The Creative Archives announces AW11/12 designer collaborations

The Creative Archives (TCA) is bringing together three emerging designers; Chris Seddon, Doom and Lucinda Abell, for the AW11/12 range of quality accessories. Following on from the launch of The Creative Archives Projects with Hussein Chalayan (available in stores now, including Dover Street Market and Browns), AW11/12 also features a new collaboration with designer Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad.

TCA started under two years ago to help to combine emerging talent with craftsmanship from Italy, as a way to introduce new designers to the luxury market as well as classic manufacturing techniques. It began with a scarf collection produced in Como, Italy, by designer Mungo Gurney (Central St Martins graduate) that is now stocked by Browns, Biffi, Boutique 1 and TheCorner.com.

Aiming to give to graduates the opportunity to take their work from conception to the luxury fashion market, TCA supports the students with production, sales and press and follows the whole process. It also covers costs along the way and allows the student design freedom.

Alexa Chung the new face of Superga for centennial anniversary

Superga has announced Alexa Chung as the face of the new campaign. Alexa teamed up with Superga for a new shoot featuring the 2750 style and other pieces from the range for the brand’s 100-year celebration.

Simon Bamber, CEO of GLinvest who owns the rights for the brand in the UK, said: “We are really excited to have Alexa be part of our story, especially for the centennial year anniversary. She is one of the most influential style icons of our time and a huge Superga fan. I think her effortless style and personality suits our collection and brand so well.”

The Sleep Room introduces new designs

The Sleep Room is set to introduce its first new bed for 2011, Nomad, a colonial-inspired addition with a hand-weaved rattan headboard and a white finish.

Following the launch of The Sleep Room’s range of bedside tables, Nomad is the second chapter to the brand’s new bedroom furniture and accessories collection, which is set to continue throughout the year.

Nomad launches on 15 April and is available in a range of sizes including Single, Double, Kingsize and Superking with prices starting from £625.00 for a single and mattresses starting from £375.00. www.thesleeproom.com

Lily Allen introduces new capsule collection

Lily Allen and her sister, Sarah Owen, who launched their Lucy in Disguise vintage store in Covent Garden last year, are expanding into ready-to-wear with a collection of vintage-inspired designs for AW11. The collection revolves around dresses, including Fortnums, a crepe tea dress with lily of the valley print; Chatsworth, a green maxi-dress decorated with sequins, and Capone, a black sequined and beaded tulle dress.

The collection will launch in June exclusively in the U.K. at Harvey Nichols, and will also be sold at the Lucy in Disguise London store and via www.lucyindisguiselondon.com.

British sportswear brand Admiral under new ownership

British sportswear brand Admiral has recently acquired new British owners, a move that will see the rejuvenation of the brand across Europe. The new owners are Admiral Sportswear Limited, a special purpose vehicle established to acquire the rights to the Admiral brand for Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The move sees Managing Director Jonathan Hamburger heading up the new Admiral Sportswear Limited business and the appointment of former Umbro, JD Fashion and West Bromwich Albion executive Tim Gardiner as Sales & Marketing Director.

The plans include the introduction of three product collections for Admiral; Football Performace for the pro and amateur markets, Admiral 'Gold' a brand new fashion concept and Lifestyle, including retro-inspired 'back catalogue' Admiral products, drawing on designs from the 70’s and 80’s.

Originally established in Leicester as Cook & Hurst, the Admiral business was incorporated in 1914, when the company designed and manufactured underwear for the Armed Forces. Through its life, the Admiral brand has been worn by many teams including Manchester United, Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur among others. Admiral was also the first sports brand logo to appear on the England national football team kit.

Aldo Zilli introduces new range of baby food

Celebrity chef Aldo Zilli and lawyer and entrepreneur Dean Dunham are launching a new organic baby food range into supermarkets. Zilli and Dunham, who each have young children, started work on the new range in 2009 and, following market research and kitchen trials, the first recipes in the Baby Zilli range were created.

The Baby Zilli range initially caters for babies between 4 – 12 months and is divided into four categories; Brekkie (6 months +), Stage One (4 months +), Stage Two (6 months +) and Stage Three (9 months +). Eight initial recipes are being launched, including Zilli Fishy Dishy (salmon and mash) and Cock-a-Leekie (chicken and leeks). Twelve further dishes will be launched in April along with a new Stage Four range (catering for 12 months +).

The new range will be available from June in all Waitrose and Tesco Extra stores, through Ocado and Amazon online and in selected Independent Health Food Stores. Prices range from 89p for Brekkie and Stage 1, £1.29 for Stage 2 and £1.69 for Stage 3.

Peacocks introduces new premium collection Peacocks by Design

Peacocks has announced the launch of its new premium brand Peacocks by Design. Peacocks by Design’s debut collection is a celebration of the summer dress - from the fifties prom to the seventies maxi – the range boasts retro prints and classic silhouettes offering statement looks for between £35.00 and £40.00. The design collaborations with Pearl and Daisy Lowe will be included within Peacocks by Design, alongside bespoke labels including Rise and EC1.

The new brand will launch on 7 April, in selected stores and on www.peacocks.co.uk. All fashion will be available in sizes eight to 18.

Fashion Press Week announces new venue for AW11

Fashion Press Week has announced that for the AW11 season the event will be held at the central London location One Marylebone in May (days to be announced shortly). Retailers showcasing at Fashion Press Week include Toms Shoes, Ash, Kenneth Cole, Christy’s Hats, Austin Reed, CC, Viyella, Marc Cain, Celtic Sheepskin and couture footwear designer DARMAKI amongst many others.

This season FPW will be working across an appointment system to allow key editors to meet with the PR teams and review the upcoming collections.

Leading business international law firm Mishcon de Reya, a key sponsor at FPW, is launching a campaign with WGSN and Fashion Business Club to allow emerging designers and ethical brands to showcase at no cost. An overall winner will receive one year's mentoring programme and legal support. For more information please e-mail: danielle@fashionpressweek.com.

www.fashionpressweek.com
www.onemarylebone.com

New designers launching as part of Topshop Emerge

For SS11, Topshop Emerge will stock a new selection of young, streetwear-influenced designers from across the world, including Tom Scott, Meshit and Been by D’Heygere. Topshop Emerge is an in-store boutique that showcases a collective of new fashion talent and this year will see two designers stocked at a time for the duration of a month.

Milan-based label Marios and German brand Starstyling have just been introduced to stores, while TV and Meshit (pictured here) will be available from 11 April. For more information click here.

Originally called Topshop Edit, Topshop Emerge has been running since SS08. It originated as a pop-up boutique and is now a permanent feature in the Oxford Circus store and online. Topshop is the only UK stockist of these fashion-forward labels, offering something unique to the customer while giving emerging international designers a platform for their work.

Jeweller Daisy Knights collaborates with Urban Outfitters

Daisy Knights has teamed up with high-street retailer Urban Outfitters, to create a new jewellery range. The collaboration is a silver three piece collection including; bracelets with skulls and gem detailing, double skull rings and double skull necklaces. This new range exclusively available in Urban Outfitters; Spitalfields, Covent Garden and Oxford Circus with prices ranging from £120.00 to £190.00. Daisy Knights’ designs are popular with celebrities including Alexa Chung, Daisy Lowe, Laura Bailey and Rihanna.

Jeff Banks and Debenhams launch The Prince’s Trust polo shirt

Designer and Chairman of The Prince’s Trust Retail Leadership Group, Jeff Banks has today announced the launch of four polo shirts with all proceeds donated to The Prince’s Trust. Designed by Jeff Banks, the four shirts, priced individually at £35.00, will be available from 28 March for a limited time at selected Debenhams stores nationwide and www.debenhams.com. All proceeds are being donated towards giving support to young people between the ages of 14 and 30.

House of Fraser to introduce new menswear label in April

House of Fraser is about to launch Label Lab menswear. The casualwear collection features leather shirts, biker jackets and work-wear denim as well as striped shirts in heavy woven cotton, distressed jerseys and printed T-shirts. Bone white and washed-out shades of black are complimented by off-colour hues to give the collection a worn-in feel. Earthy shades, faded red and chalky blues work in a variety of deconstructed shapes and cuts, with other key styles including drop-crotch khaki denim trousers and vintage high-tops. Prices range from £17.00 - £250.00. Label Lab launches on 1 April in stores and online at www.houseoffraser.co.uk.

Case Furniture to show at Salone Internazionale del Mobile in April

British brand Case Furniture will be making an appearance at Milan’s Salone Internazionale Del Mobile this April (12-17). Case will be exhibiting its latest collection at Porta Romana, a new design destination at this year’s Milan Furniture Fair, alongside designers and manufacturers De La Espada, SCP, Ercol and Russell Pinch at the new venue.

Case will be exhibiting a selection of specifically chosen works from a number of designers. The collection will include:
Belgian designer, Marina Bautier’s shelving unit. Set within a simple oak or walnut
frame, the interchangeable sheet metal shelves include a bookshelf, a tray shelf and storage boxes which drop into and overlap the frame, creating an adaptable, multi-purpose shelving unit.
Two new pieces by Japanese-born designer Shin Azumi will also form part of the collection. Available in a rich dark Walnut, Azumi’s Particle shelving (pictured) is a modular shelving unit made up of individual, interlocking components. These can be used to create either a straight wall storage unit or a corner storage unit. Azumi’s new home office desk, the Covet desk will also be on display.

For more details of the event see DIARYdates.

Myleene Klass set to launch new parenting website

Myleene Klass and media group Twofour are collaborating to create a digital destination for mums and dads of babies and young children and expectant parents. www.myleeneklass.tv will deliver free to view video content, factual entertainment and aspirational features alongside valuable tools and community for young mums and dads.

The new site takes its inspiration from Myleene's book My Bump and Me, her monthly column in Prima Baby, and her Baby K clothing range with Mothercare. The channel will target busy mums and dads looking for information, advice and entertainment too. It aims to provide a vibrant forum to share experiences, triumphs and fears and offer a library of programming dedicated to young mums.

The channel is set to launch in the summer, by which time Myleene will be the mother of two.

Christopher Kane and J Brand to collaborate

Designer and winner of 2011's Vogue Fashion Fund, Christopher Kane, and US premium denim company, J Brand, have announced a new business venture and collaboration.

The new agreement is for Christopher Kane and J Brand to produce a jeanswear collection using denim and other fabrications from J Brand. The collection will be designed to complement the Christopher Kane business. This new collection will be available worldwide via both J Brand and Christopher Kane stockists, with a launch date to be announced in due course.

Gok Wan unveils new collection for Specsavers

Gok Wan today unveils a collection of retro glasses he has designed exclusively for Specsavers.

GW by Gok Wan showcases 30 different styles, which have drawn influence from the 1940's, 1950's, 1960's and 1970's. The new collection is available from today (25 February) in all Specsavers stores throughout the UK and Ireland. Glasses are priced at £99.00 and including Pentax single vision lenses and scratch-resistant coating as standard.

To coincide with the launch, customers can visit the Specsavers Facebook page www.facebook.com/specsavers and try the new Gok Wan style app, which helps with the frame selection process.

Loewe unveils new limited-edition collection

Loewe is introducing Cherry Blossom, a limited-edition collection of leather goods launching to coincide with the start of Spring. The collection comprises five pieces; three bags, a zip-around purse and a bag charm.

Loewe’s signature bag, the Amazona, is constructed unlined from bonded calfskin and suede. This design also features perforations in the shape of semi-cut flowers, these have been created by high-pressure water jets. The Ala design features 368 flowers that have been mounted by hand, taking a craftsman 16 hours to construct and place. Each piece has a limited-edition embossing with a graphic flower detail and arrives in a box specially designed by Loewe for this collection.

The collection will be available from the end of March, following an exclusive launch in Japan two weeks earlier. Prices range from €2,500.00 for the Ala to €175.00 for the charm.

Zandra Rhodes to introduce new jewellery range later this year

August will see British Fashion Designer Zandra Rhodes launch her range of vintage inspired jewellery in collaboration with UK based costume jewellery brand Adele Marie. The collection draws inspiration upon Zandra’s creations and bear the hallmarks of the celebrity who is renowned for creative statements and extroverted prints.

The Zandra Rhodes Jewellery Collection will infuse style with current fashion trends, to create a modern day collection with statements from her earlier years. The collection incorporates the designer’s original textile work and consists of retro necklaces, brooches and earrings.

Fashion label East introduces debut homeware collection

EAST is launching a limited edition lifestyle range ‘EAST at Home’ on 14 March. The new range is inspired by founder Penny Oliver’s travels to India. All the pieces are created in the city of Jaiphur and hand printed, crafted and stitched with traditional skills that have been handed down from generation to generation.

The Kanther range consists of bright jewel coloured floral prints and comes in four different colourways – bright pink, turquoise, white and black. The ‘kanther’ name comes from the traditional stitching style of is loosely stitched lines all over the printed fabric. The Anokhi range for SS11 comes is three different prints, and is more delicate in design. The prints within this range are hand block prints that have been hand dyed and have a different design on each side.

In addition to the soft furnishings, make-up bags and kimonos will be added for the Summer. Prices range from £8.00 for a make up bag to £125.00 for a large quilted cover. The full range will be available at www.east.co.uk with edited pieces available in selected stores nationwide.

New womenswear label Jane & Marilyn launches this month

Jane & Marilyn is a new fashion label launching this month with an online boutique that can be found at www.janeandmarilyn.co.uk. The new collection, which is inspired by the style of the 1950’s, is designed for woman of all ages who appreciate a grown up but feminine, sophisticated kind of glamour.

The debut Jane & Marilyn’s collection comprises 10 versatile dresses (sizes 8-16) in a variety of colours from essential black to bright jewel and flattering neutrals. All dresses are made in the UK from pure wool, silk or cotton and are fully lined in pure silk. The Jane & Marilyn collection retails for between £595.00 and £845.00. ‘Atelier Jane & Marilyn’ based in Richmond, Surrey will also provide alterations and a custom service for customers wanting a modified design, different colour or even a bespoke couture garment.