Archive for May, 2011

Words by Mpdclick’s Runway & Trends Editor…

Nothing launches a nation on the global scene like a full blown fashion fiesta and while those in the know used to pay lip service exclusively to the recognised ‘big four’ fashion weeks it seems times and attitudes are changing. It’s harder now to name a country that doesn’t have its own fashion week and where the markets are emerging, there may be more than one, Brazil for example has fashion weeks in both Sao Paulo and Rio.

Peru and Iceland are two of the most recent entrants to the grand fashion arena, with brand new events set up within the last two years to showcase homegrown talent and craftsmanship, confirming an international status and securing a larger stake in the apparel business.

This April played host to the inaugural Lima Fashion Week, serving as a vibrant warm-up for the established annual trade show Peru Moda. Over four days a select line-up of ten local designers and international guest brand Custo Barcelona presented their autumn/winter 11/12 collections.

Bright colours and bold silhouettes ensured a dynamic debut for the event with focus drawn to Peruvian materials and manufacture. Highlights came from designers who tuned into their rich heritage such as Sergio Dávila who drew inspiration from the 1911 discovery of Inca site Machu Picchu. Glamorous eveningwear also proved top of the agenda appealing to Peru’s elite crowd, Sitka Semsch went all out with diaphanous floor-sweeping gowns adorned with feathers and intricate beading.

While Peru hails an artisan approach, Iceland is banking on its creative avant-garde epithet to propel the national status after a crippling financial meltdown in 2008. The newly sponsored Reyjavick Fashion Festival boasts an exciting mixture of fashion, design and music at venues around the city. April 11’s edition saw over twenty men’s and womenswear designers push their latest lines to more than 800 important invitees.

It’s a positive time for Iceland’s native designers, where many of the countries high street chains failed in financial crisis, local designers have moved in and benefited from a consumer demand for premium design and innovation. The festivals notable collections came from Kron by Kronkron whose mix and match prints and proportions exuded quirky Icelandic appeal and Mundi who showcased a well resolved and expertly styled range of largely monochromatic grunge infused skiwear.

Should the ‘big four’ fashion capitals prepare to expand their elite group? Which, if any of the emerging markets, have the power to steal the international spotlight and expand beyond the local to drive global fashion trends?

You can respond to this post on Mudpie’s LinkedIn group here.

Main image: Sergio Dávila/ johnsimondaily.com

Initial source: Finacial Times

© Sitka Semsch/ lifeandstuff.blogspot 

© Kron by Kronkron/ styleclicker

© Mundi/ styleclicker

Words by Mpdclick’s Sports Trend Researcher…

Mpdclick likes to draw inspiration from real sportsmen and women and this week we have been glued to the tennis court to get a glimpse of what is being worn at the French Open.

Nearly a week into the grand slam and everybody is gearing up and expecting a fashion fixture of frocks and action to frontline the events. The on-court fashions usually cause as much excitement and controversy as the game itself. The event is held at Roland Garros, Paris for two weeks and all its sporting stars except the Williams sisters – who are famously renowned for their feisty fashion flare  - will be there. 

Maria Sharapova is dressed in a primrose yellow streamline Nike dress with a stylish multi-layered skirt. It has a feminine feel and form with design details like corsetry lines in intense yellow binding across the bodice enhancing her athletic A-line symmetry.  The look was inspired by Paris, the Eiffel Tower and teamed with a sun visor and a pair of Nike sneakers.  A competitive edge takes form in Caroline Wozniacki sporting a more stylish approach to the sport in a blue ruffle neckline tank dress from Adidas by Stella McCartney.  The dress does not look as free moving as Sharapova’s number but it has ClimaLite technology to take moisture away from the skin and breathable inverted mesh panels with hints of red piping, so it’s a good contender! 

Rafael Nadal’s attire is bright and breezy like his character on court- cool, calm and collected. He wears a sky-blue Nike ‘V’ -neck T-shirt which is made of dry-fit fabric and is lightweight and breathable. This is teamed together with white board shorts long in length, his acquainted headband and wrist bands in light-blue complementing his entire look with matching blue and white trainers and socks.  A perfect contrast against the clay courts and one not to be missed.

Roger Federer is wearing a conventional polo shirt in a bold red with go faster racing stripes horizontally across his lower body. Similar to Nadal but in red and white, Federer opts for long white board pants, matching headband and sweat bands to complete his look, all Nike. His outfit has a classic masculine look with line detailing around the collar and shoulders which is emphasized with a darker shade of red highlighting his physique.

The outfits for the French open this year are both innovative and stylish whilst adhering to the fully functional aspect that is demanded by sportswear.

Words by Mpdclick’s Trend Journal Editor…

With Graduate Fashion Week in the UK soon approaching (5th-8th June 11) expect to see a wealth of cherry picked talent featuring on Mpdclick’s Trend Journal in the coming months that we are tipping for big things in the future. In the mean time, we had to share this fantastic resource aimed at bridging the gap between graduates and the creative industry, Arts Thread.com.

“For the first time ever, creative graduates, universities, industries and schools can network worldwide – with just a few clicks of the mouse.” – artsthread.com

From uploading your graduate portfolio to searching through a comprehensive list of potential courses, programs and internships and keeping up to date with inspirational exhibitions and design shows; Arts Thread offers both graduates and industry professionals a one-stop shop in introducing fresh talent into the industry. Here is a breakdown of how this exciting platform works.

GRADUATES

• ARTS THREAD brings the global creative industry to your door.
• We offer an individual well-designed online portfolio that truly promotes you- the graduate-to a Global audience.
• Our vast database of creative clients worldwide are looking for new graduates, Interns and freelancers.
• Global reach of extra benefits: information on current design grants, competitions, internships and exhibitions, as well as practical how- to guides and live forums where International students can interact.

UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES

• ARTS THREAD offers the opportunity to promote your own specific courses, showcasing your graduates’ portfolios to a Global audience.
• The site acts as a tool for BA and MA student recruitment, as well as marketing the course to Industry for sponsorships, internships etc.
• You have the opportunity of live broadcasts, enabling pre-university students to see lectures and tours of the facilities wherever they may be in the World.

INDUSTRY

• ARTS THREAD is a free recruitment tool that allows you to channel directly through to the portfolios of the most talented graduates – by specific specialism and university.
• Global Industry professionals will have the luxury of viewing these portfolios free of charge and in a time and place that’s right for you.
• Through ARTS THREAD Industry can network with universities to have the benefit of Internships from the top students worldwide.
• We offer an unrivalled insight into the latest trends in graduate design.

PRE-UNIVERSITY

• For FE colleges, schools, pre-university students and their parents, ARTS THREAD offers the opportunity to view online the graduate work and course details of art and design universities and colleges.
• View and compare the graduate portfolios and course information from leading universities to make an informed choice as to the best course and university.
• Download practical pre-university guides with features such as “The Perfect Textile Portfolio’ or ‘Specialist Courses’: all created in association with leading university lecturers in the specialism.

For more information on how to get involved with Arts Thread, click here to be redirected to the website.

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

Young menswear designer Thom Neal is passionate about detail and traditional quality fabrics created in the UK. Thom’s graduate collection of modern English menswear will be showcased at Northampton University’s annual fashion show at the end of June. His collection features relaxed and quirky separates which are punctuated with dramatic show-stopping coats in brightly coloured sheepskin generously provided by the Easirider Company.

Thom’s mixing of fabric textures is clever and unusual, revealing a mature sensibility. He describes his fabric choices as having “a mish-mash flow”, which is the key to his distinctive handwriting and personal style.  He says, “The majority of fabrics in my collection are manufactured in the UK, I have used Manx Tweed, made for generations in the Isle of Man, and wool fabrics that are produced in both Scotland and England. I’ve mixed these traditional cloths with other fabrics such as rip-stop nylon (also made in England), and added a further dimension with rabbit fur panels and sheepskin”.

Thom’s menswear shapes are eminently wearable, relaxed and uncomplicated, he told us, “The shirting is quite simple – but with little pleated details and exaggerated length it creates an ‘alternative’ appeal. My trousers are mainly short, ‘ankle basher’ style, and most are straight legged rather than skinny. I’ve crafted all of them to remove the outside leg seams. For me, the details are crucial”.

Thom has already landed a full time job as an accessories designer at Choy Hope, a Hong Kong based company. He previously enjoyed a three month internship with Asos’s menswear design team, who have sponsored the footwear for his show, but his long term plan is to eventually set up his own label. With his talent, inherent style and determination Thom is one to watch.  

 www.thomneal.co.uk

Another week has passed and we couldn’t let it go by without presenting our Editors pick of inspirational and informative reports that have been published on Mpdclick this week…

Bob Dylan is the latest style subject to be analysed by Mpdclick’s Runway & Trends Editor in this weeks ‘Style Watch’.

“Boasting over 50 years in the media and counting many strings to his rather illustrious bow, singer/song writer, poet and painter Bob Dylan celebrates his 70^th birthday this week.  We mark the momentous occasion by taking a look at the icons enviably beatnik 1960s wardrobe and its reincarnation on today’s runways and city streets.” Mpdclick subscribers can click here to read more…

Our Trade Fair Editor delves into the world of sport to provide us with a focused ‘Sports brand profile’ – ‘Griffin – heritage design with urban roots’.

“Griffin has been providing the market with top notch, stylish and technically-superb fashion for the last 17 years, and by the looks of their spring/summer 11 and autumn/winter 11/12 collections, like a fine wine they only get better with age.” – Mpdclick subscribers can click here to read more…

The trend of the ‘Modern Gent’ as our ‘Design Now’ feature is explored by our Home & Interiors Editor looking at traditional masculinity.

“The revitalisation of Barber shop grooming techniques, age-old activities, gentleman’s lounges and TV shows such as Mad Men have led to a return to a more, refined traditional type of masculinity that we have dubbed ‘Modern Gent.’  Here, an ultra modern generation of style conscious boys look back to their grandparent’s time when men were well groomed, well dressed, had slick back hair and the perfect etiquette.” – Mpdclick subscribers can click here to read more… 

As the autumn/winter 11/12 preview season continues, this week Mpdclick’s Retail Editor presents a selection of up and coming designer preview reports represented by Blow PR. Mpdclick subscribers can click here to see the full range of male and female autumn/winter 11/12 preview reports.

Words by Mpdclick’s Trend Journal Editor…

This week Mpdclick headed to the sunny streets of Barcelona to see which fashionistas are still rocking in the sweltering heat.

A versatile summer ensemble is worked here with a simple black knotted t-shirt and dark floral high waisted skirt. Style credentials are reaffirmed with platform desert boots and socks while co-ordination is subtly placed between the tan belt and satchel bag.

Classic nautical attire is exemplified by our next dapper style subject donning a varying stripe tee, rolled up grey pants and essential deck shoes. The trend is further enhanced with a raffia braided belt, canvas shopper and oversized geek chic glasses.

Mpdclick subscribers can click here to see the full male and female street style report from Barcelona.