The past fortnight has supplied the goods, with the announcement and preview of the ASOS bridal range, the heavily anticipated BFAs and Grace Coddington’s strong dislike for Instagram.
ASOS launches bridal range
ASOS have gone where no other similar brand has gone before, by creating an affordable yet chic wedding range. The announcement was made at the SS16 press day and the collection comprises Grecian-style gowns, embellished intricate detailing and lace galore. A full look from the range, including shoes will not exceed £450. The range is due to launch in April 2016 (just in time for those summer nuptials).
Whilst on the wedding theme, Whitney Port also unveiled her wedding dress (cue gawking at the unique beauty repeatedly for weeks on end)
Grace Coddington slates Instagram
This week we have been discussing and debating the importance of social media within the fashion industry, and Grace Coddington, a figurehead for American Vogue, has affirmed her dislike for Instagram. She sees Instagram as intrusive and unnecessary, opening up to American Vogue about how she feels “it really interferes with people’s lives and things and it’s pathetic how everyone’s photographing everything they’re eating all the time. Everybody uses it instead of reading the newspapers these days. People want you to know that they’re holidaying in Greece. I mean, really. The first one I posted, my whole account got taken down because I was naked, which was ironic: It’s a goddamn cartoon!” All hail old-fashioned people watching perhaps? (by cutting out the app that makes this WAY too accessible)
Vivienne Westwood Celebrates 20th anniversary of Vive La Cocotte
The quirky designer is paying homage to the 20th Anniversary of Vive La Cocotte, the theme of her fall 1995 show, with a 20-piece capsule limited-edition collection of Cocotte dresses in baby pink or black silk satin retailing for £2,950. Westwood has also displayed a selection of the original looks in her Davies Street boutique for all to see and admire.
Brigitte Stepputtus, Westwood’s head of couture, explained the recreation, stating tha, t they are celebrating “the Cocotte corset because it was inspired by strong women in the past who were in charge of their own lives — witty, intelligent women who had their own income and who wore amazing dresses. It was used as a symbol of punk and of rock ‘n’ roll.”
Big Winners at the BFA’s
The night we’ve all been waiting for finally came and the results are in (so to speak). The Northern Irish designer, JW Anderson, secured the menswear and womenswear design prizes, Burberry received the Creative Campaign Award and New Established Designer was awarded to Mary Katrantzou. Meanwhile, Jourdan Dunn showed Victoria’s Secret what they were missing by picking up the Model of the year award presented by Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing. With an array of commendations, including the Outstanding Achievement award for Karl Lagerfeld, the London Coliseum was awash with household name attendees such as the Beckhams, Georgia May Jagger, Karlie Kloss, Kate Moss and Poppy Delevingne.
*Read our Brand Focus articles on winners JW Anderson and Erdem now to find out more about the worthy winners.*
Star Wars Merchandise
Never before would I imagine being allured by Star Wars t-shirts and sweatshirts, but the collection that launched exclusively at Selfridges on the 19th proved this wrong. With designers such as JW Anderson, Peter Pilotto and Christopher Raeburn among the ten London luxury designers creating unisex pieces inspired by ‘the motifs and moods’ of the iconic cinematic saga. Sweatshirts come in at £110, whereas T-Shirts can be snapped up for a mere £55.; a bargain for designer offerings. All proceeds will be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
Gisele’s $700 book sell-out
Despite creating a coffee table style offering retailing for a whopping $700, Gisele’s book sold out before it was even released, proving the extraordinaire’s value in the fashion world. All the proceeds from the book will be going to a charity close to the ex-super models heart.
Meet the vision behind Vuitton
Louis Vuitton’s visual image director, Faye McLeod, was celebrated at the launch of Louis Vuitton Windows, a 168-page compilation of the French fashion house’s window displays all over the world during McLeod’s reign. McLeod displayed a focus on the future and a need to part with the past when creating something new and captivating for prospective buyers.
Rihanna sends Puma sales rocketing
Puma’s chief executive officer stated that “the launch of the first Puma by Rihanna shoe, the Creeper, has been extremely successful and most retailers have sold out within hours or days,”
Other
The V&A underwear edit ‘Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear’ is due to launch in April 2016, but they revealed a selection of their favourite pieces to the public this week.
A re-display of a collection of Kate Moss images, compiled by the model herself, previously exhibited in New York in 2011, will be displayed at Mayfair’s Osborne Samuel gallery as part of a collaborative show featuring pieces from 2010 to the present day.
Balenciaga have been granted a patent for one of their iconic silver bow bangles, released under former creative director Alexander Wang in 2013. Any brand seen replicating the style will be liable to legal action from the French fashion house.
Images: Vogue, Marie Claire , WWD, Independent
Emma McCormack