Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts

Friday, 3 August 2012

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.

Wednesday, 25 April 2012

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.

Thursday, 15 December 2011

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.

Sunday, 20 November 2011

We are selectors. You are selector.

Woke up this morning, to realise, you are the power in your own world with the ability to shape the relations that happen around you. Simply smile, even if someone near to you is having a bad day. This one action is absolutely infectious.

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Back with vengeance S/S 12.

Licia Florio is a young Italian brand which gets its name from its own designer. Her intention is to create an elegant brand, never excessive and ostentatious. Simple clothes, which emphasize your shape, signifying a product made in Italy.

Licia Florio’s spring 2012 collection features chambray separates with unexpected design lines, like a cross-over closure open back denim jumpsuit.

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Sunday, 25 September 2011

We are all born to see.

Bringing you J Crew's Autumn/Winter Lookbook.

Sunday, 4 September 2011

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.

Friday, 3 June 2011

Love Love Love TV, for Summer.

Want to be on the pulse this Summer. Invest in some seriously chic applique from TV a cult Australian label, forming part of the Emerge capsule collection for Topshop. The Emerge initiative is an in-store boutique showcasing fashion forward collections from up-and-coming international talent.

With the brocade jeans from the AW 10 collection, TV manages to effortlessly combine sculpted graphic prints and florals without making it look like you've dived into a wardrobe mess.

TV design for a girl who is confident, women who are adventurous and I'm sure a few East London boys with bleached hair.

Tuesday, 4 January 2011

Wouldn't it be nice to wake up in the morning when the day is new. Introducing Jaguar Shoes Collective.

That is the outlook taken by innovative design company Jaguar Shoes Collective. Supporting the creation, presentation and preservation of contemporary art which utilises new technology in significant ways.

Creative director Vickie Hayward leads the Jaguar Shoes Collective with an eclectic aesthetic and a soft-spot for illustration. Translating ideas from paper to reality, which spans a myriad of homeward, fashion, music and design. Channelling new designers such as Chrissie Abbott who are riding the crest of East London's creative wave into the company.

Jaguar Shoes is leading the city's hearts and minds into 2011, operating a unisex fashion and lifestyle store, what I love about the brand is its diversity. Sharing the mindset of today's go-getters, they too have been accused of having their fingers in too many pies. Reflecting the ethos of the modern day artists and creatives working behind the scenes.

The philosophy at Jaguar Shoes is to spot and nurture design talent and provide a place for it to evolve. Stocking limited-edition or exclusive designs by emerging brands and designers alongside classic, must-have items like denim, t-shirts and jersey dresses. Plus trend-leading accessories, books, ceramics and art prints. Often holding exhibitions with artists/ designers on various collaborative projects. To create a relaxed and buzzing environment where customers can shop, hang-out and collaborate, they combine a shop-café-bar in one adjoining venue (within The Old Shoreditch Station building at 1 Kingsland Road, London,E2). Enjoy a coffee/tea or beer/glass of wine while you visit.

Creative minds. Submit here.

http://www.jaguarshoes.com

Saturday, 1 January 2011

Seriously stylish and seriously ethical. Possible? Why yes.

Fashion-Conscience.com is a GENUINELY fashion forward site sourcing ethical clothing for stylish women with a conscience. A number of designers are finally grasping that ethical fashion can be just as high end and as covetable as our favourite labels. Trendsetters 'Matt and Nat' create vegan bags from recycled materials, 're-Luxe' use recycled clothes to create hip, one of pieces they constantly follow the seasons latest trends to bring you affordable alternatives. This all helps reduce the UK's million tonnes of waste which reaches land fill each year.