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

Zone Models convert to iPads from model books

Zone Models has started using iPads as an alternative to model books following a pilot in January 2001 which received positive reviews from both clients and models. Model portfolios can be easily uploaded and taken to castings, allowing clients to see a model’s entire portfolio. Clients are also able to e-mail selections of their choice as the Zone Models website has been adapted for use on iPad and iPhone.

A Zone Models app is due for release later this year, providing a quick and easy way for clients to make selections on the go, with a section for aspiring models to upload iPhone pictures and apply. Contact Lucy Bolland at Zone Models for more information.

www.zone-models.com

Yahoo! launches new celebrity site omg!

Yahoo! has announced the launch of omg!, a unique online destination focusing on daily celebrity news, photos, exclusive blogs and interactive video content.

The combination of in-house content and premium partnerships will ensure the site delivers the most current and relevant celebrity content to potentially 27million monthly Yahoo! users (April Comscore).

omg! launches with Julia White as editor, previously deputy editor of OK! online, who will lead a creative editorial team to ensure omg! is fresh in content and relevant to its readers. The editorial team’s core focus will be to make the content both engaging and entertaining whilst offering an effective creative canvas for advertising partners.

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

Molly Brown creates first jewellery collection for Angelina Ballerina

Girls jewellery brand Molly Brown is launching the first jewellery collection from children's character Angelina Ballerina. Available from 2 July exclusively at Selfridges (London, Birmingham & Manchester), the collection will then roll out to other UK retailers, including Harrods two weeks. The range includes pendants, lockets and charm bracelets using sterling silver and enamel coated Angelina pink. Prices start at £40.00 for the sterling silver jewellery and £15.00 for the silver-plated line. The new Angelina Ballerina collection will also be available to buy on the Molly Brown website.

www.mollybrownlondon.com
www.angelinaballerina.com

Triple Success for ASOS at Handbag.com Online Fashion Awards 2011

The Handbag.com Online Fashion Awards in association with Medwinds, were revealed this week (27 June), with online fashion store ASOS winning three awards. ASOS was announced as winners of ‘Best New Fashion Site’, ‘Best Vintage Site’ and ‘Best Online-Only Site’.

Now in its fourth year, the Handbag.com Online Fashion Awards 2011 encompass twelve categories, naming a winner and runner-up in each. A panel of handbag.com industry experts including Show Me Your Wardrobe’s Jackie Dixon, DirectorsOf.com founder Leon Bailey Green, Drapers’ online editor Keely Stocker and ASOS’ Jemma Dyas, compiled a final shortlist of the best fashion sites on the web, before putting this shortlist to the public vote. More than 47,000 votes from handbag.com users determined the overall winners.

Full list of Handbag Online Fashion Awards 2011 winners:

Best accessories site
Winner – Accessorize
Runner up – Etsy

Best boutique site
Winner – Paul's Boutique
Runner up – Monica and Joe

Best British fashion blog
Winner – Style Bubble
Runner Up – The Style Bite

Best designer site
Winner – Net-a-Porter
Runner Up – The Outnet

Best high street site
Winner – Topshop
Runner Up – River Island

Best independent fashion magazine site
Winner – My Fashion Life
Runner Up – Fashion 156

Best international fashion blog
Winner - The Style Rookie
Runner Up – The Coveted

Best new fashion site
Winner - ASOS Marketplace
Runner up – Monica & Joe

Best online only site
Winner – ASOS
Runner up – Net-a-Porter

Best use of innovation
Winner – Girl meets dress
Runner up – Burberry

Best user experience
Winner – John Lewis
Runner up – Net-a-Porter

Best vintage site
Winner – ASOS marketplace
Runner up – eBay Fashion

www.handbag.com
www.medwinds.com

'American Apparel is Gay' T.shirt launch

In tribute to the Pride London season which runs from 24 June to 3 July, American Apparel has launched a limited stock 'American Apparel is Gay' T.shirt, priced at £26.00 each. The brand is also running an in-store offer where a customer can get the T.shirt free when spending £50.00 or more at the American Appeal Carnaby Street, Oxford Street or Shoreditch store. This offer runs until London Parade day on 2 July.
www.americanapparel.co.uk

Ultimo introduces new Miracle Balcony Bra

Ultimo has just introduced the new Miracle Balcony Bra; a new design that lifts breasts to expose the slimmest area of the torso, giving an improved shape, renewed confidence and a slimmer silhouette. The Superior Advanced Cup Technology in Ultimo’s Fuller Bust Collection, which also includes the Miracle Plunge Bra, is designed specifically for larger cup sizes (from DD-G), offering lightweight support and comfort to lift, shape the fuller busted woman. The new Miracle Balcony Bra is available in sizes 32-38 DD-G in black, white and nude from www.ultimo.co.uk and www.next.co.uk priced at £27.00.

* This is embargoed to consumer press until 00.01am 30 June *

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

New fashion & art publication BAKU launches in October

BAKU will be launched internationally later this year, it was announced today (29 June). The Contract Publishing Division of Condé Nast Britain has secured a deal to publish this lifestyle and cultural title, with Leyla Aliyeva (pictured here) as the magazine’s editor-in-chief.

Debuting in October, BAKU International, named after Azerbaijan’s capital city, is a conceptual quarterly, uniting fashion with art, combining the best of the West elements of Azeri culture.

BAKU is currently published in its home nation and in neighbouring Russia, where the magazine originated in 2007. The new international edition will have an initial print-run of 20,000, and the magazine will be distributed in key locations in the UK, France, the US, Italy and other points globally. The magazine will be produced to larger dimensions than the original, and will use heavier paper stock. BAKU International will collaborate on its covers and contents with some of the world’s most renowned contemporary artists. Beyond that BAKU will collaborate with fashion and art photographers, writers, designers, other key figures.

BAKU will be created in the UK by Darius Sanai, editorial director of the Contract Publishing Division, as launch editor. Mary Fellowes, fashion director of VOGUE Turkey, stylist, fashion consultant, and former assistant to Isabella Blow and for British VOGUE, is appointed fashion director. Prominent contemporary art and luxury travel journalist and regular contributor to both Condé Nast Traveller and the Financial Times, Claire Wrathall will be a contributing editor.

Swatch unveils collaboration with Hiroyuki Matsuura

Swatch has unveiled new work by Japanese artist Hiroyuki Matsuura in its latest collaboration. For the SWATCH & ART Collection, the Tokyo born artist has designed six New Gents, which Swatch has made available as a specially packaged set in a strictly limited and numbered edition of 777 pieces (SUOZS01). The watches, priced £44.50, are sold individually in an unlimited edition.

www.swatch.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

Suzuki collaborates with Clothes Show Live to find 'Britain's Ultimate Fashionista'

Suzuki has teamed up with Clothes Show Live, to find the “ultimate fashionista” in Britain. Suzuki Street Scouts will be searching cities from July until November to find stylish, unsigned, up-and-coming fashion talent. TV presenter Jeff Brazier will host the regional semi-finals at nine shopping centres, with those selected sent to the live final at Clothes Show Live in December. The overall winner will win the opportunity to become part of the Clothes Show Live team to get work experience at Clothes Show Live 2012.

The regional semi-finals will be taking place at the following locations:
2-3 July - Braehead, Glasgow
16-17 July - St. Davids, Wales
13-14 August - CastleCourt, Belfast
10-11 September - Lakeside, London
24-25 September - Meadowhall, Sheffield
22-23 October - Trafford Centre, Manchester
29-30 October - Centre MK, Milton Keynes
19-20 November - Bull Ring, Birmingham

All 36 finalists will be awarded Platinum tickets to Clothes Show Live and asked to compete in one final fashion task before an overall winner is crowned. The overall winner will win the chance to become part of the on-site team at Clothes Show Live 2012, NEC Birmingham.

www.clothesshowlive.com/suzuki-streets-ahead-roadshows
www.facebook.com/suzukistreetsahead

agnès b. and French lingerie brand DIM collaborate

Underwear brand DIM has collaborated with agnès b. to celebrate Dim’s 10 years of its lines Body Touch and 20 years of Pockets. To celebrate its anniversary DIM has invited agnès b. to customise the style of these two lines with designer agnès adding her signature style of spots, stripes and well known logos, ‘b yourself’, ‘to b or not to b’ and ‘b careful’ to the collection.
All DIM products will be available in-store from September.

www.agnesb.com
www.dim.fr

Royal bridesmaid dress designer introduces ready-to-wear collection

Royal bridesmaid dress designer Nicki Macfarlane has introduced to her ready-to-wear collection. The ‘Eliza’ (pictured here) is given structure and silhouette by layering ivory silk organza over wild silk while a box-pleated skirt sits over a full net underskirt. Puffed sleeves are finished with three buttons; the skirt is edged with lace trim, while a pleated sash is tied in a bow at the back. As with the entire ready-to-wear collection, brides can choose from a range of colour sashes, allowing them to personalise their bridesmaids and flowergirls. The Eliza is available for ages 2 to 12, priced from £265.00.

www.nickimacfarlanebridesmaids.co.uk

Fashion label FLY53 to open new concessions

Fashion brand FLY53 is about to add Wolverhampton, Bristol, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Middlesborough, Nottingham and Metro Centre Gateshead to its existing House of Fraser concessions doubling the amount of doors to fourteen. This is in addition to having two Selfridges areas, the brands first outlet store in Livingston with another planned pre Christmas this year, and an increased independent retailer base. This independent clothing brand will be also launching the AW11 season at Bread & Butter exhibition next month. The philosophy of the brand is to create striking and intelligent clothing that is well designed, unique and inspirational.
www.fly53.com

The Indian Wedding, Destination and Lifestyle Show to launch next month

The Indian Wedding, Destination and Lifestyle Show (Ardhangini) is making its debut at Olympia 2, Kensington Square Gardens, London on 15-17 July. The Indian Wedding, Destination and Lifestyle Show will showcase luxury bridal design and wedding services, with a portfolio of fashion, beauty and lifestyle being presented at the exhibition. Highlights include fashion designer Neeta Lulla; India Fashion Week regular Masaba Gupta; celebrity jewellers Amrapali; designer; Ravish Kapoor; henna artist Geetanjali; and The Jaipur Collective – Nidhi Tholia, Amrapali, Rohit Kamra and Benu Bhatnagar –designers working with traditional Indian fashion. Furthermore, the event will exhibit wedding destinations and traditional Indian luxury lifestyle products, in addition to activities and events such as runway shows highlighting the collections of 15 of India’s fashion designers.