Introducing: Sophia Grace

Last week during my day of adventures I met the lovely Anne of Stylist and the city. I couldn't help but notice the fabulous dress she was wearing and compliment her on it. She then introduced me to Sophia Grace. The born and bred Londoner is self-taught designer and should be on your radar. If, like me, you like timeless classic pieces that are in no way boring, than she's your woman. Here are few of my favourite pieces (Anne wore the white shift), but check out Sophia's website to see more.
Have a stylish day.

Introducing: Danny Tang

Danny Tang was born in Malaysia, where he excelled in Fashion studies and started working with a fashion designer when he was 16. He moved to London in 2004, where he attended London College of Fashion and worked as a succesful freelance designer and stylist. In 2009 he launched his label Danny Tang, initially a line of accessories, that was so popular that it led to designing a full clothing line.
His debut AW 10 collection was shown with the help of Vauxhall Fashion Scout and was a huge success. He now shows internationally at New York, London, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo.
The SS 12 collection was inspired by Danny's travels through Japan. The sculptural designs were influenced by Japanese architecture. Danny Tang's signatures like texture, volume of fabrics and combinations of hard and soft outlines are well visible. All finished with delicate hand beading, the result is quite striking. Here are some pictures of outfits I loved at a press day, but make sure you check out DT's website too.
Have a stylish day.

Introducing: Flik Hall

Flik Hall is definitely one to watch. After graduating at Central St. Martins and interning at names like House of Holand and Giles, she decided to start her own label in 2009. Her love for digital print is very visible and it's one of the things she's known for. Flik worked closely with octopus for her jewellery line, which she also designs, and it inspired her SS 12 collection. You can expect structured pieces in mostly soft muted colours. It's very romantic but full of contrasts, combining feminine fabrics with leather and neoprene.
When I saw the collection up close, it looked so equisite, I loved every piece. You can see how many pictures I took. The attention to detail is great. Flik's label is still very new, but she has already plans for footwear and much more. So far her work has been featured in Vogue Turkey, Elle US, Grazia, InStyle to name just a few and I think there will be many more in 2012. Stay tuned.
Have a stylish day.

Introducing: Funlayo Deri

Funmilayo Csilla Deri is Nigerian born, London/Budapest based designer, who launched her label in March 2011. With two collections under her belt, you can already expect big things from her.
Hers are real stand out pieces, without being over the top, more in classy timeless way made in luxurious fabric with great cut. The signatures are great attention to detail and interesting detailing like cut outs.
The Labour of Love collection is full of draped, structured, asymmetric and fitted dresses and separates in silks, lace and leather, they are supposed to make you look and feel great and feel nice on the skin. Think rich colours and textures. Amazing!
Watch out for my interview with Funmilayo coming up soon.
Have a stylish day.

Introducing: Tramp in Disguise

If you like colourful, fun, youthful clothes, you need to know about Tramp in Disguise. That is, if you haven't heard about this label already. Founded in 2010 by Finnish born Sini Moilanen, who got a BA in fashion textile design from University of Brighton and masters in knitwear from Royal College of Art. She loves colour and uses a lot of digital print, which is one of her signature. Her edgy designs caught the eye of Vauxhall Fashion Scout with whom she showed in Paris and London. It's all very impressive for such a new label. I'm going to be interviewing with her soon to see what she's up to next. Stay tuned.
Have a stylish day.

Introducing: Lako Bukia

In the recent weeks I've discovered quite a few amazing new designers and I'll be introducing them over the coming months. If you, like me, are interested in new talent, you're in for a treat.

First of them is Georgia born Lako Bukia. After studying design back home, she continued her studies in Milan and London both at LCF and CSM. Her signature are strong silouetthes, luxurious fabrics and attention to detail.

For SS 12 you can expect lot of chiffon, silk and light wool and for the first time she introduced hand-drawn flower print, which is absolutely striking. The inspiration behind this collection was Asian culture and architecture, you can definitely see the influences and it just looks great.

Lako is based in London and all her clothes are produced in UK. She's highly acclaimed by the international press and I expect to hear a lot more about her. Check her awesome page here.
Have a stylish day.

Indtroducing: Clemency London

The background of Alison Clemency-Buddenhagen, the designer behind Clemency, is rather impressive. She studied Fashion Design at London's Central St. Martins and Fine Art at Parsons in New York. She worked as a Designer and Creative director for Armani, Calvin Klein, Trussardi, Katherine Hamnett, Joseph and Burberry before launching Clemency London. As if that wasn't enough she can also put a music journalist on her CV.
You'd expect great things from a person like this and you wouldn't be mistaken. Her designs are the perfect cool pieces that fit into any wardrobe. The SS12 collection is full of great separates for effortless dressing. I'm especially loving her colourful leather jackets with the hot pink one being my favourite (no surprise there). Stocked at Harvey Nichols and YoungBritishDesigners.com among others, you'll find you want to buy it all. And no one would blame you.
Have a stylish day.

Introducing: Imogen Belfield - the interview!

You may remember Imogen Belfield from my jewelled Wednesday post. This young lady caused quite a stir at London Fashion Week with her amazing collection and was named by Vogue.com as best new talent. I fell in love with her jewellery instantly. She creates stand out, statement pieces, that everyone should include in their accessories collection. I was lucky to meet this talented girl and she agreed to answer few questions for me. I'm happy to be bringing you this exclusive interview today. Make sure you remember her name as I expect we will be hearing a lot about her!

First of all tell me what you've been up to since Fashion Weeks? How was Paris?
Fashion week was amazing, and to show at London and Paris for the first was an incredible experience. We had an amazing write up by Vogue.com, naming our jewellery collection as best new talents from fashion week. Since Paris 2 weeks ago it has been non-stop.

I was showing with Vauxhall Fashion Scout in both Paris and London, and it was incredible to be sitting alongside such talented and some very established designers.


What are your plans/goals for the future of your brand?
I'm already planning my next collection, with ideas whizzing around my head...so watch this space!!!
Future goals and plans for my business are just to keep growing, and expanding. I am still very new to the industry so I am learning all the time, and am lucky to work with some incredible people who have already offered amazing advice and help.


What inspires you/keeps you motivated?
What inspires me,
Countryside, space, sunshine, architecture and landscape...
Everyday something new and exciting happens, that's enough to be motivated, I am very excited about how everything is evolving with the business.


What are your favourite trends for summer?
Gold tones, layered and stacked jewellery, geometric patterns and form would be my key trends for spring summer.

Have you got any role model and who?
There are a lot of designers I admire, Shaun Leane's collections never cease to amaze.


And last what's next for Imogen Belfield?
Next up is to develop my collection, you may be seeing some larger sculptural pieces in the next seasons collections! And of course lots of raw stones and gems....

Thanks for answering my questions and good luck with everything.
Have a stylish day.

Introducing: Nancy Van Ostren AW 11

As promised before, I'm bringing you more pictures from the AW 11 collection by Nancy Van Ostren. I absolutely fell in love with her structural designs. The AW colour palette is mostly black, white and pink (yay:)) and few bits of petrol blue. Her signature use of embellishment adds interesting detailing. The shapes are very architectural, origami inspired. Working her way up at Zandra Rhodes, Jasper Conran and Burberry, her debut AW 10 collection was a hit. And judging by her latest designs, I expect to hear a lot about her! So make sure you remember this name now.
Have a stylish day.