Fashion and the Steal

'A La Mode' Designer Profile: Lipop London (Series vol. 6)

The polished, dynamic duo of Lipop London is composed of designer Tom Lipop and business partner Eser Aydemir. Tom expresses his design passion ... a history that includes Sky One's Project Catwalk, and designing for several labels, in addition to being influenced by the history of British fashion. Eser applies his formal business training, an Msc in International Business Management, to manage and promote the business.

Lipop London debuted their collection, ‘Battle of the Sardines’, at Brighton Fashion Week 2009. They will show Lipop’s New Collection as part of London Fashion Weeks Off Schedule Show ‘A la Mode’.

Here's what they had to say:

How did you get into fashion?
I've always been into designing and sketching and love architecture, I came across CP company and Stone Island whilst working in a little boutique in Brighton when I was 15 and loved everything about it, The detailing, the functionality and overall aesthetic, It was this that convinced me I wanted to go into Fashion and design a kind of architecture for the body!! I joined College and did graphics and photography before going to Uni and Studying Fashion and Textiles.

Did you go to school for training?
I went to University and did a Ba in Fashion and textiles specializing in Menswear for three years, before working for fashion houses such as House of Holland, Nathan Jenden, Griffin Laundary and Kate Halfpenny London.

What do you do for inspiration? How do you get inspired to create a collection?
We like to say that were modernizing classics. I love a simpler looking garment not too overworked but with a really technical cut and a great aesthetic. Technical fabrics inspire me immensely with the new technologies as well as things like your everyday food blender. I love it when you have the basic function, but you can add an adapter here and remove a part there and you have a new function. Something similar to what CP company did in the 90’s with the transparent coat that changed into an inflatable chair.

Do you prefer certain materials?
I love to work with wools, cashmere and felts as well as technical fabrics like polyurethane nylon and waxed laminate cottons.

Who do you design for ... Is it a specific person or a type of person?
We design for anyone who has an appreciation of quality and likes how they feel in our garments. I wouldn’t say it’s a specific type of person, but someone who wants a garment to last a long time and will pay that little extra so they can wear it over and over again. Kind of like a child and his favorite toy!!

To learn more and see the Look Book, go to: Lipop London

Series vol. 1 Post: Emerging Designers - A La Mode

Series vol. 2 Post: Designer Profile: Amato Couture

Series vol. 3 Post: Designer Profile: Z-Mode

Series vol. 4 Post: Designer Profile: Nikolo Bertok

Series vol. 5 Post: Designer Flik Hall

Series vol. 7 Post: Designer Jonathan Liang
Series vol. 7 Post: Designer Belinda Liu
Series vol. 7 Post: Designer Berit NY

Fashion's Night Out Milano Style

Vogue Italia is hosting Milan's Fashion Night Out.

The event is on 9 September and packed with giveaways, tees, a "Night In" at a museum and exclusive products ... jewelry, bags and shoes (Oh My!!!).

for more info on the event and to print mini guides, go to VFNO

'A La Mode' Designer Profile: Flik Hall (Series vol. 5)

Within a year after attending Central Saint Martins, Designer Flick Hall started her own label. She uses it as a vehicle to express her love of print design and contrast.

Here is a look at designer Flick Hall:

How did you get into fashion?
My initial love for fashion design was cemented at a young age, where I found the idea that “you could be any one you wanted to be” and tailor your dress sense accordingly quite propelling. I think that loving fashion is more of a way of life, whether you choose it or not it sometimes finds you.

Did you go to school for training?
I went Central Saint Martin’s, but I would say working in the industry yourself is the best training you can get.

What do you do for inspiration? How do you get inspired to create a collection?
Inspiration is everywhere, a blank wall or an intricate pattern, a forgotten object that bears a story...
I find the complexities of human nature and general occurrences in everyday life unearth the most interesting ideas for me.

Do you prefer certain materials?
I’m obsessed with texture and the illusion of texture. I love fabrics such as Leather, Raffia, course wools, Mohair. Having a background in print design I am fixated by prints that create three dimensional illusions and capture the eye in a way that you feel you want to reach out and touch the image when it is in front of you.

Who do you design for ... Is it a specific person or a type of person?
I design clothes for strong and elegant women who aren’t afraid to wear bold pieces. I want her to feel confident and powerful in my clothing, and keep my pieces in her wardrobe for years to come.

Flik Hall will be presented in the next 'A La Mode' International Fashion Showcase, during London Fashion Week. To learn more about Flik Hall, go to: Flik Hall

Series vol. 1 Post: Emerging Designers - A La Mode

Series vol. 2 Post: Designer Profile: Amato Couture

Series vol. 3 Post: Designer Profile: Z-Mode

Series vol. 4 Post: Designer Profile: Nikolo Bertok
Series vol. 6 Post: Designer Profile: Lipop London
Series vol. 7 Post: Designer Jonathan Liang
Series vol. 7 Post: Designer Belinda Liu
Series vol. 7 Post: Designer Berit NY

Fashion News

London Fashion Week Events

BFC/Bazaar Fashion Arts Foundation: Programme launching on 9th September - Inspiring and supporting collaboration between fashion and the arts.

Value of Fashion Report: Announced on 16th September

London Fashion Weeks:

Women: 17th - 22nd, September

Menswear: 22nd, September

Exhibition: 17th - 21st, September

Armani Celebrates Fashion's Night Out, NY & LA

Giorgio Armani celebrates Fashion’s Night Out with four celebrity-helmed events on September 10 in New York and Los Angeles.

New York:
Giorgio Armani New York
760 Madison Avenue at 65th Street, NYC, 212-988-9191

Giorgio Armani fashion icon Lauren Hutton shares legendary stories with actress/writer Joan Juliet Buck.
7:00-9:00pm

Armani / 5th Avenue
717 Fifth Avenue at 56th Street, NYC, 212-339-5950

Supermodel Bar Refaeli shows how to strike a pose and joins guests in front of the camera for their own personal photo.
8:00-10:00pm

Los Angeles:
Giorgio Armani Los Angeles
436 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310-271-5555

Acclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson hosts an exhibition of his favorite red carpet looks and discusses his Armani odyssey with fashion expert Steven Cojocaru.
6:30-8:30pm

Emporio Armani Los Angeles
9533 Brighton Way, Bevelry Hills, 310-271-7790

Star DJs, The Super Mash Bros. spin an explosive set of music and video mash-ups.
8:30-10:00pm

Giorgio Armani will also be supporting this project around the world by hosting a series of events and cocktail parties in Paris, Milan, New York, Los Angeles and Asia. In a global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion, Giorgio Armani and international editions of VOGUE are coordinating evening activities in their respective world fashion capitals.

'A La Mode' Designer Profile: Nikolo Bertok (Series vol. 4)

Nikolo Bertok is something special in the making. He moved to London to study fashion. His graduate fashion show, at Middlesex University, will take place this academic year. Bertok uses ecological and environment-friendly materials in his designs.

Here's what Nikolo has to say:

How did you get into fashion?
I started as a sales assistant in a shop of fine fabrics when I was 15, and so I embarked on a path in fashion very quickly. I did a lot of typical assistant- running duties for designers and companies as you could see in the popular movie The Devil Wears Prada.

Then I decided to become a designer in my own right when I was 16-17. I said to myself that I got amazing experience just in one year and met a lot of interesting people and designers from around the world as for example Jean Claude Jitrois in 2007 and his collection which I saw backstage and found truly inspiring.

My mother always dreamed of becoming a Fashion Designer, but she didn´t. So in a way I am making her dreams come true for myself.

Did you go to school for training?
I did [a] degree in Arts and I am now finishing my second degree in Fashion at MDX University.

What do you do for inspiration? How do you get inspired to create a collection?
This is very personal for me doing a collection. I get inspired by emotions and experiences in my daily life. Trying to be a bit different from other designers. I would like to be part of the process of moving the fashion into a new futuristic aspect.

Do you prefer certain materials?

Organic materials are the finest, but I use PVC to create an astonishing look too. The combination of them both leads to the winning result.

Who do you design for ... Is it a specific person or a type of person?
My designs are for people who are not afraid to show their real and strong personality. People who want to feel different and special, to discover the undiscovered and be always a step ahead of others.

Nikolo Bertok will be presented in the next 'A La Mode' International Fashion Showcase, during London Fashion Week. To learn more about Nikolo, go to: Nikolo Bertok

Series vol. 1 Post: Emerging Designers - A La Mode

Series vol. 2 Post: Designer Profile: Amato Couture

Series vol. 3 Post: Designer Profile: Z-Mode
Series vol. 5 Post: Designer Flik Hall
Series vol. 6 Post: Designer Profile: Lipop London
Series vol. 7 Post: Designer Jonathan Liang
Series vol. 7 Post: Designer Belinda Liu
Series vol. 7 Post: Designer Berit NY