Emerging Talent Steffi Crown

The fashion world is buzzing right now with the main Fashion Weeks still in full swing and the talk of last night's red carpet for the Oscars. I wish I had the time to cover it all on my blog! However, it is also very exciting to discover new talent that is the future of the red carpets and Fashion Weeks to come.

I would therefore like to introduce to you Cypriot born designer Stephania Ayiotou, who has collaborated with textile designer Angela Hooker to create the London based label Steffi Crown. Interestingly, Stephania's background is in film directing, and now she explores the art of storytelling through fashion design. 

The debut collection is full of the most striking prints that adorn beautifully cut dresses, jumpsuits and bikinis. I would love to slip into the silk dress with the tropical underwater world printed all over. The jumpsuit with the abstract jelly fish print is another of my favourites. As well as beautiful sea life, the collection has been inspired by nature in the forms of volcanoes, caves and moonlit landscapes. I have been a huge fan of Angela Hooker's prints since she previously collaborated with Felder Felder, and her textile work for Steffi Crown is very exciting to see. The digital prints have been produced onto various fabrics including silks, lycra, cotton and leather. The silhouettes of the garments also create different effects from a long elegant fishtail dress to the tough look of the collared jumpsuit. 

Steffi Crown has already emerged with great success. For example, Harper's Bazaar awarded the label as "Best Newcomer" and it has been featured as OK magazine's "Favourites". Stars such as Berenice Bejo, lead actress of The Artist, have been seen wearing the exotic designs.

I believe that Steffi Crown is one to watch, and I will be rooting for Stephania and Angela all the way to the top. Take a look at the website stefficrown.com

or follow the brand through Facebook here. 

Love from Lou Lou

Styles at London Fashion Week

There is no denying that the show-goers at Fashion Weeks are becoming as interesting to look at as the catwalk shows themselves. From a styling and photography point of view, the street fashion is my favourite part about London Fashion Week. In fact it looked like at least half the people at Somerset House had fancy cameras in their hands rather than show tickets! I was there before and after Mark Fast's show where I was not only taking photographs, but I was photographed myself several times! I wore my shaggy fur coat with a black maxi skirt which you can see here on Elle Thailand's website. 

It was also fun recognising so many faces including bloggers Susie Bubble (pictured below), Scott Schuhman of The Satorialist and Garance Doré. I spotted a few famous singers too - Marina Diamandis (who I LOVE and photographed below), Molly from The Saturdays (who didn't make the final fashion edit for my blog. Sorry Molly!) and Shingai Shoniwa from The Noisettes (who wore a crazy pink fluffy outfit that looked a bit ridiculous but I still love her!)

As you can see below, there were a lot of amazing creative styles to be seen. Many girls had pastel colours in their hair and there were some stunning prints that really caught my eye. I also noticed some crazy platform shoes which people deserved a medal just for walking in them!

I hope you enjoy looking at my photographs and I'd love to read your comments too.

Love from Lou Lou

Mary Katrantzou I Love You!

Top - Mary Katrantzou for Topshop

Jeans - Topshop

Watch - ASOS

Mary Katrantzou has been one of the most talked about designers for the past couple of seasons at London Fashion Week. Her designs feature the brightest and boldest of digital prints, with beautifully structured silhouettes. The most stylish of celebrities including Keira Knightly and Alexa Chung have been seen making an impact on the red carpet wearing her dresses. It is therefore no wonder that Topshop wanted her to be the next designer to collaborate with. 

The collection was snapped up in a matter of hours - although there will be some of the pieces coming back into stock next week. However, my top was from a different collection also launched yesterday: Topshop 10 Years Supporting British Fashion. Did you know that Topshop sponsor key emerging designers and also offer them a free venue to showcase their collections? It's called the NEWGEN scheme and to celebrate the 10 years since it's launch, previous recipients of NEWGEN have created limited edition t-shirts for only £30. These designers include Erdem, Holly Fulton, Ashish, Christopher Kane and many more. Get your hands on them quickly before they sell out!

I hope you're all having a fabulous weekend,

Love from Lou Lou

New York Fashion Week

Today was the final showing of New York Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2012. It didn't impress me as much as previous seasons, however I still wanted to share with you my favourites. Jason Wu had a Chinese theme which was divided into three parts: Chinese military, Chinese history and Chinese portrayed by twenties/thirties Hollywood which he described as "inauthentic". Marchesa drew inspiration from religious iconography for their beautifully lavish dresses and Prabal Gurung's Uncursed collection had the unusual inspiration of genetically modified blue roses.

I know we are just starting to get excited about Spring, but to be one step ahead of the others, we can now begin to see next Winter's trends emerge. One trend which I'm looking forward to is the oriental look. We can also expect to see tailored outerwear, which will have a military feel. The sixties is the decade that will be the most apparent and will have a french feel about it. 

Now comes the excitement of London Fashion Week - in my opinion the best by far! Like last year, I will be visiting London to take photos of some very stylish people on their way to the shows. Somehow it gives me the feeling that I'm one step closer to attending the catwalk shows myself!

Marchesa

Jenny Packham

Diane von Furstenberg

Jason Wu

Prabal Gurung

Carolina Herrera

Love from Lou Lou

My Fashion Filled Week!

It's been a very busy and exciting week for me so I thought I'd let you know what I've been up to! At the start of the week I met a photographer called Sam Williamson to discuss ideas for some photoshoots. I currently have a portfolio of fashion photography work but now I want to build on a portfolio for my styling work. It would also be great if we could get our photos published so we'll see how it goes. I absolutely love this photograph she took below. Check out her online portfolio here.

The highlight of my week was assisting stylist Lynne McCrossan for the Edinburgh Evening News. I had the pleasure of picking out pieces from Topshop for the shoot which included the trousers, handbag, platform shoes and gold necklace and spiked bracelet in the picture below. 

Eunice from Colours modelling agency

The shoot had a Valentine's chic theme which I loved, and it felt rather glamorous being at Prestonfield House which is an incredibly lavish hotel, originally built for Lord Provost in 1687. It really makes you want to move in and drink cups of tea all day as you lounge by the huge fireplace or doll yourself up in the pink powder room! 

Also this week I made two moodboards for Topshop's trends South Pacific and Spring Equinnox which was really fun to do. I was pretty pleased with the results and if I didn't have to hand them into work I would probably hang them up on my bedroom wall! 

I hope you all had a good week too and if you live in Edinburgh, make sure you pick up a copy of the Evening News tomorrow!

Love from Lou Lou

ASOS Wish List

Click links to buy:

Boucle coat £85

High top trainers £35

Arrow cuff £36

Cat Eye sunglasses £15

Lazer cut clutch £25

Neon pink watch £20

Floral print trousers £40

There are three reasons why I absolutely love ASOS: Firstly, I can save my favourite items to look at anytime; secondly, with my premier membership I get free next day delivery; and thirdly, they do lots of competitions and discount offers. This week you can get 20% off a different ASOS category each day. I also have my fingers crossed that I win my whole wish list in a competition they are running up until tonight. 

This week is going to be a busy one which will include helping style a Valentine's themed shoot for the Edinburgh Evening News (out on Monday); meeting a photographer to discuss ideas for a future collaboration; and creating moodboards for Topshop's trends Boat Race and South Pacific. 

I hope you all have a good week,

Love from Lou Lou