D’TROIS

November 3, 2014November 3, 2014 ~ fashascension ~ Leave a comment

So you’ve probably seen me out and about rocking their garments over the summer, I finally managed to get some time in with the name behind the brand.

D’Trois is a high end European menswear brand founded by Daniel Deacon. The name D’Trois means ‘of 3’ in the French language, it came about from Daniel, his brother and his sister all 3 of their names beginning with D so it was naturally fitting.

They stock everything from your basic tees, intricate prints to velvet studded hoodies.

What is the inspiration behind the range?

The inspiration behind the brand came from me going through a phase of not liking anything that I was seeing in stores of any affordability and one summer I had an idea for a T-Shirt, I knew a local printer so I took my idea to him and he brought it to life for me. The feeling I had when I wore the T-Shirt and the compliments I received on it made me feel proud and happy and I just want to repeat that feeling in every design I create.

What does your brand represent in your eyes?

In my eyes D’Trois represents the fact that fashion isn’t just about following trends it’s about feeling good and comfortable in what you wear, the brand represents you as an individual. New rules.

What is your is your signature/favourite piece from the range?

My signature piece from the range would have to be the velvet stud hoodie, because that is the piece that caught people’s attention and let them actually know that D’Trois is a real brand.

What struggles do/did you face when creating all your range?

There are always barriers in whatever you do it’s just up to you to overcome them. Some of the struggles I faced when creating is that some of the designs weren’t very technical when it came to manufacturing. So ideas had to be altered in order for it to be produced.

What do you enjoy most about designing your range?

What I enjoy most about designing my range is seeing where my imagination can take me from just having a thought, feeling a certain way or just even seeing something i.e. a picture or view etc.

Do you have any advice for upcoming/emerging designers?

The one piece of advice I have for any new designers building a brand is don’t feel like you need to rush it take time to get everything correct and it will all come together.

Sum up what it takes to design a range in one word?

Determination

Define your range in 3 words?

Individuality, meaningful and diverse

What does the future hold for D’Trois?

In the future expect to see D’Trois in a few stores across the nation and a few more exciting collections and collaborations. I’ve got some projects in the pipeline but I don’t want to say too much just yet you just got to keep following us and wait and see.

You can purchase the above items plus much more form their online store. Click here

Be sure to also follow them on Twitter and Instagram and keep up to date to with the latest news & latest releases.

Keep an eye out for this guy as I am sure he is gonna blow up..

LIBERTY OPEN CALL 2014

July 18, 2014 ~ fashascension ~ Leave a comment

The next Liberty open call has been announced 🙂

If you are an up & coming and emerging designer this is definitely something of note and should be worth considering.

All the details can be found below.

NEXT DATE: SATURDAY 30TH AUGUST
9AM – 3PM
Calling all designers and creative talents! Get the chance to attend this year’s Liberty
open call and present your best of British design to our expert panel.

Liberty Open Call 2014

Do you have a unique and innovative product you dream of seeing stocked on the renowned shelves of Liberty?

Join us at the next Liberty British Design Open Call to present your designs to our expert panel of judges, and it may just become a reality.

In a continual bid to recognise and support new and emerging design talent, Liberty is hosting its 6th British Design Open Call on Saturday 30th August 2014. This is a unique opportunity to present products directly to Liberty’s Managing Director, Ed Burstell, his esteemed buying team and industry experts – including top names from press and fashion retail.

But don’t expect a Dragon’s Den – rather a chance for new and established designers to receive considered and helpful advice from experts on how to nurture and develop your ideas. The best designers selected by the judges will get the chance to have their products sold at Liberty, a name synonymous with the very best of new design since its doors first opened in 1875.

HOW CAN I ATTEND?

To attend this year’s British Design Open Call please email opencall@liberty.co.uk with the following information:

Name
Contact email and phone number
Product category (Menswear, Womenswear, Fashion Accessories,
Jewellery, Stationery, Homeware, Objet & Ornamental or Beauty)
An image of your product (if you do not have a finished product, please
include an image of a work in progress or prototype)

Please make sure your email is no more than 5MB in size.

Please note, you will need to present a finished product to the judging panel on the day.

A confirmation email containing all details for the day will be sent within 48 hours of registration.

Please note, this year’s British Design Open Call will be filmed by Rize USA makers of Channel 4’s Liberty of London. If you do not wish to be filmed, please specify this in your registration email.

Return of the Rudeboy

July 8, 2014July 8, 2014 ~ fashascension ~ Leave a comment

Taking a break from the future of fashion to quickly revel in the past & present.

I was seriously feeling the Monday blues, so I said to myself “What can one possibly do to shake this funk?”

A few weeks ago I came across an exhibition that was showing at Somerset house called ‘Return of the Rudeboy’ and being the culture seeker that I am I felt this would be a good time as any to go and check it out.

I can safely say I was not disappointed and left enriched with culture and inspiration from what I had seen.

For those of you that do not know about the Rudeboy scene, Rudeboy is a slang term that originated in 1960s Jamaican street culture, and which are still used today. In the late 1970s, the 2 Tone ska revival in England saw the terms rude boy and rude girl, among other variations, being used to describe fans of that genre. Rudeboy or Rudegirl are not purely defined by the way that they dress, the way they style their hair or even the way that they dance. There is so much more and you will get a feel for all of it here.

The exhibition was put together by prolific photographer and filmmaker Dean Chalkley and fashion-industry creative director Harris Elliott.

It highlights the rich heritage of the Rudeboy culture. All images were taken over the last year, and none of the individuals were actually styled. What you see is how they style and live their lives today.

The outfits are extremely well put together and it shows the level of creativity that this culture has impacted fashion to date.

The exhibition will also host a pop-up ‘grooming station’ on Thursdays and Saturdays as well talks, films and guided tours.

I don’t want to reveal everything, but if you get a chance definitely head down and take a look and I promise you will not be disappointed.

It is free admission and it runs until the 25th of August.

More images can be found on my Facebook page. Click here

JOY Stores AW14

May 23, 2014 ~ fashascension ~ 1 Comment

I was invited down to the JOY stores AW14 press event yesterday.

It was great to see familiar faces and the exciting new ranges the have on show.

I had the pleasure of having a sneak peak for their upcoming releases HYMN, Louche and Joy & Happiness.

This time around HYMN has more of a grown up feel, you can tell the designer has really but some thought into what the customer wants.

With a classic look and feel products are based on celebrities and popular movies.

I overheard a great quote while I was there “it’s like Urban outfitters, but better” Make of it what you want but I am in total agreement.

With focus on strong prints and patterns, great textures and engaging colours the women’s range is definitely something of note.

I for one loved the tartan jacket and can see this being a very popular item from the range.

Finally they there was gifts and accessories. From ‘Man flu survival kit’, Books, handbags, coaster and tea strainers there is certainly something for everyone.

Launch is likely to be scheduled for around September, but keep coming back here for updates and links.

All photos from the event can be found on my Facebook page. Click here

HYMN LONDON

April 22, 2014May 23, 2014 ~ fashascension ~ 1 Comment

This has actually taken longer than expected……I found myself at the HYMN London launch party a few months ago just after I got the initial idea for my blog. Determined to ensure this range was to become one that I would showcase I started talking to everyone I could. I finally met the press officer for Joy stores and both her and a colleague have been excellent ever since.

Joy stores never really had a standout men’s range, but with Hymn the tides are definitely changing.

They have created a range with a premium feel at more affordable prices.

It’s classic with interesting detail, mainly seen in the buttons and stitching.

I was able to get all sides as to what it took to get to that faithful launch event.

Enjoy the read…….

For those aspiring designers out there i was able to get some very valuable insight from Dylan who’s is a buyer for JOY Stores & Katy who actually designed the range.

Dylan – Buyer

For those not in the know, can you give a quick summary of what fashion buying entails?

The most important thing is to buy with your customer in mind – it means spending time in your own stores, in order to understand your customer’s shopping habits. A great deal of time is spent monitoring sales data to see the reaction to the latest styles and catering the brand mix accordingly, but occasionally you need to have the confidence to take a risk and try something new which you hope will appeal to your customer base.

What do you look for when picking up a new designer/piece?

One tries to find a balance between a brand that complements the range that we have in store, but which also has a consistent point of difference so that it will stand out and draw customers in.

What do you feel is required to become a successful fashion designer?

Creative flair, organisation, a keen eye for detail and lots of elbow grease!

What is your favourite piece from the collection?

I love Stites, it’s a chambray one pocket shirt in a deep indigo wash, with a fantastic fit.

Do you have any advice for all the up and coming talent out there?

Identify stores that your brand will sit well in; try and build a relationship with buyers so that they’re willing to give you a chance and don’t give up!

Katy – Designer

What made you decide to go into fashion design?

As a teenager I liked the idea of boys clothes on girls. As I grew I started to design clothes for myself but on men. I still do that today.

What is the inspiration behind your current range?

Everything nautical. Starting a new brand called out for a classic theme.

What is your is your signature/favourite piece from the current range?

The Donald jacket. I love the fabric with the contrast colour coating. It’s by far the easiest piece in the collection to wear and carry around.

What struggles do/did you face as an upcoming designer?

Acceptance

What do you enjoy most about being a designer?

That feeling when an idea pops in to your head and you run with it and it works. Best feeling in the world.

Do you have any advice for upcoming/emerging designers?

Stay true to your style. Obviously you need to be flexible and design for your customer, but you need to be passionate about the product your designing. Also don’t turn your nose up at designing for a supplier. This is where I learnt my most valuable design knowledge, and it makes you super organised.

If you could sum up what it takes to make it in fashion design in one word what would it be?

Determination

What does the future hold for Katy?

Hopefully growth and stronger collections at HYMN. And a lottery win.