Sophie Hulme was on my list of ‘10 British Designers you ought to know’ for Strut 120. That and her win as the best emerging talent in accessory design at the British Fashion Awards last night prompted me to do a Label Lust post. Her collections are full of pieces that are beautifully made, classic with a masculine edge and totally wearable. Even though her clothes are making waves in the fash world, for me it’s still all about the totes and messenger bags that she first started the label with. Enjoy!
Messenger bag from A/w 12
A/w 12 at Austique
Hulme’s collaboration with Globetrotter.
S/s 13 from Telegraph.
Sonam Kapoor was spotted with a Sophie Hulme black tote last month see pic here
Images from Telegraph, Austique & Sophie Hulme website.
Festivities are over as is the amazing week ‘the boy’ (yep still can’t say fiancée-sounds too grown up!) and I had in Barbados. After my hol, I’m very much back and raring to go. I have lots of new ideas and exciting blog posts coming up so keep checking in! For now I have to share the pretty as a picture bridal campaign by Shehla Khan ft. of course bestie Sonam Kapoor. I’m a big fan of Khan’s elegant signature style of soft pastel shades, feminine cuts and vintage lace & embroideries.
The image above is my favourite; the blouse detail is just gorgeoussssss!
And if you’d like to know how to get bright coral lips like the shade Ms Kapoor regularly rocks, then check out the video I made with make-up supermo Dipali Damji. Click here!
Last week I attended the fabulous Pre-Diwali event at Aashni & Co. (the stunning new boutique in Notting Hill selling the hottest Indian labels!) The special event was hosted by renowned journalist & blogger Priyanka Gill in association with Pratham UK. Pratham is the largest non- governmental charity in India and provides quality education to underprivileged urban and rural children. Over the last three years Gill has helped raise a phenomenal three million pounds for Pratham and five per cent of all sales at last weeks event was donated to the charity.
Left- Aashni in Rohit Bal and Right- Priyanka in D&G
Glamazon Goths were trending all over the WIFW S/s 13 catwalks with designers Rajesh Paratap Singh, Alpana and Neeraj & CUE leading the way. Think body con, leather & pvc with splashes of studs and spikes. I’d seen this tough super-heroine incarnation earlier this year at Meera Sharma’s graduate show. The collection packed a punch with Sharma’s strong statement silhouettes. I loved the layering of contrasting fabrics, unexpected cut outs and changeable shapes (garments could be altered by the wearer by pulling straps) I caught up with the designer to find out more…
Meera’s technical drawings
Describe the Meera Sharma label in one sentence
Innovative clothing for sexy, strong willed women!
How did you get into fashion?
I have always loved fashion since I was a young girl, whether it was designing clothes for my Barbie dolls or just observing what people wore. It was therefore a natural progression to enter the fashion industry and express my take on fashion with my designs. I believe fashion is a great way to gain an insight into people’s personalities and I find it fascinating to see how people express themselves through their wardrobes, and it is great to see how people interpret my designs when they wear them.
What’s your inspiration when designing for Meera Sharma?
I can be inspired by anything, be it a picture, a vintage outfit or a movie! Take my debut collection it was inspired by my love of comic book characters and the female superhero.
Tell us a bit about your latest collection.
My debut collection is based on the female superhero who to me is the ultimate female; she is strong, sexy and not afraid to stand up for what is right! I decided to design an all black collection as I felt black as a colour is powerful and striking and portrays these aspects of the superhero. Superhero’s often live double lives so I portrayed this aspect in my collection with the layers, contrasting and cut out fabrics. The patent leather straps that are contained in the garments can be pulled allowing the garments to change shape and create more drapes which again came from the superhero’s changing personality.
Congrats on the IAFA nomination, how do you feel about the nomination and about being the only non-Asian clothing designer to be nominated?
Thank you. I was completely surprised when I received the phone call saying I have been nominated. To be the only non-asian clothing designer to be nominated is quite exciting and I feel quite honoured. I also have admired the work of Manish Malhotra for years and to know that he will be watching my designs on the runway is quite surreal!
What’s next for the Meera Sharma label?
Well I am working on getting more stockists both here and abroad. I am concentrating on promoting my debut collection and then after that will start designing my next one but lets see what happens…..
It’s two weeks to go to the IAFA’s and I can’t wait for the event! The judge that I’m most excited to see (and fingers crossed hopefully meet) is GQ Fashion Editor, Antara Motiwala. I’ve seen the stylish lady pop up on many a street style blog for her effortlessly chic ensembles. Here’s the stunning ‘A Royal Affair’ editorial that she styled for the Sept issue. Brazilian model/ actor Thyago Alves smoulders his way through the shoot looking like one dapper Maharaja.
Forgive me for this snapshot of a post on WIFW S/s 13– I’m suffering from Fashion Week analysis fatigue. I covered Lakme Fashion Week on the blog recently and have been trawling through all the London, Paris, N.Y & Milan coverage for the day job so I am one fashed –out girl!
Here are my fav five collections, they are not posted in any particular order.
Namrata Joshipura collection had a plethora of hot trends- sheer layering, oriental florals, iridescent
embellishment and uber hot 7/8th trousers. My fave pieces of hers are always the jumpsuits or trouser and shirt combos because she always manages to make traditionally masculine shapes ohhh so sexy.
Manish Malhotra collection was beautiful, I love the subdued colour palette of earthy tones with pops of fuchsia and amber. The chikan work pieces were timeless.
Okay all you socialites put down those Herve Leger dresses, here is luxury body con 2013 style- gorgeous textures and placements by Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna
Kallol Datta 1955 collection was full of beautiful voluminous silhouettes and strong graphic prints.
I love the graphic prints, asymmetric hems and neon pops at Gaurav Gupta
All these collections have interesting textures & silhouettes with only a hint of embellishment in places which to me feels really fresh right now.
I might not have done a comprehensive trend report for WIFW but here’s a mini synopsis of some key crossover trends seen on the S/s 13 catwalks (London, Paris, Milan, N.Y, Lakme & WIFW)
Touch of the Orient (AM: PM, Prada & Arjun Saluja)
Graphic prints (Generally seen in Black & White at Marc Jacobs, Kallol Datta and James Ferreira)
Iridescence (Rajesh Pratap Singh, Balmain & Louis Vuitton)
I spotted Jean Paul Gaultier S/s 13 pics on Miss Malini recently and had to cover the collection too. Although she talked about ‘Singh is King’ references, I thought JPG may have been channelling the altogether more refined Waris Ahluwalia (jewellery designer/actor and general dapper man about town)
Above pics of Waris and below JPG’s collection
JPG’s infamous nautical touches didn’t hit the mark for me- the striped trousers, sailor collars and button up trousers were just blah! However the slim cut cropped sleeves suits paired with toile de jouy shirts & turbans as well as the tux’s paired with dropped crotch pants were super slick.
Ohhhhh the excitements building! There’s only a month to go the prestigious International Asian Fashion Awards. The IAFA is currently in its third year and provides a valuable platform for creative’s in the Asian Fashion industry to showcase their work and to be recognised by industry experts.
Pic from last year’s event
This year’s illustrious judging panel consists of Pakistani Couture genius Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY)
Hassan Sheheryar Yasin adds, “I am a keen advocate of investing in the future of the South Asian fashion industry. I am an avid supporter of the IAF Awards, their ethos and am happy to be a judge again this year”.
Pic from the L’Oreal Paris Bridal Fashion Week show that took place a few days ago.
Pic from the weekend of Malhotra’s S/s 13 collection at WIFW
Manish Malhotra says, “I am pleased to be a part of the judging panel for this years IAF Awards. I consider it a wonderful platform for young and existing talent to be acknowledged and an opportunity for me be a part of the movement that drives innovation and design”.
Leading international photographer Paul Farnham,
Paul Farnham adds, “I am excited to be involved in the judging panel for this years IAF Awards and am keen to see the variety of talent in the fashion world internationally”.
GQ India’s Fashion Editor Antara Motiwala
Antara Motiwala says “I am extremely honoured to be on the judges panel for this year’s IAFA. It’s a pleasure to be part of an international cultural platform and recognize and nurture the talent of many designers and trendsetters”.
and Make Up supremo and loyal IAFA supporter Lubina Rafiq.
Lubna Rafiq comments “It’s a pleasure to return as the main sponsor and judge of IAF Awards – this is one of our key events that we look forward to at the Academy throughout the year, and the buzz within our community for IAF Awards 2012 is already rising! We can’t wait to rock IAF Awards 2012 – Let’s Make-Up!”
Nominations close 10th Oct so get filling out your form!- here are the categories
Best Newcomer in Fashion Design,
Best Make-up artist,
Best Wedding Collection Designer,
Best Male Fashion Designer,
Best Female Fashion Designer,
Outstanding Contribution to the Fashion Industry,
Best Designer Brand,
Collection of the Year.
Last years winners include Kaniz Ali, Ekta Solanki & Satya Paul. Contact Revolution Creative Agency on 020 8220 3199 or rupinder@revolutioncreative.eu for an application now and check out the video by Ekta Solanki talking about the positive impact winning the IAFAS has had on her label.
Winners being announced at the awards ceremony, held at London’s Hilton Park Lane on the 10th November.
Happy birthday Vogue India! I’m loving the 5 different covers to celebrate your fifth anniversary! And I can’t choose a favourite- they all look stunning : )
the asian fashion journal 