Archive for July, 2011

It was recently revealed that Vogue.com will launch a debut UK ‘Online Fashion Week’ for later this year. The event anticipates great success as previous online event ‘Fashion’s Night In’ raised over £40,000 for charity.

Taking place over seven days, ‘Online Fashion Week’ aims to raise a greater sum of money for charity while featuring more online retailers and providing high fashion styling advice. Taking place in early December, the event coincides with the Christmas shopping period which may attract many fashion retailers. Vogue’s ‘Fashion Night Out’ which took place worldwide in major cities featured the largest public fashion show in history, working with over 1000 retailers hosting exclusive events, products and experiences, the event was a great success. Limited edition collections, exclusive offers and never seen before designs will make ‘Online Fashion Week’ the most exciting shopping experience made available at your fingertips.

Image source: Vogue.com

Name: Eppie Conrad
Location: UK
Specialisms: Fashion/Textiles/Accessories.
Graduate from: Northumbria University, Fashion BA (Hons).
Quote: “I am a dedicated and passionate textile designer and always enjoy learning new techniques in print and fabrication. My work has a strong use of colour, as I like bold, graphic styles and enjoy designing sportswear garments. For print ideas I am currently inspired by old fashioned toys and cartoons.”

Graduate Eppie Conrad shows an established illustration style that we love here at Mpdclick, fusing hi-tech and systematic precision with a naive sensibility. The finished collection perfectly reflects Eppie’s initial concept inspired by 1950′s toy robots and Japanese streetwear. Form and function have also both been considered here: “a sportswear/cycling collection thats plays with a “look at me” edge in the day and a “notice me” safety function at night”, making this collection not only aesthetically bold and beautiful but technically savvy.

View Eppie Conrad’s portfolio here on Artsthread.com.

Words by Mpdclick’s Trend Journal Editor.

This week Mpdclick travelled to Milan to capture the most inspirational individual styles emerging on the streets. Here we present two simple, transitional summer looks using range basics that are transformed with considered styling, ready to translate into the retail landscape.

A high waisted fuschia pink skirt is toned down with a knotted and rolled up dark grey tee; a simple detail that instantly reworks a basic. Minimal ankle boots cement the effortless appeal of this outfit, finished with a pair of classic black wayfarers.

Next we see menswear summer essentials, a relaxed v-neck tee and rusted city shorts; a chic summer look that is easy to recreate in-store. Executed with a pair of ‘geek chic’ glasses and unconventional sock and sandal combination, his rugged stubble and tattoos reassert his masculinity, a potential mannequin concept.

Mpdclick subscribers can click here to see the full male and female Milan Street Style report.

Today H&M revealed to Mpdclick their latest collaborative venture will be with no one other than British football and style icon David Beckham. Together with H&M, his Bodywear range for men will be available to millions of fans globally through a long-term partnership.

The long-term alliance will allow David Beckham to produce and exclusively sell his eagerly awaited new DAVID BECKHAM Bodywear line in around 1800 H&M stores in around 40 countries worldwide. It marks the beginning of a significant relationship between H&M and David Beckham, with new Bodywear products being launched seasonally. The initial range will be launched to coincide with Valentine’s Day 2012 from February 2nd.

“Over the past year, I’ve been developing my Bodywear range with my team and I’m extremely positive about what we have designed and produced,” said David Beckham. “The final piece in the jigsaw was a retail partner who has the vision and capability to distribute these products globally. In H&M we have found the perfect partner to collaborate with going forward, I’m excited and looking forward to showcasing the range to H&M customers from February.”

“David Beckham is a true icon both of sport and style. It is incredibly exciting for H&M to be entering into a long-term partnership with him for his DAVID BECKHAM Bodywear line. It is the start of an amazing adventure for us at H&M. Valentine’s Day in 2012 is going to be a very exciting time indeed”, says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s Head of Design.

Recognised in every corner of the world, David Beckham has consistently redefined the world he lives in. Considered by many to be one of the most marketable individuals in the world, Beckham and his business partner Simon Fuller in 2011 announced the launch of a new brand identity and DAVID BECKHAM branded product line, to include bodywear.

“This partnership with H&M is an important step in the evolution of David’s journey from sporting hero to entrepreneur and icon”, said Simon Fuller, David Beckham’s long time business partner. “H&M’s enthusiasm and support for this venture, combined with their scale and reach, will continue to enhance the power of David’s image around the world.”

Details are yet to be confirmed as to what the ‘Bodywear’ range will include, as his collection for Adidas covers the casual sports market, this could develop into a line of dapper tailored suits or maybe even underwear basics. As this has been announced as a long term partnership, the range could even cater to both casual and career wear, we shall keep you posted.

Image source: Giorgio Armani

Words by Mpdclick’s Business Editor.

As forecast by Mpdclick in our autumn/winter 12/13 trend Myriad, the Luxury market continues astonishing growth as people buy into brand values, heritage and longevity.

While half the world struggles with debt, high-end brands are reporting sky-high returns, far outperforming all other market sectors.  This is proven by French luxury goods brand LVMH, Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, who earlier today announced that in the first half of this year sales increased 13 percent exceeding analyst forecasts.   

Luxury brands appear recession-proof and have seen their sales soar, as demand for high-end products remains largely unaffected by lethargic global economic growth. Consumers in emerging nations have also helped buoy luxury brands. 

Mpdclick subscribers can read this article in full here, located in our Business area.

Image source: fashionising.com

Words by Mpdclick’s Runway & Trends Assistant.

Famed fashion designer Roberto Cavalli shared his acid-toned print-focused resort 2012 collection with Mpdclick, inspired by a plethora of prints developed over the past 40 years.

The first was an 80′s multi coloured floral bouquet print that we digitally manipulated, flattening the colours creating a monochromatic effect. This informed the remaining floral prints; one came from a 70′s print that had a baroque flourish in the arrangement. Each of these prints were developed in 5 key “acid” colours, lemon, lime, rose, tomato and peacock.

The next group of prints came from a tie-dye technique that was replicated on a wide variety of fabrics and skins, from chiffon, crepe de chine, cotton, to printed pailletes, knit jacquard and  leather; with a new signature leopard “acid animalier” print. For our last group we took a late 70′s toile du jouy print and hand painted the background in ivory, red and black.

The importance of reissuing and developing old Cavalli prints was of great importance as we wanted to explore a new silhouette for this pre-collection, that had a younger more casual approach. We wanted to create a wardrobe of clothes that did not fall into the day/eveningwear divide.

We also began an experimentation with embroidery using new techno fabrics, the main workmanship was done in hand covering Swarovski crystals with a very lightweight reflective fabric. We used this research into new, innovative fabrics in the jewellery and accessories of the collection. For the jewellery, we again used this reflective fabric to cover the crystals and pearls, creating a new techno iridescence. Fine bone porcelain was used to make floral chokers and bracelets with hand painted gold leaf detailing, to further accentuate the floral motif in the prints. The classic Cavalli serpent this time was made from tiny engraved gold flowers arranged to form the shape of the snake.

The combination of stylised floral and tie-dye printing with intricately hand-embroidered sequins and bead work creates an awe-inspiring resort collection, further enhanced by a picturesque floral montage backdrop. 

Mpdclick subscribers can view the entire collection here.