All Walks // Caryn Franklin Talk

Today at uni we were lucky enough to have Caryn Franklin to come into Ravensbourne to talk to Fashion Promotion about All Walks and the work that she does with regards to All Walks and the issues they face. If you don't know about All Walks you definitely need to check out their website //here//. 

Caryn talked about the different issues in fashion, looking at how creatives can cleverly deliver a message about diversity. One point which hit home about her talk proved how important it can be  looking at the messages we can deliver, especially with regards to consumers. We need to look at the idea of children picking up imagery and how they read it; does a Miley Cyrus naked video promote a message that we want children to see as normal?

The main issue lies with how everything has become normalised, it's not strange to not have such scantily clad imagery, imagery that could be viewed and depicted as a rape scene or even imagery that highlights the idea of smart women being unpopular. Caryn delivered the message of looking for a broader range of beauty ideals and I love this I think it's a brilliant message to send out. Fashion is about diversity which is showcased in styles or colours and why don't we have this for beauty and fashion imagery?

Why are we constantly designing for thin young caucasians as if they're the only people who exist? Why do we not design clothes aimed at a much bigger range of men and women, it's definitely something that we should look at. For older women or bigger women play to their beauty and create something with them in mind highlighting them as a beautiful person in beautiful clothes unlike how fashion now see them as the wrong person for beautiful clothes. 

 

Clothes are made to be worn and not wear us. 

Caryn Franklin and All Walks spread such a massively strong and important message to all creatives, think about casting, think about difference and embrace it.  We shouldn't have models being told they're "too black" or "too fat" for a job role, not in todays modern society. 

Everyone needs to hear her message and start a change, we can't continue the way we're going and assume everything will be fine. Change has to happen from somewhere and we're the perfect people to start with change. 

Icons // Hirst X McQueen

Two of the biggest household names in the world of art and fashion, Damien Hirst and Alexander McQueen. Hirst and McQueen are set to collaborate on a set of 30 different scarves similar to the famous skull scarves McQueen is famous for. 

Celebrating 10 years of McQueen's skull scarf print which was first seen back in 2003, the collaboration is a mix of two names who've constantly played with dark themes within their collective work. 

Looking at the scarves, I think they're a brilliant collab perfectly demonstrating how two very different areas of creativity can come together to make one solid meaningful end product.  Some I prefer to others but the majority are amazing but again I count that up to taste rather than the beauty and work on the scarves. 

Here are only 10 of the 30 scarves which are set to be released on the 15th November on the McQueen website, with prices ranging from £315 to £715 they're definitely some very special. 

I'll be interested to see what the rest of the scarves look like although if this set are anything to go by I imagine they'll beautiful pieces of art which I could only dream of owning. For McQueen and Hirst I think the collaboration works perfectly and their aesthetics compliment each other so much. 

Another beautiful peice of work created with the collection comes in the form of this video shot by Sølve Sundsbø, to me it really captures the mystical element that comes from the delicate nature of the scarves. The scarves contain a massive amount of insect imagery taken from Hirst's Entomology series, having all of this imagery lined up the same way the original McQueen skull scarves are. 

I think the collection is a massively triumph for Hirst and McQueen and will hopefully be well recieved! Time will tell, but what do you think about it? 

Schiaparelli // Serving Couture

We all know about Schiaparelli's revival and if we don't why the hell not?

I know I've mentioned it and since Marco Zanini becoming creative director I've been waiting in anticipation of what he'll create and the direction of the brand. Recently massively exciting news has come to light about Schiaparelli!

Schiaparelli are set to show during Couture Fashion Week!! 

Schiaparelli with Marco Zanini have been elected as a guest member of the Cambre Syndicale, the S/S 2014 schedule is set for January 20th to January 23rd. 

What can we expect from Schiaparelli?

Will Zanini intend to continue where Lacroix left Schiaparelli or will he take the brand in a completely different direction? I can't wait to see what happens and where we end up with Schiaparelli! Sadly we're now just going to have to wait until January.

Models // Perceptions and Strength

We think of models, striking and beautiful people of a level of 'perfection' to most or a strange beauty perhaps but they're there and we all know that it's almost like another world. Obviously sending out these messages also delivers a completely misconstrued version of health and a healthy body. 

I don't really want to post about how models affect our visions of ourselves, more so about how society as a whole enforces such strict rules and guidelines of what's considered normal or beautiful especially when anything that's not to the norm is completely disregarded. Reading this Guardian post //here// by Casey Legler made me considered a real issue here, why do we feel we need to pursue anything different with such conviction?

Casey Legler being a woman cast onto Ford's male model board, I love as an idea and not even so as a gender issue I just think it really works the whole idea that she as a woman can model just as well as a guy. I think she's brilliant! It works and obviously men have done the same and modelled for women's clothing too. 

 

Rather than saying it's an issue to gender I see it as more of an identity issue, love the idea or hate it Casey Legler works perfectly for male modelling and I see that as more so a part of her identity. Another example of this is Carmen Carrera famously known from her participation on RuPaul's Drag Race who then transitioned into a woman, she walked in the Marco Marco runway show below alongside other drag professionals. 

Since this video was released online I also noticed a petition on change.org //here// called "@VictoriasSectret: Make Carmen Carrera the first trans VS model", if you watch the above video you see Carmen Carrera walking, amazingly I might add. My problem here is again people don't seem happy about it or claim it's a gender issue however IF Carmen Carrera was biologically born a woman would we be having this discussion? Probably not. 

All you need to do is take one look at both Carmen and Casey to realise they're good at what they do, forgetting gender it's irrelevent. So why the issue? Casey in her article says "There is a historical tradition you should know about and it is certainly not about gender. It is about being fierce." I mean does much more need to be said, the fashion industry should be there to break conventions and help socially. 

It should be here to educate people and promote self love and individuality, by people having a problem with either of these two people you're sending out the complete opposite message. I LOVE the look of them both, they're both fierce and definitely sources of inspiration and role models proving difference isn't a hinderance. Look at campaigns such as All Walks, promoting equality in fashion we're in the 21st century here yet still something needs to change. 

Identity. 

It's all we strive for and aim to achieve and personally fashion should see that they're there to help guide them, fashion's soul focus shouldn't lie in trends. It should be in belonging, finding yourself and helping you find others who feel the same just as you would music.

I think both of them are wonderful models and by doing what they're doing they break social norms but I respect them for promoting inner beauty and self love, something fashion could do with learning from. 

DIESEL // Formichetti Well Done

So something I've seen a huge amont of press talk about is Diesel and it's reboot which is being headed up by none other than Nicola Formichetti! Formichetti previous head of Mugler has taken the reigns at Diesel, honest opinion here I think it's going really well.  

Talking about his new work at Diesel Formichetti has made comments about his work "Before Diesel, people used to tell me to turn down the volume...but Renzo always tells me to crazier. No one's ever said that to me before." So clearly things are going well at Diesel and everythings encouraged but I something about their work seems to shine and highlight how much Formichetti is enjoying the position. 

 

 

With the new Diesel tribute now in stores, Formichetti is definitely delivering what I'd expect to see! FINALLY SOMEONE GETTING IT RIGHT! Diesel is being given new life, it's bold and different whilst still upholding everything they stand for. If I could I'd have to shake Formichetti's hand I think what he's done here is brillaint, denim we all know is a staple and he's still managed to give it a fresh feel. 

Using the Diesel archives in his search for inspiration, I think it's brilliant also bringing names like Brooke Candy and Mykki Blanco into the mix is of course going to help. I love them and why wouldn't you, they're part of something new bringing brilliant appeal and change. Honestly I think Diesel Tribute works because it's fresh and real, it's not a mimic or a fake and I love that!

Asides from me I want to see what other people think, the majority of people's reviews/comments seem very possitive. People like where he's heading with Diesel and I can definitely see why, perhaps his move to Diesel from Mugler was really for the best? Let me know your thoughts and opinions in comments!

Collab // Topshop X Meadham Kirchhoff

If you haven't heard yet there's a brilliant collection being released soon! Coming November 21st is something i'm super excited for, after their 2010 collab with Topshop the eccentric and wonderful Meadham Kirchhoff are releasing another collab "The Cherries". After their various magical different  shows "The Cherries" will probably be a dream for any girl who loves the fabulous duo!

Meadham Kirchhoff's S/S 2014 Collection 

I have to say how much I love Meadham Kirchhoff I think they always have such an interesting collectino with a brilliant theme running through out. I can't wait to see where they take their new Topshop collaboration which is apparently going to consist of a massive 60 pieces! I think their style's matured and grown a lot since 2010 so it'll be fascinating to see where they take this venture. All I can say is I hope it's everything we love from Meadham Kirchhoff bright and bold whilst still feeling romantic and stylish! 

 

A few images of Meadham's 2010 Topshop Collaboration

For anyone who loves a designer highstreet mix then this is something you need to have in your wardrobe! I'm definitely excited to see what they bring this time around and hopefully they have something everyone can hope for especially just before Christmas! I think it'll sell really well though, especially seeing how anyone with a keen eye for fashion seem to love Meadham Kirchhoff. 

NEWGEN // Men about town

NEWGEN MEN sponsered by Topman have released the names of the three menswear designers who they're going to support this season:

// Common // Kit Neale // Diego Vanassibara //

Ahead of the upcoming LC:M A/W 14 in January the BFC have revealed these names, these brands will already join the brilliant designers already supported by NEWGEN. The current list reading as so: Agi & Sam, Astrid Andersen, Lee Roach, Martine Rose, Matthew Miller, Nasir Mazhar and Shaun Samson.

The brilliance of NEWGEN is the fact it's helping London fashion and Menswear blossom, which in my opinion is very important. Being a man I know where menswear lacks and by supporting these brands it's going to help menswear become something more than just clothes for men, it's exciting to see. 

Personally I can't wait to see what's going to happen from these brands, especially Kit Neale as he's someone who's collections I love and his style stands out really strongly. I definitely think he's working his way into my heart and becoming one of my favourite designers.

 

 

I'm definitely excited to see what everyone presents next LC:M, NEWGEN are definitely collection the best of menswear and intend to nuture something really special. I can't wait to watch NEWGEN grow and all these designers growing as well. 

Definitely something to watch for anyone interested in London's menswear!