Style Addict – News & Views from the Capital – 15th July 2005

 

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Victim 4 TopShop

 

Victim by Mei Hui Liu is known for her love of antique fabrics and romantic, raw threads. Once again she has been asked to bring her vintage magic to TopShop’s flagship store on Oxford Street. Two dresses from the Victim Spring/Summer collection have been selected for a mini-vintage collection available to buy in the stores Boutique section.

 

 

 

 

Cheap Chic Pulls in Fashion Hungry Shoppers

 

{mosimage}While there are many reports commenting on the noticeably difficult retail period – discount stores selling cheap chic have rocketed. Who would have thought Primark would be pulling in the fashion savvy up and down the country? The success of the discount chain will soon be hard to ignore as it plans to expand with more store openings across the UK, as well as a European edition in the fashionable city of Madrid. Picking up on key commercial trends and then getting them into the stores as quickly as possible is a well known formula on the High Street, Primark, however, manages to do it at a fraction of the price. This season’s sequined shrug for instance sold out within hours of hitting the stores. There’s even talk of pre-store opening queues with people from all walks of life getting in line. The image turn-around has been credited to Primark’s buyers that have the skill to spot a trend before it happens.

 

 

 

Trend Central {mosimage}

 

If there’s someone who knows a thing or two about trends its TopShop’s Brand Manager, Jane Shepherdson. Recently she announced that ‘the kids are already bored with boho.’ With this in mind we checked out some of the latest transitional in-store arrivals:

 

Goth Rock: drainpipe jeans or skinny pants worn with raw-edged tees and deconstructed jersey tops in a head to toe dark colour palette.

 

Vintage: Edwardian and Victorian touches – lace, tiny buttons and pin-tucks combined with equestrian styling, fitted riding jackets, waistcoats, camisoles and jeans.

 

Russian Princess: A flavour of Russia is beginning to emerge with full skirts featuring decorative borders and traditional Russian style prints on empire line dresses.

 

Other key sellers include: knitted shrugs, dropped-waist skirts, vintage look frocks, prissy tops, naval inspired jackets and smart shorts.

 

Colours: Soft cream, peach and coffee, plus lots of petrol blue, plum, grey and black.

 

 

 

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Devine Mistress

 

Those cheeky girls at Tatty Devine have recently collaborated with Poste Mistress to create a capsule collection of shoes. There are five styles to choose from which you can mix and match with the Tatty Devine accessories line. Expect quirk and fun galore, from newsprint jazz shoes to sheriff star court shoes. To see the goods for yourself visit Tatty Devine or Poste Mistress stores. Tatty Devine, 57b Brewer Street, Soho, W1, prices range from £65 – £85. www.tattydevine.com   

 

 

 

Website of the Week…www.berube.co.uk

 

Since Fashion Capital was a wee toddler its’ had its eye on new design talent Julie Berube. Over the last couple of years Berube has got her name out there – alongside some of the UK’s top fashion designers. Last February she put on her very first LFW catwalk show, certainly no easy task, and pulled off the gig with a collection inspired by a motorcycle trip around Mexico. The Autumn/Winter collection can now be viewed online at her brand new website www.berube.co.uk along with her highly desirable leather accessories. 

 

 

 

 

 

Eley & 6a Introduce Hairywood

 

{mosimage}Collaborations are par for the course these days, along with designers dipping into design projects that are not just fashion related. There’s certainly no stopping Armani, he recently introduced the Armani bicycle to his very long list of brand products. Closer to home, print masters Eley Kishimoto have worked with London based architects 6a to produce a rather striking urban tower. Commissioned by the Architecture Foundation to coincide with the launch of their new East End gallery: The Yard, the temporary structure has just opened to the public. The laser-cut plywood exterior was based on Eley Kishimoto’s Autumn/Winter Rapunzel-like hair lock print, which gives a beautiful dappled light affect to the interior space during the day. Climb the tower for yourself and find a little oasis away from the bustle of Old Street.

 

Where: The Yard, 49 Old Street, EC1

When: Until 31 August 2005

Opening hours: Tues-Fri 12 noon-6pm/Sat 1-4pm

Admission: Free

www.architecturefoundation.org.uk

www.eleykishimoto.com

 

 

By JoJo Iles