denim

London Fashion Week SS15 highlights: Day 1



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London Fashion Week kicked off with two buzzy new names. Faustine Steinmetz showed as part of New Gen with her first presentation, a clever exploration of couture and branding, set in the suitably arty ICA.

I’m so impressed by this young designer, whose obsession for hands-on labour and figuring things out results in mind boggling textile experiments. On display were denim-look jackets of polyester styled out like Shibori (“It’s not Shibori at all! I actually handpainted it, I just like that look,” Steinmetz told me), and a jeans-n-jacket combo made from unravelled layers of upcycled denim creating a tufty fringe effect. (more…)



Editorial shoot: Bittersweet blues



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I’ve wanted to shoot with Vanessa Jackman for yonks. We met on a funny bloggers’ trip to Paris a few years ago and generally catch up twice a year on the fashion week circuit where she shoots street style (her blog is shortlisted for a Bloglovin’ award – go vote!) and I research the shows.

Finally we carved some time this summer to shoot the charming and creative Claudia Gould, who epitomises the new breed of multi-pronged model with attitude. Our friends at MIH Jeans gave us the run of their West London showroom and a rail of AW14 samples. The Phoebe Slim is already something of a cult jean, while we all cooed over the men’s Jean Machine chunky navy sweater, one of those wear-anywhere-and-everywhere staples. I also loved the inky indigo raw-edged straight skirt, styled here with a Post-It pink bra from & Other Stories.

The theme for the shoot was loosely denim-based. We wanted to evoke a laid back but bittersweet mood that expresses the melancholy of late summer-early autumn. So I added to the mix Rejina Pyo’s ruched red skirt, Dusan’s luxurious poncho and a double-layered jacket from 3.1 Phillip Lim, all newly arrived at The Shop At Bluebird. To shop the shoot, just click on the pictures or the embedded links below…

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ABOVE: Poncho, Dusan at The Shop At Bluebird/// Phoebe Slim jeans, MIH Jeans/// Cuff, & Other Stories/// men’s scarf, Hermes

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Sleeveless coat (part of a two-piece), 3.1 Phillip Lim at The Shop At Bluebird/// Phoebe Slim jeans and chambray shirt, both MIH Jeans///Mesh shoes and cuff, both & Other Stories/// Ring, Maria Nilsdotter

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Sleeveless coat (part of a two-piece), 3.1 Phillip Lim at The Shop At Bluebird/// Chambray shirt, MIH Jeans

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White shirt, MIH Jeans/// Skirt, Acne at The Shop At Bluebird/// Pink bra and cuff, both & Other Stories

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Denim pencil skirt, MIH Jeans/// pink bra and tassel shoes, both & Other Stories, Ring, stylist’s own

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Dark green zip dress, & Other Stories/// Thigh high socks, stylist’s own

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Men’s navy jumper, Jean Machine/// Red skirt, Rejina Pyo at The Shop At Bluebird///Brass cuff, & Other Stories

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Dark green zip dress and cuff, both & Other Stories/// Thigh high socks, stylist’s own

CREDITS
Photography: Vanessa Jackman
Styling: Navaz Batliwalla/Disneyrollergirl.net
Hair and make-up: Jessica Mejia at Stella Creative Artists
Model: Claudia Gould at The Hive Management
With thanks to MIH Jeans for the location



Denim master craft: Levi’s Lot No. 1



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You’d think a couture gown or Savile Row suit was the ultimate luxury but I can think of something even better. Stationed at the back of Levi’s London flagship store is its recently introduced Lot No. 1 made–to-order jeans service. The answer to every denim connoisseur’s prayers, it’s a meticulously executed personal service that puts the customer at its heart. And I imagine it could become quite addictive. (more…)



Acting basic



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Woah, why is everyone in fashion obsessed with Normcore and Acting Basic? These anti-fashion trends could be a reaction to the street-style/overdressing circus, or maybe we’re just tired of agonising over how we look. Plus, sometimes basic Gap tees and Fruit Of The Loom sweats can look as good as clean, serene Celine (well, almost). (more…)