You can often divide people into two distinct groups - "hat people" and "non hat people". Wearing a hat takes confidence, courage and a unique personal style. Whether the hat is worn for comfort or a statement or both, the choice of hat says a lot about the person. Rike Feurstein (a self-confessed hat-aholic) has done a lot for the hat industry with her clean, minimalistic, sculptural shaped designs. Her unique perspective breathes new life into classic shapes with the choice of irreverent fabrics or colours. She references iconic shapes from the 40's and 60's and reworks the look by injecting her own twist. Rike studied in New York and London before opening her own studio and showroom in Berlin and has an international stockist's resume including Barney's, Saks, Harvey Nichols, Tsum and Le Bon Marche. – Kate Vandermeer
It would take a bold and confident photographer to work with Ms Grace
Jones – she of the panther like qualities and iconic outlandish style! Andrea Klarin
seems to have created not only a working relationship with Ms Jones but
also a truly collaborative experience with startling results. Ms Jones
prowls across the studio space commanding your attention with her
dramatic poses and facial expressions. See more visuals over at Fashionation
Irony - check. Careful, considered design – check. Desirable product with cache – most definitely check. Natalia Brilli has managed to create a signature that is immediately identifiable with her blend of taking the every day and creating a finished product that appears as if dipped into leather. A laptop bag becomes a functional leather laptop case that has the keyboard carved out in the leather, a wallet has the credit cards and coins moulded onto the zip front cover, a pair of sunglasses are embossed into the leather sunglass case. At once quirky and humorous but undeniably cool and chic, the latest Men’s 09 Collection is no exception to this designers range and ability. – Kate Vandermeer
For a fresh take on the standard fleece hoody with graphic print, Pegleg NYC have gone all kitsch on us and produced a picnic blanket inspired style instead. Instead of wrapping a rug around you, Pegleg NYC has merged nostalgia with a contemporary twist. The mix check crew neck sweatshirt is comfortable with 100% cotton fleece and will no doubt prove helpful in being spotted in crowds! All you need to add is a Frisbee and thermos and you’re set, but beware the camouflage issues if you were to lay on an actual picnic rug! – Kate Vandermeer.
Is it just us or are architects designing a lot more than buildings
these days? Starchitect Zaha Hadid has made headlines with her
collaboration with Chanel, where she designed a futuristic mobile art container - which has just landed in Central Park NYC - and her work with Brazilian shoe brand Melissa.
But
Hadid isn't the first architect to venture into fashion. In 2003
Galahad Clark, of the Clark family global shoe empire, started the shoe
brand United Nude
with architect Rem D Koolhaas. Their objective was to create a shoe
collection which expressed the intersection of design and fashion; to
create footwear that explored both aesthetics and innovation. Mission
accomplished. - Laura Demasi
In a world where the latest buzz is all about “design collaborations” it’s refreshing to see one that is seamlessly and intrinsically linked with outstanding results. Carlos Campos
is fast becoming a star-on-the-rise with his modern menswear collections featuring well-tailored pieces constructed using exceptional fabrics. His latest collection for Spring 2009 is a study in luxe sportswear with clean shapes, attention to detail and a clean palette of eggshell grey, crisp white and electric blue. The matching shoe collection by J Shoes features all the same colors in patent, leather, canvas and the collection’s feature patterned fabric from as a highlight. Using J Shoes signature hand-crafted philosophy this collection merges function with form creating a new style of shoe that is neither classic nor casual but a comfortable in-between. The result is innovative, luxe footwear that just seems to “work” without trying too hard! – Kate Vandermeer
In a cluttered market like eyewear - where every designer and his chihuahua has a range - it's difficult to stand out. Which is why we were excited to discover Cassius, a hot new brand that hails from New Zealand, the fab antipodean country that gave the world the wonderful likes of fashion designers Karen Walker and Zambesi.
The Cassius range takes inspiration from architectural proportions, specifically from the work Walter Gropius and the Bauhaus movement. Cassius applies the sharp clean lines, beautiful solid monochrome colours and classic silhouettes to a range that is individual but still wearable. The luxe frames are handcrafted from Italian zyl acetate and integrated titanium spring hinges; fitted with CR39 protected lenses with a rating of UV400. Glam and functional. Impressive.
The branch launched in the southern summer of 2008 season at the international apparel exhibition in Las Vegas, and was a hit with exclusive stockists in London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Sydney and Tokyo
The brand was founded by creative director Jason Ng. Cassius is right on the pulse of the way the fashion business is evolving, taking inspiration from more exclusive diciplines of design such as art, illustration and architecture. This trend has seen many non-fashion people get involved in fashion, who have created innovative fashion products by casting thier fresh eyes on tired old forms. They don't know the rules so naturally, they break them. Design anarchists. We like it. - Laura Demasi
The bursting ranks of international boutique denim labels has a new member, 4stroke. The label is inspired by Theodora Richards, the glam It-Girl, model and daughter of Rolling Stones legendary guitarist Keith Richards.
The rock'n'roll inpsired label stays true to its theme, naming styles after iconic rock'n'roll venues and taking wash names from classic rock'n'roll lyrics. The label has also thrown its weight behind the concept of eco-fashion, with the development of their pure denim range made from organic and eco-conscious fabrics with clean washes and styles that bring a refined look to the collection. This season's collection takes inspiration from the 1970’s and 1980’s, mixing classic retro styles with earth toned colours. - Laura Demasi
Welcome to Fashionation, an alternative fashion universe where
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The fluro/rainbow colour trend is still moving off the RTW catwalks and into accessories with a bang (or should we say a splash?). We're loving this Italian range watches, amusingly dubbed the "Toy Watch" which comes in blindingly bright selection of primary and fluro colours. So enamored are we that we're predicting that the Toy Watch could be the new Rayban Wayferer.
If its presence on the streets on London is anything to go by (it's on the wrist of every second hipster in West London), world domination can only be imminent. By Lisa Evans