Visit our brand spanking new site @ BLOWonline
Twitter: @BLOWonline
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Saturday, 18 September 2010
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!
Monday, 13 September 2010
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
Friday, 10 September 2010
Nothing says "don't fuck with me" like a McQueen viking skull ring. I want you. Buy here at Matches.
LL Cool J
Thursday, 9 September 2010
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.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
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
Thursday, 2 September 2010
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)