Brooklyn We Go Hard (BWGH) have just opened their first pop-up in the Cité de la Mode et du Design. The store will be open until September, giving us plenty of time to get across The Channel. Launched in 2010 by two Parisian friends, the brand is their reaction to exploring the urban culture of the world. As well as a menswear line BWGH also stands for a collective of young photographers, cultural events and a bi-annual magazine.
Below are images from their latest campaigns…
One trend that makes me very happy this spring is the hologram movement. I love how mesmerizing the finish can be, and so when designers such as Jonathan Saunders, Prada and Raf Simmons showcased their holographic creations, I got a little giddy. Making its way from the catwalk to the high street, the trend will see us through summer and I intend to try and momentarily startle passers-by - with my super-reflective shoes of course – as I lay in the sun. When it finally returns, that is.
This first one is for the boys…
RAF SIMONS WHITE & BLUE LEATHER HOLOGRAPHIC SPACE SNEAKERS, Ssense, £534.78
KTZ shiny cropped top, Farfetch, £80.33
SOMEWHERE NOWHERE SMALL HOLOGRAM CLUTCH, BENGTFashion, £41
JONATHAN SAUNDERS Aaron metallic bomber jacket, Net-A-Porter, £850
CROSSOVER SLING BACK HOLOGRAM SANDAL, Zara, £59.99
Unif Cake Dress, Unif Clothing, £58.40
Last year I was extremely lucky to be part of ELLE UK’s first Edited By The Interns initiative. 11 lucky interns were chosen and we got to spend the summer working with the talented ELLE team, putting together what ended up being a very special issue. I learnt so much, but most of all it gave me the confidence to push harder and find my place in this busy industry. Words can’t really explain how I felt seeing my first printed by-line in the pages of the biggest selling fashion magazine.
And now, it’s that time again, you can apply to be part of this years issue on the ELLE website. Explaining what it’s all about and how it helped shape our careers, Sophia Chemaitelli, Alex Murphy and I, who were last years Picture Editor, Editor and Features Editor respectively, feature in this behind the scenes video for a shoot which will be in next months pages. WATCH HERE.
London Grammar have released the video for their latest single, Wasting My Young Years today. Directed by Bison, this haunting visual is the perfect accompaniment to Hannah Reid’s ethereal tones. Having wowed me with Hey Now and Metal & Dust, I predict great things from this three-piece. They spent most of 2012 in the studio working on their debut LP, so 2013 is time for them to show and tell.
Kendrick Lamar just released the video for his track Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe. The Good Kid, m.A.A.d City single is one of my favourites off the debut album Kendrick released last year. In the video we see Kendrick and friends attending a funeral which soon turns into a party featuring a limo, and baptism in a pool of alcohol. The release follows on from Poetic Justice which came out in February, hopefully we don’t have to wait too long for the next.
Iggy Azalea has released the video for her latest single, Bounce. The Aussie rapper takes us on an Indian journey full of colour, dance and of course, elephants. When Azalea was quoted saying this video will be bringing dance back to rap, in a Missy Elliott circa 2009 way, it got me all excited, especially after hearing the location for the video was Asia. However, this music video doesn’t quite Work It, but it certainly entertains and we find Azalea in a much less ‘hoochy’ fashion.
Marina Guergova is the designer of silk-focused brand Marina London. Having scored high points from the fashion blogosphere, Marina and her designs are pushing forward and looking into a bright future. Each season Marina creates investment pieces and wardrobe classics in silk – a material sometimes forgotten. Having sensed a gap in the market, Marina London brings the world of silk and contemporary fashion together.
Can you tell me a little about your background?
I am Bulgarian born and bred until the age of nine when I came to study in UK and have stayed here ever since. After school I studied at Kingston University and then did my BA (Hons) course at Central Saint Martins.
How did the course at CSM set you up for a career in fashion?
I did the Fashion Design with Marketing course and we were more encouraged to think about creating a ‘brand’. Towards the middle and end of my course I just got excited about the meaning of fashion. Yes it can be expressive and wild, but it’s also utilitarian and pragmatic. I love this kind of fashion – the ‘I’m getting stuff done’ kind of vibe. But I guess the obvious answer is: I can say that I graduated from there.
Why did you choose to specialise in silk? What is it you love about the material?
I love silk for so many reasons. I feel like it has resurrected in the last few years. I am into simple/sporty shapes and silhouettes and silk is one of those fabrics that should be let to drape and just hang there with minimum fuss, minimum seams. Slip it on and off. It’s tactile and the main kind of silk that I use is heavy, sand-washed Crepe de chine, which has such a satisfying weight to it; it’s like butter. I wanted to be a specialist in this fabric and that’s how it started. It love it because it’s a noble fabric; it’s romantic.
When it comes to design, what inspires you?
I love the 70’s in a big way. High waisted pants, billowy tops, long hair. I feel like that decade runs through my veins everyday. That’s my nostalgic inspiration and on the other end I am inspired mainly by street style. It’s the practical part of me that loves following what happens on the streets. What are real people wearing? How is that changing? Who is ahead of the curve on the street? Street style is not always trend driven, which is why I love it. I’m not into trends. They are annoying and totally over-rated. No, I don’t want to look like a leopard or a Mongolian child for 4 weeks this season – I’m fine. Really.
Having previously worked for Alexander McQueen, Proenza Schouler and David Szeto, when did you realise you wanted to start on your own?
I realised a year and a half after graduating. I can get lost in my brain sometimes and I come up with all sorts of things and I do get excited in my own way. I love mulling over ideas and then doing tons of ‘surfing’ online, I love that you can surf online. Internet waves are easy. I just slowly began getting momentum for this idea and I followed through.
You create wardrobe staples, but what is yours? What piece couldn’t you live without?
Good question. I guess I love my ‘Man Repeller’ jumpsuit a lot. It’s mega simple, but it really hits the spot for me. Never have I ever found a good jumpsuit. And what I mean by that is that I have never found one that I don’t have to mortgage my life for. Mine is £500 and it’s a killer. Apart from that I love high waisted pants, I love a great shirt buttoned all the way up. And the wedge sneaker is one of those things that I shouldn’t admit to, but I love wearing them. I really do.
What can we expect for AW13?
AW13 is taking silk back to it’s romantic roots, colour-wise. Expect jewel colours (deep teal and fig) with a few of my staple styles as well as a few new shapes as always with subtle sports-luxe references.
How would you like to see the brand grow?
I would love to see the brand in Harvey Nichols and Net-a-Porter.com. It would do so well there. I would love to start selling to even more international markets such as Japan and Asia in general, as well as grow further within the European market. I would love for it to reach it’s full potential as a specialist brand. To be known for making silks that people can afford at a quality that is as good as any mainstream design house, which would otherwise charge you twice as much.
Moxham is an emerging jewellery brand with a heavy-duty mission. The brand is growing from strength to strength and the latest venture, from the lovely designer Maddy [read interview here], is the pop-up store at 53 Monmouth Street. With industrial-looking decor and key pieces delicately displayed, the quaint boutique is exactly what I expected from the brand. Last night was the launch party, equipped with plentiful amounts of wine and a photobooth to try on key pieces. Not that I’m all about the goodie bag, but it featured a Moxham blend of coffee roasted by Square Mile that I just can’t wait to try.
The store will be open until May 24th, so that’s plenty of time to make an appearance.
Designer duo, Agi & Sam, are no strangers to London Collections: Men. They will be showcasing their 7th collection in June, but now they are about to leave their mark on the high street. Their collection for Topman was inspired by East London’s interpretation on the olympics last year. Keeping the duo’s humour and utilising their trademark prints, the collaboration has a range of 20 pieces from teal and yellow summer suits, to shirts and shorts. The collection also features two football kits for their fictional team The Owls. I’m not into football, like at all, but I would most definitely wear these football shirts. I support fashion, not sport.
In stores and online on May 16th.
Charli XCX is about to start touring in support of the Bubblegum Bitch Marina, so last night the British girls released a duet. Just Desserts is available to download for free from SoundCloud. Having only released her debut album True Romance last month, Charli XCX is set to have a great year.
Yeah baby, it hurts. But you’re about to get your just desserts.
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