Do you consider yourself a 'Designer of the Future'?

Think you have what it takes to launch your own ethical fashion brand? Mayamiko is looking to give those with creative flair an opportunity to participate in the ‘Designers of the Future’ Pop-up shop at ‘The Rag Factory’ off Brick Lane.  Another collaborative project bought to you by the Mayamiko Trust, giving those with innovative ideas high exposure to the media and fashionistas looking to invest in covetable designer clobber.

‘Designers of the Future’ the pop up shop, (or rather warehouse), featuring up and coming ethical design, is coming close to you.  Situated in the trendy area of Brick Lane the exhibition is housed in ‘The Rag Factory’ a converted loft space, for housing exhibitions of those working in the creative industries. The venue is perfect for showcasing visual arts as well as creative fashion. Located in close proximity to both Liverpool Street and Aldgate East tube stations. 

Today's younger, more daring designers are leaving behind old-fashioned manufacturing methods in favour of up-cycling, environmentally friendly materials and audacious production methods. Today’s ‘Designers of the Future’ produce objects that speak of the world we're in now, and showcase the possibility of change in the future.

The event gives up and coming designers the opportunity to sell stock, promote their brand and help raise awareness for ethical fashion. Mayamiko works to support creative talents and turn them into sustainable activities. Mayamiko are committed to the promotion of ethical and sustainable design practices, they see this as a perfect opportunity for designers to collaborate and showcase their work. 

Leading designers and thinkers from across the UK and further afield are being brought together to share their points of view, helping Mayamiko to showcase, support and critically engage with ethical design. On this occasion you will be able to see very different perspectives on the future roles of designers, how they are involved in shaping the way in which design, and designers, will perceive their role in the future. The event is a must see if you are interested in this area of fashion, whether purchasing or whether you are simply interested in learning more about sustainable production methods. The experience looks set to be an exciting affair with small food stalls on during the day and fashion parades showcasing the latest trends in ethical fashion.

This truly is an opportunity to change design, and be inspired to design for change.

Information for stallholders

Date: 27th & 28th October 2012

Times: Saturday 11am - 6pm

     Sunday 11am - 6pm

Address: The Rag Factory

          16-18 Heneage St

        London E1 5LJ

Cost: £65 per day or £100 for both days - includes venue hire, table, chair, lighting, and insurance. Mayamiko asks for a 10% commission on sales, which will go to the charity and help us cover costs of promotional material.

        

Designers please express your interest by emailing lauren@mayamiko.com or paola@mayamiko.com.

Are you concerned about more than just whether it will go with your black or washed out skinnies?

When considering the process of conventional shopping we immediately think about neat rows of pristine garments, just waiting to be touched and tried on. Clothes glistening as they hang on mannequins, the feel of something new when you wear if for the first time and the exciting rush of the fitting rooms. What a thrill it is finding that perfect item and finally the shiny packaging!

“Oh look a lovely floral corset dress; the colour combination is lovely indeed. It would be great for dinners too”. As you console yourself with your sensible purchase. The thought of your next outing in a glossy new dress and what it might match in your bursting-to-the-brim wardrobe. Full of garb you don’t remember buying. Sound familiar yet? You already imagine yourself posing in front of the mirror with it playing dress up at home. The smugness you believe you will feel when you see jealous looks on friend’s faces. Surely this delight can’t be that bad, the odd treats you buy to pass your time on a lunch hour. After all you deserve it don’t you? You think to yourself I work so hard and anyway, it doesn’t matter its just another £10.

The fact is today’s shopaholics are in denial.  They operate in an industry that allows individuals to fund their addictions with plastic. Many have a shameful disbelief that they can all act and dress like pop stars. With each covetable item making them even more stylish and classy. Fashion has been allowed to become the superficial fix to patch up people’s deeper personal problems. The worst thing is the industry actually endorses these shallow views that goods are a solution to all of lives problems.

The issue is consumers shopping do not consider the chemically processed man-made fibres itching at their skin. The harshness of the shop lighting, workers sweating away in sweatshops 12 hours a day or the fish floating listlessly in nearby waterways to bring them an acid washed, dip dyed pair of jeans. Even those shoppers who claim to be well educated don’t care; in the 21^st century it’s all about fabricating an image.  Consumers are showing little change in their habits they will quite happily spend on an item only to throw it away carelessly in 3 months time. The problem is shoppers aren’t just buying the odd item now and again; they are buying time after time to perk themselves up from their hectic lives. One in today’s society must have an image.

Sustainable fashion is something that has been shifting on and off the radar for a few years now. The word eco-fashion still gives the average ‘Fashionista’ nightmares, and conjures up images of garish hemp clad hippies. You know the rugged looking tie-dye wearing types. However, for some designers eco-fashion has become more than just a buzzword. With some brands offering simple, collectable and dare I say it stylish pieces, which haven’t been made through the exploitation of human and natural resources. If in doubt google Eva Zingoni who up-cycles excess fabric from Parisian fashion houses, ASOS Africa who employ Kenyan cooperatives, also Fair and True who use organic bamboo from Vietnam.

In a groundbreaking move fashion houses such as Vivienne Westwood, H&M, Marks & Spencers, and WGSN are part of an industry consortium operating under the title of NICE CONSUMER exploring sustainable fashion. Those steering the helm are helping these firms to make decisions whether it is valuable to them to hop on the ecologically friendly bandwagon so to speak. NICE CONSUMER are investigating whether practices endorsed by sustainable firms are really profitable, to appeal to a fresher, more demanding market of eco-warriors. Larger firms are facing pressure from groups of individuals who are not accustomed to the spend-spend-spend ethos of those growing up in the 90’s boom years.  A hybrid consumer is emerging which is not only uncomfortable with current industry practices, but demand durable attire at a reasonable price. There are broad ranges of demographic groups who are becoming more aware of processes such as ‘Up cycling’ as a preferred production method. With potential for organic fabrics and zero-waste design to change the way people think about purchasing their clothes. Yet, not all of these groups can afford to buy the likes of Stella McCartney. Who actually has managed to make vegetarian footwear appealing! What NICE CONSUMER is exploring is whether it is viable to provide a sustainable palette for everyone.

In an attempt to carve a sizeable chunk in a highly specialised niche market NICE CONSUMER are actively looking for dynamic, fiery and passionate individuals to get involved in the consultation process. Critical questions that need to be addressed by the Advisory Group consider issues with respect to both consumers and producers. Potentially explosive questions could inspire a whole new attitude towards the economic cycle that generates fashion. These are the questions we will be considering in the next few days. What is the role of government if any to play in driving behaviour change in the fashion industry? Is there potential for new enterprise to make the process much less wasteful? What policies are workable to encourage sustainable business practices? And how can firms address the buying behaviours of consumers through advertising or incentivise different structures for producers?

If you find this topic fascinating and feel you have something to contribute to these questions participate in the NICE Consumer project’s consultation process. By emailing niceconsumer@bsr.org to join in a webinar. 

Lexus turns hybrid car parts into haute couture.

In an effort to enhance the image of up-cycling Lexus have challenged some of today's most innovative designers to fashion accessories from their new Lexus Hybrid.


The Lexus Hybrid prides itself on being 90% recyclable, a great feat in an industry with a predisposition for being dirty. A gathered team of renowned fashion and accessory designers re-assemble the parts into truly unique pieces of high fashion.The garments and accessories will even appear in a six-page ad campaign for the luxury automaker in the January 2012 issue of Vogue.

Eddie Borgo‘s “Valve Collection” comes from valve lifters, crank bearings, and hose clamps.

Moss Lipow‘s “Environment Crown of Virtue” was constructed from a transmission started and an exhaust manifold gasket.

Organic designer John Patrick‘s “Nomadic Sanctuary” is a full look composed of a trench coat, shorts, and a clutch made from plastic floor mats, sound-dampening insulation, leather seat and cargo covers, and a wire harness.

Alejandro Ingelmo‘s “Luna Shoe” was created with the leather trim of an armrest and clear plastic tubing. 

FRED BUTLER RECYCLES!

London-based designer Fred Butler makes statement props and accessories for the likes of Nicola Formichetti, Patti Wilson and Lucinda Chambers. Full of colour, vibrancy and animation they reflect Butler’s signature style and aesthetic. 

Fred Butler for Chanel.

This Prismatic watch from online retailer ModCloth typifies Fred’s playful relationship with accessories. 

a/w 2011 “Incandescent Meta-morph-incessant” collection pieces, are mixture of colorful geometric shapes and luminescent materials.

A regular guest at the latest events and fashion shows Butler cuts an eye-catching silhouette often dressed in bold accessories and bright hues. 

Butler views imagery as "an extension to her vision" very selective about the imagery she chooses and incorporates colour wherever she sees it; “whether that’s in fashion, art design or music". A platform for exchanging knowledge, “to bring about opportunities for people to find each other and source information that might otherwise be off their radar", Fred Butler prides herself in seeking out original content on her daily travels. 

Work, Rest and Play together.

Valerie Dumaine likes to dig into the past. A master when it comes to mix and match styles, she creates refined and bold garments that are characterised by clean and elegant lines. Casual or sophisticated? Valerie Dumaine’s carefully designed collections offer both options in a style that is assertive and unique.

Valerie Dumaine combines experience in illustration and pattern making to design with firm definition. She reveals a passion for the German fashion scene and culture inspired by experiences in Berlin during 2002. Gathering her inspiration in everything that surrounds her, from vintage record covers to 60s film. In Berlin she did unpaid work for young underground designers in the area, investigating the fashion industry someplace that wasn't Montréal. And from the experiences she garnered and the success she saw in these young designers, Valérie was instilled with new optimism.

Eskel $275.00

Shine $89

Nola $145.00

Valérie Dumaine, the label, prides itself in a sleek sophistication that pops with sassy spurts of color and punches of bold fabrics. With an uncluttered style that Valérie describes as "épuré," this line caters to those who know how to pull it together with classic pieces, the right accessories and clean yet bold lines.

Berit $132.00

Bobbie $85.00

Tesla $135.00

"Nothing is ever unique, but I hope it's unique in its own way."

SGC N-Y-C fall.

Jason Alfano has combined a passion for fashion, skateboarding and art to bring NYC a fall collection which is comfortable yet sexy, refined yet understated. 

The photographer for the launch campaign Andrew Kuykendall creates shoots which are beyond chilled, perfect for that desert vibe felt in these shots. 

My favourite pieces are an edgy double leather cuff sweater and limited edition blazer. SGC N-Y-C have jackets which feature hidden men's leather pockets on the inside and a more a structured feel than most blazers already out this fall. A perfect statement piece which i'd team with leather shorts and a burnt orange blouse. 

Hair Glasses, is this cool or geek-chic gone too far?

Hair glasses are the first in a new trend, Studio Swine a multi disciplinary design practice by Azusa Marukami and Alexander Groves demonstrate the enormous flexibility of human hair. Combined with bio-resin as a binding agent the frames are 100% biodegradable. 

A collection of sustainable accessories like this unique collection reflect a new movement for renewable, viable materials. The beauty industry imports up to 15 million pounds of human hair a year, a material set to become more available with predicted future population increases. 

A hugely innovative idea which displays substance combined with beautiful execution. 

The most innovative design Britain has to offer.

NEWGEN, Vauxhall Fashion Scout, Fashion East, Estethica, Fashion Fringe and On/Off hold bespoke pieces made in tiny numbers. Keep your eyes peeled for new emerging labels featured at London Fashion Week 2010, you could be owning a piece of the next up and coming McQueen. 

From humble beginnings at East London's Brick Lane market The Orphan's Arms experienced a fantastic response to their poignant and reactionary motif; it seemed there were more than just a few similarly minded individuals jaded with the modern face of faceless manufacture.

Wear as a vest, as a layer or as a brief dress. This irreverent 'Saint Martins Must Burn' piece is sure to start and stop conversations as soon as you show its face.

A few of my favourite pieces.......

Sykes
Ink Blue Silk Drape Skirt

Felicity Brown 'Gabrielle' Dress

Danielle Scutt
Striped Mohair Coat

Irwin & Jordan

Navy Lace Shire Dress 

Elliot Atkinson

Leopard Print Silk Jersey Leggings 

Sykes

Black Leather Wrap Skort 

 Nina Dolcetti

Bev Boots

Sophie Gittins

Taupe Mabel Shoes

Issi Girl on Fire Purse

Meli Melo
Black Leather Guia Bag

http://www.youngbritishdesigners.com