UK:British Fashion Council welcomes David Watts

 

David Watts has joined the British Fashion Council as Business Support Manager. His appointment underlines the BFC’s ongoing commitment to nurturing and supporting designer businesses. The BFC provides business support and mentoring as an integral part of all of its designer support schemes including BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund; BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad; NEWGEN, sponsored by Topshop; NEWGEN MEN, sponsored by TOPMAN and Fashion Forward, sponsored by Coutts & Co and The Mayor of London.

David will meet these supported designers on a one to one basis and will assist in co-ordinating access to the BFC’s consultants, BFC team members, professional services and the broader industry to provide more specialist support. Going forward, David will also seek to develop broader networking and knowledge sharing opportunities.

David’s career, spanning twenty five years in the fashion and creative sectors, has focussed on building sales, marketing and creative development brand strategies in the UK, USA and Japan. Most recently, David was responsible for running an ERDF funded fashion contract for the East London Small Business Centre, providing one to one business advice to fashion designers and UK fashion brands helping them develop tailor made business plans for sales growth in new markets.

Simon Ward, BFC COO, commented “David is a welcome and important addition to the British Fashion Council team. He has a track record of working with designer businesses and, through the BFC’s broader industry network, will be able to broaden access to knowledge and expertise for London’s leading emerging fashion designers.”  

France:Tsumori Chisato unveils S/S ’12 beach holiday collection

 

Japanese fashion designer Tsumori Chisato has unveiled spring-summer 2012 ready-to-wear collection in Paris. The beach holiday collection is in cotton and sequins.

The latest collection of Japanese knitwear queen Chisato include T-shirts with tufts of raffia and sequins, palm-emblazoned knit dresses, parasols and oversized straw hats. A blouse with a cartoon Carmen Miranda worn with a pair of mini bloomers or a stretchy miniskirt also forms a part of the collection.

Chisato, known for her wacky knitwear, began her career with Issey Miyake in 1997. She started her own line in 1990, and in 2003, she took her work to Paris. Today, she has a following in the United States too and her work focuses on prints and bohemian cuteness.
 

UK:Two fashion shows aim to change face of fashion & modeling

 

Models of Diversity are holding a charitable fashion show Curves in Couture on 17 November 2011 at Tabernacle W11 (Notting Hill, London) for the fuller-figured woman. This catwalk extravaganza is a fundraiser for our sponsored charity The Advance Centre, a wonderful organization that helps the families of brain-damaged children. The show is supported by the British Fashion Council, and CEO of the BFC Caroline Rush will attend the event. As the main patron of The Advance Centre, the Countess Sondes will attend as well.

First will come The Diversity Show featuring Models of Diversity’s professional models of different sizes, shapes, heights and ability levels in all colours and races, sporting the latest in ready to wear fashion. Then Kelly Knox, winner of the BBC’s Britain's Missing Top Model, will open the high-fashion show Curves in Couture, with top international curvy plus models such as Robyn Lawley, fresh off the cover of Vogue Italia, in sizes 14-18.

The models will wear couture, from both up & coming designers like Danielle Liane and Miss Lacy, and established design houses such as Anna Scholz and Jill Alexander, who will be flying over from California to premiere her fabulous Spring 2012 collection at the show.

We have 2 special celebrity guests, including ‘Dancing on Ice’ star Brianne Delcourt, presenting the event, and some fabulous entertainment planned. In addition to national and local press including a documentary on Sky TV for ‘Make Me a Supermodel’ and the BFC’s own press invite list, The Dish Network, the 2nd largest cable company in North America, will broadcast the event to over 16 million homes. All proceeds from the show benefit The Advance Centre.

This will be the first time that a plus-only catwalk show of this prestige has occurred in the UK, so we're going to make a really big splash in the press about it. We all know that curvy models are still not being used in the mainstream of fashion and our extensive street surveys and petitions prove that people definitely want to see a change in the industry.

The public has shown time and time again to be frustrated with the unrealistic images of the ‘Size Zero’ trend and with over 45% of the UK female population being a size 16 or higher, we know the time is right for a show like this.

Curves in Couture Sponsors and Media Partners include: The Dish Network, Blooming Fabulous Media, Evolve Magazine, Sugar Group, Beautiful Magazine, Glacéau Vitamin Water, Navabi, Judgement of Paris, Valentino's Dog Boutique, Vitabiotics Wellwoman,Signature Inspirations, Black Pig Catering, Plus-Size-Tall

Curves in Couture Designers: Jill Alexander, Anna Scholz, Jose Hendo, Ilda Di Vico Couture Milliner, Miss Lacy, Danielle Liane, Navabi, Renaissance Creative Designs, Kiss My Cherry

Curves in Couture Styling Team: Stylist Francesca Salih, Catwalk Trainer/ Choreographer Shelagh Brayshaw, Hair by Goodman & Brooks  

UAE:JYK Fashion Week in November

 

JYK Fashion Week will be held at JYK Fashion House Al Mina Road, opp. Capitol Hotel on the date of 2nd - 5th November, 2011.

The boutique stokes collections of many famous fashion designers from around the globe; including India, Pakistan and UAE.

The collections include Asian ethnics, Western Formals, Traditional Islamic wear and Casuals women's and men's wear.; as well as designer Shoes, Jewellery, Hand bags and other Accessories.

Owned by Indian Fashion Designer & Stylist Juhi Yasmeen Khan, who have got over 15 years industry experience, JYK Fashion House is the first fashion boutique in the Gulf to have it's own fashion Ramp.

Fashion Business Club Dubai (FBCD) is the first industry membership operating organization of its kind in the UAE and Middle East Region, that is aiming to represent, develop, support and grow the regional Apparel and Fashion Design industry sectors, such as: Emerging and Established Designers/ Brands; as well as: Regional & International Media, Buyers, Buying & Sales Agents, Retailers, Fashion Boutiques, Fashion Design Students and Stylists.

FBCD is the ideal platform for the growing regional industry professionals that facilitate its members corporate association within the region's as well as international industry organizations through business support and market intelligence, networking, educational structure and development and promotion of the of the regional talent internationally and international talent in the region

FBCD main objective is to create and maintain the worldwide industry standards within Middle East Region, as well as development of professional culture to comply with the global market and standards and to take regional fashion globally.

JYK Fashion Week is the ideal platform for the up-and- coming designers and established brands to mark their presence on the local market.

JYK Fashion Week provides great opportunity for the designers/ brands to not only showcase their talent directly to the high profile end consumers, but also the opportunity to be featured in the local and regional media and have direct access to the UAE based buyers.

JYK Fashion Week is the "door" to the world of opportunities for the brands and designers who are looking for ideal platform to showcase their creativity in from of the regional fashion industry professionals.

Event Highlights:
Four Days Fashion Show
One Month Post-Event Designers Exhibition
PR Campaign
Local Media Partners
Over 15 International & Local Designers/ Brands on one

Platform:
Wide Media Coverage and Brand Promotion
Social Media Promotional Campaigns
Designers Participation Information
Participation is open to all Designers/ Brands Worldwide

Participation categories:
Women's Wear, Men's wear Accessories, Jewelry, Ethnic Wear, Traditional Muslim Wear, Bridal & Evening Wear, ,Prêt-a-porter,Haute Couture, Cocktail Wear (Cocktail Couture)  

USA:Elena V Designs in New Jersey Fashion Week runway

 

On October 9, 2011, Elena Vasilevsky, designer for Elena V Designs, will be showing two collections at this year’s New Jersey Fashion Week Event.

Momentum for men and women, multifunctional and hip active wear collection, and Essentials for men and women. Modern day versatile silhouettes for day into the night lifestyle.

Elena V’s Collections will be presented on October 9, 2011 at 5.PM at the W Hotel in Hoboken New Jersey in the Chandelier Room.

Born in Ukraine, Elena grew up in New York. After graduating Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, Elena explored several artistic challenges and business endeavors. Her intense creativity, passion and discipline helped her experiment with different career moves and develop various talents in both, Fashion and Entertainment Industries.

Since starting her own label, Elena combined the diverse energy of Manhattan with timeless European elegance and sensual Latin flavor to create her collections.

"My designs express my soul and passion for dancing. Every piece of my collection contains a piece of my soul. My main source of inspiration comes from the natural energy of the people, global majority, dancing, music and variety of artistic elements that define my personal style and my life. My creations reveal personalities and allow individuals to refine their own unique beauty, highlighting individuality regardless of perfect proportions."

Her Couture Collection “Rays Of Sun” won her “Best Designer” at the vitamin water inspired Fashion Show, in June 2011.

Elena’s Current Projects:
Couture Collection of cocktail evening dresses, will be shown in February 2012, at the New York Couture Show in Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Elena Vasilevsky is an Executive Producer and Wardrobe Designer in Mambo-2Mambo “The Movie” to be released in Spring 2012. Directed and written by David F. Smith.  

India:Rohit Gandhi - Rahul Khanna fitting WIFW SS'12 grand finale

 

Wills Lifestyle, ITC’s premium fashion brand, presented a grand preview of the Wills Lifestyle Grand Finale Collection by Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna for Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, Spring-Summer 2012. Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna is the Wills Lifestyle Grand Finale designer at the forthcoming Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, Asia’s biggest and India’s premiere fashion & trade event.

This season the two pioneers in style and innovation come together to set benchmarks in creativity and fashion. The designer twosome will also create an exclusive collection for Wills Lifestyle inspired by the grand finale theme that will be retailed from Wills Lifestyle stores across the country in April 2012.

The first edition of the exclusive Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Line was designed by Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna 5 years ago. Since then, Wills Signature has grown to be the largest corporate ramp to rack collaboration. Wills Lifestyle celebrates the successful partnership with the designer duo this year with a splendid grand finale for WIFW SS’12.

The grand finale collection called ‘The Theatre of Illusions’ promises to present a whisper of seduction and a promise of excitement. This is a collection that is quintessentially modern yet uniquely original with the signature of the designers that is their very own style.

Atul Chand, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC’s Lifestyle Retailing Business Division, said, “Wills Lifestyle Grand Finale is a mix of fashion, drama and entertainment. The grand finale has always set new benchmarks in creativity and has showcased the best of Indian fashion talent.”

“We have completed 5 years of collaboration with Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna and it has been a successful partnership and our customers have appreciated their collection. Wills Lifestyle is delighted to announce Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna will be the Wills Lifestyle Grand Finale designer for the forthcoming edition of WIFW.”

Mr. Sunil Sethi, President, FDCI said, “I am excited to announce Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna as our grand finale designer duo at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2012. As one of the most popular and successful designer duos in the country and my personal favorite, they are sure to bring a contemporary collection elevated by unconventional style and innovative cuts. Their collection is bound to be a stunner.”

Speaking on the occasion, Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna said, “It is indeed an honor and privilege to be the Wills Lifestyle grand finale designer once again. The Indian fashion industry being at a very promising stage and making an impression on the global fashion map requires steady support from corporates like ITC to grow, and it is great to see Wills Lifestyle’s collaboration with the fashion fraternity to take the celebration of the event to their consumers continuously.”

“The Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week platform is a powerful one and we hope to be able to create a collection that will delight the patrons of the label. It is a significant engagement between both the brands and I am sure the audiences will be thrilled to view the show and access the creations on display.”
 

USA:Premiere of Il Teatro alla Moda - Theater in Fashion

 

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the United States premiere of Il Teatro alla Moda - Theater in Fashion, the first exhibition to explore Italy's famous haute couture designers and their impact on the stages of opera, dance and theater.

Over 80 costumes, sketches and drawings from Giorgio Armani, Roberto Capucci, Enrico Coveri, Fendi, Alberta Ferretti, Romeo Gigli, Antonio Marras, Missoni, Emanuel Ungaro, Valentino and Gianni Versace will be on display in Beverly Hills to celebrate the current transformation of the Italian Renaissance Beverly Hills Post Office into a distinctive performing arts venue and to honor the designers' contributions to the performing arts.

The exhibition will have a limited 4-week run from October 14 – November 13, 2011. While the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is under construction, the exhibit will be on display at 253 North Beverly Drive on the ground floor of the new MGM Place, which will be converted into a temporary gallery. Hours are Wednesday-Friday noon- 7 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Annenberg will open in the Fall 2013.

Curated by Massimiliano Capella of Musei Mazzucchelli in Brescia, Italy, Il Teatro alla Moda - Theater in Fashion has been previously exhibited in Rome (Museo del Corso November - December 2010), Brescia (Musei Mazzucchelli January – April, 2011) and Milan (Palazzo Morando, May – July, 2011). It will be on display at the Villa Manin in the outskirts of Venice July 20-November 4, 2012.

"The relationship between theater and fashion has allowed the designers to leave their own unique mark on theatrical events," said Curator Capella. "These designers brought their signature styles and their love of the arts to the stage to capture the essence of the characters in the productions. The distinctive look of each house is apparent in these works for the stage."

Highlights of the exhibition include costumes from the following productions:
Giorgio Armani: Soul
Roberto Capucci: Tribute to Maria Callas, Capriccio
Enrico Coveri: The Great Gatsby
Fendi: La Traviata, Carmen
Alberta Ferretti: Carmen
Romeo Gigli: The Magic Flute
Antonio Marras: Midsummer Night's Dream
Missoni: Lucia di Lammermoor
Ungaro: The Clemency of Titus
Valentino: The Dream of Valentino
Gianni Versace: Salome, Capriccio, Dionysos, Doktor Faustus

"When the Annenberg opens, we hope to become a center of creativity and collaboration for artists, where young and old can experience first class performances of theater, dance and music; where new work and educational programming will inspire, enlighten and challenge; but most of all, where artists can create and share their passion," concludes Executive Director Lou Moore.