LIBERTY OPEN CALL 2014

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.

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Return of the Rudeboy

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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

JOY AW14 Press Event
JOY AW14 Press Event

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.

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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.

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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.

 

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

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

 

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

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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