Seductive, Sizzling SARI

Seductive, Sizzling SARI

The possibilities potent in sari designing was explored in a variety of ways at the Seematti fashion event in the city

Despite the trendy tunics, smart dresses, seductive skirts and skinny legged denims that are oomphing up wardrobes and ramps alike, the lure of the six yards is still intact. The designer ensemble showcased at textile major Seematti’s fashion event at Le Meridien in Kochi this weekend experimented with the time-tested appeal of the sari.

The traditional weaves from Kacheepuram reinterpreted in fuchsia pinks, tangerine oranges and turquoise blues, dazzled. The authentic zari borders ranged from muted to subtle and conventionally loud. The prints and motifs, conceived by the CEO of Seematti Beena Kannan herself, keep the new-age bride in mind. “They need something that is classic, but with a contemporary twist,” says Beena. Hence, the colours are more vibrant, the combinations wacky and the zari detailing more varied. “Though we have tried to modernise the patterns and designs, we have retained the richness of the traditional silk,” says Beena. Whites, too, got a whole new exposure in Kancheepuram. Creamy, off and stark whites with brilliantly-coloured borders. White is loved universally and for a designer, it presents immense possibilities, she adds.

The first two rounds brought out the best of Kancheepuram and the other displayed the brand’s latest designer wear collection—cottons, nets tussars and mangalgiri. Customers of Seematti got a chance to be the models for the designer cotton collection. While the ghagras, gowns, lehengas and silk saris were flaunted by models from Mumbai. Showstopper Sameera Reddy showed off the resplendent quality of the Kancheepuram in Beena’s signature style orange sari with kasavu. All the garments displayed at the show are available at the showroom.

Seematti has conducted similar shows in the country and abroad including the U.S. and the U.K., says Beena.

Lauren Conrad Launches Eco-Friendly Accessories Lines

Lauren Conrad Launches Eco-Friendly Accessories Lines

Reality TV star-turned-fashion designer Lauren Conrad is set to launch an eco-friendly accessories lines.The Hills star has teamed up with bosses at BlueAvocado to create XO(eco), a collection of cosmetic bags, lunch totes and shopping carryalls made from recycled water bottles.

She says, "We wanted to create an eco collection of functional, really cute products so that people can be doing a good thing but also look good while they're doing it".

The line will be sold exclusively via shopping network Amazon.com.It is the blonde beauty's latest extension of her fashion brand - she already has two clothing ranges LC Lauren Conrad and Paper Crown.

How Designers Are Getting Inventive With Arts And Crafts Skills To Create New Fashions

How Designers Are Getting Inventive With Arts And Crafts Skills To Create New Fashions

THE line between art and fashion is often blurred, or at times non existent, with much haute couture fashion certainly describable as works of art and with a growing emphasis on handmade fashion also starting to compete with the High Street, crafty creations are also working their way into the fashion scene.One example of this is Towcester designer Lizzi Bucklow-Holt’s collection of accessories and children’s wear, BizziZizzi, featuring many ways to get creative with your look.

Among Lizzi’s crafty range are children’s clothes inspired by fictional characters, and creative clay buttons and beads, hats and crochet fascinators.I have been been crafting one thing or another since I was really little,said the 41-year-old mum to three.I was the child trying to create things out of the wrapping paper rather than looking at the presents.I have practically tried every craft over the years, teaching myself through reading books, going to workshops, YouTube...

Crafts were always my hobby, but when I turned 40, I started to reassess the priorities in my life and wanted to try and make that hobby into a business.”BizziZizzi started in April, and is now stocked in A Most Marvellous Place to Shop and sold through the website www.bizzizizzi.co.uk.It has also featured on Kirstie Allsopp’s ‘Homemade Home.

I tend to create things that are really colourful, as well as looking at the seasons coming up and things that are on trend.
I do some styles of crochet slippers and I’m going to be do an Ugg boot style in those, which is obviously picking up on a very popular trend.But I also do more classic things like a dolly shoe style.

I also take inspiration from fiction. I do A Hungry Caterpillar outfit for kids...I can’t seem to make enough of those.I am also looking at doing a Where’s Wally? and Dennis the Menace outfit.

I do a lot of baby things, which take quite a lot of time to make, but I think that make them more special.I hope the things that I make can be kept and passed on.I create buttons and beads from Polymer Clay, and although I don’t make jewelry from them, I sell them to other people who do like Fifth Element.

The buttons are unusual and a great way to jazz up an outfit or make something a bit more unusual.I hate throwing things away, so if you can add something and make something a little bit new with a small change that’s great.I made some Union Jack buttons, which have been really popular with all the events going on this year.

If you like Lizzi’s creations, there may be a chance to pick-up some of her creative skills in the future I would like to start teaching some courses about how use Polymer Clay, so that people can make some of their own things, which I’m thinking of doing in September.

Fashion Student Creates Stunning Dress Out Of Pages From The Daily Mail

Fashion Student Creates Stunning Dress Out Of Pages From The Daily Mail

A fashion student created a dress made out of pages from the Daily Mail and it's earned her an A grade in her A-level exam.Chloe Wright, from Bradley Stoke, Bristol, was inspired to make the eye-catching gown after a trip to Paris.Her tutors at Bristol's Patchway Community College were so impressed they awarded he a 100 per cent mark and have predicted she will easily gain an A grade.She said:
 

'The dress is made from many strips of specially selected black-and-white print from the Daily Mail, and I made a block-print pattern of the Eiffel Tower design to add to the corset.'In March, I went to Paris for five days with my boyfriend Cameron,  and gained a lot of inspiration for my work from the amazing architecture  of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame cathedral.

'I had researched Jean Paul Gaultier’s 2009 collection in which he used architecture in his designs but I also wanted to incorporate some more current ideas, and the huge ruffled Christian Dior skirts gave me the basis for my creations.'Chloe created a circular head dress by laying organza over the top of the newspaper and burning it slightly in places to expose the pages underneath.'I embroidered stitching in the design of the Notre Dame stained-glass window, including the smallest circle as an earring.'Chloe created the back of the headdress by weaving Diet Coke cans and beads on thin wire.Her 14-year-old sister, Charlotte agreed to model the unique creation.

Rihanna To Design Clothing Collection For River Island

 

River Island is delighted to announce an exciting and exclusive collaboration with Rihanna; she will be designing her first clothing collection for River Island. The capsule collection will launch in Spring 2013.

Rihanna said:

“I’ve been wanting to design my own collection for some time. River Island is the perfect partner for me to collaborate with and working with a British, family run business also really appealed to me. I find London really inspiring and River Island loves to have fun with clothes. I’m looking forward to working with them and creating something really special.”

River Island is a brand with Great British heritage. Founded and based in London, the business was created and is managed by the Lewis family. With design at the heart of the business River Island continues to grow globally as it enters its 64th year. River Island has over 300 stores in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Russia, Holland, Poland, Belgium, Middle East and Far East and offers worldwide shipping through its website.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Rihanna and to be the first fashion brand to work with her in this way,”River Island chief executive Ben Lewis added. “Rihanna is a style icon, from street to chic she enjoys her fashion. As soon as we started to work together we knew this was a perfect fit. Rihanna will be designing the collection and we will be sharing our fashion experience with her to develop a range her fans will love.”

The brand is positioned as a fast-moving fashion business offering great value and distinctive women’s, men’s and kid’s clothing, footwear and accessories.With over 60 years of fashion retailing experience, River Island is one of the most successful companies on the High Street.River Island has nearly 300 stores across the UK, Ireland and internationally throughout Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Rihanna To Design A Capsule Collection With River Island

 Rihanna To Design A Capsule Collection With River Island

 

We've been wondering how long it would take for Rihanna to design her own fashion line, and it's just been revealed that she'll be launching a capsule collection for Spring 2013 with British high street store River Island.

As far as we're concerned, this is the perfect partnership. River Island has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, offering affordable takes on catwalk trends and never shying away from difficult or edgy looks. Known for its strong prints, heavy embellishment and amazing accessories, the brand is a brilliant match for fearless fashion fan Rihanna.

Rihanna says of the collection, "I've been wanting to design my own collection for some time. River Island is the perfect partner for me to collaborate with and working with a British, family run business also really appealed to me. I find London really inspiring and River Island loves to have fun with clothes. I'm looking forward to working with them and creating something really special."

As Preen Return To London Fashion Weak

As Preen Return To London Fashion Weak

  
After six years showing at New York Fashion Week, London design duo Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi, will bring Preen’s next collection back to London Fashion Week.The fashion house known for strong colours and tailoring has been trending on Twitter since the announcement was made. Fashion Monitor, fashion journalist Jim Shi, Moda Operandi and everyone who’s anyone are tweeting about the exciting news. Celebrity fans of the London-based label include the amazing Scarlett Johansson, Claire Danes and American first lady Michelle Obama.

Thornton and Bregazzi met when they were just eighteen years old in their hometown of the Isle of Man, and opened their store on Portobello in 1996. A mere ten years after later, they were one of three labels nominated for a ‘British Designer of the Year Award’. After years of success showing in New York, they are returning home, and have said that they are, "delighted to be part of LFW again, it feels great to be back on our own turf." London Fashion Week is from the 14th to the 18th of December. Welcome back, Justin and Thea!

Jameela’s First Fashion Collection

Jameela’s First Fashion Collection

Jameela Jamil has designed her first fashion collection for Very.co.uk, and we've picked our favourite bits for you to look at Jameela has never strayed far from our fashion radar with her love of vintage style prom dresses, rock chic tees and a flash of red lipstick.So we were excited to see what she would come up with for her first foray into designing clothes with The JAM by Jameela Jamil collection.

Talking about the collection, Jameela said: “These clothes are all little confidence boosters.
“I wasn’t trying to prove how creative and ‘edgy’ I can be, I wanted to make clothes that women feel proud in. Confidence is the most attractive thing a woman can wear.”

The collection has 25 different pieces ranging from £10 - £120.So some of the items are a little pricey, but lets take a look at our favourite picks and see if we can steal some of Jameela’s iconic style

Hugo Boss sparkles Berlin with Spring/Summer collection

NIDA DAR

KARACHI: Hugo by Hugo Boss' runway show sparkled Berlin with its Spring/Summer 2013 collection.The luxurious brand showed their new creations at Mercedes Benz Berlin Fashion Week, with celebrities including Kate Bosworth gracing the front row.Shiny fabrics and glistening materials dominated the collection, adding a touch of colour to the mainly monochrome palette.The cuts were sleek and grown-up, with tailored satin jackets in turquoise and pink coming down the catwalk.Formal shirts were reinvented as stylish, fitted evening dresses and long coatsThe German label added a futuristic touch with tops crafted from shimmering silver material, which flashed the colours of the rainbow.Panels made from the same fabric were sewn into evening gowns and skirts, adding an edge to classic cuts.
The fashion house had followed similar design principles for its menswear collection, with models parading their stuff in shiny, bright blue and dark green suits.

Victoria Beckham Competes With Herself 

Victoria Beckham says her only competitor is herself.

The former Spice Girls singer has established herself as a successful fashion designer and while she admires the work of others, she insists she doesn't see them as competition.

She said: "It's my passion, what I always wanted to do. I have found an area I can compete in, in my own little way. I'm just starting. I have a long way to go and I know that. I have so much respect for the great designers, people like Miuccia Prada. I'm in awe of what she does. But I don't think I'm competing with her or anyone else. My only competition is myself and my collection from the season before."

Victoria - who has four children, Brooklyn, 13, Romeo, nine, Cruz, seven, and one-year-old Harper, with soccer star husband David - says she never set out to be a huge business brand and just designed clothes because she enjoyed it.

         She told British Airways' business: life magazine: "I didn't set out to create a big brand or business. I      just set out to design, to have a creative outlet. It's what I like to do. I love fashion. It's my hobby  that's turned into a successful business. Of course I have to work hard at it. I'm up early and most of the night as well."

Victoria Beckham Rocks Her Own Designs At Wimbledon

 

 

Kate Middleton wasn’t the only royal to lend her support to Andy Murray at Wimbledon yesterday.
Fashion royalty Victoria Beckham also sat pretty (and pouting, natch) in the Royal Box with hubby David Beckham at her side.She rocked her trademark oversized black sunglasses, a chic, sleek and voluminous ponytail, and of course, a look from her latest ready-to-wear collection.

 VB wore a green and black stripe dress from her autumn/winter 2012 collection paired with some knee-high leather boots that she can’t seem to get enough of (our money’s on the Tom Ford ones!) and a black bag also from her collection which she carried as a clutch.Even though this look is very predictable, it doesn’t make it any less fabulous. Having said that however, we’d like to see Posh experiment with her a bit more. We guess we’ll start seeing some new dress styles once her new-season collection debuts on the runway in a few months, but if she mixed it up before then we’d be very happy bunnies indeed!