Style Addict - Summer Grads and Autumn Bags

GFW 2010

Once again it was the grads turn to shine as 50 universities and colleges showcased their latest batch of talent at London’s Earl’s Court. Sponsored for the 6th year running by high street chain River Island the exhibition was brimming with wall-to-wall talent across several fashion disciplines. Culminating in a gala awards show hosted by Caryn Franklin the judges endured the incredibly difficult task of selecting this year’s winning graduates.

 

GFW 2010

 

GFW Award Winners 2010:

River Island Gold Award - Rebecca Thomson of Manchester Metropolitan University

River Island Menswear Award - Thomas Crisp of Ravensbourne College of Design & Communication

River Island Womenswear Award - Rhea Fields of Northbrook College

Zandra Rhodes Catwalk Textiles Award - Anna Lee of De Monfort University

BHM Visionary Knitwear Award - Ledina Zhang - Northumbria University

International Award - Roya Hesam - Amsterdam Fashion Institute

http://www.gfw.org.uk

 

Bath Uni Oxfam Project

As you’d expect with fashion visionaries the stands at Graduate Fashion Week were laden with thought-provoking creativity. Bath Spa University may have took the less-is-more approach with their crowd of mannequins against a clean white backdrop but the display perfectly presented quality and workmanship. All designs on show were created out of recycled fabrics courtesy of the Oxfam ‘Reinvented’ scheme and the pieces are due to be sold exclusively as Oxfam boutique later this month. Talk about a win win situation.

 

Bath Spa Uni Oxfam project

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/content/secondhandstore/fashion/boutiques/default.html

 

Zandra Rhodes Bag Launch

Fashion veteran Zandra Rhodes has been turning heads with her vibrant prints and unique personal style for decades. The embodiment of a lady who adores colour, pattern and print Zandra has her finger on many a fashion pulse; from setting up the Fashion & Textile Museum to designing costumes for opera productions. Now a little piece of Zandra’s style can be yours at a very reasonable price thanks to her latest bag range. Due in stores from August the collection features Zandra’s signature prints, bold colourways and luxe finishes. From classic patent quilted bags to vintage-deco-esque clutches - there is something for everyone with this launch collection.

 

Zandra Rhodes bag launch

www.zandrarhodes.com

 

You Can Leave Your Hat On!

Who would Adam & Eve it - a day devoted hats and those who love to wear them. (Is there a day set aside for shoes I wonder?) In celebration of ‘National Hat Day’ (16 June) www.queens-hat.com conducted a survey across the UK to reveal our favourite celebrity hat wearers.

Lady GaGa, infamous for wearing hats featuring everything from lobsters to telephones, bagged the top slot with 34% of the vote beating the Queen into second place with just 17% followed by Zara Phillips with 8% of the vote.

 

Lady GaGa

She joined by the Mad Hatter himself, star of Alice in Wonderland, Johnny Depp, with nearly half the vote at 43%, Depp beat off competition from fellow actor Brad Pitt (14%) and Justine Timberlake and David Beckham in joint third place with 7%.

The survey also revealed that the UK is fast becoming a nation of hat wearers with more than 77% donning a hat on a regular basis and 46% of people owning more than ten hats.

 

Style Addict Loves…

This gold clutch ‘Sophia’ bag by bespoke label Katie Curtin. Already spied on the likes of Nicola Roberts and Florence Welch design duo Katie Harding and Lorraine Curtin are onto a sure thing.

 

Katie Curtin clutch

Katie Curtin clutch @ Sassy & Boo £150-

 

http://www.sassyandboo.com

 

More next time from Style Addict x

JI