A/W 09 Diary of a Lookbook shoot

Aitor For Umbro

Aitor is like the Alia of menswear, the genius, the black sheep who never plays by fashions rules who breaks them all the time but yet his creativety and vision is respected by all. His work is amazing and i am still amazed by the way his garments fit. He is fashion without being in fashion. I had heard about the Umbro paternership for a long time but googled endlessly and fruitlessly in my search to find out more, he is one of my fave menswear designers and i don't have the pleasure of seeing new creations each season as that is simply not how he works. So any project he partakes in i am always eager to see the results. This is a mammoth project for both parties and i respect Umbro for again supporting another budding menswear talent and the match could'nt be more perfect umbro who strives for perfection in its fabric reasearch and aitor in his fit. Aitor has taken on the project to design Englands football teams kit I am sad that i will not be able to wear the product created but i mean the greatest of fashion is not wearable.

J'adore Louise Goldin

It's not often that i talk about womenswear designers although there are many who always amaze me in each city especially the young ones such as Rodarte, Proenza Schouler, Marios Schwabs, Richard Nicoll, Louise Gray and now Louise Goldin. The vast majority of the British names have shown at Fashion East actually they all have at some point and it again proves how crucial Lulu Kennedy has been to London fashion for both genders. I went to a Louise Goldin show last season and was totally blown away. Her approach to womenswear in general is different but it's also her choice of fabric that amazes me. Her choice is predominately knitwear and she has shown that it can be used in ways other fabric is used.

WOW

wow i am amazed Michelle Obama and now Beyonce Knowles. I love it please let this be the start of more opportunities for ethnic minorities in Fashion, i really really love the fact that the conceptions of normal beauty are being challenged also with Dazed and Lakshmi who Ricardo Tisci has championed for a while now. x

Dazed & Confused

I love this, is it me or is this girl amazingly beautiful, Nicola ceases to amaze x

my bag wishlist

burberry,mulberry, jil sander, chanel

Lost in Translation

I/we have grown, showing for Fashion East has been a challenge and an amazing oportunity. 2009 has already been an fantastic year beacuse of this. Ever since Jaiden rVa James began we only dreamed of getting MAN, Showing on Catwalk presenting our image, our vision to the world. We found out about Fashion week a couple weeks prior to the initial date and yet we had the shortest time given to any collection we have produced but i must say this is the biggest and in my eyes the best. We used techniques, cuts, fabrics and services that we have never used before and created something out of nothing. Working with Justin Smith Esquire on hats was great and he is so talented, well educated and simply knows what he is doing and obviously has a bright future ahead of him. Kim Howells is also another talent a fun person to work with and a brilliant stylist. I for one am also glad that we got to contribute to the first menswear day in LFW history and only hope we get to do so for many seasons to come. I do believe the menswear day is long over due and could also come at no better time. Each year Menswear designers graduate and obviously each has their own vision but prior only had one platform to showcase their talent. MAN only can accommodate 3 designers per season which leaves so many with nothing and no way to get attention. The other problem is obviously the fact that MAN alumni can graduate but what next Carola Eurler, Siv Stodal, Deryck Walker, Cassette Playa, Aitor Throup. These are a few extremely talented individuals who have had the pleasure and luxury of showing at MAN but also had to face the harsh reality of not knowing whats next. No New Gen, No Fashion Forward to look forward and apply to. This is how i feel now i don't know what is next, Lulu and Charlie Porter and everyone else on the panel who has rooted for us i thank and will be extremely grateful forever as i do not forget those who have helped me. The feeling of uncertainty is not the best one as its hope and a dream that keeps me going and keep pushing forward. Its my love for fashion and creative drive that burns and yearns to constantly create. I am not going to lie nor pretend i am rich or have copious amounts of cash stored away because i know i don't. The high i get from fashion is unparalleled from any accessible legal high i can get right now. I do not know what the future holds and that is what scares me but one can only sit and endure the ride of life as no one knows their destiny or future but you can only hope it is a bright one. my motto remains for now when it comes to collections, Fashion before Food.

Charlie Porter wore it well

More Exhibition Pictures

MAN by Jaiden rVa James

Hats J Smith Esquire for Jaiden rVa James

Styling Kim Howells