Sunday 31 May 2009

Mark Fast managing director interview

- Amanda May (managing director of Mark Fast) and Mark Fast in Browns Halloween party, Amanda is dressed as Louise Brooks (in Mark Fast), and Mark as Andy Warhol


Mark Fast is a newly established knitwear designer who recently showcased his designs in fall 09 London Fashion Week - below is an interview with his managing director Amanda May, and some of his newest collections looks!

me - When, and why did you decide to persue a career in fashion marketing?

Amanda - In 1995 I was sixteen and I worked as an intern for Shania Twain. Ithought her fan merchandise needed to reflect her younger audience soI made some sketches and showed them to her. She liked them and I gotto go to New York to work with the people at PolyGram Merchandisingfor a day. I felt soooooo lucky!>

me - Describe the perfect Mark Fast woman in 5 words?

Amanda - Intelligent, cinematic, mysterious, hypnotic, sculpted.>

me - What is your favourite trend for fall 09?

Amanda - Well, obviously knitwear... I'm pretty excited about sequins too.>

me - Who is your style inspiration from the past or present and why?

Amanda - My style is kind of a mix between Debbie Harry and JacquelineKennedy-Onassis with a dash of vintage bohemian. Debbie Harry is socool and Jackie O was so chic. I found them both fascinating when Iwas growing up. I also love vintage shopping, they have the bestvintage stores called Value Village in Canada, they're reallyinexpensive. I would always find myself drawn to long feminine printeddresses and nightgowns. I was in Toronto for Fashion Week in March andI went to the local Value Village and found an acid washed denim dressexactly the same as one my mum had when I was little. I haven't wornit yet, I'm saving it for something special.

me - What was your best fashion buy this season?

Amanda - I'm crushing on a pair of silver See by Chloe sandals at Browns Focus.I'm sure they are going to be my favourite summer shoes and good shoesare so important.





Above - two looks from Mark Fast's fall 09 collection


Thursday 21 May 2009

5 Gorgeous Summer Maxi Dresses


If you , like me have been searching endlessly since the summer stock hit the shops for a perfect, elegant whilst quirky summer maxi dress but still failed to find one to suit you -  you have come to the right place........... 
Below are five stunning, in trend maxi dresses- pair them with simple accessories such as gold bangles, glamourous sunglasses and a cutting edge hair accessory and you'll be ready to hit the town!



                                                                                                                          ROBERTO CAVALLI
                                                                               Floral chiffon maxi dress   £1,995



                                                                                     PHILOSOPHY DI ALBERTA FERRETTI
                                                               Silk chiffon maxi dress     £970




                                                                             DIANE VON FURSTENBERG
                                                                              Palma silk maxi dress  
£876 


                                                           CATHERINE MALANDRINO
                                                                               Embellished silk gown  £675



                                                                                 MINT JODI ARNOLD
                                                                        Watercolour floral maxi dress  
£401

They'll Match you Up in Style

                                           Part of Matches Boutique's - Freda Collection
Matches Boutique is a elegant, chic boutique which was launched in 1990 in Wimbeldon and now 19 years later has expanded to have 13 stores across London. Matches Boutique stocks a large range of designer collections ranging from high end classics such as Burberry Prorsum, YSL,Diane Von Furstenberg, Azzedine Alaia, Chloe as well as newer up and coming labels - to list a few, The Row(a line designed by Mary-Kate and Ashley),Nathan Jenden, Future Classics and and of course Matches own exclusive label - Freda! 
I have interviewed Ruth Chapman the owner of Matches and Creative Director of Matches own line Freda.
Enjoy........

( Check Out Matches Boutique's Blog - http://blog.matchesfashion.com/ )


When was Matches boutique launched and what gap in the fashion market was it aiming to fill?

 

Matches was launched in 1988 in Wimbledon . Impeccable customer service has always been at the forefront of the business from its launch. Although the product was quite different initially; it then developed into a new concept focusing on luxury product.

 

 Did you have any favourite collection in Fall 09 Fashion week?

 

The Freda collection for AW09 was my favourite because Jo Sykes is now designing it. Second would be Jo Sykes own collection, ‘Sykes’ which is exclusive to Matches. Sykes has been my favourite collection for the past 3 seasons and I don’t understand why she’s not more famous than she is!

 

 Are there any new up and coming designers that you see a lot of potential in do become a worldwide fashion house in the future?

 

Jo Sykes and Mary Katrantzou and also Hannah Martin for her jewellery, which is so right for now - real jewellery with a totally modern aesthetic.

 

 How many different designers does Matches boutique stock at the moment?

 

Matches stocks 50 menswear brands and approximately 107 women’s wear collections, (split between our international stores and our Spy stores.)

 

 What are your favourite trends for Fall/ Winter 09?

 

The over the knee boot, especially the flat ones from Stella McCartney, the waistcoat jacket as seen at Sykes and 1940s as seen at Roksanda, Lanvin and Bottega Veneta.

 

 Who would you say is your style inspiration from the past or present- and why?

 

Diane von Furstenberg because she is a dear friend who I continue to be inspired by. I am totally energized by her – she is a real life style guru.

 

Where do you hope to see Matches boutique in 10 years time?

 

With a bigger online business at Matchesfashion.com, to have developed our own Freda line and to be wholesaling the collection internationally and for our shops to still offer the consumer a retail experience that feels like a leisure activity. Supporting cutting edge new designers and helping them to come to the forefront, whilst still making service the number one thing.

 

 Describe your personal style in 5 words?

No fuss, paired down, elegant, relaxed, feminine

 

 

Thursday 7 May 2009

Four Bright, Stunning, Summer Clutches

                                            Matthew Williamson - Dark Escape Box Clutch
                                                                      £550


Alexander Mcqueen - Crystal - print Clutch
£225


Fendi - Mini Border line Clutch
£411



Maje - Jelica Bead Clutch
£140






Monday 4 May 2009

Pain Is Beauty - Literally

These stunning, quirky heeled sandals will dress up any summer dress or outfit............. watch out - since colours are quite bold - try to pair it with a gorgeous LBD from Jean Pierre Braganza, or stick to purple/ green!