Kit Neale NEWGEN!

I have previously mentioned Kit Neale on my blog, the British designer who graduated from my university;Ravensbourne. He has now received funding from NEWGEN, the initiative founded by the BFC in 1993 to promote upcoming talent in the fashion industry. The initiative is internationally recognised and very prestigious scheme to be recognised by, well done Kit Neale!

Take a look at his website www.kitneale.com and don't forget to look out for him at London Collections:Men!

100 years of Chanel

As well as the opening of two new London stores (one in Covent Garden and another in New Bond St.), To celebrate 100 years of the brand Karl Lagerfeld has created a short film set in 1913 Deauville where a young Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel has recently opened her new hat shop and is eagerly awaiting customers.The film stars Keira Knightley as Chanel, alongside a range of models, and muses of Lagerfelds. 

I think the film gives an insight into the beginnings of Chanel, I like the way it's  shot in black and white and i feel its a nod to the brand and to adds to the fact its set in 1913. However I feel it would of emphasised the brands heritage more if the film was more French, perhaps french with english subtitles or even if the characters such as Chanel spoke english with a French accent, as i think Keira Knightley, among others, speaking in her regular voice took away from the French feel of the film.

         Karl Lagerfeld has said he designed the set, the costumes,the dialogue and the characters.  He also shot without a script, calling out lines just before the shot and encouraged the actors to improvise lines to give it a more natural feel. Unsurprisingly what really stood out were the costumes! I particularly loved Jamie Bochart as Marquise Luisa Casati, dressed head to toe in black with three greyhounds, Lindsay Wixson in beautiful high necked white lace dress, with an open back and huge black feather hat as Miss Wonderbilt and Ashleigh Good as Jacquelines Forzane, dressed in a black and white skirt suit, straw boater, pearls and a cane ( to name a few!)

The film beautifully shot  and I feel the brand still exudes the same elegance and classic as it always has.I think the youth of today still understand Chanel as an influential,sophisticated and chic brand, however I feel the film will give them an insight into the history and heritage of the brand that they may not be aware of.

London Collections: Men

London Collections: Men will be an event between 16th-18th June this summer, showcasing the most prominent names in menswear, including international designers, Britains acclaimed designers and up and coming talent in fashion.  Dylan Jones, Chair of London collections: Men, announced in New York, that after years of showing in Milan renowned British brand Burberry will be moving their menswear show to London. Burberry will be showing on Tuesday 18th June, this is great news as it celebrates London as the city of menswear.

The event will showcase collections from our iconic British designers such as  Paul Smith, Alexander McQueen, Jonathan Saunders and Savile Row designers Richard James and E.Tautz.
The event will also be a platform for up and coming designers to showcase what they have to offer. The MAN show will take place on Sunday 16 June and is presented by Topman and Fashion East and will be showing work from three of London's emerging designers to watch!

Another iconic show will be a presentation from the tailors of Savile Row at Lord's Cricket Ground on the afternoon of Monday 17th. Boris Johnson, Mayor of London will also get involved with the antics by hosting a celebration of menswear in London on Tuesday 18th June, this will include a look at the history of menswear in the city and its heritage. What a week for London!

All eyes on Pre-Fall?

Chanel Pre-Fall 13/14

More and more designers are showing pre fall collections, with Browns reportedly spending a whopping 70% of its budget on pre fall.  "Pre" collections are bridging the gap between the high profile collections of Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter.

These collections are usually more wearable and give a feel of whats to come next from the designer. It's to stimulate interest and draw in customers. I think the smart money is in the Pre fall collections as brands such as Browns can buy into these trends early on and make more money before they sell out.
Laura Larbalestier, Buying Director at Browns has said pre fall is the time she likes to buy lots of dresses. I think the reason brands spend so much of their budget on pre fall is to snap up trends before the season explodes. Brand strategist, Anita Borzyszkowska believes Pre-collections have become really significant as customers have become use to continuously having their interest stimulated, and 'pre' is all about feeding that interest. Inter-seasonal collections are gaining more and more interest and i think consumers love them as people get impatient, and fashion is now moving faster and feeding the fashion frontrunners at a faster pace. Without the pre-collections, brands sales would decrease as there is more interest and coverage during the S/S A/W seasons which makes them money. The pre-collections create a buzz and with people becoming more aware of them its making the stores more money. As Michael Kors told Vogue .."It's the season you sell most clothes." 

A pre fall collection that really caught my eye was the Chanel pre-fall 13/14, a modern collection with scottish elements and an elizabethan royalty feel thrown into the mix. The collection featured lots of tartan,tweed and flashes of bright colour, draping woollen scarves, ruffled necks, quaint embroidery detailing, puffed sleeves and sporran-esque bags to complete the look!