Archive for February, 2009

We spotted the super-chic Louise Androlia at London Fashion Week’s venue, the Natural History Museum. The underwear designer was in town to collaborate with David David, one of the hot new designers sponsored by Topshop’s NewGen.

We love Louise’s oversized bag with bow detail, vintage grey denim jacket and her oversized specs are right on trend. Her almost 80’s ensemble teamed with pin-up style flame red hair definitely sets her apart from the rest.

To see some of Louise’s naughty but nice products visit www.louloulovesyou.co.uk

Mpdclick recently discovered the newly opened Butterfly Kisses in Glasgow, Scotland. The lifestyle boutique stands out from the rest with its innovative interior design and carefully planned stock of women’s designer fashion, kids clothing, toys and accessories.

Sisters Gillian Cobb and Pamela Cunningham sold up their previously owned petrol station to embark on a cultural boutique that encompasses a colourful array of products. The sister’s wanted an interior that reflected their interests in fashion and design while also representing the brand name, Butterfly Kisses. Architect Jonathon McQuillan was handed the task to fit the boutique which concluded in a minimalist yet striking space that sees curvaceous shelves that glide up and down the walls from ceiling to floor, framing displays as they fall while guiding customers effortlessly through the space. The stark white interior is contrasted with natural wooden table displays, shaped like butterflies. The rails are occupied by both classic and contemporary brand names that include Noa Noa, Designer Remix, Knuckleheads and quirky French jewellery designer Zoe Bonbon. The end result offers a fun infusion of coveted fashion and original gift ideas that moulds an unmissable retail beauty spot. Take inspiration from Butterfly Kisses strong interior ethos; invest in creating unique store space to create a distinctive atmosphere that consumers will flock to.

London Fashion Week is a favourite on Mpdclick’s calendar, being on our home turf. As it ends for another season we must remark that this event continues to grow in calibre each time. The 1980’s prevailed this season, with bold colours and eccentric styling making electrically charged waves on the runways. House of Holland, Luella and Erdem are to be congratulated for inspiring and wearable collections though one of our highlights came from London Fashion Week’s On/Off runways. Osman Yousefzada’s offering for a/w 09/10, ‘Cosmic Mughal’, impressed with a refreshingly clean concept cutting through the razzle dazzle, hyper charged identity of the season. Yousefzada’s starkly modern collection is influenced by the sculpted shapes of sci-fi and Imperial Mughal India. Cropped panelled jackets were paired with ultra wide leg trousers or high waist skirts while jumpsuits and column dresses featured effortless pleats and fluid cowl necks. Neoprene, boiled wool, cashmere and crepe jersey were industrial and calming in harmonious shades of dove grey, ice blue, cream and teal. Tailoring was crucial, the collection highlight being a simple reinvention of the classic white shirt featuring an Edwardian stand collar and wide flared sleeves. Glittering clear jewel embellishments broke up the clean lines and simple silhouettes while antique gold aviators and suede wedge platforms reinforced the futuristic themes.

Osman mixes historical influences with future ideas to great effect creating a wearable, streamline collection for the modern woman. Look to this collection as an indication of the demand for future ‘Clean Concept’ trends.

With empty retail stores popping up on most high streets in the UK, the vacant shops provide a welcome start up space for designers and artists who are making use of retail ‘slack space’ by transforming them into ‘creative squats’ and design studios.

Across the UK, artists and craft groups are transforming struggling high streets in to artistic hubs with workshops and pop up stores, creating vibrant, modern market-like atmospheres.

Amidst the current retail down turn the consumer is able to enjoy a boom in creative and one off design from an array of independent collectives who are making use of prime retail space that until a few months ago would have been out of the question for the creative start up.

Brands and retailers watch out, the creative revolution has arrived, and being enjoyed by  independent brands prepared to defy the current doom and gloom by offering the consumer (your old customer) something fun, original and unique.

For more on this subject click here.

Source: The Guardian

Image source: Flickr/Southern Driver

For the spring/summer 2011 season Mpdclick explores a trend inspired by the vibrant culture of India and the Middle East. We consider Generation Y’s yearning for escape and spiritual enlightenment through travel, while focusing on the contemporary creativity rising from such locations.

India and the Middle East’s Gen Y (today’s youths and young adults) have developed a fashionable and contemporary approach to their culture and even religion, respecting traditions but striving for a different future.

In recent month’s Mpdclick has noticed an influx in such culture inspiring the arts, with a host of dynamic young Asians at the forefront. Two such artists are British Asians’ photographer Hetain Patel and musician and visual artist Jason Singh.

As part of the first generation of his Indian family to be born in the UK, Hetain Patel’s work addresses his identity between two different cultures. Through video, photographic portraits and self-portraits he explores the areas between both, and cleverly displays his interest in language. He covers himself in text, or henna and mendhi; the differing languages he uses dictating differing thoughts, and then frames in typically Western stylized images. He comments that the discovery of his identity is ‘in his own hands’, and tries to reveal that. His aim is to reveal a contemporary picture of the cultural dynamics between the countries to which he is connected.

To inspire his work Patel has learnt many traditional Indian art forms, including henna and mendhi and even how to play the tabla drum. “It is said that to learn an Indian classical art form is to gain an insight into the very essence of Indian thought” he comments on his website. Mpdclick notes a seemingly worldwide revival in traditional pastimes and renewed interest in heritage amongst Gen Y.

Jason Singh is a Manchester based International DJ, Beatboxer, Workshop Facilitator, Composer and Visual Artist. He has extensively toured India with his music, performed at many festivals and displayed his art at galleries across the world. Jason has been the artist in residence at Contact Theatre Manchester and Tutti Arts in Adelaide SA for some time, his technique combining all mediums of the arts from music to imagery via touring installations.

Patel and Singh have worked together on the two year touring project Sine Language, ending at Gallery Oldham, UK, this month. This collaborative project explored drumming rhythms from Indian classical drumming to beat boxing, physical performance and environmental noise.

Keep an eye on the Journal as throughout the season we discover further aspirations for displaying a contemporary take on culture, and those making their individual marks on the creative industry to do so.

Image sources: Left: bbc.co.uk/nottingham/culture Hetain Patel. Right: Myspace.com/Jason Singh

LA’s Kodak Theatre played host to the 81st annual Oscars last night. As expected the Brits came out triumphant with Kate Winslet scooping the Best Actress award for the Reader, and Slumdog Millionaire winning eight in total including Best Film and Best Director for Danny Boyle. Sean Penn was awarded Best Actor for Milk, Penelope Cruz took home the gong for Best Supporting Actress for Vicky Christina Barcelona, while the Ledger family accepted the Best Supporting Actor award for late son Heath.

The red carpet saw a host of the A-list don the most covetable fashion creations, while the late night after parties provided a platform for elaborate costume changes and sophisticated cocktail dresses. Special mentions go to Winslet, in a floor length Yves Saint Laurent gown in a black and grey gradient. A glittering lace front panel and the asymmetric, toga-like shape perfectly complimented her 1940’s sculpted hair style and gigantuous diamond drop earrings. Slumdog Millioniare actress Feida Pinto can do no wrong as far as we’re concerned; she sparkled in a vivid blue John Galliano gown. The floor length gown combined layers of chiffon, lace and beadwork with a beautifully intricate shoulder and sleeve detail on one side. Meanwhile Heidi Klum dazzled in a hot coral Roland Mouret off the shoulder taffeta gown. With thigh high split, sculpted neckline, a heap of oversized, textural jewelley and equally hot matching peep toe Louboutin’s she stole the show.

Image source: Rex Features

Super-cool Anais Durand was spotted at the Paris based textile trade fair Première Vision. The Parisian student is inspired by the likes of eccentric Super Super magazine and nu rave supremo designer Cassette Playa. As you can see by her look, complete with geek chic specs and layered styling skills she’s got her unique style down to a fine art.

Why not join our Facebook page and group? Find more street style shots like this by searching for Mpdclick Street Trends from your own page, and locate the Mpdclick group too. Also catch us on MySpace.com/mpdclickstreettrends.

For our full weekly street style coverage visit the Trends –Street – Fashion area.

With current consumer spending attitudes bending towards iconic brands with a well stocked heritage, it’s no wonder that a few of the world’s best loved retro names are experiencing somewhat of a revival. Lego (an abbreviation of the two Danish words “leg godt”, meaning “play well”) is one of those brands. The toys are bigger, better and brighter than ever, while the fashion industry has sought inspiration from the little coloured bricks frequently in recent years.

From Marc by Marc Jacobs spring/summer collection a few season’s back, to J C de Castelbajac’s most recent s/s 09 offering; the world of high fashion has taken Lego under its sophisticated wing, while urban street style has chosen the little bricks as many an accessory inspiration.

The likes of Ebay and social networking sites Facebook and Bebo are full of home made jewellery creations also featuring Lego characters, bricks, botany and other shapes. From earrings to rings, belt buckles and necklaces, the vividly hued building blocks are certainly making a comeback. Not just stopping at fashion, a range of other products have emerged, the Lego ice cube tray and mobile phone covers are just two of our favorites.

Keep tracking the Trend Journal for further retro revivals…

Source: The Coolhunter

Image source: J C de Castelbajac

Are you feeling neglected of some fresh style inspiration? Look no further than today’s ‘one to watch’, Australian model Lara Bingle. Yes, she may be the Aussie equivalent of a WAG, being engaged to vice captain of the Australian national cricket team Michael Clarke, but her sassy yet classic style has got tongues wagging. Since taking styling tips from Australian Harper’s Bazaar fashion editor Christine Centenera, this girl’s fashion credentials have exploded.

Currently the face of Speedo, and a brand ambassador for Vodafone, she is a regular on Sydney’s celebrity circuit, and firm friends with fellow Aussie supermodel Miranda Kerr.  In fact, she is deemed as Australia’s answer to Victoria Beckham. Her effortless sun kissed looks rival any Hollywood starlet, and combination of beachside chic with high fashion have young women across Australia looking to her for style inspiration, and for tips on ‘what’s hot’.

Mpdclick will be keeping their eye on Miss Bingle…

Image source: Rex Features