Tuesday 28 February 2017

MoM Takeover

 
Model of the Moment, Hayley modelling for the talented @stormy_rebelandromance booudoir shoot


SS17 Micro Trends

As with every season we sometimes see the same items making an appearance year on year. If you're one for throwing away clothes once the season is done, then stop! Because they're just going to come back around. So keep these pieces in your wardrobe because you're going to want to keep them.

Bralettes
 Not the ones that all the sporty ones the kids are wearing, think more girly and feminine. Look to bralettes in gingham, not only will you nail the fabric of the season but also have one of the seasons go-to items.

 

Mules
 The go-to shoe of SS16 is back once again - we hope you've still got them.

 


 Mini Bags
It's time to downsize. You now longer need to be lugging around a massive bag with everything you own inside. A bag big enought to fit the essentials will do just fine.
 Sheer/Toile
 Peekaboo but with a touch of elegance


The History of Blue Jeans

 
 This week Topshop announced that they sold a pair of jeans every 10 seconds - yep, every 10 seconds. That's quicker than the time it takes for the whole transaction to go through. At their SS17 demin collection launch, Emma Fox, Buying Director at Topshop told the press all about our love affair with the jean. And more interestingly, if like us, you live in London and often hit Oxford Street, we buy a pair of jeans every minute at that store alone.

So why are we so obsessed with jeans? And more importantly, who were the masters behind the original pair. Well, let us take you back to the 18th century.

Denim came around by accident. Discovered in Nimes, France, people were attempting to replicate an Italian fabric called Serge. But instead they created 'Serge de Nimes' or Denim, to you and I.

As for the first ever blue jean, we look to Levi Strauss. Born in Buttenheim, Bavaria on February 26, 1829. Levi and his sisters emigrated to New York in 1846 after the death of his father to work at his older brother's wholesale business, J.Strauss Brother & Co.

As he settled into New York life, he soon started to learn the trade business. But it was the news of the California Gold Rush that persuaded Levi to make the journey to the west coast. Planning on making his fame and fortune within the gold business, in 1853 he settled in San Francisco and established his own wholesale dry goods business under his own name, 'Levi Strauss & Co.'

In 1872 he received a letter from one of his customers, Jacob Davis, who turned out to be a tailor. In the letter, Davis told Levi of the unique way in which he made pants for his customers, through the use of rivets at points of strain to make them last longer. Davis wanted to file a patent for his new idea, but needed a business partner. Excited about the opportunity, Levi agreed. On May 20, 1873, the patent was granted and the blue jean was born.

The traditional fabric for men's workwear, when they were first made, they were known as 'waist overalls' or 'overalls.' It wasn't until 1960, when the baby boomers adopted the name jeans.

Known as Levi's, the trousers were made in two fabrics, cotton duck - similiar to canvas, and denim. They became an instant hit. And why? Because of the way the denim changed over time. The indigo dye gave the denim an unqiue character. The indigo, unlike most dyes, doesn't penetrate the cotton yarn, it just sits on the outside of each thread - causing the fabric to fade and wear away.

"Because the denim changed as it aged and the way it wore reflected people's lives," says Paul Trynka, author of Denim: From Cowboys to Catwalks. Jeans became the most personal thing you could wear.

Worn by workers and cowboys, the jeans hit the mainstream when they became popularised by movie stars Marlon Brando and James Dean. Paired with their white t-shirts and leather jackets, the blue jeans became a symbol of rebellion. All the on-screen bad boys were in blue jeans, and everyone wanted to be just like them.

 By the sixties and seventies, different styles of jeans were made to match the fashions of that decade - flares, embroided, painted, psychedelic - there was now a pair for everyone. It wasn't until the eighties, that jeans became a high fashion item of clothing. People started to create their own styles and sales hit the roof.

 
Fast forward to today and jeans are still as popular as ever. With new styles of jean debuting on the catwalks and the high street, everyone can express their own personal style through jeans. Vetements introduced us to the high-low hemlines, whilst Gucci brought back embroidery. Thanks to the recent rise in skater style, wide leg and culotte jeans are also having their moment.

As for Levi's the brand is stronger than ever. They are the demin gods, and we thank them everyday for bringing us comfort and joy.

Shrove Tuesday

 

Happy Pancake Day everyone! 

Today's the day to have pancakes all day and not feel guilty about it

Monday 27 February 2017

The Oscars 2017

It was the biggest night in Hollywood last night as the 89th Academy Awards took place. Celebrating the past year in cinematic achievement, all the stars came out to look back at the year in film. Big winners included Emma Stone who took home the nod for Best Actress, whilst Casey Affleck picked up Best Actor. For the Best Supporting Roles, Viola Davis of Fences with Mahershala Ali taking home Best Supporting Actor, making him the first-ever Muslim actor to win an Oscar.

But the talking point of the whole evening was one of the biggest mishaps to ever happen on live television. When it came down to announcing the last award of the evening, Best Picture, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced the wrong winners after being handed the wrong envelope. Instead of announcing winners, Moonlight, Beatty had the back-up envelope for Best Actress and so saw Emma Stone for La La Land and went with that. Creating the most awkward moment in Oscars history, the cast of La La Land then had to be stopped mid-speech to announce the real winners, Moonlight.

Besides the big winners of the night, the other highlight of the night was the red carpet. As with every awards show that has taken place, we've picked our best and worst dressed..

Best

 
Best Actress winner, Emma Stone in Givenchy 

 
Best Supporting Actress winner, Viola Davis in a custom Armani Privé gown

 
Chrissy Teigen in Zuhair Murad

 
Emma Roberts in vintage Armani

 
Hailee Steinfeld in a Ralph & Russo gown

 
Jessica Biel in Kaufamfranco

 
Olivia Culpo in Marchesa

 
Taraji P. Henson in a blue velvet Alberta Ferretti gown 

Worst

 
It might be straigt off the runway, but this Gucci AW17 dress isn't doing it for us, Dakota Johnson

 
Janelle Monae in Elie Saab - this would be on our best dressed if it wasn't for the poofy bits on the sides
 
Leslie Mann in Zac Posen

Scarlett Johnasson in Azzedine Alaïa


 
Naomie Harris in a Calvin Klein by Appointment dress - if this was floor length, then it would have been a game changer 

Model of the Moment

 
Introducing this week's Model of the Moment... Hayley

Keep a look out for everything she gets up to over on our Instagram and also check back here to see our quick-fire interview.



Friday 24 February 2017

Noush


 

Behind the scenes look at Noush's bridal fitting today in Chelsea


Burberry's Makers House

 
Burberry's Makers House - their pop-up show space that drew over 20,000 visitors back in September is back to showcase their latest collection. Inspired by renowned British sculptor, Henry Moore, the exhibition includes some of Moore's most famous sculptures alongside his models and maquettes.

 
 The exhibition itself is held over two floors and is home to the Spring Summer 2017 collection and the thought process and inspiration behind the runway show.

On the ground floor, you will find the runway presentation alongside a poster gallery of Moore's exhibition posters from around the world, spanning 60 years. As you make your way through to the next room, this is where the collection is held. Two separate spaces - one holds the 78 capes that were featured on the runway and inspired by the scale and form of Moore's sculpture. The other space, holds all the looks - both menswear and womenswear - from the SS17 collection. 

 
 As you make your way upstairs this is where you get to see the inspiration of the collection. Towards the back of the space, there is the Burberry Inspiration Room. Here you get a real glimpse of how the collection is put together - fabric swatches, sketches, toiles and polaroids - the attention to detail that Christopher Bailey goes to will leave you in awe.
 

 
The collection itself, was unlike any previous Burberry collection. A feminine, poetic and classy collection, that felt softer and more unique than past collections. Cable knits, extravagant shirting, lace dresses, Moore's inspiration was evident.

 
Open until Monday 27th February, it's a must-see. Not just for the collection but for everything that goes into the collection. If you're stuck for things to do this weekend, the head down to Soho and be prepared to be amazed.
 

Thursday 23 February 2017

BRIT Awards 2017 Red Carpet

Just like every award show out there, we just have to bring you our best dressed. Last night the British version of the Grammy's, the BRIT's took place at the O2 areana. British music's biggest stars came out in force to celebrate another year of great music. 

And looking at the red carpet photos, we hate to say but there appears to be more worst dressed than best dressed. But, here are our best dressed. And you will see that there is a metallic theme going on.

 
Abbey Clancy in Haider Ackermann

 
Holly Willoughby in Suzanne Neville

 
Ellie Goulding in Philipp Plein

 
Katy Perry in Versace - we love the dress but not sure on the hair and make-up...

 
Mollie King in a Natalie & Alanna dress

Halima Aden makes history again

 
Last week we introduced you to Halima Aden. The 19 year-old Somali-American make history by making her runway debut in her hijab for Kanye West's, Yeezy Season 5 show at New York Fashion Week. 

And she's at it again, this time over in Milan. The model has made history again by walking for Alberta Ferretti on the opening day of Milan Fashion Week.


Appearing alongside big name models, Gigi and Bella, Stella Maxwell, Elsa Hosk and Sara Sampaio, the young model fit right in with her supermodel peers.

"Embracing culture and diversity to break the norms and change the thinking of modern-day fashion with Halima Aden," wrote the fashion house over on their Instagram page.

In the past, Milan has been known to lack diversity and women of colour, so to see Aden make her debut in her hijab is a sure sign that the industry is making a change. Other shows in New York and London have also stepped it up. Michael Kors, CHristian Sirianio, Chromat and Tome all featured plus-size models within their shows and over in London, Simone Rocha, cast models of all ages - including 70 year-old, Jan de Villeneuve. 

Finally, we're seeing more and more diversity from designers and on the catwalks.


MODELS WANTED

 

OUR BOOKS ARE OPEN

We're looking for sizes 8-24, all you need is to be is in proportion!

If you think you've got what it takes to be a fit model, send us your measurements and images to studio@fittingsdivision.co.uk

If you're unsure on how to correctly measure yourself, have a look at our measuring guide here

Wednesday 22 February 2017

First Transgender Doll

 
The Tonner Doll Company, founded by Robert Tonner in 1991 has been creating the best and most fashionable dolls ever to be found. Designers Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren and Oscar de la Renta - to name a few - have all dressed Tonner dolls.

With their latest doll, they've done something they've never done before, nor has any other doll maker. They've made the world's first transgender doll.

Based on transgender teen advocate Jazz Jennings - one of the youngest people to be documented as transgender - the doll was designed and sculpted by the founder, Robert Tonner himself.

"Jazz stands for everything I respect from a human nature point of view," Tonner said. "She's incredibly brave, intelligent, warmhearted and creative."

Instead of being marketed to their adult market, the company is selling the doll to children. Available in two outfits, the doll comes in an identical outfit to Jazz's on the cover of her memoir, 'Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen" and the other is a sparkling white ballerina dress suited for any glam occasion.

 "I hope that it can place transgender people in a positive light by showing that we are just like all other people," Jazz said.

The dolls will be available to purchase in July.
 

Purple is the new Pink

Every season there is the one stand-out colour that almost every designer has incorporating into their collection. Spring Summer 17, the colour of the season was pink. Céline, Valentino, Balenciaga and Topshop brought us all shades of pink, with fuschia being the go-to. You couldn't go wrong as long as you were wearing pink.

 But as usual, from season to season, trend forecasters and designers like to switch it up and this time is now different. From what we have seen so far from the Autumn Winter 17 shows, purple is the new pink.

A sign of power, royalty and wealth - shades of lavendar, lilac and mauve are all you should be wearing come Fall.
 
Here are some of the best from AW17 so far.

Mary Katrantzou
 

Anya Hindmarch
 

Marchesa
 

Mulberry
 

 

Christopher Kane
 

 

Erdem
 

Interview: Caitriona Hill

 

 Tell us a little bit about yourself
I'm officially Irish but I've been living in Salzburg, Austria for about 15 years. I own a nail bar in the centre of Salzburg. I employ four people. I'm also a CND Education Ambassador and I am the Austrian Spokesperson for ESSIE L'oreal.

How long have you been within the nail tech industry and who/what inspired you to start?
I started in 2007 - I saw a huge gap in the market and decided to fill it. I rented the smallest shop on the high street - 10sqm - and went from there. I studied Art History and Italian originally, but I'm creative and had retail and project management experience so I knew if I stayed focused, anything was possible.

What's the best part about what you do?
In the salon, it's definitely my team... they are amazing girls and we are all a crew striving for the same goals. I love my customers, when you see someone once a month and have an hour to catch up, hold their hand and make them feel beautiful... well that's just a win, isn't it?
In session work, it's a rush... working and collaborating with creatives is extremely satisfying, big names, big shoots, productions and the satisfaction of the team work is a real buzz!

Why do you think there's been such a rise and demand for nail art in recent years?
I honestly think it's that little bit of creativity that we allow ourselves. You may not be able to dye your hair pink due to work constrictions but hey, you can express your personality simply by extending your fingertips. Nails are the only thing we can admire about ourselves without using a mirror. When your nails are polished, you feel more polished on a whole. They finish the look.

How do you usually come up with fresh ideas - do trends within fashion play a big part of inspiration?
I tend to revert back to my imagination - I don't like to copy or spend hours on Instagram taking from other peoples designs. I find words/moods, think about what they mean to me and sketch. Then when I'm on the right track, you know, it just feels right. I try not to be anyone else.

What are your predictions for the next big trends in nail art?
I think clear polish with embellishments or dried flowers or specks of foils will be big. Clean is back but 'peasant charm' is in. Think soft Neo Romantic...

What are the go-to items you normally use?
For session work, a quick drying polish is key, great tools and my Roo Belt by Marian Newman

You've done nails for big name designers and their shows, how did this come about?
I was lucky enough to be chosen for a groundbreaking online course called Mastered - based in Bethnal Green. Fashion industry icons such as Nick Knight, Sam McKnight, Val Garland and for nails, Marian Newman, handpicked students to mentor. That catapulted my career. I could learn from a master in minutes, what had taken them years to perfect. By doing Mastered, I began to be taken seriously by agencies, brands and peers.

Most memorable job?
Painting Helena Christensen's nails for an Airfield campaign. She was one of my first session jobs and the CMO of Airfield is a client of mine. She trusted me and made me part of the team. I got to work with the hair titan, John Vial and Trine Skjoth MUA and photographer, Lado Alexi. That was epic. She really could not have been nicer to me. My hands were shaking... I mean, she's an original supermodel. Wow!

If you could paint anyone's nails, who would it be and why?
Gosh, I don't really have an answer to that... can I say George Clooney?!
I'd love to do Jennifer Lopez' digits, but I just worked Versus Versace at LFW. Gigi and Bella Hadid were there and that was certainly a buzz. Now I'm off to Milan to do Gucci, so who knows.

If you had to wear one nail varnish for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
I'd go for red... it's a signature classic. You can never go wrong - unless you're wearing brown.. but I don't, so. Red is a statement of confidence, it has to look perfect otherwise it's just a disaster.

 What's your number one tip for someone who's just starting within the industry?
Educate yourself. Really, never stop going on workshops. You will ALWAYS learn something or someone! Success isn't only about your technical ability, infact that's only about 15%. True, you must be good but it's all down to your personality and your drive. Take your career seriously. be proud and don't compromise with products.