday 1st July at The Southbank Centre, London.
For tickets visit southbankcentre.co.uk

 

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Open House

26.06.2012 | Blog , Fashion | BY:

It’s been a busy month for House of Hackney; as well as setting up a summer residency within the walls of Liberty, June also sees the launch of their debut clothing line. The omnipotent interiors company have joined forces with US fashion giant, Opening Ceremony, whom we just can’t get enough of right now, to turn their beautiful and bold homeware prints into ready to wear.

Antiqued leopard spots and the brand’s signature ‘Dalston Rose’ design are placed onto a selection of baby doll dresses, oversized knits and high-waisted shorts to name a few. Business partners and HoH founders, Frieda Gormley and Javvy M Royle both hail from fashion backgrounds, so it is no surprise that next season the pair plan to take the fashion element of their business to the next level with the launch of a menswear capsule collection. The current womenswear collection is available to buy in Opening Ceremony stores and from the House of Hackney website now.

houseofhackney.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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