Fashion at the Fringe

Article for GUMagazine

August 2010

Think Edinburgh Fringe, you would think performance rather than fashion. Che Camille, a design workshop based in Glasgow combined performance and fashion in staging the first fashion on the fringe in its opening weekend.

The eclectic performance aspects which the fashionistas were delighted with were slotted amongst the diverse displays of fashion from Scottish designers. They came in form of a ukulele accompanied song written for the woman of the hour (in the sixty minutes previous to the show) and “Rock The Shop” - a rap about the history and origins of Che Camille. (Check out the music video on youtube.com!) Naturally the greatest form of the entertainment came from the impromptu drag act from the hot mess that is Lady Munter for her own half time show.

Now, back to the fashion.

Continuing her support of the local, all fourteen designers exhibiting at Camille’s show were Scottish. The pieces played right into the hands of key trends for Autumn Winter 2010, regardless of which designers collections will have tickled your fashion taste buds.

Hibernate Design and Judy R Clark wrapped up their models in tweed to compliment Chanel’s Fall 2010 look. Hibernate Design also displayed knitwear that would do granny proud, although on the contrary Miss Dixie Belle would make granny blush with her eccentric lingerie flaunting corsets, nipple tassels, suspenders; the works. Granny might not appreciate, but it would certainly make us bitches and our boyfriends proud. Both Christina Beth Kean and MIA mocked the yawn recession gloom with funky gold pieces on the models, for the Christmas party anyone? Embracing the looks from McQueen to Anna Sui, the designers at Che Camille’s Fashion on the Fringe show covered every frosted base for the chilly season ahead.

What the fashion on the fringe provided was the designer trends without the designer price tag. So don’t go blowing that student loan on the high street, invest in affordable, unique pieces in which you will not only stand out in but also promoting those so often unfortunately neglected Scottish designers.

DESIGNERS: Claire Ferguson, Kristina Beth Kean, Nonchalant by Gemma Carver, Miss Dixie Bell, Hibernate Design, Hayley Kruger, Jayne Stephens, Jane Gowans, Pure by Catriona Garforth, Judy R Clark, MIA, Little Sister Lucy, Pea Cooper Millinery, Obscure Couture

www.checamille.com

Flower Power-Less

Betsey Johnson Spring Summer 2010

As one of those individuals who has self diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a phrase I am not likely to be heard uttering is “hurry up winter!” However I am finding myself gazing at trees with the notion of embracing my inner eight year old and climbing them to howl it from the treetops. The reason being?

Winters chilly arrival heralds the departure (less morbid word than death don’t you think) of most flowers. Fashion gods willing this will also include the departure of floral print.

Whilst I am guilty of possessing floral print clothing (a cute light blazer bought for a recent trip to Dubai), I can’t help but begin to detest it.

Personally I assume the trend was not intended for head to toe including matching shoes and bag to resemble what would happen if Amsterdam’s famous flower market exploded over plain clothing and created one single look. The floral is becoming a high street eyesore which is compelling me to ditch the summer look and pull out my vintage fur cape ready for the autumn.

In addition to floral prints being overdone on the high street, they have also been overdone at the summer music festivals where the flowers have been trampled on as the bleary eyed festival goers stampede from the venue in a partied out haze.

Please save us all from this eye sore and do this with your floral prints.

It’s about time for the autumn.

Capes at the ready!

Prabal Gurung Fall 2010

Winter Vamp Bites Again

So his influence for Fall 2010 Givenchy was said to be skiing and scuba, however the dark colours in the collection by Riccardo Tissci, which are predominantly present in the majority of Fall collections were reminiscent not of a bright and cheerful sporting event but rather of a winter bright, yet silent and bare landscape. This impression may be due to the use of black, red and lace. An inevitable association with the employment of black and red in fashion instinctively evokes the vampire. Was he considering the representation of red with blood against the black? Or have I just experienced too much of vampire in common society?

Vampires seem to be present everywhere, whether through fashion, books, music, film, television; an obsession appears to be present. I have sunk my teeth into the books, scrutinized the movies, bought the soundtracks and am cautiously approaching (with stake in hand) the vampire on television.

From the eighteenth century the notion of vampires produced a mass hysteria in Europe and its influence over art and culture developed. This flame has been rekindled today within art and culture and might we perhaps experience another mass hysteria?

Rather than anticipating a mass hysteria of 'what will I wear' now that it's Fall, another type could ensue. This Fall may bring about a mass hysteric dash to the high street to re create the vampire look straight from the catwalks of the fashion capitals.

Time to embrace the pastels and bronze yourself for this season, whilst simultaneously envisaging your inner vamp once the sun sets on summer and the winter begins to bite.

Favourite Balmain Dress

Love this dress from Balmain Fall 2010

Reason to have a boyfriend ...

You can steal their clothes and channel Hussein Chalayan Fall 2010 look

Bottega seems bulging

Spring and Summer and sunny weather brings fabulous yet tasteful flesh revealing styles. As Winter thaws, so do we - ready to face the outdoors and picking up again that forgotten New Years resolution of hitting the gym. With the prospect of displaying more than hands and heads, exercise is top priority again and comfort eating does not seem as necessary as we can barbeque and enjoy fresh foods again. We love summer time for the light, the warmth, the fresh air, the fashion, the joy, the picnics .. I could go on and on ...

When Winter arrives again (which always seems too soon), it's time to cover up and comfort ourselves with hibernation in cold dark nights for the next few months. Automatically I eat more in Winter time - my body needs it to stay warm! Then comes Christmas with which comes the fabulous feasting! In Winter I still want to keep my style like many others, in comfort and not too tight so I have a little room to eat a little chocolate. A little room I said! If I have too much room in clothing, yes it may be comfortable to wear, but not comfortable on the eye. Bottega Veneta had some loose styles on the catwalk for their Fall 2010 Collection, but their 80s style trouser suits I will stay away from. Unless stick thin avoid avoid avoid! There are pieces which will only compliment the models wearing them on the catwalk and these are an example of them! This is something that high streets should not re create.

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I didn't mind so much the rest of the collection though ...

Dsquared² Wet Look

As much as the sharp reds and blacks in the Dsquared Fall 2010 collection were tempting for colour contrasts to stock up with in time for Winter (if this Winter ever escapes us!) - the use of latex dampened potential. Wet look leggings anyone? They have been done, re-invented and re-invented again - do we really have to endure another season of plastic high street alternatives (which is inevitably in production following Fall RTW collections) to what is sent down the catwalk?

Altuzarra Pop Yo' Colla'

Go the Altuzarra way of warmth this fall and pop yo' colla'

Paul Smith Women

This piece from Paul Smith Women Fall 2010 RTW made me want to pick up the pace Paul Smith style with my knitting skills and make one for yours truely ..

Matthew McQueen

Did Matthew Williamson's Fall 2010 show remind anyone of a certain designers Spring 2010 show?

Matthew Williamson Fall 2010


Alexander Mc Queen Spring 2010 immediately sprung to mind

Similarities in the fabrics?




Alexander McQueen Spring 2010

Derek Lam Is Hanging At The Ranch

Derek Lam was lassoing in the leather, the suede, the silks, the fringing, the hats, the fur to reveal to us fashionistas that the trend-spiration for Fall 2010 should be down at the ranch in the Wild Wild West


An alternative and relaxed manner in which to have fun with your fashion


It is time to dig out the cowboy boots..