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

Jean Patou acquired by Designer Parfums

Designer Parfums, who specialise in the creation and development of luxury fragrances, has today (1 July) announced the completion of the acquisition of the Jean Patou business from P&G Prestige. The acquisition of Jean Patou is in-line with Designer Parfums global strategy to develop and distribute luxury fragrances and maximise the potential marketing opportunities across a wider marketplace.

The vision for the development of Jean Patou is part of Designer Parfums Managing Director, Dilesh Mehta’s overall strategy to work with and nurture some of the finest and most recognisable brands in the fragrance industry: “I am truly delighted and excited by this great addition to our collection of brands. We will re-affirm the Jean Patou heritage and credentials across our global markets and reinforce its position as one of the world’s leading fragrance houses... Jean Patou has a unique and specialised image and equity. A niche market expert such as Designer Parfums is ideally placed to ensure the brand fulfills its commercial potential.”

Jean Patou’s range of fragrances will be reproduced with original formulations, bottles, packaging and imagery. Designer Parfums will shortly announce plans for the further development of the brand.

www.jeanpatou.com

PANDORA Jewellery introduces digital magazine

Jewellery brand PANDORA has launched a new interactive magazine. PANDORA Magazine is published globally every other month for members of Pandora’s customer club, offering interaction with readers. The magazine is built on a broad editorial line with inspiring fashion editorials, styling tips and lifestyle articles as in the traditional fashion magazines. Its interactive functions allow readers to post comments, rate articles and share their favourites with others. A unique feature of the magazine is that readers can share their own experiences with women around the world by commenting directly in the magazine. The magazine is published six times a year in four languages and is free to members of PANDORA’s customer club. The first issue appeared on 20 June online and featured Penelope Cruz on the cover.

www.pandora.net

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.

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.

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

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

'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

Debut Beach Tomato Awards winners announced

The winners of its first Beach Tomato Awards have been announced today. The judging panel for the awards included co-founder Tom Marchant, editor Kirsty Hathaway and features editor Katie Mulloy together with ELLE's travel editor, Sue Ward Davies; showmeyourwardrobe.com founder and photographer, Jackie Dixon; and the threegraces.com founder and beauty journalist, Grace Timothy, who together decided the best beaches around the world, beach fashion and beachside beauty products.

Tom Marchant, co-founder, says “We created Beach Tomato to be the friendly voice offering insightful and honest advice about beaches from around the world. Our first Beach Tomato awards are an answer to the eternal question that everyone stresses about year, which beach, what to wear and which beauty brand really delivers. Editor Kirsty Hathaway and the judging panel have truly uncovered the best of the beach for 2011.”

The three different sections within the editorially led site – Promenade, Preen and Place – dictated the different award categories – Fashion, Beauty and Travel. Additionally, Beach Tomato invited users to vote for a “People’s Choice Award”.

Fashion Awards
Best women’s swimwear - Mara Hoffman
Best men’s swimwear - Orlebar Brown
Best sunglasses - Retro Super Future
Best new swimwear label - We Are Handsome

Travel Awards
Best party - La Barra, Uruguay
Beast urban - Newport Beach, Orange County USA
Best kept secret (until now) - Baisha Beach, Taiwan
For the water - Simos Beach Elafornissos
Headspace - Anakena Beach, Easter island
Best overall beach - Baisha Beach, Taiwan

People’s Choice
Fashion - Don’t forget - Tallulah and Hope
Beauty - Beach saviour - Sachajuan
Travel - Best beach island - Jamaica

Beauty Awards
Best sunscreen - Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Cream for Face
Best hair product - Moroccanoil Oil Treatment
Best beach prep - Sisley Intensive Anti-cellulite Contouring Care
Best self tan - St Tropez Naturals

www.beachtomato.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