Image courtesy of Vogue.co.uk

Ever since the dreaded 'R' word surrounded our economy, hard times called for fashion to either go back to basics with classic buys to be passed onto eventual grandchildren, or to fight our sad state of affairs by springing back and showing us exactly why we fell in love with fashion in the first place - the fantasy. Disney, then, obviously make the perfect choice for a fantastical collaboration - we've seen Stella McCartney do it - and now ladies and gentleman, William Tempest. The London College of Fashion graduate has designed an enchanting dress for Anika Noni Rose, who stars in Disney's latest animation comedy The Princess and the Frog.

"I was a huge Disney fan when I was younger and absolutely love the films - my favourites have to be The Jungle Book and Snow White, so it is really exciting and a great honour to be collaborating with Disney," says Tempest, adding "The dress I have designed to launch the collaboration is inspired by Disney's new princess Tiana, the dress is very sculptural and constructed from fabric that has been folded like origami." The magical creation marks the beginning of an ongoing collaboration between Tempest and Disney, and will be unveiled at the premiere of the film this Sunday.

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?

Read Lako Bukia's Q&A after the jump

Jaiden RVA James is the menswear label currently making serious waves in the fashion pond. As the brain child of the British design duo, Rasharn de Vera Agyemang and Jaiden James, both of whom are alumni of two of London's most prestigious design schools- London College of Fashion and The Fashion Retail Academy respectively, the label are scheduled to present an installation to mark their upcoming 5th collection as a part of MAN (British Fashion Council) tomorrow. With their eccentric and somewhat off-beat creations,which often sees their models dressed in straight jackets, strong prints and pleated skirts, the duo have caught the eye of and have had their work featured in several well known publications including i-D, Dazed and Confused, GQ and Out magazines, to name but a few. With all this under their belts, we had to find out what else Jaiden RVA James had been up to and what to expect from their forthcoming collection.

Read full interview after the jump

Designs from overall winner, Laura Greenwood

Puma recently collaborated with London College of Fashion in an enterprise where 1st year students were set the task of researching and exploring the relationship between music and fashion. The prize? The winning student would have their limited edition tshirt design being stocked and sold at ASOS.

Through the assignment, the students were afforded the opportunity of meeting and working with a number of well known artists including Frank Musik, New Young Pony Club, Sway and Nate James. The students were also given the chance to work with new and rising stars in the industry such as Zarif, signed to Sony BMG, and DJ Goldie Rocks.

The aim of the project was to enable the students and the artists to inspire and learn from each other as well as gaining insight into the creative journey embarked upon by both musicians and designers alike. Tahita of the New Young Pony Club said it was amazing to see that dsesigners shared 'the same tension between self-indulgence/gratification and the desire to make something that translates as exciting and appealing'.

Read more after the jump

Working with Matthew Williamson and Vivienne Westwood sure helped bring out creativity in Heidi Mottram, the Brit designer who's making her name for the unique textile she uses: eel skin. Mottram, a graduate of Central St Martins and the London College of Fashion, started her own line just two years ago and is already becoming a favourite for fashion types who like their accessories with a bit of an edge.

Here, she talks with The Fash Pack about escaping from her studio, appealing to confident women and (ironically) going more veggie.

Heidi Mottram's Q&A after the jump

Every so often, we are lucky to find a new brand that is both innovative and creative but also is commercially viable to have longevity, particularly in the current economic climate.

Hemyca is such a brand. Not only were fashion insiders fighting to grab the designers, Helen and Myra, after their stellar Autumn/Winter 09 show this season, celebrities are banging on their doors to be dressed by them.

The Fashion Pack were lucky enough to talk to the design duo about everything from who they are dressing now to what they are playing on their iTunes in the studio.

Full interview after the jump

TodayHeymca showed why they are one of the the hottest tickets on the Vauxhall Scout schedule.

If there's one thing you will be wearing come fall, it's a statment jacket. Let me rephrase that; a Heymca statement jacket. They were padded at the shoulders and on the hip, emphasising the waist and creating a powerful but feminine silhouette. Their autumn/winter offerings included angular tuxedo jackets with a strong sci-fi aesthetic. It's hardly suprising that the pair did a stint at Roland Mouret who is the king of all things stuctured and archetectural.


Helen and Myra, the design duo behind Hemyca, proved that Central Saint Martin's isn't the only place churning out strong design talent. The fashion industry should pay attention to London College of Fashion alumni.

Unfortunately I failed on the shoe front. Not yet of Elle-editor status, I have to Metro it to my shows, so it's flats all the way! I will be rocking my black dress (Burberry rip-off) with gothic-like studs, black long-sleeve top (it is winter, after all), black tights, a vintage gold leaf cuff (to add a bit of glam) and finally black knee-high patent flat boots.

Outerwear-wise, I've ditched the oh-so-London, jewel-bright trench and traded in for a Parisian-chic wool cape. The look would not be complete without suitable makeup, and I have subsequently plumped for (if I can really pluck up the courage) red rouged lips. Watch Out Paris, FASH PACK is about!

What did Daily Telegraph Fashion Director Hilary Alexander think of the LCF master’s runway show?
“I loved all the big hair and makeup,” she told her extra-fashiony group. (Well, Hillary, we agree! And let’s hope we see models like Irina Kulikova sporting the same look next Fashion Week.)

Who does sequiny superstar Manjit Deu want to see wearing his dresses?
“Oh, so many people – Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga…” (We say: Just Dance, Manjit.)

Which looks at the MA show captured Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts’ attention?
“I loved the dresses with all the big knits,” she told the Pack. (But Nicola, we love your nude-and-neon Richard Nicoll mini-dress!)

It should be noted that Fash Pack were officially invited to this show by Manjit himself, and let me tell you, I'm so honoured!

I was told about 6 weeks ago that this boy on the LCF graduate course was outstanding and had created a final piece to end all final pieces. But I have to tell you, I didn't expect what I saw...

Manjit, 24 years old, hails from West London and completed his BA (Hons) at Winchester. Manjit said that a year and half ago, he never dreamed this moment would ever come and when I spoke to him (post-announcement that he did indeed -as we all knew the second we saw it - have the collection of the year), he was visibly shocked (and crying a little bit).

Inspired by Miami South Beach, Art Deco and a love of sequins (and I quote: 'Sequins have always been within me'), the collection was truly more outstanding than I will be able to describe to you. Oversized sequins adorned mini dresses that were excellently executed. Draped over and protruding like feathers, rectangular sequins created stronger squared shoulders and hips on garments that were cut close to the body.