Originally from Fraserburgh, Scotland, Louise Gray has managed to make herself stand out amongst the sea of young designers in London thanks to her eye-catching designs and punky fun attitude.
From towering mohawks and geometric prints for A/W 12 to her quirkily clashing dresses for S/S 11, the designer’s creations always manage to be a refreshing addition to the RTW circuit.
Gray’s latest project is a clothing and makeup collaboration with high street giant Topshop. “I’ve captured the woman I emulate in the show and the idea that individualism and expressing yourself through fashion is cool,” she says. This concept translates into a range of fully sequined shift dresses, jogging trousers and T-shirts, alongside lipsticks, blushes and eyeliners in fluorescent hues.
Whether you prefer to dress down each standout piece with casual basics or decide to go for a head to toe Louis Gray look, take a cue from the designer herself and simply “have fun with it”.
Louise Gray for Topshop will be available on August 23 in stores and online.
With attitude by the bucketful and insanely catchy songs like 212, Azealia Banks has undoubtedly left her mark on the music industry. It looks like she is no less short of conquering the world of fashion as well.
Already counting the likes of Karl Lagerfeld as fan and having performed at Chanel’s pop up store party in Tokyo, the rap star can now include the house of Alexander Wang on her list of fashion collaborations. For the new Fall 2012 T by Alexander Wang campaign video directed by Daniel Jackson and styled by Alastair McKimm, the 21-year-old performs her latest song Van Vogue whilst decked out in the brand’s casually cool threads.
It seems that the world can’t get enough of Azealia Banks right now and with projects and tunes like this, it’s easy to see why.
Ralph Lauren is a brand that has always been synonymous with traditional Americana style. However, thanks to its Denim & Supply diffusion line and the resulting collaboration with EDM recording artist Avicii, the household label shows that an urban aesthetic is just as much part of its repertoire.
The 22-year-old DJ not only stars as the face of the Fall 2012 collection, but has also created an exclusive remix of his new single Silhouettes for the accompanying campaign film.
Showcasing an effortlessly relaxed style throughout, the brand proves that it can do contemporary just as well as classic.
If anyone can make the Seventies look modern again, it would have to be Chloë Sevigny.
Clad in psychedlic print silk shirts, boyfriend cut blazers, mirror-appliqué minidresses and chunky loafers, the queen of indie cinema and quirky fashion stars as the face of Miu Miu’s A/W 12 campaign and short film, shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. It may be Miuccia Prada’s fine tuning in cut, fabric and colour or just simply the fact that the 37-year-old actress can pull off anything and everything she wears, but despite its references there is not an ounce of retro stiffness to this collection.
Backed by the nonchalant tunes of American pop duo Phanotgram, the accompanyng video exudes the same wonderfully laissez-faire attitude of coolness. Having previously fronted the brand’s S/S 96 campaign, it becomes clear that even 16 years on, Sevigny’s still got it.
For his A/W 12 collection, Alexander Wang put on quite the visual spectacle – mirrors, supermodel reunions and all – making his minimalist campaign lensed by David Sims and starring Kati Nescher a complete departure, but no less captivating.
The New York designer’s collection, inspired by the surrealist manipulation of fabrics, is presented in simple black and white studio photographs, all the better for highlighting Wang’s clean-lined tailoring and outerwear invigorated by accents such as the Cubist slicing of a high-collared coat or slightly macabre mouth-covering fishnet turtlenecks.
In the span of five short and extremely successful years, Wang has progressed from painfully hip downtown designer to a creator with finesse and these images are just the thing to prove it.
Overly cool brand Opening Ceremony has garnered a cult status through its locations in cities like New York and Tokyo. Luckily for us, London is finally getting a piece of the action, thanks to the launch of label’s first UK shop yesterday. Set in Covent Garden, the 3,000-square-foot pop up store has been opened to coincide with the Olympic Games starting later this month and the company’s ten-year anniversary in September.
The brand has already collaborated with the likes of Chloë Sevigny and Rodarte, but to mark the London O.C. takeover, designers including adidas, Norma Kamali, Topshop, Band of Outsiders, Charles Anastase, Christopher Shannon, House of Holland, Pamela Love and Proenza Schouler have created exclusive capsule collections for the store.
Combined with a selection of rare books curated by the Claire de Rouen team and set in a neon-coloured, geometric shape-decorated landscape courtesy of Studio Toogood, it’s safe to say we have found ourselves a new retail paradise. Let the shopping games begin.
At first glance, Yayoi Kusama and the house of Louis Vuitton may not seem like the most harmonious couple. One is an eccentric artist known for her psychedelic installations, the other is a luxurious and world-renowned label under the multi-billion pound LVMH helm. However, just like in one of the Japanes artist’s polka dot paintings, there is more than meets the eye.
Both Kusama and Vuitton embody the idea of plunging oneself headfirst into an artistic vision. As much as the flame red-haired Kusama is an artwork in her own right, the house of Louis Vuitton, under the guidance of Marc Jacobs, has made train journey and carousel ride runway shows a continuously extraordinary event of the Ready To Wear season, year in, year out.
This month sees the release of the duo’s range of clothing, accessories and footwear, all covered in Kusama’s signature polka dot prints, coinciding with the opening of the artist’s exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art. On August 24, Kusama’s designs for the house will also take over London department store Selfridges with a 24-window display showcasing the new collection, as well as the transformation of the Concept Store inside, thanks to the artist’s signature giant pumpkins. The idea of fashion being art may seem like a tired cliche, but Yayoi Kusama and Louis Vuitton prove there is still a lot of exciting invigoration to bring to the table.
Arizona Muse managed to shoot campaigns for the likes of Prada, Fendi and Yves Saint Laurent almost as soon as she placed foot on her first catwalk four years ago. Since her debut, the 23-year-old’s intense gaze, bold brows and all-around versatility have secured her a spot as one of the highest-ranking models in the industry.
This season, the Tucson-born beauty works her effortlessly cool look to maximum effect as G-Star’s new brand ambassador in the label’s Autumn/Winter 2012 campaign. Photographed by Anton Corbijn against an alpine backdrop, the result is a set of powerful and captivating black and white images. They don’t call her Muse for nothing.
This year’s Autumn/Winter 2012 haute couture shows were another testament to signature style. Be it the modern romance of Valentino’s Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli or Giambattista Valli’s ever-enticing plays on volume and silhouettes, the one unifying factor throughout every collection was a representation of each brand’s true essence, underlined by highly-refined tailoring and draping.
Twin selects our favourite personal visions of the season…
Bouchra Jarrar
Couture cool is Jarrar’s calling card and although those expecting overtly dramatic ball gowns or extravagant embellishments from couture may be disappointed, her softly draped tunic dresses and forties-esque trench coat top and A-line, knife-pleated skirt combinations add a modern yet elegant touch to the couture circuit. As they say, sometimes less is more.
Chanel
This season Karl Lagerfeld saw it as his mission to put a new spin on vintage. While the collection managed to revamp classics such as the tweed suit, tea dresses and peter pan collars in a colour palette that included soft shades such as petal rose and cream, its true appeal was in the unmatchable craftsmanship of the house of Chanel. Hundred upon hundreds of hand-sewn sequins and a breathtaking feather, lace and tulle finale dress were just two examples that further solidified the label’s spot at the top of couture pyramid.
Dior
Couture week undoubtedly belonged to Raf Simons. Although he might have not been the most obvious successor to Galliano’s theatrical showings, the Belgian designer’s minimalist aesthetic has proved the perfect partner to Christian Dior’s original elegant and strongly feminine designs. Peplum waist tops and dresses paired with straight cut trousers, not to mention the two-sided evening gowns with crystal embellishments put a refreshingly modern spin on New Look-esque silhouettes.
Gambattista Valli
Nymph creatures and a fairytale narrative were woven into every fibre of Valli’s designs. Rich emerald greens and ruby garnet florals were printed on high-necked ruffled cocktail dresses and evening gowns cinched in at the waist with gold ivy belts. With a beautiful play of volume and colour, the collection was an all-round dream.
Givenchy
Riccardo Tisci’s tribal warrior was equipped with face-obscuring sunglasses and menacing dogs, but that didn’t keep the collection from being feminine and alluring, thanks to halter necklines and iridescent ombre fringing. In short, it was a well-balanced mixture of elegance, urbanism and the beauty of nature.
Maison Martin Margiela
In the light of the brand’s upcoming collaboration with high street retailer H&M, some fear that the house of Margiela will succumb to commercialism. However this collection was a piece of avant-garde artistry. From the crystal face masks to the dynamic collages of fabric and textures. Refreshing and original, it proved why Maison Martin Margiela more than deserves a permanent spot on the haute couture schedule.
Valentino
Midnight blue dresses, fully-sequined, brocade printed and embroidered cocktail pieces, as well as floor-length pleated chiffon gowns made this collection one of typical Valentino glamour, whilst canary yellow, magenta and blood red added rich pops of colour. In our eyes, Chiuri and Piccioli can do no wrong.
From secondary season to fully-fledged collections in their own right, this past year’s fashion cycle has all been about the rise of resort. Offering the ideal transition from autumn to summer, as well as designers an opportunity to prolong their retail exposure, the season has once and for all stepped out of its main collection sister’s shadow.
From Chloé’s countryside romanticism to Givenchy’s downtown gypsy look, Twin chooses our favourite not-so-in-between collections of the season…
Alexander Wang
Wang’s aesthetic has increasingly matured since his prolific rise and this collection was a clear departure from those tank top and knit beanie days.
The designer still kept his downtown cool thanks to streamlined sleeveless puffa jackets and midriff-baring vests in patent and croc leather, but by offsetting them with front-pleated, pegged trousers and refined chiffon dresses, the looks went from everyday casual to New Yorker chic.
Celine
Every season, through the slightest tweak of a silhouette or colour alteration, Phoebe Philo manages to conjure up a new line of fashion must-haves.
Progressing from her sportswear influenced A/W 12 showing, this collection was a combination of relaxed silhouettes such as wide-legged trousers and leather jumper/jogger combos, but added that typical Celine elegance through geometric prints, clean lines and a largely black and white-colour palette.
Chloé
Chloé designer Clare Waight Keller headed to the country for this collection, but those expecting Little House On The Prairie type looks are in for a big surprise.
Instead Keller took the best inspirations of rural life – think pale skye blue and neutrals, ethnic prints and crochet patterns – and infused it into the brand’s laid back romantic DNA, resulting in lightweight harem trousers, smock dresses, waist-tie tops and scallop-edged shorts made for a summer in the city.
Christian Dior
An appropriate mix of historical references and contemporary elegance, these looks found their strength in the house of Dior’s archetypal look.
Classical waist-cinching shift dresses and tops with peplum hems were paired with cropped straight leg trousers and romantic knife-pleated chiffon skirts, whilst leather accents gave the whole collection a strikingly modern feel.
Givenchy
Presented in a street style photography approach, Riccardo Tisci fused strong tailoring with paisley and geometric prints for an urban bohemian look.
Leather and motif-printed capes stood alongside more relaxed silhouettes of harem trousers and silk shift dresses for a look that was truly Givenchy, but as always, has something new to bring to the table.
Proenza Schouler
Round-shouldered tweed jackets and capes, bleached slim cut jeans, low-slung flares, satin tuxedo trousers and laser cut neon cocktail dresses – this season Proenza Schouler offered the complete wardrobe for their brand’s cosmopolite cool audience.
With colours ranging from cream to ultramarine to pistachio, this was a collection that could go from day to endless night.
Stella McCartney
McCartney’s multifarious resort showing included sheer overlay pleated skirts, fringe tassel lace dresses, golden brocade print cap sleeve and short as well as bubblegum pink blazer and neon orange kick flare trousers combos.
Accessorised with sunshine yellow pointed toe platform pumps and holographic clutches, this collection made us that bit more excited for the summer.
Theyskens’ Theory
How to turn the essentials into something intriguing appeared to be the question on Olivier Theyskens’ mind this season. His answer ticked all the right boxes: oversized blazers were given an oil painting slick appearance thanks to silver velvet and watercolour-esque prints, shimmering lurex T-shirts and jumpers gained nighttime appeal and the tried but true boyfriend jean was fitted with just the right amount of slouch. Who said basic had to be boring?
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.
Twin Guest Edit X Julia Frakes – Three Quick Questions with Kate Foley
They say two heads are better than one and we agree. Kicking off our Twin Guest Edit series is fashion writer, model, stylist and all-around wünderkind Julia Frakes. Having run her blog Bunny Bisous since 2007, the Pennsylvania-native has written for publications such as Paper and Dossier Journal, been photographed by the likes of Annie Leibovitz and Cass Bird, and styled Rachel Antonoff’s RTW collections. All accomplished by the tender age of 22, she is also currently completing her degree in psychology.
Read on for the first of her Three Quick Questions interviews…
As the buyer for retail Mecca, Opening Ceremony, Kate Foley holds both the keenest eye and one of the most enviable jobs in the industry.
While fashion followers may first recognise Kate by her effortless and oft-emulated street style, within the field she is also known for her inspiring warmth and rallying work-ethic as part of Opening Ceremony’s team.
In the midst of the hectic Resort 2013 week, Kate and I grabbed a quick coffee for a light-hearted Q&A in the garden behind Saturdays Surf NYC, just around the corner from the Opening Ceremony Headquarters.
As well as her resort buying duties, Kate is abuzz in planning Opening Ceremony’s London boutique launch in time for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
It was a true thrill to discover a bit about what makes Kate tick…
Julia Frakes: How did your childhood in England influence your style philosophy today?
Kate Foley: I grew up in a small village in the English Countryside and the selection of clothing stores in the local town was limited, to say the least. I think this really taught me to shop well and it challenged me to be creative.
There were some times when I would go to London to get something special, though; so I would supplement this with flea market finds, home-made bits, and simpler, classic pieces. I guess my style today still reflects that: I tend to find a special piece and then mix it with simpler pieces from my wardrobe. This way I feel interesting but also relaxed and comfortable… which is so important to me. There is nothing better or sexier than when a woman is totally comfortable and looks effortless.
JF: Opening Ceremony… London Olympics… 2012. We are all psyched-beyond-words by all of the potential collaborations and rumours that have been floating about. Of the various OC summer projects in the pipeline, can you perhaps shed some light on those that particularly jazz your game?
KF: I’m beyond excited about the London store opening. I’m British and it feels like such a big deal that there will be an Opening Ceremony in my home country. There are so many exciting, special collaborations in the works for the new store. We have Proenza [Schouler] and Delfina Delettrez making these amazing special pieces for us… all of which I’m dying to get my hands on.
We have a super-cool collaboration with adidas Originals (the lookbook shot by Josh Olins can be viewed online [at Twin] already!), a special Opening Ceremony London collection which I really, really love, and we will also be launching a Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony collection filled with all our favourite pieces from the past, which, yes, is super exciting. There are so many other projects that will be in the London store… but you will have to wait for the opening for those!
JF: So, just for kicks: if you were commissioned to design a Bearbrick-type figurine Twin for HRM Queen Elizabeth II, how would you style it (or her)?
KF: She would have to be wearing a single chain of pearls, small stud pearl earrings, this Christopher Kane Metallic Floral Brocade two-piece and a Maison Michel Straw Bibi Cat headpiece [see images].
Every year, a new line of fashion design graduates break out of the university halls and into the daunting fashion industry. Marking this accession to independence is Graduate Fashion Week, a congregation of final year students from the UK and abroad.
Twin headed to the four-day event to discover our generation’s next fashion protégés…
The beauty in darkness is still as strong as ever judging by Natalie Martin’s – Birmingham City University – graduate designs. Although her colour palette was comprised of somber khaki, black and faded mauve shades, Martin’s sheer panelling, metallic accents and floaty chiffon skirts added just the right touch of gloomy romanticism.
Olivia Salmon’s – UCA Rochester – collection beckoned to the little girl in all of us. As much as we love being strong and steadfast women, sometimes you just want to let your hair down, grab a bouquet of baby’s breath and carelessly wander through green fields forever in hand-painted silk A-line dresses.
Northumbria University’s Rebecca Byer struck just the right balance in contrast with her looks of oversized chunky knits and voluminous Mongolian fur-trimmed coats paired with delicate gold chain shorts and finely draped jersey and velvet gowns.
Eve Jones – Manchester Metropolitan University School of Art – created a collection for the woman somewhere in between the country club and metropolis. While polo shirts, lightweight sheer fabrics, knife pleated skirts and a dash of tennis ball yellow made an ode to all things preppy, her addition of leather biker gilets and perforated shorts kept the whole feel of the collection smooth rather than stuffy.
Claire Rushby – University of Salford – also decided to take on an athletic theme with her collection, however this interpretation would be more at home in the disco than on the tennis court. Think metallic lamé fabrics, round pleated shoulder details wafting as the wearer strides across the dance floor and breathable mesh fabrics to keep your club cool.
E L Pattern – De Montfort University – wood sculpture accessorised collection was one big play on geometrics. Blazers were sliced with accurate precisions whilst fuchsia and orange single piping on all white trousers continued the disciplined theme. But thanks to the addition of sheer overlays and flatteringly cut sheath dresses, the looks were polished and refined, not harsh.
After nearly two years hidden among the miscellany of rundown shops and hip bars of Dalston, LN-CC have proved themselves as one of London’s most exciting fashion destinations.
Always innovating, LN-CC have released a short film to celebrate S/S12 drawing to a close that features key pieces by Ann Demeulemeester, Haider Ackermann and Damir Doma.
Twin caught up with assistant buyer Jack Cassidy to talk present and future LN-CC…
How long have you been part of the LN-CC team?
I’ve been with LN-CC since August 2010, which was before we launched the website in September and store in November.
What were your favourite pieces from last season?
This season I’m mainly wearing pieces from Jil Sander, Damir Doma, Comme Homme Plus and a selection from our Japanese brands.
What can LN-CC fans look forward to next in store?
For AW12 we have picked up some new brands that I am really looking forward to arriving. For women’s Lucas Nascimento’s collection is very interesting – especially all of the interesting knit techniques and fabrications. So is the tailoring and outerwear from Kolor which is new for AW12 and we are the only UK stockist.
Accessories wise, the footwear from Cherevichkiotvichki is fantastic and new for us this season. All of the leather is tanned by a long and natural process – using tree bark rather than chemicals and the skins are finished in a small tannery in Tuscany, Italy. The leather is shave numerous times to achieve the faded look and the perfect colour season and is a rather unusual thickness (similar to molding or saddle leather). We’ve also got lots more accessories, men’s and women’s brands that we are pleased to have on board – it’s shaping up to be a great season.
Who would be your up and coming must buy?
It’s hard to say but I think Haider Ackermann is a great brand to be buying right now – his draping, tailoring and palette are very strong and his aesthetic is incomparable. But if it has to be up-and-coming I would say Lucas Nascimento. I think his attention to detail, quality and execution means that (despite being a young label) if he continues to develop his aesthetic he is heading in the direction of establishing a solid high-end brand.
What’s the soundtrack to working at LN-CC?
At the moment it’s Phil Manzanera as we are in the run up to launching a special release with him. The Zsou – Written in dust/Wild Honey release that we launched a few weeks ago also gets a regular play.
What are your top Dalston haunts for day and night?
Most of my time in Dalston is spent looking for somewhere new to go for lunch and then reverting to regular haunts such as Mouse De Lotz, DeBeavoir Deli and Bardens.
Describe LN-CC’s customer?
We tend not to define our customer or think to much about who they are. But we do see them mixing the mainline brands with the smaller and more street wear-inspired Japanese or London designers as that is the way we wear the product ourselves. We hope too that they have an interest in the different areas of LN-CC such as the clothing, books and music.
Forget the LBD — as Chanel proves with its exhibition opening in New York today, it’s all about the LBJ. The show is the latest endeavour in the brand’s The Little Black Jacket: CHANEL’s classic revisited by Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld series, which debuted in Tokyo earlier this year with the release of a 113 image strong hardcover book.
Accompanying the photography exhibit including portraits of Elle Fanning, Linda Evangelista, Tilda Swinton and Freja Beha Erichsen, all captured through Lagerfeld’s lens, is an online incarnation of the project.
The digital platform allows not only a chance to go behind the scenes of the extensive photo shoot, but also to see how the piece in question is handcrafted in Chanel’s ateliers. Just like the fashion house’s trademark piece, it’s the perfect fusion of an iconic classic with striking modernity. The Little Black Jacket: CHANEL’s classic revisited by Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld is on display at 18 Wooster Street, New York, until June 15.
On Tuesday Twin popped into meet the lovely Phillip Lim at the launch of his new Selfridges pop-up boutique. Designed by Studio Toogood, it’s the perfect showcase for Lim’s discreet brand of luxe. Housed in the Women’s Designer Galleries on Selfridges’ second floor, alongside beautiful silk separates and fine knits in popping orange and breezy blue were sneak peaks at his accessories collection of subtle chic handbags, which will launch in the store in July.
It was Lim’s first trip over the Atlantic to London for over six years and we found the talented designer in a self deprecating mood. “Front of house have a much harder job than I do, bringing all this together takes a lot of time. I just do my thing,” he said. We say, it’s a good thing too. We wanted pretty much everything on display, and I’m sure you will as well.
3.1 Phillip Lim pop-up boutique will be at Selfridges until August 2012. 31philliplim.com
New York of the late Seventies to the early Eighties has taken on a mythic quality. The parties were wild and the people wore their individuality with a bohemian innocence, before the fat cats took over Downtown and cool became a commodity.
For his new book Night & Day, photographer David Armstrong revisits the scenes of his youth, bringing together a selection of iconic Kodachrome pictures from his archive featuring characters of the scene such as Rene Ricard, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Jean-Michel Basquait, John Waters and on.
An alumnus of the Boston School, Armstrong grew up artistically alongside Nan Goldin with whom he shared a love of intimate snapshots in saturated colour. While decades on his work now graces publications such as L’Uomo Vogue, Arena Homme+, GQ and Self Service, Night and Day holds the passed youth of a cultural generation.
Sharmadean Reid is a one woman wonder. The Wolverhampton-native is the owner of Wah Nails, London’s quintessential heaven of nail art which launched in 2009, as well as editor of Wah Zine, sportswear editor of Arena Homme Plus and consultant to brands like Nike.
Wah have taken their magic as far as New York and Tokyo and most recently, Sharmadean authored The WAH Nails Book of Nail Art, a guide on how to recreate the salon’s 25 most popular designs at home. Whatever the endeavour, Reid’s story has been one of continuous success.
Twin sat down with the multi-talent to discuss what defines a Wah Girl, accessorising with nail art and past beauty faux pas…
What was the idea behind setting up Wah Nails? The idea came from just wanting a place to hang out with my mates where I could have anything I wanted on my nails. Nothing would be a fuss and nothing an issue. I wanted uptown meets downtown. There is still no salon I’d want to hang out in except for Wah.
Where do you rank the importance of nail art in accessorising a look? The first accessory in any look should be an attitude. Nail art is dope and there’s something for everyone. It should be the cherry on the cake for the outfit.
What was your intention with The Wah Nails Book of Nail Art? My intention for the book was to allow girls all over the world the chance to dive into a little bit of London. I remember being a teenager in Wolverhampton and devouring anything that was cool and London. I wanted to give that experience to other young girls. I also wanted a smash hits annual vibe. Like a snapshot of a time and a place. This is 2012, these are the girls, here’s the nails, this is what’s up.
How would you describe the typical Wah Nails girl? The typical Wah Girl mixes fashion and street, loves gold and doesn’t give a shit what other people think. She is the last girl on the dancefloor, doing it – doing something, is chill, yet trill and in control.
You have done collaborations with the likes of Minx and Models Own. What projects are planned for the future and how would you like to expand the Wah Nails brand? I really want to do a product range. Keep the brand on bathroom shelves.
Last but not least, what are your own past favourite beauty looks and faux pas? My favourite beauty look growing up was gelled kiss curls, they’re coming back now. My faux pas was shaving my eyebrows!
The WAH Nails Book of Nail Art is out now and available here.
Irish lovely Angela Scanlon is a name to watch. The fashion stylist and writer has already worked for mags such as Tatler and Grazia and has her TV patter perfected.
With a new fashion book, The Secret Stylist, set to come out early next year, Twin caught up with her to find out what makes her tick…
How did you get started in fashion?
I went backwards by studying business for four years. At the time I was feeling very entrepreneurial and I wanted to open a boutique and design my own range. Then I got a taste of life on the shop floor, I worked in a supposedly busy Dublin store and thought I would die of boredom so the boutique dream sort of evaporated.
I needed to change tack so volunteered to assist a stylist who’s still to this day a great mate of mine. She taught me a million things and somehow doors just started to open for me and that’s continued! I did my fair share of cleaning muck off shoes…and quickly realised that fashion is not as glamourous as it sounds, but I think that made me love it even more.
Writing seemed like a natural extension of styling-just a different way to communicate. I’ve kept a blog for years and had the first ever fashion blog to be taken on by a national newspaper in Ireland, The Independent. It gave me lots of opportunities and, I guess, made me look like I knew what I was doing! Sometimes, someone just has to take a chance on you and you have to step up…
Did you study fashion?
Not in the traditional sense, no. But I was always aware of fashion and into it, buying magazines, ‘styling’ friends, keeping a fashion blog-I’ve been in training forever! I always feel that with styling in particular, you learn on the job. You can’t get a proper understanding from reading a book or taking notes. Even the actual process needs to be learned. Where to start, where to finish. When to yield and when you should stick to your guns.
Without getting all ‘Oprah’ on it, it’s about finding people who share your vision and then communicating that. It’s much more organic and opportunistic, you can’t do it with your head stuck in a book. You have to be ‘in’ it and ready to take the opportunities that are presented.
From the Independent, I went on to do TV which led to a column in Tatler and more styling work, then Grazia Daily came along and I’ve been writing for them, I now have a page in U Magazine and most recently I’ve joined a list of my fashion heros to write for the Huffington Post, Joanna Lumley’s in there so that in itself is deadly! It doesn’t just happen but in a way each job leads to another.
What have you been working on most recently?
I’ve just finished the first draft of my book which has been gruelling but brilliant. It’ll be out next year and I think it’s something fresh and bold, it’s a new take on a fashion book. I wanted to do something that myself and my mates would actually want, none of this ‘pear shaped’ stuff, it’s a celebration of fashion and aims to encourage and empower chicks to wear what the want. While I adore fashion, I think personal style needs to be approached with a sense of humour… nurtured but never restricted. It’s self expression at it’s purest and the rules need to be trashed.
And…just a few quick-fire qus, so we can get to know you better…
Doc Martens or Converse?
Cons although I have ponyskin Dalmation print Doc’s that I’m pretty fond of.
Make-up free or slap?
Clean face, fluffy brows.
Pastel or Neon?
Neon.
Ryan McGinley or Tim Walker?
McGinley every time although Tim Walker is a fantasy God, just a little clean for me.
Cocktail dress or le smoking?
Le Smoking.
Courtney Love or PJ Harvey?
PJ Harvey for her smile.
Guitars or beats?
Guitars. I love nothing more than a sing song in an old pub after hours.
Leather or denim?
Both.
Ponies or bikes?
Ponies. I had a pony called The Steel Duke who I adored. I haven’t ridden in years but the feeling of freedom when you’re let loose in a field is the best!
Whiskey or Champagne?
Whiskey.. and ginger.
FROW or pub?
One before the other.
Country ramble or city walk?
Country ramble in the rain.
Jane Birkin or Charlotte Gainsbourg?
Charlotte Gainsbourg. Slightly less perfect and even more attractive for it.
The Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute’s new exhibition focuses on two icons of classic design separated by disparate eras: The late Elsa Schiaparelli, creator of the ‘Tear’ dress and associate of the Surrealist movement, and Muiccia Prada, a politics graduate whose coveted Postmodernist creations are made for women’s brains – not their bodies.
Their collaborative exhibition: Schiaparelli and Prada – Impossible Conversations, comprises of signature pieceswhich are divided into seven themed galleries, including Hard Chic and The Surreal Body. The designers’ ensembles are collated and video installations are included which depict simulated conversations between the women with a view to highlight similitudes and contradictions in their work.
Accompanying the exhibition is a photographic book of the same name, which enriches the narrative of the show by including a miniature booklet connecting the designers generational disparity. Photographs, articles and quotes intimate additional ‘impossible conversations’ between them.
The exhibit and book not only illustrate an interdependence between the historic and the contemporary, but they also provide a delightful glimpse into the agency of two dissenters who have consistently undermined conventional edicts of elegance and sophistication in all of their staid, and unimaginative manifestations by creating an alternate, yet beautiful array of fresh palettes and concepts.
Schiaparelli and Prada – Impossible Conversations is showing at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute in New York until 19 August 2012.
Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations is published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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