LFW Day 1 A/W 13-14 Krystof -' Less is more' is perfect

I loved this silk and Viscose blouse top with billowing sleeves that reminded me of a gills of a fish or the movement of a sting ray in the oceon wave replicated as the model moved.

A stand out piece for me was this  texture layered dress, very flattering and stylish...

The Siren, by John William Waterhouse

Krystof Strozyna - Autumn Winter 2013

It is the first time that I have seen a Krystof by Krystof Strozyna collection. He graduated in 2007 from Central Saint Martins and was one of the winners of the Harrods Design awards.

Krystof is a designer who likes to combine new abstract prints each season with tailoring features that flatter the female form. This collection was inspired by aquatic life in all it's glory of simple and transient texture and shapes of eroded sand, coral and ship wrecks.

'The Siren' painting above by John William Waterhouse was the main inspiration for Krystof's colour Palette, utilizing the shades of green, grey , Burgundy, and black. 

The Krystof woman enjoys her femininity and is confident in her own skin. She is not afraid to be noticed however likes a laid back stylish sexiness that only works when the clothes are body con simple and classic.

Stand out pieces for me were the body con panelled dresses. I also loved the billowing open sleeved zip jacket / blouse in aquatic green silk and viscose, a perfect look for Winter 2013...

The 'less is more' Krystof style really appeals to me, this collection is very wearable and dare I say will appeal to the Jill Sander/ Chloe woman for it's timeless classic lines. It would be hard not to look good it those dresses. I look forward to next seasons collection with great interest. 

http://krystofstrozyna.com/

Copy Schelay McCarter

Photography Michael Harvey - pls credit

Student Art direction Project on location in London - CSM November 2012

An Editorial shoot organised by a proactive and talented group of 4 students on my Art Direction for Fashion course last year called 'Cold shoulder' for Bambi magazine. 
The location was Stoke Newington Cemetery.
The Model - Alina ( Premier )
The styling was taken in turns by the girls, Camilla Bonuglia, Veronica Pimental, Ludovica Quaratesi, Rosaria Vallesi
The clothes from a variety of different designer contacts in London.
Claudia, Ligan,Deimante, Meilune, Dino Bodici, Margiela, Llaria Lepore 
Photographer - Laura Cammarata
Make-up - Michelle Dachi Ho
Hair Ham Ishizaky

LFW A/W 13 - 14 Day 1 brilliant Belle Sauvage

Fabulous print design inspired by the golden maned head of the 'Birth of Venus'...

Right on trend the red cape finishes off the look perfectly

My favourite dress in the Belle Sauvage collection.

A powerful and cool collection with a rich and compelling colour palette in print and sumptuous fabric texture combinations 

Virginia Ferreira and Chris Neuman of Belle Sauvage

Belle Sauvage

I have been aware of Virginia Ferreira and Chris Neuman of Belle Sauvage for a few seasons now. The Belle Sauvage brand was launched in 2008 by this talented Italian Brit combination.

They define their market as aimed at high design boutiques and concept stores.....

Tapping into the print trend which has been very influential across the international fashion trend scape for a few seasons serves them well. 

The Freemasons Hall in Great Queen Street was the venue again for this popular design duo to show case their new seasons Autumn Winter 2013 - 14 offering. 

Stand out pieces were the Kaleidoscope baroque computer generated print dresses. Worthy of Prada the Renaissance inspired Birth of Venus repeat pattern signature print on an 'all in one' body suit was inspirational.... 

I loved the edgy street style elements of the collection such as the hooded jackets... this hip hop street style would look amazing worn by Jessie J.

Fans of this label have included Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Kelly Osbourne and The Ting Tings. 

The colour palette ranges from blacks, dark reds, rich purples and magenta with accents of silver, gold and white in printed heavy crepes, wool, taffetas and woven jacquards. Tailored pieces such as pencil skirts, blazers, A-line dresses with high collars and shirt dresses highlight on separates. Scarves also feature in every season. Voluptuous tunic dresses, fur collars and lace and leather trims add a sumptuous addition to the garments. 

The Belle Sauvage catwalk models looked brilliant, their hair in tight off the face swinging sashaying pony tails and bristling fringes were just the right styling touch to elevate this collection into one to take note of.... 

check out their website here...

http://www.belle-sauvage.co.uk/belle-sauvage-collections

Copy Schelay McCarter

Catwalk photography - Michael Harvey - pls credit

LFW A/W 13- 14 Day 2 Ashley Isham

Worthy of Burberry Ashley Isham's coats & jackets were the highlight of the collection for me !

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The Glamourous Freemasons hall in Covent Garden was the catwalk venue for this sophisticated collection

Ashley Isham 
Autumn Winter 2013 -14

The Freemason’s Hall was sizzling with anticipation as well as bursting at the seams with eager fashionisters hungry for their latest fashion fix in the form of the Ashley Isham Autumn Winter 13/14 Collection. I have been fortunate enough to be in a position to review his work objectively having seen Ashley’s work for the past 5 seasons.

This collection is without doubt his most sophisticated. He has developed a greater understanding of the Winter wardrobe needs of the Ashley Isham woman.

I loved the strong silhouette coats, jackets and capes inspired by a 1976 movie called “Logan's Run” and by the wonderfully thought provoking images of Helmut Newton. Helmut Newton was a German photographer whose images are provocative and erotically charged. This thread continued with the wonderful Isham signature drapery that has become epitomous with his work.

The collection has a sleek constructed quality that is glamorously futuristic for a woman who dares to be different with asymmetrical lines that have the deconstruct aspects of tailoring which is still precise. The pockets in skirts and dresses brings reality that reflects urban chic

The inspirational journey through Helmut Newton's erotically charged black and white photos translate to glamorous unconventional tailoring for daywear with hand embroidered epaulets that is body loving. There is an inky sheen to the luxurious wool that is modern yet feminine while drawing particular attention to the fifties couture silhouettes.

The stricking eveningwear is long, lean evening columns that surrendered to the translucence of porcelain under light to guarantee vigour and movement. The elaborate embroideries are so delicate that the beading appears almost invisible. It’s an ode to delicateness and luxury, this time rendered in tone on tone or silvery embroideries on lace and tulle of varying transparencies, hand crafted with a bespoke feel.

Ashley Isham uses exquisite materials such as; lace, guipure, lycra jersey, opulent velvet jersey, silk organza, silk chiffon, silk satin and cotton sateen.

Recognized for his signature draping and razor cut tailoring, Ashley Isham's distinctive blend of high-octane glamour and contemporary chic has won him an army of followers devoted to his vision and design philosophy.

Stocked at www.ashleyisham.co.uk

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Photography Steve Turvey –please credit