Tomorrow, Thursday 22nd May, Converse CONS Project London will open in Peckham – one of the city’s most up-and-coming creative hubs. The 10-week project sets out to unleash creativity within the community, giving young people a space to be inspired and learn whilst fuelling their own passions through a series of talks, workshops and exhibitions. Festivities begin with the launch of CONS Street, a new skate spot for London designed by Jerome Campbell.

The initative is curated by five local CONS Ambassadors such as James Benenson (Urban Nerds), Alex Synamatix (The Daily Street), Scratcha DVA (Rinse/Hyperdub), Jerome Campbell (Converse Cons Skate Ambassador) and Sam Taylor (Vice/Little White Lies). You will find US hip-hop legend PUSHA T launching CONS Project London when he takes to the stage at the official opening party on Thursday 29th May. There’s plenty to get involved in with events such as the Graffiti Canvas Workshop, Skate Photography Workshop, Keeping Print Alive Seminar and a DIY Digital Media Seminar plus many more.

For more information and to register for the free events and workshops, head to conversecons.com/ldn

Cons Project London
Copeland Gallery, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham, London, SE15 3SN

Tags: Converse

When the news broke last December that Kristen Stewart would be the new face of Chanel, some thought it was an odd choice from Karl Lagerfeld. However, this behind the scene video shows the 24-year-old actress is a perfect fit for his ‘Romantic Western’ collection. Shot by Lagerfeld himself, the ad campaign sees Stewart in pieces from the Texas-inspired 2013/14 Chanel’s Métiers d’Art collection that debuted in Dallas. Watch the video below.

chanel.com

Tags: Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, Kristen Stewart

When it comes to jewellery for SS14, one statement piece comes out on top. The choker is yet another 90’s trend that’s being re-introduced into our lives. This time however, it’s less Spice Girls, more Celine, taking inspiration from the chic and minimal to give us a oversized piece that works with nearly every outfit. Here, Twin picks the top four chokers on the market.

Pearl Choker, £15.99, zara.com & Giuseppe Zanotti Stud And Buckles Choker, £360, luisaviaroma.com

Annelise Michelson Gunmetal Carnivore Choker, £830, avenue32.com & Paula Mendoza Hera Gold-Plated Choker, £700, net-a-porter.com

Tags: Annelise Michelson, Choker, Giuseppe Zanotti, jewellery, Paula Mendoza, SS14, Zara

Alasdair McLellan, one of the most sought after fashion photographers has looked back to his Yorkshire roots to publish his first book, Ultimate Clothing Company. The idea for the publication centres around growing up in England; “I’ve been working on the book for years. It’s pictures of young men and landscapes, and a lot of the landscapes are from memory: places that I used to go to when I was growing up,” stated McLellan.

McLellan will be signing copies of the book tomorrow, April 16 from 5pm at Idea Books, 17-18 Dover Street, London

alasdairmclellan.com

Tags: Alasdair McLellan

Danielle Foster, the London-based accessory designer, focuses on texture for SS14. Embossed croc detailing features heavily in this season’s collection, decorating totes, clutches and satchels, all in the signature shapes we’ve come to love from the brand. Backpacks are a new addition to her line for SS14, found in black and white luxury leathers, while other styles are highlighted with colour blocking of cool metallic, crisp white, black and burnt orange.

daniellefoster.co.uk

Images from Danielle Foster SS14

Photographer: Agnes Lloyd-Platt
Hair & Makeup: Kim Plotel
Model: Ella @ Elite
Clothes: Charlie May

Tags: Danielle Foster, SS14

Opening Ceremony like to think outside the box when it comes to collaborations. Their latest sees them take inspiration from the first Mickey Mouse animated film, Steamboat Willie. Motifs taken from the infamous cartoon make their way onto button-down shirts, tees, sweatshirts, and plush-soft knit sweaters. OC also called upon its brand partners to accesorise the collaboration: New Era created classic 5950 caps and custom developed bucket hats, Vans covered the Classic Slip-On, Authentic and Sk8-Hi shoes with the Mickey Mouse prints, and Tabio did the same with finely-crafted socks.

The collection is available online and at OC London.

openingceremony.us

Tags: Mickey Mouse, opening ceremony

This May, Harrods Knightsbridge is celebrating all things Prada. Throughout the month you’ll find a pop-up store, multiple screen displays, an elegant Marchesi café, and Pradasphere: an exhibition that explores the brand’s multivalent obsessions — from fashion and accessories to art, architecture, cinema, sport and beyond.

The centrepiece of the exhibition comprises of six displays that combine ensembles from various collections and in addition, expect to find heritage items from the archive such as shoes and bags, examples of luxury fabrics and materials as well as a Prada histrory wall that links together the design collections with all the extracurricular projects, from Fondazione Prada to Luna Rossa. There is also a screening room presenting short films from directors such as Roman Polanski, Wes Anderson, Ridley Scott, and Yang Fudong.

Tags: Harrods, prada

To showcase the key pieces from their Spring/Summer 2014 collection, Linda Farrow called upon Belgium photographer Frederick Vercruysse to create this still life campaign. This season inspiration is taken from the 70’s, utilising hyper-luxe materials including snakeskin and gold to give us the adventurous styles Linda Farrow has become renowned for.

Available in the new Mount St store as well as lindafarrow.com.

Tags: Linda Farrow, SS14, Still Life

Whether you have a resort-collection worthy holiday booked or just simply plan on lying by the pool at Shoreditch House this summer, swimwear is bound to be on your mind. Here at Twin we’re adversed to the itsy bitsy, and prefer to lounge around in quality materials and contemporary designs, just like these four sets. When it comes to swimwear SS14, we needn’t look any further than Triangl, Prism, Lisa Marie Fernandez and Beth Richards.

Twiggy Stardust Neoprene Bikini, £48, international.triangl.com & Lisa Marie Fernandez Red Neoprene Bikini, £200, thecorner.com

Prism Denim Bikini, £200, thecorner.com & Beth Richards Faye Tank in White, £79, wald-berlin.de and Brigitte Bottoms in Black, £90, selfridges.com

We’re celebrating our tenth issue this season, which means it’s been five years since our first Twin book was released. To celebrate, we thought we would look back over the issues, reminisce a little. In Twin V we spoke with actors, artists, playwrights and more for a feature called Top Girls, a look at the emerging British names set to be stars. Here, Twin caught up with some of those girls to see where they are now…

Lily Jones

When we last spoke to Lily, an artisan baker, she had only just written a business plan, hired staff and opened a café on Columbia Road. Things are now a little more global: “I have been working on a bakery project in Kochi, India which is now open for business and I also consult for 5 bakeries in the Middle East.” As well as her international feats, Lily recently released her second book, Sweet Tooth and also (somehow) finds time to act as co-founder of The YBFs, “a food & drink awards which spotlights and celebrates new, innovative talent in the industry. Our 3rd annual event this year will be hosted at Tate Britain.” Busy just doesn’t cut it.

lilyvanilli.com

Harley Weir

As well as working on projects with subjects such as “the suburban heaven” in which she grew up, Harley teaches part-time and is attracting jobs that are more in tune with her interests. “[I am] finally putting a few brain cells aside for fashion, which I have come to admit (as hard as it was) is my trade.” With past clients such as British Vogue, Paul Smith, Another Magazine, Topshop, I-D Magazine, Supreme and Stella Mccartney to name a few, it’s safe to say this photographer has come a long way since her sexual photo-diary.

harleyweir.tumblr.com

Rachel De-lahay

Rachel’s debut play THE WESTBRIDGE was about to open at the time Twin V was released and it went on to win Best Play at the Writers Guild Award. De-lahay also received acclaim for her second piece of theatre, ROUTES, winning the Evening Standard Award for Best New Playwright.

This young writer is about to open her third play in Birmingham this May, before it comes south to the Tricycle Theatre in London. For her next move, we will see her work on screen as she has just completed a pilot for a new BBC drama. “I’m [also] currently writing a feature film with Film Four and Independent (the producers who made We Need To Talk About Kevin) and was selected as Screen Nations Screen Star of Tomorrow, and am developing my own comedy drama series for Channel Four as well as adapting a blog for Fox Television.” De-lahay is certainly a name we are going to see much more of in the future. Watch this space.

Billie JD Porter

For Billie it was never really about the DJing; that and the music writing/promoting acted as a platform to help her get on her way (at the tender age of 14 we might add). Documentaries were the end goal and having just spent seven months in South America, working on a series of films for the BBC called ‘Secrets of South America,’ it seems that dream is now a reality. But what of the parties? “There’s a lot less chaos in my life at the moment. I’m not sure if that’s a permanent thing though.”

billiejd.blogspot.co.uk

Julia King

“Around the time that I was in Twin I won a Holcim Award in the ‘Next Generation’ category, an international competition that recognizes innovative projects and future-oriented concepts which really helped kick start my career.” And what a career this architect already has. One that has brought sanitation infrastructure to 2000 plus people in a resettlement colony in Delhi called Savda Ghevra, through her work with CURE. This year has been spectacular for King she states, “I was awarded the Emerging Woman Architect of the Year by the Architectural Journal and won a SEED Award for ‘Excellence in Public Interest Design‘ for the sanitation project in Savda Ghevra.” But that’s not all of them, last year King was also included in ICON magazines ‘Future 50′ – a snap shot of 50 young designers and architects who are pushing the boundaries of their disciplines and trying to change the world. And that PhD she was working on when we last spoke, well that will be completed this summer.

julia-king.com

Photography: Nick Dorey, originally published in Twin V

This April sees the release of Converse’s Chuck Taylor All Star Tie Dye collection. Celebrating colour, the range showcases a vibrant explosion of marbleized “inks” in high top and ox silhouettes. Dark base colours are infused with bright hues for even more visual impact. Available in an array of colourways from nightshade, monochrome, white and peppermint, white and mesange, white and eglantine and one that is sure to stand out, multi-colour.

We predict you’ll see these at every music festival near you come summer. Available from schuh.co.uk.

converse.co.uk

Over the last few weeks images of Karl Lagerfeld have been surfacing where we find the designer sporting some very cool headgear. It has now been confirmed that the collaboration between Chanel and Monster is going ahead and the first images have been released. The headphones are in keeping with the iconic Chanel aesthetic – quilted leather, double ‘C’ monogram and matching case. We are yet to know a release date, stockists or price, but hopefully we won’t be kept waiting too long.

chanel.com

Tags: Chanel, Headphones

Tags: Mike Kelley, MOCA, opening ceremony

Mount Street is quickly becoming one of the top shopping destinations in London with Celine opening it’s first UK flagship last month. Linda Farrow, the luxury British eyewear specialist has also opened shop on same road. The residence is the first first flagship boutique for the brand and acts as a gallery where you can find a selection of unisex eyewear from Linda Farrow and its celebrated international designer collaborations. Those of which include Dries Van Noten, The Row, Alexander Wang, KRISVANASSCHE, Oscar de la Renta, Erdem, Matthew Williamson, Prabal Gurung, Agent Provocateur, Jeremy Scott and Walter Van Beirendonck.

The interior was created by the Elemental Design Practice, the team who were behind Linda Farrow’s first stand-alone store concept in Hong Kong. The decor perfectly reflects the label’s aesthetics, fusing minimal with the baroque. The opening couldn’t have come at a better time. With spring in full swing, luxury eyewear is on top of everyone’s shopping lists.

To celebrate the launch of the flagship Linda Farrow’s creative directors Tracy Sedino and Simon Jablon hosted an intimate dinner at Scott’s Private Room in Mayfair last week. Marcus Piggott, Tati Cotliar, Peter Pilotto, Christopher De Vos, Nicholas Kirkwood, Matthew Williamson, Eva Cavalli,  Markus Lupfer, Adwoa Aboah and Dominic Jones, to name but a few, all came out to play.

lindafarrow.com

Tags: Linda Farrow, Mount Street

Yesterday marked the start of the feminist film festival Bird’s Eye View here in London. Running until Sunday 13th April, this week has a jam packed schedule of films, documentaries and events, all championing female talent.

One event we think would be of real interest to Twin readers is Fashion Loves Film at the ICA on Friday. To celebrate the 10th year of BEV, female filmmakers across the world will explore how images of fashion reflect culture and identity in a selection of short films. Highlights include Lena Dunham’s brilliantly quirky Best Friends (Rachel Antonoff Fall 2013); SHOWstudio Head of Fashion Film Marie Schuller’s exploration of Asian Couture; Kathryn Ferguson’s Irish fantasia Mathair, plus a selection of shorts by Miu Miu. A real treat!

Book tickets at ica.org.uk

Find the full list of events for the festival here birds-eye-view.co.uk

Tags: Birds Eye View, Feminism, Film Festival

Recently, Twin crossed the channel and headed to the French capital to find out what’s hot in Paris right now. Between walking along Avenue Montaigne, shopping at Colette and eating macaroons at Angelina, we met with some emerging designers at their showrooms to find out about the AW14 collections. Now if you’ve not heard of these three brands before, take note.

Etienne Dereoux

Etienne Dereoux states that he doesn’t necessarily create with seasons in mind. Everything is more resortwear; “winter under the sun” if you will, and with the bright pink and blue hues his latest collection boasts, spending your time by the fire would be a complete waste of his garments. Dereoux studied fashion at the Antwerp Academy of Fine Arts and La Cambre School of Visual Arts before starting his eponymous label in Paris. There is a certain serenity to his pieces, fusing comfort and elegance in a contemporary sportswear fashion.

For AW14 a mix of vivid colours like bright fuchsia and royal blue are complemented by black and white and find themselves decorating clean-cut bomber jackets, wool cashmere coats, soft honeycomb knits or crocodile leather pieces. We were specifically drawn to his knitwear capsule collection, a collaboration with the heritage brand Le Mont Saint-Michel. Inspired by dance attire, the range includes mesh-like jumpers and fully- fashioned merino dresses that perfectly combine French savoir-faire and American-inspired sportswear. It’s a match made in fashion heaven.

etiennederoeux.com

Risto

Now you might not know the name, but you’ve certainly seen his designs before. As Head Knitwear Designer for Kenzo, Risto Bimbiloski is no newcomer to the fashion scene having previously worked at Jean Colonna, Thierry Mugler and Louis Vuitton. His personal label is inspired by science and technology giving us quirky motifs and intricate pieces that push the boundaries of knitwear entirely. A family affair, the brand’s collections are entirely produced by Risto’s own atelier, run by his mother in Macedonia and at his showroom we met his brother too. The Macedonian designer is also influenced by the traditional artisan techniques of the women in Ohrid, his hometown, so it’s safe to say this creative hasn’t forgotten his roots.

Come winter, the Risto girl will be seen in light green metallic dresses, high-waisted loose-fitting tailored pants in varied shades, and of course an array of knitted pieces from polo necks, cropped woven jumpers and cardigans covered in wool fringing.

risto.com

Calla

The Calla brand is international to say the least. Based in Paris, showing as part of Made in New York and Calla Haynes, the designer herself is Canadian, which gives the collections this nomadic essence; they won’t feel out of place anywhere. Even the materials are international, boasting silky lightweight fabrics from Japan and mohair from Italy.

Calla likes to create a story for her collections, delving deep into a narrative that expresses each season. For AW14 the Calla girl is a broken-hearted Parisian who ups and leaves for Memphis to become a country singer. This elaborate tale helped create the varsity jackets, oversized blazers, dresses and skirts the collection is full of. The chunky alpaca knits and mohair plaid are a nod to traditional Americana and provide the perfect juxtaposition of tomboy and feminine that the brand is known for. There was also many more graphic prints than previous seasons. One, is based on Lillybear, Calla’s fluffy companion, a Chow Chow who we met while she guarded the showroom. The Lilly motif finds itself emblazed on sweaters, cardigans, dresses, trousers and coats, in an array of colourways. It’s this fun and light-hearted take on fashion that leaves a smile on your face when wearing Calla.

calla.fr

Tags: Calla, Etienne Dereoux, Paris, Risto

Marni Lab has created a short film to celebrate the iconic Marni Trunk bag for SS14. Styled like an old fashioned movie trailer and set to the gramophone sounds of Emanuele Scataglini, the black and white short film sees the geometric shapes of the handbag paralleled through the architecture of Aldo Rossi and Carlo Aymonino, as it was shot at Monte Amiata Housing in Milan. Playful in its execution, the doubled screens further emphasize the power of perspective. Watch the film below…

marni.com

Tags: Marni, SS14, Trunk

Francis Leon is a high-end contemporary streetwear brand inspired by sportswear, that combines sharp construction, luxury quality and effortless styling. With a nonchalant, cool and casual asethetic, they are one to keep on your radar, especially when they cite Rooney Mara, Freja Beha Erichsen, Mick Jagger and Charlotte Gainsbourg as their muses. This season is all about the misfit in the middle, so Twin spoke to designer Jo Turner to find out more.

Tell us about the Republic of Francis Leon…
The republic is how we refer to everyone related to the brand in some way… our community; from our customers, to our retailers, our photographer, agents and all the people behind the scenes. It’s about building relationships and creating something bigger than just the clothes or the brand.

What signature style/pieces can we expect from the brand?
Our signature pieces are the jackets. We mix high-quality Italian leathers with different fabrications to enhance fit and comfort. They are designed to be lo-fi luxury; casually effortless… a jacket you can throw on over anything.

What is the Francis Leon girl doing this spring? Where does she hang out?
She’s working, socialising, going to events or just hanging out in the park reading a book.

Launched in Australia, now based in London, how does this affect the collections? Does it?
I’m not sure. Our product range has changed a fair bit since moving the businesses over to Europe. We focus mostly on outerwear now. The two markets are very different, it’s quite hard for a brand to service both at the same time. Our aesthetic always leaned a bit more towards Europe than Australia, so it was quite a natural and straightforward move for us.

What are your favourite pieces from the SS14 collection?
The Avenger. It’s just a great classic biker, but at the same time a little bit different. It’s made in the softest lamb leather you can buy, with under-sleeve panels in perforated breathable neoprene for comfort and movement.

With a tomboy-ish nature and relaxed sensibility, what inspires these garments?
Each season there’s a Francis Leon heroine/character that continues through an adventure – this season, Collection 12, she finds herself a stow away on a rundown circus train. This is shown through hints of worn metallic leathers and lightning bolt details. But we always want to maintain a comfort and relaxed nature – an effortlessness; laidback sophistication.

Any collaborations or capsule collections on the horizon?
Yes, we’ve done a collaboration with Barbour International launching this winter. But definitely on the look out for more… so watch this space!

francisleonstudios.com

Photographer: Jo Duck
Make-up: Elias Hove
Model: EWA @ Models1

Tags: Francis Leon, SS14

Spring/Summer 2014 is Freja Beha Erichsen’s second season as the face of Zadig & Voltaire, but now she turns her hand to designing. Creating a rock chic collection, in support of international charity Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), an association that provides a combination of health treatments and interventions in the field from care-givers of different nationalities. The collection itself is a perfect combination of androgynous, casual and timeless outfits, fusing together both Freja’s personal style and the Zadig & Voltaire aesthetic: “Rock as a universal language. Wings as a symbol of positive attitude. Zadig & Voltaire brings fashion to the liberated woman, the real woman, a woman free to express herself.”

Key pieces from the range are white, khaki or black T-shirts, denim and leather jackets and leather bags, all of which donate 40% of their profits to Médecins Sans Frontières. The three major pieces of the capsule collection feature a capital ‘F’, Freja’s initial and ’87’, her date of birth.

zadig-et-voltaire.com

Tags: freja beha erichsen, Zadig & Voltaire

The Panama Diary is a Smythson classic, with the original being created in 1908. To this day its design has barely changed – a testament to its timelessness. Six months ago the Panama inspired an entire collection, now, in collaboration with Quentin Jones, a Panama capsule collection has been created. The British artist’s quirky illustratrations and graphic style adorn a covetable selection of leather handbags and accessories such as large totes, zip pouches, notebooks, passport covers and key rings. These limited edition leather goods were originally only available at Collete but have just launched on the Smythson website. We recommend snapping them up quick.

smythson.com

Tags: Art, Quentin Jones, Smythson