Clothes Show London: Marking A New Chapter ....

With the curtains drawn and the lights now dimmed, The Clothes Show London proved a success yet again for the fashion forward enthusiasts, in search of a gratifying bargain; combined with the added extras. (Including an impudent cocktail, courtesy of the ever so tempting- Martini ‘Stay Beautiful’ Terrazza; that I just happened to notice!)

Clothes Show London offered the usual dose of what it delivers best. Showcasing a mixture of vintage wonders such as Retro Bizarre Ltd, blended with innovative boutique brands.Combined with the familiar high street names, (which we can’t help but succumb to) dominating the centre Style Stage.


However in recent years, with the show returning back to its birth place London-Town after a long awaited stretch, the directional vision of the show has taken an authentic step, in profiling the creative collections of new designers; with a visionary story to tell to the ‘like-minded’ that share the same passion. Pioneering part of this innovative initiative was Untold, making a fresh debut with the Untold Boutique. Offering a showcase of new ground-breaking designers, all contributing creative splendour by the bucket load.


First founded in 2004 by fellow fashion designer Maame Baryeh, Untold provides a podium of support for talented designers, new to the hardships of the fashion world; helping them to overcome the hurdles that they may face, as Maame explains.

‘The main reason for founding Untold was frustration after I finished university, I noticed a lot of barriers as a designer. Untold is really here to offer a foundation, a starting point for designers to showcase their work, without the worries’.

To date Untold have collaborated with over thirty-seven designers, showcasing a variation of artistic concepts, mixed with un-paralleled designs. An organic display of creative genius from the designers, made the Untold Boutique work so well collectively with the show.

Tanzanian designer Christine Mhando offered a fanciful S/S 09 collection of gallant tribal printed dresses and skirts, infused with vivid directional colouring; a stand-out collection which oozed a sense of puckish effortless chic.

Fashion brand ‘YouMeWe’ also debuted an African inspired S/S 09 collection, of bold exotic puffball wrap skirts, which could also be worn as dresses.

While Zian Skye’s jewellery collection of customised 1980’s inspired, dookie rope chains, and show-stopping doorknockers, provided a light-hearted contemporary twist to the statement pieces; which couldn’t help but take you back to the days of Run DMC.

Showing no signs of slowing down this organisation is continuing to prove itself as the speaker box for the untold tales of emerging designers across the UK. For more information on Untold visit: http://www.un-told.co.uk/

(Image ref: 1. Zian Skye jewellery , 2. Christine Mhando- Chichia London, 3. YouMeWe, 4. Christine Mhando - Chichia London)

Signing Out Tola Bamiro

Fashion in Focus / Bold & Beautiful Jewellery with Frey Wille.

With the catwalks dictating what’s hot and what’s not, undeniably pushing to the forefront, and making an impression this season is artistic statement jewellery. Whether you opt for cool metallic jewels, or bead embellished bangles, the consensus reigns clear that bolder and bigger, is without doubt better.

Showing us how it’s done best, jewellery designers Frey Wille have joined forces with renown Austrian Artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser for a second time; delivering ‘10002 Nights’ and ‘Emotion Spiral’ a collection of colour-clashing, culture infused, bangles and pendant chains. Jewellery that throws caution to the wind, and can’t help but make a statement however worn. So with press dates announced, I headed down to the trendy flagship store on Regent Street for a sneak peek of the new collection.

Hundertwasser’s line offers a vibrant vision of hand painted enamel palettes,
set in gold plated precious metals. Inspired by a love of picturesque landscapes
and a fascination of human emotions.

A favourite of many including Amelle Barrabah from the Sugababes, has to be the ‘Diva Bangle’, as colourful tones and structural mosaic patterns dominate the gold chunky pieces.

First founded by Viennese artist Michaele
Frey in the early 1950s, Frey Wille has firmly
established itself as pioneers of decorative
art jewellery. Moulding the work of famous
artists such as Monet and Gustav Klimt with
fine enamelling, and precious metals, has fast
become the signature motif of this unique line.

‘Ody to Joy of Life’ is an existing collection
by Frey Wille, which continues their trademark
vision of innovative designs, combined with
vivid colours; and delicate yet bold shapes and patterns. With this collection inviting it’s audience to choose an emotion from Love, Passion, or Heavenly joy, Wille evokes a sense of femininity in an inventive approach.

With the creative process of producing a collection taking between 2-3 years, the individual design and craftsmanship of Wille’s artistic jewellery proves evident; as press representative Lorna Strickland explains.

‘Frey Wille believe designers, should not be limited by deadlines, but allowed the freedom to design’.

As a result of this Frey Wille have been able to create a beautifully crafted collection, of imaginative and somewhat retrospective jewellery. A key look this summer, and without a doubt for many more to come.

For more info hit the website www.frey-wille.com or the UK flagship store at 153 Regent Street W1B 4JE.



Signing out Tola Bamiro.

FASHION IN FOCUS / JAMIE BRUSKI TETSILL

Whether it be the new Hussein, Williamson, or Balenciaga. Fashion insiders and creative minds alike are always on the prowl to seek the newest designers on the horizon, ready to inject a dose of fresh innovation and divergence into the fashion scene.

Fashion in Focus is a new feature that aims to do just that. Presenting new and emerging talents, that are moulding fashion trends, and pushing the boundaries of artistic design, with a boldness to be reckoned with.

Ticking all the boxes in more ways than one, is Scottish fashion and textiles designer 'Jamie Bruski Tetsill'. The Central Saint Martins graduate first commanded the attention of the fashion world in 2007, after gaining a nomination for ‘New Talent of the Year’ award at the Scottish Fashion awards in 2007. With brash dynamic colouring, and clean cut tailoring as the way forward this season, (hint hint!) Tetsill’s S/S 08/09 collection of vivid coloured, waist pinched dresses; infused with electric cross prints, makes him a focal designer to look out for.

Tetsill is quirky in elevating the ‘ordinary’ by incorporating less traditional techniques such as tufting, - commonly found in carpet making, into his designs. Catered for the bolder personality, Tetsill’s latest collection evokes a sense of excitement for any fashion lover. Definitely the thumbs up!

For a flavour of his work think: BOLD, OPULENT COLOURING, AND FEMININE CHIC.

For a flavour of this season’s colour trend think: COLOUR IN PROPORTIONS, SIMPLICITY and CONFIDENCE.

Signing out Tola Bamiro.






-----------------------------------------------------------------------