GOING GAGA FOR VERSACE

Has there been a Versace reincarnation? According to Reutors.com Versace has been vetting offers from investors who are interested in a minority stake, mainly to fuel growth for the brand. Versace was at its peak of interest in the 1990’s becoming the go to brand of the decade. We can all remember that notorious safety pin dress worn by Liz Hurley. The death of the founder Gianni Versace came as a great shock to the fashion world and the Versace family. Sister Donatella has been at the helm ever since in a steady climb back to the top. Recently the brand has hit the headlines with London based designer J.W Anderson designer the diffusion line ‘VERSUS’. Rapper M.I.A has also collaborated with the brand bringing the infamous 90’s style back to life and recently it has been announced Lady Gaga has become the face of Versace. It looks like the brand is back on top!

The rise of the fourth Conglomerate.

Hong Kong based Fung Capital, the investment company run by Li & Fung have announced the acquirement of tailoring house Kiljour. This is not the only Saville Row brand that the Fung family have purchased.  Gieves and Hawkes and Hardy Amies are a number of Saville Row brands to be scooped up by the firm. The New York Times reported “Gieves and Hawkes has its largest customer base in China and has been gathering a tailor’s knowledge of these new clients.” One could argue that supply should follow demand and if there is a larger market in east Asia for British heritage goods then perhaps investors in this region will have a better understanding on how to capitalise on their home market. This also breaks up the market share between the LVMH and Kerring power struggle, and about time too I say!

GFW ones to watch - Patricia Williams @ Ravensbourne

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inspiration for the nation.

The rise of luxury and the uber riche.

British Luxury brand burberry have released a better than expected pre-tax profit of 14%. This is heavily due to growth in Asian markets and other BRIC economies. It is also said that retail sales account for 71% of Burberry Revenue.There has become an increased an increased numbers of Middle Class families and single high income workers. Their spending behaviors differ as the new singletons have a higher percentage of disposable income than others, they are willing to spend £400 on a bag or shoes every couple of months and eat several times at restaurants as many of them do not have commitments to children of hefty mortgagees. In the BRIC econonies, countries that are all at new stages of an economic development, there has been a surge in the new middle class. Shangahi’s morning post reported that by 2020 China’s middle class will reach 700m, 48% of the entire population. Luxury brands are now committing themselves to expanding in these economies due to the strong demand for luxury goods. 

What Makes things cool

Obviously I love anything that’s cool because I am cool. But have you ever thought why something is cool? It’s sort of a subconscious thing that goes through your head but you don’t really settle. What makes a brand seriously uber cool? You have to love it, trust it and seriously believe in it. I don’t think there is a formula to becoming cool. I think that being cool for the masses nowadays is controlled by the press and led by celebrities it’s almost a domino effect. In this day and age celebrities are used to heavily indorse products leading to huge sales. 

My Manifesto

1) Be positive 

Can we lock all pessimists up and throw away the key? If you think positive, looking positive, sound positive. You WILL be positive. Simple eh?

2) Dressing for yourself.

I find nothing funnier than someone rocking up in outfit that they have clearly seen on a rack in Topshop and think it's tres chic. If you don't feel comfortable, sorry you won't look comfortable. Individuality is worth more than anything in the world.

3) Always be respectful.

People will always remember you for being polite and respectful. They may not remember you for that amazing outfit you casually threw together. A good attitude goes a long way.  

4) surround yourself with different types of people. 

  Life is a learning experience. Having people from different walks of life will broaden your horizons and introduce you to crazy and cool things. If all your friends are the same you could just end up a clone.  Now imagine that. 

5) Have an ambition and dream for success 

My number one pet hate is when someone doesn't have an idea or a dream of what they want to so in the future. Money is important but our sole ambition shouldn't just to be loaded.  As amazing as you probably think it is to be a millionaire, driving a Porsche and eating at out a Nobu every night. If you love your job it won't feel like work, essentially you'll be paid to do something you love.

6)  Be healthy, you are what you eat.

To be honest I'd rather be a caesar salad than a hamburger made out of pigs toes. 

7) find the perfect shoe.

Last year I invested in the most amazing pair of Brogues that are of exceptional quality. I do everything in them even running cross country every morning to my local bus stop. 

8) be honest. 

I'm notoriously known for being blunt but I always think that a friend is a friend who tells the truth and honest to you. If you think something doesn't look look right or a situation doesn't sound right. Save your friend the embarrassment. 

9) always be open to new things. 

10) have a personality.

This has got to be the most important thing is the world.  I'm sorry but there is  nothing that bores me more than talking to someone that bores you so much you actually contemplate speaking to yourself. If you don't have a personality find one I'm sure they sell them on eBay.

INSPIRATION for the nation.

the GFW app.

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Suzy Menkes "the fashion circus"

Suzy Menkes on the circus of fashion. 

Back in february the esteemed journalist Suzy Menkes penned an article for the New York Times titled “The Circus of Fashion”. The article was in response to the growing presence of street style photographers outside venues during fashion week. It could be argued now that the action at fashion weeks are outside the tents rather that inside. Menkes comments “Today, the people outside fashion shows are more like peacocks than crows”. From personal experience I’ve seen that in London there are many people that go to Somerset House not to go to shows, to get photographed, to be apart of the moment. 

Menkes speaks about people peacocking in eclectic, multi-printed and textured “look at me fashion”. I personally think if fashion shows are not just press for a designer but theatrics should that only stay on the catwalk and not be able to be illustrated on the street. I fully understand the dishonesty and feeling of fraud when you see a well known editor or blogger wearing a whole outfit that has been gifted to them by a designer for free press. I feel like personal style should come from within and if everyone wore a full look Prada styled exactly as it is on the catwalk wouldn’t that just be so boring and irrelevant. I think there is a difference between this and Bloggers like Susie Bubble who thoroughly support the designers that they wear and feature them on their blog. 

Ultimately i think style should be organic and if you want to go down to Somerset house to absorb fashion week and feel apart of if you should. Fashion fundamentally is clothing which is for everybody.

oooh stylish.

Fashion rich list.

So this week the Sunday Times have published the UK's fashion richlist. It is as follows.

1. Galen and George Weston and family - Selfridges, Primark, £6.65bn.

2. Sir Philip and Lady Green Topshop - Dorothy Perkins, Bhs, £3.88bn.

3. Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay - Littlewoods, £2.35bn.

4. Mike Ashley - Sports Direct, Sportsworld, £2.3bn

5. Bernard Lewis and family - River Island, £1.25bn

6. Stephen Rubin and family - JD Sports Fashion, Speedo, Berghaus, £1.12bn

7. John Hargreaves and family - Matalan, £1bn

=8 Richard Caring - International Clothing Design, £700m

=8 Christina Ong and family - Mulberry, £700m

10 David Bromilow - Adidas, £650m

I Find it very intersting that three quarters of the people listed on the top 10 own and run high street brands. I would think that if luxury brands sell garments at a higher price point that maybe they would have bigger revenue but this doesn't look like the case. Primark came in at number one and Sports Direct at number three. Walking into your local primark, the one that has jumpers on the floor and sign's for clothing that don't hit double digits you would think cooler brand's like mulberry which everyone aspire's to buy into makes more money. Does think make Primark more relevant that Mulberry? I don't think so. I find it really interesting how many designer brands don't make more money than high street one's but it's the high street that copy and rip off designer's. With a list of many high street brands ruling the top of the list you would think these brands would invest in there own original desinger. 

Show Studio - Milking Mayfair

Does size matter?

It's the age old question does size matter?  Should you go for a stiletto heel or cute kitten heel. Well my motto used to be "go high or go home" but after being in many uncomfortable situations involving women and these wretched shoes my state of mind has been altered. For example MANY of my friends that go clubbing in 6-inch stiletto's that constantly moan about the awful pain in there feet, then when worst comes to worst actually their heels off and walking home. I know right, how glamorous. I used to think the kitten heel was a granny shoe but I'm starting to think it looks more chic than someone trying to clamber around on cobbles. I think sometimes you have to leave the stiletto at home unless your it's in your job description.

Brighton Style

Biba & Beyond exhibition.

Biba by Barbara Hulanicki

Biba, a brand that changed the way young women of the 60’s and 70’s dressed. Barbara Huluanicki is noted as the first designer to create affordable and well designed clothes for women. The iconic brand transformed the high street shopping experience allowing customers to adopt a look popularized by the ‘it girls’ of the time such as Audrey Hepburn and Twiggy.

The Biba and Beyond exhibition looks at the rise of the fashion concept that is Biba and at Hulanicki’s life, challenges and longevity in careers besides the fashion industry in interior design and architecture. 

The exhibition held in the Brighton Museum  the town that Hulanicki grew up in. After the assassination of her father. The family moved from Palestine and settled in the seaside town of Brighton in the UK. The exhibition chronologically tells the story of her life including  her relationship her then husband and now deceased Stephen Fritz-Simon who was at the helm of Biba driving the business of the brand. 

In the space of a decade Biba grew from a modest boutique in Kensington to a seven story department store with several shops with one also in Brighton the town that she grew up in. As the Brand grew the dolly girl aesthetic stayed the same with skinny fit designs and bias cut dresses. The Biba customer wasn’t just a girl it was a generation.

Brighton on the street

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