design

Le Kilt: A classic reimagined



Le-Kilt-SS15-disneyrollergirl main

I love it when designers start off with one product item before slowly expanding into other areas. It’s much easier to get your head around their aesthetic and it gives you a hook to latch onto too. Example: Le Kilt. Samantha McCoach grew up watching her grandmother make kilts and forever inspired, launched her own modern kilt line this year (it’s currently stocked at Dover Street Market). (more…)



Slippers for hipsters: Mahabis



Mahabis

I stumbled on these Mahabis slippers via a Facebook ad of all things. But I think they’re really cool.

After being subjected to three ‘aging raver’ DJ types having a serious discussion about slippers a while ago, I said ‘someone needs to hurry up and exploit this market’. I was thinking along the lines of Stussy, Junya or Nike even, the brands that people of my generation grew up with and respect, because we want comfy slippers, but we also still love our credible brands and aren’t ready for Bhs.

While we wait for Stussy et al, in stepped Mahabis. Just launched this summer, these indoor-outdoor slippers look like a hybrid of old school Keds, felt Birkenstocks and those neoprene sock shoes you wear on the beach. (more…)



Form through colour: art and textiles



5 Form-Through-Color-Somerset-House-Anni-Albers

If you love colour and geometric graphics it’s hard not to be drawn to the work of Josef Albers. Showing at Somerset House for another two weeks (until 31st August) is FORM THROUGH COLOUR, an exhibition of Christopher Farr textiles inspired by the works of Josef Albers, his wife Anni Albers and contemporary artist Gary Hume. (more…)



Liberty Best Of British Open Call 2014: top tips



liberty-best-of-british-open-call-2014

I noticed I’m getting a lot of blog traffic from people searching for Liberty Best Of British Open Call. This is the very popular X-Factor-esque competition that Liberty runs to find the next wave of home-produced talent. Alas, registration for this summer’s open call on 30th August is full to capacity, but if you have managed to nab a slot, then do re-read my post from a couple of years ago when I helped judge the fashion entries.

The post includes tips on how to present yourself (you only get a few minutes), price your work, what to research and how to stand out. (more…)