Jasper Gardiva Spring/Summer 2012

Jasper Garvida, speaks Art in His S/S 2012 Collection. Fashion Is Art.

Jasper Gardiva S/S12

Jasper Garvida, designer of luxury women's wear, presents 'Autour d'un point', the S/S 2012 collection.

It's a collection of contrasts: the morning sun and the twilight shade, the city and the vale, the darkest tones and the lightest colours.

Jasper's main inspiration for this collection is the individual vision of Diana Vreeland, legendary fashion editor of ''Harper's Bazaar' and 'Vogue', who could produce such 'bon mots' as "Pink is the navy blue of India".

'Autour d'un point' floats around the female body, its point and purpose, with circular shapes and strong silhouettes. The name of the collection is taken from a painting by Frantisek Kupka, a strong stylist, with an individual vision.

To repeat, the female body is the centre of the collection, Metallic tones - silver, gold - are used as highlights, alongside more restrained blacks and whites.

There are bold geometric shapes, with touches of animal and feather. An innovative technique, using an illusion of 3-D printing, softens some of the hard edges; folded sequins give the illusion of studding without the weight.

The original painting, 'Autour d'un point', can be seen in the Peggy Guggenheim museum in Venice.

Ensure your are wearing a piece from the collection when you pay your visit.

Regards,

Charles.

One-On -One With Paul Costelloe At John Lewis - Oxford Street, LONDON

Paul Costello

Right after the show - Paul Costelloe S/S 2011 - it was arranged for me by Chase PR to meet Paul Costelloe at the pop up store in John Lewis have a one-on-one interview.

The pop-up shop was to sell the 35 new pieces of his A/W 11 runway collections from silk ties  to gorgeous coat.

We were going to of course talk about style and presentation of which is very essential.

The half Irish and half American (New Yorker) designer finally makes an entry into the store and there and then I am introduced to him with much pleasure.

I couldn't help but notice how tall Costelloe stood - 6 foot 4 inches - wearing one of his S/S 12 white shirt, a blazer and pair of blue denim.

I started of by asking him if he still felt nervous after all these years of being the first to open London Fashion week. The answer was certainly not but what made him nervous was how the show was going to turn out. That is fair enough, I would be.
Paul Costelloe also talked about how he found it challenging dressing men as compared to women. With menswear its all about getting the right and quality fabric. 'A good suit or coat can be passed on to generation after generation, so finding the suitable fabric is very essential' said Costelloe.

China and America is the next thing for Costelloe. He plans opening a flagship store to expand the Paul Costelloe brand.

Asked about who the Paul Costelloe woman is... Costelloe wasted no time in saying she is an 'international, modern woman age 27 and 97. She is discreet;she wants to be seen but not screened.' There is no doubt about that, because this woman with quality will like to wear the brand for its sheer elegance and endurance.

London as a city breaths and breed fashion said Costelloe. Positive things has to be said about London fashion sense. This is when Paul Costelloe payed complements to my sense of style to support what he was talking about. I was flabbergasted I have to say. Did not see that coming.

I was later introduced to Jessica, Paul Costelloe's daughter who walked the runway last season A/W 2011 for her father.

It has to be said my successful meeting with the influential designer tops my highlight for London fashion week.
Paul Costelloe is genuinely a very nice and down to earth man. He is a legend in this trade and his work is always sought after world wide.

My Sincere gratitude to the Chase PR team for organising this meeting. Epic

Paul Costelloe Opens London Fashion Week - S/S 12

It's friday morning 7-am, 16th September 2011 and I am sure of what to do and where to be when the time hits 9-am - It was going to be Paul Costelloe Spring/Summer 12 fashion show at somerset House.


It's 9-am and I am all ready for the show to start. The light deems, the music starts playing  and the first model steps out to open the show and the rest follow.


Paul Costelloe S/S 12 collection as usual were really strong and classic. Costelloe did what he does best by putting up an elegant show.


 The whole collection had a 1960's feel to it. The Mad Man era I have to say. The structure and silhouette were effortless and movement was attained. There were a dash of white, cream, sky blue, stiff organza red and other neutral colours.

Paul Costelloe S/S12

The ladies wear saw the return of baby doll dress with a massive following volume to it. The above knee mini-dresses certainly had some quirkiness- bringing back the 1960s trend back into being.

It worth mentioning the striking detailing of the back of the dresses and eye catching they were. I could one point see the audiences fixation.


The menswear also did not cease to disappoint at all. The suits were sharply cut and the trousers flared in length giving it a nice movement.

Paul Costelloe S/S11

And being a admire and wearer of floating oversize shirts, I was really pleased to see Paul Costelloe had infused it in his S/S12 collection. The menswear in short were of course undoubtedly was beautiful as the womenswear.


Paul Costelloe yet again put up a good and alluring collection for the start of London fashion week.

LONDON FASHION WEEK

Has It Always Been About The Fashion show At London Fashion Week or the Audience That Attend The Show?


Another season of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 12 is dawn upon us. All is in hand for the London Fashion Week and buzz is in the air. The show is about to start... hang on a minute!


Who gets seen and get snapped is what its all about  at LFW. There is 'fever' in the air and if you've never dressed up for anything in your life, now you have the excuse to do so. The frivolity  of it all at the end of the day is about who is who as well as who ends up on the fashion website. Hush! Hush!


Do we really all have to be broken dollies? Does it really matter what you wear to a fashion show or the biggest show in  London as some term it.


I know for some us, we do not need to look any different since everyday in our life is a style day. I just love to sit back and watch the 'show.'


 It does not get better than that. There are 3 categories of audiences at LFW


>> The self styled - these are the category of audience who have got their own thing going on. They put their own pieces together. It could be a various mixture old and new fabric,  distressed knitwear, gothic/fetish wear, the dandy crazy style etc.


It has to be said the above mentioned are the sought after. They can turn heads for so many reasons. Not really going to go into that. I call it creativity at it best. It might look crazy but it often works.


>> And then we have the 'Brandies'. It is absolutely brand all the way. From the Gucci-s to the prada-s, they are all on display. This is what I call 'as seen on the runway'. There is nothing much to say about this category. 


>> The last category I like to talk about is the effortless chic category. Now this is very interesting. I classify this as this smooth flowing look. Every piece in terms of colour, structure, silhouette, and fit all emerge to it look effortless. 


Anyway, we all can't look the same, diversity is good. Somerset House will be buzzing and fashion and fashion faux pax will be in action.

PDA -Public Display Of Affection Sample Sale

Ambiguous as it may sound - Public Display OF Affection (PDA) is a label name for the premium denim brand.

PDA is known for its Superb high quality and great fit jeans. Create your own style with PDA Jeans. 

The denim samples are going to be sold at really affordable prices. How exciting is that?

The PDA samples sales will be taking place on Wednesday,28th September 2011 at 10am to 6pm.

The venue is at LASENBY HOUSE - 32 Kingly Street, W1B 5QQ.

This is something not to be missed at all. Pencil in the date, time and place for PDA samples sales.

Pleasure!

.: Wrangler - Gifting Suite.

.: Wrangler - Gifting Suite.

Wrangler - Gifting Suite.

Creativity Is what Makes You Who You Are So Embrace It And Set Off


Wrangler the denim brand set up in the 1940s has been enjoying their longevity to this day and age. This goes to prove that genuine quality last forever.


This was my second time being invited by kind hearted team of Surgery PR to Wrangler Gifting Suite. Last year's was just pleasurable,being in a suite full of different ranges of Wrangler Denim pieces was just epic.


This year's gifting suite was held in 25 Heddon on Regent Street where upon arrival I was offered a chilled glass of champagne. The Surgery PR team has to be said are know how to get the 'work' done. 

From there I was taken through the latest BLUE BELL COLLECTION S/S11... legend has it that a group of railroad workers who bought the overalls at the Hudson store gave C.C Hudson ( founder of Wrangler) the bell, and after spending time in the factory, the bell - like everything else - became covered in blue denim dust, hence "Blue Bell".

Wrangler jeans has now become icon for the youth culture, synonymous with every age the world over.


My Wrangler gifts were a pair Spencer loose fit denim trousers - unique in its colour and comfort. The loose fit is perfect - movement and comfort wise. A look I am looking forward to create.


The other generous gift was the Wrangler denim Jacket -  with this denim jacket comes functionality, and durability. It is one of those jacket that looks better as the years goes by. Visually, it appeals and fit wise, its   tells a whole different story.


 Wrangler after many years is still embarking and creating on a whole different level. Only best things can be said for the quality of the Wrangler pieces.


 Long live Wrangler!


Long live Team Surgery PR.

FAMILY AFFAIR WITH LAND'S END - 2011/2012 Autumn Winter.

'We Work Hard to Create Versatile Outwear for The Whole Family.'by Land's End.

Four Of  The Best
www.landsend.co.uk

Where does your land end? Certainly not at Winter, for sure. And if it had to end, who would you want there to be with you?

The family. So forget 2012, and take a look at these gorgeous down jackets from LAND'S END 

to see you through the snowy nights ahead. In a severe blizzard, guess who goes first.

The man. That's why LAND'S END have created an exclusive quilted down jacket with superb layering, that will keep him going to harpoon that last moose.

Then there is the lady's chalet long coat, capacious enough to let a couple of little ones sneak inside.

But LAND'S END have provided for the tough survivors as well. Girls and boys, both have their own down jackets, so they can go off hunting on their own.

LAND'S END provides a complete family survival kit.

It looks good, too. 


Pleasure!

FASHION ROCKS STORE OPENING IN WESTFIED STRATFORD

Rock.It has always been the baseline of fashion, and now it is the forefront.

With music and experimentalism, twelve thousand square feet of atmosphere and light are moving into Westfield Stratford City.

On the edge of the Olympic Park, Stratford City will offer the opportunity to brush shoulders with some of the world's best-honed bodies.

The range of brands is unparalleled in Europe, and  offers you the full gamut from Street Legal to haute couture

FASHION ROCKS is double-height, super glam, and opposite the most acclaimed building of the Olympic complex: the Aqua-centre. 

You can dream about your swallow-stroke triumph as you select your fitted jacket for tomorrow's deal.

Everything is touch-screen, and you will have plenty of time to see Usan Bolt perform his famous false start.

Well-dressed, well-satisfied, and, well, maybe not so well-timed.

But sprint to FASHION ROCKS at Westfield Stratford City, for a champion's look.

Opening Date - 13th Of September 2011.

SEBAGO ARTISAN COLLECTION A/W 11

' Its The Love Of Art That Innovates Perfection And Let Desire Flow.'


Excitement and innovation through collaboration is what Sebago believes in as a brand. And over the years they have had various talented individuals around the world work with the Sebago brand.


Sebago are now proud to introduce the Artisan Collection taken from the best of their exclusive design collaboration . From the origin of their collaborative partnership with colette, to the more recent pairing with Billykirk, authentic sebago products have been updated for a younger generation of Sebago enthusiasts.


Here are the collaborators with their exclusive designs


VANE

His style has always been influenced be the New york downtown. His designs have had a strong following due to his iconic and modern craftsmanship.


This season Vane has brought his enthusiasm to the iconic Docksides boat shoe, re-materilising it for their generation in the latest Vane X Sebago collection, Future Heritage.


BILLYKIRK

This collaboration is a true homage to the dockworkers and boat makers who over the past 40 years have worn Sebago.


In their quest for creating refined and evolved work gear, the brothers, Chris and Kirk from Billykirk have teamed up with Sebago, developing their leather-working expertise to produce their take on the traditional Fairheaven oxford and boot, modern evolution of the authentic dockworker shoe


RONNIE FIEG

Fearless in his street smarts and high-style, Ronnie Fieg is known to be radical style activist and also for playing instrumental part in defining and guiding trends.

Fieg epitomizes fashion forward and has a strong following who share their love of daring, designs and individuality. Fieg has lent his skills to a capsule of unique styles complimenting and innovating distinctive Sebago  footwear.


It is an experience we all love to be part of. I am a cult follower of Sebago and especially Ronnie Fieg - the tussles detailing footwear. It is a must have for me.

JOCK FAIRWEATHER SPRING/SUMMER 2012

'Rather Than Objectifying The Wearer, The Jock Fairweather Ladies Footwear Claims To Empower Her In All Aspects Of Her Life'.  

JOCK FAIRWEATHER

The name might ring bell 'Jock Fairweather' and you might probably seen his shoe collection in the press - The Courier Mail, Brisbane News, The Age to name but a few and various fashion shows both here in London and abroad. 

I had the pleasure meeting of Jock and that was when we struck up the conversation about his designs.

Jock Fairweather is the creative designer for the Jock Fairweather ladies footwear. His very own brand he created after graduating from London College of Fashion and since then he has never looked back.

Joanna (S/S 12)

Jock's collection comes in a demure mix of heels and a captivating on trend wedges. The Spring/Summer 12 range are hyperfeminine and unapologetically epic.

The best of leather - stinggray skins and specailly commissioned silk pattern from designer from Suki Cheema - is used to create this cutting edge footwear. The colour blocking and quirkiness of the footwear is what makes it appealing and more alluring.

Jane (S/S12)

The optical effect of Jock Fairweather's ladies footwear is to lengthen and attenuate the wear's legs and make her stand tall, giving a good posture.

The Spring/Summer 12 collection breaths comfort. It also maximizes the slenderness , height and strengthens the walk of the wear. This is what I call stopping on-lookers in their tracks. These shoes are made for walking, and walking tall and elegant is what it makes you.

Jock Fairweather S/S 12 Footwear collection is a testament of the great design and innovation to come. 

See more of the S/S 12 collection on www.jockfairweather.com

The Portrait Of Charles In The Name Of Art.

'Style Flowed From The Combination And beauty Was Assured.' by Charles Ampadu

This photograph was taken by a final year Photography student Michael who asked me if he could photograph me for his final Art project. The answer was yes. I am a lover of Art and I visualise the beauty of art in everything I see and touch.

Being his project, he had the imagination and I had the style. So therefore the two ideas merged and melded to form this piece of art.  His vision was based on the contours of the male form.

The beauty of a man was assured and art took it's rightful place.

... as style and elegance emerged as perfect couple.

Academy Of Freelance Makeup - AOFM

The Academy Of Freelance Make up (AOFM)Is Growing And Making A Strong Impact.

www.aofmpro.com

I have been wanting to write about AOFM for quite a while now since was invited to their Studio which stands on three magnificent floors on Dean street in the West End a while back.

I was given a tour on each floor and I was amazed by the place in terms of the number of products and equipments they had. Just about every make up colour you could think of. I can not say I wasn't flabbergasted.

I know lots of you in the fashion world or industry very well know AOFM. And for those of my readers who do not know, allow me to share my love and admiration for AOFM with you.

As you can see from the header AOFM stands for Academy Of Freelance Makeup. And AOFM  has worked on some of the leading magazines we have the moment - Vogue, Tattler, Haper's Bazaar etc 

The AOFM harbors some of the world best and qualified artist who in their years of work in the fashion industry have achieved tremendously and made it work in any aspect be it high fashion, edgy, couture you name it - they have done it all. 

The above experts talked about form the AMOF pro and now what they do is impact their knowledge, experience and know how onto the new talent/academy students that are coming up.

The AOFM pro is a result made up of these team of world's make up artist. AOfM has studios in London,I stated earlier Paris, New york and Milan. 

How can one talk about London Fashion Week and not make mention Of AOFM?  The AOFM pro plays a vital role during fashion week around the world and it has been know for them to over 30 runway shows during Fashion Week. That's certainly some work of art...


This season they are the official backstage for New york Couture fashion Week, Runway Shows at New York Fashion. And like stated earlier they are a playing a pivotal role in London Fashion Week this season as well.

Having had a chat with its founders,Jana Ririnui and Jason Mallet I gathered that, they really believed in helping other professional makeup artist in using the best ever artisan tools to achieve a fine and demure result in their work.

 This is why the Academy (AOFM pro)team came up designed their own AOFM pro branded 24 piece professional brush kit. 

In addition to that they have published two top notch books and the latest one that was launched entitled, Make Up Is Art. This is a must read I have to insist. Well, it goes without saying how makeup can transform once appearance. It also touches on basic skincare and other issues.

Pleasure!

Taste The Trend

The Three on Trend Cocktails Exclusively Tailored by Vista At The Trafalgar Hotel For London Fashion Week

(L-R)  Gemstone Glory, Sweet Golightly And The Lady Is A Vamp.

The finest cocktails, the best company, the most congenial atmosphere and the most accommodating host. 

That is what it was like on Wednesday the 24th August 2011- at the launch of the 'Taste The Trend' at the magnificent and breath taking Vista Rooftop Bar Of Trafalgar Hotel. 

It is certainly going to be the place to 'chill' and relax with your stylish Taste The Trend cocktail during London Fashion week.

Taste The Trend is a three eye popping, stylish as well as trendy cocktail drinks that has been created with their own individual taste.

To make drinking of the cocktails so much fun and out of this world, each will be served with its very own, and stylish Temple Spa Nail Gloss in Monaco,Marrakech and Cassis 

Now time to let you more about the three stylish and trendy cocktails...

Gemstone Glory

It has been created using a base of refreshing champagne, Blu Curacao and Lychee Liquor.

This cocktail is the height of his glamour and its topaz colour captures the rich sumptuous jewel tones seen in Jasper Garvida sparkling trend.

Sweet Golightly

Is the cocktail named after Miss Holly Golightly which is like a trip back to memory lane of elegance and sophistication.

Flavours: basil infused Gin Mare Gin giving it a spin of classic martini. Sweet Golightly is a  reminicent of the 40s chic as seen by the likes of Prada and Gucci in their S/S 11.

The Lady Is A Vamp

Is a drink not for the fainthearted. Made with Black Moth vodka, Mozart Dark and a hint of Absinthe, its deliciously racy and guaranteed to make you blush. 

And Qualities like dark,seduction and fetishsm as a trend, seen at McQueen and Giles embodies this cocktail. 

The Lady Is A Vamp cocktail also pays homage to Lady Gaga and the wacky out fits she wore on he Monster Ball Tour.

It is the cocktail for hip, trendy and the sophisticated. Well aren't we all?

These demure cocktails are available until September 30th 2011.

Pleasure. 

www.trafalgarhotel.com