Archive for March, 2011

press preview: emmy collins

‘Reviving the old, reinventing the new’ – Emmy Collins London unveils his autumn/winter 2011 collection.

Avant-garde designer Emmy Collins has unveiled his autumn/winter 2011 collection, partly inspired by the quintessential English gentleman as the designer has observed them with a little more than a passing curiosity since moving into his new showroom at Shoreditch in London’s East end.  While his shirts and ties are epitomized by a myriad of prints and patterns from abstracts to geometric discs, paisleys and polka dots, suits and jackets come in much more subdued colours than most are familiar with in Emmy Collins.

Jacket colours range from violets and indigos in solids and stripes to caramel brown plaids and chocolate tweeds. “Even as I continue to reinvent myself, I wanted this collection to appeal to more people without losing its edginess” said Emmy.

The difference in this collection will be immediately evident to the keen observer of the Emmy Collins evolution.  In some aspects, the collection revives the classic English hunting jacket with a hint of the countryside and great coats are presented with a daring twist but with the same in impressive tailoring.  In other areas, the designer takes a leap into the future to reinvent the modern suit with features like the cut-off lapel base which should appeal to confident man with a strong sense of personal style in any genre.

Source: Emmy Collins

Mpdclick subscribers click here to see the full preview collection located in our Retail Preview area.

press preview: beau coops

Words by Trend Journal Editor…

This week Mpdclick had the pleasure of viewing Beau Coops a/w 11/12 footwear collection at Robinson Pfeffer PR.

The Beau Coops agenda is simple: to offer beautifully designed, classic footwear and accessories, that represent a lifestyle of comfort, quality and style. Made in Italy and inspired by her former East London home, the unisex label embodies what the designer refers to as “boyfriend chic” – reminiscent of that special piece borrowed from a loved one.”

The Beau Coops a/w 11/12 collection indulges in a range of classic winter boots with unique detailing and style. Heeled lace-up boots are given an open front, toe strap and striped stacked heel while simple suede ankle boots are updated with an exposed gold heel zip and stud embellishment. The statement wedge boot of the moment sees a suede leather contrast with cut out wedge detail reinforced with mirrored gold. The mens range, also available in womens sizes offers classic shapes such as wingtip brogues and pull on boots with unexpected colours such as all-white and detailing that includes quilting, large rubber soles and demi wedges.

Click here to visit the official Beau Coops website.

Mpdclick subscribers click here to see the full preview collection located in our Retail Preview area.

 

 

look of the week


Words by Trend Journal Editor…

This week Mpdclick headed to the sunny capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires for some summer infused street style inspiration.

Our first style spotting was this super geek chic look lead by a curly quiff hair-do, circular specs and dapper moustache. Staple transeasonal items are worked here in the form of black, slim fit jeans, white vest and checked red shirt with denim blue plimsolls completing this thrown together style.

Relaxed summer style is shown next with a simple denim and t-shirt combo. Denim shorts are frayed and distressed while her graphic tee also has a raw finish, creating a carefree style. Worn leather loafers, a key shoe shape for 2011, is complemented with a patchwork leather bag carrying a vintage undertone which is reinforced with retro Wayfarer sunglasses.

Click here to see the full male and female Buenos Aires street style report.

press preview: joseph a/w 11/12

Words by Trend Journal Editor…

For autumn/winter 11/12 Joseph presents a wearable collection consisting of career, contemporary and sports luxe stories showing both bold and subtle block colour, textural contrasts and lashings of innovatively used fur.

One story offered a palette of red, white, navy and yellow hinting towards a refined seafaring trend while block colour and shift silhouettes gave a nod towards 60’s inspiration. Moving through the collection, classic black and white options prevailed providing a wealth of commercial yet trend-led career wear in the form of monochrome shift dresses, leather trousers, chunky knits and blazers; all juxtaposing masculine/feminine ideals exemplified by the styling.

More natural tones such as cream, black and natural brown furs were then seen in a relaxed story, again with block colour both in garments and styling choices, complementing softer lines. An animalistic edge was given with quirky Jaguar prints shown upon both knitted and trompe l’oeil patterned pieces such as trousers, jumpers and silk tops. Texture is a focus here shown by shearling lining, cut & paste fur, panelling and illusion knitwear.

A sports luxe story was also apparent, shown by luxe jersey sweater dresses, tapered jogging bottoms and butter soft leather inserts creating a hi-tech feel. Cosy, chunky knits and fur coats soften this look while tank tops and classic white shirts create a preppy undertone.

Mpdclick subscribers click here to see the full preview collection located in our Retail Preview area.

press preview: j. lindeberg

J. Lindeberg continues to push a Scandinavian inthused aesthetic fused with function and unique, wearable style. The brand’s autumn/w inter collection takes this ethos one step further, exploring the key trends of the season while catering to the modern man’s everyday needs with innovative technology and thought-out precision.

Transeasonal momentum is noted across the range catering to todays climate and travelling trends shown by considered fabric choices, of which most are natural, lightweight and even weatherproof.

The first story is presented with strong rural inspiration exemplified by plaid blazers, cable knits, checked shirts and quilted jackets. Shown across a variety of brands for the a/w 11/12 season, this trend is one to invest in – a guaranteed commercial option. Details such as contrasting collared blazers, leather inserts and reversible jackets, not to mention the functional aspects such as breathable linings, pop-in pop-out linings and hoods; this range pushes the trend one step further combining innovation with trend led style.

Next we move onto view a more activewear inspired story, holding nautical elements such as navy & white colourways, again combined with practical innovation designed to enhance the wearer’s movement and comfort. Duffel coats are lightweight and waterproof, t-shirts are presented in silk – the ultimate versatile fabric while knitwear is breathable with tech linings. Two key sellers, continued from last season are the cycling blazer and trousers, featuring subtle, reflective trims on the collar and cuffs when rolled up, making that change from office to journey home, seamless.

J.Lindeberg personality:

Bohemian but not care free

Elegant but not traditional

Youthful but not young

Active but not competitive” – jlindeberg.com

Mpdclick subscribers click here to see the full preview collection located in our Retail Preview area.

 

graduate fashion: olwen walsh samurai legacy

Words and images by Joyce Thornton. Joyce Thornton is a youth culture and trend expert, providing a monthly look at emerging design talent

Exciting young knitwear specialist Olwen Walsh created some distinctive, striking accessories for the RCA’s Work in Progress exhibition, which was held earlier this year.

Olwen’s decorative, experimental pieces were inspired by Japanese Samurai armour – especially their beautifully crafted helmets. This concept fits perfectly with the first direction of Mpdclick’s Curator trend which “rejoices in the charm of historical artefacts, the narratives embedded within family heirlooms and the potential for reviving and rejuvenating our surroundings while retaining a sense of reverence”. The trend also refers to “opulent costume styles from eras gone by”.   

Olwen told us, “each Samurai helmet often had combinations of textile, metal and hair adornment that had been crafted to resemble animal heads. I have played with hard materials such as rope and metal and then juxtaposed these with the softer elements of knitted textiles and ‘hair and fur-like’ yarns, twisting and coiling them into knotted forms. I wanted the collection to evoke a dark and powerful mood – almost as if the pieces were protective totems worn by a warrior, but also retaining the feeling that they were neither masculine nor feminine”.

Olwen’s original and distinctive pieces certainly conjure up an impression of power and substance. Her research inspired her use of a beautiful and unusual combination of materials; shiny copper tubes, lurex filigree and high sheen yarns, brass rings and downy hair, which all fit well within the powerful ornamental aesthetic of Curator.

trends: rising city set to influence trends

Words by Fiona Jenvey, CEO of Mpdclick…

Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia, has a population of 13 million and manages to be both lavishly ancient and vibrantly modern. These days Istanbul, which was European capital of culture in 2010, refers to itself as Europe’s coolest city.

This is a place where the blue Mosque has an LED screen flashing the time in Paris and Tokyo. Istanbul, Turkey’s most cosmopolitan city has more billionaires than any other city apart from New York, Moscow and London. Today Istanbul has a 98% Islamic population but is secular where modernity thrives amongst the citys multi layered past with a contemporary vibe that makes Istanbul one of the hottest destinations around.

Mpdclick cite this region and city as a particular focal point of inspiration for future trends.

Image source: resortistanbul.com

travel & design: hotel room of the future


Words by Mpdclick’s Future Trends Researcher/Home & Interior editor…

Keen to uncover the latest in future design and travel, Mpdclick bring you the ‘Hotel Room of the Future’ from the recent Hotel Hospitality and Design Expo in Sydney. The cutting edge concept, which features state of the art technologies, was unveiled as a fully functioning room at the show, enabling visitors to experience firsthand what tomorrow might look like.

With today’s traveller demanding the latest in technology and entertainment features, the hotel room certainly didn’t disappoint with its zero-gravity beds, MyStayManger smartphone technology, self-darkening glass, suite control (which allows you to customise the room according to your mood), self-cleaning tiles and doors that can be unlocked by mobile phone.  

Featured brands Philips, Micros, Suite Control, Technogym, Bartech, i Glass and 3D CreArt are really pushing boundaries in the field of technology and hospitality design. Retailers and creative professionals should consider how these trends not only affect the way we will travel in the future but its implications on the worlds of fashion design, interior design and integrated technology in the retail sector.

Image source: Hotel Management

fashion: organic formations


Words by Mpdclick’s Trend Journal Editor…

Sarajevo-based up and coming product designer, Amila Hrustic presents her inspiring diploma project ‘Plato’s collection’. Sitting confidently amidst the thriving trend for conceptual pieces, blurring  the line between art and fashion. 

The collection of five geometrically formed dresses is based on the Platonic solids: tetrahedron, cube, octahedron, dodecahedron and icosahedron.  Made from paper, each handcrafted platonic shape creates the foundations of these structural dresses which when built form organically scientific formations.

As the young artist states on her website, this is a collection that explores the ideas of contrast and perception, the juxtaposition of the artificial and organic, the amorphous and geometric. Furthermore she presents how architectural shapes can have a natural affinity to the body.

The scientific nature of the collection perfectly echo’s one of Mdpclick’s forecasted trends for autumn/winter 11/12 which is also influenced by scientific ideas, geometric shapes and organic forms.

For more information on the artist click here.

Image source: amila.ba

economy: indias euro luxury market set to double in next 3 years


Words by Mpdclick’s Future Trends Researcher…

The euro luxury market is currently worth 1 billion and could double over the next three years. This was one of the key opportunities highlighted at this weekend’s Mint Luxury Conference in Mumbai, organised by Altagamma (an association of Italian luxury brands).

This potential for growth is particularly big for male orientated accessory and clothing brands, with jewellery and watches dominating 47% of the total market (currently the largest luxury industry segment). This is closely followed by apparel and accessories taking 14% of the luxury sector.

However, India remains a challenging luxury market to penetrate, mostly due to high tariffs and increased taxation. Brands with a strong heritage and focus on craftsmanship can do well in this area if they can successfully translate their brand ethos to the local luxury market. Hermes is a perfect case study of how this should be done – their specially created Chinese company Shang Xia is extremely lucrative in Asia, while the main brand has long taken inspiration from India with timeless pieces that reflect India’s rich cultural heritage.

As Italian design enters its new Renaissance with inspiring exhibitions and product launches celebrating 150 years of Italy as a nation state, Mpdclick believe that brands such as Zegna, Brioni, E tauz and Corneliani could do really well in appealing to the men’s luxury market.

Image source: buildingbrics.blogspot