2012

Fashion Month has officially begun and you can bet your bobbliest jumper (which I’m sure is getting a LOT of wear in these bitter temperatures) that it’s going to be a good one. Whether you’ll be attending the shows or watching them from the comfort of your computer screen the arrival of our favourite four weeks of fabulousness is an excellent excuse to treat yourself to something stylish.

1) Whistles Garden Print Top, £85, available at www.whistles.co.uk
2) Elizabeth & James Kayden Stretch Wool Skinny Pants, £230, available at www.net-a-porter.com
3) Stella McCartney Stud Heel Ankle Boots, £515, available at www.net-a-porter.com
4) Carven Contrast Trim Jacket, £410, available at www.matchesfashion.com
5) Anne Bowes Turquoise Gold Sun Necklace, £240, available at www.myflashtrash.com
6) Mulberry Harriet Tote in Spongey Pebbled Beige, £950, available at www.mulberry.com
7) A.P.C Cotton Knit Sweater, £155, available at www.net-a-porter.com
8) A.P.C Cotton A-line skirt, £135, available at www.net-a-porter.com
9) Anya Hindmarch Girlie Stuff bag, £85, available at www.matchesfashion.com

Love Ella. X

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Ella Catliff in Shopping 1 Comment

5 Minutes With… Zoe Jordan

Since leaving a high flying, city career to set up her eponymous label back in 2007, Zoe Jordan has well and truly established herself as one to watch. I mean, winning the Walpole Brand of Tomorrow award and being shortlisted for the ultra prestigious BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund is certainly no mean feat. Add to that the fact that unlike her competitors, Zoe has no formal design training, and you’re looking at one impressive lady. Her secret? Read on to find out…

LPA: What was the initial inspiration behind your AW12/13 collection?

Zoe: Andalucian architecture, in particular the Pink House, I spent most of my childhood in the south of Spain.

LPA: What can we expect to see from Zoe Jordan during 2012?

Zoe: I’m currently busy working on the AW12 collection, the show will be at Somerset House and it looks like we’ll have some well known models walking which is exciting. Next season we are planning to launch our first pre-collection. We’re also launching a sunglasses line that I have designed for Andy Wolf Sunglasses and we’ll continue to work on our swimwear collection exclusively for Harrods. I always have an eye out for potential store space so 2012 might see the first Zoe Jordan boutique!

LPA: Where do you like to shop?

Zoe: I love to shop when I travel. I like to pick up pieces unique to that culture. My best finds have been a pair of beautiful riding boots in Argentina and one off pieces of Jewellery in Bali. Back in London I love Goldborne road and as fas as the high street’s concerned, I never leave Cos empty handed.

LPA: Which other designers do you rate and why?

Zoe: Eileen Gray, Frank Gehry and Frank Lloyd Wirght are some of my favourite designers and architects. I’ve also always greatly admired Yves Saint Laurent, introducing the tuxedo suit for women was an iconic moment.

LPA: What do you think is the key to good personal style?

Zoe: A natural confidence.

LPA: What is the most valuable fashion advice you’ve ever received?

Zoe: Coco Chanel’s legendary pearls of wisdom, when accessorizing always take off the last thing you put on.

LPA: The phrase “style icon” seems to be used a lot these days. Who, if anyone, truly deserves to be called iconic?

Zoe: I’m drawn to effortless, tomboyish style so someone like Lauren Hutton would be a style hero of mine.

LPA: What has been your proudest moment in fashion so far?

Zoe: Being nominated for the BCF/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund this year was an incredible honour. Although doing the presentations was scarily similar to Dragon’s Den, it was without a doubt the highlight of my design career so far.

LPA: What is your ultimate aim for the Zoe Jordan brand?

Zoe: I would love to grow the fashion label into a full lifestyle brand. I’m now starting to develop swimwear and sunglasses and then hope to launch shoes and bags in the future. I studied architecture and have a passion for interiors so eventually would hope to grow the brand in that direction too.

Love Ella. X

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Ella Catliff in Interviews Leave a comment

Look Du Jour: Deep Freeze

What: Parka: Topshop, Top: Whistles, Trousers: BDG, Boots: Massimo Dutti

February is finally here and fashionistas all over the world are celebrating the arrival of the Spring/Summer collections… Or possibly not. Just as we were beginning to pack away our thermals and start scouting for some new season treats the weather goes and plummets a casual 12 or so degrees. London is currently stuck in a climatic deep freeze. Snow is one thing when you’re ten years old and get to miss a day or two of school. It’s quite another when maths lessons are a distant memory and the only thing your missing is the chance to start wearing pastels.

Despite all previous intentions to forgo chunky knitwear and lumpy layers in favour of something lighter, the arctic conditions in London have forced me to dig out the one truly practical garment of clothing I own. Not that this Topshop parka isn’t actually rather nice (and extremely cosy) but after 4 months of insulating fabrics the idea of wearing something even more wintery doesn’t exactly appeal. Now I’ve never been one to subscribe to the idea of karma but can’t help but feel that I’m somehow being punished for starting my SS12 shopping back in January… Ok, so I know the universe has more important concerns than my spending habits but sub-zero temperatures this close to fashion week, seriously!???

Love Ella. X

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Ella Catliff in Look Du Jour 3 Comments

5 Minutes With… Maria Grachvogel

One of the best things about blogging (aside from the endless parties, OBV) has been getting to grill some of the different designers who’s collections I covet. With London Fashion Week just around the corner, I thought it might be nice to catch up with a few of the new names and familiar faces who’ll be showing in my home town this season. First up is the ultra talented and incredibly lovely, Maria Grachvogel. Having been struck speechless by her SS12 collection, I’m dying to hear what she’s got in store for us this year…

LPA: What was the initial inspiration behind your AW12/13 collection?

Maria: This season our woman has a little bit of Deco glamour about her. The feeling is rich and jewel like but also light and sparkly. The starting point of any of my collections is the mood rather than a particular visual reference point. I consider the woman that will inhabit the collection and how I want her to feel in the clothes. After the architectural volume of the SS12 collection I was feeling the need for something a bit more languid and sexy.

LPA: What can we expect to see from Maria Grachvogel during 2012?

Maria: Last year the focus for our business was our expansion into Asia where we launched two flagship stores and two shop in shops. This year we look forward to continued success there and opening more stores. The USA is a very exciting new market for us with SS12 being out second season on ShopBop.com. This year we are plannng further expansion of out distribution internationally. We are also expanding our product offer through collaborations. For SS12 we started working with Atlanta Weller for shoes, so these have just arrived in stores. I’m also very excited about the shoe collection we have been working on together for AW12 and can’t wait to see the samples.

LPA: Which other designers do you rate and why?

Maria: The greatest designers combine art and functionality, making you gasp and want to own one whilst knowing that you will love and wear it for years to come. I think McQueen has always achieved that desire and continues to do so under Sarah Burton. I also very much admire Stella McCartney, she had built an incredible brand with total focus on her vision.

LPA: Where do you like to shop?

Maria: I love to shop when I travel and always find the most amazing pieces in markets, vintage stores and tiny boutiques. I rarely have time to shop in London and luckily don’t have to shop for clothes very often as I mostly wear my own label. When I do shop, I tend to go to Matches which is near my home in Marylebone.

LPA: Who, dead or alive, would you most like to see wearing your clothes?

Maria: I love strong, confident woman like Kathering Hepburn and Coco Chanel who dressed for themselves and challenged the fashions of their time. I admire Yasmin Le Bon and Tilda Swinton because they also have that strong sense of their own style.

LPA: What do you think makes a woman stylish?

Maria: A stylish woman is one who is totally at one with herself and dresses in tune with who she is.

LPA: What advice would you give to someone trying to establish a career in the fashion industry?

Maria: The best piece of advice I was ever given was to learn business skills. It’s just as important as the creativity is you are hoping to run your own business.

The Maria Grachvogel Flagship store can be found at 18 Culford Gardens, Blacklands Terrace, London SW3 2ST or shop her collection online at www.mariagrachvogel.com

Love Ella. X

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Ella Catliff in Interviews 1 Comment

BREAKING NEWS!!! British Fashion Council Announces BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund Winner…

Ok, so this news isn’t “breaking” per se. I actually received the email informing me of this years’ winner last week so the identity of the designer in question is hardly top secret. But given that this talented Scotsman is a particular favourite of mine, I’m certainly not about to miss an excuse to post about him. In case you hadn’t already worked it out or somehow missed this snippet of hotter-than-hot fashion gossip, the winner of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2012 is… Jonathan Saunders!

As you may already know, or read about in my previous post, this award is one of the most coveted in the industry and has helped to make the likes of Erdem and Christopher Kane into two of the most in-demand young designers today. Jonathan’s already established himself as one of fashion’s fastest rising stars so with an added £200,000 in funding and a year of expert mentorship, who knows what wonders await. Much as I adore his SS12 collection, I’ve probably posted it 5 or 6 times already so instead, here’s a peek at Jonathan’s sartorial evolution over the past few seasons…