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Bora Aksu's S/S11 collection

Bora Aksu's S/S11 collection is a reflection of his romantic sense of style and quirky humour. The collection resonates a flirtatious innocence sheltered by the strength of exaggerated crochet ants, wrapping and protecting models on the catwalk. 

Bora’s signature hand knit crochet details are present - delicate legs stretching over dresses, trousers and Bora’s signature tights.

For more information please contact Lisa Jordan 

lisa@blow.co.uk

0207 436 9449

Hilda Maha S/S 11

Hilda Maha, recognized for her original graphic prints and a romantic urban style, presents her  S/S11 collection - a refreshing dose of warm and vibrant hues in fluid silhouettes.

Hilda Maha's new collection will be available through AMF Sales during Paris Fashion Week at The Rendez-Vous Femme Show!

DKNY Spring Summer 2011 Runway Show

Donna Karan showed her bridge collection of youthfully flirty pieces down the runway yesterday. Major notables of the collection were frills, tonals, floral prints, and neck scarves. One shouldered, ruffled bodysuits and khaki trenches made classic pieces playful - which was a strong theme for this successful collection.

Risto Spring Summer 2011 Show

Risto Bimbiloski's third showing in New York failed to disappoint this Spring Summer 2011 season. Silk wide-legged pants catapulted the collection into a fit of flowy. Long, graphic, column dresses pumped up the drama with subtly embellished lines across a bare back. The trenches were silky soft and easy. Mint green pieces balanced out the color palette of black, coral, and nude. This season Bimbiloski introduced denim into his collection with belted jackets paired with sheer sweeping skirts. Easy-to-wear and difficult-not-to-stare pieces were a sure bet for the Spring '11 line for Risto. -Lala Lopez

Ports 1961 Spring Summer 2011 Show

Freja Beha Erichsen, opened Ports 1961 Spring Summer 2011 collection in a best look of a dune-shaded, utilitarian belted cape paired with a tapered skinny pant. Floor-length gowns eased down the runway in flowy, organic neutrals that exemplified the color of the season: white. Emerald and Amethyst balanced out the color palette as embellished belted gowns gave the desert inspiration of designer Fiona Cibani glister. The Ports 1961 Spring 11 collection was for the distinguished woman that knows where she's headed - straight away to the Sahara. -Lala Lopez

Billy Reid Spring Summer 2011 Presentation

On the first day of New York Fashion Week, GQ's Best New Menswear Designer in America, Billy Reid showed the boys how it’s done. Giving new meaning to the Americana look with a southern influence the Spring Summer 2011 collection included loads of light layers, bandana neck ties, relaxed trousers, pops of plaid and canvas tennis shoes. - Lala Lopez

Erro Spring Summer 2011 Presentation

The night before the official NYFW kick off, Anna Larson of Erro presented a smart collection where eroticism showed off it's duds. Plush leathers and suedes came out for a romp with slashed skinny pants and motorcycle jackets. Head wraps flirted with cut out bodysuits and tops, while strong wedged footwear teased industrially molded bras and briefs. Larson's interpretation of light was translated with earthy tones and harnesses - a staple for this season. -Lala Lopez

Nothing says "don't fuck with me" like a McQueen viking skull ring. I want you. Buy here at Matches.

LL Cool J

Bringing NY to London!

This season, we wanted to bring New York Fashion Week to our readers via immediate commentary & tweets. Our dear friend Lala Lopez, stylist and writer, is a NY native who has her hand in everything fashion, art and lifestyle. She will be covering on Blow's behalf and streaming in commentary from her iphone.

Last night, Lala began NYFW with designer Anna Larson's new collection Erro. Check out her twitter feed and twit pic here.

Read up on Lala's styling and writing at www.lalanyc.com.

xx

Mr Start:Shoreditch’s answer to Saville Row

Phillip Start with his Mr Start Sales Advisors

Men can now take pride in their daily wear. Mr Start located on Rivington Street, the perfect place for the revival of the off-the-peg suit, along set within an eclectic environment bringing an updated Saville Row to the Bohemian guys of the East-End giving them every excuse to get ‘suited and booted.’

The industrial look red walls and niche artifacts instantly draw you in. The spectrum of shirts and ties bring additional colour to the store. Above the counter there are top hats as lampshades and shelves of fabric swatch books to choose from to ensure the perfect suit is chosen whether it be classic to contemporary shapes, not forgetting the perfect Crockett and Jones shoes to match.

I was lucky enough to catch Phillip Start himself who made sure the store was immaculate for me to photograph. Having the chance to speak to him was great as I told him of the tailoring history in my family, with both my grandfather’s being bespoke tailors. With an intrigued look on his face he smiled. Its great to see the evolution of the suit from the era of my grandfathers to the updated Mr Start suits.

If bespoke tailoring is not what you’re looking for, then you can pop over to their sister stores where you’ll find labels like Balenciaga, Jill Sander, Acne, Comme des Garcons, Mulberry and Margiela. For the chaps looking for something different Start also houses new labels such as Peckham Rye; a range of ties and scarves; edgy and fun, taking you from a morning at work to a night out. The store not only offers a traditional cut suit but a contemporary one, bringing in a new wave of menswear, if you’d like, however still wearable.

The launch of the store couldn’t be at a more perfect time with a bright light shining on Men’s fashion with Menswear day at London Fashion Week and the up and coming launch of Grazia Man. A new forefront of British menswear fashion is upon us. It’s a good time to be a man!

Also: If a Mr Start suit is what your after but the price tag isn’t, Charlie Allen brings you a range of well cut suits at your local Asda, featuring waistcoats at just £20 and bagging you an off-the-peg suit for just £79; so there’s no excuse to smarten up!

For more Information visit www.start-london.com

By Anisha Parmar at Blow

Chila Kumari Burman:Royal Academy Summer exhibition’ at the Usurp Art Gallery

Born and bred in Liverpool with a South Asian upbringing, Chila Kumari Burman explores what it is like to be an Asian woman growing up in Britain and learning how to merge both cultures.

Usurp Art Gallery is a non-profit gallery in Harrow, a town with many contrasts itself with the ‘posh boys’ on the top and the Asian ‘rude’ boys down below.

Being a young British Asian woman myself seeing bright colours, bindis, paint, prints and mixed media all collide some how helps define my true identity. In a culture where taking a stride into the arts is frowned upon, Chila pursues to break the mould. At this exhibition she is breaking and addressing stereotypes with her work, looking at gender, race, sexuality and personal memories of her childhood.

After admiring her work for years and instantly connecting with the work, I had to meet this talented artist to get an insight; A studio in the middle of Hackney, up the concrete stairs and through a white corridor, the door to the studio opens and everything that could possible sparkle hits me instantaneously. I felt like I belonged, as the bubbly personality of Chila is as vibrant as the work itself. We started talking and I still couldn’t believe I was in the studio of someone I have referenced for years.

'Trigger' 2007

Chila Kumari Burman's studio in Hackney

I knew about her love for fashion so I had to find out more! She told me with much enthusiasm how she used to rumble through charity and second hand shops. To her this style came naturally, making what was uncool then most fashionable now. For Chila it was the excitement of searching for fashion she loved which still remains till this day.

Chila Kumari Burman's studio in Hackney

Her love for fashion was fuelled by her father, a bespoke tailor who loved seeing all of Chila’s purchases and occasionally was drawn to run her up an outfit, she tells me, “He could make a dress out of a sari in a couple of hours.” It’s Small memories like these that have influenced Chila’s work and giving it the depth of a culture she calls her own, not just Asian or British but a fusion of both.

'Punjabi Rockers' 2005 Collection of British Council

With this natural love affair with fashion I had to ask her if she would ever go into the fashion industry, as her work would look fantastic as fashion prints. I could see it was something that fascinated her about taking that step, but she told me only if it was related to her art form whilst promoting her pieces.

Chila’s work is a reflection of her mind, heart and instinct which comes naturally. It takes you on a journey of her past,present and future, of her unique Brit-Asian culture. Her animated personality draws you into a colourful world where you are bedazzled with a collection of mixed media with pure definition of one’s identity. Meeting her and talking to her on a personal level had me captured with this exciting feeling of what I could achieve. A strong, empowering and talented woman who expresses to the world her creativity. She says,’ I’ve changed the family business, but I’ve kept to who I was. I’m my parent’s daughter. I’m a working-class-Punjabi-Scouser. And I’m proud’.

If you ever feel like taking a trip up the Met line, visit the gallery and see all Chila’s spell bounding work what will take you on a journey.

For more information please visit: www.usurp.org.uk and

www.chila-kumari-burman.co.uk

By Anisha Parmar at Blow

Tragic Fashion Love Story: Blow by Blow

By Anisha Parmar at Blow

Blow by Blow a biography about the late Isabella Blow’s by husband Detmar Blow is a personal account of the fashion icon’s eccentric life. The book outlines the tragic along with the glorious.

Isabella Blow as Child, Left: Right Blow at Blow with Rupert Everett

Detmar addresses his personal memories of her, below is an excerpt from the book:

I couldn't take my eyes off her. After the service, I waited for an opportunity to speak to her - and we immediately connected. Despite the brevity of our meeting, I knew I had fallen in love with her, and sat with her after dinner.

Detmar and Isabella on their wedding day

They were engaged sixteen days after they met and remained together until her tragic death. The book also exposes Isabella’s close relationship with milliner Phillip Tracey. They had a life long creative alliance and as Detmar puts it a ‘no sex’ affair.

http://frillr.com/?q=directory/i/Isabella+Blow

Blow by Blow is out today.

‘20’ by Maison Martin Margiela

We have all heard of an Illusionist: one who makes us see things that we never thought were possible or the magician who conjures the unbelievable to be reality. Could Margiela be a fashion illusionist?

Margiela’s ‘20’ exhibition left me spellbound as the designer’s first show runs at Somerset House. Margiela, a brand who influences fashion; incorporates crazy shapes with a sense of mystery behind each piece, creations worthy of an exhibition space. The Margiela philosophy is the apex of cool and simple. The faceless label united with Diesel in 2002, which lead to a broader market without losing its integrity.

Walking into a clean open space, the large screen drew my attention, looping his outrageous shows with ‘faceless’ models, no front row and bizarre locations. As you go deep into the winding stairs, I got a sense of eeriness like a Margiela show, with reflections and shadows creating an addictive atmosphere where you are locked in a strange world.

The Margiela ethos was captured in a glass case with various show invites. Each one was an exclusive tiny gem, precious to those excluded. They were printed on plates, cds, a jewellery box, embroidered fabrics and even on cigarette rolling paper.

Visiting Somerset House, home of fashion week and seeing Margiela’s work at this venue made me reflect on my own work as a young fashion designer and relate to Margiela’s designs in a retrospective way. As I left, down the twisting staircase, the dynamic tailoring and the mysticism of Margiela’s collections were imbedded in my mind. I could see how Margiela has become a success. His work is not only practical but an art form with depth behind each design. This pure sense of passion and true identity behind ones work is key to a designer. To have your own style, taking risks and having people judge your work and chose whether to like or hate it. If Margiela can do it then so can I. That’s being a designer, that’s being an Illusionist, making the unbelievable reality.

Anisha Parmar

Visit: http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/fashion/maison_martin_margiela_20/ to get more information on the exhibition.

FASHION CRIMES COULD BE MORE REAL THAN YOU THINK

Empty shops would be converted and used to deal with hundreds of offenders each year. Some hearings could take place in glass-fronted units open to public view.

A key aim of the plan is to reduce the time that victims, witnesses, and others spend travelling to hearings by allowing more cases to be dealt with close to where the people involved live or work.

The change, under which hearings would take place on Saturdays and during the evenings as well as weekdays, would also save millions of pounds of taxpayers' money by allowing some existing court buildings, which are often under-used and expensive to operate, to be closed.

The Magistrates' Association, which is preparing to submit its ideas to ministers, believes the move would allow cases to be completed more swiftly, cutting costs and minimising the disruption caused to both victims and offenders.

Text pulled from London Evening Standard - Read the full article here.

MANOLO vs LIBERTY

London Undercover worked with Liberty and Manolo Blahnik to make these cute umbrellas as part of their Manolo Blahnik at Liberty pop-up collection. Thought we'd share on a day like today - if you've got to march around London in the rain you might a well do it in style... or get a cab (wishful thinking).

Last post from Portia . . .

. . . as this is my last day at Blow i thought i would push the boundaries a little and do a post without even checking with the Editors . . . life on edge right now.

I have regularly had my knuckles wrapped for doing posts up about VB's various hair cuts, quite frankly i think there is nothing more interesting than spanning the last 10 years of her highness's hair do's and posting all available imagery.

Also remix's of Diana Ross's The Boss weren't favoured at 1pm on a monday . . . live a little i say or start drinking.

Anyway i took the liberty of googling myself and decided to post all images that related to my name . . . thats actually a massive lie as i am not black nor do i have a six pack. Instead in the words of Julie Andrews . . . these are a few of my favourite things!

Portia

-x-

Farewell..

Having spent 3 years at Blow, the one and only Portia Shaw will be flying the nest today.
A sad day as you can imagine, here's a few memories we've had...









We're all going to miss you incredibly. Good luck in your new job. We love you.
PORTIA, YOU ARE FABULOUS.

xxxxxxx

FOR ALL THE WONDERWOMEN

Crisian & McCaffrey's 'Paparazzi' boot in metallic gold leather has just landed in our showroom (size 40).

Also available in metallic liquid gold python skin if you're into exotics.

All press enquiries: ashley@blow.co.uk