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British Style Genius: Episode 2, "A Cut Above"

FabSugarUK — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:00:30 +0100

This week's episode of British Style Genius looked at the impact of the world famous Saville Row tailors on fashion. Looking at British designers such as Paul Smith and Ozwald Boateng the documentary looked back at the tailoring industry from 1900s to the present day. This week I thought I would test how well you were watching and how much you learnt with a quiz!

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Fab Watch: British Style Genius, A Fashion Democracy

FabSugarUK — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:00:38 +0100

Last night saw the airing of the first episode of British Style Genius which is a documentary looking at the best elements of British fashion. Here is a quick recap of the episode although if you missed it I strongly recommend catching up on Iplayer.

The series began with a look at Kate Moss for Topshop and it's impact on the High Street. They showed an amusing board meeting where Kate and Sir Philip Green sat discussing the sales of her autumn line for the store. We rarely ever hear Kate speak so it was intriguing to hear her Croydon tones. Sir Philip explained that the sales were good so Kate joked, "Hoorah, I've still got my job then?"

To find out more about the documentary just read more.

Most editors agreed that the line was a great idea as it offered Kate's style at a reduced cost but Colin McDowell went against the grain slightly. The Times fashion editor explained, "Kate is famous for being famous. If i was a young designer I'd be throwing bricks at Topshop." McDowell elaborated stating that there is so much great, young, creative talent in the UK that it seems a shame to have someone with no design experience be so successful.

With commentary from Jane Shepherdson the series explored the rise and fall of Topshop. It was founded in '60s but lost its touch by the '80s. Shepherdson explained how she wanted to show not just Topshop's ability to copy the catwalk but also their own design credibility which is why they launched Topshop Unique. This is literally catwalk fashion available on the High Street.

Topshop isn't the only High Street success of recent years, Marks & Spencer has also experienced a revival with a little help from Per Una designer George Davis. He has helped with widening the appeal of the store from functional to the fabulous. Twiggy put Davis's success down to his attention to detail. "The man is obsessed," she joked.

They constantly contrasted the '60s retail boom with the current and looked at both Mary Quant and Biba. Mary Quant invented clothes for young people and she explained her designs for Bazaar stating how she used bright colours, coloured stockings, short skirts, PVC, combined with childlike elements to create her infamous designs.

They also considered the design genius of Ossie Clark who initially designed for Quorum before later designing for Radley. Despite his amazing design skills, he was not very business minded. He bluntly stated, "I'm not interested in the cost of items at all." Ossie's shows with wife and textile designer Celia Birtwell were described as 'catwalk happenings' and the combination of dancing and funky music changed the face of the catwalk forever.

Barbara Hulanicki and her shop Biba are widely credited with making the High Street what it is today. She was selling high fashion pieces at low prices and the Kensington store became a meeting place for the young and fashionable in London. Hulanicki explained how they only ever created 200-300 of any item in order to keep the demand high and to keep people coming back.

The final section of the show considered Shepherdson's relationship with Oxfam particularly the way she got young designers involved with the store. She met with Christopher Kane and he explained how he updated an old dress with his trademark crystal detailing.

I thought the documentary was really interesting and I can't wait for the next installment. What did you think?

Images courtesy of the BBC.

On Our Radar: British Style Genius

FabSugarUK — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:00:26 +0100

It has been revealed that in September BBC2 will be showing a series about British fashion and style called 'British Style Genius'.

The programme questions what makes British style and fashion so distinct considering the looks and trends that have come to define British style.

They will consider all aspects of the industry from the High Street to couture, from bespoke tailoring to street cool, and from fashion rebels to traditionalist Sloanes. Contributions will come from Kate Moss, Twiggy, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen to name but a few.

Kate Moss rarely appears on TV but the programme shows her in meetings with Sir Philip Green, and trying on clothes whilst speculating on British eclectic style.

The influence of British style has never been so prevalent with many designers interpreting HRH Queen Elizabeth's style on the catwalk as seen here at D&G.
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Link Time!!!

FabSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:00:22 +0100

Eniko Mihalik's super-electric, multihued fantasy in W Korea - Refinery 29
Malia Obama: Budding fashionista? - ABC
London Fashion Week recruits Americans to help make it matter - The Cut
British Vogue gets to blogging - Fashionista
Cute outfit for a mere $50 - Lucky
Living dolls - Jezebel
Stefano Marcantonio - Fab UK
Audrey Leighton Rogers of Frassy - Teen Vogue
Prada, back to basics for Fall - Bag Snob
Kanye West on his Louis Vuitton Sneakers and why he thinks Rihanna is a style genius - Stylelist
Preorder your J. Aldridge by Sea of Shoes - Nitrolicious

Russell Brand's Back on British Land Facing Criticism Again

PopSugarUK — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:00:00 +0000

It looks like LA-living is good for Russell Brand's health, as the comedian appeared tanned and relaxed as he arrived at Heathrow Airport yesterday, after reportedly partying with Ricky Hatton and Noel Gallagher at the Playboy bar in Las Vegas on Sunday. He may not be leading the pack as your favourite British export of 2008, but he was rewarded for his comedy routines with the award for Best Live Stand-Up act at the British Comedy Awards over the weekend. This accolade hasn't gone without complaint though, with Andrew Sachs telling The Daily Telegraph:

"I don't really understand why he won it after all those people complained. It's not my style of comedy. I can't appreciate his 'magic' if magic it is. It doesn't get through to me as comic genius as such it is. It baffles me as to why he is so popular. There's no style or structure to his work. He speaks off the top of his head. It's hit or miss – miss for me I'm afraid. It's sad to see that this is popular with the executives."

What do you think of Russell's win? Do you agree with Andrew?

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Leon McGowran/Martin Leaver/BigPicturesPhoto.com

Absolutely Fabulous

FabSugarUK — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:00:44 +0100

Who wore Fendi's over the knee boots better, Daisy or Alice?
New Series of The Hills just started. Take our style quiz here.
A new month, a new Vogue starring Jourdan Dunn.
Which Emma Watson Fashion Week look is the most fab?
British designer John Galliano presents his Spring line to Paris.
Catch up with the first episode of British Style Genius.
The Evening Standard reveals fashions most influential.
The Olsen twins came to London to launch Elizabeth and James.
Trend Alert: Faux Fur Jacket.
Copy Sarah Harding's book launch style.

FABTV: Stella McCartney Explains Organic

FabSugarUK — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:00:27 +0000

There's a lot of fashion TV on offer at the moment from Alexa Chung's Frock Me to the BBC's British Style Genius. However, if you haven't quite learnt enough about the fashion industry yet then allow Queen of eco fashion Stella McCartney teach you about organic items! The British designer appeared on American show Iconoclasts on Friday night but here is a clip from her appearance.

Fab Blab: Kate Teaches Us to Get Dressed

FabSugarUK — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:00:56 +0100

This weekend Kate Moss revealed her Christmas line to the Sunday Times Style magazine. On British Style Genius we saw how Kate took her favourite vintage items to the Topshop design team to essentially copy and reproduce for the masses, but in this interview she talked about the direct inspiration for her next collection.

One of the key pieces is a limited edition full length blue sequined dress which was inspired by her 30th birthday vintage dress (above middle). Kate explains, "I later found out that the dress I wore that night was owned by Britt Ekland, and she wore it to the premiere of The Man with the Golden Gun. It is intricately covered in midnight-blue sequins, so we have only produced 10 of the full-length version." The full length version will retail for, a slightly shocking, £400 but a shorter version will be widely available for £130.

To learn more about her latest collection just read more

During London Fashion Week Kate partied in an eye-catching mini dress with panther detail. I was very intrigued by the dress so am excited to report that it is part of her Topshop line! The mini dress was also inspired by a vintage find, "I found a similar dress to the panther one in a New York flea market when I was 17, and I've kept it ever since. I chopped off the bottom and used it as inspiration for this version."

In the interview Kate also revealed that a black jersey dress she recently wore to the Ivy club (above left) is part of her new collection. "It's the sort of dress you could wear to a dinner party or a club – I wore it to the new Ivy club recently."

Finally Kate gave tips on getting dressed explaining,

"I don't think of things as "outfits" – I throw together what I feel is right for the night. I follow my feelings and just get dressed. For me, it’s not necessarily about trends or even interpreting catwalk looks. I go with a feeling or emotion and don’t necessarily plan, unless, perhaps, it’s a special occasion, or I’ve just bought something that I love and am desperate to wear (such as my new Balenciaga biker jacket)."

The collection hits stores and online on 28th October.

Source and BigPicturesPhoto.com

What To Sky+: Tuesday

PopSugarUK — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:00:00 +0000

BBC1 has My Family at War featuring Matthew Kelly and Phil Tufnell
BBC2 has Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, British Style Genius and Later Live... With Jools Holland
BBC3 has Celebrity Scissorhands and Last Man Standing
ITV2 has Along Came Polly
Ch4 has Miss Naked Beauty and Prince Charles's Other Mistress
E4 has Mr & Mrs Smith
More4 has The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Sky Family has Harry and the Hendersons
Sky Modern Greats has Borat

Will You Watch The Fashion Show?

FabSugarUK — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:00:01 +0100

There are plans for an almost overwhelming amount of fashion TV this Autumn. We already have shows like Gok's Fashion Fix and I recently told you about BBC's new programme British Style Genius. But now another TV show is on our horizons entitled The Fashion Show hosted by George Lamb, Abigail Clancy and Michelle de Swarte. It promises to reveal celebrity style secrets and executive producer, Sebastian Scott, claims, “The Fashion Project is a brand new weekly fashion show that will be essential viewing for the glamour glitterati." Will you be watching The Fashion Show?