London Collections: Men YMC SS14

After taking Day 1 off for my birthday, YMC on the morning of Day 2 kicked off London Collections:Men for me this season. After a last minute ticket allocation I managed to grab myself a seat and get comfortable. The first thing I noticed was the new layout of the show space at The Old Sorting Office and I thought it was great. The vibe of the show was very chilled and this was echoed with the laid back, ready-to-wear collection from YMC, similar to that of Topman or Urban Outfitters. Overall the collection was very on trend and wearable but it didn't push boundaries as much as I had hoped. A striped suit with shorts was a strong look and can see this growing ever popular over the next year. Cowboy hats were also frequent as well as straw hats adding that summer vibe. Colour ways were mainly vibrant green and aqua blue within the browns and monochrome shades. YMC played it safe this season but in monetary terms this will most likely pay off in the long run. 

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TMRW Issue 04 Launch Party

What better way to start your weekend than a magazine launch party in the sun? Last Friday I finished work relieved and although I'm not a Monday-Friday worker like a lot of you I still had that Friday Feeling. I headed to the Weekend Offender store on D'arblay Street, London for the TMRW Issue 04 Launch and let the good times roll. Back in spring I interviewed Arlissa for TMRW Issue 03 so I was eager to have a look at the new issue and see what hot shots in music and fashion they had interviewed this time round. The latest issue really feels like it has been taken up a notch in terms of quality and content, and with the wonderful Everything Everything gracing the cover, is that a surprise (*cough cough*)? TMRW editor Joe Brine really knows how to throw a party with Josh Kumra playing live, lots of free drinks and goodies oh and the FaceJacker was also spotted flicking through TMRW. If you are interested in great music and love a bit of fashion then I suggest you get yourself a copy.

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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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The power of the internet

Fashion shows used to be an event purely for the VIP's of the fashion industry but now with the use of the internet and live streaming this is a thing of the past. Ok you don't quite get the same atmosphere streaming online and there was a very annoying buzzing the whole way through the show-but who am I to complain? It is brilliant for those with an interest in fashion, that otherwise wouldn't be able to watch the shows but I can't help to think with all the live streaming that it is taking something special away from Fashion Shows?

I don't think that Live Streaming will ever take over from Fashion Shows but it certainly takes away from the exclusivity and prestige of receiving an invitation to a fashion show. As like everything there are pro's and con's and for the designers their work is being sent round the world instantly-it certainly benefits them. For those living abroad with no option to fly over for London Collections it also is a benefit. However I can't help but think that I would rather have been at the Hackett show this evening, catching a glimpse of the front row celebrities and rubbing shoulders with the uber stylish. However thanks to the internet I feel like I have still been a part of the excitement with Hackett this evening, and writing this with my cup of green tea and tucked up in bed, I can't complain.

Katie x