Tramp in Disguise A/W 13

Some designers own experiences influence them, others look towards the streets. For Tramp in Disguise A/W '13 collection the book 'One Thousand and One Nights' forms the inspiration behind the collection entitled 'Arabian Nights'. The story tells the story of a Persian king who marries a succession of virgins who he then executes because he suspects their fidelity. He then marries a women called Scheherazade who begins their marriage by telling the king a tale- but when she doesn't complete the story the king, curious to here the conclusion, postpones her execution. Her story telling continues for 1,001 nights covering everything from historical tales to burlesques and various forms of erotica. 'Arabian Night's features print motifs drawn from these tales and includes daggers, mosques, architectural geometric patterns and belly dancing clothing. 

Tell us a bit about Tramp In Disguise. How did the brand begin? 

 I started Tramp In Disguise in 2010 after finishing an MA in Fashion knitwear design at the Royal College of Art.

Your latest collection 'Arabian Night's in inspired by the book One Thousand and One Nights. What made you turn to literature as inspiration? 

I wanted to do an Arabian themed collection and I remembered this book from my childhood and started to read it for inspiration. It’s always good to design from a story where you can take inspiration from many things, so you will create something unique and unexpected.

Your designs are full of wonderful patterns and luxurious fabrics, where do you source your fabrics? The prints are designed by me, so I source the fabrics for printing normally from the print manufacturer’s selection. I do normally use silk, wool and cotton fabrics.

How do you engage with your target audience? Is Social Media Important to you? 

I wasn’t so big of a user on social media before but it’s really important now. In today’s world social media has got a great importance to engage audience. 

You work a lot of color within your collections. What colours will you be wearing this Summer? 

The colours I wear depend on my mood in the morning. If I’m on a good mood I wear bright colours if I feel tired or more serious I often wear dark colours. I don’t follow trends in regards to the colours that I wear.
  

What does the future hold for Tramp in Disguise? 

We have a fully sponsored catwalk show in Croatia in Zagreb fashion week in May. We are launching our diffusion line My Galavant also in May, so we’ll be working with two lines in the future.

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Hasan Hejazi Autumn/Winter 2013

During London Fashion Week I was invited to view Hasan Hejazi's Autumn/Winter '13 collection at the prestigious W Hotel, London. Since interviewing Hasan for Third Floor Publication last year I have been a huge fan of his work and have followed his moves. I knew when I met Hasan that his passion and abundance of talent would see him do well and his Autumn/Winter '13 collection has confirmed this. Full of elegance and lavishness this collection is perfect for that powerful women who is looking for clothing with that added extra. I really believe with the exquisit craftsmanship and attention to detail Hasan's Autumn/Winter '13 clothes will make any women feel $1 million dollars!

Featuring a colour palette of pale pinks, rich burgundy and vamp black the collection is given a luxurious feeling with sophisticated glitter. Frills, flattering peplums and shimmering fabrics gives the evening wear a modern edge. Hasan has really stepped up his game with this collection and has created a collection that is entirely flattering for the female form. Inspired by the formidable female icons from the 21st century Hasan sticks to his design style with dramatic necklines and full length evening gowns. 

The pale pinks are perfect for those looking for a bit of glamour in their wardrobe but don't want to seem too 'out there'. The collection offers so much versatilely with dresses, trousers, and accessories and really shows a maturity within his designs. A brilliant collection Hasan, you should be very proud!

 

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OOTD, LFW: Day 4

Day 4 was a very sunny but cold day at Somerset House, I started off the day walking by the Thames trying to find the Pringle of Scotland presentation, which I was very excited about! I have been thinking more recently about starting to do OOTD posts. I bought a new blazer, it's London Fashion Week so I thought why not?! Seeing as this is my first EVER OOTD I would love to know your thoughts....

 

Floral blazer: Monacco

Silver top: Miss Selfridge

Jeans: Topshop

Boots: Deena & Ozzy (Urban Outfitters)

Bag: Vivienne Westwood

Watch: Michael Kors

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London Fashion Week. A/W '13 Day 3 Highlights

Day 3 was another busy day at London Fashion Week, with British designers brimming with talent and imagination once again. Mary Katrantzou was the show I had personally been waiting for after her amazing Spring/Summer 2013 collection, filled with stirking prints and bold colours. I can gladly say she didn't dissapoint with her Autumn/Winter 2013 collection either with lots of what she does best, dresses and mesmerising prints. The collection inspired by landscapes would probably suit a Parisian Autumn/Winter than a British one, but even so I can't get enough of Mary Katrantzou. 

Preen's Autumn/Winter was once again absolutely stunning with every piece as beautiful as the next. Although at a first glance it might not be obvious but Preen are showing that punk is more certainly not dead, showing punk in a more glamourous form. There was lot's of leather and tartan mixed with leopard print (yes we aren't too sure either), but somehow the collection worked so well. Preen showed us once again that embellishment is set to be huge this Autumn/Winter 2013. Everyone got a great view of not only the collection but also of London, did I mention the location was the very high in the sky, Heron Tower?

Topshop Unique show is always a very popular event for stars and fashionistas alike, and for the Autumn/Winter 2013 collection this was no different. With the likes of Olivia Palermo (in my perfect FROW), Pixie Geldof, Kate Bosworth and Daisy Lowe in amongst the well known faces on the FROW it was set to be a great show. With Topshop and Topman catwalk collection there is always so much to choose from, they never push the boundaries too far, but for the high street brand to bring consistency each season works so well. There was a lot of colour, PVC and oversized coats, perfect for your winter wardrobes. It was another very successful show for Topshop Unique.

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London Fashion Week. A/W '13 Day 2 Highlights

As part of the NEWGEN sponsorship J.JS Lee's last collection got great reviews making the Autumn/Winter collection a highly anticipated event. With J.JS Lee less is definitely more taking a sharp approach to tailoring for the modern women. The pastel colours of pink and blue stood out diffused by simple all black and white outfits. The collection was inspired by 'the innocence and purity of clouds and shadows from the window view of an airplane', explaining the great choice of pastel colours. The Saint Martin graduate shows that she is taking a consistence approach to her designs but in this instance steering away from O.T.T is a great choice. 

Clashing of colours and lots of prints, from leopard to floral, were huge for Sister by Sibling this season. Chunky neck pieces and headgear were hugely popular for the Sister by Sibling known best for their knitwear pieces. After making a huge name for themselves at London Collections: Men earlier in the year, their designs that push the boundaries for knitwear have everyone talking about them once again. The show opened with the one and only Cara Delevigne, we'd love to know which show she isn't covering this fashion week? Another great collection, you go sister!

‘This season we wanted to explore the idea of Paula Yates’ feminine sexuality,’

House of Holland is always a catwalk favourite of mine, especially spotting Henrys very exclusive friends on the FROW. There were some extraordinary pieces in the Autumn/ Winter collection that was bursting with a seventies vibe. Some outfits looked like they had been fast forwarded straight from the seventies and others that had been updated with a modern edge. My favourite pieces were those embellished with gems and 'H' logos for Henry Holland himself. I personally cannot wait for the pink embellished jumper to be on sale!

Photography by Catwalking.

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