Fashions Finest Awards

Next Friday, 22nd July will see us at Gibson Hall in London for the Fashions Finest Awards. The awards recognise Make-Up Artists, Stylists, Designers, Fashion Icons, Models, Photographers, and Graduates who have yet received the acclaim and industry recognition they deserve. The awards come from a leading industry magazine, Fashions Finest. A hub and portal for everything ‘fashion’ Fashions Finest Magazine is a ‘one stop shop’ for the fashion conscious and the fashion elite. And now, to add to their increasingly diverse and innovative mix, Fashions Finest are putting the final preparations together for their debut awards ceremony – a ceremony to recognise industry talent that is considered ‘off the radar.’

Nominations

The list of nominations has now been finalised with the winners being revealed on the evening.

Graduate Designer

• Miyoko Kamijo
• Chika Couture
• Marielle Van De Ven

Emerging Designer

• Sophia Brown London
• Alex Seroge Ignatian – Label SEROGE
• Farah Deeba Ismail – Label “BOA-BA”
• Bunmi Koko
• Sally Ellis – Label Sve

Bunmi Koko design

Fashion Photographer

• Joseph Sinclair
• Anomalous Visuals
• Suby & Sinem

Make-Up Artist

• Mink Cosmetics
• Julia Francis
• Candy Yeldham

Stylist

• Elaine Deed
• Origami/Stylists
• Katie Mcdowall

Female Model

• Lucy Clarvis
• Racheal Williams
• Claire Summers
• Kelly Taylor

Model Rachael Williams shot by Alison Cameron

Male Model

• Tommy O’hara
• Prince Nkay
• Ibukun Jegede

Accessory Designer

• Hatastic!
• Anita Quansah
• Gilda’s Tryst
• Elisha Francis Jewellery

Menswear Designer

• A.Hallucination London
• Asger Juel Larsen
• C/Bruerberg
• Lipop London

Lipop London as seen previously at London Fashion Week

Designer of The Year

• Samantha Cole London
• MIA by Mia Nisbet
• Kosibah
• Nico Didonna
• Adebayo Jones
• Jasper Garvida

Fashion Icon of The Year

• Maggie Sikora – Mapis Academy
• Prince Cassius – Socialite
• Ola Shobowale – Infinite Beauty Factory
• Emmanuel Ray – Britain’s First It Boy

Good luck to all the nominees!

Tickets

Fashions Finest is an increasingly growing portal for both the fashion consumer and industry professionals to connect. Whether it’s the latest fashion trends you’re interested in or whether you’re a professional looking to exhibit your work, Fashions Finest is increasingly becoming the first stop for people to get their daily fashion fix.

The awards ceremony provides both Fashions Finest and the talent nominees themselves the opportunity to reach, connect and ‘talk’ to the industry and you can participate in what guarantees to be a night of fun, fizz and fashion!

Purchase your ticket at Fashionsfinest.com VIP Tickets: £60.00 (only 5 tables available) including Admission & Show, Table in the VIP area, Complimentary bottles of wine, Standard Tickets: £40

6PM – 7PM: Red Carpet & VIP Reception

8PM: Awards Ceremony commences

Gibson Hall, 13 Bishopsgate London EC2N 3BA

As the weather is turning nicer, we want to spend more time outside. If you’re garden is feeling a little neglected after the harsh winter then you might be needing to spend some time making it your haven again. As a new home owner now is the time for me to be doing all those odd jobs around the house whilst the evenings are longer and the sun gives me more energy to get active.

Grand Designs Live London 2011

So perfect timing for the spring house and garden work is the Grand Designs Live show from 30th April to 8th May in London. This is the 7th consecutive Grand Designs Live and this year they are offering a new VIP Experience. The show, held at the ExCel is the opportunity for fans of the award winning show , presented by Kevin McCloud, to see all that’s hot in design, build, interiors, homewards, gardens, kitchens, bathrooms and innovation.

All visitors will also be able to take advantage of the free expert advice on offer from industry experts at the show – on everything from planning and finance to build and design in the Grand Designs Expert Advice Centre sponsored by VELUX.  New for 2011, the Grand Gardens hall will host a Garden Design Studio, managed by TV garden designer James Alexander Sinclair, which will see a range of top garden designers offering advice and planning assistance for your garden needs in a free one to one consultation.

The 2011 show will offer a variety of exciting interactive features which encompass stylish and unique interior products, cutting-edge design and never seen before eco technologies.  With seven distinctive sections, from the spectacular Grand Village, which hosts a number of full scale properties, The House of the Future, brought to by Virgin Media and the UK’s largest selection of kitchens in Grand Kitchens, sponsored by Miele, visitors can soak up every ounce of the action at the ExCeL with brand new multiple day tickets.

WIN VIP TICKETS TO GRAND DESIGNS LIVE LONDON 2011

LadyM Presents has teamed up with Grand Designs Live to offer 5 lucky readers the chance to WIN one of 5 pairs of VIP show tickets (worth £35 each).

The VIP EXPERIENCE brought to you by Miele is the most stylish way to enjoy Grand Designs Live. Numbers are strictly limited, giving you the chance to enjoy the delights of the show in comfort and style. With fast track entry, unlimited complimentary coffee, showguide, VIP cloakroom and shopping drop and exclusive access to the VIP Lounge, you’re guaranteed a day to remember.

To be in with a chance to WIN, simply answer the question below: 

Competition ends midday on Friday 15th April, the winners will be drawn at random and emailed at the close of the competition.

If you are not lucky enough to win, treat yourself to the VIP Experience with this great offer! Book 2  VIP Experience tickets for just £50 (saving over 25%)**. To book visit  www.granddesignslive.com or call 0844 209 7349 and quote VIPPR3. Your ticket will include: Fast track entry to the show, a glass of complimentary Champagne (with your ticket purchase),  complimentary coffee, show guide, VIP cloakroom and shopping drop and the chance to rub shoulders with celebrities in the VIP Lounge, brought to you by Miele.

Platinum VIP Ticket £70  The ultimate package – the Platinum Experience – is priced at £70 per person and in addition to the above treatment, Platinum guests will also receive a 2 course lunch and glass of wine in Michelin star chef, John Burton-Race’s fine dining restaurant at the show.

Ticket Information

• Open 11am – 6pm  on Saturday 30th April
• Open 10am – 6pm  Sunday 1st – Sat 7th May
• Open 10am – 5pm 8th May

Terms & Conditions

**Advanced booking offer, saving £20 on a pair of VIP tickets. Offer must be bought in pairs. Offer closes 29/04/2011. Transaction fee applies. Open to adults aged 18 years and over.

1. This offer is only open to UK residents aged 18 years and over.

2. Competition winners tickets are valid for any one day of the show between the 30th April and the 8th May 2011, to Grand Designs Live at Excel London

3. Tickets are non transferable

4. Complimentary tickets obtained through this offer may not be duplicated.

5. All tickets will be scanned on entry to the show

6. The closing date for this competition is 15th April 2011

7. Price package includes 2 tickets to the show, fast track entry, into the show, complimentary coffee in the VIP Lounge, complimentary show guide, VIP cloakroom and shopping drop and exclusive access to the VIP Lounge. Does not include Champagne.

Zoë Boomer

Zoë Boomer created the Zoë Boomer label in April 2006, when a boutique in Ireland requested to see Zoe’s collection for their shop.  Zoë had two weeks to design and make a mini collection to show them and thankfully for her they bought every item.  She then spent the the next year making collections and one off pieces for the boutique and then the label started to progress and expand. Zoë had moved to London in 2002 to pursue her love of Fashion and Design and now creates her collections from her studio in Putney. During her degree course at the London College of Fashion, Zoë represented the UK at the International Student Design Awards 2004.

Zoe Boomer - Up and Coming Designer

Inspiration & Ethos

It was in art college that Zoë realised she had a flare for designing. Having always loved fashion, she excelled in every fashion project she worked upon and got accepted into London College of Fashion. After graduating Zoë got a job as a stylist assistant, for a top London stylist, styling for London and New York based fashion publications, working at London Fashion Week and styling for Natasha Bedingfield (now a dedicated fan of the Zoë Boomer label).

Zoë’s ethos is clear “I design for women who love fashion, are stylish, who appreciate fabric and quality. The label is known for its simplicity, and stable pieces that don’t date. For me inspiration comes often when I don’t expect it, generally I don’t always have a theme in mind – which probably goes against designers rules but it seems to progress and turn into a theme”.

Zoë designs garments she loves to wear; clothes that combine simplicity, style and luxury and transform effortlessly from daytime urban chic to sassy evening glamour. Sourcing fabrics from Italy and France, picking shades and textures she likes and then playing with them, draping them, to see how they hang which then leads to a design starting point.  Zoë explains that she finds inspiration from everywhere she might be, such as reading a magazine and an image jumps out, or in a shop. “Recently I was in Croatia for a holiday and my husband and I were sitting having a coffee in Dabrovinik old town, watching people walk past us and the buildings really inspired me”.

The Collections

Zoë uses the best silks and silk-chiffons to create collections that bring together romance, opulence and elegance but with unstructured minimalism. Zoë’s work is perfect for those looking to emulate unpretentious glamour but want to feel beautiful in amazing clothing made of luxurious fabrics. Her collections feature chic daywear all the way through to elegant evening attire.

Spring/Summer 2010

Day Dresses

Candy Maxi Dress – hitting the spot for this massive summer trend, the Candy Maxi dress combines hot summer prints with great length to give you an outfit that can take you from the beach to a garden party simply by teaming with great accessories.

Candy Maxi Dress, by Zoe Boomer

Leani Mini Dress – hit the pastels and soft tailoring trend this summer with this sublime double lined length pale blue silk dress. Perfect for summer weddings, cocktail parties or a night in the hip new bar in town.

Leani Mini Dress, by Zoe Boomer

This is one of Zoë’s favourites “they are stunning on and fit so well. I have yet to see it not look good on someone”.

Tops

Snow Drop navy, silk Halter neck – perfect to team with skinny jeans and some pale gold wedges for a structured but flowing, put together look.

Snow Drop Halter, by Zoe Boomer

Leani pearl white silk top – this is a great top to wear with some cigarette trousers or a grey pencil skirt – a sleek look for the office.

Leani White Silk Top, by Zoe Boomer

Evening Dresses

Stun the crowd with these gorgeous, simple but elegant edgy evening dresses

The Lucy Dress with swarovski crystals: Chiffon and swarovski crystal floor length strapless dress. Simply gorgeous, this flowing material will make you feel elegant and sophisticated.

The Lucy Strapless Dress, by Zoe Boomer

Lucy - Strapless silk chiffon dress.  Silk chiffon strapless floor length dress. Beautiful with long hanging necklaces or a Zoë Boomer vintage belt around the waist. It’s a WOW dress!

Lucy Floor length dress, by Zoe Boomer

A select number of pieces from the label can be bought in the boutique at www.zoeboomer.com and a full list of stockists can be found here.

Recently actress Laura Michelle Kelly (Sweeney Todd & Speed of the Plough with Kevin Spacey) donned ZB dresses at press calls and VIP events. The label is working tirelessly to make its mark on the international fashion scene with agents in London, Ireland, Vancouver and LA. The entire collection is hand stitched in Ireland, London & Liverpool and Zoë herself keeps a close eye on all aspects of production personally approving every single garment created.

Lady M Presents discussed with Zoë how she goes about developing a collection;

“Every collection needs a certain amount of tops, dresses, jackets etc. This helps to put the collection together and helps to narrow things down as sometimes I might have lots of ideas for tops, but need more dresses so I will either stop designing the tops or see how I can turn the concept into the dress. Sometime the designs won’t work in production and if I don’t like them when their being made up as a sample, I will cut them. The easiest way to decide what is featured is seeing how it sits with the rest of the collection. If something doesn’t go or you can’t wear it with anything else in the collection, it will be cut.

Predicting trends for me is a natural instinct which I guess as a designer, it is in your nature to think ahead. As we work a year ahead, you get very tired of what is out currently and start to think of something different. What is going on in society, movies, music all shape trends. When the war in Iraq first started there was a lot of military influences in collections. Also a very basic way of predicting is at present Maxi dresses are huge but next year they won’t be, hem lines for next summer will start to rise again.”

Whats the most rewarding part of your work? What is your greatest accomplishment so far?

“There are two parts of the job I find very rewarding, firstly when I go into a shop and see my clothes being sold beside some great labels that I love. I always get so excited and have a silent proud moment. The other is seeing my collection on the catwalk or on images after a photo shoot. It is so exciting seeing an idea in you’re head and then become real for everyone to see.

My greatest accomplishment I think this year anyway was being selected for the British Designer Collective Shop in Bicester village. It was such an honour to have my clothes sit beside labels such as Julien McDonald,  Todd Lynn, Emma Cook and my picture making it onto the Vogue website, that might not seem like that exciting but as a student in fashion I used to say one day I will make it into Vogue and to have my picture in it for me was a special moment.”

What’s next for Zoë Boomer?

There a lot of things in the pipeline for this up and coming label, Zoe Boomer will be a lot more accessible for everyone in the UK and will be in a lot more boutiques in London very soon. There are some exciting Zoe Boomer fashion videos that will be released throughout the year. Available to view on the website soon is the latest one, filmed at the Sex and the City 2 premiere.

We await the Zoë Boomer Autumn/Winter 10 Collection with eager anticipation. Zoë herself is very excited about it, “there are two garments I am so excited by and can’t wait to wear them. They are the Lu Lu Jacket and Feather grey cardigan – I know I’m going to wear these ALOT!”.

Zoë Boomer –  combining naked simplicity and purity of form with opulence and style.

Katie Eary – Menswear Designer

Who is she?

Katie, a London based designer, graduated with a Masters from the famous Royal College of Art, London.  She has an amazingly striking, raw talent along with some fabulous attitude that helps her to create bold and noble menswear collections.

Katie was ready to head to Paris after graduating, with the hope of working with fabulous designers such as John Galliano and Jean Paul Gaultier but her final collection of her Masters was viewed by British Vogue’s fashion team and was snapped up for a photo shoot by none other than world famous Mario Testino and modelled by Kate Moss. Vogue turned menswear into fashionable womenswear, a new concept.  Katie described the Vogue take on her collection through a womenswear eye as “a one off, but the reaction has been so nice.  There is future potential for a womenswear range.”  Katie has been overwhelmed by the interest in her collection.

“I think if I’d been doing women’s wear, that wouldn’t have happened. And I think that about a lot of the opportunities that have come my way… I’m coming in through the back door, I think it’s something I’ve spent quite a lot of my life doing. But of course fashion is a system that relies on beautiful product at the end, no matter what the starting point”.

What makes her inspired?

Katie’s starting point for her collections seem to take a strong notion from the books she reads. Her latest A/W 10 inspiration was the novel The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, which deals with the interplay of good and evil.   The concept of light and dark, silhouettes and how the Devil comes into our lives brings about a strong, yet dark presence to her work. “Consequently my collection is a take on military garb and an exploration into size and proportion”, Katie explains.

S/S & A/W 2010, by Katie Eary

The Collection

Katie Eary’s bold statement prints a fusion of traditional tailoring with streetwear design details and macabre accessories are best described as “aggressively beautiful”.  Katie sources materials from what she can afford and sources from anywhere depending on colours and concepts that spring to mind.  The collection features a lot of jersey and prints.  Katie wants to make “the unobtainable become available at a reasonable price”, so she brings the concept of couture menswear at an achievable price for her followers.

A/W Menswear Collection 2010, by Katie Eary

Everything is bespoke and handmade by the designer herself in the finest wools, leather, brass and Swarovski crystals.

Catwalk Genius & Katie Eary combine forces

Catwalk Genius is a superb way to get involved in fashion.  Helen Brown, founder of Catwalk Genius has taken the concept of the general public, whether fashionistas, those interested in design or just after the next big thing and them having the opportunity to invest in a designer. ”Through Catwalk Genius, you can make history by investing in the first ever public-funded fashion collection”.

Catwalk Genius give the public a chance to invest in a designer/brand they love and to enjoy the perks of the fashion industry.  For only £11 a share you can be part of fashion history. Katie Eary is already backed by Catwalk Genius members with a staggering 92% of shares already sold. Katie describes the concept as a “sensible thing to be involved in, the market is buying into you, its a win/win situation for all and you know people believe in you”.

Perks of buying shares in Katie Eary from Catwalk Genius include a preview to the collection before it goes online for sale, the opportunity to win a VIP studio preview to the collection itself and also the chance to win invitations to the collections launch party.

“The Catwalk Genius collection is for the fans only. People who have bought into me. Most things are unobtainable in the fashion world, I want to give something back”.   Katie Eary

Her female fans include style leaders including Lady Gaga, Kate Moss, Courtney Love, Roisin Murphy, Sienna Miller – hence her decision to create a fan-funded diffusion line of womenswear for Catwalk Genius.

What’s next for Katie Eary?

Katie is hoping for an even bigger and better collaboration with Catwalk Genius ahead of next years Spring/Summer show. She will also show a Sales Collection in Paris at the end of June. Katie hopes to continue on a steady pace, to keep small and have steady growth. Few designers that have a big impact for a short time succeed, Katie wants to live the fashion dream for many seasons to come.

Invest in shares for Katie Eary at Catwalk Genius and follow Katie’s collections at her website .