Emerging Fervour

The Thomas Engel Hart line is something for the rebel rockstar at heart. Engel Hart uses a mix of traditional and innovative patternmaking techniques, rock references and a range of fabric and materials. Admittedly, we don’t write a lot about menswear, even though fashion is just as important to you fashionisto’s as it is to us. Shame on us, but we promise to write something for the boys more often.

Back to Engel Hart. Currently, he’s living and working in Paris but he was actually born in Manhattan, where he later went on to the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Take a peek at his latest AW10 collection:

Check out the Thomas Engel Hart website. In the UK, pieces are available at London’s Dover Street Market and also in Japan and the US (details on website).

I came across Joe Challita not too long ago and couldn’t help but do a write up on him and his creations. They’re just so beautiful!

A law graduate, Challita’s true passion is fashion and so in 2004 he gave it all up to pursue a career in fashion design. In 2007 he graduated from East Sydney College with a fashion degree and has been based in Beirut ever since (he was raised in Australia).

Through his Lebanese heritage and culture, Challita worked with beautiful fabrics to create his Vintage Nouveau style. And taking a chance to follow his Haute Couture dream, Challita appeared on Mission Fashion – a reality TV show based in Beirut with a mission to select a top model and top fashion designer. One thing led to another, and Challita received an invitation to train at the Elie Saab Fashion House in 2007. Challita has been in Beirut since, pursuing his dreams to dress the women of the world!

Check out these Challita Couture pieces

This London based accessories designer, fashion blogger, and style addict has come to my attention because of her amazing blog Girl Can’t Talk (content & design wise)! But then it got even better as we’ve realised there is more to Kathy than just blogging!

Her collection of handmade, avant garde fashion accessories are incredible. From feathers to real human hair they will turn any top or dress you have into a statement piece. Maybe not everyday wear (although why not?), with a price tag under £50 (the human hair one is even under £25) for lovingly, handmade accessories there is no excuse not to have at least one of those in your wardrobe.

Limited Edition – Coque Feather, Leather, Stud and Chain bib

Human Hair and Leather Strap Necklace

Coque feather collar

You can buy her pieces at Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/Kathycoleman

And make sure you check out her blog: girl-cant-talk.com

Another Facebook recommendation, this time by Emma from London a la Mode and as exciting as Minna from yesterday.

Charlotte Tailors launched her label this year in February and looking at her collection, we’ll be sticking around for the next one! Strong tailoring, bold silhouettes and sculptured shapes provide canvases for dashes of colour, textures and prints. Charlotte’s vision subtly emphasises the female form, juxtaposing androgynous tones with effortless elegance.

I love the way her Autumn/Winter 2010 collection is described on her site:

Trashy grannies, penguins, old soap operas, movies and the eccentric within provide fuel for the fire in this bold yet elegant collection.

You can lay your hands on these by checking out www.coggles.com or www.youngbritishdesigners.com where here collection will be sold in future (sadly, nothing there yet and www.youngbritishdesigners.com will have to launch first in September).

In the meantime make sure to check out her website and blog.

Here is another eco warrior we stumbled across. Actually it was through a status update on Facebook, posted by Nicola from Beautiful Soul, raving about her new lovely dress. I just love how social media is bringing people together and we’ve found some amazing, talented people through it. But back to the eco warrior!!

Minna Hepburn, a Finnish designer, launched her label in 2008. Inspired by her love for vintage clothing, each piece is hand embellished and made from sustainable, organic, recycled and locally produced textiles. Environmentally friendly production techniques including local manufacturing and zero waste pattern cutting techniques are used for every garment.  Minna is always looking into any new ways to minimise the impact to the environment.

Her classic collection is so feminine, cute and playful that you instantly fall in love. But a love that develops over time as you keep treasuring this beautifully crafted garment.

However, if this classic collection is a bit too sweet for you, Minna’s Autumn/Winter 10 is darker, sleek and sexy with still a hint of playfulness and my personal favourite!!

Another amazing find from Lebanon. Lara Khoury is my favourite designer at the moment. A country where clothes-making and embroidery are pretty old traditions. In the old neighborhoods of Beirut you can still find small ready-to-wear clothing stores with handmade pieces created by local designers – and tailors on almost every street with workshops as small as your average wardrobe.

If you’re after some serious couture or some super cool cutting edge designers, then Beirut is the place you should visit. But don’t just take it from me, check out this wonderful interview from my favourite designer of the moment – Lara Khoury.

Lara, in your own words…who are you?

Who am I. Well I am a 25 year old Lebanese fashion designer, based in Beirut. I’ve been a part of the fashion industry for the past 3 years, but only opened my own workshop in Gemayzeh in March 2010. My style tends to be very experimental and borderline minimalist. I, on the other hand, tend to be very independent and relatively stubborn (that’s what I’ve been told), but when it comes to my work, I am extremely passionate and always look to immerse myself in the detail.

Did you always want to be a fashion designer growing up?

Taking pictures used to be one of my greatest hobbies when I was a little girl! the gift of being able to capture every days memories and emotions in one piece of paper, used to fascinate me. But when fashion came into the picture, I knew it would be the thing I’d do for the rest of my life.

I see you’re friends with Krikor – how did you guys meet?

Krikor and I were part of the first Starch generation. The boutique’s sole concept, initiated by Rabih Kayrouz, is to create a space where Young Lebanese designers are given a chance (and a space) to shine, experiment, and essentially kick-start their careers. Krikor and I had the privilege of growing in that environment, and share that amazing and eye-opening experience.

Starch

Tell us about your latest collection..

Reborne Jewellery was created by Flora, an independent jewellery designer whose speciality is to create amazing jewellery using vintage materials. In 2009, Flora launched her first jewellery collection using zipper material…check our my favourites…

Racing Heart Gold Zipper Necklace $350

Madame Butterfly Metal Chrome Zipper Necklace $450

The Lost Bracelet $92

Laura Yiannakou is a womenswear and print designer, based in London. Having grown up here, her creative ideas stem from our music, clubs, galleries, the streets, street art and anything else that should catch her eye. Check out her SS10 Collection titled Rework. Remake. Recreate.

Laura explores the relationship between print and silhouette and looks for creative ways to push this. With a passion for fine art, inspiration comes from artists such as Robert Rauschenberg and Dieter Roth. In fact, the research process and drawing is her favourite part – working with different paper qualities, art media and textures rapidly and excitedly, which brings forward the quality and style of her prints to a new dimension. The final outcome always portrays this, demonstrating a strong sense of energy and vibrancy.

We love her and if you’d like to check out the rest of her work, visit her site at laurayiannakou.com

Lira Leirner is a fashion designer and writer who writes about fashion and culture. With a small but powerful couture line filled with beautiful and feminine dresses, Lira is one emerging designer to watch out for. Take a look at a small collection from her site, liraleirner.com

To shop Lira Leirner, visit her site here. Also have a look at her fabulous blog here.

Are you a UK-based fashion business and are trading for no longer than 2 years in either womenswear, accessories, menswear, bridal or all of it? Then keep reading…

The BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad (British Fashion Council that is) will complement the opportunities offered by London Fashion Week by supporting selected young designers to grow their businesses through marketing/PR opportunities and building relationships with British retailers.

ELLE magazine will give the winning designers access to the industry’s top stylists, photographers and creative directors to create images, films and online profiles. ELLE will also give the initiative extensive editorial and promotional support.

The BFC will partner with retailers to select talent and host in-store events to stock and promote the winning designers collections to their local audiences.

We know how hard it is for emerging designers to launch themselves and be seen in the industry, so we love seeing initiatives like this one.

All you need to do is make sure you fit the criteria, download an application form and go for it, you have until 5pm Thursday 27th May! What can you loose? Good luck!!