MORE TRENDS FROM GFW

Our intern Beth has been busy writing up some of the popular looks from GFW here are a couple more for you to check out below! 

GFW TRENDS

Click on the images below to view the latest trends spotted by our intern Beth from London's Graduate Fashion Week

PRESS - BRANDALLEY.FR LE LAB

TREND BOARDS

The Explorer

Gold

INTRODUCING - GEORGIA HARDINGE

The Showroom are really excited to be working with highly successful and talented designer Georgia Hardinge! Here are some pictures from her A/W collection. 

TRENDS - CRYSTAL HAZE

If you are a fashion capital member you can now get access to new trends in the trends section!

Here is a little sneak peak. 

SUMMER DRESS

Hi everyone, the deadline for the summer dress is almost upon us! Please get your samples to us before the 12th of April along with the submission pack FULLY COMPLETED! We look forward to seeing what you have all come up with!

THE TRENCH SALE BUY YOURS NOW!

Buy your Trench Coat 

HERE

THE TRENCH SALE ON BRANDALLEY

THE SUMMER DRESS

Le Lab Bespoke Collection

The Summer Dress


Deadline 12th April

1. Overview

Design element:  A day to night versatile and stylish dress, with a unique, conceptual edge that cannot be found on the high street but is still very wearable. 

Customer outline:  A working, sophisticated woman wanting to make a stylish statement at work and play.

Customer Age: 25 – 40

Target Market: UK and France

The Summer dress is an exciting opportunity for designers to make a classic wardrobe staple into their own. The Summer Dress is an essential item for any capsule holiday wardrobe.

The essence of a Summer dress is its ability to be rediscovered each year with fondness and can be reinvented by changing accessories to give a long life to  this wardrobe staple.

We are looking for colours, materials and  lengths in Summer Dresses to be suitable for BrandAlley’s customer demographic.  It is important to consider the material, cut and style that will create the perfect balance, emphasising a woman’s best assets whilst hiding any problem areas.

Please also consider:

-       The colour and pattern of material used to accentuate your design

-        What features does the Summer Dress have to make it a classic or a modern interpretation - Will it have a belt? Will it have tailored elements? Will have short sleeves or appropriate straps for the BrandAlley customer base? Will it last for years, through the many changes in trends and still be a wardrobe favourite?

-       How you see the Sumer dress been worn. Is it more of a resort dress or a dress that can be worn to meet friends in the day and then go to the theatre at night.

We are looking to select a variety of Summer Dresses that encapsulates classic relaxed dressing that may have an element of tailoring with a modern twist, whilst adding flexibility to any woman’s wardrobe. Therefore, whether it is through cut, pattern, colour, material or detailing, it should be a Dress that can be worn for day and night.

2. Important pricing considerations.

Prices must be finalised before the submission date

·      Retail price will be double your wholesale price.

·      Wholesale price (not retail) is what you will receive back in sales and this includes Fashion Enter’s 10% commission.

·      Please see wholesale price guidelines below

·      Please so not make your wholesale price more than half of the retail price.

If successfully chosen, designers will be working to lead times of 3 weeks. Please consider production. We recommend that you should produce through the workshop as we can accommodate the short lead times at competitive rates.  Members of Fashion Enter will receive members rates.

If you would like to know more about producing your sample in the fashion Enter Workshop, please contact Syreeta@fashion-enter.com

Fabric must be stock fabric!!! You need to use fabric that is available in large quantities as a requirement.

Pricing needs to be accurate and every detail needs to be considered.  

Please consider:

1.     The inside should be as beautiful as the outside. French seams are preferred as lining will be uncomfortable in the heat. Visable overlocked seams are strongly advised against.

2.     You can still get great good quality fabrics that don’t cost a fortune.

3.     Consideration in every aspect can bring the cost down, if you have a reasonable price point your garment is more saleable.

4.     Make sure while you are being realistic with prices that this does not compromise the design or cheapen the look you had in mind

5.     While they are looking for something design lead bear in mind that it is for ready to wear and not the catwalk.

Wholesale Pricing guidelines.

·      Fabric

·      Finishing’s

·      Fastenings

·      Fabric

·      Brand neck tags and size tags

·      Care labels required by law

·      Packaging

·      Manufacturing time multiplied by cost per hour

·      Other e.g. Printing, pleating etc.

·      Fashion Enter 10% commission

·      Profit

Do not include delivery

3. Please submit the following as part of your media pack with your entry.

- What type of Summer dress is it? (Please factor in style, cut and overall design)

- Whom is this Summer Dress for? (Age bracket and body type should be factored in)

-What is your key design element that makes this Summer Dress? (This could be pattern, use of material, detailing etc.)

- What is the reason for your design style? (This should be a detailed analysis of the summer dress – so anything from the detailing and features to the choice of neckline, and fitting of it and more)

- What material have you used and why?

- Is there any detailing and why? Shoulders, draping, tailoring, versatility of how it can be worn, belts etc 

- What would you name your Summer dress?

- What inspired the design of your Summer dress?

- Which designers have inspired you and your design?

- What is the best Summer Dress you have ever bought and from where?

– Care instructions. Needs to be functional and easily cleaned – as it could be an everyday wearable Summer Dress?

- Is the fabric versatile - would your fabric choice work in another colour, pattern (depending on the success of it, it might be worth having options for further production)

You will also need to provide:

1)    A sketch of your initial design

2)    A completed working sample made to a size 10 and a photo to accompany it – please follow the size guidelines as per Fashion Enter.(Any entry that does not do this will be void automatically)

3)    Your biography

4)    Please fill out the pricing form for your design (this is essential for your blouse to be considered for production)

5)    A care instructions form

6)    A picture of yourself

Good luck!

THE ART OF FASHION

Fashion Enter and Fashion Capital would like to invite you to 'The Art of Fashion'

The Art of Fashion

 A special exhibition of illustrations and prints at the pop-up concept store, FashionCapital in Portman Village, W1, will bring fashion and art together this February.

The London Fashion Week exhibition, Art of Fashion, will see original pieces from illustrators, photographers and graphic artists, each depicting the lines, styles and inspirations of fashion. Each work embraces the shapes, movements and emotions of fashion – some of the pieces in the Art of Fashion collection were the starting sketches and drawings that inspired fashion lines that later hit the catwalk.

The exhibition looks at the world of fashion as the art form it often is, and brings the designers, photographers and creative professionals within the world of fashion together under one roof.

Artists and designers exhibiting include Hemyca, fashion designer and illustrator. HEMYCA is a dynamic, emerging British design brand, providing unique high-quality tailoring for the contemporary woman. Greek born graphic designer, Spiros Halaris, works with various techniques using collages, hand drawn as well as digital elements, and has collaborated with the fashion designer Ziad Ghanem. Sardax, a well know underground fetish artist collaborated with fashion designer, Afira on the Dark Daze collection and his resulting imagery will be seen side by side with the Afira designs which inspired them. Also exhibiting in the Art of Fashion exhibition is Chelsea Art School textile design graduate Emma Cowlam, who produces hand stitched and hand drawn original illustrations. Her work is both prize-winning and internationally exhibited. Fresh from London College of Fashion, Sophie Tomlinson’s work focuses on illustrating character, and the energy and attitude associated with individual style.

FashionCapital is a unique concept store in Portman Village that showcases the very best of British fashion design including the likes of Emma Cook, Goat, Jean-Pierre Braganza and PPQ - the impressive list goes on. The boutique not only houses key designers from the London catwalks but up and coming talent too – a rare chance to see so many British designers and London Fashion Week names selling side by side.

Exhibited in the showroom at the pop-up boutique, British Designers @ FashionCapital in Seymour Place, Portman Village, London W1, the Art of Fashion exhibition will run throughout London Fashion Week.

The Art of Fashion, 16-23 February at FashionCapital, 2 Seymour Place, London W1. 0207 7248430 www.fashioncapital.co.uk

Notes to Editors

The Art of Fashion exhibition will be on display in the FashionCapital showroom at the British Designers at FashionCapital boutique, 2 Seymour Place, London W1. Press and VIPs are invited to a private viewing on the evening of Tuesday 15 February.

An ideal location, Portman Village is a rapidly up and coming area in London’s prestigious W1 comprising of New Quebec Street and Seymour.

THE PERFECT BLOUSE ON ELLE.FR

We are thrilled to have our designer search covered on Elle! 

The deadline is now extended for the next brief so make sure you get your samples coming in we are all very excited to see them!

DEADLINE EXTENDED

The deadline is now extended to the 18th of February

TRENCH SUBMISSION DEADLINE

The dead line on the 14^th of  February is drawing closer and closer and we would like to remind you of the important factors you MUST consider for your entry!

FABRIC MUST BE CONFIRMED AS STOCK FABRIC TO ALLOW LARGE QTYS TO BE PRODUCED.

WE ARE DEALING WITH TIGHT DEADLINES AND A FAST TURNAROUND SO LEAD TIMES MUST BE NO MORE THAN THREE WEEKS MAXIMUM.

FINALISED AND ACCURATE COSTING SHEETS MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR THE DEADLINE.

IF YOU ARE SELECTED A SECOND SAMPLE WILL BE REQUESTED FOR PR IN THE UK. PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT THE SAMPLE SUBMITTED WILL BE TAKEN AWAY TO PARIS.

SAMPLES MUST BE AT THE SHOWROOM BY THE 15^TH OF FEBRUARY NO LATER THAN 5PM. THE ADDRESS IS THE TRENCH, BRITISH DESIGNERS AT FASHION CAPITAL, 2 SEYMOUR PLACE, LONDON, W1H 7AN 

AND FINALLY PLEASE REMEMBER TO FILL OUT ALL SECTIONS IN THE SUBMISSION PACK AS WE REQUIRE ALL OF THE INFORMATION FOR THE SELECTION. IF YOU DO NOT COMPLETE THE SUBMISSION FORM THE SAMPLE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

We look forward to seeing all of your designs so keep them coming in!  

GOOD LUCK! 

BRANDALLEY LE LAB PERFECT BLOUSE IS NOW LIVE

The sale from our designer search with BrandAlley is now live! 

Make sure you follow the link and support our designers buy purchasing your favourite blouse HERE

ALEXANDER JORDAN

Following on from our previous post about how to produce a good picture we would like to introduce you to Alexander Jordan who is going to be shooting for Fashion Capital.

Alexander Jordan will be available for bookings if you are interested in please email theshowroom@fashion-enter.com for more information and a quote.

To view more of his work please see www.alexanderjordan.co.uk 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD PHOTO

Imagery is very important in the creative industry, especially in fashion, and fashion photography is all about the clothes, style and mood that are being represented. Not only will these images convey the designers personality but also their design signature. So, it is important to choose carefully which images are suitable for your brand/label. There are no rules when it comes to presenting your designs/collection via an image or a lookbook, but you need to get your point across clearly and professionally.

It is plain and simple, buyers will not take a designer seriously if they do not have professional images. If you lack good images, it will weaken your brand. Images and a good lookbook will often be the first means of communicating your brand and your collection to the buyer. It will similarly be the reference after a buying meeting has taken place and the decision process begins. Be aware that buyers can reject collections on the basis that they do not have professional images as they may consider other area’s to be lacking. Why spend all that money on making a collection when you do not put effort into the integral parts that go hand in hand with presenting a collection such as a press release and a lookbook.

Choose your photographer carefully as bad images can make you look unprofessional and reflect badly on your brand. Most photographers have their own websites, or a photoblog where they display past work. Also  take into consideration the model you want to use. Unnatural hair colour, complicated hairstyles and anything fussy can detract from the clothes and look out of place. Using a ‘goodlooking friend’ for a model is not normally advised, there are many ways to get reasonably priced or models wishing to add to their portfolio’s on websites such as www.modelmayhem.com you will also find stylists, photographers and hair and makeup artists too.

High-concept photoshoot works really well when used for magazine's editorial shoots. This can be applied to your images but do not let the props; background, make-up and accessories dominate the whole image.  A minimal, non-fuss photoshoot with clear lighting and a suitable model should be enough to give your image a voice. If in doubt, use a plain background, as a busy photo can be distracting and off-putting. Have images to show the photographer as a point of reference.

Do not use black and white, this is best kept for editorial shoots, similarly distortions or effects can mask details that the buyer will want to see. Desaturation can work well in the editing stage which can really make images look more polished.

Poses should not be too ambitious or too acrobatic, not unless it goes with the edginess of the garments. Remember, these images should focus on the clothing and not the models. Buyers are more likely to respond to images where they can see the clothing properly.

Below are some images, which I hope you will find inspiring. All images have been grabbed from Trendland.net.

Julie Eilenberger (top left) – patterned background but does not dominate the image http://trendland.net/2011/01/17/trendwatch-designer-julie-eilenberger/

Rad Hourani (top right) – minimal and very effective, especially for a collection using mainly black colour palette http://trendland.net/2010/11/17/rad-hourani-ss-2011-collection/

Max Tan (bottom right) – very editorial, the background compliments the clothing without taking over the whole image http://trendland.net/2010/08/13/max-tan-fw-201011/max-tan-5/

Anne Marie Skjoldager Jensen (bottom left) – photographed outdoors, the background is blurred and does not overshadow the garment

http://trendland.net/2010/06/01/anne-marie-skjoldager-jensen-ma-collection/anne-marie-skjoldager-jensen/

THE ART OF FASHION

Fashion Capital are hosting an exhibtion during fashion week called 'The Art of Fashion' which has been advertised in the METRO this morning...

A special exhibition of illustrations and prints at the pop-up concept store, FashionCapital in Portman Village, W1, will bring fashion and art together this February....to read more about it follow this LINK

PARIS COUTURE

Paris is the destination for all the Fashionistas this week as Couture graces the catwalk here are some of our favourites from Christian Dior and Chanel ...

DESIGNER OF THE WEEK

Vjera Vilicnik

Please see our new designer of the week on the tab at the top of the page. 

Menswear Highlights

Milan was the focus on fashion last week with menswear at an all time high here are some of our favourite looks from the shows at Fashion Week. 

The most talked about and anticipated collection of the week had to be Thierry Mugler whos creative vision was delivered by the renowned stylist Nicola Formichetti famed for styling Lady Gaga, he had to get her on board to be the musical director previewing a remix from her new album. The show was followed by a fashion video uploaded online take a look below...

THE TRENCH BRIEF

Le Lab Bespoke Collection

The Trench

1. Overview

Design element:  A day to night versatile and stylish trench, beautifully tailored with a unique, conceptual edge. 

Customer outline:  A working, sophisticated woman wanting to make a stylish statement at work and play.

Customer Age: 25 – 40

Target Market: UK and France

The perfect trench is an exciting opportunity for designers to make a classic wardrobe staple into their own. The trench coat is surrounded by history, dates back to 1850’s, and is heavily associated with the Army in style and Burberry and Aquascutum seem to be the two designers who pioneer this.

This wearable item has seen successfully transcended all seasons, trends, and remains an iconic statement piece in any woman’s wardrobe.

We are looking for a range of trench coats from the classic trench to a modern interpretation that transcends seasons. Something that can be worn from spring into summer and suitable for everyday use.

We are looking for colours, materials, lengths in trench coat to be suitable for our customer demographic.  It is important to consider the material, cut and style that will create the perfect balance, emphasising a woman’s best assets whilst hiding any problem areas.

Please also consider:

-       The colour and pattern of material used to accentuate your design

-        What features does the trench coat have to make it a classic or a modern interpretation - Will it have a belt? Will it have power shoulders? Will it be double or single breasted or neither? Will it have cuffs? etc

-       How you see the trench being worn. Is it more a windbreaker or raincoat or simply a fashion piece.

We are looking to select a variety of trench coats that encapsulates classic tailoring with a modern twist, whilst adding flexibility to any woman’s wardrobe. Therefore, whether it is through cut, pattern, colour, material or detailing, it should be a trench that can be worn for day and night.

2. Important pricing considerations.

Prices must be finalised before the submission date

·      Retail price will be double your wholesale price.

·      Wholesale price (not retail) is what you will receive back in sales and this includes Fashion Enter’s 10% commission.

·      Please see wholesale price guidelines below

·      Please so not make your wholesale price more than half of the retail price.

If successfully chosen, designers will be working to lead times of 3 weeks. Please consider production. We recommend that you should produce through the workshop as we can accommodate the short lead times at competitive rates.  Members of Fashion Enter will receive members rates.

If you would like to know more about producing your sample in the fashion Enter Workshop, please contact Syreeta@fashion-enter.com

Fabric must be stock fabric!!! You need to use fabric that is available in large quantities as a requirement.

Pricing needs to be accurate and every detail needs to be considered.  

Please consider:

1.     Instead of lining you can bind the seam.

2.     You can still get great good quality fabrics that don’t cost a fortune.

3.     Consideration in every aspect can bring the cost down

4.     Make sure while you are being realistic with prices that this does not compromise the design or cheapen the look you had in mind

5.     While they are looking for something design lead bear in mind that it is for ready to wear and not the catwalk.

Wholesale Pricing guidelines.

·      Fabric

·      Finishing’s

·      Fastenings

·      Fabric

·      Brand neck tags

·      Care labels

·      Packaging

·      Manufacturing time multiplied by cost per hour

·      Other e.g. Printing, pleating etc.

·      Fashion Enter 10% commission

·      Profit

Do not include delivery

3. Please submit the following as part of your media pack with your entry.

- What type of trench is it? (Please factor in style, cut and overall design)

- Whom is this trench for? (Age bracket and body type should be factored in)

-What is your key design element that makes this trench different? (This could be pattern, use of material, detailing etc.)

- What is the reason for your design style? (This should be a detailed analysis of the trench coat – so anything from the detailing of the cuffs and buttons, to the choice of neckline, to the overall length in trench and fitting of it and more)

- What material have you used and why?

- Is there any detailing and why? Shoulders, doubled – breasted, single –breasted buttons, cuffs, belts etc 

- What would you name your trench coat?

- What inspired the design of your trench coat?

- Which designers have inspired you and your design?

- What is the best trench you have ever bought and from where?

– Care instructions. Needs to be functional and easily cleaned – as it could be an everyday wearable trench?

- Is the fabric versatile - would your fabric choice work in another colour, pattern (depending on the success of it, it might be worth having options for further production)

You will also need to provide:

1)    A sketch of your initial design

2)    A completed working sample made to a size 10 and a photo to accompany it – please follow the size guidelines as per Fashion Enter.(Any entry that does not do this will be void automatically)

3)    Your biography

4)    Please fill out the pricing form for your design (this is essential for your blouse to be considered for production)

5)    A care instructions form

6)    A picture of yourself

Good luck!

THE TRENCH

Hello everyone we hope your having a good start to the week and the rain is not dampening your spirits too much! We are working with BrandAlley to get the sale up and running on Le Lab from our first Monthly theme 'The Perfect Blouse'. 

We will be uploading the brief for our next project with BrandAlley shortly but until then here is some imagery to get your ideas flowing! Keep checking back to find out more. 

The Showroom Team x

THE TRENCH

Wow it has been an extremely busy few days here at the showroom, 12 hour days in the office have been fuelled with lots of coffee and chocolate! 


Monday saw the closing of our Perfect Blouse Competition with BrandAlley. We were extremely impressed with the level of applicants for the first of the BrandAlley bespoke collection projects. Yesterday we met with BrandAlley UK and BrandAlley France and selected the final designs. We have informed all applicants that were successful. If you have not been contacted unfortunately you were not successful. We thank you so much for your effort and strongly encourage you to enter the next competition!


We can now officially announce The next project from the BrandAlley Bespoke collection will be....

 ‘The Trench’

Now that the finalists have been chosen for the Perfect Blouse, we can now launch the ‘The trench’. A brief will be up on our website later this week so please remember check back for more details!

The Showroom Team,

Lynsay & Emma x

DESIGNER OF THE WEEK

BELLES OF LONDON 

Our new designer of the week is the cute and charming label 'Belles of London'. 

Be sure to check out their new blog and Twitter page. 

For more information about Belles of London and any other labels please contact: theshowroom@fashion-enter.com 

INTERN OPPORTUNITIES

We are looking for hard working and enthusiastic Interns to help us with the day-to-day running of our office and showroom. The candidate should be extremely passionate, dedicated and confident to get the job done! If you like to work and want some valuable experience in a fast paced fashion Company then send your CV and Covering letter to theshowroom@fashion-enter.com

Skills

Be good at sales

Highly Organised

Be able to work on own initiative

Good and confident telephone manner

Have a good eye for general design and aesthetics

Basic understanding of Photoshop and Illustrator

Tasks

General Admin and filing

Update social networking sites

Write articles and Press releases

Liaise with our designers

Liaise with press

Attend events to write articles on

Research imagery for trends

Produce graphics and imagery for our websites etc