Archive for June, 2011

Words by Mpdclick’s Trend Journal Editor…

Chromacoat is new collection of watches presented by brand Nixon that reveals new features with age and wear & tear.

“All watches with Chromacoat features a rich, top colour that chips away with wear and age to reveal a unique undercoat. The unique and advanced applied finish, deemed Chromacoat, with ‘chroma’ meaning purity of colour and ‘coat’ being the applied coat on top of the steel IP plating,  Nixon’s Chromacoat  is designed to age with the owner.Through normal wear  and tear, each and every watch with this special finish will scratch and chip showing the owner what a life well lived will look like, creating a completely individual and custom version of the watch”. nixonnow.com

This is a great concept, first explored within Mpdclick’s spring/summer 11 Sobriety trend which looked at products that explored notions of sustainable promise, longevity and developing features.

Image source: nixonnow.com

Words by Mpdclick’s Trend Journal Editor…

With online sales growing 18% year on year, e-tailing has made pioneering steps forward to challenge the traditional retail shopping experience. Luxury fashion e-taier Net-a-porter have now gone one step further to heighten the excitement and intrigue surrounding high fashion online purchases.

Ever wondered who will buy that Yves Saint Lauren dress or Louboutin platforms? Well wonder no more with Net-a-porter Live! An interactice globe is instantly updated with what is being added to shopping bags and wishlists around the world with Net-a-porter bag icons pin pointing each loaction, giving a fascinating insight into global trends and what is favoured around the world within the luxury sector.

Chairman and Founder Natalie Massenet commented, ”seeing which items are being selected by other customers creates an excitement around certain products, and further to that, we expect that offering the ability to share these choices with others will turn into a powerful selling tool that will be unleashed worldwide…This is an incredibly exciting step forward and we cannot wait to see what unfolds.” 

Image source: Net-a-porter.com

GapKids and babyGap, two of the most recognized names in children’s apparel, announced plans for a new collection created for Gap by Diane von Furstenberg. 

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to build on Gap’s successful past collaborations and develop this collection with Diane, a true American fashion icon and inspiration to women around the world,” said Art Peck, President of Gap brand, North America. “I’m also looking forward to offering our customers an exciting collection that applies her signature approach to print, optimistic color and femininity, mixed with our expertise in great quality premium children’s clothing at accessible prices.”

Diane von Furstenberg comments, “As a proud mother and grandmother I am so excited to create a capsule collection for children with the superstar retailer, Gap.”

The collection is expected to be available for purchase to customers in March 2012 through GapKids and babyGap stores in almost 30 countries including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, France, China, Japan and Australia as well as online in 75 countries.

Image source: marieclaire.com

Coming off of the highly successful spring launch season of exclusive bags for the first step of the Ethical Fashion Africa Programme, Vivienne Westwood will now present a complete new collection of handbags and accessories. The autumn/winter collection line previewed at the recent a/w 11/12 Gold Label show during Paris Fashion Week and is set to launch on yoox.com’s eco-friendly initiative YOOXYGEN, starting June 2011.

The a/w 11/12 collection builds upon the success of Vivienne Westwood’s debut capsule collection. The range of styles has been extended to include weekenders, key rings, the classic Westwood Yasmine bag and a number of men’s designs. These new designs also introduce a number of new materials – recycled electrical wiring, recycled aluminum and plastic bags which would otherwise end up in landfill - keeping a strong focus on creating a collection which minimizes the impact on our environment.

“Handmade with love” in Nairobi, the collection has been produced in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) – a joint body of the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Currently supporting the work of over 7000 women in marginalized African communities, the ITC empowers informal manufacturers and craftspeople to enter the international value chain – providing income for some of the poorest people in the world. This promotes the growth of sustainable business in place of aid dependency and creates stability among these impoverished communities.

Not charity, just work.

In Nairobi’s industrial area where the Vivienne Westwood collection is produced, the growth of this collaboration is helping women to build their skills and expand production which, in turn, helps to generate more work for the entire community.

The new collection for autumn/winter 2011-12 carries 14 different styles of bags and accessories, both for men and women:

Mpdclick says: Vivienne Westwood’s involvement within this project represents a growing focus on the skilled craftspeople within Africa. Mpdclick predict this to grow significantly within the near future due to investment in the continent from the Far East.

Source: Vivienne Westwood/Yoox

Mpdclick have recently been introduced to South African furniture designer Natalie Du Toit’s debut collection for homeware this winter. Accurately depicting two of our forecasted trends for a/w 12/13 and fusing them together; the introduction of energetic native references and tribal blends are noted throughout Toit’s collection.

Image source: Indigi Designs

Words by Mpdclick’s LA Trend Researcher, Jessica Paruch…

After working in the music industry as American singer-songwriter Ben Harper’s guitar technician for nearly a decade, Randy Freedman has tapped into other passions: the fit, style and fabric of fashion.

Realizing that he only wore certain shirts over and over, out of his collection of hundreds of vintage pieces, Randy discovered the reason was the tailoring aspects of the particular few. He decided to create a line that brought back the importance of the perfect fit and fabric. Randy mastered the tailoring process while crafting one of a kind, custom-made button downs for musician friends and other influential people in the entertainment industry. His travels and ensuing friendships with American musicians Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Marc Ford, G Love, and Donavon Frankenreiter would make up the inner circle for the Freedman Custom Shop to spawn from.

Positive feedback inspired his conscious expansion into a comprehensive men’s shirt and jacket collection designed and constructed with the same level of detail and quality that made his shirts a success.This is part and parcel to his commitment to the honest delivery of a brand with old-fashioned quality and pure feel. Freedman’s mission resonates on this higher level, a true reflection of Americana: a renewed taste for quality construction, classic style, and pride in bringing things to life with the utmost care. Each and every shirt is handmade in the USA in limited production runs. Today, the Freedman Brothers have teamed up with new partners to form the New Vintage Corporation. While staying true to its stylistic roots, the company has grown from made-to-order into a comprehensive ready-to-wear lifestyle brand. The new team is fully dedicated to preserving the very principles that made it an early success, while gearing up to present the Fall/Winter Freedman Denim collection. Currently, the brand is available at select boutiques throughout California and Texas, along with the online custom shop for all inquiries.

freedmandenim.com

Words by Mpdclick’s Home & Interiors editor…

Last Friday night saw a plethora of new design talent descend upon the John Millias gallery at Southampton Solent University for the Graduate Fashion Show. Following their London debut at the beginning of June, graduating students showcased their final collections in the local show to great acclaim. With themes ranging from wearable architecture, abstract expressionism and the destructive power of water, the collections were varied yet well executed.

While the standard of workmanship was impressive overall, a number of collections truly stood out as being exemplary:

Graduate Harriet Blackwell, who Mpdclick awarded the Prize for Innovation stood out with her Japanese inspired collection with a contemporary twist. Her collection has also been selected by Graduate Fashion Week to be used for the GFW Promotion, which included a photoshoot with model Amber Le Bon.

Victoria Hicks collection ‘Forceful Fluidity,’ (pictured main) which featured  beautifully draped silk dresses and macramé details showcased creativity, versatility and commercial viability. The team at Mpdclick were especially impressed by the strong visual aesthetic and content of her mood boards and final designs.

Charlotte Hiller’s ‘Build Them Skywards’ collection managed to be the creative, fun and commerical, with photographic print body-con separates, structured bralets and a beautifully crafted cage skirt.

All in all, the evening was a tremendous success for all involved, and we at Mpdclick would like to wish all the graduates the very best of luck for the future.

Image source: all images Mpdclick

Harriet Blackwell

Victoria Hicks

Charlotte Hiller (above and below)

Bryony Mirams

Sian Mullarkey (above and below)

Neha Ghai

Aude Banzolo

The Japanese ‘Uniqlo’ chain is relied upon for their simple, quality and comfortable clothing designs. They often collaborate with renowned brands such as the likes of Disney and Warner Bro’s along with charitable companies with campaigns such as Save Japan! and the Cath Kidston Charity Project. This time round, all eyes are turned to our childhood idol, Barbie!

It seems Barbie is simple improving with age, turning 52 this year, she and the brand remain as influential and iconic as ever. Girls and even a number of women dream of looking, living and breathing the Barbie lifestyle. Well… now they can! Uniqlo are calling all girls to their Oxford Street, London store to celebrate the brands collaboration and relish in a shopping experience not to be forgotten. Visitors are able to pick out of a choice of Ken’s and pose with him in a life-size Barbie Box and even leave with a souvenir photo; free of charge!

The event will be held on Saturday 18^th June between 12 and 5pm in the brands flagship store, 311 Oxford Street. The 9 piece collection comes in one or two alternative colours offering a little something for every Barbie worshiper. Graphics attribute classic Barbie characteristics with girly polka dots and portraits in an array of pink, blue and neutral tones. The tee’s come with a guilt-free price tag of £12.99 AND a complimentary ‘Barbie’ key chain. Don’t miss out on this must see event, pick yourself up a memento of treasured history, not to mention the encounter with a real-life Ken…

Image source: uniqlo.com