Vidal Sassoon: the man who revolutionised hairstyling

Vidal Sassoon, who died this week at the age of 84, revolutionised hair styling with his liberating wash and wear cuts. His sleek and simple geometric cuts relieved the new generation from the rigid, high maintenance beehive of the 1950s. Once Vidal had created the iconic Mary Quant bob in 1963, hair stylists never looked back.

Brought up as a young Jewish boy in a tough area of London, Vidal was handed to an orphanage for seven years by his mother who lacked the sufficient finances to support a child. In a battle against anti-Semitism Vidal became the youngest member of the 43 Group which battled with Oswald Mosely's anti-Semitic gang and in 1948 he fought in the Israeli war of independence. However, this is not why we remember Sassoon.

From the moment he styled Mary Quant's mop, Vidal was hailed by dolly-birds as the new modern hairdresser. Those who went to Vidal expected a 'Vidal cut'. Sassoon's clients soon included many of the young models and film stars of the day from Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton to Cilla Black and Mia Farrow.

Sassoon re-established hairdressing as an art form, rather than just a trade. He described it as a method of sculpture and architecture, carving shapes that compliment bone structure. By 1964 the stylist had been put on the international spectrum with a salon in New York and within five years Sassoon had established salons in Toronto and Beverly Hills and a hairdressing school in London.

In 1973, Sassoon spawned a collection of products which established Vidal Sassoon as a household name. Though by 1975 Sassoon had stopped cutting hair, his legacy continued in television adverts and his extensive range of products.

Despite his death, Vidal Sassoon's timeless cuts will continue to influence the way hair is styled for many generations to come.

Leutton Postle: London Fashion Week

The Leutton Postle catwalk was possibly the quickest of the whole week, however, in spite of this the Central Saint Martins graduates Sam Leutton and Jenny Postle certainly hit the nail on the head when they described the collection was, ‘visually arresting, playful and intensely detailed.’

Knitwear was highly common among the catwalk this season, however, no other designer displayed the diverse range of techniques and effects as Leutton Postle. Pieces featured detailed lining consisting of tiny pom-poms, metallic patchworks woven into the key face motif and wool tassels all fitted into the fun and intricately detailed collection.

There was so much to feast your eyes upon from the contrasting colours of earthy tones and bright primaries to the use of metallics and the intricate knit fringing or the faces apparent in the designs and use of masks. I scanned each outfit trying to take in everything, constantly finding myself surprised and impressed and, though the show only lasted a mere six minutes, I took in more than I did during some of the 20 minute catwalks.

Photography by Laura McKinnon

http://www.facebook.com/lauramckinnonphotography 

Zeynup Tosun: House of Evolution Collective London Fashion Week

The House of Evolution collective returned to London Fashion Week once again with an even more impressive share of emerging designers with that mesmerizing contemporary edge we all admire. 

One designer who stood out head and shoulders above the rest was Zeynep Tosun. The Istanbul born designer, who was previously part of the Di Alberta Ferretti design team, established her brand in 2008 and rapidly rose to success winning the category of Best Up and Coming Designer at the Elle awards in 2010. The innovative, futuristic and wearable collection  for A/W 2012-13 showcased left me in utter awe, with dreams of travel in the future floating around my head. 

The collection represented a traveller’s journey with a contemporary nomadic feel expressed through the use of large metallic travel backpacks both at the start of the catwalk and at the end. The severe hair styling was instantly noticeable with slick tied back buns and visible hair blonde clip-in hair extensions that even worked for the brunette models in the futuristic androgynous tone. 

The space age traveller theme was emphasized by the symmetry and clinical precision in the cut of the designs and the sharp chocker style collars with metal detail. The use of layering a wide range of materials from rigid metallics, soft green tweeds and flowing sheer skirts in contrasting silvers and deep maroon and orange helped create tension and gave the collection identity. A key item was an oversized black Mongolian fur coat.

After accompanying Tosun's alien models journey across time and space I felt inspired, looking towards the future of design eagerly, excited for the adventure ahead.

Photography by Laura McKinnon

http://www.facebook.com/lauramckinnonphotography

Krystof Stroznya catwalk review: London Fashion Week

My first London Fashion Week was definitely a life changing experience. It turned my world upside down, helping me to develop and mature as a person and to take control of my career. I learnt many lessons from trivial but crucial survival skills such as eating a huge breakfast before starting your day (at fashion week both lunch and dinner do not exist) to important facts about the industry, for instance, Central Saint Martins breeds the most promising UK talent. Though by the end of the week my feet were covered in blisters, my brain going into overdrive unable to process so much information, the fashion week lifestyle was still so enticing and enthralling that I did not want to leave. 

The second show I attended, by Krystof Stroznya, was up there with the most memorable of the week.  After a confusion about which room we were to go to, my photographer, Laura, and I were rushed into the second catwalk by one of the event organisers. Perhaps it was this that gave us an apparent sense of elevated self-importance because next thing I know, I am being directed towards one of the best front row VIP seats. Acting as if this was just a regular day in the life, secretly hoping I would not be moved, I proudly took my seat and gleefully accepted the goody bag. Once the venue had filled up I began to notice people photographing the female next to me, though her face had an odd familiarity I could not recognise who she was. As time went on and more people asked her for pictures the realisation that this woman was clearly a celebrity had set in. Unfortunately, it was too late to say or do anything, so I sat there hoping someone would drop a hint as to who she was as the lights dimmed and the show began.

This show was one I had been particularly looking forward to after reading about the Polish born designer’s creations for the modern and empowered woman in Vogue and discovering that Stroznya had designed clothes for the likes of Natalia Vodianova. Luckily, Krystof did not disappoint. The collection stayed true to Stroznya’s signature sculptural dressing and flattery of the hour glass figure in the clean cut and geometrical, fitted dresses with soft drape detail. 

For A/W the Central Saint Martins graduate took influence from the 19th century Robert Louis Stevenson story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The idea of dual personalities shone through in the use of contrasting sheer and leather panels and of dark colours with soft pastels. The leather black and navy blue colourings, inspired by the night sky, formed the basis of the collection and emulated the misanthropic midnight creature of Mr Hyde. The appearance of nude in the lining of the several zipped pockets on a leather jacket and addition of split skirts, capes and material chokers to match the silk dresses reflected the split between the respectable persona of Dr Jekyll and the angst of Mr Hyde. 

One piece which stood out above the rest was a floor length, long sleeved silk evening dress. The pastel pink garment physically showed the split between Jekyll and Hyde in the addition of sky blue silk layered across half the upper torso and sleeve of the dress. The piece, like many others in the collection, oozed with mystery and promiscuity in the use of a drop neckline and split skirt, transforming pieces from daywear to evening wear.

As the show came to an end, so did my curiosity as the male behind me had the courage to ask the mysterious celebrity if she really was Amelle from the Sugarbabes or just a look-a-like. 

Photography by Laura McKinnon

 http://www.facebook.com/lauramckinnonphotography

HADES Magazine

First off, I would like to apologize to all my followers and regular readers for being away for so long! After LFW I was made Editor in Chief for an up and coming online fashion publication called HADES magazine.

At HADES we are dedicated to providing a high-quality, approachable platform to showcase emerging talent; to track their shady footsteps from the depths of the sartorial underworld, as they rise from the unknown. Working with a team of budding entrepreneurs and artists, we aim to explore, to seek out brilliance and leave no corner of the underworld uncovered.

The magazine is published quarterly. Please feel free to contact us with any feedback or questions at either contact@hadesmag.com or my personal address editor@hadesmag.com

http://issuu.com/hadesmag/docs/hadesissue1/65
http://www.hadesmag.com/

PS My fashion week blogs are on their way,

Corrine x

London Madness...

Sorry to all my regular reader's for my lack of posts recently. I have been manically preparing for London Fashion Week! Laura McKinnon Photography and I will be providing you interviews and trend updates from emerging designers on the fringes of the industry. We will bring you coverage of the Margin, Vauxhall Fashion Scout and LGN events catwalks over the next two weeks!

Corrine

Haunt Couture

Paris: the home of classic couture, a city where both men and women are renowned as effortlessly chic and suave. Yet, the latest menswear trend to surface the highly respected Paris Fashion Week catwalk was reminiscent of a scene from a horror film, jaws gapped as many grasped their phones, hands shaking ready to dial the fashion police.

Designers Thom Browne and Walter Van Beirendonck brought Halloween to the A/W menswear catwalks with a frightful new fashion of monster chic! Model Frankensteins dragged their feet down the catwalk supporting jumbo shoulder pads, sportswear skull caps and black eye make up.

Plunging down the rabbit hole into a topsy turvy world without logic or proportion is a common practice of American designer Thom Browne but this latest trip into Wonderland is the most wacky to date. The pretext behind Browne's collection was a high school style punks vs. jocks face off but for inspiration Browne turned to the most unusual of sources from the Rocky Horror Picture Show to The Longest Yard. Though Browne's mission is often to entertain, these broad shouldered figures were hardly symbols of fun.

Belgian designer Walter Van Beirendonck's collection 'Lust Never Sleeps' continued his venture into sartorial menswear. However, Beirendonck decided to take this exploration up a notch and match the classic tailoring with horrific S&M influences. Attention that should have been drawn towards the smart, well cut candy coloured suits was, instead, directed toward the threatening, fetish voodoo style warrior masks. Though Beirendonck's menswear collections often induce a mix of violence, colour and humour I am not quite sure what to make of this one. Whatever the true meaning behind this collection is, it is clear that Beirendonck has taken his exploration of gender and and masculinity in style to a whole new level.

All photos are linked back to the original sources.

London Fashion Week!

Trend Tone will be collaborating with award-winning international photographer, Laura McKinnon, for London Fashion Week to bring you all the news from the fringes off the fashion scene!

From the 13th to the 22nd of February we willl review catwalks showcasing emerging designers, bring you the latest A/W 2012 trends and some exclusive interviews.

I hope you are all as excited as I am!

Corrine

Image from www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

Emerging Designers: Who to look out for in 2012 (5)

SEEN Couture

The United Arrab Emirates are sky rocketing into the future. At a time when most of the world is at an economic stand still, the increasingly diverse UAE economy is racing ahead outpacing the rest of us with tourist centres such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi making big bucks. Yet, when it comes to the growing fashion market the forward thinking Emirates have been rather slow to catch on. However, 2011 saw progression with the introduction of Dubai Fashion Week, a chance for the UAE to show the rest of the world what the Middle East has to offer.

One designer who commanded the attention of the fashion world was entrepreneur, Sumayyah Al Suwaidi with her label SEEN couture. When SEEN opened the Harper's Bazzar Arabian Nights catwalk at Dubai Fashion Week in October heads turned and jaws dropped as the limited edition floaty dresses skimmed the floor of the catwalk, finally a brand that manages to combine classic chic style with traditional Middle Eastern dress. 

Launched in 2010, SEEN couture's limited edition, colourful and classically feminine dresses are already a big hit with style concious Middle Eastern ladies. The founder of SEEN, Sumayyah Al Suwaidi has became somewhat of an entrepreneurial icon in the Emirates. The designer first became known in 2001 when she started a career as a digital artist with a series of painting inspired by the late sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Since then Suwaidi has been hailed by art lovers as the first female Emirati digital artist. As Suwaidi's career progressed her entrepreneurial instinct kicked in and she opened her boutique, 'Grafika', as a platform for up and coming designers to sell and showcase their creations to the UAE market and beyond through the website. Grafika is now one of the most famous multi-brand stores in Abu Dhabi. 

With a rising status in the Middle Eastern fashion industry, Suwaidi was invited to judge the Emirati designer of the year competition in 2009. In addition Suwaidi also won the L'Officiel Award in 2010 for the Arab women of the year under the category of 'Best New Talent' and was nominated as Emirates woman of the year in 2011 by Emirates Woman Magazine. 

SEEN couture embodies the powerful and inspiring aspects of Sumayyah Al Suwaidi's personality with the belief that no dress should be made twice as every woman should be unique and independent in her style. The SEEN collections build on the traditional female Middle Eastern dress, taking the jalabiya and abaya dresses and adding a modern edge with the use of classically chic silhouettes and materials such as satin and silk. In Suwaidi's S/S 2012 collection showcased at Dubai Fashion Week off the shoulder cuts, split skirts and drop neck lines featured often. The use of prints, colour blocking and sequins, to create a metallic effect in one particular piece, brought the dresses into the 21st century and impressed an international audience. The stand out piece, for me, was the one shouldered purple dress with emerald green, silk trim down the sleeve and across the waistline.

The first DFW put SEEN on an international platform. There is no doubt that 2012 will push SEEN into the mainstream fashion radar. The label is due to present at the LGN Events A La Mode catwalk show at London Fashion Week this month and with Suwaidi's passion and drive, it is sure to be one hell of a show.

Check out http://www.seencouture.com/

Images from http://seencouture.blogspot.com/

Emerging Designers: Who to look out for in 2012 (4)

Piece d'Anarchive

Anarchy is a word that now, all thanks to the Sex Pistols, depicts a historical movement in British pop culture, yet if anyone knows how to kickstart a revolution it's the French. Under the mask of 'Piece d'Anarchive', three young Parisian renegades are bringing anarchy back home with a 'coup d'etat' on luxe couture.

The new label, 'Piece d'Anarchive', an amalgamation of 'anarchy' and 'archive', does what it says on the tin. It combines French fashion heritage with a riotus mix of tribal and boyfriend style pieces. Co-founder, Virginie Muys told British Vogue, 'It's a juxtaposition of order and chaos.'

The brand was formed last year after a chance meeting between Virginie Muys and sisters Priscilla, who has worked on the design teams as Erdem and Westwood previously, and Deborah Royer, a former product designer for Armani and Cacharel.

The debut collection for S/S 2012 takes a playful and mischievous approach to knitwear, combining familiar modern and vintage silhouettes with unexpected textures and stitches. The tactful trio persuaded one of France's last remaining knit factories, which works alongside many French Luxury Houses, to take on their production. Priscilla dug into her personal archives for the collection, incorporating up to four different stitches in one particular item.

The influences for the S/S line was as diverse as the sloppy-joe style knit pieces. The silk running shorts and loose shirts are inspired by the effortless laid back boyfriend look, the contrasting feminine lace knickers and puff sleeved dresses ooze of Parisian vintage chic, whereas other pieces depict tribal ceremonies, such as scarification. This is shown through graphic patterns, a neckline of animal teeth and purposely hand-made costumes for rituals. The body con skirt, almost grass like in texture, echoes of the flower-men tribe in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The chaotic explosion of influences is tamed by the monochrome tones of pieces, allowing the dynamic stitches and clashing textures to do all the talking.

It may only be months since the debut collection was released but the power and talent of this rebellious trio has not gone unnoticed. The lasting impression made by the first collection has resulted in Piece d'Anarchive finding it's way onto the stock lists of Colette and 10 Corso Como. The brand is also due to be sold overseas in the US. I think it is safe to say that we will be hearing a lot more from Piece d'Anarchive in 2012.

Image from purple DIARY 

Emerging Designers: Who to look out for in 2012 (3)

Rainbow Winters

The excessive growth of the smart textiles fashion industry over the past few years has resulted in a complete redefinition of the notion of 'clothing'. Today, we are much more interested in our fabrics and what they represent beyond their traditional usage of protection or even enhancement. 

The new scientific age has produced fashion projects like no other. Aided by the growth of social networking tools, such as Blogger and Twitter a new form of designer has spawned, one who is not only the master of textiles but also of technology, using lazer cutters and 3D printers to create contemporary clothing.

One designer, who is pushing the boundary of interactive clothing from novelty to mainstream fashion is Amy Winters, founder of label 'Rainbow Winters': a company which creates interactive clothing, fusing cutting edge science with high end fashion. 

The London Central Saint Martins theatre-design graduate founded the company in 2008 with a view to creating stage wear with a touch-sense-sound multisensory experience. Imagine your dress, coat and even swimwear changing colour when you play your favourite song, walk out into the sun or dive into the pool. The  combination of clever technology and beautifully cut and edgy couture has allowed Rainbow Winters to be recognised by London Fashion Week, Channel 4, WIRED magazine, Science Museum London, Science Gallery Dublin and Lady Gaga. It seems Amy Winters following is as varied as the changing colours on her famous rainforest dress.

The first capsule ready to wear collection was created all thanks to LABB Magazine's Emerge Showcase catwalk in 2010. The S/S 2011 debut featured two major show pieces that put Rainbow Winters on the industry's radar: the sound reactive thunderstorm dress, made with holographic leather and electroluminescent panels and the rainforest dress, which reacts to sunlight and water with the flower detail changing from monochrome to colour.

The A/W 2011 collection, following the success of the debut, was showcased at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout Presentation at LFW and also at Paris Fashion Week's 'Zip Zone' catwalk, which showcases the futuristic works of up and coming designers. The collection, inspired by the Yves Saint Laurent 1965 Piet Mondarin collection and the 20th century works of Picasso and Kandinsky, built upon the first, sticking with the interactive wow factor whilst polishing the high fashion appeal with classic vintage silhouettes and the use of lustrous fabrics such as silk and satin. The pieces were, again, reactive in accordance to sunlight and included the Rainbow Winters signature colour changing inks, transforming pieces from day to night wear as items change colour under UV lighting.

For the S/S 2012 collection, 'The Island' Amy returned to the 'Zip Zone' catwalk at Paris Fashion Week. The most recent collection was inspired by the idea of an enchanted island bathed in dazzling white and clear waters. Much of this work matched many of the athletic and glamorous high fashion S/S trends whist maintaining the innovative technological elements that allow Rainbow Winters to stand out. Natural daylight is used as an interactive device with the signature magic inks hand printed on the fabrics. Like the previous collection the S/S range sticks to vintage style silhouettes, enhanced by the digital bioluminescent print on buttons, trimming and panels in aqua, coral and luminous white colours. 

Rainbow Winters has helped create a new, forward thinking fashion market and in return has received a dedicated following of style savvy celebrities and science nuts. Though the brand experienced much success in 2010 and 2011, it is still unknown to many on the fashion radar. It is only a matter of time, in my opinion, before Rainbow Winters gets the full credit it deserves and sets the ball rolling for a style revolution.

All photos by Rainbow Winters- http://www.rainbowwinters.com

Amy Winehouse's Dad denounces Jean Paul Gaultier's tribute as bad taste

Paris Fashion week may represent the respected nobility of the fashion industry, but Jean Paul Gaultier's latest collection left one father livid.

Jean Paul Gaultier paid homage to late singer and style icon, Amy Winehouse, using her image as his muse for the S/S 2012 couture collection showcased at Paris Fashion Week. His models donned the artist's signature beehive and cat-winged sixties eyeliner as they walked down the catwalk smoking cigarettes. The collection was composed of classic and seductive sixties looks with brightly coloured fitted pencil skirts, dresses and bustiers to floaty silk nightdresses.

One particular model, who was styled to look like an Amy Winehouse clone, closed the show dressed in dressed in a veil and a pale pink wedding gown, whilst the surrounding models all donned black veils for the finale.

Gaultier said, 'It is not a funeral. They are happy brides.'

However, Gaultier's controversial finale was not appreciated by everyone. The late-singer's father, Mitch Winehouse, felt that the show did not portray his daughter in a favourable light, 'We're proud of her influence on fashion but find black veils on models, smoking cigarettes with a barbershop quartet singing her music in bad taste,' Mitch Winehouse told The Sun, 'It portrays a view of Amy when she was not at her best, and glamorises some of the more upsetting times in her life. That is upsetting for her family.'

Winehouse even said that he felt it was unethical for his daughters image to be lifted to sell clothes and was offended at the fact Gaultier did not consult the family first, 'No one asked us for permission or offered to make a donation to the foundation. This is purely about Gaultier making money, and that's wrong.'

Picture creditation- Huffington Post

Rihanna to head new fashion TV show

Stylish super star, Rihanna, has signed to be executive producer of a UK fashion programme set to debut on Sky Living.

The R&B artist, who has been praised by many as a daring and edgy style icon, lost no time in bagging Girls Aloud fashion queen, Nicola Roberts, to help judge the show.

The programme, which is yet to be named, is due to run over an eight week period with an aim to find the next big thing in British fashion. Twelve unknown designers will be challenged by Rhianna and Nicole to style other celebrity clients, acknowledging the growing influence of mainstream artists on fashion trends in recent years.

Rihanna said, 'I've always had a great love of fashion. It is a constant source of inspiration in my life, and is a big reason why I've grown into the person and artist I am today... I have been very fortunate to work with some truly amazing designers and stylists throughout my career, and they have been instrumental in making sure my creative vision reaches the stage. I am excited to follow the journey of our aspiring contestants and see how their individuality influences their efforts during the course of the show.'

To apply visit the sky living website or email applications@twentytwenty.tv

Applications must be received by Sunday 5th February and filming takes place over 8 weeks in April.


Photo creditation- Stilletos Magazine

Emerging Designers: Predictions for 2012 (2)

LunaSky

London based designer, Luna Sky, is probably best described as every girls dream fairy god mother. Having lived in fashion capitals across the globe from style sovereigns Paris and Milan to the new chic capitals of Tokyo and Japan, the designer has learnt a thing or two about creating the perfect ball gown. Living by the motto, 'la vita e bella' (life is beautiful), Luna formed her label 'LunaSky' in 2010 with a mission to create vintage inspired evening dresses to fulfil the needs of  the elegant, modern woman. 

The debut collection by LunaSky for A/W 2011 called 'La Vita Belle', meaning beautiful life, evoked the vision of Luna; a woman determined to devote herself to creating beautiful fashion to suit the lifestyle of the modern female. The collection combined elements of a classical romantic style in the lace monochrome evening dresses, which were given a 21st century edge with embellished chiffon, floral, sequins, ruffles and the LunaSky signature Swarovski crystal charms.

With an impressive debut collection, the appeal of Luna Sky's personal tailoring for individual customers and her traditionally feminine dresses did not go a miss. Within months the label was on the celebrity radar with names such as Gina G, Celina Brige and Lizzie Elliot on the LunaSky dressed-in list. Moreover, Sky was entrusted to style Top Model UK 2011 and showcase her second collection at the annual Pure London exhibition, the UK's largest fashion purchasing event.

The most successful venture for Luna Sky in 2011 was opening the LGN events 'A La Mode' independent fashion showcase during London Fashion Week in September 2011. The S/S 2012 collection displayed was inspired by the glamorous fashion of the 1960s. Similarly to the previous collection it built on classical silhouettes, with pull in waists and the sixties a-line style skirts. However, this collection was more sleek, sophisticated and rounded that its predecessor. The period styles were polished with modern tailoring creating chic day and night styles. The staple LunaSky crystal additions and ruffles gave the collection a haute couture feel.

The striking A la Mode performance paved the way for the rest of the year as the label became more popular and proved successful not only in Europe but also in Asia and America. The press soon cottoned on to the universal appeal of LunaSky with the brand featured in publications such as Dansk and Harpers Bazaar.

Though LunaSky experienced escalated success in 2011, it is not quite on the Somerset House radar as of yet. In 2012 LunaSky is due to make a reappearance at the A/W 2012 A La Mode catwalk at LFW in February and at Top Model UK also. It is only a matter of time until the exclusive pieces will make their way on to the treasured pages of Vogue.

LunaSky S/S 2012 collection- all photos from http://lunaskymoda.co.uk/

Karl Lagerfeld Launches New Label

The highly anticipated launch of the new and more affordable Karl Lagerfeld label, Helmer, is finally here!

In four hours the collection will be made available to buyers on Net-a-Porter's website. Though there are fears of the website crashing due to an overload of traffic, the team at Net-a-Porter have put extra measures in place to ensure that they can cope with the mass wave of Lagerfeld lovers.

The Helmer collection, which features metallic and leather clashes with soft pastel pink spring colours, is significantly more affordable than Karl's Channel creations. Most of the 70 pieces in the collection are between £200 and £300, with the highest price of £867 ($1350) for a blazer. Unfortunately, though much cheaper than Channel, most of the Helmer pieces are out with my student price range.

Pictures all from www.vogue.co.uk

Emerging Designers: Predictions for 2012 (1)

Over the next week or so Trend Tone will reveal which emerging designers, it believes, are destined for big things in the new year. Last year brought many wonderful emerging talents to our attention such as Mary Katranzou and Craig Lawrence.

Obscure Couture

Less than a year after launching Obscure Couture in the bric-a-brac chaos of the Glasgow 'Barras' in 2010, Herriot Watt School of Textile and Design graduates, Jennifer Coyle and Lyndsay Pagan, sent models clad in their gritty street style pieces down the Emerging Designers catwalk at London Fashion week.

When fashionistas Jennifer and Lyndsay met at college in Galashiels ten years ago, they would never had guessed that their new found friendship would mark the beginning of a successful and creative enterprise. Yet, in 2011, nine years after they met, the team had not only launched their debut collection, Flesh and Bone, but had also experienced escalated success like no other.

The name 'Obscure Couture', which came about after a conversation between Jennifer and Lyndsay about morals, somewhat reflects the brands philosophy. The label is targeted at brave individuals who are not afraid to stand out from the rest of the crowd and who bravely express their values and opinions through their outfit choice.

Therefore, it was no surprise that the duos debut, A/W 2011 collection, Flesh and Bone, was inspired by both the harsh sexually explicitly punk style of the 1970s and the feminine elegance and beauty of the Victorian clothing and silhouette. 

This daring collection landed the Obscure Couture girls a place as finalists at the Scottish Fashion Awards 2011 in the Young Designer of the Year category and a spot in the S/S Emerging designers catwalk at LFW.

The second collection by Obscure Couture wowed audiences at the LGN Events Emerging Designers event at LFW with it's brave combination of textures and sheer edge. The 'Us vs. Them', S/S 2012 collection was even gritter than the punky debut with its gang culture influences. The riot of clashing colours and textures from the heavy luxe sports style crop tops teamed with delicate chiffon skirts to the opposing MacLeod and Macpherson tartans evoked the concept on conflict within the collection, whilst maintaining the elegance that contributed to the popularity of Flesh and Bone.

After the Obscure Couture performance at LFW, it was only a matter of time before the duo were roped into another exciting project and, what better way to end a prosperous year than by dressing an X-Factor finalist. Both Jennifer and Lyndsay dressed the X-Factor winner Amelia Lilly in the last few weeks of the show and  teamed up with Glasgow costume jewellery company, Bonnie Bling, to create custom made knuckle dusters as an addition to her outfit for the final. 

Though, 2011 was a highly prosperous year for the relatively new label, I think that in 2012 Obscure Couture will leave the fringes of the fashion scene and break into the established fashion market. 

The Obscure Coutrue girls, who are determined to continue to shock rather than get stuck in a rut, are making their 2012 catwalk debut at the London Fashion Week A La Mode event where they are to showcase yet another bold collection for A/W 2012-2013 called 'Lithium Party', which will explore the muddled mindset of a Lithium Party through the wide pupils of youth. Expect the biggest and most extravagant collection to date with clashes of fur, metallics, glitter and florals. 

Photos by Laura McKinnon Photography

http://www.obscure-couture.com/

http://www.facebook.com/obscurecouture