global categories: Blog | BENGT FASHION

1:59 pm

GFW – HIGHLIGHTS

17 June 2013

Graduate Fashion Week is extremely important to Bengt as we strive to be at the foreground of emerging fashion talent and scout the designers of tomorrow. Suzy Menkes at the Gala Awards Show summed up our experience at GFW, describing it as an ‘enthralling experience’ exposing ‘controlled Creativity’.

Hannah Williams, of UCA Epsom won the GFW Innovation Award as well as the Womenswear Award for her use of silicone. Cathy Edwards of Dazed & Confused explained why Hannah won the Womenswear Award: “We thought that Hannah’s collection was extremely original, very photogenic, modern and innovative using great new techniques in fabric innovation which can be seen through accessories and shoes”. Discover some of our favourite graduate designers and the inspiration behind their collections- something that is all too easily forgotten when watching a catwalk show.

Another designer that caught our attention was Jade Wainwright. Her collection clashes various textile techniques such as print, devore and embroidery together. Jade recycled second hand knit and revived it with embroidery and embellishment whilst replacing sleeves and turning them into handbags. The handbags are innovative, bright and bold, completing the collection and look. Jade’s primary inspiration was drawn from a picture of herself as a baby wearing a denim onesie with an embroidered floral Guns ‘N’ Roses patch in a room filled and layered with 90s grunge posters. It is no wonder that Jade uses a variation of rose and other floral patterns displayed through cross-stitching and embroidery onto such items as a perforated leather kimono jacket, gingham shirting and knitted jumpers. By mixing, clashing and layering colours and textures Jade has showcased a bright, youthful and highly imaginative floral collection by re-visiting her youth.

Emma Parker spent 2 weeks hand stitching 4,000 small tubes filled with goat-kid fur to create the first piece of her collection. She is truly dedicated to the beauty of things that have been hand made, that a machine could never recreate. Emma said that in the last two weeks she has learnt ‘to never be complacent, never be superficial and to always do the unexpected.’ Her meticulously executed fur bodice and cape made out of laser cut wood are examples of her ability to manipulate difficult materials, be innovative and go the extra mile. There was a definite earthy feel to this collection and it was extremely impressive.

Kirandeep Bassan won the Zandra Rhodes textiles Award this year and it was well deserved. Kirandeep focussed on the qualities of decaying and derelict finishes of man-made objects such as rusting metals and peeling paints. A fusion of royal blues, yellows and brick orange created impressive prints, which were then layered and draped. Vibrant, diverse and detailed. Kirandeep created an awe-inspiring collection.

6:16 pm

GFW – BENGT SNAPSHOTS

15 June 2013

The last few weeks have seen an array of catwalk shows from the next generation of fashion talent in the shape of the annual Graduate Fashion Week. As the eyes and ears on the ground for latest and freshest of designers the BENGT team had our busy schedule planned and our cameras packed. Here are a few snapshots of what we saw along the way…

The event’s finale constituted with the GFW awards gala held at the Earl’s Court exhibition hall – the main stage for the event. The evening was an evening of bubbles, a best of the best catwalk show, a star studded front row with the likes of Zandra Rhodes, Suzy Menkes and David Gandy all presented by the lovely Henry Holland and Zara Martin. Need less to say we had fun.

More GFW coverage to follow so stay tuned …

12:19 pm

THE NORTHERN LIGHT

14 June 2013

Norway born, london based blogger Hedvig from The Northern Light made our dreams come through by wearing BENGT. Can you spot that Noemi Klein ribcage ring on her finger?

4:39 pm

RED LIPPY PROJECT

13 June 2013

Who ever thought that wearing your brightest of red lipstick is supporting a very worthwhile and important cause? 9-15 June marks the cervical screening awareness week and the red lippy project highlights the importance of attending screenings. It is estimated that they save up to 5,000 lives every year and yet 20% of eligible women fail to attend screening when invited.

Everybody is wearing their favourite colour red in support from the girls at Elle magazine, to the Guardian and Rita Ora. Put on yours, tell your friends and give, give, give to The Eve Appeal to raise funds for vital research.

Image: Garage Magazine

12:09 pm

MEET MARINA LONDON

1 June 2013

Marina Guergova is the creative brain behind Marina London, the silk-focused contemporary brand. As one of the newest designers to join the BENGT roster, we sent our Guest Blogger Mariella Agapiou to her studio to find out more…

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE ON A CAREER IN FASHION?

Quite late on, 17/18 when I started to do more arty things. My tutors were saying, “You should probably do something in art.” And then eventually we did a fashion project at school and my teacher was pushing me to do a fashion course because I got quite interested in fashion, doing a lot of research. He liked the project I did, the illustrations. I think it’s mainly the illustration side that really set it off.

WHAT KIND OF ILLUSTRATIONS DID YOU DO?

I think, off the top of my head, designs, but I love styling the female body and elongating it and creating a different perspective I suppose, as I did a lot of life drawing. But it was fun to get the body, start working it in new ways and extending the legs. It’s mainly the drawing aspect and then the fact that you could make up your own clothes, that was cool too.

WHAT WAS CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS LIKE FOR YOU?

It was quite a shock at first. You meet friends, you get to know people and you understand how different everybody is, how different everybody works. Some people are very extravagant, others are a bit more quite. Its just interesting to see how people develop throughout, I loved it. Every year was quite different, my final year I really enjoyed it.

WHAT DID YOU DO FOR YOU GRADUATE COLLECTION?

I don’t know where I developed this, but yellow and white seem to be a combination I love wearing and using. And so my collection was based around yellow and white, a bit of grey and navy. It was a mix of both feminine shapes and draping, silks – I used a lot of silks. But at the same time I used viscose jersey, which is quite stretchy and I dyed it different colours. And then I did a lot of panelling work, with a lot of seems going on, creating almost a puzzle, embellishing it quite heavily and they were bodycon type dresses, as well as the draping. But I fell in love with the draping side more.

WHEN DID YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH SILK?

During that time. Even when I was looking for designers, I loved all the pieces that were more silk, more billowy, compared to tight. I think I relate it a lot to summer, freedom, and effortlessness. It’s a free fabric for me; I love the way it hangs.

WHEN IT COMES TO OTHER DESIGNERS, WHO INSPIRES YOU PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY?

I have always loved Stella McCartney. Obviously Phoebe Philo, and then I love Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, because she has fun with it, she’s a bit more free-spirited. I have always had a love for something sporty in an outfit. Even if something is feminine, to have a masculine side too, which is what Stella McCartney does – I think that’s why I love her so much.

YOUR COLLECTIONS ARE FULL OF CLEAN, SPORTY SHAPES. WHEN DID YOU BECOME INSPIRED BY SPORT LUXE?

I have always been quite sporty. I think maybe when I released I could wear trainers with dresses. I started to like dresses, but not girly dresses. It must have been something subconscious. Things coming into fashion that I really related to, things that were so me. I felt that I could express myself through a particular trend. I would look at something Stella McCartney would design and I would think, ‘wow, I want to be that woman some day.’ It’s very aspirational. I think when you start to aspire to a certain woman that’s quite grown up, you start to understand what you might end up being like.

WHO IS THE MARINA LONDON GIRL?

She’s effortless, not too fussed about spending too long on what she looks like, throwing a few things on. A good sense of humour, doesn’t take herself too seriously, loves her work though. But at the same time, has fun.

DO YOU TAKE INSPIRATION FROM YOUR BULGARIAN BACKGROUND?

I think I do, but I can’t pin-point it. When I first started designing fashion, I loved looking a Bulgarian national clothing, folk clothing. But I think that everyone that comes from a different culture always loves to go back to explore it in some way, and exploit it as well. I went back to folklore for this, but I didn’t design a physical collection based on it. Bulgaria used to be communist, so maybe in terms of uniform. I like uniform as a metaphor – liking a particular style and wearing it for most of your life.

YOUR JUMPSUIT IS NAMED ‘THE MANREPELLER,” ARE BLOGGERS A BIG INFLUENCE TO YOU?

Not necessarily just bloggers, but street-style. Tumblr is magic. I get inspired by streetstyle a lot. I like to look at what girls are wearing, and think what looks good, why I like it and try to develop my own twist to it.

WHAT ARE YOUR SS13 FAVOURITE PIECES?

Jacket: Sandro

Cut-out tee: Yasmin Kianfar

Neoprene skirt: Alexander Wang

Linen jumper: Shirin Guild

Heels: Alexander Wang

Bag: Zara

Neon nail polish: American Apparel

WHAT IS YOUR MUST HAVE BEAUTY PRODUCT?

Since the age of 17 I can’t stop wearing this nude lip colour and for quite a few years I have been using this Chanel one. If it’s not in my bag, I have a proper freak-out.

WHAT DOES FASHION MEAN TO YOU?

I love fashion because it’s very practical. I do love the fact clothes are there to be worn, but that you can have fun with it too. I have always been set on how I think about fashion; I have never been very out-there, or crazy. Its expressive, you can be who you want to be. You can show what mood your in, in ways you can’t really do just wearing black the whole time.

WHAT OTHER BENGT DESIGNERS DO YOU ADMIRE?

Moxham, I do love Moxham. And I think Charlie May has some really cool stuff. Kirsty Ward too.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE BUDDING FASHION DESIGNERS?

Find a nice group of people who you get on with because it is so important who you surround yourself with. And make sure you enjoy what you do, and not stress out about it, have fun with it. Get a good group of people around you – that’s the most important thing. It’s my favourite bit about having my own brand, that there are other people doing the same and we just want to help each other the whole time. It’s the best feeling.

1:33 pm

FRICHIC BLOG

27 April 2013

Ivelina is the style icon behind the bulgarian blog ‘Frichic’ that has been going for at least 5 years. She mixes luxury brands, high street and new designers to create a head-turning personal view on fashion. Not only BENGT but the world is taking notice of this breath of fresh air. She has been featured in magazines like Vogue, Elle and Grazia amongst others. Keep an eye out on this one.

Ivelina carries the Somewhere Nowhere Hologram clutch.

Ivelina wears the MOXHAM Osiris necklace and Joanna Pybus furry face clutch bag.

7:19 am

THE BIKER JACKET EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT

23 April 2013

No wardrobe is complete without a good biker jacket. Charlie May’s cotton one is a contemporary update on the brand’s storied classics and proof that they don’t always have to be tough.We love how the on-trend natural hue and perfectly tailored silhouette give this cover-up a thoroughly modern feel. Here modelled by the ultimate clothes horse, blogger Camille over the Rainbow.

7:49 am

K IS FOR KANI

19 April 2013

This is Australian blogger has such a colourful, whimsical and original style that she caught our eye. We love the way she styled the MOXHAM Anubis necklace in a true exotic way. In dreary London, this makes our heart sing.

7:40 am

HOMAGE TO THE OTTO BRACELET

19 April 2013

We had the pleasure to collaborate with a to us new fashion blogger, the wonderful and stylish The Haute Pursuit. She spends her time wandering between vancouver, beijing, new york and blogging about personal style, life and everything in between. The MOXHAM Otto bracelet became THE accessory and featured in not one but three blog posts. Vanessa we thank you!

2:35 pm

INTERVIEW: EUDON CHOI

11 April 2013

Eudon Choi is a fashion designer star in the making and we couldn’t be more excited to get him to agree to an interview. In three years he has risen from a name whispered by fashion-spotters like us to a young designer everyone is watching. Over to him!

What makes your heart beat?

I am quite a curious person by nature, something I think I have inherited from my grandmother who despite her advancing years is forever curious, and this has given her this incredible energy and a zest for life that would put people half her age to shame. As a result I like to take the path less trodden, to not make the obvious decisions and to go out and try new things. I very much see life as an adventure!

What inspired your SS13 collection?

The collection was in part inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s seminal movie 2001 A Space Odyssey. It was made in 1968, when 2001 seemed such a long way off and I loved the view of the future the film portrays. I also took inspiration from the 1966 film Blow Up, directed by Michelangelo Antonioni. It’s about a photographer who believes he may have witnessed a murder and unwittingly taken photographs of the killing. It stars the incredible 60s model Veruschka, who I am currently obsessed with! I think both films are retro-futuristic and that was my starting point for the Space oddity collection.

What are you most proud of?

I think it would have to be my first on-schedule at London Fashion Week. As a self-funded designer it is really hard to make your mark, so when I was given an on-schedule slot for my AW12 show I was overjoyed. I worked with the incredible Jules Wright from the Wapping Project on that first show and it was quite an epic production!

What difference does fashion make?

In short, I think it makes people feel good. A great winter coat can make someone feel secure and protected and the perfect dress or pair of trousers can give someone who is feeling a bit flat a real confidence boost. Of course in the scheme of things fashion is ephemeral but I think its great power is that it can really influence how we feel about ourselves.

What is your favourite look on a woman?

I like something that looks effortless and casually put together so a woman in some great blue jeans a simple t-shirt and a gorgeous luxurious winter coat thrown over the top is a winner for me everytime.

Favourite piece of advice you’ve had from someone?

When I first started out, a very well known Korea designer told me that to if you really have believe in what you are doing and work hard, you will eventually succeed and I completely believe that this is true. It is really important to have a strong sense of what you are doing and who you are so that you do not get swayed by people saying this or that. If you start listening to other people’s ideas about who you should be or how your clothes should look then you will lose your way.

Shop the Eudon Choi collection here.