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Showing posts with label Alexander McQueen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alexander McQueen. Show all posts
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Got Milk?
Apart from those vegan or intolerant, pretty much the whole world drinks milk. But how many people wear it? We don’t know the answer to that one! But the Ghana-born ethical designer Pamela Atepke can help you out.
Pamela is the creative brains behind ethical label Nyonyo & Yayra which stands out for the homogeneous nature of its womenswear.
The 34-year-old is a product of the prestigious Central St Martin's College in London. Her fellow alumni include the likes of Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan and even the infamous John Galliano. Here's what she told Afro Boudoir recently.
Afro Boudoir: Why did you choose to become a fashion designer?
Pamela: My sister jokes that as a child I was sure I was going to be an actress or a designer. I remember during a school speech day being told by the Ugandan parent of one of my younger schoolmates that if I didn't pursue fashion she would somehow haunt me. But I like to think that being a creative is something you are and not something you choose to do.
AB: What attracted you to sustainable fashion?
Pamela: Growing up in Ghana and I think most Africans will agree that we grow up being sustainable. Take for instance yam, there are so many ways of making it. I also grew up wearing hand-me-downs from my elder siblings and passing them down to cousins and the like if they were not right for me.
As a small brand it actually makes no sense to not be. The challenge is making it such a part of your work ethic that as you grow you just get better at being sustainable not just in fashion, but in all aspects of your life.
AB: What sort of fabrics do you use?
Pamela: I use the ends of rolls which mean it varies from cotton - blue/black waxed cotton, wool, silk pique, cashmere and milk.
AB: How are fabrics made from milk?
Pamela: The milk fabric and my organic fabric mixes at the moment all come from one source in Italy - Euromaglia. They are made of either 100% semi-skimmed milk or an organic cotton/milk mix.
"The milk fibre is made from casein, which is the main protein in milk, and it has long-term emissions of negative ions. It is thus beneficial for air quality, for the stimulation of blood circulation, it is a natural antibacterial agent and it is sterile. Milk amino acids which are transferred to the fibre are a perfect daily treatment for the skin. Fabric produced with this yarn allows skin to breathe and humidity to be absorbed."
AB: Which of your designs are made of the milk fabric?
Pamela: I use it for the basic pieces like the vests, tops which at the moment seem to be the natural coloured pieces. But in the spring/summer collection, a pair of trousers and a jacket (see photo to the left) were made out of 100% milk twill fabric.
AB: How have to tapped into Ghanaian culture in your clothes?
Pamela: I use waxed cotton. The blue/black is mainly used by Ghanaians. One of my uncles pointed out to me my colour choices actually inform people of my tribal group.
I grew up covered in waxed cotton - either as blankets or dresses. However it is the blue/black which fascinates me. When it is worn, everyone is celebrating a life. Even though everyone is dressed in the same colour, the difference within the person wearing it is more obvious without it being too obvious. The more research I do, the more I realise that your cultural influences are so deeply ingrained that you tap into it without realising.
AB: How would you describe the clothes you design?
Pamela: The five words I use are duality, directional, detailed, quirky and enigmatic.
AB: How did you come up with the name Nyonyo & Yayra?
Pamela: They come from my tribal language in Ghana, Ewe. The Ewes live mainly in the Volta Region of Ghana and in neighbouring Togo. The names are, in general, unisex and loosely translated mean 'Goodness & Blessing'. The name is a way of both acknowledging where I come from as well as thanking someone who means a lot to me. Ironically the unisex nature of the names seems to appear in different aspects of the label.
You can find out more about Nyonyo & Yayra at www.nyonyoandyayra.com or email info@nyonyoandyayra.com.
Pamela is the creative brains behind ethical label Nyonyo & Yayra which stands out for the homogeneous nature of its womenswear.
The 34-year-old is a product of the prestigious Central St Martin's College in London. Her fellow alumni include the likes of Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan and even the infamous John Galliano. Here's what she told Afro Boudoir recently.
Afro Boudoir: Why did you choose to become a fashion designer?
Pamela: My sister jokes that as a child I was sure I was going to be an actress or a designer. I remember during a school speech day being told by the Ugandan parent of one of my younger schoolmates that if I didn't pursue fashion she would somehow haunt me. But I like to think that being a creative is something you are and not something you choose to do.
AB: What attracted you to sustainable fashion?
Pamela: Growing up in Ghana and I think most Africans will agree that we grow up being sustainable. Take for instance yam, there are so many ways of making it. I also grew up wearing hand-me-downs from my elder siblings and passing them down to cousins and the like if they were not right for me.
As a small brand it actually makes no sense to not be. The challenge is making it such a part of your work ethic that as you grow you just get better at being sustainable not just in fashion, but in all aspects of your life.
AB: What sort of fabrics do you use?
Pamela: I use the ends of rolls which mean it varies from cotton - blue/black waxed cotton, wool, silk pique, cashmere and milk.
AB: How are fabrics made from milk?
Pamela: The milk fabric and my organic fabric mixes at the moment all come from one source in Italy - Euromaglia. They are made of either 100% semi-skimmed milk or an organic cotton/milk mix.
"The milk fibre is made from casein, which is the main protein in milk, and it has long-term emissions of negative ions. It is thus beneficial for air quality, for the stimulation of blood circulation, it is a natural antibacterial agent and it is sterile. Milk amino acids which are transferred to the fibre are a perfect daily treatment for the skin. Fabric produced with this yarn allows skin to breathe and humidity to be absorbed."
Pamela: I use it for the basic pieces like the vests, tops which at the moment seem to be the natural coloured pieces. But in the spring/summer collection, a pair of trousers and a jacket (see photo to the left) were made out of 100% milk twill fabric.
AB: How have to tapped into Ghanaian culture in your clothes?
Pamela: I use waxed cotton. The blue/black is mainly used by Ghanaians. One of my uncles pointed out to me my colour choices actually inform people of my tribal group.
I grew up covered in waxed cotton - either as blankets or dresses. However it is the blue/black which fascinates me. When it is worn, everyone is celebrating a life. Even though everyone is dressed in the same colour, the difference within the person wearing it is more obvious without it being too obvious. The more research I do, the more I realise that your cultural influences are so deeply ingrained that you tap into it without realising.
AB: How would you describe the clothes you design?
Pamela: The five words I use are duality, directional, detailed, quirky and enigmatic.
AB: How did you come up with the name Nyonyo & Yayra?
Pamela: They come from my tribal language in Ghana, Ewe. The Ewes live mainly in the Volta Region of Ghana and in neighbouring Togo. The names are, in general, unisex and loosely translated mean 'Goodness & Blessing'. The name is a way of both acknowledging where I come from as well as thanking someone who means a lot to me. Ironically the unisex nature of the names seems to appear in different aspects of the label.
You can find out more about Nyonyo & Yayra at www.nyonyoandyayra.com or email info@nyonyoandyayra.com.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Kate Moss, Annabelle Neilson and Daphne Guinness in UK Harper's Bazaar May 2011
The Real McQueen
UK Harper's Bazaar May 2011
Models: Kate Moss, Annabelle Neilson and Daphne Guinness
Photographer: Solve Sundsbo
Stylist: Jonathan Kaye
Models: Kate Moss, Annabelle Neilson and Daphne Guinness
Photographer: Solve Sundsbo
Stylist: Jonathan Kaye
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Shop her Style: Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian proves curvy girls can wear busy prints as she rocks an Alexander McQueen Samurai dress at a Prince concert in New York last month.
The dress is available online at Selfridges.
Variations of the dress can be found here:
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| Kim Kardashian in Alexander McQueen |
The dress is available online at Selfridges.
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| £570 |
Variations of the dress can be found here:
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| Helmut Lang, £205 |
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| Warehouse, £65 |
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| Michael van der Meide, £189 |
Friday, March 4, 2011
Alexander McQueen Butterfly Shoes
These are Alexander McQueen Butterfly shoes for spring/summer 2011. They were designed by McQueen's successor as the label's creative director, Sarah Burton, and are priced at £2,300 per pair. I wish they made prints of these shoes so I could buy them to decorate my dressing room.
Photos: luxuryculture.com
Monday, February 14, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Michelle Obama Scores Fashion and Political Points
Firstly yes - there is more to Mrs Obama than her wardrobe. But we aren’t writing for The Economist, so we’re going to stick to what we know!
She cut quite the dash in an Alexander McQueen Resort 2011 red petal print silk organza gown at a State dinner for the People’s Republic of China at the White House.
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| Mrs Obama in Alexander McQueen |
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| The original dress |
Guests included Anna Wintour and Vera Wang so we’re sure she thought long and hard about what she’d wear that evening. Red is the colour of happiness and prosperity in China; we doubt she chose a dress this colour by accident!
Similar looks by the label go for over £5,000 but unfortunately, our pockets are not as deep.
We're rather fond of these though:
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| Stella McCartney. £2,245 |
Love this. Can't afford it, but do love it!
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| Notte by Marchesa. £648. |
Silk crepe organza dress. Now we need to be invited somewhere fitting, to justify our spending this much.
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