British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund shortlist!

The shortlist for the second annual British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund has been announced! Several of last year's nominees made the list including Christopher Kane, Richard Nicoll, E. Tautz and Nicholas Kirkwood, as well as newcomers Peter Pilotto, Jonathan Saunders, OSMAN and Charlotte Olympia.

The British Fashion Council

The fund was set up last year by British Fashion Council Chairman, Harold Tillman, as a way of helping talented British designers grow their young label into a global brand by not only awarding them £200,000 but also supplying them with an unparalleled mentoring scheme. The seven runners-up will also receive a mentor. Harold Tillman said of the competition, "The British Fashion Council's Vogue Designer Fashion Fund offers incredibly talented British designers an unparalleled opportunity. We're very proud to be able to offer our promising designers this support."

Erdem Spring/Summer 2011

Last year saw fashion favourite Erdem beat out stiff competition to take the prize. (click here to see)

This year's eight shortlisted designers will present a proposal to the judging panel chaired by Alexandra Shulman, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue, about what they plan to do with the Fund should they be selected. Shulman stated, "It is very exciting to be in our second year of the Fund and to be providing such tangible help to this extremely impressive shortlist of British designers."

Christopher Kane Spring/Summer 2011

My pick - it's so hard as there are so many worthy winners in that list! I think it will go to Christopher Kane as he lost out last year and since then has come out with a collection that received astounding international acclaim. His collaboration with Topshop last year also saw a whole new market become familiar with his work which can only mean good things for him becoming a covetable global brand.

You will be able to follow the judging process on the pages of British Vogue, who will be announcing the winner in their March 2011 issue.

More soon.

Catwalk photos from style.com and mydaily.co.uk

We're still mad for Mad Men!

It seems as though Mad Men madness isn't going to end any time soon! Versace have confirmed that January Jones a.k.a the inimitably perfect Betty Draper Francis will be the face of their Spring/Summer 2011 campaign. The choice comes as little surprise to fashion industry insiders as it seems Jones is fast becoming BFFs with Donatella Versace herself; she was spotted front row at the Versace show in Milan as well as at Donatella's recent fundraising dinner for Central Saint Martin's in London. Having loved the Atelier Versace dress that she wore to the Emmy's in August, I for one can't wait to see her on the ad pages of Vogue come Spring.

Atelier Versace

Versace have confirmed that the campaign will be shot by Mario Testino but other than that they're not giving away any other details, which only makes us all the more eager to see what they come up with! Guess we'll just have to wait 'til Spring..

More soon.

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I dream Dior.

If you love fashion illustration as much as I do then you're going to love the new exhibition opening at Somerset House tomorrow! 'Dior Illustrated: Rene Gruau's Line of Beauty' is an exhibition of the work of one of the great illustrators of his time, a time of great glamour and sophistication. Gruau worked for many brands including Balmain and Givenchy but he is most famous for his longstanding work with Dior which ran from 1947 all the way to the 1990s.

Gruau's sketches allow an insight into one of the great fashion houses. John Galliano mused that Gruau "captured Dior's style and spirit better than any other because he understood his long-term friend.. for me a Gruau sketch captures the energy, the sophistication and daring of Dior, and equally is testimony to an enduring friendship."

To catch this phenomenal exhibition then make sure you get yourself over to the Embankment Galleries at Somerset House, November 10th - January 9th.

More soon.

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It's here!

The day we've all been waiting for.. As promised; a full preview of the Lanvin for H&M collection in this haunting fashion film starring the one and only, Natasha Poly.

It's all so sleek, so Lanvin. I want so much of it! The feminine, asymmetric party dresses, the tongue-in-cheek, luxe teeshirts, the patent heels complete with cutesy bow; Alber Elbaz did not disappoint. Apparently all of the production was done by Lanvin to ensure the quality of the garments. Pinch me. I still can't quite believe it's Lanvin but at H&M prices!?

The film reminded me of this Lanvin teeshirt that I still dream about..

I'll definitely be queuing at my local H&M come 23rd November!

More soon.

Follow the twitter for by-the-minute updates.

The Row Spring/Summer 2011. I am in love.

"Always with the mentality of refined, minimal luxury that was wearable."

Watch the video to preview the latest collection from The Row and hear Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen talk through the thought process behind it. I really love the round sunglasses and the natural hair and makeup!

For me, The Row is perfection. I am a huge fan of minimalism in fashion and The Row has been doing it best for seasons now (sorry, Phoebe Philo). It manages to be simple and elegant without ever being bland. The Row offers classic staples with a modern twist, perfect cuts, and a wearability factor that no woman could say no to - all in neutral colours. What's not to love? These are pieces that will stand the test of time, they are season-less, they are an investment. I am in love.

For proof of just how season-less The Row really is, check out this fashion film they released back in 2007 which is still just as relevant in fashion today as it was 3 years ago.

More soon.

Follow the twitter for by-the-minute updates.

Spark!

If you follow my twitter you might have heard me mention the wonderful Spark once or twice.

Spark is a young'un. Taking her name from her actual middle name, 'Sparkle', this girl is headed for big things. Having only graduated from the Brit school in May, the very next day she was off supporting fashion favourite, Marina and the Diamonds, on a full tour of the UK. Now signed to Marina's label (Warner/679), Spark is making magic of her own. This week alone saw a full page feature in the NME and her new single, Revolving has been garnering lots of Radio 1 play from the likes of Nick Grimshaw. Spark is definitely one to watch.

Check out her debut video for single, Revolving:



For more music or upcoming tour dates (Spark will be supporting Diana Vickers as well as Pete Wentz's side project, Black Cards on dates across the UK) check out her myspace. You can also follow her on twitter.

More soon.

Lanvin for H&M sneak peek!

A little over a month ago you might remember me mentioning a little something that was in the works.. Lanvin's Alber Elbaz and Lucas Ossendrijver are designing an affordable line for high-street mega-brand, H&M! Of all of H&M's designer collaborations (Jimmy Choo, Sonia Rykiel, Karl Lagerfeld) this is by far the one that has caused the biggest stir within the fashion industry, as Elbaz himself put it, "I think I loved the idea that H&M was going luxury, rather than Lanvin is going public." And so with the promise of the full collection's unveiling on November 2nd, fashionistas the world over started crossing off the days on their calendars. But those lovely people over at H&M know us all too well and know that we can't wait that long! So the first images of the collaboration, shot by David Sims, have been released early!

It's hard to believe that this is an advert for H&M, the beautiful, understated elegance screams Lanvin! With the gorgeous ruffles, cinched waists, and asymmetric necklines - all in fashion's favourite colour - this collaboration is guaranteed to have girls worldwide trampling over eachother to get their hands on an affordable piece of Lanvin come November 23rd. Better start queuing now then..

More soon.
Follow the twitter for by-the-minute updates.