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.

Alessandra Facchinetti to launch new collection in collaboration with PINKO

Former Gucci and Valentino Creative Director Alessandra Facchinetti (pictured here) has announced a new collaborative ready-to-wear line in collaboration with PINKO. Breaking from convention, the new collection, titled UNIQUENESS, will appear online and through a network of select retailers immediately following its unveiling during Paris Fashion Week.

“This project captures a technological marketing concept for our generation, stretching to the max a series of assets unique to the creative vision of the Pinko brand, now for the first time merging at a high level of creativity,” added Pietro Negra, Founder of PINKO.

www.pinko.it

Anthony Vaccarello awarded 2011 ANDAM Fashion Award fellowship

The ANDAM Fashion Award commission has announced that its 2011 fellowship will go to Belgian designer Anthony Vaccarello. After he graduated from the La Cambre School, Anthony Vaccarello won the Grand Prix of the Hyères Fashion Festival in 2006 before working alongside Karl Lagerfeld at Fendi. Vaccarello created his first collection in January 2009 and has been showing on the Paris women’s ready-to-wear calendar since then. The €200,000 endowment of the ANDAM Fashion Award will enable him to present a collection in Paris during Ready-to-Wear Week next October and to open a French branch for his label with a studio in Paris.

The winner was been chosen by majority vote by the following members of the jury, which included Fashion professionals: Hilary Alexander of The Daily Telegraph; Emmanuelle Alt, editor in chief of Vogue Paris; and Nathalie Dufour, founder and general director of ANDAM among others.

Previous recipients of this accolade include Yvan Mispelaere, Giles Deacon, Christophe Lemaire, Martin Margiela, Viktor & Rolf, Jeremy Scott and Hakaan.

www.andam.fr

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

Cacharel introduces new babywear collection

Cacharel has announced its new babywear collection, Cacharel NN. Designed by Corrine Sarrut and aimed at boys and girls aged 0-3 years, the new range is structured around three key lines; Newborn; containing sponge cotton pyjamas, mohair all-in-ones and co-ordinated layette; Christening, featuring lace, relief velvet and silk crepe; and Daywear, a high-fashion line containing smocked skirts, halter-neck or wrap-over dresses, blouses and harem pants for girls, and items inspired by menswear for boys.

The 70 designs in the collection are complemented by a range of accessories: socks coordinated to match the wardrobe, mohair blankets and a collection of leather walking shoes in a number of shades. Finally, a range of jewellery has also been created featuring silver or gold-plated bracelets and necklaces.

The Cacharel NN collection was presented with a preview at the Pitti Immagine Bimbo fair last weekend in Italy (23-25 June). UK stockists and prices to be announced in due course.

www.cacharel.fr

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

Agent Provocateur debuts home collection

Lingerie label Agent Provocateur has announced a debut home collection launching for Autumn 2011. The boudoir-esque range includes bed linens with silk trims and suede fringing, as well as a selection of towels for the bathroom and beach in a selection of prints and fabrics. The range also features accessories, which include a pure cashmere throw and cushion with suede fringe detailing; a fully fringed soft suede cushion; and a 100% silk quilt and bolster.

www.agentprovocateur.com

H&M announces new designer collaboration with Versace

H&M has announced its AW2011 designer collaboration with Versace. Designed by creative director Donatella Versace, the collection will include ranges for women, men and selected pieces for the home. It will be available from 17 November in around 300 stores worldwide and online. In addition, Donatella Versace has also designed a pre-spring collection for H&M set to be available in countries with H&M online sales from 19 January 2012.

"I am thrilled to be collaborating with H&M and to have the opportunity of reaching their wide audience. The collection will be quintessential Versace, perfect for H&M and Versace fans everywhere," says Donatella Versace.

www.hm.com

Valentino signs agreement with Marchon for new eyewear collections

Valentino SpA has announced a newly signed global license agreement with eyewear company Marchon effective from 1 January 2012. This grants Marchon the rights to manufacture and distribute the sun and ophthalmic collections under the Valentino brand. The Valentino Eyewear collection will take inspiration from the seasonal ready-to-wear collection, accessories and iconic pieces that showcase the use of materials, textures, colors and prints.

Claudio Gottardi, Marchon President and CEO said, “Valentino is a renowned fashion house. This is an exciting partnership we are embarking on and we’re enthusiastic to work closely with Valentino on the upcoming collections. The addition of Valentino, one of the most prestigious and luxury fashion houses, represents our dedication to expanding our international brand portfolio.”

The Valentino collections will be sold in Valentino boutiques, department and specialty stores, and select optical stores worldwide.

www.valentino.com

Scottish Fashion Awards 2011 winners announced

The 2011 Scottish Fashion Awards (in association with VOGUE.COM) took place last night at Glasgow Science Centre. Samantha Cameron, in her role as Ambassador to the British Fashion Council, attended the event and presented the evening’s most prestigious award - ‘Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year 2011’ to Jonathan Saunders.

Hosted by MTV’s Laura Whitmore, awards were given to Harris Tweed Hebrides, Tali Lennox, Henrietta Ludgate, Henry Holland, Bebaroque and Rankin, who received the Hall of Fame 2011 award. Guests and judges in attendance on the night included Dolly Jones, editor of Vogue.com; Nathalie Colin, Creative Director of Swarovski; Hilary Alexander, fashion director of The Daily Telegraph; Paula Reed, style director at Grazia; Sarah Bailey, deputy editor of Harpers Bazaar; Eilidh McAskill, editor of InStyle; Richard Walker, editor of Sunday Herald; Professor Wendy Dagworthy and Brian Duffy President of Ralph Lauren Europe.

The 2011 winners were:

• Scottish Designer of the Year – Jonathan Saunders
• Scottish Young Designer of the Year – Henrietta Ludgate
• Scottish Textile Brand of the Year – Harris Tweed Hebrides
• Scottish Accessory Designer of the Year – Bebaroque
• Scottish Fashion Icon – Freya Mavor
• Scottish Communicator of the Year – Angus Munro
• Scottish Model of the Year – Tali Lennox
• Scottish Retailer of the Year – Rox
• Scotland’s New Face – Caitlin Jamieson
• Scottish Graduate of the Year – Campbell Dunn
• International Designer of the Year (For Use Of A Scottish Fabric) – Henry Holland
• Scottish Fashion Innovator – Professor Pamela Gillies (Glasgow Caledonian University)
• Fashion Ambassador – Hilary Alexander (Fashion Director Daily Telegraph)
• Scottish Hall of Fame 2010 – Rankin

www.scottishfashionawards.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

British Fashion Council collaborates with WTA to dress tennis stars

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the British Fashion Council have unveiled a new partnership celebrating the connection between women’s tennis and fashion. The aim of the WTA/British Fashion Council collaboration is to feature British designers, raise the off-court profile of players and extend the link between the sport and fashion. Through this project, a group of WTA stars will be dressed in customised dresses, created specifically for them by British designers.

World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, who is the face of adidas by stella mccartney, will continue her collaboration with Stella, while five-time Wimbledon Champion Serena Williams will wear a dress created for her by Burberry. Roland Garros Champion Li Na will be dressed by Giles Deacon, a designer popular with customers in Hong Kong, while Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova will be wearing a dress created for her by David Koma, a British designer with Russian roots.

Many of the designers will be accompanying the WTA stars to the annual pre-Wimbledon party - co-hosted by the WTA and the Virgin Group at Kensington Rooftop Gardens in London on 16 June - to show off creations to the media. The dresses will be auctioned off during Wimbledon with the proceeds to be split between WTA charities and the British Fashion Council’s Princess of Wales Charitable Trust.

Additional designers involved in the project include Matthew Williamson (Ana Ivanovic), Vivienne Westwood (Jelena Jankovic), Mary Katrantzou (Samantha Stosur), Mulberry (Heather Watson), Temperley (Laura Robson), Richard Nicoll (Andrea Petkovic), and many others. Nicholas Kirkwood, who was named Accessory Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards 2010, will be providing shoes for the occasion.

www.wta.com
www.britishfashioncouncil.com

Jimmy Choo launch ICONS capsule collection & The Jimmy Choo Foundation

Jimmy Choo has announced the launch of ICONS, a capsule collection of shoes inspired by the most significant creations from the company’s archives. In conjunction with this collection launch on 20 October, the company also announces the creation of The Jimmy Choo Foundation, a charitable trust that will be chaired by Jimmy Choo Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Tamara Mellon OBE. A commemorative coffee table book, entitled JIMMY CHOO XV, highlights these 15 archival shoes and anthologises their creation through design sketches, editorial imagery, paparazzi shots and house photography. The release of the ICONS collection and the JIMMY CHOO XV are a part of the year-long celebration of the brand’s 15th Anniversary.

Among the fifteen selected designs is the famous ‘Feather’ worn by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex in the City. Also included is ‘Carly’ a zebra print boot created to commemorate the brand’s entry to the US. The ‘Macy’ style worn most recently on actress Natalie Portman is also included in the collection, as is ‘Fleur,’ a pointy-toe stiletto pump worn by Tamara Mellon when she was awarded the Order of the British Empire by the Queen. Of these 15 archival shoes, 10 styles have been reinterpreted as new classics as the ICONS Collection.

www.jimmychoo.com

Diane von Furstenberg designs childrenswear for Gap

GapKids and babyGap announced plans this week for a new collection created for Gap by Diane von Furstenberg. The collection will be in March 2012 through GapKids and babyGap stores in the UK and around 30 countries in total including United States, Canada, Italy, France, China, Japan and Australia as well as online in 75 countries.

uk.dvf.com
www.thegap.co.uk

New fashion site The Style Director launches this week

The Style Director is a new website, set to go live this week, aimed at helping professional women to secure wardrobe essentials with the minimum of effort. It dilutes a vast array of choices to one hero piece and four alternatives for each of eleven essential categories; T-Shirt, Shirt, Breton Top, Summer Sweater, Shift Dress, Slim Skirt, Slim Trouser, Tailored Jacket, Trench Coat, Loafer and Court Shoe.

Ines de la Fressange, Lisa Armstrong and Sarah Curran of My-wardrobe are among the ‘style icons’ who have picked wardrobe essentials for the site: from the Acne blazer to the Burberry trench. The Shop on the site has been limited to ten or 11 essential categories, to be regularly updated to suit the season. Colours are restricted to core neutrals of black, grey, navy, white, cream, nudes and pops of red.

Adding to the editorial tone, 'The Magazine' section covers regular fashion topics, while 'Great Alternatives' on each page guide readers on how to style classic pieces with contemporary items. The Style Director’s tumblr blog (below) is updated with images of modern classics with accompanying tips. To mark The Style Director’s launch at the end of June, the first 25 shoppers to spend over £50.00 will receive a copy of Ines De La Fressange’s Parisian Style.

www.thestyledirector.com
www.thestyledirector.tumblr.com

BFC announces NEWGEN recipients for SS12

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced the names of 17 of London’s fashion design talents who have been selected to receive BFC NEWGEN sponsorship, supported by Topshop, to show at London Fashion Week in September.

NEWGEN recipients for SS12 sponsored by Topshop are:

Catwalk sponsorship:
David Koma, Holly Fulton, Louise Gray
and Michael van der Ham.

Presentation sponsorship:
Christopher Raeburn, Craig Lawrence, Dominic Jones,
J.W. Anderson and Nasir Mazhar.

Installation sponsorship:
Jordan Askill and SISTER by SIBLING.

Exhibition sponsorship:
Felicity Brown, J. JS Lee, James Long, Palmer//Harding,
Thomas Tait and Tim Soar Woman.

All of the designers listed above under Catwalk, presentation and installation sponsorship will feature in the NEWGEN space of The Exhibition at London Fashion Week. NEWGEN is a showcase for emerging British fashion talent and is central to the British Fashion Council’s talent identification, designer development and showcasing programme. Since its inception, its alumni include Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, Boudicca, Giles Deacon, Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane, Marios Schwab, Richard Nicoll, Erdem, Mary Katrantzou and Meadham Kirchhoff.

www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

2011 CFDA Fashion Awards presented In New York

The 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards took place last night in New York, USA. The annual event recognises contributions made to American fashion, with awards being given for design excellence in womenswear, menswear and accessories as well as accomplishments in journalism, creative vision and lifetime achievement.

The evening’s Womenswear Designer of the Year award went to Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler presented by actress Naomi Watts. The award for Menswear Designer of the Year was presented by actor Gerard Butler to Michael Bastian. Lady Gaga was the recipient of The Fashion Icon Award, presented by Stephen Gan of Harper’s Bazaar, Visionaire, and V Magazine.

There was also three Swarovski Awards, which recognize emerging talent. The Swarovski Award for Womenswear was given to Prabal Gurung and the Swarovski Award for Menswear was presented to Robert Geller. Recipients in each category will receive financial support from the company as well as exposure to crystal products and applications for fashion.

The winners and honorees of the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards:

Womenswear Designer of the Year
Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler

Menswear Designer of the Year
Michael Bastian

Accessory Designer of the Year
Alexander Wang

Swarovski Award for Womenswear
Prabal Gurung

Swarovski Award for Menswear
Robert Geller

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design
Eddie Borgo

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award
Marc Jacobs

International Award
Phoebe Philo for Céline

The Media Award, given in honour of Eugenia Sheppard
Hilary Alexander, The Telegraph

The Founder’s Award, given in honor of CFDA Founder Eleanor Lambert
Hal Rubenstein, InStyle

Fashion Icon Award
Lady Gaga

Board of Directors’ Special Tribute
Arthur Elgort

www.cfda.com

James Harrison designs new collection for made.com

James Harrison, winner of Elle Decoration Young Designer of the Year 2007, has designed a new range of seating for made.com. The Jonah Collection’s single seat cushions and integrated back have been upholstered without middle seams, and employ slims legs to add a feeling of lightness. The curves which run throughout the pieces give a retro feel while the integral supportive shape and spring seat and back maintain comfort. Made in Britain and upholstered in linen mix, the pieces come in a choice of a Berry Red and Warm Grey. The Jonah Armchair is available for £375.00, the Jonah 2 Seater Sofa is £499.00 and the Jonah 3 Seater Sofa is £599.00.

www.made.com

Converse and Marimekko unveil latest collaboration

Converse and Marimekko are launching the latest collection in their collaboration for AW11. The collection features the Chuck Taylor All Star and Jack Purcell shoes dressed in Marimekko’s signature prints.

The Marimekko prints chosen for the new women’s collection were created by the designer Maija Isola and also rising talent Maija Louekari. The collection features the most renowned Marimekko print, the Unikko (poppy) design which will adorn the shoes with bright pink or black flowers with metallic details. Entirely new Marimekko prints designed for the new collection are the Kaleidoskooppi (kaleidoscope) and Poni (pony) patterns by Maija Louekari.

The Converse Marimekko collection for AW11 will be available globally at premium retail outlets and online at www.converse.com beginning this month (June).

www.converse.co.uk

Amanda Wakeley & Lucy Yeomans among judges for the GFW Gold Award

Julie Han-Yung Yeung, Northumbria University

Graduate Fashion Week is celebrating its 20th year anniversary and has announced the judging panel for its coveted Graduate Fashion Week Gold Award. The judges for this year’s award will be: Amanda Wakeley; creative director Norton & Sons Patrick Grant; E.Tautz; editor of Harpers Bazaar Lucy Yeomans, and design director of George Fiona Lambert.

The judges will review ten shortlisted collections made from 19 catwalk shows and put the students through a gruelling interview process, before selecting the winner of the £20,000 prize money. They will also select a Menswear and Womenswear award winner. To ensure that none of the event’s catwalk talent is missed, an elite industry panel of preliminary judges is in place to join the audience at every university show to highlight what they consider to be the best collection from each show. The judges include: GFW Trustee Professor Wendy Dagworthy; Paul Smith Head of Womenswear Sandra Hill; Mark Eley (Eley Kishimoto); and Head of design from George at Asda Sadie Robson. The Preliminary judges will also select from nominations for the BHM Visionary Knitwear Award and Zandra Rhodes Catwalk Textile Awards.