Just because they make me happy
Your Brand Space.com
Yourbrandspace.com is the brainchild of former event director of Pure London Sam Bleasby, and former WGSN marketing director Louisa Valvano. The brief was to create an online marketplace for retailers to source branded product 365 days a year, rivalling the concept of a static trade show. The site is free for retailers to use, and brands will have to pay £1500 a year to feature. The site isn't transactional, but will host the branded collections and list contact details.
Molami
There's a 90s resurgence going on where headphones for chicks are concerned. They've got big again (and pretty). Fashion-led headphone label Molami is launching its collection at East London boutique Start tonight, and here's what they look like. The beauty is in the detail, designer Maria Von Euler uses napa leathers and a sculptured approach to the design, so the headphones suit the features of a female face.
Fri-Con Marilyn Monroe
I knew the premier of My Week With Marilyn wouldn't be the glitzy affair I had hoped for when a mouse ran over my foot as I sat sipping my free Vitamin water.
Marilyn would have had a fit...or would she? The movie is a must see and Michelle Williams triumphant portrayal of Monroe showed there was quite a lot going on behind Marilyn's heavy lidded, cat-lined eyes. More than I had realised anyway. As it's the week of the films release, I thought a Fri-Con to pay tribute to this coquettish, buxom blonde would be appropriate.
Marilyn would have had a fit...or would she? The movie is a must see and Michelle Williams triumphant portrayal of Monroe showed there was quite a lot going on behind Marilyn's heavy lidded, cat-lined eyes. More than I had realised anyway. As it's the week of the films release, I thought a Fri-Con to pay tribute to this coquettish, buxom blonde would be appropriate.
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| Marilyn was a versatile creature who was just as jolly swathed in rabbit as she was in a roll-neck sweater. If you look closer, her nose is bent and her eye is lazy but she was a master of make-up and jewels, so you'd never know. It was her that said: “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” |
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| Well. It's a classic isn't it. Sexy Marilyn has gone and stood atop a highly aggressive subway ventilation system in a billowing white dress. This iconic shot was taken on the set of The Seven Year Itch and she married baseball player Joe Dimaggio in the same year - 1955. |
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| Here is Marilyn with someone who looks like Katherine Hepburn. This shot shows how Marylin played to her strengths by rarely veering away from a mid-length, body-con silhouette with a sweetheart, halter neckline. I love the cute little wicker basket bag. |
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| Pure sex |
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| What comes across in My Week With Marilyn is that Marilyn was a truly great actress and played being very dumb, very well. She was genuinely funny (if not slightly annoying) - but how could that have ever been doubted with Laurence Olivier demanding she star in his production of The Prince and The Showgirl. |
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| A navy roll neck will suit any blonde. I love the coral lipstick, arched brows and signature waves. |
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| This was taken on a beach on Long Island, it was her voluptuous curves that made her so beautiful. So much so, that Michelle Williams had to gain a stone and tie a belt around her knees to perfect Marilyn's perfect wiggle. |
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| Michelle Williams playing Marilyn. It was a good physical likeness and her acting was Oscar winning. |
H&M: The collaborative years
H&M has become king of the collaboration.
There have been 11 guest-designer collaborations so far and Marni will be the 12th,
launching on March 8th next year in 260 H&M stores.
Despite the fact most of H&M's customers won't know who, or what Marni is,
(and may need redirecting to Armani)
the tie-up will see H&M arousing yet another night-camping fashion troope, with their crazy little hearts set on being first to Ebay with their finds.
Italian label Marni is best known for it's clashing acid-trip prints, colour blocking and quirky, retro silhouettes. Personally I'm not a fan, but plenty are, with the label selling in sixteen countries and notching up sales of about $100m a year. There is no doubt the Marni collaboration will be as frenzy inducing as the others, and here's a look back at them all.
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| Karl Lagerfeld for H&M 2004 If one man is king of the collaboration it's Karl Lagerfeld. The designer has put his name on everything from Coke bottles to teddy bears - infact his most recently collaboration - a tie up with US department store Macy's was announced recently. Karl was the first designer to tie-up with H&M, a pioneer of the brave new collaborative world where high street meets high fashion. |
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| Stella McCartney for H&M 2005 Stella was up next, and the collection went into 400 stores (more than Marni is destined for) and sold out worldwide. The designer put together 40 pieces for her first collaborative range and the partnership did her no harm, Stella said herself: "[it's] a fantastic way of reaching a wider female audience." |
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| Viktor & Rolf for H&M 2006. Viktor & Rolf decided to do something for the boys and the girls and launched a range for each category. The women's puffskirt trench coat was the most coveted piece in the collection. The avent garde pair saw the collaboration as a libertarian pursuit: ”If Haute couture is the most sublime form of fashion, H&M is fashion at its most democratic." They said at the time. |
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| Roberto Cavalli for H&M 2007 Roberto just loves it doesn't he. Of course the collection was drenched in leopard print, sequins and gold - high octane glamour at it's best and one of the most commercial collaborations to date.  Following the commercial success of the Cavalli collection, H&M looked to Japanese cult label Comme des Garcon to keep the concept fresh. The collection was true to the designer brands roots, with intelligent pattern cutting and playful proportions.  The Matthew Williamson collection was one of the most successful, and the blue tonic suit and peacock print dress were coveted items in this collection. I wondered at the time how Matthew managed to secure the H&M high street deal when he was a 'Designer at Debenhams' and had been since 2002. It was beautifully executed and truely offered customers an insight into his mainline design aesthetic.  Shoes are very expensive to make (mainly due to the last) which is why only a few labels and retailers do them well. For that reason this guest designer collaboration was a disappointment with the shoes not representing the high-end nature of the Jimmy Choo mainline. But thousands still queued, and stampeeds were reported at H&M stores across Europe so what do I know.  Sonia Rykiel for H&M 2009 This was a cute collection of knitwear which was sold in 1,500 H&M stores worldwide and in Sonia Rykiel boutiques - a first for any H&M collaboration.  Was it Alber Elbaz' collection, the pr campaign, or the price of the product? Whatever it was, shoppers went wild for the Lanvin for H&M collection. Ebay was flooded with pieces and the collection - at 60 pieces - felt bigger than usual. It managed to appeal to the younger H&M fan, and to the high-fashion fan, who bought into a little piece of the French fashion house's 145 year old heritage.  It's the latest and one of the greatest. Just as fabulously garish vintage Versace was making a comeback, H&M unveild it's collaboration with the label. Not for the faint-hearted, The Very Best of Versace fuses old school Gianni-esque creations with the contemporary handwriting of Versus and Donatella. The collection sold out on the day of launch and here's a video interview giving insight into the creation of the collaboration: |
Cocosa Magazine
My latest project The Cocosa SS12 Trend Edit has been published, and everyone is happy. Click here to view it online.
MIAMI
Ate breakfast at The Delano
Service 8/10
Food 8/10
The interior is so beautiful here, watch out for squirrels that jump onto your table.
Tanned at The Gansevoort
Service 8/10
Food 6/10
Go to the left and centre of the roof top pool for prime tanning position.
Dinner at Nobu
Service 8.5/10
Food 8/10 overpriced, but have the mango martini, it’s delicious.
A brief, but incredible open top car tour of Miami courtesy of furniture designer Jack Levy was followed by dancing at Mokai - a club with a high Jersey Shore-type count.
Wore:
Dress by Juicy Couture
Hat by Celine
Bracelet stylist’s own
Sandals by H&M
Service 8/10
Food 8/10
The interior is so beautiful here, watch out for squirrels that jump onto your table.
Tanned at The Gansevoort
Service 8/10
Food 6/10
Go to the left and centre of the roof top pool for prime tanning position.
Dinner at Nobu
Service 8.5/10
Food 8/10 overpriced, but have the mango martini, it’s delicious.
A brief, but incredible open top car tour of Miami courtesy of furniture designer Jack Levy was followed by dancing at Mokai - a club with a high Jersey Shore-type count.
Wore:
Dress by Juicy Couture
Hat by Celine
Bracelet stylist’s own
Sandals by H&M
Breakfast at The Betsey on Ocean Drive
Food 5/10
Service 5/10 The staff don’t seem to enjoy their jobs very much - or life.
Tanned on South Beach. Lie out at the top of Ocean Drive for a chilled time, or move up outside The Raleigh for a buzzier time.
Dancing at Florida Room
The crowd is a lively mix of business types who have wives that don’t know that they’re on a night out, and Miami hip-hop ballers.
Wore:
Dress by House of Holland
Sandals by Office
Yoga first thing at The Gansevoort. The instructor was patronising and made me chant.
Tanned at Soho Beach House.
Evening Cocktail #1 at STK more of a sports bar, hence the down to earth crowd. Not worth a visit unless you have a thing for the NFL and steak.
Cocktail #2 at The Setai the most 'of the moment' and upmarket hotel in Miami, and one of the most beautiful. The Asian inspired courtyard is a must see. The crisps or ‘chips’ are, like most things here, made on the premises and yummy.
Dinner at Casa Tua (don’t be put off by this ludicrous website).
The Miami hype around this restaurant is next level and while its beautiful, it’s like many an Italian tratoria. Try and get a seat outside and order the buffalo mozzarella starter. The members bar upstairs is worth a visit if you have your blagging hat on.
Food
8.5/10
Service
9/10
Tanned at Soho Beach House.
Evening Cocktail #1 at STK more of a sports bar, hence the down to earth crowd. Not worth a visit unless you have a thing for the NFL and steak.
Cocktail #2 at The Setai the most 'of the moment' and upmarket hotel in Miami, and one of the most beautiful. The Asian inspired courtyard is a must see. The crisps or ‘chips’ are, like most things here, made on the premises and yummy.
Dinner at Casa Tua (don’t be put off by this ludicrous website).
The Miami hype around this restaurant is next level and while its beautiful, it’s like many an Italian tratoria. Try and get a seat outside and order the buffalo mozzarella starter. The members bar upstairs is worth a visit if you have your blagging hat on.
Food
8.5/10
Service
9/10
Wore:
Playsuit by Room31
shoes by Bstore
Hired a car from Signature (much cheaper than Avis) and went on the hunt for some vintage shops. We drove out of town to the part of Miami where women have faces like leather and Juicy Couture velour is still in favour. Here we found C Madeline's. A huge sprawling warehouse filled with vintage from the 1920s, right up to '90s Versace, alongside some designer and couture. I interviewed the owner Madeline (blog post coming soon). We went to The Design District for lunch to a bistro called Michael's which was sweet, but book because it gets busy.
Wore:
Dress by DKNY
Bag Celine
Shoes Bstore (again)
Playsuit by Room31
shoes by Bstore
Wore:
Dress by DKNY
Bag Celine
Shoes Bstore (again)
Food 9/10
Service 9/10
After we went for drinks at Mango, not sure I've ever been anywhere better than this place. Coyote Ugly meets America's Best Dance Crew on stage with a dash of what can only be described as Glee inspired stripping.
11/10
Wore:
Dress by Tea at Auntie's
Shoes by Prada
Shoes by Prada
Hands on hips and reticence to look at camera all provided by me
Clothes courtesy of:
High Fashion Society
Tea at Aunties
Room 31
House of Holland
Clothes courtesy of:
High Fashion Society
Tea at Aunties
Room 31
House of Holland
Duffy Jewellery
Brits aren't known for our jewellery wearing prowess. We lack the fine jewellery finesse of say the Scandinavians who wear it so well. Instead of jewellery steeped in elegant heritage - like that you'd find in India, or even Russia - ours hinges off the Crown Jewels, a signet ring here, a sovereign there, and a dash of Elizabeth Duke.
Of course we have our Bond Street exports and our talents, who include artisanal makers like East London based Duffy Jewellery, who is just one of those talents pushing on the UK jewellery scene. If you party in East London you may have come across this long-haired beardy goldsmith. He has collaborated with designers from Katie Eary to Nike on handmade unique pieces straight out of his East London atelier and has just launched his website.
Of course we have our Bond Street exports and our talents, who include artisanal makers like East London based Duffy Jewellery, who is just one of those talents pushing on the UK jewellery scene. If you party in East London you may have come across this long-haired beardy goldsmith. He has collaborated with designers from Katie Eary to Nike on handmade unique pieces straight out of his East London atelier and has just launched his website.
Coggles press day
It's rare you come across a fashion business ploughing it's own successful furrow without lofty pretensions, so it was a total treat to attend Coggles' first official press day and witness just that.
The event (and the open house party afterwards) exhibited a cool confidence alongside beautiful product and copious amounts of Hendrick's gin.
The press day was hosted in the retailer's new London HQ. Coggles originally hails from Yorkshire and the flagship Coggles store is in the heart of the city. The story of how and why Victoria Bage started the buisness in 1974 is one of fabulous revenge, and was printed on the wall at press day:
As well has having the York store, Coggles.com is a highly succesful website catering for a fashionable folk in the UK and overseas, selling a strong selection of fashion, books and stuff for the home. On the fashion front, new womenswear labels for SS12 include Draw in Light and footwear label Atalanta Weller, while Japanese label Bedwin & the Heartbreakers is on board for menswear.
The team; Mark, Jake and Adam
One of the most innovative things about Coggles is the way it has harnessed the marketing potential of street style. It has the largest street style archive in the UK, and has built an AW11 campaign around its stock of images.
Watch the campaign on www.creativereview.co.uk or www.selectism.com
The event (and the open house party afterwards) exhibited a cool confidence alongside beautiful product and copious amounts of Hendrick's gin.
The press day was hosted in the retailer's new London HQ. Coggles originally hails from Yorkshire and the flagship Coggles store is in the heart of the city. The story of how and why Victoria Bage started the buisness in 1974 is one of fabulous revenge, and was printed on the wall at press day:
As well has having the York store, Coggles.com is a highly succesful website catering for a fashionable folk in the UK and overseas, selling a strong selection of fashion, books and stuff for the home. On the fashion front, new womenswear labels for SS12 include Draw in Light and footwear label Atalanta Weller, while Japanese label Bedwin & the Heartbreakers is on board for menswear.
The team; Mark, Jake and Adam
One of the most innovative things about Coggles is the way it has harnessed the marketing potential of street style. It has the largest street style archive in the UK, and has built an AW11 campaign around its stock of images.
Watch the campaign on www.creativereview.co.uk or www.selectism.com
TiVo fright night
Definitely the most random event of 2011. On Wednesday Henry, Peanut and myself skipped off to Marylebone One for the evening (So Henry could get free Tivo for a year). TiVo - the channel that records everything that's been on tele for a week - invited him (and by proxy us) to a Halloween themed quiz night hosted by Paul Daniels and the lovely Debbie McGee. It was a sham in that we didn't win, but Henry got a foam finger (and Peanut NEARLY pulled Debbie McGee).
Peanut, Henry and Brix (and a mouse).
As part of the quiz we had to mummify Laura Jean in toilet roll for God's sake.
We did the same to Donna Air, who is hot even in loo roll.
Kate Walsh from the Apprentice is so nice.
Peanut chirpsed Debbie McGee.
That girl was so bored she died.
Peanut, Henry and Brix (and a mouse).
As part of the quiz we had to mummify Laura Jean in toilet roll for God's sake.
We did the same to Donna Air, who is hot even in loo roll.
Kate Walsh from the Apprentice is so nice.
Peanut chirpsed Debbie McGee.
That girl was so bored she died.
Cocosa Magazine
I've been a blogging hermit and haven't posted much since LFW because of this baby; The Cocosa Trend Edit SS12. It's the first time the site has produced a magazine and I've edited the first edition and worked with super talented team and art director Chris Williams (Freelance designer for Elle, Attitude and others) to come up with the concept.
Chris came up with cute little branding flourishes, like the little brackets which are the minipulated 'a' of Cocosa and most of the aesthetic takes a spherical form. The font is in keeping with the Cocosa house font and is Nutra, and we opted to insert two lighter weight end-papers to give the magazine a quality bookish feel. The atmospheric image on the papers is a digitised still from the video played at Gareth Pugh's SS12 show, and kicks the thing off nicely.
Content wise this piece isnt customer facing but is an industry trend edit, being sent to 250 editors and bloggers within weeks of the SS12 catwalks drawing to a close. It's 40 pages of trends, interviews with designers and backstage stylists, a hair trend edit by Percy & Reed's Adam Reed, and an anonymous account of working the front row by a London pr. Chic Geek blogger Marcus Jaye has done a menswear edit and there's a nice piece by WGSN on trend prediction. Cocosa has invested in a digital version.
cover draft and end papers
After eight days working on this straight, we began to go insane.
We hit lows
and highs.
Chris came up with cute little branding flourishes, like the little brackets which are the minipulated 'a' of Cocosa and most of the aesthetic takes a spherical form. The font is in keeping with the Cocosa house font and is Nutra, and we opted to insert two lighter weight end-papers to give the magazine a quality bookish feel. The atmospheric image on the papers is a digitised still from the video played at Gareth Pugh's SS12 show, and kicks the thing off nicely.
Content wise this piece isnt customer facing but is an industry trend edit, being sent to 250 editors and bloggers within weeks of the SS12 catwalks drawing to a close. It's 40 pages of trends, interviews with designers and backstage stylists, a hair trend edit by Percy & Reed's Adam Reed, and an anonymous account of working the front row by a London pr. Chic Geek blogger Marcus Jaye has done a menswear edit and there's a nice piece by WGSN on trend prediction. Cocosa has invested in a digital version.
cover draft and end papers
After eight days working on this straight, we began to go insane.
We hit lows
and highs.
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