French connection

Private Eyes

If your fantasies consist of emulating a sexy 60s spy then enter the fun, frivolous world of Jojo & Malou. The design duo present their ‘Private Eyes’ collection, an assortment of multi-coloured, vibrant, quirky dresses teamed with tangerine belted macs (also available in demure black… for top-secret undercover work of course). The ensemble is topped off with a panama hat generating a Miami detective vibe. Inspiration was taken from retro camp spy spoof Immodesty Blaise, one of the first female characters to kick ass whilst shifting from one crazy outfit to the next.

Upon closer inspection of their unique hand-drawn prints, things aren’t what they seem… Melting clocks, bowler hats and winged cat patterns all nod to a surrealist theme iconified by the famously bizarre artists Magritte and Dali, whose legendary moustache is also featured on a cute indigo tee and a vivid orange dress. The melting clock pattern indicates time is not linear or fixed, eras are repeated and blurred in the duo’s crazy prints that capture the mad pop-art culture of the swinging 60s and the waist-belted, tiered dresses eradiate an 80s energy.

The Swedish designers have previously produced collections for TopShop, Fashion Fringe and showcased their designs at London Fashion Week. Their illustration and graphical skills have captured the admiration of model Agynness Deyn and singers Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Amy Winehouse. If you desire to be a pretty private eye this summer then Jojo & Malou’s colourful compilation of beautifully illustrated dresses, summery macs, capes, tailored shorts, cute tees and cool hats is the delectable detective uniform…. But beware, you certainly won’t be able to go undercover in these vibrant designs.

Be a Belle Sauvage Beauty

Firstly there was the legging fad, then there was the leather legging fad and now Belle Sauvage introduces the psychedelic printed legging fad, promising to be the newest legging trend this summer. Love them or hate them, fashion continues to re-work the wardrobe staple into brand new, must-have styles. This appears to be Belle Sauvage’s ethos for its S/S 09 collection, a re-imaging of fashion favourites: leggings, skulls, biker-jackets and the introduction of original bold prints and innovative shapes.

Brash colours, eye-catching prints and frenzied art-work constructed into stretchy fabrics gives a glam, sporty 80s vibe. Micro, mini-skirts and dresses splayed with striking patterns, oversized tees and vest-tops stamped with crazy images and the skin tight, talon-printed cat-suit all belong on the dance floors of that bravely trashy era. A twenty-first century twist is added by the exclusively designed parrot print and the puffball shouldered, leather jacket, creating a new, sexier silhouette that offers a fresh spin on the well worn biker-jacket.

Established in 2006 by Virginia Ferreira and Christian Neuman, the Belle Sauvage label is the result of Neuman’s talented illustration fused with Ferreira’s fierce sense of style. Their concept is to bring their art to life by the sexy vivacious women that wear their designs. Breathe life into their clothes this summer and resurrect the 80s by becoming a Belle Sauvage beauty.

Stocked at http://www.shopbellesauvage.co.uk/ where there is currently a sale on selected items.

Barnados Boutique

Now, one would not normally associate the name 'Barnados' with the word 'Boutique', however swan down to Deansgate and one shall find a novel outlet for the famous charity chain. The second-hand retailer received numerous designer donations and as a consequence the new outlet, specialising in luxury labels at low prices, formed. No more rummaging through piles of smelly, worthless clothes typical of most second-hand shops as every item is designer or high-end high street, therefore an excellent quality, great value purchase is guaranteed. The location speaks volumes, situated between designer department stores: Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser this is one glamorous charity shop leading the way out of the 'scruffy' Northern Quarter. Never feel guilty for splashing the cash on designer goods again as all proceeds go back into the local community by helping children of the North West. If that's not a good enough excuse for spending loads on designer goodies, what else is?......

Manchester Fashionistas - Taken from Myvillage.com

Two achingly cool fashionistas currently shaking up the London fashion scene are in fact from Manchester, the small towns of Rawtenstall and Ramsbottom to be precise.They are of course, model of the moment Agnes Deyn and fashion designer Henry Holland. Back in 2006 Agnes injected a raw, edgy style into the modelling scene, a refreshing change from the usual bland, non-descript look of models at the time. Deyn escalated to Moss status within a year, a recognised model with a personality, rather than a clothes horse cantering down the catwalk. Around about the same time, Agy’s best mate Holland began printing T-Shirts in his flat with cheeky slogans about the fash pack, such as ‘I’ll show you who’s boss Kate Moss’ in bright, trashy colours. The success of this simple idea formed the basis of House of Holland, now a well recognised and hip brand. Henry also co-presents ‘Frock Off’ alongside Alexa Chung.

Agnes and Henry aren’t the only northerners to influence the capital’s style, back in the 60’s and 70’s designer Ossie Clark and textile designer Celia Birtwell were a design duo swinging about London town, dressing celebrities, models, rock stars and royalty. The small town of Oswaldtwistle was the inspiration of Ossie’s name (real name Raymond) and where he was brought up during the war; he attended Salford School of Art where he met his future wife Celia, a talented textile designer. The couple collaborated and their creations adorned the backs of Twiggy, Marianne Faithful, The Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix and other London jet-setters.

Mathew Williamson is a designer best known for his exotic designs but little is it known that Williamson originated from the rather un-exotic town of Chorlton, Manchester. Best buds with Sienna Miller who frequently parades his designs, the designer has won numerous fashion awards and is one of the big names in the industry.It doesn’t end there; Manchester just keeps on churning out the talent that’s supplying London with its cool status. Hasan Hajazi is an aspiring creative womenswear designer, grown in Manchester and a graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). He managed to get to the final 20 in the fashion show ‘Project Catwalk’ and his glam bondage themed A/W collection was showcased at Graduate Fashion and Alternative Fashion Week.Nabil el Nayel is another up-and-coming post-graduate designer of MMU; his ghostly, gothic, Victorian designs dominated Graduate Fashion Week and secured him the River Island Womenswear Award. Whilst Burberry were so impressed by the Mancunian’s work they offered him a prestigious work experience placement.

It isn’t any coincidence that many of the nations hip fashionistas originated from Manchester, the streets are a hub of fresh, raw, original style that distinguishes Manchester from other cities. It is here the aforementioned designers got their first fashion inspirations, which are now being channelled into international designs.The fashion cities of the world: New York, Paris, Milan, London... Manchester?

Words by Sophie Gardner

Originally posted on www.myvillage.com

Credit Crunch Couture

If my friend can go out in a pillow case and still look good, there may be hope for those of us who cannot afford to buy a new outfit as a result of all this credit crunch crap. My mate cunningly managed to create a hip outfit consisting of: said pillowcase, transformed into white boob-tube dress with ethnic printed scarf sewn along the top, black tights and brown vintage boots, all inspired by the modest pillowcase.

As Gok would say, ‘you don’t need to spend a fortune on fashion to look fab’ in fact, as my crafty pal demonstrated, you do not have to spend anything at all. A few months back, I swore an oath that I would not buy any new clothes for the summer and would instead re-invent outfits from old clothes. It’s amazing the treasures I found from the adventure towards the back of my wardrobe; long-forgotten garments from many seasons ago that are bang on trend now - beats a lion and a witch any day. I transformed old jeans into denim shorts, skirts into dresses and cut the sleeves off old denim jackets to create denim waistcoats. All you need is a little creativity and initiative to construct an individual, trendy, cheap outfit. Head-to-toe designer gear need not be relied upon to look hot; the scruffy/hippy look is in, look at Kate and Sienna, they never wash their hair.

So as the blustery winter is looming ahead of us, have a shop for the new season…in your wardrobe. I promise you, you will be surprised at the hidden gems buried deep from many seasons ago. I’ve already done it and discovered what I thought was once a shapeless brown jumper two sizes too big which was originally a present from a confused family member but hey presto, sling a belt around the middle, wear with tights and it becomes sexy jumper dress!

If all else fails, just wear a pillowcase.

MFN Fashion Fair, 26th Nov, 1pm-7pm

Manchester Fashion Network are throwing a fashion recruitment fair at the Circle Club on Wednesday 26th Nov, 1pm-7pm. Anyone from experienced industry professionals to Graduates can get involved. This event will be in association with North West Universities, as well as brands and suppliers throughout the UK. There will be various opportunities in the areas of Retail Ops, Head Office and Creative. Entry is £3 and you will get the chance to be interviewed on the day, see new campaigns and products, shop in a sample sale and network your ass off as you will be meeting some of the best in the industry. One not be missed if you wanna get your foot in the fashion industry's door!