Emerging Fervour

Last week we went to check out the 11th ‘Blickfang’ exhibition, where over 200 designers exhibited their collections in Zurich. From accessories, to clothing, to furniture, there was a bit of everything and the congress house was the perfect setting for it! This being my first design exhibition in Switzerland, I was over-excited to go!!

Walking through the stalls, there was a mixture for old and young. Some really quirky designs, especially when it comes to accessories but in the clothing range it did feel they catered more for the women over 50, who is a bit quirky and likes art, yet in a sensible way. Although saying that, if you looked careful, there were some amazing collections out and especially the emerging designers caught my attention – more on those to come though as I walked away with a bag of business cards of designers and there is too much to say about them!

As Sara is sussing out the Lebanese fashion world, I’m starting off dipping my toes into the Swiss one. It started last week with my rant about the Zurich Fashion Days which I left well behind when I went to check out ‘Flashmobshop‘, their first ever pop-up store in Zurich. A 2 day exhibition for DIY-activists, designers, artists and small labels. A platform to show and sell objects & collections of emerging designers! Fabulous and just what I was hankering after!

The pop-up store was installed in a little shop where they usually sell trophies and the goodies were all around them – some a bit hidden but nonetheless gems! It was a joy to such uniqueness!

My favourite things were these dolls & snoods everywhere – the dolls are so funny and would be hillarious to have them plotted around and the snoodes, oh where do I start? So comfy, so practical (I keep being told how freezing it will get) and the options of different patterns & wool is endless!!

Bit short notice but this sounds like an amazing opportunity for emerging designers, actually anyone in the fashion industry!!

The company Blurb, which is known to provide all the tools you need to make your own photo book has launched their first ever pop up store today. They are not only offering free workshops but there will be guest speakers & special events. So not only will you get the opportunity to see how your collection could look in a coffee book (how beautiful would that be?!?!) but there are some amazing talks that are so relevant to you.

Event 1: Jumpstart Your Creative Enterprise – Friday, 5 November

The first one being this Thursday as Blurb is teaming up with Etsy and Moo to provide you marketing know-how for freelancers & small business owners. You’ll be taught why branding is important, even for the tiniest crafty shop. They’ll have workshops throughout the day on everything from how to take professional photos of your products to examples of creative, effective and DIY branding in action. And, of course, we’ll be giving a bespoke bookmaking seminar.

Another day, another mid week fashion party, it’s a hard life! Last Tuesday Beyond The Valley put on a party to celebrate the launch of their current collection, titled Cosmic Tropicalia. As you may know, this boutique is a favourite on the London secret shopping guides and a must-go-to place for those seeking fabulous one-off pieces from up and coming designers.

Cocktails on tap and scatterings of jelly beans throughout the shop created a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Guests were treated to fairy-like face painting and manicures courtesy of Wah Nails.

Excitement surrounded the showcase of the 3D artworks and garments, as guests were encouraged to wear 3D glasses to view digital “paintings” and a 3D kimono.

Remember the early 90s animated film Fernguli? Well, the whole thing reminded me a little of that, with the addition of the London fashion set, and minus the bulldozers!

Aw we’re gutted we can’t bring you ‘On the street‘ this week but our James has had an accident!! Fear not though as he’s on the mend and hopefully will soon be back behind his camera.

So instead of seeing lovely people in amazing garments we thought why not take you back in time to the 40s and 50s, which is my personal favourite in style as it’s all about hugging our figures!

If you are like me, and love this area where women started to embrace fashion and dare a bit more, then you will love the exhibition which is currently held  at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London where they are showing a new exhibition of Horrockses Fashions – off the peg in the ’40s and ’50s.

Horrockses Fashions Limited was the manufacturer of one of the most respected ready-to-wear labels in that time and we all know their full-skirted dresses. Horrockses Fashions used emerging artists such as Graham Sutherland, Eduardo Paolozzi and Louis le Brocquy and translated into cloth creating the most amazing prints, cuts & prints which I wouldn’t think twice to wear.

Today the London Jewellery Week is starting, celebrating a week long London’s unique position in the world of jewellery design, production and retail.

The cornerstone events form the basis of a week of activities across the city, encouraging visitors to experience and celebrate London’s diverse jewellery scene. These events support new designers, feature established names and give visitors a unique experience of London’s traditional jewellery quarters.

There should be an event for everyone as looking at the list of exhibitors, I’m gutted I’m currently not in London to traipse the streets!!

You can find out where and when the events will be held on their website and you can even sign up for a discount card.

Website: www.londonjewelleryweek.co.uk

Enjoy!!

Clerkenwell Design Week is a three-day annual festival (starting tomorrow Tuesday 25th!!) celebrating design’s creative richness, its social impact and its power for change.

Clerkenwell, the undisputed heart of design in London – itself acknowledged as design’s global metropolis – is perfect for a design festival, where more than 60 design showrooms and a horde of design and architectural practices can be found amongst elegant greens and squares, historic architecture, cool pop-up clubs and shops, famous restaurants and funky bars.

The festival programme of seminars, workshops and debates tackles key issues from a design standpoint. Big design names and inspirational thought leaders will spearhead an event crammed with left-field thinking, off-the-wall performances and presentations to challenge all your preconceptions.

And of course there is a little bit of fashion in there as Craft Central will be supporting a design market in St John’s Square.

It promises to excite, inspire, educate, inform and entertain.

You’ll need a ticket though, so make sure you register for free entry.

Don’t miss it!!