PETAR PETROV | MENSWEAR FW 2011/2012

Petar Petrov, comes back this season with a subtle but punctuated collection. Keeping his always used colour of black, in this AW/F collection as you can see here, he uses shades with mainly blue and the black but giving that extra burnt red and mustard yellow to complete the collection. The suits are quite relaxed with the loose pants.

Personally I love a bit of leather, especially the top that is half leather and half knit above, the leather pants and the burnt red sweater with leather intervened.

Watch the video for the full collection, I have only selected a few pieces to be pictured above.

Take a look back at his previous S/S 2011 collection HERE where all the models were going down the runway smiling.

NICK HISSOM WINTER EXTRAVAGANZA - 18 YEAR OLD MODEL HOSTS HIS OWN PARTY

Nick Hissom, from London, as you know is a model friend of mine (our interviewed here). He's the same age as me, and studying at The University of Pennsylvania. He's young, fun and ambitious for his future. He's already attended red carpet events and events like Heidi Klum’s Halloween party last year.

Just a few weeks ago, his publicist ( I know right? I should have a publicist! haha) decided he should have a party in the first week of 2011 in London. The whole concept of the party was for lots of models, fashion people, socialites etc. all coming out for a party night out.

At such a young age, I think he's really beginning to start making some press for himself. This industry is getting younger and younger ..no?

You can follow his blog here.

From the press release of the party:

Nick Hissom Winter Extravaganza made sure that the first week of 2011 in London started well. DJ GK Apsis (SPACE Mykonos Resident DJ) spun a collection of summer beats whilst Nick even DJ'd a few songs throughout the night. Guests included all of London's hottest young names such as Kim Johnson, Clary Aspinall and Natasha Chiviarini. "London's Best Friend" and Fashion Personality Alexandra Kordas was also in attendance. Sponsored by VAN DER (a brand which Hissom is the current face for AW2010), Mangalinx and SPACE Mykonos, the event took place in London's Exclusive Merah club which has played host to celebrities such as Drake, Rihanna, Jay Z and Jordan. The party continued into the wee hours of the morning where VIP guests were given goodie bags containing an array of treats provided by VAN DER and Magnalinx, as well as the official SPACE Mykonos sound tracks.

XII LETTER | AW11 | A STEP INTO THE NEW

ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT | BEHIND THE SCENES | AW11 MADE IN THE FUTURE

A weeks ago.. back in December (2010), young Sydney designer Henry Holland ( yes that is his name, I always get excited when I see an email from him and thinking it's the other Henry Holland haha) invited me to check out what his label, Eleventh Commandment, were up to. They were putting together a video for their AW2011 'Made in the Future' collection (which will be dropping nationwide in February)

Tim Nagle who directed the filmed video no doubt made it fun and a bit random, which I think works really well, fitting in with the concept of "Made in the Future."

Watch the video below, filmed under the ANZAC Bridge and take a look at the behind the scenes photos I took. I have to say, the view was pretty cool at night. I've never seen the bridge from that angle before.

Check out their Facebook Page and website.

IN THE AGE ( MELBOURNE ) NEWSPAPER

On Monday, I received an email from a lovely friend and PR, Tammy, telling me about me being on The Age ( Melbourne ) newspaper last weekend. At first I had no idea what she was talking about, then she sent me this picture.

I was surprised and had no idea and I am honest to say that I'm quite happy, as my first print written about me and especially aside one of my favourites The Imagist and V Magazine. You may think this is little, but for me, I appreciate anything, even the tiniest of things!

Thanks everyone!

BOYS OF MILAN &PARIS FW2011/12 BY JUSTIN WU IN COLLABORATION WITH JAK & JIL

Justin Wu, as you know is one of my favourite videophotographer/photographer talent. Once again, he has made a smashing cool video of the men shows in Milan and Paris, in collaboration with Jak & Jil Blog.

I always full of fun and enjoyment. Makes me feel like I should be there. The lip syncing is too good! Enjoy the video.

SIMPLE SHOTS: ALEX

Last Friday I shot Alex (pictures above), he's not a model, but I can see potential. What do you think?

Here's just a few simple shots. Keep watching this space as the pictures from the shoot will arrive shortly, I am still editing lots.

The first shot was edited by a lovely friend, Anna.

DAN JONES AW 10/11 | BEHIND THE SCENES + INTERVIEW | PART 2

Here is part 2 of the behind the scene pictures and the comprehensive interview with Dan Jones. He will be using more colour for the next collection and I think it will be very intriguing, because I am! All the official pictures can be found on the official facebook page and soon to be on his website).






Some of the details on your pieces are so intricate, it must be a pain with the handcrafting?
That’s part of the challenge. You want the garment to still fit, and sit properly on the body after you add the weight of the beading. You also want it to move and glimmer in the right way as well. It creates an appreciation; there is a lot of man-hours put into creating say a pair a pair of dan jones pants, for example. Not only is the bead-work by hand, but the hems are sewn by hand, the waist bands are enclosed by hand. Everything is cut by hand using a blade, this is how I achieve the sharp clean cut edges of the raw pieces.

The fashion industry is so competitive, how do you keep you label sustainable?
I have a small team of people helping who believe in me and the dan jones label. I am also true to my design direction, and ultimately it’s a very interesting, and quite 'commercial' product that I’m creating.

How is your label unique from others in Australia and abroad?
The entire collection is unisex. I design it keeping in mind that a guy or girl might like to wear it, and the cut is developed that way too because I want the pieces to accommodate both a male and female body.

Is there a clear definition of men/womenswear or unisex?
In my collection, I think only the dresses give clear definition (though some men may be attracted to these looks). The pants and lace singlets may look quite feminine but they also look quite aggressive if a male is wearing them.

Androgyny is definitely rising – what is your view on it?
It's been happening for sometime and I think there is a new wave of androgynous designers. I don’t believe that it’s selling to the masses; it's a niche market. It’s more acceptable now to see a boy in leggings and sheer clothing, which is a good sign.









Looking at the label, there seems to be a lot of dark colours, is there are reason?
The concept was love and sexuality and most people would agree the black is quite a sexy colour. It fitted in with my concept and when I was developing the collection I really didn't have any other colours in mind.

Who is your target market?
I don't like to put an age on it; it’s someone who simply appreciates my designs. These are pieces – they aren’t just any old pants or shirts – and so the dan jones man/woman is someone stylish, simple and confident in what they wear.

What/why do you think your products appeals to them?
Good fit, comfort and look. I spend a lot on time making sure of this. It can’t just look nice – it has to feel comfortable too. I can’t stand clothes that don’t fit well because they have cut pattern pieces in bulk or used cheap elastics that loose stretch etc. Quality is appealing.

Favourite designer/s and why?
Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz – he gets it right every time, he has amazing attention to detail and he immortalises women, it’s really amazing. Elbaz was born to do what he is doing. Also Haider Ackerman, because he can make anything look amazing on a female silhouette. I’ve followed him for a while and he just intrigues me.












Your personal favourite piece from your last collection?
The bugle bead pant.

I believe good models help a lot in selling the clothes. What kind of models' outlook do you choose for your label?
I pick whoever has what I'm looking for, and quite often it isn't a professional model. You can tell when someone has the attitude or look that you need, 95% of the time when you get them in front of a camera and get them to do what you ask you’ll quickly get the result. I wouldn’t necessarily say good models help – I think the right model helps.

What do you think of the online media, eg, twitter, blogs etc?
I teamed with the 360 fashion network (www.360fashion.net) when I launched my label. The network allows you to create a mobile magazine to contact and notify anyone with a mobile phone about your product. Its very powerful and very effective means of communicating and keeping people informed about the label. You can download the dan jones mobile magazine by typing the following address into your phone browser: http://mobilemags.360fashion.net/11189

What will the public expect to see next coming from your label?
Colour.

Finally, for people who don't know your label, how would you describe it in a sentence?
very. dan. jones.

DAN JONES AW 10/11 | BEHIND THE SCENES + INTERVIEW | PART 1

Make Up: Liz Hamilton; Hair: Katie at Wildlife ; Model: Natalie Felicity

Dan Jones of his label dan jones is one of my most favourite designers in Australia. The reason? He makes black the new black. Most part of the luxury high end collection is black, but with the detailed and intricate textures created by individual beading, and ostrich feathers and sequins sewn on one by one, it gives the black a stand out. On top of this, is that he caters for both men and women ( though in the shoot, only a female model has been used). Again here is another androgynous label favourite of mine.

I want the ostrich feather top, knit and well..all the tops and pants really!!

Here are some pictures behind the scenes of the latest AW 10/11 Collection. ( official pictures can be found on the official facebook page and soon to be on his website). I also interviewed Dan awhile back and here it is. As there were so many pictures and such a comprehensive interview. I put this in 2 parts. The next part will come soon!

Name and age?
Dan Jones, 22

Where are you based?
Sydney

What's your background?
I was born in Australia, but my grandpa is from Ukraine.

When and how did you decide design as your career?
While I always wanted to have a career doing something creative, I never considered fashion. I wanted to be an architect and then I started to pursue entertainment design but was not selected to participate in the course. I then applied for fashion design, and become really involved in the industry. I've always had an interest in fashion so it was a really good fit.

Were you always a fashionable person?
I don't consider myself to be super fashionable. I’m also not that creative with what I wear – I’m generally dressed in basics, and either I wake up knowing exactly what I want to wear for the day, or I don't think and just grab whatever is closest!

What was the process/ how did you start beginning your label?
I had been discussing and talking about starting my own label so I eventually decided that it was the perfect opportunity to start putting something together. I was asked to style a shoot for the team at Wildlife Hair in Surry Hills and it turned out great so I kept working on pieces. Those images were then noticed by Tangent Magazine (www.tangentmag.com) and it just spiraled from there.

What fabrics do you choose for you designs? /Where do you source your fabrics from?
Fabrication for any designer in important. Most of my fabrics are high end synthetic, I do also use fabrics that consist of natural fibers. The embellished fabrics from my collection are hand beaded in India. I design the embroidery and I work with artisans over there to achieve what I'm after. It takes time but I like the fact that together with India I can create something that isn't available anywhere else in the world.

Tips for aspiring designers, like me?
Save money and be prepared to work, because nothing is just handed to you. Be true to yourself and don't lose your individualism and creative flair because of what other people think or tell you.

Did you have any education in fashion? If so, where? If not, how did you learn the technical aspects?
I graduated from FBI Fashion College in Sydney, and then worked for an established designer for a period of time. How did your friends/family react to you turning to design? I don’t think they took it seriously at first – my grandma calls me “dreamer" (from the Supertramp song). I am constantly dreaming away, but I think that with time they realised it was becoming more serious and they have supported me the whole way since.

How do you approach your designs and what inspires you?
Music inspires me; I listen to music and I find myself picturing the collection in my head. I draw inspiration from sound and photography, I love nothing more then getting in the zone and getting all my ideas out taking no notice of time that passes. It doesn't take me very long to decide what I want for the next collection, as I generally know exactly what I want to do down to colours, silhouettes and fabrics. It often hits when I’m driving or in the shower or supposed to be listening to something important!

I sketch up my ideas and then we start working on the twoiles. Everything then just seems to fall into place. Though my collection is constantly evolving, it does eventually reach a point where I look at it as a whole and feel like its time for me to move on.

What are your aesthetics/inspirations?
I’m inspired by photography and nudity ... I love silhouettes and figures and movement and the feel of surfaces and fabric, as well as the sound that materials make when used together. This is obvious from the embroideries used in my collections. I use top quality, multifaceted glass beads to achieve the ultimate sparkle and sounds as they move and cling together, and top quality sequins so that they catch the light and maintain their level of shine over time.