FabSugar UK

Best of 2008: Fabulous Fashion Week Shows

FabSugar — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:30:08 +0000

2008 spawned a tremendous flurry of fabulous Fashion Week shows. Let's see, there were New York Fall and Spring shows, Milan Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, and LA Fashion Week. Oh, and don't forget all of the ravishing Resort and Pre-Fall collections. Some of my faves were Proenza Schouler's Fall line, Alexander Wang's Spring offerings, and Balmain's Spring collection in Paris. All different, all divine. Which were your favorites? Jog your memory, and check out all of our 2008 Fashion Week coverage.

To see the rest of our Fashion Week coverage, read more

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How To: Catwalk Coral Lips Plus Bold Brows

BellaSugarUK — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:00:00 +0100

Now that the Fashion Weeks are over, we can sit back and reflect on some of the key trends. From the gorgeously varied looks at Paris to the edgier styles at London Fashion Week, it's time to start working those trends already. One of my hot tips for next Spring is the bold lip colours seen on the catwalks at Osman Yousefzada, Betty Jackson and Harriet's Muse.

Celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge, who is also Creative Director for No7, was the creative genius behind the bold brows and strong coral lips at Osman Yousefzada. She says of the look "I wanted the makeup to work perfectly alongside Osman’s beautiful clothes. The look needed to reflect his modern, minimalist vision so I focused on ensuring a perfect, clean base that is offset by the striking coral lips – my favourite colour from the Osman collection – and bold, angular brows."

I spoke to her about her top tips to re-create this look at home to ensure you'll be bang on trend for next Spring. She says "Achieving this look is very simple and it has a bold, fresh appeal that's also wearable."

For how to get this fresh catwalk look, simply read more.

Face: To ensure a flawless base Lisa first applied No7 Instant Radiance Concealer, (£13.25). Its light reflecting formula helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Lisa then used No7 Protect & Perfect Foundation, (£15.50), which gives great coverage and a 'high definition' effect.
Brows:. Bold brows were the focus of the look and were used to balance the strong lip shade. Lisa used No7 Precision Brow Pencil, (£10), to ensure a strong colour.
Lips: "The coral lips are the real focus point" says Lisa. She custom blended the shade backstage at the show but to get the look try No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick, (£10), in Gay Geranium.
Eyes: Lisa kept the eyes neutral, just using No7 Stay Perfect Eye Shadow, (£7), in Innocence on the lids and blended up to the brows. She then applied lashings of No7 Extreme Length Mascara, (£12). Lisa suggests "to achieve the most impact, begin by massaging the brush at the roots of your lashes, then zig zag up to the tips to achieve maximum length and definition.”

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Few Fab Words: Inbar Spector

FabSugarUK — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:00:35 +0100

Young Israeli born designer Inbar Spector closed London Fashion Week last Friday with her Spring show. The make-up for the show was distinctly Bjork inspired and her designs were exciting, definitely making her one-to-watch. The penultimate piece in her collection received applause from the audience who were bowled over by her design talent.

After the show I managed to catch up with adorable black attired Inbar who was relaxing with her parents and sister (who is almost identical to Inbar but dressed in white) whilst the technicians began dismantling the catwalk around us.

Can you tell me a bit about your inspiration?
I think the inspiration was a bit about beauty and about the pursuit of beauty. Sometimes we’re going to extremes and going over the top with trying to pursue it but you can’t touch it; it’s untouchable. You can’t reach it. So this was the main concept, but then, you know, you get to the material, you get to the ideas, and to the sketches.

To find out more about her inspiration, the fabrics she used and plans for the future read more.

(cont') I think that I tried to use a lot of volume, like the twists and the ruffles to show how far you can go. Try to see the boundaries. I think everyone can see in the collection whatever he likes. So if someone sees something totally different it is good for me, you know, I would love to hear it.

Do you have a favourite piece from the collection?
I think that in every outfit I liked something because this is me, my heart, my craft so with every outfit there is me in it. I loved all of them. I hope people will love them to.

Did you encounter any problems?
You know the usual problems, always money. Money is an issue with young designers but other than that, it’s just being creative and believing what you’re doing and going til the end. Don’t stop yourself, don’t hold yourself back.

Can you tell me a bit about the fabrics which you used?
Lots of tulle, chiffon, silk, silk tulle, a little bit of technical fabrics. I don’t know how to describe them but they’re not natural. They come from Japan and they’re made from unnatural materials but they look quite silky and cool. This is mainly the fabrics but I used zips, buckles, chains, lace!

Any designers which inspire you?
Lots of them. So many amazing designers! I love John Galliano. There are loads of young, good designers out there…. Yuko Yoshitake.

What can we expect from you in the future?
When you finish your collection you start to think about the next one and the finale is always like a hint of the next one but I’m not promising anything! It always comes from the last collection so it’s a process. Every collection is different but there is still my style in it.

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Trend alert: Neon Pastels

FabSugarUK — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:00:27 +0100

Spring collections are nearly always about light or bright colours (except maybe in the case of Gareth Pugh) and this often involves pastel shades. For Spring 2009 however, many designers designed to bring pastels up a notch or two by introducing neon pastels. Appearing on the catwalks at Richard Nicoll, Christopher Kane and Eley Kishimoto the colour palette was certainly eye-catching.

At Eley Kishimoto (above right) the color was pattered which is easier to wear than the harsh block colour at Richard Nicoll. Christopher Kane obviously did his own twist on the trend with mixed fabrics and funky cut out shapes with plenty of volume.

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Trend Alert: Bright-Coloured Catwalk Lips

BellaSugarUK — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:00:00 +0100

Now that London Fashion Week has been over for a few days, I've been able to mull over photos and collect my thoughts about everything that I saw last week. Hair was mostly braided, crimped and pulled back, and the makeup looks ranged from neutral, almost bare-faces to one accentuated feature like bright lips.

I loved seeing the bold coral-matte lip look at Osman Yousefzada, the deep and delicious tomato-red pigment at Betty Jackson and the fun and punchy-cartoon pink lips at Harriet's Muse and Emma Bell. What's your favorite bright-coloured lipstick?

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Few Fab Words With Afshin Feiz

FabSugarUK — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:00:11 +0100

Last week I attended Afshin Feiz's Spring 2009 show at the Royal Academy of Arts. Having spoken with the designer before I was eager to find out what inspired him for Spring 2009.

At all of the fashion shows you are presented with a brief description of what influenced the designer. At some shows this could simply be a few words but for Feiz's collection we were told that he was inspired by Zen and beauty. He was particularly inspired by Buddha's Silent Sermon in which he stared at a flower for ten hours without saying a word. Buddha was said to be appreciating the beauty of the flower and this is what Feiz urged us to do at the show with his dresses.

FS: I understand that the collection is about appreciating beauty, but what is about your dresses that makes you think about it more?
AF: What comes more in advance for me, personally, rather than the exact theme is that I start developing an identity. So I know that whatever I do from now on, I’m thinking along the lines of that identity and that’s what I’m going to do, whatever the theme is, You know? So basically, I’ve gone really dark for Winter which is not really my habit and I thought this season, do you know what? just do what you really want. And pastels are really natural to me. I like clothes that are really girly but at the same time with the chains and stuff it kinda gives a little edge on stuff. So I like things to be wearable but theres an edge to it which makes things a little bit off. But no matter who looks at it you still feel like you can wear it.

To find out about the fabrics Feiz used and his plans for the future read more.

FS: Did you encounter any problems when you were making it?
AF: Not in terms of manufacturing. I was kinda depressed this season and I went through a difficult personal period which finally I think I managed to channel that in to something. And it’s been the best collection so far. I mean I’ll never do black, I’d do black for sales but never do it in my Spring collection.

FS: Do you prefer designing for Spring than Winter?
AF: Yes because I like light kinda girly clothes.

FS: Can you tell me a bit about the fabrics which you used?
AF: Yeah theres a lot of different kinds of silk. There’s silk sharmas, chiffon, satin…I like silk a lot and I use it and I like different textures of it. It’s interesting to find stuff that’s the classic fabric but has been treated to be a little bit different.

FS: Any designers which inspire you?
AF: Phoebe Philo who was at Chloe and has just gone back to Celine, she’s been a big influence. Probably Tom Ford as well.

FS: What can we expect from you in the future? Will you be doing any accessories?
AF: Yeah of course. But we’re still developing it, we want to start bags this season. Just a couple maybe and slowly in to shoes.

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10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About LFW

FabSugarUK — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:00:10 +0100

Last week whilst working hard to bring you the best coverage of London Fashion Week it occurred to me that not many people know about the ins-and-outs of the style showcase. Here are a few facts about the week that you might not know.

Most people have to apply for tickets to fashion shows. It's quite a lengthy process and sadly not open to the public (unless you happen to befriend a designer).
Shows never, ever run on time. This year people were shocked that most shows only ran 30 minutes late. There is a lot of waiting around and being called in (much like boarding a flight).
London Fashion Week provided buses between the shows as they are often quite spread out. If you're a VIP you'll be allocated a car!
The shows are all over London although based at The Natural History Museum, The Royal Academy of Arts and The Baden Powell building.
There's a press lounge in the exhibition tent with wireless internet. There you can collect press cuttings about the previous day shows, write up a show or enjoy a beverage like Red Bull or even champagne!

For the other five fashion week insider facts, just read more.

During shows most people are silent so all you can hear is the music and the loud clicking of the camera shutters.
Also, sometimes the photographers shout at the models to look up or to look at them!
As everybody works (and parties) very hard for a week spending a lot of time with the same people there's a London Fashion Week flu. It's a lot like Freshers flu, but far more glamorous!
You usually only get a goody bag if you're lucky enough to sit in the front row.
Everyone has to register for the exhibition and you pick up a pass; black for press, blue for buyers and red for exhibitors.

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Hello Kitty Club Kids at Emma Bell

BellaSugarUK — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:00:00 +0100

On Friday, Emma Bell showed her 2009 Spring collection which was inspired by cartoons. The clothing was designed in exaggerated proportions in bright neon colours with hints of sequins for an extremist, fantasy club-land feel.

The models wore body paint in addition to coloured tights and retro, 1940's styled hair. The hair was created by Tim Furssedonn for Toni and Guy. He collaborated with Charlie La Mindu to concoct over-sized hair pieces made to brief. Each model wore a custom-made head piece with shapes ranging from twisty-rollergirl pigtails to egg-shaped blue do's to a popcorn-box headdress. Braids were added in for texture and the hair was dyed in shades of purples and reds for a gothic-glam effect. Tim said "We wanted the hair to look fake. It should appear extreme."

Makeup artist Rachel Wood used Benefit products to create a "Hello Kitty and Barbie go clubbing" look. She told her team to "pretend they were at pre-school" when applying glitter to the models' faces.

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For Rachel's expert tips for making this catwalk look work in real life, read more.

"Since there was a playful food theme going on" said Rachel, "I wanted to translate this into juicy, fruit-coloured lips". On the catwalk lips were accentuated, but in real life Rachel recommends using Benetint Lip Balm, (£11.60), over a peachy lipstick for a fresh look.
On the runway, Rachel applied fake lashes coated with Benefit Badgal Mascara, (£14.50) and as a finishing touch, she suggests lining eyes with a black kohl liner, such as Badgal eye pencil, (£12.50).
Glitter is an easy way to transition from daytime to nighttime. Rachel suggests using eyelash glue on your eyelids and then applying loose glitter for a head-turning effect.

Photos courtesy of Herod MgHugh and Thom Will for Emma Bell

Backstage Pass: Bjork Inspired Braids at Inbar Spector

BellaSugarUK — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:04:00 +0100

I couldn't have been happier about the way that London Fashion Week ended. The last show (and in my opinion, one of the best) that I went to see was Inbar Spector . The clothing was sexy and fresh and mostly black with a few surprises in baby blue and white. However, what really got me excited was the dynamic and long plaited hair extensions weaved together and secured in a messy nest on the top of the head with a few straggly face-framing braids.

Also, the makeup was different than anything I've ever seen. While it reminded me a little bit of last season's Gareth Pugh Show, sans the blue accents, it was a striking contrast against the collection.

Talented (and friendly to boot) makeup artist Lan Nguyen explained that the geisha white foundation, lips and lashes were inspired than none other than Icelandic singer, Bjork.

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Stay tuned for FabSugar UK's exclusive one-on-one interview with Inbar Spector herself on Friday! For now, to find out all about the ultra-pale makeup products used behind the scenes, read more.

FACE: To take all flesh and pink tones out of the skin, Lan began by spreading a thick layer of MAC Pro Full Coverage Foundation in White all over the face.
EYES: Lan began by sweeping a white-coloured eye shadow in Chill all over the eye. She then applied white eyeliner on the inner rims of the eyes followed by two coats of white mascara.
LIPS: The pale pink from Benefit's My People, Your People lip gloss, helped slightly soften and add shine to the white foundation that was already on the lips.
BODY: Lastly, for an edgy, effect, intricate, faux tattoos, were drawn on to the arms of the models.

Trend Alert: Return of the '90s

FabSugarUK — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:00:07 +0100

There is no denying that there was a distinct '90s feel to the catwalk at last week's London Fashion Week. As London is the home of young talent we're now experiencing the style of designers who grew up in the '80s and '90s and their work reflects it. Meadham Kirchhoff included an item that were the jeans equivalent of Liz Hurley's safety pin dress, delicately held together with stitching and pins.

Henry Holland fell for the teen glamour of Beverly Hills 90210 for his Spring line which included bare midrifts and stone washed denim.

Danielle Scutt, the newly crowned Queen of denim also had a slightly '90s vibe to her collection which went for more of a grungey feel. She teamed big t-shirts with baggy jeans (above left) for a wearable version of the trend.