And so it’s more the footwear that struck me with this cruise collection lookbook but I thought I’d share the rest for your perusal?

H&M Cruise collection will be available online from January 19, 2012.

What do you think of the H&M/Versace collabo?

You may remember I attended another event run by the label, most well known as a fab concession in Topshop, and was invited back to view the winter collection whilst nibbling on cupcakes and canapés.

Whilst browsing the collection (snaps below) I did my usual nerdy knitwear check, went straight for the label and was delighted. Before I explain why I should mention that ever since my sister pointed out that acrylic is the reason my knitwear lasted one wash before turning raggedy and bobbly, I’ve become very frustrated to find it nearly everywhere on the high street.

Sure it’s a recession and they need to find cheaper materials to make clothes but come on! It is a recession and I can’t afford to spend money on clothes that will fall apart. No matter how stylish they look.

So, anti-acrylic rant aside, it was with great delight that my label check on the Yuki / Miwa knitwear showed only wool blends, and of the softest kind too. Really beautiful to the touch which in one sense is unsurprising given the designer’s (Karen Hong) background in textiles. She really does pick the prettiest fabrics!

Other highlights included some sparkly sequin knits (in mustard too!), bold monochrome cardigans and some very decorative beadwork. See below

I was privileged to be invited to take a sneak peak at the new Yuki Tokyo AW2011 collection and get an exclusive look at their new line Miwa. Topshop fans should be familiar with Yuki who have a very successful concession there.

The Yuki offices are actually not far from Topshop Oxford Street so I took a quick trip up to the West End to meet the lovely ladies who took us through the new collection.

Shortly after taking a browse, Karen the designer arrived and we had a lovely conversation with her about how she started a Yuki and what she’s been up to discovering a few interesting facts or 3:

1. Karen started off working with textiles before launching her fashion range. Evident in the collection which features so many gorgeous patterns.
2. Yuki landed in Topshop after a buyer walked past Karen’s shop on Great Portland Street and spotted something she liked in the window. The rest as they say is history
3. She names the popular dresses after the ladies in her team. Awww

Anyway here’s a glimpse at a few of my favourite pieces:

A big thanks to Priya and the team for inviting me and I also had the great pleasure of meeting Fashion Blogger Blah Blah Becky! Check her out… she’s all over London Fashion Week so lots to keep you entertained.

I think it’s quite a daring move when most labels are trying to go sexy, irreverant, ethereal, dark and twisted or fun and flirty but is anyone really capturing the girl who loves outer glam but doesn’t feel the need to mask her inner geek… if that’s what Lanvin are saying here then I’m totally sold.

Entertaining and swoon-worthy in 1:01.

Anyway to add to my eagerness I came across this gorgeous ASOS shoot for their summer swimwear collection featuring this natural beauty. Can anybody name her? I think she’s fab!

Photographer – Hasse Nielsen

And don’t you just love the title for this new season… Gallery of Poems. That sense of whimsical romance isn’t normally associated with such bold prints so I’m glad Vlisco have shown that it can work so wonderfully here.

*OK, OK I googled that. Darn it, why can’t I speak French?

I have to get that mustard dress, all of the black dresses, the shoes… *sigh* Roll on November 23rd!!!

The price range seems to start at £7.99 for a lipstick and goes up to £149.99 for some of the dresses.

PS I have no idea when I started saying Sweet Marmalade… I blame Lanvin

Eniola describes this collection below:

…The Afropolitan Collection is riding on a new wave of blossoming talent and creativity that has again taken hold of Africa.

During the 1970s, the influx of Western influences on Nigerian music, ushered in by the great Fela Kuti, helped to reshape Nigeria’s music image. Everything from rock to country music was on full display, and imagination and inspiration were set at an all time high.

A more specific source of inspiration for the Afropolitan Collection is the artwork done on Fela Kuti’s album covers. Known as the Father of Lagos Afro Pop Art, Lemi Ghariokwu’s work was as brilliantly colourful, engaging and relevant as it was innovative; easily considered a vital part of that renaissance period.

In today’s modern age, there is a renaissance re-occurring, and the Afropolitan, both as a fashion idea and as a way of life, firmly belongs in it.

Admittedly, armed with only a thimble of knowledge as to the appropriate etiquette for such an event, I ventured over to the Freemason’s Hall in Covent Garden unsure of what to expect at Jasper Garvida’s Spring Summer 2011 show.

There were a variety of fashion bloggers in attendance, I met the lovely ladies behind Chic Mama, Style PA and Park & Cube as we mingled in the Sway Bar before venturing backstage to see Jasper Garvida himself and the rest of the team preparing for the show.

Jasper’s a Central Saint Martin graduate and winner of Sky One’s project catwalk in 2008. I was already a big fan of the harlequin print dresses in his SS 2010 collection so I was quite looking forward to this show, you can see the full collection in the videos below and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.

Armed with my trusty Flip Video I also had the pleasure of catching an interview with Tim Furssedonn of Toni & Guy about the inspiration for the models’ hair which was styled into these cute candyfloss buns. I also brazeningly managed to grab the post-show opinions of two lovely front row guests, one of whom is the writer behind I Am Abi Marvel and the other works for the International Fashion Hub, Runway Passport. See all in the video below, enjoy.

]]> http://www.harlemloves.com/2010/09/the-style-jasper-garvida-ss-2011-show/feed/ 4 http://www.harlemloves.com/2010/09/the-style-accessorize-autumn-winter-2010-campaign/ http://www.harlemloves.com/2010/09/the-style-accessorize-autumn-winter-2010-campaign/#comments Tue, 14 Sep 2010 12:56:03 +0000 Harlem http://www.harlemloves.com/?p=2579 I have to admit I’m not too keen on the idea of camel as one of the “must-have” colours for your winter wardrobe. It just all seemed a bit too blah for me but paired with a few of these bright and shiny accessories and I could come round.

Here’s a little bit of info on the founders and thoughts behind Babylon Cartel:

During the sweltering summer of 2006, a young and innovative clothing line was born onto the gritty streets of Philadelphia, PA. Babylon Cartel burst onto the city of brotherly love’s fashion scene with extremely colorful energy and unique style…

Babylon, from the Hebrew “Babel” is interpreted to mean confusion, and by definition, a cartel is a formal agreement among competitors. The meaning behind “Babylon Cartel” is the joining of the often conflicting and confusing elements of mind, body and soul to work together to originate the most inventive forms.

After enjoying a browse of their gorgeous ranges (Chichia dresses and Bernos tees are my faves) I had the opportunity to ask the lovely Lola to tell me more about herself and the inspiration behind the boutique, and here’s what she had to say:

When I told a childhood friend that I was staring a boutique, she reminded me that when we were younger, I used to sew clothes for my dolls so this seemed like a natural step. It suddenly occurred to me that I hadn’t changed much!

I was born in London, grew up in Lagos until my teens, then moved back to London. Growing up with a mother who wears things like lime green faux crocodile skin shoes and bright geles, you almost have no choice than to become fascinated by fashion. However, I moved away from this fascination and decided to study French at university. I have to admit that I was lured by the opportunity of spending a year in Paris! This turned out to be an early blessing as it was in Paris that I first noticed how people wore African prints in a contemporary style and it got me thinking about Ankara prints like I had never done before. Years later and I have opened an online boutique selling African fashion.

Agnes and Lola is my passion and keeps me inspired beyond 9 to 5. I love the designers and the different ways they use African fabrics, from the Tanzanian khanga to Madagascan raffia. We aim to be a gem of a boutique, providing chic African style with quality service, all the while remaining ethical.

*Sigh* Such enterprising stories never fail to make me happy so an official Love Harlem salute to you Lola

I haven’t really tried the hat and fro combo which she rocks so well. I’m feeling inspired

[via Paris Most Wanted]

With that in mind I went on a little online browse which I thought I’d share with you…

Click Images For Details