OFW 2011 - The Article

Here's the article I wrote for the Oxford Journal, a cut down version will appear in the paper and online at http://www.oxfordjournal.co.uk/

Last Monday, the events for the third Oxford Fashion Week (OFW) kicked off with exclusive late night shopping at some of the best high street retailers including Gap, French Connection and Reiss.

Guest were treated to a taster of what the rest of the week had in store, which included fashion debates, boutiques, a photography exhibition and a whole host of glamorous shows including the renowned Couture show, drawing guests and press from all over Oxford and the country. This year’s fashion celebrations have been the biggest and best yet, with the week still in it’s infancy, it seems to expand and excel each year.

The face of OFW 2011, stunning 19 year old Emma Appleton, from Witney, told the Journal how excited she was to be a part of the week: “I got cast for the lingerie show last year and loved it,” so naturally she was thrilled when she was chosen out of hundreds of hopefuls to front the whole week.

The events took place in a range of landmark venues around the city including The Regal, the O3 Gallery, and The Living Room, concluding on Saturday at the prestigious Oxford Examination Schools, which was the perfect backdrop for the theatrical Couture Show. Models swayed down the run way in breath-taking gowns and striking Cruella-like black lipstick, all to a fitting dark and moody soundtrack. Hair and makeup for the week was provided by London Muse Makeup and Mahogany Hair.

Designer Emelia Penny, who showcased pieces from her feminine, vintage inspired range La La Loula, in the lingerie show at Malmaison said: “I think it’s a really good platform for young designers, I’m only 20 myself. It’s really good for Oxford and the community here, and anyone interested in fashion.”

Although the main body of the week is over, any fashionistas still hungry for a taste of the action, will be pleased to know that there are 2 more events due to take place over the coming weeks, in the form of The Ethical Fashion Gig  on March 17th and The Oxford Style Show on March 19th. For more information visit the official website at this address: http://www.oxfordfashionweek.co.uk/home

The creative director and co-founder of the week Carl Anglim, who announced that this year would be his final, has been key part of OFWs phenomenal growth since the start of the project in 2009; it can now boast 18 events, 25 partners and thousands of attendees. “Creating and leading Oxford Fashion Week has been an incredible experience. I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of fantastically passionate and hard-working people.” Carl feels humbled by the amount of support that OFW has received and has no doubt that the week will continue to flourish, “I will be setting up the team that will take Oxford Fashion Week forward and there is still so much space for it to grow; what is clear is that Oxford Fashion Week has really only just begun."

Oxford Fashion Week - The Couture Show

And here's the one you've all been waiting for ...

When I was taking notes at Oxford Fashion Week's Couture Show all that would come out of my pen was 'stunning ... stunning ... stunning.' Even now I think it is the most fitting word to describe the evening, but I will try to elaborate.

When I arrived at the Oxford Exam Schools, the venue alone was breath-taking, more like a castle than part of a university. Once I had hung my coat I was greeted by OFW's seemingly never ending supply of champagne and canapes. Press, designers, organisers and guest socialised for well over two hours, despite the reception being only intended to last an hour. One of the organisers joked in an announcement that they had over ordered on champagne, so that we would be forced to stay to drink it before the show could begin.

live music was played for guests while they waited

As the time approached half nine, two of the organisers, Alyx Barker and Erin Berman (pictured below) assured me that it would be worth the wait. At this point, after a long week of late nights, I was beginning to become sceptical. But as the show finally began, any feelings of doubt were replaced with awe as the first model walked down the runway.

Alyx (left) and Erin

The striking black lipstick, combined with moody, mysterious music, and the historic hall with it's vast ceilings created a dark Narnia-esqu feel. The models walked with a sense of regality like evil ice queens. Later the tone change slightly, still regal but less dark, the lipstick changing to a bold red to reflect this.

The dresses themselves were quite literally magical, fit for princesses and after a while the crowd began to clap for every creation.

The model in the link below looked like a mermaid: the gown's elaborate beading and colourful green-hued ruffels, shimmered like scales with each step she took

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5505448681/in/set-72157626089707877/

As an aspiring fashion journalist, it would be almost illegal to overlook this big colbat blue ball of fantasticness that strutted down the runway

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5506039214/in/set-72157626089707877/

And for every girl who ever wanted to be a princess: this dress is for you

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5505457815/in/set-72157626089707877/

The night, like the rest of the week was a complete success, ending with speeches and a charity auction that included several exclusive pieces including an Alexander McQueen, yes Alexander McQueen, clutch.

me before the show

Annie, an Art History student from Bulgaria

team members of OFW injecting some colour into the black tie event

Viv Whelan, pictured here in one of her own designs, designed pieces for OFW and also appeared on 2008's Project Catwalk

an organiser of OFW: <3 her outfit



The Oxford University Jazz Orchestra



Oxford Fashion Week - Ethical Debate/Show

On Friday it was time to talk about the serious issues of fashion and raised the question - do we really know where our clothes are coming from? And how many of us care? A lot more of us than 10 years ago according to Ethical and Fair Trade Consultant Elizabeth Laskar: most people now recognise the fair trade sign and many more people are buying fair trade. I know that the first thought for many fashionistas is that ethical fashion isn't as attractive as it could be but the Ethical Show at The Living Room, blew this theory completely out of the water. I can honestly say that not only were the designs some of the most aesthetically pleasing but also the most wearable that I've seen so far. There's a reason I'm doing a writing degree and not a photography one, so please check out the pictures on the official OFW 2011 blog.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/sets/72157626201473020/

My personal favourites were these cute, casual bird print dresses, pictured below, bird print has been massive for a while now and is still going strong:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5501053286/in/set-72157626201473020/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5500462673/in/set-72157626201473020/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5499786226/in/set-72157626201473020/

Here's another gorgeous dress, but this time of the more luxurious variety:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5499256489/in/set-72157626201473020/

There wasn't much for the fella's but I liked this gentleman in red, in his indie inspired skinnies and checked shirt:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordfashionweek/5501059194/in/set-72157626201473020/

Elizabeth Laskar and Judith Condar-Vidal, who describes herself as a social entrepreneur, really inspired the audience, myself included, that ethical fashion is worth investing in. "We all want to feel happy to wear something with a story," said Peru born Judith who has just designed her 7th collection for Topshop. Here's Judith in mid flow at the 03 Gallery debate, which took place prior to the Ethical Show:

Judith won The Ethical Fashion Award at Paris Fashion Week 2008

Elizabeth Laskar with Creative Director of OFW Carl Anglim

If you need further persuasion than the gorgeous garments from the ethical show, to buy into fair trade fashion then here's a few shocking facts for you to digest:

• 1.5 million tons of unwanted clothes end up in landfills every year ... in the UK alone
• Many of the people who make our clothes earn less than $2 per day
• Some of the pestacides used to grow cotton can cause deformaties and death

If you want to look great with a totally clear conscience, Eliazabeth recommends M&S, Topshop and quirky Cowley Road boutique Indigo. You could also look at these links for more info on ethical issues:

http://www.tradingfordevelopment.co.uk/

http://www.ethichic.co.uk/

Oxford Fashion Week - Lingerie Show

On Wednesday night, I needed a bit of a confidence boost, so I decided to go and watch tall, beautiful girls walk around in designer underwear. The lingerie show, was held at the prestigious Malmaison hotel in Oxford, as it has been for the previous 2 year. It was a great show with a variation of designs, some pretty and delicate, some classic and elegant, and some seductive and border line bondage! My only query: where were the naked men this year? I know it's hard to make boxers look exciting, but really, who would be looking at the underwear ...

no not an underwear model, just me before the show!

face of OFW '11

pretty



pieces from La La Loula



cute

hot

racy

classy

I caught up with Emma Appleton, the very fitting face of 2011's Oxford Fashion Week. The 19 year old from Witney, who was signed to Zone Models last September, is extactic to be a part of this years events. She's just as striking in person as in photographs and sweet and gracious to top it all off. "I'd like to be doing this for as long as possible," she said, and there's no doubt that she will.

left: a La La Loula creation
right: the designer herself

Above is up and coming designer Emelia Penny, 20 and her long-time friend and model Stephanie Wedge, 20 - pictured in blue wearing one of Emelia's stunning creations. Emelia describes her range La La Loula as "vintage inspire" a theme which seems to run through to her own personal style, as seen here with ruby red lips and a gorgeous backless dress, reminiscent of the old school glamor of the 50s. She went on to say that her designs are "very bespoke" and "perfect for weddings" and with her subtle and seductive feminity, cute frills and pretty tiers I couldn't agree more.

Kim's New Song

Oh Kim, why did you do this? You don't need to be talented when you're as hot as you are. Most girls would be more than happy with just being mega rich and disgusting gorgeous, what's the need to ruin it with an actual job? Socialite sits so much better with you than 'singer.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfH3vkuxRSk

Galliano = Raving Racist

John John John. You are one silly boy. Most people wake up after a night out with mild regrets about drunken snogs and a few bruises curtesy of an embarassing fall. But no, not you, you declared your love for one of the most evil men in history and condemned all Jews to death thus ruining your career and your life. Because let's be totally honest, it really isn't going to get any better than being the creative director of Christian Dior. |And as for your own label, the only people who will want to buy your stuff now will be Nazis and other white supremacists, and as far as I'm aware, couture isn't one of their top interests.

If you are wondering what I am rambling on about, yesterday Christian Dior officially terminated their contract with the talented but racist John Galliano. He got into an argument with some women last Thursady in a Paris bar and hurled racist abuse at them. In normal circumstances, a talanted PR team would have gone into overdrive to deny the rumours but unfortunately for John someone videoed a previous incident where he not only declared his love for Hitler, but also told the people that he was arguing with that their "mothers and forefathers would have been f***ing gassed." So after suspending him over the weekend, Christian Dior decided to severe ties completely - it seems they don't want their luxury fashion house to be associated with a crazy raving facist ... funny that.

The extent of just how vile he has been, only really hits home when you watch this shocking video, check it out before it gets banned:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCQupzwXS0A

It's important to bear in mind that Paris Fashion Week is about to start; with the Dior A/W 2011 collection due to show on Friday. Lets hope that Galliano's disgusting opinions don't taint the week too much.

Oxford Fashion Week - Concept Show

Standing outside of the Regal on Oxford'd quirky, crazy Cowley road, I heard a group of girls say that they were surprised Oxford even had a fashion week as they never thought of it as a very ''fashiony'' city. I hope that after watching the Concept Show tonight they changed their minds. I think that this is a view held by many non - Oxfordians but with Oxford Fashion week only scrapping the tip of the ice berg of what the city has to offer, it's a view that I don't share.

Tonight's Concept Show was interesting, as always. It started off dark and theatrical with music that wouldn't have been out of place in a horror film. The first outfits looked Martin Margiela inspired with a recycled leather look, complete with cut out diamond shaped holes all over.

All the models, had pale faces with electric blue eye shadow for shock value. The hair was big and bushy in most cases except for the striking bald head of Ruby Payge Johns, who has appeared in both the London and Oxford fashion weeks in previous years.

The colours were quite muted to start with, with lots of greys, nudes, blacks and browns but it all changed when one designer sent brightly patterened psychedelic looking one pieces down the runway. There were only a few boys in the entire show and they also sported bright blue eye shadow paired with leggings tighter than I have ever been able to squeeze myself into - showing how in the fashion world gender is often irrelevant.

Now I know what, you're thinking - why am I not at the after party? Even though I am going agasint everything I have learnt as a student by turning down free champagne, I am trying this new thing where I stay sober and professional. I'll let you know at the end of the week if I've managed to keep it up.

All in all it was a good show and I look forward to what the rest of the week has to offer. Pictures to follow, I promise.

DESIGNERS

Yvonne Lau, Ara Jo, Joela Sakayam, Ki Ching Cheung & Ka Wai Lo, Ahyoung Choi, Sin Yi Chung, Giada Quagliata, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, Kamila Gkasperska, Yu-Hsuan-Liu, Sincron, Victoria Gonzalez, Spyroula Kyriacou, Emilie Zanon, Liat Annina Polishuka, Wei Ting Hu

http://www.oxfordfashionweek.co.uk/home