Victim Fashion Street

I love a bit of DECONSTRUCTION and EDGINESS and whilst researching at work the other day, I happened to come across this wonderful label called VICTIM FASHION STREET

The brand is the creation of Taiwan born designer Mei-Hui Liu who is completely self taught and started making a name for herself in the 1990s in the likes of Portabello and Brick Lane. Later on, however, she did step into the more formal side of the industry by completing a course at the American Academy in Paris followed by observing art and design in Italy whilst travelling. 

Mei-Hui Says:

 'Aesthetically, I suppose it’s what you’d call decadent romance cut with a very sharp edge and a dose of haphazard embellishments. People tend to say that I’m one of the early pioneers of the sustainable fashion movement because I was one of the first to make recycling and up cycling a key part of my brand identity. But, above all else, it’s got to embrace opulence even if it is ethical.”

She is known in particular for her antique Victoriana fabrics being juxtaposed against new, more modern ones from recent eras to create this mix and match, deconstructed effect; very rock and roll. Recently, she used union jacks with lace and haberdashery for a real Britannia vibe. Her next collection plans to be eccentric and passionate for AW12. 

Chanel Resort 2013

Starting with the eloquent Versailles in Socialist France as a theme, Karl Lagerfeld continued his Chanel Success story by injecting a MODERN DAY MARIE ANTOINETTE appeal into his Resort 2013 Collection. He is the only one I know who could take such an elegant theme and juxtapose it with a HIP HOP edge and what can be described as PASTEL PUNK ROCK.It takes a genius to convey so many ideas and yet complete a collection that is still true to a brand, has a strong aesthetic and is still conceptually clear. 

So how did he ensure all these ideas came together perfectly ?

Lagerfeld took Eighteenth century details and casualized them. He looked into new ways to develop them with fabrics you wouldn't expect for such an elaborate theme such as CHAMBRAY AND PLASTIC.

At the same time, it was still incredibly FEMININE, THEATRICAL AND BALLERINA LIKE. With his presentation at the famous fountains, it was definitely a pleasing day for the fashion crowds and Lagerfeld once again excelled himself. 

Claire Barrow

When flicking through Glamour magazine I came across an article about Graduate Fashion Week which I am attending on Sunday 10th June. The name 'Claire Barrow' came up as a one to look out for having apparently being influenced by Street art  and gang culture to design leather pieces and this immediately sparked my curiosity. I've always been interested in designers that can interpret graffiti culture in a way that looks stylish and tasteful.  Not only is she a one to watch but fans of her work include Rihanna and Jessie J .

Claire paints the designs onto the leather and has become a sensation in the fashion industry, alluding back to true British Punk Rock fashion.