The New Fashion Vanguard in London

I am very fortunate to work with many new and emerging fashion designers here in London and in my view are the vanguard of the great fashion talent.

Bora Aksu http://www.boraaksu.com/collections_ss10.html

Dean Quinn http://www.vauxhallfashionscout.co.uk/designers/dean-quinn

Hermione de Paula http://www.hermionedepaula.com/#goto=las-venus-ss10&viewimage=1

Osman http://www.osmanyousefzada.com/ http://www.businessoffashion.com/2008/02/london-fashion-week-the-osman-touch.html

Manjit Deu http://www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/ma/2009/01/manjit-deu-wins-collection-of-the-year/

Brooke Roberts http://brookeroberts.net/

Ada Zanditon http://www.ecofashionworld.com/Designer-Profile/ADA-ZANDITON-INTERVIEW.html

Tim Soar - SOAR London http://cyanatrendland.com/2009/08/23/tim-soar-summerspring-2010-collection/

Christopher Raeburn http://www.christopherraeburn.co.uk/ http://hypebeast.com/2009/10/christopher-raeburn-2009-fallwinter-collection/

Carolyn Massey Menswear http://dazeddigital.com/FashionWeek/womenswear/ss10/article/4981/1/Carolyn_Massey_SS_10

Tim Ryan Knitwear http://stylebubble.typepad.com/style_bubble/2008/02/knitting-from-r.html

Elliot Atkinson http://www.elleuk.com/catwalk/collections/fashion-fringe-elliot-atkinson/spring-summer-2010

David Koma http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/fashionnews/6515130/David-Koma-on-his-new-collection.html

Irving Penn - Photographer

Clarity, composition, careful arrangement of objects or people, form, and the use of light characterize Penn's work. Penn worked for many years doing fashion photography for Vogue magazine founding his own studio in 1953. He was among the first photographers to pose subjects against a simple grey or white backdrop and used this simplicity more effectively than other photographers. Irving Penn died aged 92 on 7th October 2009, at his home in Manhattan.

Uniqlo- The Quiet Fashion Revloution

Since its arrival in the UK, the Japanese super-fashion brand Uniqlo has changed it’s approach and profile in the market. The initial offering was value for money, with an almost pile it high and sell it cheap mentality but that has now changed. Uniqlo stores today have been redesigned as bright airy, retail spaces with attention paid to clever and colourful merchandising - as seen in its introduction of A/W super fine merino wool knitwear in a myriad of colours just hit stores.

Well made, competitively priced fashion led products are bringing UK shoppers back to the brand more and is set to give the likes of H&M and Zara a run for their money. New collaborations with high profiled designers such as Jil Sander will also attract a more fashion savy customer. Its +J collection designer by her will debut in stores on October 1^st 2009.

The Uniqlo Group is owned by Tadashi Yanai ( Japan’s richest man) and with its 770 stores in Japan, 90 overseas and an aggressive expansion campaign( 4000 stores within a decade) it is on track to make this label a global household name. The Group also owns US based brand Theory and French brand Comptoir des Cotonniers.

COS (Clothing Of Style) Fashion Chain

The COS high street chain is set to raise the bar for many fashion saavy shoppers. This relatively new concept is the the brainchild of the Hennes & Mauritz group. H&M are looking to attract an older and more fashion forward customer with their new offering of sharp cuts, in addition to more quality fabrics such as doubled faced wool and cashmere blends. Add to this razor sharp cutting and an amazing attention to detail resulting in beautifully crafted clothes that reflects the styling as shown on the runways of the International collections. Their in-house magazine which doubles as a catalogue for the newest collection also features some impressive interviews and articles with fashion luminaries such as Grace Coddington- Creative Director of American Vogue, who is about to be seen upstaging Anna Wintour in the fly on the wall documentary "The September Issue" and artist/film maker Sam Taylor Wood.
The latest COS addition in the UK is a new store located on High St. Kensington which has a contemporary, minimalist feel to it without being cold or unwelcoming. With 5 UK stores and 16 across Europe and 4 new stores opening in Autumn 2009- COS are definitely a retailer to watch.
www.cosstores.com

Round Collar Shirts

Originating in the early 20th Century the Club Collar (rounded points) shirt is making a resurgence in menswear. Burberry and Aquascutum's collections are featuring the reworked take on a classic. Fred Perry is also picking up the trend with a new round collared kniot polo shirt. Current styling suggests the club-collar is worn with a tie- the skinnier the better, but it is also original to be worn buttoned up without the tie.

Picture courtesy Aquascutum.

Mr.Hare - Sartorial Footwear for Men

With a debut collection about to launch in August 2009 Mark Hare is set to cause a ripple of excitement among men who are particular about their footwear. 'Purest Form' is set to be a study on the classic oxford and derby shoe styles but moved forward with a contemporary edge and fine grade skins. The capsule collection under the brand name Mr.Hare is to be stocked in Dover Street Market, London, Beams in Tokyo and online with Ohi-ni.com.

http://www.mrhare.co.uk/

HUMoR

Hip-Hop Streetwear meets American Sportswear is how best to describe emerging menswear label HUMoR. The brand is from Denmark and cites some if its influences as the underground music scene and Tokyo's Shibuya district. The collection consists of bright, bold geometric prints and textures and is making a 'bold' statement in many ways.