USA:FIDM’s Christensen stars on new season of Project Runway

 

Twenty-nine year old Joshua Christensen, who hails from Snohomish, Washington, left a career in banking to pursue his love of fashion. The menswear designer is a graduate of FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising’s Fashion Design (A.A.) program and a current student in the fashion school’s Advanced Study Fashion Design program.

So when did the Los Angeles resident realize that he had designer potential? “When I started school and I started draping and my work started getting noticed,” says Joshua whose favorite designers include Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford, Christopher Bailey of Burberry, and Kean Etro. “If I can think of a design, I can figure out a way to construct.”

Starring alongside Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, and a variety of celebrity judges, Joshua designed a modified capelet with a hood and short shorts for the first challenge. When not taping the show, he designs for the Alastaire Grey label and says that a dream client would be David Beckham. Joshua says he’s inspired by everything from Korean pop music to films and loves an all-American look.

“I’m focused and driven,” he adds. “It’s not about being on TV. It’s about being a designer. Plus, I have years of pent-up creativity waiting to be unleashed.” In addition to being the West Coast home of Project Runway, FIDM has seen numerous alumni appear on the hit Lifetime show such as Nick Verreos, Raymundo Baltazar, Daniel Franco, Guadalupe Vidal, Santino Rice, Sarah Trost, Johnny Sakalis, Serena de Conceicao, and Season Five winner Leanne Marshall.

FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a co-educational, specialized, private college dedicated to educating students for the Fashion, Graphics, Interior Design, and Entertainment industries. Known as a one of the top fashion design schools, FIDM is also a leading graphic design school and digital media college.  

South Africa:Positive Heroes Annual Fashion Show

 

Springleap in collaboration with Cape Town Fashion Council (CTFC) and HIV/AIDS NGO Positive Heroes, will be hosting a design competition with a conscience in anticipation of the Positive Heroes Annual Fashion Show, to be held in Cape Town in October 2011. This event and the ‘Inspire Courage’ design competition both aim to shine a light on the stigma and shame that still surround HIV/AIDS.

Sue Wildish (Executive Director of Positive Heroes) explains, “Our aim is to emphasise the idea that ‘Living Positively and Fashionably’ is entirely possible if you manage your status. Our collaboration with Springleap.com gives us a unique opportunity to create greater awareness and understanding of HIV, and the people who live with it – and to do it in style.”

“By challenging the Springleap design community to use their skills around the theme of ‘Inspire Courage‘, we offer them an opportunity to help inspire courage in anyone affected by HIV. “Regardless of their status”, commented Springleap CEO, Eran Eyal. Designs should illustrate courage in daily life, a positive outlook, and show how acceptance is key to ending the stigma around the HIV epidemic. Designs should embody the Positive Heroes concept of “ordinary people living extraordinary lives”, and should inspire people to get tested, to seek or offer support, take their medication, and live in an atmosphere free of fear, shame and discrimination.

Bryan Ramkilawan, CTFC CEO, believes, “Positive Heroes offers a completely different approach to dealing with HIV/AIDS. Their message is one of hope and inclusion. Therefore it was a simple decision for the Cape Town Fashion Council to partner and support the process. The awareness campaign and funds generated by the collaboration will be of tremendous benefit to the Positive Heroes initiatives. I am confident that the design community engaging with the project will create greater social awareness around this cause.”

A design panel comprising Positive Heroes, Springleap and CTFC members, as well as industry experts, will choose the top 3 designs that best illustrate these concepts. The winner will be rewarded with R10 000 in cash, with two runners up each receiving R2 000 in cash. Winning designs will be displayed and worn by the Heroes and volunteers at The Fashion Event (held in partnership with the City of Cape Town), which will take place at the Cape Town Civic Centre on the 27 October 2011. Some of the top designs overall will also be printed on A0 canvas and auctioned off for charity as once-off art pieces.

Designers can get started on their designs by heading to www.springleap.com from August 3, 2011 for the full competition brief. Submissions will run from August 3 to 19 September 2011.

Positive Heroes’ goal is to challenge the stigma and fear surrounding HIV. We do this by drawing on the power that positive role models, living with HIV, have to change people’s minds and responses to an epidemic of silence and shame. Our Heroes come from all walks of life and from a wide range of communities both urban and rural. By involving these positive role models in a wide variety of activities at various levels, we are able to promote an acceptance and understanding of HIV and diminish fear, shame, stigma and discrimination. Allowing us to normalise the disease and balance the fear that surrounds HIV/AIDS with hope.  

India:LFW broadens horizon for business of fashion in India

 

Lakmé Fashion Week announced the lineup of a record number of 87 designers and 10 sponsors participating this season in the upcoming Lakmé Fashion Winter/Festive 2011. As thought leaders and pioneers promoting the business of fashion in India, LFW has always set new trends and brought forth business propellers for its stakeholders in the form of international tie-ups, e-commerce or taking a step forward in the digital era. Rohit Bal, industry veteran, will be kick starting Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011 with a grand show for the offsite at Tote. This season will also see the selection of an LFW designer who will go on to represent India at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week – Berlin - Autumn Winter 2012, in January. The Lakmé Grand Finale will be presented by iconic designer Manish Malhotra who will be interpreting the new cosmetic range ‘Lakmé Absolute’ by Lakmé for the LFW Grand Finale. Some Key Highlights of LFW Winter/Festive 2011:

‘THE SOURCE’ GETS BIGGER AND MORE DYNAMIC – In an endeavor to drive the Business of Fashion and meet the demands of an ever increasing buyer demand, “The Source”, the business hub at LFW will be completely revamped. This season - Winter/Festive 2011 will see an increase in the number of designers exhibiting as well as designer and buyer related activities throughout the day

TALENT BOX: DESIGNER COLLECTION PREVIEWS AT ‘THE SOURCE’– In line with international fashion weeks, and for the first time in India and LFW history, exhibiting designers will have the opportunity to showcase their designs in a second preview show area located directly in ‘The Source’

OFFSITE SHOW WITH ROHIT BAL - The third edition of the offsite show will see veteran designer Rohit Bal showcase a full collection for the first time at Lakmé Fashion Week. This show that marks the beginning of LFW will be opulent in concept and high on creative design at Tote, Mumbai on August 16, 2011

GEN NEXT PROGRAM – Entering its twelfth season, the LFW Gen Next program, will continue to be mentored by renowned Designer and Stylist Aki Narula. This season 8 extraordinary designers from across the country will showcase their debut collections.

LFW DESIGNER TO BE SELECTED FOR MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK - BERLIN - At LFW Winter/Festive 2011, one designer will be selected by a special jury of prominent members from the fashion fraternity to represent India at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week – Berlin - Autumn Winter 2012 in January. The platform will not only support the selected designer in presenting the runway show but will ensure that the opportunity is leveraged effectively in representing India internationally.

MANISH MALHOTRA TO SHOWCASE AT THE LAKME GRAND FINALE – Lakmé introduces ‘Lakmé ABSOLUTE’ the high performance long-wear makeup range as the new color cosmetic range for the season. This collection will be interpreted by iconic designer Manish Malhotra at the Lakmé Grand Finale for Winter/Festive 2011.

For more details Click here .  

Australia:Founder of Two Deck to address Conference of Fashion Incubators

 

The Third International Conference of Fashion Incubators will be held at the Parmelia Hilton in Perth from the 11th until the 13th of September 2011. Mike Todd, Founder of Two Deck, helps steer and develop dynamic business partnerships with tight bonds, which drive brand values, generate sales growth and create thriving companies.

The conference is being hosted by community organisations Textile Clothing Footwear Resource Centre of WA (TCFWA), designedge Fashion Incubator, TCF Global and the Belmont BEC. These organisations provide those in the fashion, TCF creative industries access to business workshops, online mentoring, forums, industry cluster networks, and national and global linkages to other small businesses operating in the textile, clothing, footwear & leather industry across Australia and around the globe.

The 3rd International Conference of Fashion Incubators will offer new opportunities for fashion business educators and fashion trade events from around the globe to network, discuss best practice and expand global designer marketing and promotional opportunities. The Conference will aim to build on past successful conferences of International Fashion Incubators held in UK and USA. It will assist the growth and development of fashion industry business educators and those that nurture and support emerging designers, as well as elevating Perth on the international fashion stage.

The event will present challenging speakers at the forefront of the industry as well as a range of practitioners willing to share their experiences and expertise, exhibitors and great opportunities for global networking. The Conference will also announce the establishment of an International Fashion Incubator Organisation.

Conference Convenor, Carol Hanlon said “We are excited that Mike Todd the founder of Two Deck will be addressing the 3rd International Conference of Fashion Incubators in Perth in September 2011. Mike will address the conference on the challenges of going International and expanding your business beyond the territory of a locally developed market.”

Mike Todd started his professional life by embarking upon the adventure of becoming a submariner. Since then he has helped to steer many multi-national companies and brands to the success and international recognition, and his global positions have taken him across the world to experience firsthand the practices, pitfalls and possibilities of the international markets.

Two Deck offer a full range of brand, distribution and people related consulting services.  

USA:Meb Keflezighi endorses SKECHERS brand

 

SKECHERS USA Inc, a global leader in the footwear industry and the number two athletic footwear brand in the United States, announced that it has signed an agreement with distance runner Meb Keflezighi to endorse SKECHERS Fitness performance footwear and apparel in a worldwide multiple-medium marketing campaign.

Keflezighi will be running in the World Marathon Majors (including the 2011 ING New York City Marathon), road races, and Olympic Trials through August 2012 exclusively in SKECHERS Fitness performance footwear featuring the Company’s innovative SmartShoe mid-foot strike technology for serious athletes and active enthusiasts. Keflezighi will also be consulting on the development of performance product and SKECHERS expects to coordinate the launches of exciting new competition-ready running lines with his professional racing appearances.

“SKECHERS’ new performance shoes change the way I run for the better,” said Keflezighi. “I’ve been a heel strike runner my entire life, but I am now wearing SKECHERS to maximize the efficiency of my foot strike. My shoes are my most essential piece of equipment and right now SKECHERS has the footwear I need to succeed. I’m excited to be partnering with this groundbreaking company.”

“Meb is a rock star in the running world and the fact that he trusts our revolutionary running product to carry him across the finish line is a huge win for our position in the performance arena,” added SKECHERS president Michael Greenberg. “As an Olympian and professional athlete, Meb brings real gravitas to SKECHERS performance footwear that will inspire runners around the world to experience our mid-foot strike technologies for themselves.”

Meb Keflezighi gained international attention when he beat the odds to win a silver medal in the marathon after a dramatic race at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Seventy days later, he placed second in the prestigious 2004 ING New York City Marathon. Despite a potentially career-ending injury during the 2008 Olympic Trials, Meb surprised the track and field world again by winning the 2009 ING New York City Marathon—the first American to do so in 27 years. Currently the most decorated United States distance runner, Meb is the former American record holder in the 10,000 meters, a 20-time national champion, and the greatest distance runner in UCLA history.

In 2010, Meb released his inspiring autobiography, “Run To Overcome” (Tyndale House Publishers). He’s also the founder of the MEB Foundation—an organization that promotes “Maintaining Excellent Balance” through healthy action and positive lifestyle choices to school-aged children.

SKECHERS Fitness’ campaign with Meb Keflezighi is planned for a Holiday 2011 launch, and will include print, television, outdoor, in-store and online marketing as well as event appearances for SKECHERS fitness footwear and apparel.

The SKECHERS Fitness Group offers athletic footwear that features numerous cutting-edge patented technologies for running, training and walking. With a wide range of styles released under Resistance, Shape-ups and Tone-ups lines, SKECHERS Fitness products meet the needs of everyone from the casual enthusiast to the serious athlete. Currently in development, the new performance running and training footwear will debut for Holiday 2011. Men’s and Women’s SKECHERS Fitness lines are available in sporting goods, department and specialty athletic stores around the world.

SKECHERS USA Inc, based in Manhattan Beach, California, designs, develops and markets a diverse range of footwear for men, women and children under the SKECHERS name, as well as under several uniquely branded names.  

UK:Stitch Menswear to join forces with Spirit again

 

Spirit Young Fashion returns with the hottest line-up of progressive and on-trend fashion brands from across the globe. Along with top labels, Spirit presents buyers with inspiring catwalks, essential seminars from industry leaders, celebrities and exciting features. Stitch Menswear will join forces with Spirit again, offering buyers and retailers a one stop shop for creative young fashion.

The infamous, Lee Jeans will be making a debut this August. The American denim icon highlights its 122 years of denim authority at Spirit Young Fashion by showcasing a selection of its best in class fits and finishes. This season’s collection has been inspired by the sun, sea, surf and cities of California. The softest hand denim in faded, worn and vintage finishes, promise the wearer quality and effortless cool.

A key highlight is Lee's premium women's offering 'Lee Stretch Deluxe' that delivers jeans that are fashion-right, comfortable and ultra flattering for a confident, sexy look in a great range of washes. The brand also presents a wide range of coloured denim in bold, bright and pop colours for a fresh, optimistic and fun look.

From the prim and ladylike 1950s through to the care-free 1970s, Pepe Jeans London’s spring ’12 collection puts a directional spin on the season’s biggest trend stories. Modern looks find city-slick urban girls getting a preppy makeover with a washed-out vacation vibe providing a feminine take on the essential holiday collection.

Other top brands not to be missed include Punky Fish, ONLY, Jeepers Peepers, Quiksilver, Vacant, Angeleye and Rinascimento.

Ultra feminine, fashion forward collections from the likes of Katie Prices’ label Day 22, which will be showing exclusively at Spirit Young Fashion; Me + Thee, Vila, Vero Moda, Only, Molly Bracken, Forever Unique, By Jam, Glamorous, Sugarhill Boutique, Max C and numph will all sit alongside new brands Little Mistress.

Regular favourite, Yumi ‘s Spring Summer 12 collection offers a range of key trends from flora and fauna inspired prints to retro styling while Tofu’s forthcoming collection is inspired by 1960’s chic and the Jazz and French beatnik scene.

Mina’s new collection combines prints and intrinsic detailing with the brands signature vintage look. The use of tartan, autumnal florals and a deep earthy colour palette as well as velvet and lace, the collection is elegant and sophisticated, ideal for the party season!

New to Spirit Young Fashion, IOWEYOU will present their unique, handmade apparel based on fabrics which are hand-woven in India. Each textile is unique which provides the end buyers with the ability to trace the production process from the finished goods right back to the weaver that hand-wove the fabric. Each piece tells a story of how the item was created and of the people involved.

This season, Spirit Young Fashion will be revealing a new section dedicated to niche designers in response to recent research and communication with visitors. Buyers to the show are looking for new emerging designers for their stores to provide a point of difference, especially in the current tough retail climate.
 

UK:Katie Price to appear on Spirit catwalk with Day 22

 

On Sunday 7th August 2011, the hotly-anticipated SS12 collection from Katie Price’s label, Day 22, will be on show at Pure London’s young fashion section, Spirit in Earls Court 2.

Leading business woman and model Katie Price will be showcasing her own premium fashion and accessories brand, Day 22. Katie has worked closely with renowned British fashion designer Lamis Khamis to develop and create the SS12 collection after its highly successful launch at Pure London in February.

Bright girly tones, beautiful soft fleece fabrics, vibrant prints, motifs and styles that are comfortable; Day 22 has been designed to appeal to a board range of females. The range is fresh and forever changing in shapes with new limited edition designs added every month.

On Sunday 7th August at 1.30pm Katie Price will appear on the Spirit catwalk show on the main stage. This will be followed by a Q&A seminar with Katie on the success of the brand since its launch in February.

Day 22 will be exhibiting at Spirit Young Fashion in Earls Court 2.