Working directly with Karl Lagerfeld while studying at the Sorbonne gave Paige Novick a tip or two about design drive. Novick, a Francophile jewellery designer who formerly crafted handbags and clothing, has a way with inventive but chic pieces that could stand out to the paparazzi. Many of the designer's pieces contain a snail design, which Novick chose for the mollusk's determination and understated beauty. We always knew slow and steady won the race.
Lako Bukia is one of the UK's most interest imports. After earning esteem in her home country of Georgia and taking a course at the prestigious Instituto Marangoni in Milan, the 22-year-old designer finds herself studying at London College of Fashion for her second BA degree. She has exhibited and studied at Central St Martins, and has found time for all this and designing intricate collections, too. Her use of rich fabrics like velvet and silk and her romantic play on pleats and draping has caught our attention.
This week, she brings up what we think is an important point for many designers, or creatives in general. She says she can't design when she's "too happy". If you design (or write or paint or sing), do you experience the same thing? Or how do you get around that?
You'll be forgiven for mistaking German born, London based designers Daniela and Annette Felder for models. Before setting their roots as designers, the identical twins went travelling around Europe using modelling to fund their exploration. After graduating from Central Saint Martins, having interned for the likes of Robert Cary-Williams and milliner Stephen Jones, the duo made a splash on the British Fashion circuit securing a nomination at the British Fashion Awards and a legion of celebrity fans including Estelle and Gwyneth Paltrow.
This week we caught up with the design duo to talk about to talk about inspiring women and their love of Iggy Pop.
Some designers have a way of never choosing a bad project. Case in point: Stuart Stockdale. The current design director for Jaeger, Stockdale trained under John Galliano while studying at Central St Martins, and from there, went on to work with big names like Jasper Conran and J Crew. When he took over at Pringle of Scotland from 2000 to 2005, the label took on a sexy factor, largely credited to Mr Stockdale himself.
The designer's Jaeger days started just last year, and after three seasons showing his collections at London Fashion Week, Stockdale has the fashion community wrapped around his little finger again. Affordable luxury that looks endlessly expensive? He's got plenty of it, thanks.
This week, Stockdale chatted with The Fash Pack about his need for Kings of Leon and keeping himself creative. Hint: at the weekend, you can find him at the museums.
Image courtesy of Maria Francesca Pepe
Since graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2007, the fashion world has been putty in designer, Maria Francesca Pepe's hands. If recieving critical acclaim for her first collection was not good enough, her jewellery was quickly snapped up by the likes of Dover Street Market. The last few seasons has seen her grow her brand from just jewellery to clothing, bags and now shoes too.
In this latest installment of 'In The Studio With', The Fash Pack caught up with the designer to talk about what inspires her to work and her love of listening to dubstep in the studio.
You've already met The Fash Pack's newest columnist, make up artist Kenneth Soh. The last time we checked in with him, he was ready to take over his first solo show at London Fashion Week, after training with the likes of Pat McGrath and Val Garland. Now, he's had time to catch his breath (and, er, suffer through an unexpected diet) and is back to fill you in on all his backstage details.
What kind of gossip can you expect? Kenneth will take you through his private show for Anna Wintour, a double dose of Chanel Iman and a panic session when he (yikes) shows up to a runway show an hour late.
To check whether a designer is still buzz-worthy, all you need to do is check the client list. If it includes Chloe Sevigny, Anne Hathaway, Lisa Love and Marisa Tomei, then there's a pretty good chance the label is still relevant. That's why we're sure San Francisco native Katy Rodriguez will stay in the pages of Vogue for awhile.
As if it wasn't enough that Rodriguez co-founded the popular vintage shop Resurrection in 1996, she launched her own line in 2005 and was promptly selected for Gen Art's Fresh Faces. Now, you can find her intricate and unconventionally feminine pieces in stores like Browns, Opening Ceremony and Satine.
This week, Rodriguez talks Whole Foods rejuvenation, technical difficulties and keeping up the team spirit.
Welcome to the sixth and final leg of our six part Behind The Scenes at Fashion Week feature. Over the last six weeks we've spoken to two of London's leading fashion PRs, Nell Trotter and George MacPherson; Anthony Gordon, Director of Scouting and Communication at Premier; Sarah Wilkinson, Head of Design at ASOS and famed DJ, Sam Young. Before Fashion Week, The Fash Pack had the pleasure of talking to one of nicest women in the business, VOGUE.com editor Dolly Jones.
In the interview, Jones reveals which designers she's keeping her eyes on this season and what makes London Fashion Week so special.
The Fashion Pack: How does your job change during the fashion week season?
Dolly Jones: I’m hardly in the office during the shows – I watch as many as I can fit into the day and report on them straight away so that the catwalk reports are live on the site within an hour of the show finishing. During Milan and Paris, I’m out there doing the same thing – but on my Blackberry in touch with the team constantly. It’s exhausting but an amazing, whirlwind change from the rest of the year when I’m much more office-based.
Being the first African-American fashion designer to reach international fame is a pretty big accomplishment, no? It's Stephen Burrows who holds that honour, and after he started designing in the '60s, he earned a commendable client list. Ever heard of Lauren Bacall, Jerry Hall, Cher or Diana Ross? Forty years later, with CFDA honours along the way, he's still in top form.
This week, Burrows chats with The Fash Pack about his real feelings on fashion week, his possible TV addiction and early-morning design inspiration.
This year marked two decades in business for TSE, the luxury knitwear label founded by Augustine Tse to take cashmere into the spotlight. Formerly designed by Narciso Rodriguez, TSE (prounounced "say") now has Jessica Groom at the helm. We like her ability to make classic pieces feel fresh, and apparently, so do buyers at Saks and Bergdorf.
This week, Groom tells us about pushing through deadlines, finding unexpected inspiration and avoiding fashion-industry haters. Good advice, all, and even better coming from someone who appreciates one of The Fash Pack's favourite fashionistas: the iconic Miss Cate Blanchett.
