Stella McCartney X Goop

Gwyneth Paltrow's has teamed up with British fashion designer Stella McCartney for their first collaboration, available exclusively on Gwyneth's lifestyle website 'Goop'. The Stella McCartney X Goop collection launched on September 12. This collaboration is the latest in a series of fashion partnerships Paltrow has struck up for her site, previous designers include, Rag & Bone,Cynthia Rowley and Alexandra Von Furstenberg.

The collection contains only 6 items making it more of a capsule collection.Stella McCartney has explained that they wanted to create investment pieces. The outcome is designs that are timeless and classic, the pieces are effortless and Stella believes they reflect Gwyneth's style, it's a big reflection on her and they decided they would create a small timeless collection that you'd want to leave to your daughter.

To celebrate the collection the pair thew an English Garden Party in the Hamptons, as you do. Complete with lawn games, a jazz band, british food and drink such as guinness, and mini fish and chips and sticky toffee pudding as well as a guest list including, Paul McCartney, Cameron Diaz,Cynthia Rowley,Rachel Zoe and Sarah Jessica Parker.

The collection definitely is understated and classic. Two of the six pieces are bags, one a clutch and one beautiful shoulder bag, there's also a tailored black wool blazer, a charcoal jumpsuit, black staple jeans with zip detail,and a pair flattering,loose fit black wool trousers. The collection is timeless with modern twists, the shoulder bag unfolds "like origami" into a sleek clutch, and the jeans are not denim but a deep blue velvet, that you don't notice at first glance, a perfect twist on the black jean. I would quite like the Beckett shoulder bag but at $1,230.00 it's not really in my price range.. one for the wish list! 

Kit Neale at Ravensbourne!

Last week menswear designer and former Ravensbourne student, Kit Neale gave a talk about his journey since graduating and told us a bit about his experiences.

Since leaving Uni he has interned at Gareth Pugh, worked at Wonderland magazine and started up his own brand. I found his talk really helpful and very interesting. He told us a bit about his own brand which features loud prints and bright colours,his studio is based in Shoreditch with four full time staff. He talked about the pros and cons of the industry and about setting up his own business  in the current economy. He works long hours, and has had to learn about the business side of a fashion such as paying people, doing tax returns, paying his staff and working out how money issues. He has also had to learn about legal terms and conditions within the clothing industry and about custom charges when shipping garments around the world. There were also lots of pros such as great satisfaction and pride, he has shown his designs at Paris Fashion week, in La, Tokyo, New York and England. He has travelled all over the world. He gave us some useful advice about playing to your strengths and letting others do tasks you aren't very good at.  The last three years have been a big learning experience for Kit Neale, he mentioned a fear of his brand failing, but then added that the fact he started up his own business and was successful at it would be great for his C.V and would impress future employers. I found that really interesting and inspiring.

Biba and Beyond

The Biba and Beyond:Barbara Hulanicki exhibition, now showing at Brighton museum and art gallery celebrates the history and heritage of the iconic brand with an insight into the life and work of the designer behind Biba, Barbara Hulanicki.  The exhibition not only celebrates the Biba lifestyle but gives an insight into the other careers of Barbara Hulanicki, fashion illustration, interior design and architecture. The Biba story is exhibited with illustration,garments on display,photography and videos. Walls are adorned with quotes about Biba and Hulanicki and there are lots of interactive elements to the exhibition.

The exhibition runs until 14 April 2013, and at just £4 entrance fee for students it definately worth a view!