Taking a fashionable glance at Banksy

Yesterday morning i found myself in Bristol, yes thats right Bristol. I can admit it is not the first city that pops into ones mind, nor is it linked to fashion, but i had my reason and that reason was Banksy.

Banksy is the famous grafitti artist who has gained notoriety in recent years for his stencils and paint images on an array of outside locations. His fame has now led to the Bristol Museum presenting a unique collaberation between the citys foremost cultural institution.

So i found myself queuing at 11am with my fabulous companinion, my sister, waiting to enter the museum. Forty minutes later we entered the free exhibition. On my first introduction to Banksy's work I must say I found his collection to be full of irony that made strong social comments on our existence today.

I loved this mans message in his work, i found it amazing and breath taking. So my advice to you my fellow champagnistas is that you need to get your £14 National Express return ticket and make your way to Bristol to take in the exhibition- it is worth the two hour journey. If Banksy is not your thing then you can always take in the sights and sounds of Bristol- a city made famous fro tip hop (what ever that is) and slavery (that i didnt know).

From a more cultural (lol) Champagnista M

The September Issue- the must see fashion movie of 2009 if not ever!!!

OMG fashionista's, the must see fashion movie (after the up coming Chanel movie) is cooming out this coming Autumn. It is a docusoap by R.J. Cutler on Anna Wintour and the creation of the most important Vogue issue- The September Issue. The documentary is not directly critical of its subject, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, but the trailer definitely seems to play up her reputation as an ice queen and is also keenly aware of some of the excesses of the fashion world.

So click on like and go on, take a peek- and enjoy!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9-bAwz9uWk&feature=player_embedded

Champagnista M

When a fashionista takes a chance on WAKA.

As I waited at the designated gate at Hyde Park corner on a chilly Thursday evening, I found myself wondering what I was letting myself in for. My introduction to WAKA Kickball all began when an American friend of mine (who shall remain nameless) recommended that I join the London WAKA kick ball team. Her reason being; “it is all the rage over here in America”.

So having no clue about the game (although she did try to explain it), I found myself standing alone at 6.15pm during rush hour and wondering how I was going to spot my new team mates. I really did not relish the idea of approaching random strangers and whispering “are you part of WAKA?”

As the clock struck 6.30pm, I decided that I had reached the end of my patience (yes 15 minutes is just about my limit). So I made the decision to head on home and catch up on the episodes I missed of my guilty pleasure Gossip Girl. It was as I turned on my heel that I noticed a small gathering of people dressed in shorts and t-shirts. Why had I not spotted them before? Could this be them? I decided then and there that if I even heard a whisper of an American accent coming from their direction that I would put my fear of approaching strangers aside and walk right up to them. So straining my ears I tried to listen to their chit chat whilst trying to not raise too much suspicion. It was then that I spotted a girl walking towards the group holding a rather large and unusual ball. I called out “Lauren” ( that’s the name of the girl who organises the London team) and she turned round and answered “yes” with an American accent- I gave a sigh of relief because it was in that brief moment that I realised that the American accent has never sounded so sweet- the wait was finally over!

As we all walked over to the grass area to try and locate a nice patch to play on, I took a good look at the members of the WAKA kickball London team. At first glance one could see that the team was made up of individuals from all different walks of life with different reasons for being there. There was the British Barrister, the Irish jock, the friendly Austrian, the fun filled Australian, and the happy go lucky Americans and me- the London fashion girl whose entire aura just screamed “will this game ruin my fresh manicure”

Once a patch of grass was found we split into two teams of 5 aside and then it was time to play ball! Being a total newbie, my lack of skills certainly showed as I kept missing the ball. To be quite honest I was scared it would hurt luckily I had patient team mates who whopped and yelled encouragement whenever I attempted to catch a ball. Luckily for me, I was not alone in my bad ball catching ways, there was one team mate- who shall remain nameless- who actually managed to make catching the ball a comical event by always running towards it with arms opened so wide that it made catching the ball an impossible task.

As the game progressed and the clock ticked on, I found myself huffing and puffing painfully. I had never realised I was so unfit. I was constantly thinking of giving up and throwing myself onto the mercy of the grass that was worsening my allergies by the minute. But like a trooper I soldiered because if the truth be known I had caught the WAKA bug. I was enjoying the company of my new team mates as we laughed over some quite bad playing and screamed with excitement when someone made an inning. Once the game was over we forgot our pains, tears and aches as we headed to the pub for the promised glass of Chianti for me, and some cool pints of beer for the rest of my team mates- a worthy reward.

Lastly, as a Brit I can admit that I was quite cynical, unsure and rather proper about the whole WAKA game. Now I have had the WAKA experience all I can say is “Bravo”. It is indeed a great game that magically manages to create a great vibe among strangers and turn them into friends. So will I be returning to play? Definitely! I have unofficially dubbed the London team the Breakfast Club of WAKA. It is definitely a team I consider myself to be part of, meaning that the tale about the London WAKA kickball team is without doubt to be continued...

from the rather aching,

Champagnista M

Who made the New Gen list?

Yesterday at LFW's new home Somerset House, Sarah Mower announced the winners of the BFC's NEWGEN scheme which is sponsored by Topshop for September 2009-

so drum roll please...the winners are:

(by the way be sure to click on their names to learn more about each designer)

CATWALK:

House of Holland

Mark Fast

Mary Katrantzou

Meadham Kirchhoff

Peter Pilotto

PRESENTATION:

Danielle Scutt

Louise Gray

LP.BG

SYKES

EXHIBITION:

Cooperative Designs

Craig Lawrence

Danielle Scutt

KTZ

Louise Gray

LP.BG

Mark Fast

Mary Katrantzou

House of Holland

Michael van der Ham

Peter Pilotto

SYKES

ACCESSORIES:

Atalanta Weller

Dominic Jones

Fred Butler

Congratulations to all you fabulous designers, we look forward to seeing your talents on show at London Fashion Week this coming season.

Champagnista M

Taking a step on wild side

Ohhhh I must say this chick flick girl has found her latest crush in the form of Sam Worthington, all because i decided to take a step on the wild side.

I came across my latest crush on a warm Sunday evening when i decided to catch a movie that was not my usual romantic boy meets girl. boy looses girl, boy begs on knees for girl take him back, girl takes boy back and they live happily ever after - end credits. I decided to dare to be different and took on board the recommendation to watch the wham bam thank you mam Terminator Salvation.

Sitting on my lonesome in the cinema I was ready to put my brain into the deadzone as I was sure that not much thinking would be needed to follow the movie, so settling down with my sweet popcorn and slush drink I was now ready to get my £10 worth.

As the opening sequence begun, i took in a sudden deep breath and thought "who is that yummy man on the screen?" then I realised that i had said it out loud and that the viewers heard my gasp- super embarrassing!

So as the movie banged and crashed on, i sat there and stared at the very tasty Sam. OMG where had they been hiding this guy? He totally overshadowed my now former crush Christian Bale.

I found myself cheering on the machine man, begging him to make to the end of the movie. I was prepared to walk out if he even so much as croaked half way through.

As the end credits rolled i looked out for his name, because i had every intention of googling this piece of totty and learning more- which i did- he is australian, born 1977 and he is to appear in the yet to be released movie Return of the Titans ( a remake).

So Champagnistas, if you would like me to give you a lowdown of what the movie was about, then allow me to break it to you I barely remember because i had a gorgeus man on my brain and when that happens this fashionista logs out of the world and into the world of cute men.

from a besotted girl aka Champagnista M

Fashion gets a Pringle down its spine.

As mentioned in my post last week, LFW has been happily announcing the return of British fashion brands like Burberry and Matthew Williamson to the British catwalks. Now they have announced long standing brand Pringles of Scotlands return to LFW.

I must say i grew up wearing Pringles cardigans and V neck jumpers, so i am one of the many who are curious to see their collection.

So to continue, the news out of the horses mouth is:

"Pringle of Scotland will return to London Fashion Week for the brand’s 195th anniversary and the BFC’s 25 year celebrations.

The move, which was driven by Pringle of Scotland’s creative director Clare Waight Keller and new CEO Mary-Adair Macaire, will see the British brand return to London to show their Spring/Summer 2010 womenswear collection. They will join Burberry and Matthew Williamson, who have also announced their return to London this September. BFC.’ Chairman of the British Fashion Council Harold Tillman, said “We are delighted that Pringle of Scotland are returning to London for our 25th year celebrations. It is fantastic to have a brand with such a strong British heritage showing alongside our emerging stars such as Giles, Christopher Kane, Marios Schwab and Richard Nicoll”.

So fellow Champagnista's be sure to pencil into your diary that London Fashion Week will be taking place from 18th – 22nd September 2009 at its new cultural home, Somerset House.

You can look forward to welcoming Clare Waight Keller, who originally studied for her MA in Fashion Knitwear at the Royal College of Art who is returning to London to show here for the first time since graduation. She will join other RCA alumni including Erdem, Julien Macdonald and Nathan Jenden.

Lastly, be sure to note that the British Fashion Council will also be celebrating its 25th anniversary this season which gives us fashionistas the chance to toast them with a yummy glass of Moet- then again do we ever need a reason to indulge in a glass of bubbly?

Champagnista M

Champagnista Photo of the day.

Does this photo tell us the story of what fashion continues to stand for- skinny always being Vogue fabulous? Well i guess it will to those who are too sensitive to truely understand fashion's needs for its version of perfection.

For me it is a Champagnista photo of the day for obvious (or maybe to some not so obvious) reasons...!

Champagnista M

Introducing into the fashion arena- SPON DIOGO...

SPON DIOGO is a fashion label founded by Mia Lisa Spon & Rui Pedro Andersen Rodrigues Diogo in spring 2008. Mia and Rui have worked together as design team for over four years and live and work in Copenhagen.

As a team they have over the years designed for various companies on projects such as male / female prêt à porter collections, jewellery, bags, identity programs etc.. Mia Lisa Spon is a trained tailor and has worked for Danish and Swedish fashion and apparel companies. Rui Andersen Rodrigues Diogo ran a design studio, an art gallery and boutique in Reykjavík. He has worked as arts editor on Danish fashion magazine III and with industrial and graphic design.
Our approach is architectonic, structural, rhythmic, graphic and strongly founded in the love for luxurious materials and detail work tailoring.






The Spon Diogo woman is urban, social and self confident, and it was this look that they debuted mid October 2008 when they showed their first 10 piece collection, exclusively for Danish boutique PARISTEXAS (http://www.paristexas.dk/) . Then they created a capsule collection- a pre-collection spring / summer 2009 collection entitled FACETS.






Their autumn / winter 2009 collection is a full collection and counts 36 pieces, and they will do our first catwalk show in August in connection with Copenhagen Fashion Week - August 2009.
They will be showing our Spring / Summer 2021 collection in Copenhagen in August and Paris in October.


So why not raise your glass and welcome to the fashion arena SPON DIOGO.



Champagnista M

The Prodigal son of fashion returns.

I am happy to report straight from the horses mouth that the British Fashion Council will be welcoming Matthew Williamson back to London Fashion Week. They have stated...

"Matthew Williamson is delighted to announce the return of his mainline Spring/Summer 2010 collection to London Fashion Week this September.

His return (after seven years showing in New York) coincides with the BFC’s 25th
anniversary celebration (25 years of the British Fashion Council, London Fashion Week
and the British Fashion Awards) and the move of London Fashion Week to its new home
at Somerset House.

Matthew Williamson continued to maintain a London base while showing his collections
at New York Fashion Week. His close association with London was reinforced with the
opening of his celebrated flagship store here in 2004 and by his return to London
Fashion Week in 2007 to celebrate the label’s 10 year anniversary. The label continues
to grow and expand on a global basis - recently opening stores in New York and Dubai.

Chairman of the British Fashion Council Harold Tillman, said “We are delighted that
Matthew has accepted our invitation to return to London this September and to help us
celebrate 25 years of British Fashion. Our schedule has a rich mix of iconic, established
and new talent. The return of labels such as Burberry and Matthew Williamson will
further strengthen the extraordinary showcase of innovative design during London
Fashion Week”.

Commenting on the move Matthew Williamson, said “London Fashion Week has always
been very special to me. I am proud to celebrate with the British Fashion Council in its
25th anniversary and return to showing in London this September. I am really excited to
be part of a fashion week that will showcase such a wide breadth of talent with a new
home at Somerset House”.

London Fashion Week will take place from 18th – 22nd September at its new cultural
home, Somerset House. The move to a more centrally located and iconic venue is part
of the council’s 25 year celebrations."

Also returning to the bossom of LFW is british posh label Burberry. With a third return yet to be confirmed, it seems this coming season is definitely shaping up to be the one of many returns.

Reporting from the front line of fashion,

Champagnista M

EDITOR NOTES:

For more information about London Fashion Week contact:
Gemma Ebelis at the British Fashion Council Tel: +44 (0) 20 7636 7788
gemma.ebelis@britishfashioncouncil.com
For more information about Matthew Williamson contact:
Rachel Brandrick at Matthew Williamson Tel: +44 (0) 7814 514785
rachel@matthewwilliamson.co.uk
1. The British Fashion Council (BFC) is a not for profit company limited by
guarantee set up in 1983 to promote British fashion and co-ordinate this promotion
through fashion weeks, exhibitions and showcasing events.
2. London Fashion Week is organised by the British Fashion Council.
3. The British Fashion Council is ‘Celebrating 25 Years of British Fashion’
throughout 2009. This encompasses 25 years of the British Fashion Council, 25
years of promoting London Fashion Week and 25 years of British Fashion
Awards.