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British Fashion Council CEO welcomes Tillman extension

The British Fashion Council (BFC) announced that its honorary Chairman, Harold Tillman CBE, will extend his term through 2012. 

Harold was appointed Chairman on 24th January 2008 taking over from Sir Stuart Rose. Under his guidance the BFC has become an effective promotional body for the industry through clarity of objectives and vision. 

He has established the first full time management team for the organisation through the appointment of Caroline Rush to CEO and Simon Ward as COO. He played a lead role in moving London Fashion Week to Somerset House, personally negotiating with brands such as Burberry to return to London. 

The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund was established as a registered charity with Harold securing financial support from key retailers and partners. He has maintained close relationships with the Mayor of London each year successfully bidding for support for British talent and London Fashion Week. 

In 2010 Harold delivered the Value of Fashion report, defining the British fashion industry for the first time and assessing its true value to UK PLC. In 2011 he established the China Britain Fashion Alliance and has supported the development of the London show Rooms programme bringing in global partners to promote British talent overseas. 

There remain many opportunities ahead and Harold will continue to drive these forward and for the future as well as secure a successor who will continue to grow the profile of the sector globally and the businesses within it.

Support for this term extension was secured from key stakeholders including representatives from media, government, BFC patrons and sponsors.

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By – January 24, 2012


Kate Hudson debuts as new face of Ann Taylor’s campaign

Ann Taylor announces award-winning actress Kate Hudson as the new face of the brand for Spring 2012. The collaboration reflects Ann Taylor’s continued focus on celebrating modern women of substance, style and success across every generation. 

“Kate is a dynamic woman who truly embodies the new Ann Taylor,” said Kristen Dykstra, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing for the Ann Taylor division of ANN INC. “While she is most known as a beautiful and talented actress, she is also a devoted mother, daughter, sister and philanthropist who manages to do it all with a radiant smile, joie de vivre and effortless style.” 

“I am thrilled to collaborate with Ann Taylor this Spring,” said Hudson. “I love fashion, and their new Spring collection is so stylish and hip and colorful! As a young girl I looked up to the sophisticated style of Ann Taylor so it’s been very cool to see how the brand has evolved to meet the changing needs of modern women. The new Ann Taylor is not afraid to be sexy and real - because they design for every generation. The clothes are stylish and comfortable, easy and wearable. They really help you look and feel perfectly put together for any occasion.” 

Shot by famed fashion designers photographer Tom Munro at a Pasadena, California estate with breathtaking views of the San Gabriel Mountains, the campaign features Hudson in a series of softly backlit interior portraits wearing some of her favorite looks from the Spring collection, including a mix of iconic silhouettes with feminine details and statement accessories in bold, vibrant colors. 

Read More about Kate Hudson debuts as new face of Ann Taylor’s campaign @ Fibre2fashion

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By – January 21, 2012


Designer Donna Karan promotes craftwork of Haiti

Internationally-acclaimed fashion designers Donna Karan accompanied Haitian Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul, as he visited the cities of Jeremiah and Jacmel during his “listening campaign.” 


The visits, a continuation of the Minister’s tour of Haiti’s heartland, are aimed at advancing the government’s goals for building a sustainable economy through investments that support decentralization and drive job creation across all sectors, and throughout all the communities of Haiti.

Minister Mayard Paul and Ms. Karan met with Jacmel’s Tourism Minister Ms. Stephanie B. Villedrouin and visited several hotels and tourist sites damaged by the January 2010 earthquake, including the Hotel Florita, the Jacmelienne Hotel and other severely damaged structures along the coast of the Southeast.

According to the Minister, these structures hold investment opportunities for the region. “Prior to the earthquake, Jacmel was one of Haiti’s wealthiest cities, with considerable tourist assets,” said Mayard-Paul. “With its favorable location, it holds great potential for development and job creation for this region.”

In visiting the city of Jeremiah, Mayard-Paul solicited the needs of residents, and vowed to deliver on their requests for jobs through the ongoing efforts of the Martelly government to make Haiti a country favorable to business for national and international investors.

To that end, the Minister of the Interior escorted Ms. Karan to an exhibition of local art and handicrafts on Jeremiah’s city square. In viewing the work of Haitian painters, sculptors and craft persons, Ms. Karan reiterated her passion for Haiti as a nation where “each person is creative” and promised to assist Haitian artisans in promoting their works. “Creativity can be manifested into jobs,” Ms. Karan said, an ardent supporter of Haiti through her company Urban Zen. 

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By – January 19, 2012


Jay Chemical launches digital textile printing inks

Jay Chemical Industries Ltd (JCIL), one of the largest reactive dyes producers in the world and a market leader in the Indian market, has launched digital textile printing inks in the Indian market. 

The digital textile printing ink – ‘Antelos’ was launched at the recently concluded Asia Interdye Exhibition in Ahmedabad. This was followed by seminars in Ahmedabad and Surat, which were well-attended by eminent experts from the industry. 

Jay Chemical which has a strong international presence and an annual sales turnover of US $75 million sells its products under the names of Jakofix and Jakazol. 

At the beginning of 2010, Jay Chemical set up a wholly owned subsidiary in Germany in the name of Solunaris GmbH, to manufacture and market digital textile printing inks. 

Today, Solunaris GmbH successfully produces and markets ‘Antelos R’ reactive inks for digital printing on cotton, viscose, linen and silk and ‘Antelos A’ acid inks for digital printing on silk, polyamide and wool.

Solunaris is the only worldwide backward integrated digital ink manufacturer, which has full and direct access to the production of dyestuffs prior to the refining process.

Solunaris has built close co-operation with leading manufacturers of digital printing machines, print heads and software houses and offers full technical support to their customers worldwide including the markets in its home ground within the EU.

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By – January 18, 2012


Sarasota Fashion Show features Renée’s wearable sculpture

On February 10 at The Sarasota Garment District, Petunias of Naples will Feature Wearable Sculpture by Renee Rey at the 2nd Anual Candy Kiss’s Fashion Show.

The Vision is to grow an outstanding spring fashion show for Sarasota.

Theme: Spring, Valentine, Steam Punk.

A note from RENEE REY:
I have always been intrigued by the mysteries of the metaphysical, human nature, the natural environment, and the relationship between the three. Over the… years, these subjects have provided a never-ending source of inspiration for my artwork. My aim is to create a world for my characters in which there is a visual conversation stimulating thoughts of spirituality, intellectual curiosity, association, and dichotomy. Some of the themes I explore include memory, personal and collective identity, social and political issues, feminism, sexuality, chaos, order, peace, isolation, struggle, and freedom.

As I create my drawings, paintings, and mixed media work, I walk the tightrope between realism and abstraction, combining light and shadow, texture and flatness, black, white and color. In conveying my vision, I spontaneously experiment, deconstruct and construct during the artistic process relishing in the energy and intimacy with the media, often using my fingers and hands to apply, manipulate and remove the charcoal, pastel, ink, and paint.

Beacons of influence range from the mystical, spiritual, theatrical, Jungian psychology, science, literature, my birthplace of Japan, my multi-cultural background of French, Armenian, Jewish, Christian heritage, and the many artists that inspire me including Lucian Freud, David Salle, Mark Rothko, Eric Fischl, Susanna Coffey, Robert Liberace, Larry Rivers, Nancy, Spero, John Singer Sargent, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. 

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By – January 17, 2012


Patuna Bushyhead to show ethereal designs at CFW

Accomplished Georgian-American designer Patuna Bushyhead will show her latest ethereal designs at Couture FashionWeek at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday February 18, 2012. Marking the fashion designers first appearance at CFW, the fashion show will be held in the legendary Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria on Park Avenue, New York City. It will be opened with a performance by singer Nini Shermadini, fresh from her recent appearance on Greece’s “X Factor.”

A native of the Republic of Georgia, now a U.S. citizen, Patuna Bushyhead spent her childhood studying and performing ballet, acting, folkloric dance, classical piano, painting, and pantomime. As a teenager she served as host of two nationally broadcast TV programs in Georgia. At age 16 she entered the Tbilisi State Institute to study gynecology, and later switched her field of study to dentistry, graduating top of her class as a doctor of dental surgery. 

After working in a private dental practice, she met her American husband and they spent the next few years traveling the world including the USA, Mexico Western Europe, Russia, and the UAE, among other destinations. In 2008, Ms. Bushyhead made a career change from dentistry to her real passion: fashion. She is currently the owner and director of Patuna Fashion House.

In recent years, Ms. Bushyhead studied sketching with a professional tutor on anatomy, dress/shoe design and portraiture, and earned a degree in fashion merchandising and design, sewing/dressmaking and cosmetology/esthetics. Using her own technique of applying Swarovski crystals to her designs, Ms. Bushyhead created a dress for a fashion show in Georgia themed: “Beauty will survive the world.” She applied over 2,000 Swarovski stones by hand depicting the map of Georgia and the phrase “I love my Georgia!” The flowing dress represents the Georgian National Grape Tree.

Read More about Patuna Bushyhead to show ethereal designs at CFW @ Fibre2fashion

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By – January 16, 2012


Satya Paul and WWF ‘Jungle Safari’ collection

The Czar of fashion ‘Satya Paul’ and WWF-India, one of the largest conservation organisations engaged in wildlife and nature conservation in the country take a joint leap to promote the cause of ‘wildlife conservation’ through fashion. Do U Speak Green? India’s first and leading organic clothing label presents an enchanting ‘Jungle Safari’ collection designed by Satya Paul and promoted by WWF India. 

The unparalleled experiences of the roar of the majestic tiger to graceful dancing peacock to playful serenity of nesting birds all translate beautifully onto this exquisite T-shirt collection. These exclusive designs are the creative genius of Indian Fashion designer behemoth Satya Paul. Made from soft organic cotton & bamboo fabrics by ‘Do U Speak Green’, each of these designs is a precious piece of art to be owned. 

‘Jungle Safari’ is a guilt-free organic collection of T-shirts depicting the Majestic striped Tiger, the extinct white tiger, elegant Pink Flamingo’s, graceful peacock, Wild stag and fast depleting forests. The collection is available for both men and women.

Read More about Satya Paul and WWF ‘Jungle Safari’ collection @ Fibre2fashion

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By – January 13, 2012


FDI In India: India permits 100% FDI in single-brand retail

The Indian government has formally issued a notification permitting 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in single-brand retail, from the earlier policy of 51 percent.

Until now, global retailers owning a single-brand had to partner with an Indian entity, as the cap on foreign equity was 51 percent.

However a clause which makes it mandatory for retailers to source 30 percent of their products sold from the Indian small/village/cottage industries may not go down well with those global retailers either planning to hike or mulling new investments.

According to the government, this move will help attract investments in production and marketing and encourage sourcing of goods from India. 

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By – January 11, 2012


BlacMéra to showcase at Couture Fashion Week

The latest collection by Yuliana Candra under her BlacMéra label will be shown at the upcoming Couture Fashion Week at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2012. The fashion show will be held in the legendary Grand Ballroom of the world-famous Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The fashion show will be preceded by the latest collection by designer LAURA WILLIAMS.


BlacMéra, the couture brand founded by Yuliana Candra, has a vision to bring the femininity and the romanticism of the old world to modern, strong, and powerful women. 

To attain an effortless elegance with international appeal, the Fashion designers draws her inspiration from the om the heritage of world cultures and transforms the rich nuances into contemporary highfashion through detailed craftsmanship and the finest textiles. 

Her understanding of grace and beauty from a seasoned exploration around the world is expressed meticulously through distinctive beading, hand embroidery, crystal work, and intricate embellishments. The lavish and alluring signature pieces are cut-to-the-curve to accentuate the feminine silhouette.

Ms. Candra’s passion for world cultures has inspired her commitment to the research and revival of various dying arts and crafts and her collaborations with artisans from around the globe. 

BlacMéra’s collections are glamorous and sophisticated, yet unique and bold with historical opulence and a personalized character. “I am often asked what is my inspiration for the hand painted tunic dresses, says Ms. Candra. 

“Photography is my long-time passion and I captured beauty from unusual places and objects, such as a rustic window in Morocco, an elephant face full of wrinkles in Rajashtan, a pile of colorful garbage in Zanzibar Island. 

I gathered knowledge of unfortunate dying arts in various places. I have always wanted to do something about reviving them. Here I am, finally connecting everything I love: travel, photography, culture, arts, and making a difference.”

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By – January 6, 2012


Bottega Veneta unleashes S/S ‘12 advertising campaign

Bottega Veneta is pleased to announce that artist and photographer Jack Pierson has shot the brand’s Spring-Summer 2012 advertising campaign. The campaign, which features the women’s and men’s ready-to-wear collections, was shot in October of 2011, on location in Coconut Grove, Florida. It is the latest in Bottega Veneta’s one-of-a-kind creative collaborations featuring the talents of outstanding artists


The Spring-Summer 2012 collection is an exuberant exploration of diverse materials, unusual finishes, and exaggerated prints. The palette is vivid and saturated, filled with purples, blues, greens, and reds.

The silhouette is architecturally rigorous but sensuous, a combination of tailored angles and fluid lines that keep close to the body.  Clothing Accessory are bold, luxurious, and intricately worked, mixing color, texture, and technique with artful abandon. The unusual balance of technology and artisanal craftsmanship evident in each piece lends the collection a particularly expressive sophistication.

Jack Pierson is a celebrated contemporary artist known for work that ranges across many media, including photography, collage, drawing, painting, and installations. This diversity makes it difficult to categorize Pierson’s art, though virtually everything he makes evinces a compelling combination of emotional vulnerability and formal sophistication.

Pierson’s photographs often read like a diary, combining elements of nostalgia, loneliness, the romantic ideal, and a search for beauty. The artist, who splits his time between New York and Southern California, has had numerous solo exhibitions and participated in group shows around the world.

His work is included in the collections of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and the Guggenheim in New York, among other prestigious institutions.

The mix of emotional depth and formal rigor that Pierson brings to his photographs are what led Bottega Veneta Creative Director Tomas Maier to approach him for the Spring-Summer 2012 collection advertising campaign. “I’ve admired Jack’s work for many years, especially his ability to create images that feel at once precise and spontaneous. “

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By – January 5, 2012