Kim Kardashian launches online fashion retailer in the UK

Co-founded by Kim Kardashian, online fashion accessories retailer ShoeDazzle is launching its online styling service and fashion store in the UK this September. ShoeDazzle was founded in 2009 in America and currently has over 3 million members. The website works with customers completing a free ShoeDazzle style profile, picking their favourite celebrity looks or catwalk images. Once the profile has been created, ShoeDazzle's celebrity stylists, including Kim, will create a personal selection of shoes, handbags and jewellery to specifically suit the consumers individual style, giving the customer a personalised shopping experience. Every product on the site is priced at £39.95.

www.shoedazzle.co.uk
www.shoedazzle.com

GeekSheek Accessories launches new range

GeekSheek Accessories is a new range of eco-friendly carry cases made from organic cotton, padded with natural wool and trimmed with either cotton or leather. GeekSheek insist upon the highest environmental standards in all of their products without compromising design or quality. They use only ethical supply chains and production facilities that are certified by the Fair Labor Organization. Each case is 100% biodegradable and recyclable and there is a broad range of colours and sizes to choose from. Launching this July, GeekSheek Accessories are priced from £30.00 and are available from online at www.geeksheek.co.uk.

House of Harlow 1960 debuts bag collection

Nicole Richie's label House of Harlow 1960 has announced the launch a new bag collection with a similar vintage yet classic aesthetic as her range of jewellery and shoes. The new line, created in partnership with brand owner and manufacturer Majestic Mills, is comprised of approximately 14 pieces, inspired by vintage shapes and ranges from clutches to totes to carry-alls. The collection will be available in UK stores from December.

Italian fashion brand MARYLING expands into the UK

Italian fashion brand MARYLING was founded in Milan in 2010 and offers fine wools, soft silks, fine jerseys, cottons and textured linens within its collection. The first presentation of the Summer collection saw refined suit jackets and sharp tailoring, vintage cotton blends and soft wide-leg pants, alongside loose silk leggings and floral silk prints.

The MARYLING fashion looks are created in groups and capsules which can be paired with one another. The collection also comprises accessories including leather shoes, handbags, belts and fashion jewellery. The soft UK launch took place at the end of May, and stockists are to be announced shortly with store set to launch in 2012.
www.maryling.com

Designer Sophie Hulme launches in Selfridges & announces collaboration

Young womenswear designer Sophie Hulme is set to launch her range of leather bags in Selfridges from August in a range of sizes and textures. The collection includes the casual messenger styles and more formal totes, available in soft leather and faux fur fabrics priced from £225.00. Pictured above is the nude leather tote, £490.00, which is an exclusive to Selfridges Oxford Street and Selfridges.com. The launch will be celebrated with an installation on the Contemporary Wall in Selfridges Accessories Hall featuring vintage letters and Sophie’s signature charms and will continue through Fashion Week.

Sophie Hulme has also collaborated with Cumbrian manufacturing specialists Chapman Bags, on a bespoke bag for the AW season inspired by Sophie's best selling tote (pictured here). The fabric has been given a bonding that is a signature treatment by Chapman Bags and creates a much more durable finish. The handles and trimming are made from tanned coloured leather and the bag is finished off with brass plate detailing around the handles. The bag will be available from September at a retail price of £530.00.

www.sophiehulme.com
www.chapmanbags.com
www.selfridges.com

British Fashion Council and Ascot Racecourse partner to promote emerging miliners and designers

The British Fashion Council (BFC) and Ascot Racecourse have today announced that they are working together to showcase a selection of emerging designers and milliners at this year's Royal Ascot 2011 and London Fashion Week (LFW). As part of a new partnership, Ascot Racecourse will be sponsoring the BFC’s Headonism initiative, hosting a showcase opportunity during the Royal Meeting and supporting Headonism in The Exhibition at LFW from September 2011. Headonism is a BFC initiative curated by Stephen Jones, celebrating the new wave of emerging London milliners. It was launched during the BFC’s 25 Year celebrations by Boris Johnson. The four up-and-coming milliners who will be showcased in the installation at Ascot are J Smith Esquire, Noel Stewart, Piers Atkinson and Soren Bach. Todd Lynn, winner of the BFC Fashion Forward initiative, will be showing his ready-to-wear collection at the Royal Ascot Fashion Show in the Bessborough Restaurant. He will showcase his SS11 looks in a daily catwalk show alongside Amanda Wakeley, Julien Macdonald, Vivienne Westwood and Stephen Jones.

www.britishfashioncouncil.com
www.ascot.co.uk

Vivienne Westwood launches second collection for Ethical Fashion Africa Programme

Vivienne Westwood has announced the second collection of handbags and accessories in collaboration with Ethical Fashion Africa Programme. The AW11 collection line, previewed at the recent AW11/12 Gold Label show during Paris Fashion Week, is set to launch this month on yoox.com’s eco-friendly initiative YOOXYGEN as well as available from Vivienne Westwood stores and online.

The range of styles has been extended to include weekenders, key rings, the classic Westwood Yasmine bag and a number of men’s designs. These new designs also introduce a number of new materials including recycled electrical wiring, recycled aluminum and plastic bags, keeping the focus on creating a collection which minimises the impact on the environment. In Nairobi’s industrial area, where the Vivienne Westwood collection is produced, the growth of this collaboration is helping women to build their skills and expand production which, in turn, helps to generate more work for the entire community. The new collection carries 14 different styles of bags and accessories, both for men and women.

www.viviennewestwood.co.uk
www.yoox.com

Black & Brown London launches new accessories line in Harrods this month

Black & Brown London has launched Black & Brown Junior, a new accessories line for children and teenagers available exclusively from Harrods this month. The new range of leather belts for girls and boys aged between two and 14 are all hand-crafted using Italian leather and Swarovski crystals and are available in a number of different colours and styles. For more information visit the website.

www.black-brown.com

MOSCHINO launches limited edition range for pets

MOSCHINO has collaborated with virtual store yoox.com for a limited edition capsule collection of leashes and collars; MOSCHINO PETS. Available exclusively on yoox.com, the collection has just launched in the PETS area. All proceeds from the MOSCHINO PETS project will go to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to training rescue dogs to become search dogs. Once trained, these dogs are partnered with firefighters and other first responders to assist in finding people after natural disasters. In particular, the project supports the rescue activities conducted after the recent earthquake in Japan.

www.moschino.com

New accessories brand Rose and Rose to launch

Rose and Rose is the new accessories brand from Robert Rose, set to launch late July/ early August. With influences including vintage interiors, geometric patterns and oriental carpets, the collection includes on-trend polka dots in a range of primary colours, Navaho weaving and fringing, to skull motifs and evening embellishment. Styles are available for both men and women and each scarf is made from 100% silk, wool or cashmere. This AW11 the collection will be stocked at Anthropologie and exclusive boutiques priced between £28.00 and £100.00.

www.rose-and-rose.com

Walpole reveals Brands of Tomorrow 2011

Walpole has announced this year's Brands of Tomorrow, sponsored by Mishcon de Reya Solicitors. Now in its fifth year running, the initiative aims to nurture and support new and upcoming talent within Britain’s luxury industry. The announcement was made at the Walpole Brands of Tomorrow launch party held on the 24 May at Browns Hotel. In attendance were Brands of Tomorrow from previous years, Walpole members, and the programme's panel of experts: a selection of some of the most experienced luxury entrepreneurs and leaders in the UK. Together they will assist and support the new brands throughout the year in workshops and help with any practical advice they need.

The Walpole Brands of Tomorrow 2011 are:

Emmett London: Chelsea tailor, founded in 1992 by Robert Emmett. Contact.
www.emmettlondon.com

Irwin & Jordan: Contemporary female clothing brand stocked in Harrods and Isetan. Contact.
www.irwinandjordan.com

Mr Hare: Luxury men’s shoe brand founded by Marc Hare in 2008. Contact.
www.mrhare.co.uk

Nuttall Home: Furniture and luxury home accessories brand founded in 2010 by sisters Gytha Bouchon and Amber Aikens. Contact.
www.nuttallhome.com

Otis Batterbee London: British men’s accessories brand. Contact.
www.otisbatterbee.com

Osman Yousefzada: Eponymous fashion label launched in 2006. Contact.
www.osmanyousefzada.com

Trunk Clothiers: Menswear and accessories brand launched in September 2010. Contact.
www.trunkclothiers.com

www.thewalpole.co.uk

TD Tom Davies introduces limited edition glasses collection

TD Tom Davies has launched a limited edition glasses collection for women that contains styles with Swarovski crystals or, alternatively, diamonds embedded in the temples or brow line. Inspired by the 1950’s cat’s eye, each of the six silhouettes are made of quality acetate, and limited to 50 pieces. The frames can be ordered to fit through the bespoke spectacles service available through stockists of the TD Tom Davies eyewear brand.

TD Tom Davies Limited Edition glasses with Swarovski crystals are priced at £600.00, while the frames fitted with certified diamonds are available to order with prices available on application. TD Tom Davies frames are available from UK stockists including: Barnard Levit (London), Charnley’s (Leamington Spa), Cromptons (Cheshire); Eyesite (Brighton); Ellis & Thompson (Cobham), Gregory & Seeley (London EC4), Tony & Guy (Manchester).

www.tdtomdavies.com

New online accessories store Femme-Enfant launches

Femme-Enfant is a new independent online accessories and footwear boutique that opened for business on 1 May. The new site offers a range of accessories with most products only available for a limited time. Styles include shoes, handbags, umbrellas, lingerie and jewellery. Key examples are; pointed stilettos with red and gold reversible sequins (pictured here, priced £60.00), fuchsia satin peep-toe (£45.00) and the gold satin peep-toe sling back with mirror-ball effect strap (£50.00). Also featured is a range of retro-inspired rose print umbrellas (£30.00 each) as well as polka dot parasols (£25.00) that come in a variety of colours such as pink, purple, red and white – all with a lace edge. Founder Louise Woodhead comments: "I set out to create an independent boutique that is inspired by seasonal trends but dares to differentiate. In Femme-Enfant I wanted to capture the free-spirited and indulgent transition from girl to woman."
www.femme-enfant.com

Coach name Gwyneth Paltrow as brand ambassador

Luxury accessories brand, Coach Inc. has announced that Gwyneth Paltrow will be the face of the brand’s international 70th anniversary campaign and star in the AW11 and SS12 fashion advertising campaigns. The images, shot on the rooftop of a midtown Manhattan building by fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh, are scheduled to break in September issues of international fashion and lifestyle publications.

"Gwyneth Paltrow was a natural choice for this campaign: she embodies the spirit, energy and elegance of the Coach brand," said Reed Krakoff, President and Executive Creative Director. "She is an icon and I am excited to have her as a part of our ongoing legacy."

Coach, whose headquarters are in New York, produces fine accessories and gifts for women and men, including handbags, women's and men's small leathergoods, business cases, weekend and travel accessories, footwear, watches, outerwear, scarves, sunwear, fragrance, jewelry and related accessories.

www.coach.com

Pretty Pouch

This accessory is a neat because it re-purposes household materials. We won't tell you the secret to Elaine's masterpieces, but rest assured, these darling little pouches can perfectly hold your credit cards or any notes you may want to keep safe. This crafty lady is a local San Diegan and she keeps a blog called A Crafty Mind in which she shares her oh so artsy adventures and also tips on how to make some of the cool things she does!

Tailor-made press event All Present & Correct returns this July

The seventh annual tailor-made press event All Present & Correct (AP&C), designed for niche companies and brands to meet the press, is due to take place on 7 July. AP&C will present both new and established brands and products at a central London venue. Whether launching a new product or introducing a company to the press, the package includes pre-show marketing, inviting the press and hosting on the day - including the weeklies, monthlies, newspapers and colour supplements, websites and key bloggers and tweeters. The focus will include gifts, fashion, fashion accessories, beauty, health and well-being, homes & interiors.

Gucci celebrates 90th anniversary with the 1921 Collection

Gucci introduces the 1921 Collection, an exclusive range of men’s and women’s ready-to-wear and accessories, conceived to celebrate the House’s 90th anniversary. The collection will carry a new trademark, G. GUCCI Firenze 1921, with a stamp appearing inside the accessories, on belt buckles and printed on metal travel tags. Collection highlights include special editions of the New Bamboo, New Jackie (pictured here) and Horsebit Chain handbags, two vintage-inspired men’s travel suitcases and horse-riding boots. The new design covers printed shirts and also lines the double-breasted trench and the cashmere suede blazer. The 1921 Collection will debut in select Gucci boutiques worldwide and on gucci.com from June.

Lara Bohinc launches e-commerce website

Luxury goods label Lara Bohinc has launched a global online store that offers its full range of handbags, designer jewellery, fine jewellery, shoes, scarves, small leather goods and online exclusives. Providing full access to Lara Bohinc’s collections and products, customers can choose to pay in sterling, US dollars or Euros and shipping is available to 170 countries worldwide, free in Europe and the US. www.larabohinc.com.

Alexander McQueen launches limited edition skull scarf

In celebration of the Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty retrospective opening on 4 May at the Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Alexander McQueen is launching a limited edition skull scarf. The design is made up of a combination of skulls stemming from the iconic skull featured in the classic scarves to the Jellyfish skull from the Plato Atlantis collection and the Folk skull from Sarah Burton's SS11 show. Made in 100% silk, the limited edition skull scarf retails at £290.00 and will be available from May in all Alexander McQueen stores worldwide and online at www.alexandermcqueen.com.

Fashion Fringe Accessories 2011 names winner

Kerrie Luft was today named as the winner of Fashion Fringe Accessories 2011. Kerrie was selected from a shortlist of four candidates and will receive an apprenticeship at French company Roger Vivier.

The Fashion Fringe 2011 Accessories was chaired by Bruno Frisoni, Creative Director of Roger Vivier, who selected the winning candidate in London today. Bruno commented; “I embrace the spirit of Fashion Fringe as it provides an open door to the rather closed world of fashion. Kerrie stood out as she has the potential to be a great designer in her own right. Her personality shone through, and her design approach is very organic, whilst embracing new technology to give an incredibly contemporary feel – we welcome her to Maison Roger Vivier.”