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Welcome to BDC Biography’s…

Here you can read all about the designers that will be featured at the BDC Boutique @ Bicester…

ATLANTA WELLER
Since Atalanta graduated from Cordwainers College of London 6 years ago, she has been pushing the boundaries of fashion foot-wear, successfully creating unusual, yet always inspiring and beautifully constructed shoes.

Her unusual and unique designs lead her to engage with companies ranging from Clarks to John Richmond, this has had a definite positive influence on her modern take on the classic shoe.  She has built strong relationships with the London scene, having helped her utilize and collaborate with up and coming designers such as Gareth Pugh and House of Holland. Having successfully been awarded NEWGEN sponsorship for Spring Summer 2010, Atalanta will debut her first prolonged solo collection.

BEHNAZ KANANI
Behnaz Kanani has been influenced by various cultures, from her native Iran, to Spain and Great Britain where she studied and grew up  surrounded by  family and friends. With a childhood passion for shoe design. Behnaz decided to attend the world renowned Cordwainers College, to study Footwear and Accessories Design despite her acceptance to study Pharmacology at Kings College London.

Graduating with Honours in 1997, Behnaz Kanani went to work at Bruno Magli in Bologna, Italy, closely working with Mrs. Magli herself and learning  from one of the best in the World about women’s  shoes and accessories. A year later, she moves to London to working closely hand in hand with Sandra Choi Creative Director of Jimmy Choo.

 

Fuelled by her ambitious drive and determination towards her dream, Behnaz was  ready for more challenges. In 2000 Miss Kanani moves to Studio Tordini (Milano) and Showroom Marcona3 where she spends the next three years creating designs and developing collections for many fashion houses such as Pollini Rene Lezard Manufacture Essai  Eva Turner  Moda Italia and Premiata to name some.

With the acquired knowledge paired with experience, she sets out to work on her own brand and with the help of technical collaborators carries out freelance design projects, focusing and specializing on high-end design and development work. Some of the collaborations included works for Zeis Excelsa, revamping and designing collections of the Armando  Alessandro line, and for Miss Sixty where she consulted and was heading the design for the Killah line as it launched and for 8  further seasons.

In 2004 she founded BRK Studios, as a fashion design and consulting company based in London with creative studios and an operations hub at the heart of the industry in Covitanova Marche, Italy.

 

Carrying out works with Groups like TODs and other specialist consulting activities, it takes Behnaz little time to decide she wants to exclusively dedicate her time to creating her own Fashion Label, which she launched during Milan Fashion week September 2006. Her designs are a true reflection from the outset of her distinguished character.

 

When asked where her designs come from, Behnaz explains: “When I start a new creation I always have this motto in my mind: ‘you see things and ask why? But when I see things, I say, why not?'”.

 

A timeless emotion, a distinctive vision, an eternal vibration.

 

The essence is in need of a mix of magical elements. And it’s hard to precisely describe these – a Miracle without a formula!

BORA AKSU
London-based Turkish designer, Bora Aksu received his first acclaim when he graduated from the prestigious Central Saint Martins MA course in 2002. Quoted as “the star of the show” by broadsheets such as The Independent, The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian, Aksu’s collection attracted not just the press but Domenico Dolce and Stephano Gabbana who purchased pieces as inspirational items for themselves. This same collection also caught the attention of the ARG equation group where he won a sponsorship award from them, giving him the opportunity to make his debut off-schedule catwalk show at London Fashion Week, February 2003.

Once again, Aksu’s show received raving reviews and an impressive turnout. Suzy Menkes was in attendance and CNN introduced him as the rising new name. His show was also quoted as “one of the top five shows in London” by the Guardian. Aksu went on to received the Top Shop New Generation Award and was subsequently placed on the official London Fashion Week calendar for the following season. His Spring/Summer 04 collection drew inspiration from everyday objects such as stripy duvet covers, tea towels and granny underpants which he reworked into entirely new, feminine and wearable shapes. The collection created such a stir that it caught the attention of leading department stores including Liberty, Selfridges and Barneys.

Receiving the Top Shop New Generation Award for a second time, Aksu’s Autumn/Winter 04 collection entitled Disciples was a vision of nomadic but contemporary journey into fashion where he matched complex cutting with minimal seaming and juxtapose soft and stiff fabrics with delicate details.

For his Spring/Summer 05 Living Waters collection, Aksu was presented with the Top Shop New Generation Award for the third time. The 70s glamour inspired and romantic collection had Vogue quoting “The buzz around Top Shop-sponsored New Generation designer Bora Aksu is ever-growing and with this latest Biba-esque collection, it’s easy to see why. Multi-layered asymmetric chiffons in the season’s favourite mint flavour, lemon, oyster and orange floated effortlessly down the catwalk screaming ‘wear me and feel retro-fabulous’.”

With this collection, Aksu defined his style in London and Tori Amos bought up the entire collection for her Bee Keeper world tour.

With the support of a fourth Top Shop New Gen Award, Aksu presented his Autumn/Winter 05 Promised Land collection at London Fashion Week, prominently showing an accessories range on the catwalk.

Through the collaboration with the leading London contemporary dance company, the Cathy Marston Project, Aksu was inspired by the challenges he met with designing their costumes. Exploring the idea of movement, stage presence and maintenance of beauty, he channelled them as a theme for his Spring/Summer 07 show. Taking his collection further by collaborating with Converse, Aksu fused the everyday sneaker and its sporty elements with couture techniques to produce a collection that is fluid, casual, tailored, glamorous but nevertheless complex.

Working with the Artisan Armour group who produced items for epic films such as Troy, Alexander and King Arthur, Aksu finished his Autumn/Winter 07 collection with one-off leather and metallic sculptural body pieces.

With 10 shows under his belt, his collabrations and projects with various artists carries on. Bora also signed a contract with People Tree-Fair trade organization to design exclusive capsule collections to raise awareness on fair trade work shops.

EMMA COOK
Cook is not afraid to take risks surrounding her designs, “There’s no middle ground. It’s either disgusting. Or it works.” this is not how one might expect a designer to describe her own work. However, while the work in question looks similar to the sort a fashionably minded young woman might like to wear, it’s also full of the kind of bizarre and at times even twisted humour that Cook has made her own.  Instead, the most delicately pretty, hand-made lace and lace prints rub shoulders with tie-dyed latex are replaced with dandelion clocks and shuttlecocks with leather and fringing and much more.

Emma’s fashion education began at Brighton University where she completed a degree in fashion, textiles and business studies. Cook designs clothes, now as always, heavily influenced by her friends, finding both their different characters and body shapes inspiring. 

Cook returns to the London Fashion Week catwalk this season after an absence of a year – spent designing her collection but also looking after her young baby, she admits “we’ve gone a bit crazy”.

ERDEM
Erdem, the eponymous London ready-to-wear line established in 2005 by Erdem Moralioglu, has won plaudits for its gracefully modern clothing. Fusing sharp, forward tailoring and graphic custom designed silk prints in a uniquely romantic approach has been the signature of the brand’s aesthetic.

Erdem reiterates how women can dress beautifully, by striving to create personal and special products. Erdem Moralioglu was raised in Montreal, Canada by his Turkish father and English mother, and studied fashion in both Canada and England. Having received his master’s degree from the Royal College of Art in 2003, Erdem worked for Diane von Furstenberg in New York. After moving back to London, Erdem worked towards covering the void of femininity among the London fashion talent and launched his own label Erdem has been able to experiment with the best in quality fabrics, while staying true to his whimsical form and use of bold colour. The brand also brings about a playful use of embellishment in its creations, using embroidery in a youthful manner.

Erdem won in 2007 the Swarovski British Fashion Council Fashion Enterprise Award, as well as the BFC’s Fashion Forward award in 2008. In 2009, Elle Magazine awarded Erdem the “Fashion Future Award” at the Elle Style awards in London. His AW09 show was listed on Style.com’s rundown of top 10 shows of the season. Erdem was also nominated for the prestigious Swiss Textile Award and

The British Fashion Council’s 2009, “Collection of the Year Award”. Erdem is now sold globally in more than 50 premiere department and specialty stores, such as Barney’s New York, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Harvey Nichols, Dover St. Market, Colette, Browns, Ikram, Beams, Theresa, Banner, Luisa via Roma and net-a-porter.com. Erdem has registered well amongst the fashion savvy crowd, having noted Kiera Knightly, Sienna Miller, Thandie Newton, Chloe Sevigny, Michelle Obama, Erin O’Conner and Claudia Schiffer as fans of the brand. The brand showcases it’s collections during London Fashion Week and has solidly become one of the most popular shows to see during this event.

FELDER FELDER
Their label FELDER FELDER has earned them a British Fashion Award nomination, to name just a few of the A-list celebrities that have worn pieces from Felder Felder, Gwyneth Paltrow, Carman Kass, Rihanna, Courtney Love and Florence + The Machine are fans.  

Landing themselves an internship in London hugely influential designer Robert Cary-Williams and milliner Stephen Jones, both men inspired them to carry on their studies at Central Saint Martins, where the concept of FELDER FELDER begun.   

Autumn/winter 2008 was a huge season for FELDER FELDER. The girls won support in the form of New Gen/Topshop sponsorship – which continued on for three seasons, this got the attention of Selfridges – who invited them to design an in-store installation and window display as part of a tribute to young designers, and London Fashion Week.

The girls’ latest collection for spring/summer 2010, featuring signature rock’n’roll dresses and leather jackets as well as a limited edition of embellished denim pieces, has been a huge success with press and buyers and has won them a prestigious and definite  slot for London Fashion Week for Autumn/ Winter 2010.

FIONA PAXTON

http://www.fiona-paxton.com/

GEORGINA GOODMAN
Whilst working for influential magazines such as i-D and Elle, Georgina Goodman realised that what she really wanted to do was create.  With this in mind, she enrolled on the BA Course at Cordwainers College, London, followed by an MA in Womenswear/Footwear in 2001 at the Royal College of Art, London.

 

Georgina then opened her first showcase store in the heart of Mayfair in December 2002. Her perceptual clarity and the understated luxury offered through her initial Couture collection won the hearts of her discerning clients and the acclaim of the fashion media. 

 

In 2003, the first Ready to Wear seasonal shoe collection was initiated, Hand Made in Italy and expressing her consistent signature style while staying true to the heart of her design ethos.  Her brand portfolio now includes couture and RTW women’s shoes, bags and other accessories, home-ware and her collection of men’s bespoke.

 

Her passion, energy and vision to create directional, exceptional contemporary work have been successful in establishing important partnerships with the most influential retailers and publications worldwide.  Moreover, she continues to expand her retail business with her multi award winning website and her new Flagship store at 44 Old Bond Street.  Georgina also acts as a consultant to major fashion houses helping to shape their collections with her influential style, she works in collaboration with designers she admires and she is twice nominated Accessory Designer of the Year by the British Fashion Council.

 

Georgina’s philosophy has always been straightforward; Be Consistent, Be Clear, Be Who We Really Are and most importantly; Be In Love.  This philosophy is expressed in everything Georgina Goodman, even down to placing the words ‘Made in Love’ on the hand painted stripe sole of every shoe.

GOAT
Ten years ago, the individual, understated luxury that designer Jane Lewis so craved to wear was nowhere to be found. And so, she decided to create her own. An eight-piece mini capsule collection later, and spurred on by such a resoundingly positive response from her friends, Goat was born.

 

Goat, so called because a few of those initial pieces were made from cashmere, was soon established as the go-to label for effortless chic. While the horn-buttoned cashmere cardigan became a Goat signature, the luxury woven pieces that now adorn everyone from Sienna Miller and Kirsten Dunst to Elle Macpherson and Gwyneth Paltrow have become equally synonymous with the brand.

 

Quintessentially quiet, Goat creates luxury stripped back to its absolute essence, using the very best materials and most subtle design details. Jane Lewis and her team pride themselves on always delivering the pieces you need right now.

 

A quiet glamour runs through Goat, from its mink collared sheepskin coat that looks as if it has stepped out of a 1950s couture salon to the more accessible Goat Library range which can boast the same fit and trimmings as the mainline collection.

‘The simplest things are the absolute hardest to achieve. To make luxury look this effortless is hard. We really look at every single detail,’ says Lewis. Little wonder then that Goat, a very British brand, is so firmly established with 50 stockists across the UK.

GRAEME BLACK
After Graduating in fashion at Edinburgh College of Art in 1988, Graeme Black began his career as an Assistant Designer working in London for, among others, John Galliano and Zandra Rhodes. Moving to Italy in 1993 he worked as a Designer for Les Copains and starting in 1995 he moved through the ranks at Giorgio Armarni to become Head Designer at Borgonuovo Black Label. In 2003 he became Head of Womenswear for Ferragamo.

Whilst at Ferragamo he had responsibility for the coordination of all categories of womenswear and accessories and he staged the biannual fashion show in Milan as well as one-off events in the US and Far East.   2005 saw the launch of the first Graeme Black collection and in September 2007 Graeme left Ferragamo to concentrate on his own line.   
In May 2009 Graeme was appointed as Creative Consultant for the Hugo Boss Black Label. In January he presented the first Womenswear in the Boss Black Show in Berlin. This was highly acclaimed.  
Now based in London Graeme oversees both the design and production of his eponymous label as well as flying to Germany to work with the team at Hugo Boss.

GWENDOLYN CARRIE
Gwendolyn Carrié began her career as a shoe designer after 12 years as a successful investment banker during which she rose to the position of Director and senior advisor to some of Europe’s largest retail and luxury goods companies. With the premature arrival of healthy twin girls, Gwendolyn realized that it was time to steer away from logical steps in the world of finance and pursue a long-time dream to become a luxury shoe designer.

With her in-depth knowledge of the luxury leather goods market, she found a common thread between banking and design: the importance of details. Primarily self-taught, she attended evening pattern-cutting classes at Cordwainers and carried out pattern-cutting, stitching and shoe-making internships at various shoe factories to hone her skills. In Spring 2005, Gwendolyn launched her very first collection.

Key to Gwendolyn Carrié’s design philosophy is that comfort need not compromise elegance. During her time at the bank, Gwendolyn noticed a gap in the market for stylish and wearable shoes that would take her from the office and out to town. Frustrated by the lack of choice offered to the real women juggling careers, families and busy social schedules, Gwendolyn sought to design shoes that combined beauty of form with practical functionality so that women could be confident in their heels and not crippled by them. 

Distinctive materials such as the label’s signature fish skin leathers are an important source of inspiration for Gwendolyn. Her signature fish skin leathers in both natural fluffy and glazed forms are a by-product of the food industry. These beautiful materials feature in all her collections, along with genuine exotic skins that are carefully sourced and quirky detailing such as beautifully handmade feather accessories, vintage fabrics and antique haberdashery.

In a world mesmerized by mass production, Gwendolyn seeks to re-define luxury as we know it today and rediscover the true meaning of exclusivity. Gwendolyn Carrié limited edition designs are handcrafted and demi-couture, often with no more than 16 pairs per style and colour ever made. An advocate of “thinking fashion”, Gwendolyn recognizes that today’s throwaway culture is unsustainable. The emphasis on skilful handcraftsmanship, properly balanced structures and the use of durable all-natural materials are steps toward encouraging consumers to make considered choices – to buy less but buy better – and to celebrate individuality, sophistication and style. 

 

HANNAH MARSHALL

“Imagine Carine Roitfeld seen through the lens of Helmut Newton and you’re somewhere close to Hannah

Marshall’s version of contemporary dressing.”

Sarah Mower

British designer Hannah Marshall’s ascent from fresh-faced fashion graduate, to internationally acclaimed young designer has been nothing short of meteoric. A rising star of the fashion firmament, Hannah Marshall has produced six collections under her eponymous label. All have signaled the beginning of what is to become the reinvention of the Little Black Dress, with Erin O’Connor loaning the infamous Trapeze Dress to the prestigious Little Black Dress exhibition at Zandra Rhodes’ Fashion & Textile Museum in London.

February 2007 saw the introduction of her distinctive AW07 ‘Quiet Noise’ collection which debuted at the On|Off exhibition,followed by SS08 ‘VoID’ in September 2007. For AW08 ‘Code Black’ was shown as part of New Gen at London Fashion Week, as was “Power Architect for SS09, and then Hannah successfully received the highly acclaimed New Generation sponsorship for the third season running and unveiled the much anticipated AW09 collection ‘Armour’ at The Exhibition at February’s London

Fashion Week. This season Hannah Marshall debuted her first catwalk show at London Fashion Week with her Spring/Summer 2010 collection, where British supermodel Erin O’Connor modelled for Hannah Marshall exclusively.

 

A contemporary luxury British brand synonymous with edgy restraint, encapsulates powerful, body conscious and dynamic wonder-silhouettes that are engineered with precision and control from high octane mix of contrasting fabrics, such as signature leather with caviar-like stingray, luxurious stretch velvet and taught elastic against lustrous silks create an enticing blend. Black takes the main stage, with an offering of minimalist colours each season. Marshall dexterously incorporates signature tactile Braille messages into her collections, which stems from her curiosity of the developing fusion of clothing and communication, which are centred on the iconic LBD. Coupled with this is the intention to evolve a search for new and innovative aesthetics.

 

Gaining a First Class degree from Colchester School of Art & Design in 2003, Hannah has since established herself internationally as a designer, an entrepreneur and the face of one of the most immediately coveted luxury brands to launch in recent years. Her talent and wealth of experience with leading London fashion designers attracted the attentions of the first ever Creative Pioneer Programme to come from NESTA (The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts). At the age of 21, Hannah was the youngest of 30 young entrepreneurs to receive personal and business training to help transform their ideas into a business. Hannah is now supported by The Centre for Fashion Enterprise and has been recognised by organisations such as the Gen Art in New York, Channel 4 and New Generation sponsored by TOPSHOP at London Fashion Week. Internationally recognised, New Generation support has helped launch the careers of some of Britain’s top designers, including the likes of Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson and Julien Macdonald.

 

Press coverage highlights include; British VOGUE, Style.com, i-D, American ELLE, VOGUE Italia ,V, Grazia, Financial Times, The Independent, Gap Press, Japanese ELLE, Dansk, Wonderland, NME, Jalouse, Interview, Qvest, Wallpaper, L’Officiel and more. Hannah Marshall’s work has been photographed by: Nick Knight, Karl Lagerfeld, Steven Meisel and Mariano Vivanco.

 

Fans include: Erin O’Connor, Roisin Murphy, Megan Fox, Julia Roitfeld, Alison Mosshart, Alice Dellal, Tori Amos, Skin, Florence Welch, Natasha Khan, Naomi Campbell, Emma Watson, Estelle, Beth Ditto, Kelly Osbourne, Ipso Facto, Leah Weller and more.

 

Stockists: Harrods (London), Opening Ceremony (New York, LA, Japan), 10 Corso Como (Korea), Luisa Via Roma (Italy), UK Style (Russia), RA (Antwerp), I.T (Hong Kong), Fashion Lifestyle (Russia), The Convenience Store (London), Apartment C (London), Ma Mode (Glasgow), Amelie Boutique (Online), Noema (Russia), La Coquette (Jordan), Farenah Concept (Bulgaria) and K3 (Japan).

HOUSE OF HOLLAND
This label was first created when Henry Holland started designing t-shirts whilst he was a fashion editor. Printed on his t-shirts were naughty rhymes about fashion designers in bright, shouty capital letters; Burberry’s creative director was honored with “DO ME DAILY CHRISTOPHER BAILEY.”  

The shirts, which were initially being sold off Holland’s MySpace page, sold out immediately. Holland was not one of the lucky few granted New Generation sponsorship for his show from the British Fashion Council, which has put extra pressure on the team to raise even more money from other sponsors. ‘Now I’ve got studio space, and people that work for me, and they’re my friends – if I don’t pay them, my friends are screwed’.

Holland now has over 40 accounts with vendors like Harvey Nichols and Seven New York in the U.S. and still expanding by the minute.

 

JEAN-PIERRE BRAGANZA
Jean-Pierre Braganza represents a dark and unique aesthetic infused with the unexpected. Black, androgynous and sleek is the dominating look but unconventional colour, silhouette and detail make appearances that provide the potent edge that Braganza has become known for. He is obsessed with the shadowy corners of the imagination and the paradoxes within. Associated with a rock ‘n roll clientele, the brand remains uncompromisingly hard-edged with an ear to the London underground. 

Jean-Pierre was born in London but grew up in Canada. He was always an Anglophile, and was influenced by British music such as The Smiths, The Expoited, Led Zeppelin and The Stone Roses as a teenager. He knew that he would someday return to London, and when he realized that fashion design was his calling he applied to Central Saint Martin’s College, knowing it’s reputation as the world’s best fashion college. He graduated in 2002.

Music plays a huge part in his inspiration; where others would name an individual as a muse, Jean-Pierre would name his favourite bands. A career highlight for Jean-Pierre was in 2008 when he was commissioned to create garments for the latest Nine Inch Nails video, with Trent Reznor being one of his heroes.

In fact, 2008 has been his most exciting year to date, starting with the Australian Wool Innovation-sponsored

For Jean-Pierre the visual is connected to the intellectual, and his aesthetic is a language that speaks directly to his clients. While he references the sartorial, his detailing is completely modern, looking to dress and address a post-apocalyptic future. At the same time rigid and flowing, it is the sophisticated manipulation of shapes and fabrics into garments that are more than clothes but fragments of his soul.

His celebrity clients include The Kings of Leon, Joan Jett, Rufus Wainwright, Alison Goldfrapp, Placebo, Keith Richards, Nine Inch Nails and Estelle.

www.jeanpierrebraganza.com

JULIEN MACDONALD
Julien Macdonald OBE studied knitwear at The University of Brighton and received his MA at The Royal College of Art, where he graduated in 1996.

 

 

Julien was appointed Head-Designer of Knitwear at Chanel and Lagerfeld by Karl Lagerfeld between 1996-1998.  In 2001 the French fashion house Givenchy invited Julien to become their Creative Director, where Julien designed six collections a year, from Haute Couture to Prêt-a-Porter. Julien left Paris in 2004 to concentrate on his eponymous label.

 

In November 2006 Julien was awarded an Order of the British Empire for his services to the fashion industry. The following year private investor Jamey Hargreaves announced a major financing deal with the brand and is now Chairman of the Company with Julien Macdonald now Creative Director.

 

Julien’s atelier is based at a five storey Georgian town house in Mayfair and the collection is manufactured in Italy. Julien Macdonald is available in prestigious department stores and boutiques worldwide.

LOUISE AMSTRUP
Last year Louise featured in the Hywel Davies’ book The 100 Best New Designers; exhibiting at Dusseldolf’s Kunst Im Tunnel museum and being awarded sponsorship by Fashion Scout to show her current collection  Shanghai Fashion week.   
Following this Louise made her third appearance at London Fashions Weeks, “The collection that will be shown for LFW will include extra showpieces that will bring a different edge for the London crowd.” she explains.  

Amstrup was in reflective mood for spring/summer 2010; both literally and figuratively. Inspired by mirrors and glass this season she was also preoccupied with putting a much-obsessed-over body part to rest, i.e. the shoulder. Strong structured shoulders have been seen in many places this year, she admits this season shoulders needed to be taken to the limits then deconstructed to put them at rest.

Louise loves to use fabrics that trick the eye, in a hall of mirrors homage, as light silk georgettes layered over corsets. Having received extremely positive views from many events that her clothes have show cased in, Louise aims to continue her success globally.

MARK FAST
Mark Fast is a 29 year old Canadian born knitwear designer. He grew up outside the city of Winnipeg, in the countryside along a highway next to a forest. This minimal, peaceful lifestyle led him to wonder what life might be like beyond the familiar frontiers of Canada.

Finally finding inspiration in London, Mark studied at Central Saint Martins for five years. He completed his BA there and went on to complete his MA in February 2008. Mark has created knitwear for Bora Aksu, a collaboration that spanned three seasons. He has also collaborated with Stuart Vevers for the Loewe RTW AW09 show and with Christian Louboutin on shoes for his SS10 collection.

Mark designs by hand on a domestic knitting machine. His work is formed onto the body as he knits, and he has devised innovative stitching techniques, blending lycra with viscose, angora or wool. He is inspired by the endless possibilities of lycra yarns, sculpting areas of tension and areas of volume over the body. Mark’s fascination with the cinema drives his creative process as he channels the energy of the characters who inspire him into his knits. Obsessed with texture, Mark’s most recent work explores the relationship of garments to the wearers body.

“Knits have a more intimate relationship with the wearer than tailoring or corsetry. The garment takes on the shape of the person inside it, and the finished look is always a collaboration between the two.” – Claudia Croft on Mark Fast, Sunday Times Style, 11th October 2009.

MARIA FRANCESCA PEPE
Maria Francesca Pepe is born in Foggia, Italy, the 5th of March 1979.

She studies Literature and Philosophy at the “Universita’ degli Studi di Milano” from1998 to 2000. The following four years, during her Fashion Design BA at the “Marangoni Institute”, Milano, she studies Womenswear Fashion Design, Illustration, Pattern Cutting and Fashion Business.

In the meantime she hones her skills in fashion following several courses in London such as Fine Drawing at the Royal College of Art; Styling, Experimental Fashion Design, Digital Fashion Design and Professional Sewing at Central Saint Martins.  She won the Tannan Fashion Award, Japan in 2003. Milano and the Italian Fashion System are crucial in terms of developing a creative persona, gaining good contacts as well as having her first professional experiences.  She works as a free lance PR in Milano while she regularly attends Milano Fashion Week’s shows and parties and sells some of her handmade creations in some of the most trendy boutiques of the city.

After graduating with the maximum grades and showing her first Collection at the “Marangoni Fashion Show” during Milano Fashion Week 2003, she works as a print designer for “Kookai” and eventually for “Luciano Soprani” as the creative director’s personal assistant and head designer of Womenswear and Accessories.

After two seasons at Soprani and having developed a Limited Edition line of deconstructed unisex range of sweatshirts called “Chicca”, as her nickname, she relocates in London to complete the Masters in Fashion Womenswear at Central Saint Martins, under the guidance of Professor Louise Wilson._Maria Francesca’ s Fall/Winter 2007/08 Womenswear Collection is shown at the Central Saint Martins Ma’s show at London Fashion Week, as the finale of the prestigious catwalk. It’s February 2007.

The Womeswear Collection, including Jewellery and Footwear, gets soon a great response from UK and International leading Press and Buyers including Vogue Italia, Elle US, Self Service, I-D, Dazed&Confused, Evening Standard Fashion, Harpers Bazaar and many many more.

“I have been blessed by the press.” MF says, “This sudden amazing exposure has given me the guts to keep working hard and building up my own brand. I love working with editors and photographers: it’s the part I enjoy the most giving life to what has been inside my head for too long and finally sharing my vision, looking at how others receive it and influence it…”

Straight after the Ma, Maria Francesca designs alongside Jens Laugesen his S/S 2008 while having a work experience at Vivienne Westwood’ s.  In the meantime she conceives and starts to build up her own Brand and Company “MFPMariaFrancescaPepe”,focusing on Fashion Jewellery Design. “It’s not like I began making jewelry and then decided I could do clothes. I just felt like jewelry was a good way to establish my brand” The line will include during the following seasons a range of Womenswear PAP, Bags and Footwear, conceiving MFP as a life-style brand.

Following collaborations include: Roksanda Ilincic’s Jewellery for S/S09-F/W09-SS10, Emilio De La Morena’s Jewellery for F/W09, Ter et Bantine’s Jewellery for S/S09, Ana Sekularac’s Jewellery for S/S09 and Louise Gray’s Footwear for F/W08 sponsored by Fashion East, Amanda Wackeley’s SS10 Jewellery. Further consultings includes the one with Morellato, one of the leader Italian custom jewellery brands.

MariaFrancescaPepe “Jewellery-Wear” is a New Concept for both Fashion Jewellery and Clothing that become interchangable items and essential pieces for a New Luxury ideal. The boundaries between clothing and accessories are faded and they become functional one to the other. All the pieces are made in Italy at the highest tailoring and handcraft quality standard by selected artisans and factories Maria Francesca works in strict contact with.

MFP Creative Studio, Press, Sales and Distribution are based in London. MFP-MariaFrancescaPepe first collection Spring/Summer 2008 “Paradoxa” is presented in Paris at Rendez-Vous Femme selling to Rei Kawakubo’s Dover Street Market (London) and other selected high -end boutiques. Matt Irwin shoots the look book.

Following collections include FW08 “Mucha” -a range of silver, leather and fur jewellery pieces- and SS09 “Art-Brut09” introducing MariaFrancescaPepe Bags and a full range of Womenswear pieces all concieved around the Jewellery-Wear Concept with prints conceived from the structure and the shadows of MFP’s signature Tubulars. The Tubular becomes MFP most recognisable art-craft, being featured in all the most prestigious magazines and appearing on celebrities such as Agyness Deyn and Roisin Murphy.

Further collaborations with photographers and models continue with Alice Dellal, Mari Sarai, Daniel Sannwald and Simon Harris.  Fall Winter 09-10 “Les C” sees MFPepe’s debut on London Fashion Week’s catwalk schedule sponsored by Fashion East. Great are the responses and a double spread page inside the following day Evening Standard. The collection, inspired by the malicious nineteen century “cocottes” aesthetic, features tailoring sharp shaped jackets and dresses and army Since FW09 MFP is part of the British Fashion Council’s Showroom in Paris: “London ShowRooms”.

The Spring Summer 2010 collection “Bathing Beauties” is presented On Schedule during the London Fashion Week, screening a conceptual Film directed by New Yorker KT Auleta and styled by Francesca Burns. It features the three bathing beauties -Portia Freeman, Georgia Frost and Lilah- in fragmented and watery images that show the glamourous range of clothing and bold “fin like” jewellery as creatures from a submarine world inspired by the lightness of the Thirties aesthetic and Esther Williams’ s imaginary. The Film and the collection are also exhibited in Milan at White, thanks to White Club sponsorship and in Paris.

The concept of MariaFrancescaPepe is based on the possibility to evolve from the accessory to the clothing, from the pure design to the functionality and vice versa. All MFPepe creations merge the link between the ornament and the wearability. The Italian handcraft tradition is fused to a contemporary and avant-garde sense of Fashion. MFPepe is discovering and creating at the same time.

MariaFrancescaPepe is available in high-end selected stores worldwide and on the web. MFP Shop Online will be launched soon on

www.mfpepe.com

“La bellezza sta li’ dove qualcuno l’ha dimenticata”

 

“Beauty is where someone forgot it”

MFP was nominated for the Swarovski Emerging Talent Award at the British Fashion Awards and MFP has been sponsored by the BFC and Topshop to show her FW10-11 collection at the recently past LFW.

 

MARKUS LUPFER  
London-based designer Markus Lupfer graduated from the University of Westminster with a first-class honours degree, in 1997. Thanks to his unique style and the artful way Lupfer refreshes everyday basics, the German-born designer didn’t wait long for commercial success. His critically acclaimed final year collection was immediately bought by fashion boutique Koh Samui. And shortly after that he was awarded the New Generation Award, in 2001, allowing him to show the label that bears his name.

 

Markus Lupfer became a regular on the London Fashion Week schedule until February 2003, before joining Spanish fashion house Armand Basi in 2006, where he was design director until 2009.

 

Lupfer’s attention to detail and ground breaking use of fabric has captured the attention of many brands, including Topshop. In 1999 he was at the vanguard of designers to create capsule collections for the high street Mecca – which he continues to do to this day. Lupfer’s innovative designs have also created opportunities for collaborations and consultancy projects with Ruffo, Cacharel, Mulberry, and, of course, Armand Basi One womenswear – which he turned into a must-see London Fashion Week show.

 

In 2008 Markus Lupfer won ‘Best Designer of the Year’, at the Prix de la Mode Awards, in Spain. Lupfer is acclaimed for his exceptional knitwear and inspired approach to jersey tailoring. His innovative use of print and experimentation with embroidery, and graphic embellishment, continues to earn him a devoted celebrity following, with fans including Roisin Murphy, Daisy Lowe and Lily Allen.

 

The Markus Lupfer label was launched in Selfridges earlier this year, and is shifting faster than it can be replenished. With ever increasing sales and extensive press attention the brand continues to grow internationally, selling to exclusive boutiques and department stores worldwide. These include Net-a-Porter.com, Colette in Paris and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong.

 

Markus Lupfer’s experimental and exceptional approach to sequinned embroidery has won him fans the world over. Particularly, straight talking fashion journalist Sarah Mower who recognizes the cult fan base Lupfer is quickly acclaiming.

 

“Markus Lupfer’s been very clever in making his sequinned sweaters an item with a bit of a cult following that draws followers from a really surprisingly broad customer-base. They strike such a great balance between easy and dressed-up and witty and smart – pieces to make people from teenagers to grown ups smile and feel good in it almost anywhere.”

 

Lupfer’s unique style breathes new life into the everyday basics and refreshes the concept of classic knitwear, creating wearable clothing with an ornamental feel.

ME&EM
Emma Howarth and Clare Hornby co-founded  online brand ME&EM (formerly Pyjama Room)  in June 2007. Their ambition was to create a brand delivering comfortable luxury for women for all relaxed occasions. Their range of clothing extends from sleepwear, loungewear to casual daywear and beachwear. They combine luxurious fabrics with feminine detailing and flattering, elegant but easy to wear shapes, so that women can be as stylish as they are comfortable.

In 2009 ME&EM was chosen by the British luxury group Walpole as one of their 2009 Brands of tomorrow.  Fans of the brand include Rosamund Pike, Thandie Newton, Kirsty Young and Sienna Miller.

Emma Howarth left Chime Communications plc in 2007 where she was Business Development Director for 7 years (with specific responsibility for digital growth). She was previously a Partner at HHCL & Partners and has worked at a number of Top 10 London ad agencies as well as a marketing consultant at Vauxhall Motors.  Emma is married, lives in London and has two children.

Clare Hornsby left United in 2006 where she was a partner. She has held a variety of senior positions running retail accounts in top London ad agencies, following her first job at Harrods and a degree in retail marketing.  Clare is married, lives in London and has two children and three step-children.

OSMAN
Grown up having studied banking at Cambridge graduating in 1997, Osman moved into the smoke to study fashion design at Central Saint Martins. His clothes soon took a liking to Kate Moss and Thandie Newton. Osman wanted to step away from the conventional pressures of masculinity in the work force, he didn’t grow up having fashion force feed to him.

PPQ
Amy Molyneaux and Percy Parker created fashion label PPQ,. PPQ were the proud founders of Drainpipe jean revolution dressing music maker’s including Peter Doherty. The designers duo today combine  cutting-edge collections in a spectrum of vivid colours, strong shapes, bold prints and elaborate fabrics to reflect today’s style icons and artists. 

Their clothes are sold, in retailers online such as Asos and in stores. PPQ has gained a loyal customer base and Peaches Geldof has been seen on a number of occasions wearing their designs, they cam to a decision to work in partnership and designed a cosmetic bag, limited edition collaboration for Collection 2000.  

Amy Winehouse collaborated with PPQ her range was said to, “high end statement pieces, inspired by Amy’s style, it will be very different to Peaches line for PPQ as that was more of a diffusion line — this will be an homage to Amy’s look.

SWAGGA & SOUL
Swagga & Soul was launched in May, 2009 with the idea that leather be incorporated into the women’s everyday wardrobe, branching out from jackets in to skirts, capes, and trousers.  The motivation came from bridging the gap between high end and high street leather – proving that good quality and design need not be overly expensive.

Designed by Nina Hopkins, a graduate from the London College of Fashion, Nina has over six years experience specializing in leather, and together with her business partner Caitlin Blodans, they have watched the label go from strength to strength. In just under a year, Swagga & Soul has been picked up by prestigious boutiques such as Feathers and Start Boutique, London; Paris/Texas, Denmark and Helianthus, New York.

A London based label whose collections consist entirely of leather, Swagga & Soul’s collections have been worn and loved by celebrities such as Daisy Lowe and Rosie Huntington-Whitely. They use sumptuous New Zealand leather and each piece has been designed for the individual.  From the Lily – a feisty lace up Biker , to the Florence Frill, more of a girly piece, Swagga & Soul breaks the blandness associated with leather garments.

SYKES
Joanna graduated with 1st class honours from Central St Martins in 2001,and after six years designing for Giorgio Armani and Alberta Ferretti, she launched her eponymous label in 2007.
 
Now in its fifth season, SYKES has continued to develop aesthetically whilst maintaining everything the brand represents – enduring quality and beautiful, subtle detail. The central inspiration of SYKES is understated and unconventional sexiness that translates across generations and transcends a seasonal look.
 
Sensual fabrics, exquisite wools, silks, and leathers, all sourced and made in Italy Instantly make the clothes feel like your own and come to life on the body. Each garment features a tiny metal dot in gold or silver placed like a beauty spot, and a seal of quality.
 
The SYKES woman is confident and sophisticated, with an intimate understanding of understated luxury. She is a selective shopper who likes a relaxed, undone sexiness, with minimal styling and meticulous attention to cut and detail.
 
“My muse has a lot going beyond her wardrobe and appearance; she needs clothes that are stylish, sleek and comfortable without fuss.”
 
The collection is currently being sold at Matches and Harvey Nichols in London, Tearose in Milan, Enny di Monaco in Greece, Plum in Beirut and Elizabeth Charles in New York. It is regularly featured in Vogue, Elle, Harpers Bazaar, Grazia and other international fashion publications
 
In 2009 Joanna was appointed head designer of the “Freda” line, for Matches Boutique in London and has also been awarded a second season of New Generation Designer support from the British Fashion Council, for the AW10 collection.

For recent press click here www.sykeslondon.com/press

TODD LYNN
London based designer Todd Lynn launched his own label in September 2006 during London Fashion Week. His inaugural spring-summer 2007 collection was shown in Camden’s Proud Galleries and attended by some of the fashion world’s most influential opinion formers. They were quick to recognise Lynn’s exceptional design talent and he was soon considered to be one of London’s most highly anticipated and talented young designers.

 

The designer graduated from Central St Martins in 2000 with an MA where he then went on to work as a bespoke tailor for the music world’s elite. His designs have been worn by Rock star’s such as; Bono, Mick Jagger, Marilyn Manson, The Dirty Pretty Things, The Klaxons, PJ Harvey and Courtney Love.

 

His collection embodies the easy, dark and beautiful rock and roll cool that music industry heavy hitters have long appreciated and it incorporates the hybrid fusion of perfect tailoring and casual deconstruction. Once the sole domain of his celebrity bespoke clientele, now the world-at-large can access the Todd Lynn aesthetic.

 

Todd Lynn’s signature style of androgynous tailoring, and expertly cut garments have seen the designer be awarded the new generation award by Topshop for four consecutive seasons.

 

Todd Lynn’s designs can be found in Brown’s, Matches, Barney’s NY, Maria Luisa, Lane Crawford and available globally online at Net-a-porter.com.

CONTACT
Vanessa Isaia – Project Manager

 

Fashion Enter Ltd – Fashion House – First Floor – 28 Station Approach – Hayes – Bromley – Kent – BR2 7EH

Email: vanessa@fashion-enter.com
Tel:020 8462 9620
Mobile: 07704553840