Free Range Fashion Week 2010 - Middlesex University - Charly Jacobs - Photography by Venetia Alkema

Photographs were taken by Venetia Van Hoorn Alkema. Copying these without the persmission of Venetia or Fox&Squirrel is strictly prohibited.

Free Range Fashion Week 2010 - Middlesex University - Katrina Ferrari - Photography by Venetia Alkema

Photographs were taken by Venetia Van Hoorn Alkema. Copying these without the persmission of Venetia or Fox&Squirrel is strictly prohibited.

Free Range Fashion Week 2010 - Middlesex University - Linda Ntumy - Photography by Venetia Alkema

                               

Photographs were taken by Venetia Van Hoorn Alkema. Copying these without the persmission of Venetia or Fox&Squirrel is strictly prohibited.

Free Range Fashion Week 2010 - Middlesex University - Liesemarie Schulte Kitzing - Photography by Venetia Alkema

Photographs were taken by Venetia Van Hoorn Alkema. Copying these without the persmission of Venetia or Fox&Squirrel is strictly prohibited.

Winchester School of Art at Free Range

Our bad luck persisted today as both Fox&Squirrel photographers were unable to accompany us to Winchester School of Art fashion show at Free Range. We equipped ourselves with a little Nikon and managed to snap some pics for you guys. As Fox&Squirrel were seated front row we were able to avoid getting the back of people's heads into any images! Arriving at Free Range we were greeted with yummy passion fruit cocktails, if that was not enough we were also served delicious canapés. You know you are going to see a good show when you are greeted in this manner!
Samantha Bushell opened the show with her ethno inspired knitwear. Her designs were big and bulky, whilst the dominant colours were yellows, reds and blacks. Opening the show was not Samantha's only triumph of the day she was also awarded best knitwear of the year. At stark contrast Jun Wu's urban dandies followed Samantha's ethnos. Ironically, Fox& Squirrel especially loved his fur rabbit gillet and the usage of suede shoes to accompany his suits. As the urban dandies left the catwalk Nathalie Coote's models graced the catwalk.
We were fond of the feather details that adorned the shoulders of her cropped jackets. Though today's great weather forbade us to think of winter wardrobes we could not help but drool over Wai Yung Lau's black chiffon pleated capes. Very Scottish Widow like- that is an air of mystery!
We were quickly reminded that summer was here with Gemma Landing's use of pastel coloured linen creations. We loved her high waist trousers and linen tops. Exquisite high waist trousers were also produced by Virginia Handley. We loved the pleated detail around the waist. Her suede high waist shorts did it for us so we nominated her as our favourite designer of the show.
On a closing note Fox&Squirrel would like to congratulate Lisa Jordan for pushing down the catwalk a properly completed collection. Well accessorised and her story, theme and subject were evident. There was a start and a finish to it.

                                                    

Images taken by Fox&Squirrel. Copying these without the permission of Fox&Squirrel is strictly prohibited.
Please read from left to right:
Virginia Handley, Gemma Landing, Jun Wu, Lisa Jordan,Virginia Handley, Jun Wu, Wai Yung Lai.

WilliamVintage & his sale!

On the 25th of May we were invited to attend a vintage sale organised by William Banks- Blaney for WilliamVintage. William's event was unlike any other vintage sale we have been to. Housed in a beautiful 18th century mansion that overlooks Fitzroy square William set up rails of beautiful haute couture vintage clothes transporting us to bygone eras. William guided us through his self made maze telling us the history of the gowns and their designers.
Available to buy were Oscar De La Renta gowns when he was still junior designer for Jane Derby, designs by Simonetta & Fabieni, Richard Tam a designer of the late 1950s who dressed Jacqui O and Pat Nixon and the list really goes on and on. We had our little camera with us and here are some of the dresses we fell in love with.

                    

Talking to Space In Between

Ida, Hannah and Laura met in their school’s art class and have since bounced off each other’s creative and artistic flair. 

In early 2009 they set up Space In Between, a curatorial collective, based on their common belief that all artists ought to be provided with an ideal environment that nurtures and invigorates creative talent. The trio are adamant that this environment should also pose as a promotional platform for the creatives they are involved with. 

In the past year they have hosted six shows in derelict spaces that they transformed into exquisite exhibition halls. All exhibitions generated a significant amount of publicity and attended by a large audience. This is how Space In Between brings emerging artists to the forefront but when I met with Ida she was keen to stress that as exciting as this process is artists should never be pushed; maintaining artistic integrity and independence is paramount. 

In the art world stories of artists and curators accusing one another of impinging on each other’s creative space are definitely not rare. As Space In Between goes from strength to strength I wonder whether they have discovered the remedy for this sort of trouble. Ida says ‘it’s simply establishing a fair and open relationship from the start where dialogue between the two is allowed to flourish.’ As Ida guides me through ‘Rubber Line’, an exhibition hosted by Space In Between featuring works by Nick Roberts and Neil Porter, dialogue between the two artists, their curators and the audience is evident. 

When I mention this to Ida she considers this to be one of the show’s biggest successes. “The public for some reason have the impression that a private curator or gallery owner is restricted by that which guarantees commercial success. That is not the case with Space In Between we always try to create critical shows.” But as Ida and her colleagues put in so much effort to promote artists they believe in what is left in it for them? 

The three are undoubtedly budding curators and owning their own space is an ambition they hope to fulfil in the near future. Ida informs me that Space In Between came up in a tutorial at Slade School of Fine Art and on another occasion in Tate Rooms. She says stories like these ones confirm to the trio that all their efforts are not in vein. 

At that point a passer by decides to pop into the exhibition. Ida enthusiastically shows him round. It turns out he is an artist and keenly asks for more information about Space In Between; Ida, Hannah and Laura are obviously doing it right!

All images were provided by Ida Champion. Images taken by Venetia Van Hoorn Alkema. Copying these without the permission of Ida, Venetia or Fox&Squirrel is strictly prohibited. 

Sovio Wine Label Competition

The saying goes "never judge a book by its cover"? Well its utter nonsense. A successful book cover captures the creativity of the author and the intensity of his writing. The same goes for wine bottle labels. A successful label will capture the wine's age, fruity or dry flavour, and spices accurately.
Sovio Wines in collaboration with FADwebsite are looking for the next label design that best represents the tastes of Sovio Wines.
The competition is now open to all designers and creatives from all levels of their careers. They are looking for something truly original that will capture the fresh and exciting brand persona. The lucky winner will not only proudly see their design lining shelves of the UK's largest supermarket chain, but also win a round trip for two to San Fransisco and five nights hotel accommodation.
As well as selecting one overall winner the top ten entries will be exhibited at a live London art show in August 2010.
All designs will be judged by a panel of industry experts in art, design and branding.  
The deadline for the competition is 30th of July 5pm. To apply please click here.
The panel of judges includes: Chris Pensa, owner of Love Art London; Sarah Ryan, owner of New Blood Art; Mark Westall, Creative Director of FADWebsite; and Ethan Allen, Creative Director of Raspberry Media 
Fox& Squirrel would like to thank our favourite cultural enthusiast Pippa Irvine for informing us about the competition.

Fox&Squirrel Interview Alice Palmer

Alice Palmer graduated in Textiles from Glasgow School of Art in 2000. In just one year she set up her business designing and selling fashion accessories. Her dedication to fashion saw her move to London to pursue a Masters at the Royal College of Art. In 2008 at New York Fashion Week Alice won the the 'Best Designer' Award. At the Press Event Fox&Squirrel got to talk to fashion designer Alice Palmer. We leave you with the interview and some pictures of Alice's A/W 10 collection 'Batman'.

Fox&Squirrel: Is it not slightly bizarre to move from textiles to actual fashion designing?

Alice Palmer: Many people ask that actually but looking back it makes perfect sense. I have always adored knitwear and knew that that was what I wanted to make. My time as a Textiles student allowed me to get personal with the fabrics I would eventually be using. I studied them hard and experimented with them. I developed new techniques, my own techniques if you wish, that enabled me to become an innovative and successful designer.

F&S: From textile student to fashion designer to 'Womenswear designer of the Year' in 2008 at New York's Fashion Week. How did that feel?

A.P.: To be honest I had no clue there were to be any awards. I thought being there was an award itself. It definitely feels great to be recognised like that.

F&S: So A/W 2010 'Batman'?

A.P:Yes, I always loved Batman and I think the intricate and detailed gadgets in the film lend themselves well to - couture. I asked myself, what would someone wear whilst riding the 'Batman' bike? And that is how your favourite leggings came about. How many of us wished we were cat- woman when we were growing up? The image of Michelle was stuck in our heads. So I designed a cat suit. The 'Batman' theme is a great one for a winter collection. Its dark but sexy. 'Batman' was a great source of inspiration for me but it was also rather liberating as it allowed me to explore other territories. Take 'punk' for example. I think the influences from punk are pretty obvious in my A/W 2010 collection. I would say the studs I used are a tribute to punk.

F&S: Indeed studs are quite prominent in this collection.

A.P: [she giggles] I think I ordered 2000 studs. Each pair of tights has about 60 studs sown on to them.

F&S: What kind of woman do you design for?

A.P: Well, I only just started designing clothes that I myself would wear. I suppose the woman I envision are a bit 'bolshy', in a good way though. She is not afraid to speak her mind.

F&S: So this woman does not belong to a certain era?

A.P: No, I am note really into looking back. I design for today's woman that is equipped for the future.

F&S: What would you say the next trend is?

A.P: I would like leather to hang around a bit more. I think it well might do but I also think velvet will become more and more prominent.

F&S: And, finally what should we expect from your next collection?

A.P: I can't reveal any secrets. It is a surprise and I would hate to be the one that wrecks that for you.