Blitz: A sneak peek into Wills Lifestyle fashion week.

For fashion lovers, there is something to cheer about as the city will be hosting one of the biggest fashion events this March. The Wills Lifestyle Autumn/Winter Fashion Week is scheduled for March 13 to 17 where hundreds of designers will come together to define the fashion trends of the country. 

After successfully holding the spring/summer fashion week in the Capital in October last year, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) is gearing up for the autumn/winter fashion week that will last for five days. The event is already hogging limelight with the declaration that Masaba Gupta will open the fashion week. As preparations are still going on, FDCI is yet to come up with the official list of designers. However, Metrolife tries to take a sneak peek into the collection which will be showcased by designers this March. 

Surily Goel, who made her debut with Lakme Fashion week in 2006 and has designed outfits for actors in movies like Saawariya, Salaam Namaste and many more, will showcase her collection inspired by the deep jewel tones and the colours of the season. “My autumn/winter 2013 collection seamlessly merges the underlying themes of elegance, simplicity and glamour, with my trademark touch – shine,” says Surily.

“With a rich colour palette of emerald green, burgundy and navy blue, the latest collection to be showcased at the event will bring together silhouettes ranging from straight lines to jumpsuits and long dresses with geometric embroidery,” says Surily.  Other than this, the key feature of Surily’s collection will be drapes.

The collection of another designer, Anupama Dayal, whose autumn winter 2008 collection was declared ‘easily the prettiest’ by an international fashion magazine, is inspired by  the history of Delhi. Her collection will be titled as Ishq-e-Dilli. “Delhi has been invaded, looted and plundered. It had a troubled and difficult past. Yet, it is what it is, an important heritage city with over three world heritage treasures. For me personally, this collection will be about digging deeper roots and making peace with the city I choose to live, work and raise my children in.”

Similarly, designer Pia Pauro, who in her last fashion week showcased tribal prints of Africa, has this time focused upon the rich handicrafts and handlooms of Muslim countries. “My collection is inspired from Central Asia,” says Pia. “The silhouettes will have prints and embroideries of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Colours are deep in the entire collection.  Models will be made to sashay the ramp as mountain chic and royal ladies of 60s,” she says.

With designers ready to spread so much colours  on stage, one can now estimate the  fashion  that will be showcased during Wills Lifestyle autumn/fashion week.

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Nigerian designer discusses the business of fashion.

This interview was granted and published August 2012 How we made it in Africa, an Inspirational blog that focuses on commending the creative works and achievements of Africans, home and diaspora. I hope you find it a good read.

Kiki Kamanu left her job at Harvard University to pursue her passion for fashion design. Her Nigerian-based KIKIKAMANU brand has taken her down runways at the London Fashion Week and twice at the ARISE Magazine Fashion Week, as well as being featured in international media such as CNN and Russian Tatler.

Kiki Kamanu

This year Kamanu has been selected as one of five finalists for BiD Network’s Women in Business Challenge that focuses on women entrepreneurs in emerging markets. How we made it in Africacatches a moment with Kamanu to discuss fashion and business in Nigeria.

Tell us about the KIKIKAMANU fashion brand

KIKIKAMANU is comprised of four lines: EKZ (menswear), ArmKandy (accessories), Omakaa (women’s ready-to-wear) and Zbird (womenswear diffusion line). KIKIKAMANU represents the man and woman who expect to walk into a room and own it. The label was started in New York less than three years ago and has since then found a home in Lagos, Nigeria.

What made you decide to go into fashion design?

The idea of a business per se was secondary. It was the pursuit of my interest and passion that was the genesis of KIKIKAMANU. I view entrepreneurship as a vehicle for the realisation of one’s vision, dreams and passion. As a child I would dress my twin sister and myself. I recall being the belle of the ball or at least feeling like it at my sixth grade dance. I still remember the sky blue dress with the asymmetrical hem I wore. As I matured, I observed how women appeared empowered with a simple change of attire, and emerged with a sense of confidence. I found that I enjoyed being a part of that transformative process. Allowing one to express their individuality as a manifestation of freedom is as empowering as it is life changing. I have found that for some, this is the jumpstart that a woman needs to redirect the chapters of her life.

What motivates you and how do you generate new ideas?

I love what I do. It is as simple as that. It has been said that if you do what you love you will never have to “work” any day of your life. That rings true for me. I am surrounded by a brilliant team and we constantly push ourselves to do better. I am also motivated by my clients who continually challenge me and force me to outdo my last collection. I may see an asymmetrical hem on the dress of a passerby or a peculiar blend of prints and that can set the tone for an entire collection. My mind is continually racing with ideas. I keep a sketch book in almost every room. It can be insane some times, but I love it.

How do you deal with competition in the industry?

I am self-motivated to continuously challenge myself to outdo my last success, so it is not external but an intrinsic desire to create and to improve. My benchmarks are not the success of others but how far I can push myself creatively.

What is the greatest challenge your fashion brand faces?

In the fashion industry in Nigeria we often deal with the absence of basic infrastructure such as electricity, an ongoing “brain drain”, and frankly, changing styles and interests. To be successful, we actively network and leverage the counsel and advice of seasoned people. I moved my production from the US to Nigeria a few years ago and sadly I still continue to source most of my fabric from outside of Nigeria. For some time as well, I had to import the bulk of my labour.

These are just a few of the factors which affect our production costs and prevent us from providing our clients with lower prices. We also understand that passion will need to inspire many days of discipline and sacrifice, however, difficult challenges undoubtedly lie ahead. To overcome these challenges I believe it is essential to cultivate a much stronger partnership with financial institutions that understand and appreciate the value of investing in the garment industry.

Where do you see your business in 10 years?

In terms of growth, our vision is to become an internationally recognised fashion brand with a world-class production and manufacturing base in West Africa.

Do you ever find time to sleep?

Ah sleep, elusive as the Scarlet Pimpernel. It seems I am continuously at work. In my opinion, in this business, creating and designing takes about 30% of the time while the other 70% is devoted to marketing, management and sales. Therefore my mind is always at work. It fills with ideas inspired by the world around me. However to be productive I aim for 5 to 6 hours [of sleep] a day and ensure that I spend time with loved ones.

The Fashionistas Anticipate: Celia Birtwell Teams Up With Uniqlo this Spring

Guest blog feature post: By Danica Lo




Remember a few years ago when British textile designer Celia Birtwell collaborated with Topshop and the whole collection sold out in, like, half a second? Well, in case you missed that limited-edition capsule collection, today's your lucky day—because Celia Birtwell has teamed up with Japanese fast-fashion retailer Uniqlo for a super-cute print-centric clothing collection that's set to launch March 21st, the first-ish day of spring.

In an interview with WWD, Birtwell explained that she'd decided to team up with Uniqloe because she admired their "terribly clever, very basic designs and great colors. You can't misunderstand their clothing, and the atmosphere in Uniqlo shops is very peaceful."

And, furthermore, working with the massive retailer was a piece of cake! "We were all talking from the same page—and we made each other laugh," she said. "They are a very sympathetic company and from Day One there were no blips."

The collection of separates, dresses, and tote bags will be priced from about $15.50 up to $47 (for a dress).

Celeb Wildcat: Kate Moss Goes nude for Love Magazine photoshoot.

From posing topless for Calvin Klein Jeans to the now-infamous ‘Interview’ cover with Naomi Campbell, taking off her clothes is certainly something that this British supermodel is not afraid of.

And now, the Spring/Summer 2013 issue of ‘Love’ magazine has been released with Moss looking hotter and more naked than ever. Pictured semi-nude in a bathtub alongside the heading “Kate Cleans Up,” Moss reveals herself in one of her most daring editorials yet.

 

Wearing a cutaway T-shirt printed with a rubber penis on the cover, the “clean” theme issue get’s ironically dirty inside, as photographer Tim Walker captures Moss in a series of nude poses and wearing little more than some stockings and a few flowers to cover her, er, flower pot.

Speaking in an interview, Walker reveals the shoot was inspired by a book called ‘The Magic Toyshop’ that explores the relationship of a young girl discovering her sexuality.

 

With this in mind, he takes us on a sexual journey, picturing Moss in a series of poses -- hanging naked upside down on the bed, strewn across a chaise longue with a red hat on, or simply stretching her peachy body decorated in petals -- alongside scrawled quotes from the book.

The editorial has taken on a bit of a hippie vibe, and Moss fits the boho theme perfectly in this seductive and sensual fashion shoot.

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