British Fashion
Plus Size Models Take On the London Runway
What: Canadian designer Mark Fast has created a stir at London Fashion Week, but the controversy has nothing to do with his clothes. The designer chose to use size 10 to 12 models on his runway this week, prompting two of his staffers to quit the fashion label just days before the show.
What They Say:
“The decision to use fuller girls is something we have been talking about,” said Amanda May, a creative director for Mark Fast. “There’s an idea that only thin and slender women are able to wear Mark’s dresses and he wanted to combat that. We wanted women to know they didn’t have to be a size zero to wear a Mark Fast dress - curvier women can look even better in them.”
What We Say: Good for Mark for sticking to his guns, despite his employees’ walkout. The end result of his Fashion Week show was fantastic, and the models looked gorgeous. So will hiring larger models be a trend that’ll catch on here in the States? There’s no way to tell, but we sure hope so.
Get Free Stuff via TopShop Heartschallenger Vans
Topshop, the British style mecca that makes Forever21 look like K-mart, is giving way free stuff on the streets of New York City via it’s Heartschallenger Vans. From now until April 1st, find the van via it’s GPS tracker, head down to where it’s located, and score a goody bag from the store. Rumor has it that they’re giving away $30-$500 giftcards.
Note: Sorry this post is for folks in New York…I know it’s not fair, which is why I suggest you contact the TopShop folks and encourage them to open up a shop near you. Here’s a link to their contact page. Tell them I sent you.
Photo: Via TopShop’s InsideOut Blog
Mathew Williamson at H&M
British designer Matthew Williamson is partnering with H&M for a new collection, premiering in select stores on April 23, 2009. The collection will feature swimwear, women’s wear and Williamson’s first collection for men.
From the H&M Press Release:
Matthew Williamson burst onto the London fashion scene in 1997, with a color-drenched collection modeled by Kate Moss, Helena Christensen and Jade Jagger. Since then, Williamson has brought the look of a global traveler to the catwalk with an Ibizan spirit of color showing at New York Fashion Week. Recently honored with an exhibition at the Design Museum in London – “Matthew Williamson – 10 Years in Fashion,” Williamson has a long list of celebrity followers including Gwyneth Paltrow, Keira Knightley, Kate Hudson and Sienna Miller.
News Alert: Topshop Coming to America
What: Topshop, one of Great Britain’s most popular and trendiest clothing stores, is finally coming to America. Those of you in Manhattan may have seen the signs going up—the store opens in October. But for those outside of the city who must wait for Topshops to spread across the country, fear not—the U.S. website launches in September, according to People.
What We Say: We’re counting down the days. Instead of stocking up on Topshop gear on every trip abroad, Topshop is finally coming to us. Kate Moss designs for them, and we look forward to seeing what that fashion icon creates. Most items are below 100 bucks, but beware—Topshop’s founder, Sir Philip Green, likes to stick to full price. You won’t be seeing many sales here, according to WWD. British style will be worn by Americans, and seeing the results will be very interesting.
Pictured: Some of Topshop’s pieces.
Photo from People.com.
Flower Power - British Style on a Budget
THESE PRODUCTS ARE NO LONGER BEING SOLD
Natalie gives us her take on the latest British style trends and how to get them on a budget
I can’t wait for summer to begin so I can throw on a pretty floral tea dress and go picnicking with my friends in the gorgeous British countryside. The Spring/Summer shows offered a whole bouquet for us to feast our eyes on. Pansies and poppies bloomed on sculpted jackets and pelmet skirts at Balenciaga, and Prada embraced romance in their Cruise collection, with dramatic dirndl skirts bedecked with blossoms. Go full-skirted yourself with New Look’s flowery recreation, at only £25 ($49). And the utterly fabulous British designer Luella Bartley returned to our shores with prom dresses, pleated skirts, and secretary blouses in floral prints, punked up with spiky skater boots. I saved my pennies and splashed out on one of her fun Batman t-shirts, but have been wearing it with Topshop’s very ‘Luella’ flower-print ra-ra skirt, for an affordable £30 ($59), and a little birdie tells me that you can pick up a button-up shirt very similar to Lu’s, for only £12 ($24), at Matalan.
Summertime means parties, parties and more parties. But what to wear… Try H&M’s strapless prom dress, patterned with a flurry of florals – at £24.99 ($49) you’ll still have money left over to buy yourself a Pimm’s. If you want to be part of the petal parade but fear that you’ll end up looking like your Great Aunt Betty, pick flower power accessories, such as Topshop’s £6 ($12) carved rose ring, or pay homage to Carrie Bradshaw in anticipation of the SATC movie by pinning an oversized corsage onto your blouse – Johnny and Rosie’s giant rose pin (£25/$49) is my absolute favourite, but H&M offer thriftier versions. One day I’ll save enough to own an Hermes scarf, but until then, New Look’s flowery alternative at £8 ($16) will do nicely. Until the sun comes out here, I’ll fight the unrelenting English rain with a rosy umbrella from the Princess of the Posies, Cath Kidston. Blooming marvellous.
Runway pictures courtesy of style.com.
Background image: Paris Rose linen fabric from Cath Kidston.
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