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FABTV: Swinging Sixties

FabSugarUK — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:50 -0700

Step back in time with me to the beginnings of affordable fashion, the time of the miniskirt, Mary Quant and Twiggy. It was the era when the Kings Road and Carnaby Street were swinging, well, almost! This short video below brings together some of the key styles of the 1960s as models dance around in thigh skimming mini skirts and swing coats. Also, look out for the lady walking her pet leopard, which was on sale in Harrods at the time. It's enough to make me want to dance around to The Beatles!

On Our Radar: Mary Quant Stamp

FabSugarUK — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:00:17 -0800

Sending post has never been so chic. Last week the Giles for Smythson collaboration was released and today even the classic postage stamp gets a cool make over.

The Royal Mail today launched the 'British Design Classic' stamps featuring famous items by creative Brits from concorde to the Routemaster bus to the mini skirt! Mary Quant, who is widely credited with creating the clothing item is very honoured to be chosen for the stamps where one of her favourite designs, the banana split dress, is featured.

This weekend Mary put a positive spin on the recession commenting, "The energy comes when you need it. I think out of this recession we'll get enormous energy and a lot of new ideas. You create things when you're deprived of them - that's what I did [in the early sixties]. There will be all sorts of new and exciting things which will grow out of this time now."

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Fab Flash: More Female Designers Exuding Influence

FabSugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:30:33 -0700

Big change is afoot in the fashion industry: after the 90s, which were dominated by male designers, women designers seem to be taking the upper hand.

Even though female designers have a long way to go in male-run fashion capitals like New York and Paris, there does seem to be a trend emerging, particularly in Milan. In Italy alone, a large number of family-run companies were founded or are helmed by women: Alberta Ferretti, Prada, Versace, Fendi, Trussardi, Missoni, Etro, and Emilio Pucci. As Paris-based industry consultant Concetta Lanciaux explained, "Italy's tradition of family ownership for fashion companies gives women a great chance to emerge, whereas France, by contrast, is dominated by luxury groups. It's more corporate."

Although women have always played a pivotal role in fashion, especially in early 1900s Paris, when Coco Chanel, Madeleine Vionnet, and Jeanne Lanvin reigned supreme, after World War II, a new generation of male designers emerged: Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga, and Pierre Balmain. Since then, female designers have come in spurts: Mary Quant and Betsey Johnson in the 60s and 70s, and Rei Kawakubo in the 80s.

Finally, as more and more women are taking charge, their prominence is returning to what it was in early 1900s Paris. Alessandra Facchinetti has just succeeded Valentino, Frida Giannini took over from Tom Ford at Gucci, and let's not forget the outstanding influence of Miuccia Prada. But it all makes sense, as Donatella Versace explains, "women are instinctively in tune with the female customer."

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Fashion 101

FabSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:00:22 -0700

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Fab Read: Fashionista: A Century of Style Icons

FabSugarUK — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:30:24 -0700

My bookshelves are literally bulging with fashion literature. From street style guides, to history books I am constantly improving my knowledge of the industry. Just when I thought I had my fix of books exploring la mode, Fashionista: A Century of Style Icons by Simone Werle (£16.99) lands in my hands.

This is a treat to flick through offering a range of stylish women from recent years and the 20th century. Of course there are your standard icons like Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Kate Moss and Twiggy, but they are joined by some pleasant surprises. Women like Anna Piaggi, Bjork, Isabella Blow, Mary Quant and Rania of Jordan are unexpected, yet some how obvious ladies who have shaped our trends.

There are glossy pictures showing off some of their most famous wardrobe choices with a brief biography explaining their place in popular culture. It's easy to pick up and flick through – perfect for casual coffee table reading. I think it would make a great gift, even for a friend that doesn't have an enormous fashion interest, or you could just treat yourself!

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Images courtesy of Prestel

Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream Gets Groovy

BellaSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:00:33 -0700

Elizabeth Arden is moving through the decades with limited-edition packaging depicting styles of the times. First was its tribute to the 1950s, which debuted last year with the brand's famous Eight Hour Cream and Lip Protectant Stick. And now, it's flower power all the way with a 1960s-style design. Yeah, baby, yeah.

Bust out your Mary Quant miniskirt, go-go boots, and psychedelic prints. The Eight Hour Cream '60s Vintage Edition Skin Protectant ($25) has a mod logo, psychedelic lid, and bold floral design. Look for the cream, along with a '60s Vintage Edition Lip Protectant Stick, in stores next month. Stay tuned for the dy-no-mite '70s up next.

Fab Watch: British Style Genius, A Fashion Democracy

FabSugarUK — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:00:38 -0700

Last night saw the airing of the first episode of British Style Genius which is a documentary looking at the best elements of British fashion. Here is a quick recap of the episode although if you missed it I strongly recommend catching up on Iplayer.

The series began with a look at Kate Moss for Topshop and it's impact on the High Street. They showed an amusing board meeting where Kate and Sir Philip Green sat discussing the sales of her autumn line for the store. We rarely ever hear Kate speak so it was intriguing to hear her Croydon tones. Sir Philip explained that the sales were good so Kate joked, "Hoorah, I've still got my job then?"

To find out more about the documentary just read more.

Most editors agreed that the line was a great idea as it offered Kate's style at a reduced cost but Colin McDowell went against the grain slightly. The Times fashion editor explained, "Kate is famous for being famous. If i was a young designer I'd be throwing bricks at Topshop." McDowell elaborated stating that there is so much great, young, creative talent in the UK that it seems a shame to have someone with no design experience be so successful.

With commentary from Jane Shepherdson the series explored the rise and fall of Topshop. It was founded in '60s but lost its touch by the '80s. Shepherdson explained how she wanted to show not just Topshop's ability to copy the catwalk but also their own design credibility which is why they launched Topshop Unique. This is literally catwalk fashion available on the High Street.

Topshop isn't the only High Street success of recent years, Marks & Spencer has also experienced a revival with a little help from Per Una designer George Davis. He has helped with widening the appeal of the store from functional to the fabulous. Twiggy put Davis's success down to his attention to detail. "The man is obsessed," she joked.

They constantly contrasted the '60s retail boom with the current and looked at both Mary Quant and Biba. Mary Quant invented clothes for young people and she explained her designs for Bazaar stating how she used bright colours, coloured stockings, short skirts, PVC, combined with childlike elements to create her infamous designs.

They also considered the design genius of Ossie Clark who initially designed for Quorum before later designing for Radley. Despite his amazing design skills, he was not very business minded. He bluntly stated, "I'm not interested in the cost of items at all." Ossie's shows with wife and textile designer Celia Birtwell were described as 'catwalk happenings' and the combination of dancing and funky music changed the face of the catwalk forever.

Barbara Hulanicki and her shop Biba are widely credited with making the High Street what it is today. She was selling high fashion pieces at low prices and the Kensington store became a meeting place for the young and fashionable in London. Hulanicki explained how they only ever created 200-300 of any item in order to keep the demand high and to keep people coming back.

The final section of the show considered Shepherdson's relationship with Oxfam particularly the way she got young designers involved with the store. She met with Christopher Kane and he explained how he updated an old dress with his trademark crystal detailing.

I thought the documentary was really interesting and I can't wait for the next installment. What did you think?

Images courtesy of the BBC.

On Our Radar: Gareth Pugh to Guest Edit Time Out

FabSugarUK — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:00:36 -0800

Less than a week to go until Gareth Pugh's menswear fashion week debut and more good news. Gareth will guest edit Time Out during London Fashion Week and also appear on the cover alongside Daphne Guinness.

Both will pose in items from Pugh's Spring collection which debuted at Paris Fashion Week in September.

It's been a great year for Pugh, who seems to be expanding his empire despite the global economic problems. However Pugh, like Mary Quant, thinks that this is a good time for creativity. "Before, it was just making a dollar and shipping out tons of mass-produced clothes. If someone wants to justify spending £1,000 on a jacket now, they'll want something a bit different rather than just plain cashmere."

Beyonce became a fan of Pugh's designs this year wearing two of his pieces to the MTV Europe Awards and also featuring items in her Diva video.

Pugh's menswear show takes place in Paris next Sunday, but he confesses that the collection isn't quite ready yet. "The vast majority won't be ready until the day before. I know what I want and what I've designed, now it's just a case of whether other people can deliver. My worst-case scenario at the moment is that the delivery van which is coming through the mountains will go off the edge of a cliff." Eek!
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Absolutely Fabulous

FabSugarUK — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 02:00:52 -0800

Sneak preview of Topshop's Spring line.
Victoria Beckham for Armani lingerie ad campaign is revealed.
Barbie gets a designer wardrobe.
Who is the best dressed Brit at the Golden Globe Awards?
Check out Lanvin's pre-fall line.
Mary Quant gets her own postage stamp.
Agyness Deyn speaks about the fashion industry.
Nike and Liberty of London collaborate for some rather floral trainers.
The tweed jacket is back and brighter than ever!
Check out Kate Moss' style over the years as she celebrates her 35th birthday.

Bella Donna: Nancy Kwan

BellaSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:01:29 -0800

Well into the 1960s, Caucasian actors often snagged the roles of Asian characters; Shirley MacLaine famously played a geisha in 1962. But things started to change, in part due to Nancy Kwan's rise to stardom. Born in Hong Kong to a Chinese architect and English fashion model, she trained as a ballet dancer during her youth. While visiting Hong Kong in her late teens, she was scouted and eventually cast in the lead role in The World of Suzie Wong. The film was controversial, as many people believe that the "hooker with the heart of gold" character created and reinforced negative stereotypes about "exotic" Asian women. Still, Kwan's performance earned her a Golden Globe (for Most Promising Newcomer) and turned her into an international icon.

See a gallery of photos and find out about her trendsetting style when you read more.

Kwan helped shape beauty trends in the '60s and beyond. After the famous hairstylist Vidal Sassoon gave Kwan a bob haircut, this iconic photograph appeared in Vogue. According to Sassoon, "My new style, which until then had been known as the Mary Quant cut, because it had been seen first at her collection, got a new name: the Nancy Kwan cut." Variations on this style continue to be popular today, and Kwan later appeared in the infomercial staple Pearl Cream. But her biggest influence may be off-screen. Along with starting her own film company, Kwan has been an advocate for homeless youth issues and has served as a spokesperson for the Asian-American Voters Coalition. Her most recent film appearance is in the 2007 documentary Hollywood Chinese.

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