On|Off designers dazzle in Paris

Monday, March 8th, 2010

On|Off’s Paris showroom is attracting a raft of international buyers this season, offering emerging designers a fantastic platform on which to showcase their latest collections.

Designers such as Yang Du, Georgia Hardinge and Falguni & Shane Peacock have been welcomed back this season, along with exciting newcomers including fashion fringe winner Eun Jeong, Elliott J. Frieze and Spijkers en Spijkers.

The space, in the heart of Paris, creates a perfect backdrop for new collections and there is a buzz in the air with so much fabulous talent crammed into one place…

Jenny Dyas, a buyer from Browns Focus, said: “It’s great that the On|Off team are able to bring the designers they support to Paris as it will surely enhance their sales. From a buyer’s perspective it’s so easy and exciting to have all this new talent under one roof!”

Designer Ostwald Helgason said: “Sales have been fantastic. I have already made five sales within the first day of exhibiting- all being international, from Japan to the US.”

Designer Joanne Stoker added: “The response has been really good from buyers, like Japanese Shuichi Tajima from Cement By Own Boutique.”

Mumtaz Suterwalla from Fu-sion 360, the creative agency behind Indian design duo Falguni & Shane Peacock, said the designers’ have had interest from all over the world including Asia, the Middle East, USA and Europe.

She said: “It’s only the first day and already we’ve taken 3 large orders from new key international stockists.”

Fashionbite for On|Off

Posted in February 2010

Siouxsie Sioux opens sensational Pam Hogg show

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Legendary rock singer Siouxsie Sioux, from Siouxsie and the Banshees, opened Pam Hogg’s electrifying autumn winter show this season.

The space, packed full of guests including a front row lined with Nick Cave, Jefferson Hack, Pearl Lowe, Peaches Geldoff and Jaime Winstone, buzzed with anticipation for the start of the show.

The collection was punk rock rebellion at its best, as outfits left little to the imagination! Thigh high PVC boots, huge net hair pieces, sheer cape jackets, plunging bodysuits with slashes of lace, PVC and leather and Pam’s signature catsuits sashayed down the catwalk.

A sheer white catsuit with angel wings and carefully placed leaves did little to hide the model’s modesty.

I loved the tutu-style dress, complete with layers of netting and a bunny-esque tail (left)- ballerina punk with a dirty edge.

Halfway down the catwalk two models rock n roll kissed, Pam Hogg knows how to put on a good show!

For the finale, Pam descended the catwalk hand in hand with Siouxsie to a standing ovation and screaming applause from the crowd.

Fashionbite for On|Off.

Posted in February 2010

Feel-good factor at Roksanda Ilincic

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Roksanda Ilincic’s autumn winter catwalk show was accompanied by a feel-good disco soundtrack of songs including ‘New York City Girls’ and ‘You Make Me feel.’

The upbeat tempo perfectly complemented her collection of fluid silk two-tone dresses, sheer blouses and use of beautiful fabrics- a definite Studio 54, early Halston-esque vibe.

Front row seats were marked out by a pale pink rose and fab MAC goody bags, whilst models emerged from an archway of beautiful fresh flowers to a runway of wine red carpet.

Fluid draping, floral embellishment and exaggerated lapels on outerwear were key features. A long flowing backless, navy silk dress with beading detail was a favourite of mine- absolutely stunning!

Whistles chief executive Jane Sheperdson (below) was spotted on the front row, along with a raft of other key buyers.

Roksanda Ilincic produces a capsule collection for Whistles.

Photography by Sophie Barnett

Posted in February 2010

Falguni & Shane Peacock channel the ’80's for autumn

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Indian design duo Falguni & Shane Peacock served up a lavish and glamorous autumn winter collection featuring exceptional new printwork and design techniques.

The label, known for its bold and audacious prints, showcased a melting pot of colours, textures and vivid embellishment for its autumn winter collection.

All prints are designed and manufactured inhouse, at a factory in India, and the label employs over 200 seamsters and embroiderers.

Perfect for red carpet glamour, the collections are adored by celebrities worldwide including Madonna, Frieda Pinto, Beyonce and Michelle Williams.

The designers told Fashionbite for On|Off: “This season, we’ve tried out lots of different techniques. Fabric on fabric prints, blends in fabrics and printing over stitching.

“Our customer is anyone who wants to look glamorous and dares to bare. I would love to dress Angelina Jolie, she has that glamorous, edgy factor about her.”

I loved the use of contrasting textures and vibrant colour, with mixed animal prints juxtaposed against leather slash panels. Flapper-style dresses and long-length flowing gowns are beautifully elegant but for that edgy twist, the dress straps are made of leather with stud embellishment.

The label is represented by Fu-sion 360, the creative management agency which helped launch the designers on to an international platform.

Front Row at Falguni & Shane Peacock

Posted in February 2010

Exhibitor designers talk about their collections

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

On|Off’s exhibiting designers talk about the inspirations behind their autumn winter collections….

Peter Lang Australia

Peter Lang produces striking hand made costume pieces with a vintage meets modern look. The label uses textures, such as leather and suede, and pairs them with semi-precious jewels.

Paul Wendt of Peter Lang Australia said: “There are three key stories for Peter Lang Australia’s A/W 2010 collection; the Peal story (featuring topaz, bronze and gold plated pieces), the Crystal story (including exquisite crystals and silver plated pieces) and the Jet black story (presenting dark and tough black pieces). All three stories convey contrasting sides of Peter Lang jewellery.”

Sophie Gittins

The eponymous designer told Fashionbite for On|Off : “My inspiration for autumn winter was centred around the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. I kept to a natural colour palette and classic shoe silhouette, but still in keeping with my architectural theme.”

Sophie’s shoes are all handmade, just outside of Milan. She feels it is important to keep in close contact with her suppliers to get her innovative vision precisely portrayed.

Sophie said the statement black ‘Romanza shoe’ is a popular piece, made out of intricate shredded organza morphed into a beautiful, architectural structure.

Aroma 30

Michela Fasanella is the designer behind the label Aroma 30. With Nature being at the core of the collection, Michela took inspiration from shapes, colours and textures from natural scenery. Hemlines are short and silhouettes are dramatic. The colour palette is pastel/nude and black.

Geomatric and intricate surface detail is created from fabrics, such as cotton ribbon and silk. Michela said: “Everything is draped on the dress stand and experimented with prior to achieving such intricate and individual surface designs. This is the beauty of the collection, we have one-off pieces, where attention to detail is key.”

Posted in February 2010

Elliott J Frieze on the inspiration for his collection

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

What’s the concept behind your collection?
The British Countryside

Where have you drawn inspiration from?
Inspiration has come from an equestrian event – ‘three day eventing.’ This consists of dressage, show-jumping and cross country.

What colours/fabrics have you used?
A range of cashmeres from Huddersfield have been used in midnight blue and artic grey, along with a Prince of Wales check cotton from Huddersfield. I also have sheep leather from Pittard Leather in Yeoville in mocha and cognac colourways. There is also a white Swiss cotton and a two tone chiffon from France in the collection.

Do you have a favourite standout piece?
The finale piece that is going to be modelled by Jacquetta Wheeler. It’s made of a British woven cloth with delicate tiger-eye quartz and rose crystal embellishments.

Posted in February 2010

On|Off After Dark: Part II

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Posted in February 2010

On|Off After Dark: Part I

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Posted in February 2010

Sugababes rock at On|Off party

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

The Sugababes rocked at On|Off’s famous London Fashion Week party on Saturday night, with the packed crowd up dancing and loving the music.

At 4pm that day, Neneh Cherry, who was down to headline the night, pulled out due to illness- so it was all systems go to find a replacement before 9pm. Luckily, the Sugababes stepped in at the last minute and performed one the band’s raunchiest sets to date…there were no complaints!

The crowd sipped gorgeous Dannoff vodka cocktails and danced the night away to the brilliant tunes of DJ Yasmina Dexter, Pandoras Jukebox.

See On|Off After Dark (next post), for a night in pictures…

The after party at Jalouse was AMAZING….we stumbled home at 5pm.

Posted in February 2010

J Maskrey sparkles at Fashion Week comeback

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

J Maskrey mesmerized the audience with a dazzling collection for autumn winter, gaining a standing ovation at the end for her first Fashion Week show in 5 years.

Skin jewellery adorned the models, which perfectly set off the sparkling futuristic, biker chic of the colletion.

Dripping in diamonds and exuding glamour, models ascended the runaway slowly, so each item could be viewed like a piece of artwork.

The collection was inspired by a 1930′s black and white movie called The Mask of Fu Man Chu. Fast forward 80 years and the shapes are tight, short and strong- the return of the modern day heroine. Huge fan hair pieces gave models a regal, goddess-like air.

Fashionbite for On|Off.

Posted in February 2010

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