Fashion Illustrations by Leigh Viner

All illustrations by Leigh Viner

The World's Most Fashionable Prison

The World's Most Fashionable Prison (Trailer) from Mak CK on Vimeo.

This Week's Most Wanted

Everglades Large Hobo, $52, dellala.com

Illustrations by Manuel Rebello

All illustrations by Manuel Rebello

Six Yards

"Six Yards: Guaranteed Dutch Design" is an exhibit that follows the evolution of African wax print from its roots in Indonesia through to its modern day use in fashion and art. The exhibit includes work from fashion designers such as Dries Van Noten and Marga Weimans, as well as artists like Yinka Shonibare, that have used wax prints in their work. The museum shop will also have a selection of textiles from notable wax print manufacturer, Vlisco, for sale for the duration of the exhibit. "Six Yards" is currently at the Museum voor Moderne Kunst Arnhem in Arnhem, Netherlands until May 7, 2012.

Credits: Yinka Shonibare, MBE, ‘Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball)’ 2004. Copyright the artist

Photo: Marc Pluim

Fashion Ilustrations by Marcela Gutiérrez

Beauty For The Sake Of Beauty. Inspired by a photograph by Mert & Marcus

Inspired on a photograph of Stella Tenant by Tim Walker

Inspired by a Mario Testino photograph of Carmen Kass

Illustration for Prada Flagship Stores.
All illustrations by Marcela Gutierez

New York Fashion Week Fall 2012- Tracy Reese

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012- Edun

The inspiration behind Edun's Fall 2012 collection was described as a girl who has "taken her punk rock roots on safari" on the show program. "Safari Punk" was a timely theme for a brand that has such close ties to Africa, not because of the safari element, or because of its co-founder Bono's musical background, but because of the largely overlooked punk scene in Southern Africa; the subject of a recently released documentary called Punk in Africa. In the  documentary, a musician says that what makes African punk different is that it's not just an imitation of punk from other parts of the world, but that there are distinctly African elements in African punk music. In this same way, Edun stayed true to its tough edgy aesthetic while re-interpreting the idea of an "African" print. Wauchob's talent for textile design was visible in beautiful graphic dresses, as well as knitwear, both done in interesting designs with bold rich colors. Edun is still a relatively young brand, but this collection is evidence that its creative team is coming in to its own and making Edun about more than just "clothes made in Africa".

All images: Joe Kohen/Getty Images North America

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012- SUNO

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012- Yigal Azrouel

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012- Kaelen

Kaelen Farcombe launched her brand, Kaelen, in 2010 after building an impressive resume that includes a degree from Parsons and internships at Jenni Kayne and Stella McCartney. The Toronto native is quickly making a name for herself and was recently named one of the top 10 designers to watch by Women's Wear Daily. Her aesthetic can best be described as a sort of deconstructed femininity; the understated beauty of her collections lies in her flattering cuts and use of unusual color palettes. Her fall 2010 collection is simple and sophisticated, each look a combination of strong shapes done in delicate fabrics such as silk and lace. 

" The line is modern and clean, and focused on longevity and restraint as opposed to be trend-driven."

"I didn’t want aline that came across as formulaic, because the woman who wears the clothes is creative and distinctive with her clothing." 

All Photos: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images North America

"I hear Africa calling- as a producer of beautiful handiwork  and ultimately as a consumer."


- Suzy Menkes, Fashion Editor, International Herald Tribune

Talking Copenhagen Fashion Week with Monica & Joe- Links á la Mode

During Copenhagen Fashion Week, I had a lovely conversation with  Monica and Joe Wahla to discuss three things about which they are quite passionate, Copenhagen, fashion and their online boutique, Monica & Joe.

Monica and Joe launched their site, monicaandjoe.co.uk, in 2011. Both have almost twenty years of experience working at top fashion companies, but left their jobs because they saw an opportunity to create an online version of the small stylish boutiques they've visited in Copenhagen and the Marais neighborhood of Paris. Their online boutique is based around what Joe describes as their “intrinsic belief  in what we think is cool.” The Monica & Joe site carries a hit list of cool niche fashion brands such as Baum und Pferdgartem, Valentine Gauthier, Munthe + Simonsen and By Malene Birger, to name a few.

Monica and Joe

Talking to Monica and Joe it is immediately evident how important their customers are to them, and they do everything possible to offer the same service found in a neighborhood boutique. This boutique approach to customer service is part of what has helped them develop a loyal following. “We’re old school, we have been going to the same dry cleaner, butcher for years. We’re junkies about people we respect,” says Joe. Either Monica or Joe respond personally to every e-mail, and Monica also offers personal style advice to customers via online chat. “Some women literally don’t know what to wear. [Via live chat] I ask them, ‘Do you like to show your arms? What colors do you like to wear?’ People just want a little advice.” This high-level of customer service with a personal touch is something that the two are committed to maintaining, even as their business grows.

When it comes to choosing new designers for their site, Monica and Joe, don’t have a set formula. “The plan was to add about five new designers a season,” Joe explains, “But, last season we added seven. It just depends.” Monica relies on instinct when choosing a new line, “It’s about what is catching my eye…The product speaks for itself.”  

Part of the reason the couple make the trip to Copenhagen Fashion Week each season is in hopes of “finding the next big thing.” According to Joe, “We don’t want to become like everyone else…[High street shops] are so trend-driven. One week it’s all about Boho-Gypsy-Peruvian-Shepardess, and then the next week, it’s gone…We don’t want to talk about trends. I’m interested in smart intellectual fashion…[Our customers] are internet-savvy, educated and stylish. They want something different.” Monica adds, “Other people just stick to what they know, but that’s why we come to Copenhagen, because we find loads of great designers.”

Monica checks out the Dante 6 Fall 2012 collection Photo: Monica & Joe

Dante 6, a Dutch brand, is one of their favorite new finds, discovered at one of the trade shows in Copenhagen. “It’s amazing. Fantastic! It just caught our eye,” says Monica. The collection from Bruun’s Bazaar was also a stand out for them, and Monica describes the collection as sporty with lots of color. She also went on to say, “This season it was toned down. [The show] was in a beautiful location, but it was smaller and less high profile. It allowed the clothes to speak for themselves. We loved it.”

Monica at Bruun's Bazaar showroom Photo: Monica & Joe

In terms of the overall trends at Copenhagen Fashion Week, Monica noticed that there has been a shift in Danish fashion: “Copenhagen used to be a bit samey, but this season it was a lot less one-dimensional; more color, punchy color, more individual, perhaps driven by the States.” She picks the skirt, particularly the peplum skirt, as a must-have piece for Fall ’12, pointing to the fact that, “[On our site] skirts have sold out- that’s exciting! Dresses were popular, but now there’s a mood for separates. It’s a different way of dressing and skirts are one of the easiest pieces to wear.”

Finale at By Malene Birger Fall 2012 show Photo: Monica & Joe

And if you're heading to Copenhagen, check out some of Monica and Joe’s favorite places: 

Avenue Hotel

M: “When we were looking for a hotel in Copenhagen there was something special about it…It’s quite designer-y, but not 5 star…I really recommend it.”

J: “Everyone there is really cool. They have these sofas in the lobby and it’s great because you can chit-chat and meet loads of interesting people.”

Avenue Hotel 

Illum

M: “We love to go to Illum for their hot chocolate. It’s really amazing.”

J: “It’s like melted chocolate scooped out with a ladle. It comes with the best little cookies- perfect.”

Illum Cafe Photo: Shu Tu

Munchies

M: “I never have salads in London…[At Munchies] there is a salad that is sort of spicy, with onions and chicken. It’s amazing, but I was so full I couldn’t finish.”

At Munchies Photo: Madoghave

Copenhagen Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012- Spon Diogo

Mia Lisa Spon and Rui Andersen Rodrigues Diogo are the designers behind the label Spon Diogo. Based in Berlin, the duo, who are partners in both business and life, worked in graphic design and illustration before launching their fashion label in 2008.


 "We don’t really stick to a specific code, but we like the idea of powerful objects that are yet quite subtle." 

Photos and video:  Copenhagen Fashion Week®.   

Copenhagen Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012- Henrik Vibskov

Love how the models, the music and the set interact. The clothes are also cool

  

All images: Rune Park

And the Winner Is...

Stine Riis is the lucky winner of the first ever H&M design Award and in addition to 50 000 euros, she presented her collection entitled "Decadence and Decay" at Stockholm Fashion Week yesterday. The collection will also be sold in select H & M stores this coming fall. Stine, a native of Copenhagen, is a recent graduate of the London College of Fashion and will present her collection again during Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Photo: H & M

A look from "Decadence and Decay"- Stockhom Fashion Week

Learn more about Stine and see her first runway presentation in the video below. Congrats!


EP31: Winner Portrait from H&M Design Award on Vimeo.

H & M Searches for the Next Big Thing

H&M has been on the hunt for Europe's next big design talent, looking at the work of students in the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Holland and Germany, not to recruit new employees, but to support talented young designers. The H&M Design Award is an opportunity for one lucky student from one of six top fashion design schools in Europe, such as Central Saint Martins and Artesis, to win 50 000 and a a chance to present their collection during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Stockholm. The winner will be announced February 1st, 2012.                  

Photo: H&M

Isabelle Lundh is a personal favorite because of her bold use of color and texture. Most of her work is modern, with very clean lines, but she manages to avoid bland minimalism with her unusual hues and mix of colors, as well unexpected touches of shaggy knitwear. Learn more about Isabelle and the other designers at the Design Awards website:  http://designaward2012.hm.com/

Follow the journey from the beginning on vimeo

EP1: HMDA2012 INTRODUCTION from H&M Design Award on Vimeo.

This Week's Most Wanted

Ngathe Nene necklace, £18.00, made.uk.com

This curved brass and horn  necklace was designed by Sarah Andreasen in collaboration with Made, a fair trade workshop that crafts handmade jewelry and leather accessories in Nairobi, Kenya.

For more information, and to see the entire collection of accessories please see the Made website: made.uk.com

Berlin Fashion Week Fall 2012- Patrick Mohr

Designer Patrick Mohr describes his design aesthetic as "sophisticated streetwear" and that is exactly what he delivered for his Fall/Winter 2012 collection presented during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin. In the past, Mohr's more avant-garde styling choices, such as sending female models with bald caps and beards down the runway, have distracted from the elegant simplicity of his minimal designs. In his Fall/Winter 2012 show it was the clothes that took center stage with the accessories pulling together looks made up of very wearable pieces.

Photo: Image,net

      


The opening look set the tone for the show, a mix of vintage, street and glam. It was also a nod to Berlin style: the camel cape edged with leather piping over a belted knit dress topped with a statement necklace and a handbag in the crook of the models' arm, was a look put together of items, most notably the cape, that are popular with the city's most stylish inhabitants. Other elements of Berlin style in the collection included chunky knitwear, over-sized scarves, hoodies, utilitarian jackets, and beards (reserved for male models this time), but all were done in a grown-up way, more hip young professional than starving artist, including the beards, which were groomed and one even topped with a handlebar moustache, á la Patrick Mohr himself.

Photo: Image.net

Photo: Image.net

Photo: Image.net

Berlin Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012- Eva & Bernard

Fashion Illustrations by Sabine Pieper