Paloma Faith designs exclusive collection with La Senza

This October, Paloma Faith and La Senza have designed a unique collection of beautiful vintage-inspired underwear and sleepwear to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Care. With La Senza’s lingerie expertise and Paloma’s unique vintage fashion, this exclusive range is not only stylish but will help support the 50,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK.

Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK. Every day 136 people will be given the shocking news that they have breast cancer.

A donation from every La Senza product purchased goes to Breast Cancer Care. Dealing with a diagnosis can be a confusing, lonely and frightening time. Breast Cancer Care offers skilled, emotional and practical support through a range of confidential services, helping people every step of the way.

"I'm really excited about my range of lingerie that I've designed for Breast Cancer Care this year. I've gone for a luxurious 1940s style and I can't wait for you all to see it! It's going to hit La Senza stores in October and every penny we raise will be used to help people affected by breast cancer. My Mum had breast cancer so this is a cause I am very passionate about. Without Breast Cancer Care some women would have nowhere to turn to. With one person diagnosed with breast cancer every 10 minutes, many of us will sadly know of someone dealing with the disease right now. Breast Cancer Care will use the money we raise together to ensure none of them face it alone." Paloma  Faith

Help raise funds for Breast Cancer Care by purchasing La Senza’s specially designed Paloma Faith range, which will be available in La Senza’s top 30 stores and online from the 1st October 2011.


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Dame Kelly Holmes teams up with Tesco for new fitness range

Dame Kelly Holmes has teamed up with Tesco to launch an exclusive range of fitness accessories and clothing for the retailer’s new Autumn/Winter catalogue.

The double Olympic Gold winner has collaborated with Tesco to design a range of quality sports clothing and equipment which includes essentials needed to exercise at home. An exercise bike, treadmill, sports watch and kettle bell are all part of the new range. Tops, leggings, shorts, socks and sports bras make up the women’s clothing line. Prices range from £8 for a skipping rope to £400 for a treadmill.

The range features innovative designs which are perfect for those who are keen to workout at home even if they have a limited amount of space. The adjustable kettle bell is great for building up strength. As it can go from 3kg up to 7kg, it is equally suited to those who want a really strenuous cardio workout.

The new range also includes a 7kg weighted bar which is extremely versatile and is one of the most compact pieces of gym equipment on the market. It can be used to tone arms, back and abs through a variety of workouts. Full instructions and tips on how to use the equipment safely and effectively is provided.

Dame Kelly Holmes said “I want to encourage women to be their best in all aspects of their lives, and this equipment will help women get the body they want at home without a pricey trainer or a gym.

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Jonny Wilkinson and his brother Mark set to launch clothing range this September

Jonny Wilkinson and his brother Mark are to launch their own business following a lifelong ambition to work together on a range of clothing. The two brothers have used their experience of sports and performance clothing to develop Fineside, a capsule range of t-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, hooded tops, outerwear and accessories.

The range combines both functional and fashion design elements and will be launched initially online at www.fineside.com

Fineside has appointed Toast PR to handle its consumer PR brief, following a competitive pitch process. Delivering the digital component of the campaign is creative agency Clear Brand Essence, which also developed Fineside’s brand identity.

The brand will be launched online at www.fineside.com from September onwards. Prices start from £25


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New fashion site Alt Lux launches this September

Alternative fashion and culture magazine, Alt fashion announces the launch of a new high end sister website, Alt Lux 

Alt Lux has been created by alternative fashion and culture magazine Alt Fashion as a new high end sister site to accompany the publication. Already championing fashion forward designers and the edgier side of the industry, Alt Lux will take that coverage a step further. Bringing together mainstream and high street fashion with the alternative.

“If it wasn't for cutting edge, high end designers like Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen & Jean Paul Gaultier the alternative fashion industry wouldn't even be here today. We wanted to launch a platform where we could happily merge the two industries together, celebrating the fashion industry as a whole” says editor Leona Turford. 
Alt Lux opens for business this Thursday (September 1st) in one of the industries busiest months. “We'll certainly be making the most of fashion events this month, both to spread the word about our new site & to find some of the best talent out there to bring to our readers”.


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New luxury womenswear label Muscat Vielma appoints Katch PR

Young, sexy, and contemporary bring together the attributes of new luxury womenswear label Muscat Vielma founded by Kevin Muscat and Gabriel Vielma.

The pair combine backgrounds of classical dancing and product design bringing a classic twist to the modern and the contemporary.

Kevin and Gabriel joined forces earlier this year with a shared vision of fashion, collaborating ideas that come together in a joint concept of a cross-over of styles. They have created this capsule collection of pencil skirts, elegant evening wear as well as tops and jackets to introducing you to the Muscat Vielma brand.

The design process in itself is unique. Starting from an inspiration, the pair separate their ideas only to bring them back together again in a way that complements each other’s visions creating the vibrancy that you see in the collection.

Armour joins with body ornaments reflecting the concept of the modern woman protected by clothes, with the use of gentle fabric as jewellery the collection includes sheer panelling and punched leather adding to the delicate juxtapositions that make the collection versatile and unique. The classic use of the black and white monochrome palette is adapted to modernity with the colours cream and blue, that brings colour blocking and silks to life making it easy to alternate styles.  The style is one that is for the young modern women of today who are themselves strong and independent.  It is a subtle kind of luxury; it is confident and quietly sexy with a gentle approach to clothing.

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Label PR joins forces with Henleys to re-launch the edgy street label

Specialist lifestyle PR agency, Label PR and fashion brand Henleys have joined forces to re-launch the edgy street label.  Managing the national press office, Label PR will be bringing Henleys back to the forefront of the industry, challenging the perception of the brand, and championing the re-launched, bolder site www.henleys.co.uk, which launches in September.

Focusing on innovative design and edgy graphic applications, the new season at Henleys hails a dynamic approach, reminding its fans that Henleys leads with its experimentation.  Label will be boosting this direction on a retained basis with both on and offline PR, underpinned by a huge targeted celebrity placement campaign.  In the true Henleys style there’s going to be some real noise surrounding the brand this Autumn.

Working alongside creative agency Various Artists, Henleys is shaking up it’s Mens and Womens collections and launching an Autumn campaign that will see a return to the attitude and swagger that is to be expected from the brand. 

Sarah Bottomley, Brand Director at Henleys, said: “Henleys is very much held in high regard with its fan base and we’re confident that the new design direction will allow us to leapfrog our competitors and reclaim our authoritative use of bold graphics, strong colours and confident branding.

Ben Luscombe, Henleys Founder added: “We could be accused of taking our finger off the pulse over the last season or two, but having conducted a full assessment of the brand and market place we feel very strongly that we've got our edge back.  Our retail customers are currently previewing the AW11 range and the response to the bolder, statement branding and graphics has been amazing- we’re ready to create a real buzz around the brand come the New Season.”

Lee Bloor, founder at Label PR, commented: “We’re really proud to be working with such a well established Manchester fashion house and are looking forward to repositioning the Henleys brand and influencing consumer's existing perceptions.”

Since its establishment in 1996, the iconic British brand has led the way in street style design, consistently creating inspirational and exciting collections. In its unique way, Henleys mixes-up the key elements of individualism and innovation that are essential to really stand out on the fashion scene. 


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ANTA set to open its first overseas shop in Milan in Italy this September

ANTA, the dynamic Scottish textile and ceramic company, will open its first overseas shop in Milan in Italy on September 6.

ANTA’s finest tartans, made almost entirely from materials produced and made in Scotland, will be on show and for sale in the Excelsior, a new department store, in Galleria del Corso, designed by French architect, Jean Nouvel.

ANTA, the design-driven company was chosen as one of a handful of British brands representing British style in the world’s fashion capital.  They were selected after Excelsior’s buying team extensively trawled the UK market to find high quality, contemporary design.  

Dario Spadea Pandolfi, the main buyer for Excelsior said: “We were so excited when we found ANTA.   We needed a British company to complete the store’s global offering and give a true sense of British style and quality manufacture.  ANTA made complete sense to us – attention to detail, glorious colours, and the finest materials… all made in Scotland.”

Inspired by the colours of the landscape, Antas’s products exemplify the best of Scotland’s design tradition, creativity, and production of high quality fabrics.

The Anta shop in Milan is the latest development in the company started in the Highlands 25 years ago by designer Annie Stewart and her husband Lachlan, an architect.  Anta’s other outlets include the flagship store in Edinburgh, their showroom at the factory in the Highlands and an online shop www.anta.co.uk

The Milan shop, like the UK outlets, will sell mainly home furnishings, ANTA flat weave carpets, rugs and runners, upholstery and curtain fabrics. Throws, cushions, lamps and shades, candle bowls and hand painted stoneware will also feature together with a range of luggage scarves and ties.

Annie Stewart, Anta’s managing director and a painter by training, is thrilled at the invitation to be part of an exciting new venture in Italy and is confident Anta will rise to the demands of the Italian market.

She said: “Scotland has a long, proud tradition of producing high quality design and textiles and now Anta is getting a great chance to demonstrate how we combine tradition with contemporary style in one of the most stylish cities in the world.

“I have always loved the combination of wonderfully seductive colour with beautiful material. Along with the bagpipes tartan evokes poetry, romance and heroism around the world.  I am sure the Italians will love it”.

Cathy Black, head of textiles at Scottish Enterprise, said: "Since its beginnings 25 years ago in the Highlands of Scotland, ANTA has represented the very best in Scottish design, using Scottish fabrics to produce high quality luxury products that are treasured around the world. We are delighted that ANTA are set to open their first store in Italy's fashion capital.  The new store will further showcase what makes Scottish textiles a leading force, and highlights the growing demand for Scottish textiles in this market and beyond."


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New fashion networking site Fashionistacental.com has launched

A new fashion networking site has been launched for professionals in the fashion industry and dedicated followers of fashion. The site is open to all fashionistas and is totally free to join.  

Members can create their own profile page, upload pictures and videos, blog updates, make events and groups and meet other people in the industry. The site is dedicated to all things in fashion. 

Founded by fashion entrepreneur, Lucy Martin Morelle, the site is gathering great traction and generating a buzz in the industry. One of the great attractions of the site is that it has an open forum which makes for great interactivity between users. Browsing content generated by members allows for great exposure. It also allows members to pick and choose content they find compelling and interesting. The site also has its own magazine where fashion bloggers can post their latest musings, reviews and thoughts. Finally, a place on the web where fashionistas can flock to and share their mutual interest in the industry they love so much. Become part of a larger online fashion community and share your passion of fashion.


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New gift buying website Boxsharp launches this September

If you’ve ever been guilty of forgetting birthdays or anniversaries and hate the thought of spending hours trekking around the shops looking for a unique gift that really says you care, find your salvation from the 1st September in the shape of www.boxsharp.com. 

The new online retailer launches next month with a promise to create a luxury gift box for the man woman or baby in your life, tailored to their likes and dislikes and infused with a sense of occasion whether you want to say ‘Happy Birthday’, ‘Congratulations on the birth of your child’ or simply, ‘Thinking of You’. Smart, sophisticated and stylish, Boxsharp takes the stress out of gift buying without losing the personal touch that makes a great present a cherished gift.   

Filled with a selection of luxury brands, each git box is carefully packed by hand and presented in a beautiful keepsake box and filled with environmentally sourced wood wool. A gift box for the modern woman or man, Boxsharp’s gift wizard creates a sublime selection of decadent treats based on answers to a few simple questions such as age, occasion and budget. The sartorially sharp gift wizard then presents a perfect selection of items, from deliciously scented candles, jewellery and luxe handbags to stainless steel knife sets, leather bound journals and cufflinks. 

To streamline your gift giving selection process and give a luxury gift box sure to be remembered for all the right reasons, visit www.boxsharp.com from the 1st of September 2011. 


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Topshop announces details for London Fashion Week SS12

This season Topshop will continue to strengthen its relationship with the London fashion community, supporting young design talent via sponsorship of the NEWGEN and Fashion East schemes and the Topshop Show Space. 

Workshops will be running in the Oxford Circus and Knightsbridge stores hosted by the industry’s great and good, alongside instore screenings of all the shows in the Topshop Show Space and of course the twenty-second collection from Unique. 

THE SHOWS 

For SS12, the Topshop Show Space is returning to the Old Eurostar Terminal at Waterloo Station.   

In the true spirit of London Fashion Week, Topshop is pleased to share its show space and production facility with nine young designers. Alongside Unique, this season the Old Eurostar Terminal will see Michael Van Der Ham, Peter Pilotto, Mary Katrantzou, Meadham Kirchhoff and milliner Nasir Mazhar back for another season, alongside David Koma and Louise Gray who will show in the space for the first time. 

For the third season Topshop will be live streaming all the shows from its show space on topshop.com. On demand versions will be available an hour after the live show, with daily edits featuring behind the scenes and interview footage available the next day. For more details visit topshop.com/londonfashionweek. 

In the Oxford Circus flagship store Topshop will be screening the shows from the Topshop Show Space in a purpose-built screening room, with repeats scheduled every half an hour. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday visitors will be treated to a recap of the AW11 NEWGEN shows, with SS12 screenings beginning with Unique on Sunday afternoon. The lucky eight people who get to the screening room first and claim a place on the front row will receive a Topshop Make Up gift. 

FASHION WORKSHOPS

Following a successful run last season, Topshop’s fashion workshops will return to the Oxford Circus store from 16th to 20th September, hosted by influential fashion journalists, bloggers and designers. For the first time the workshops will also run in the Knightsbridge store, alongside makeovers and manicures. 

In addition, all customers who spend £50 or more instore will receive a limited edition paper fashion doll gift, sure to become a coveted keepsake. Each paper doll comes with seven changeable outfits, one from each of the designers showing their collections in the Topshop Show Space. 

TOPSHOP UNIQUE 

Topshop Unique will be showing its twenty-second collection this season, created by Topshop’s Head of Design Karen Bonser and team. In 2001 Topshop was the first high street brand to show on the official schedule at London Fashion Week, and has since become a firm fixture on the schedule. 


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COS are pleased to announce the continued partnership with Frieze Art Fair

Following an extremely rewarding creative partnership with Frieze Art Fair in 2010, COS is pleased to announce that they will once again support the Frame section of the fair in 2011.

One of the few art fairs to focus on contemporary art and living artists, Frieze Art Fair is an influential and exclusive art fair based in Regent’s Park, London every October. The Frame section of the fair was introduced in 2009 as a dedicated area to solo artist presentations.

“We would like to thank COS for their continuing support in partnering with Frame at Frieze Art Fair. COS are renowned for their use of pioneering designs and fabrics, Frame at Frieze Art Fair reflects this outlook by supporting artists which challenge the boundaries of contemporary art.” Directors of Frieze Art Fair, Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover.

COS have been inspired and influenced by the art world season after season, the essence of COS’ forward thinking design approach is mirrored in the international and contemporary talent displayed with Frieze Art Fair.

“COS are delighted to be continuing a successful partnership with Frieze Art Fair and specifically Frame. As an international brand we are proud to support emerging artists from across the globe,” Marie Honda, COS Overall Brand Responsible.

Frieze Art Fair returns to Regent Park, London from the 13th-16th October 2011


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VERO MODA announces Alexa Chung as its new face

VERO MODA is proud to announce style star Alexa Chung as the face of the international fashion brand

Being the quirky and fashionable cool girl she is, Alexa Chung embodies qualities which inspire fashion conscious women all over the world:

Creativity, fashion sense and a talent for making individual styles work for her are key to her presence on the best dressed list of international fashion communities. One might think that fashion heaven had already been reached by the 28-year old model, dj and tv presenter, but no; the talented Alexa Chung continues to dazzle and impress and has recently signed to be the face of international fashion brand VERO MODA. The collaboration will hit the shops and streets all over Europe from November 2011 to July 2012, making Alexa Chung the star of four VERO MODA campaigns.

The first shoot will take place in New York late August since Alexa Chung currently resides there in preparation for her newest TV show. VERO MODA is part of the Danish Bestseller group, has more than 1000 shops in Europe alone and a passion for creating fashion for young women following and setting trends. 


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Applications open for 2012 BFC / Vogue Designer Fashion Fund

The British Fashion Council today opens applications for the 2012 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. The Award, now in its 3rd year, consists of £200,000 and access to director-level mentors across the industry.

The winner and seven other shortlisted designers will be featured in the March issue of Vogue, and will gain access to a panel of business-development and industry mentors to support their business, brand and collection development over a 12-month period.

Designers eligible for the scheme must have an established business and be based in the UK, with both domestic and international stockists and support from key media in the UK and internationally.

The Fund was launched by BFC Chairman Harold Tillman CBE in September 2008 at a Downing Street reception. Vogue, partner of the Fund, whose March issue is on sale in early February, not only features the designers shortlisted, but also supports the mentoring programme through editor meetings and, for the first time in 2011, a symposium, which will address collective business issues. The inaugural winner of the award for 2010 was Erdem and the 2011 winner was Christopher Kane.

Eligible designers are invited to submit applications no later than 14th November, 2011.  The judging committee, chaired by Vogue Editor Alexandra Shulman, is made up of patrons and industry experts, who will then shortlist applicants to be invited for interview.  Marigay McKee, Fashion and Beauty Director at Harrods, chairs the mentoring panel.  The winner will be announced in February 2012.

The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund is supported by Aquascutum, Burberry, Clothing at Tesco, Debenhams, Harrods, House of Fraser, HSBC, Jaeger, LF Europe, Marks & Spencer, Paul Smith, TONI & GUY, TOPSHOP, Vogue and Westfield Shopping Towns.

The British Fashion Council has an international reputation for supporting emerging talent through its existing schemes: NEWGEN, supported by TOPSHOP; NEWGEN MEN, sponsored by TOPMAN; and Fashion Forward, sponsored by Coutts & Co and supported by the Mayor of London. The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund aims to support business growth and create employment opportunities. It is more than complementary to the BFC designer support schemes - it provides an essential new platform to focus on developing profile and growth for British designer businesses.


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