ADA ZANDITON - My favourite LFW Estethica Designers AW11

Ada Zanditon - The CRYOFLUX AW11 from Andrew & WIlliam Ho on Vimeo.

“Under the frozen surface of Jupiter's moon Europa, has evolved a new species: The Cryoflux.

Descending onto earth she arrives in the barren darkness of the Antarctic winter, to explore a frozen world in 

an unfamiliar state of flux. Clothed in powerfully sculptured attire, encompassing vibrant flames and ice 

shattering prints, she reflects her surroundings. She voyages through the tenacious climate which is 

constantly cracking and reforming around her.”

Ada's concepts, themes are always so complex, and so engineered, so out of this world - unique basis for an even more unique designs. Love the geometry, the architectural and scientific futuristic forms. The future fantasy  blends with a historical journey inspired by the process of evolution creating something incredibly innovative.

The vision of the brand is to create elegant sculptural womenswear. 

This vision is emerging from a sustainable business practice: using organic, natural fabrics, innovative techniques to reduce waste,AZO-free dyes (not turning into cancer causing chemicals); even in her studio there are eco-friendly light bulbs and cleaning products.

Another plus that puts her brand even closer to my heart is her jewellery collection produced in collaboration with Luca Romanyi, a designer from Hungary :), using recycled plastics.

Here is Ada and  my favourite pieces from her collection AW11:

Frozen waterfall dress

Ammonite Peacoat

Iceflow dress

I love these looks as well:

Ammonite trousers

IO dress - available at YOUNG BRITISH DESIGNERS

and have to say I have some favourites from her PYRAMORA SPRING SUMMER 2011 collection as well.

cannot wait to see her exhibition today at Somerset House :) 

xxx

Kingu

EMESHA - Behind the Label

Hello readers! This post is quite important for me, as  Emese, the lovely girl behind this wonderful eco-luxe label, is very close to my heart.  I met her last year at LFW, and since then we became really good friends: we cheer each other up, we try to push each other when the road gets rocky. Emese is working so hard, and her determination is commendable. Plus her designs are amazing, and I am not just saying it: I find them always classy, simple but still with a unique twist, effortlessly elegant! The girl-meets-boy theme is always present in her collection, nevertheless every season she gives more and more: the latest A/W 2011/12 collection is so far my favourite: Amazing eco-friendly high quality fabrics, precise cutting, draping and beautiful tailoring. She takes the delicate nature of pleating to another level by juxtaposing it with the heavy fabrics, and the harsh angular detailing. 


Please go and check out her designer profile for much more interesting details HERE! also you can find more details on her early days and works HERE!



 She kindly agreed to answer some of my questions, so we can learn a bit more about her as a person and just see what and who is behind EMESHA the label.





CREDITS
Photographer: Mariell Amelie
Hair and make-up: Ole Elias Reinholdtsen Høve
Styling: Shyla Hassan
Model: Natalia Doktor at D1 Models

See-through fitted shirtDouble layered pleated skirt

1. What does your label mean to you and why?

 My label represents my philosophy towards life and fashion. I believe in fair working conditions and unfortunately, particularly within the fashion industry these are not always implemented. The desire to consume has created a more disposable attitude towards fashion, which means no real value is place upon the hard work and skill that goes into making garments of high quality. I think people should invest their hard earned money into wardrobe staples and break the pattern of "one-night-stand" attitude towards fast paced trend shifts. This would save a lot of garments from the landfill! 

Boyfriend blazer & Wool trousers with cuff hem detail

2. What do you think about fashion as a business? 

Fashion is a very difficult business to enter. You have to know your customer and develop good strong contacts within the industry. It’s not enough to be a good designer to create a successful fashion business, you have to be good in sales and have a flair for PR as well – it is very hard work.  

3. What is the biggest challenge for you as an ethical designer? 

The biggest challenge each season is to find the right fabrics for the collection. Although this has improved significantly in the past years, it is still relatively difficult to find sustainable fabrics of really high quality and an interesting texture. Another challenge is to bridge the gap between the consumer’s perception of ‘ethical’ clothing and the truth behind fair fashion. We have come a long way since the days of the first "hemp sacks", however there is still an acute stigma attached to sustainability yet when we take a look at contemporary ethical designers and the collections they are producing, it is clear that this the case anymore. On the contrary, we can find very high quality, beautifully crafted clothes.  

Wool mix fitted dress

4. What does sustainability mean to you as a person?   

To me it means not to waste. This I see as a lifestyle of conscious choices as a consumer, including fashion, food and even the electronic gadgets, buying things that have a minimal environmental impact.  

5. What are your top 3 favourite materials to work with? 

I really like working with silk because of the soft, flowing texture of the fabric. Cotton is really nice for daywear pieces, but my favourite fabric is definitely wool. It comes in such a great variety of textures, form and weights, from very light wool to soft, fluffy pieces. 

6. Give me a highest and lowest moment in your career/life as a designer?

I've had a few highs and lows. One of my greatest fashion moments was being backstage at a Vivienne Westwood fashion show in Paris. I was still a student, but I think that particular moment was pivotal moment in my career which determined my future. Another great moment was when I was accepted to showcase at London Fashion Week with my first collection. I was and still am really proud of being featured on Vogue Italia’s Talents. The lows you try to learn from, each business is difficult to start and I have been faced with all the start-ups problems and challenges.

Pleated shirtdress

7. Your favourites from your A/W11 collection? 

One of my favourite pieces is the navy pleated cocktail dress, but I'm also in love with the pink coat which I cannot wait to wear! For a casual evening out I would choose the black minidress. Every wardrobe should contain a fitted black dress. They suit everyone and can be dressed up or down depending on what you require, and black is never ‘out of fashion.’ 

Fitted evening dress with several different front pleat details and zip detail at back

Fully lined, wool mix winter coat with oversized lapels. Loose fit

8. What or who is your biggest inspiration? 

I like reading about ordinary people, who started out with nothing and found success through hard work and innovative ideas, I find these stories very inspiring. Otherwise my Mom is my biggest inspiration, she has always believed in me and without her support I would not be where I am today.  

9. Give us one word as a sneak peak for your SS12 collection?  

Collaboration! :)   

10. What are your future plans?  

I would like to create a team with like-minded people with whom I could make the label thrive.   

Now you can ask me a question as well, if you want to ;)

What made you become interested in sustainability?

To be honest I cannot recall when it started and why. If I am thinking hard, then I think the first feeling that comes to my mind is that I was a bit bored and sick of the high-street shops. I started checking on Google and read about articles on how they operate, then one thing led to another and I started to check on sustainability, recycling, waste etc. Then came fashion. Then all of a sudden came the idea, I want to have my own sustainable fashion business. I have to say,  I am not perfect, but I am trying to live a more conscious life: buying less clothes, shoes I am having troubles with :); producing less waste, consume less in general.


So there you have it, a little bit more, a little bit personal :)


I hope you enjoyed it!


xxx


Kingu

My FTBC experience courtesy of Little Miss Fashion

Ok, it is officially winter, and yes it is freezing. I find it a bit difficult these days to get myself doing anything but wrapping up warm and relax; my bed is my favourite and most attended place these days. Kind of getting into the Xmas spirit too, so thinking about decorations, presents, parties... oh parties, just brings back memories, oh well it was not that long ago, but here I am to share it with you: my night out with FTBC

I am going to be blatantly honest, not heard about them before (please forgive my ignorance), but it turns out that  Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) was established in 1994 by Ralph Lauren, after his friend Nina Hyde, Fashion Editor of the Washington Post, died of breast cancer.

In 1996, FTBC was launched in the UK by Breakthrough Breast Cancer. 

The money collected by FTBC is going towards research, education and campaigning. What they achieved since 1996 is absolutely impressive and purely amazing: they opened and funded the UK’s first dedicated breast cancer research centre, which now houses over 120 world-class scientists, they also developed new drugs that can treat different types of breast cancer, and this is just few of all the fantastic work they do.

They raised over £10.5 million for Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s vital research, campaigning and education work with the help of supporters and sponsors such as i.e. Mario Testino, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Gisele, Helena Christensen and Lily Cole; M&S, Whistles, Warehouse, Superdry, TOPSHOP, River Island etc.

But let's just go back to the party bit ;)  

Where it all began  - Little Miss Fashion 

 

I found quite a lot of 'cyber' friends on Twitter lately, and amongst these one of the sweetest  fashion blogger is definitely Little Miss Fashion, although what brought us together was our muffin and brownie baking ;) the relationship eventually evolved around fashion what else ;)

This is why I keep following her tweets and came across her competition through which I had the chance of winning two tickets to FTBC's fundraising gig at the The Old Queens Head in Islington.

I was over the moon when my name was picked, and was very much delighted! 

Sadly Zoe, the main creator of Little Miss Fashion could not attend, nevertheless Sally and Phil  - the other members of the group - were there and that just made our night! :) They are so fun and genuinely nice people, fantastic company for a fantastic night out! I hope that there will be other opportunities to meet them soon! :)

I am wishing Zoe well, and sending her hugs and kisses, she is amazing and at the moment working very hard on some Xmas baubles for charity so watch this space: 

LITTLE MISS FASHION

I had an idea before the gig, as my people in the office are quite generous when it comes to helping charities, I thought I give it a go :) 

At the end I only had time to collect some donation on the day, so the result was quite impressive! :) thanks to all my colleagues! When we got there I was happy to meet Siophra and the ladies who behind the scenes worked very hard to organise such a brilliant fundraising event; they were so grateful for the small donation collected that it honestly touched my heart!!!

One downfall: ME, oh well I was so looking forward to this evening, I even brought my camera with me so I can take loads of photos to put them up on my blog; but turns out that me rushing in the morning didn't help: camera without memory card only allows me to take limited number of pictures ;( 

Had a fantastic evening, with fantastic people, fantastic atmosphere and fantastic music!

Take my pictures below as a teaser and then click on the link and visit FTBC Facebook page for more photos and videos ;) 

xxxxx

The Old Queens Head

Sally and Phil from Little Miss Fashion

 Lauren Pritchard 

Gabriella Cilmi

WELL DONE LADIES @ FTBC!  Wish you luck for all future fundraising events! Kisses and thank you again for the great night!

Click and follow for updates on future events and other FTBC topics!       

What can you do for a more sustainable life?

Oh well, it seems like it happened ages ago...sorry for my disappearance, but been so busy in my 'real' life in the aim of collecting materials to write about that the actual writing fell a bit behind.

So now I really have some catching up to do, let's get cracking.
As promised now I would like to reflect upon certain activities small communities can do to make a difference and improve their sustainable living.

EDIBLE ESTATES





Architect Fritz Haeg began this project  in 2005 as a scheme to replace American front lawns with edible landscapes. He has adapted this approach for Global cities, just like London.

And what can you do inside your home? Check these out:

Living air purifiers

Or you can grown your own greenhouse:

Or if you fancy a little bit of DIY, you do not have to go to IKEA :)

That's it for today.

Next time: my Garden Party to Make a Difference experience! Watch this space.

FRIDAY

Oh, well very quiet day....cannot wait to finish in the office. not much happening at work, well at least it gives me the opportunity to discover new things with the help of the 'worldwideweb'
Sunday I will visit The Design Museum in London for an interesting exhibition!!!


Check it out; but be quick as it is only on till the end of this week!


Will share my impressions with you on this soon :)

LFW - the biggest thing in September :)

I am back :) LFW soon on and look what I found :) Estethica labels - Ready-to-Wear Sept 2010: Emesha for all the fashion+eco conscious ladies out there!



Go girl; make us proud ;)
 

Tailored look with must-have pieces for this A/W season!