Ready to wear to the extreme

New York evokes the old faithful's of Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, but what goes alongside these designers is simplicity, sensibility and most of all wearability. 

This makes me think that the New York fashion industry is very highly consumer driven. 'Design collections that will sell' seems to be the way of thinking. Although Ralph Lauren's A/W 08 collection appears to be a little more ethnic inspired than usual, adopting Mauri-esque detail, and opting for bright orange and purple on heavy wool coats - it's still exceptionally wearable. Vera Wang shows more experimentation with her collection yet apparently an insider said, "That was couture... you should be showing in Paris." Which demonstrates how New York is being perceived in comparison to Paris. 

I think it is a known fact that New York's tone of wearability is vital to everyday dress, and we couldn't survive without it, yet it doesn't, on the whole scream experimentation. In recent years it has become the done thing in London to be a little more out there with your choice in apparel, however New York seems to be safer. Opting for subtle lines the tone appears classic, demure and easy to get along with. I don't  feel however that this really echoes what goes on sub culturally. I feel there is a creative explosion just waiting to pop out. 

Does London have a face?

Following a debate the other day in class as to whether or not London had a fashion identity it was thought by some that we are too scatty over here, and that we have no iconic look. As Paris is famed for chic, New York for simplicity, and Italy for sexy, I agree it can be hard to extract some sort of identity. However I feel that it is this very enigma that bares our identity as a fashion capital.

We are all over the place, gritty, and unpolished, with cosmopolitan looks that don’t make much sense. But I feel London is a breeding ground for innovation. I feel this may well be down to the fact that it is so culturally diverse that inspiration is not hindered. We have so many things available that designer’s can pretty much get their hands on anything. What I love the most about this is that although London is predominantly grey being that it is a concrete jungle covered by overcast sky’s the neon colours worn by the fashion kids of London stand out a mile. It is this contrast that sets London apart. Everything is juxtaposed and chaotic and it works. It is our identity.

Introducing Me

Hello New York

I’m a third year Fashion Journalism student, born and raised in London. Before I went to study Fashion Journalism at university I worked in Fashion PR as a PA gaining first-hand experience of the industry, which was tough as I was thrown in at the deep end. I furthered my experience of London’s fashion industry by working at Look magazine – a weekly fashion magazine. Here I worked on the beauty department where I was in charge of calling in clothes for shoots, and new products to write about. I also assisted on photo shoots. After this I went back to working in Fashion PR for Impulse. This was mostly dealing with accessories, jewellery, handbags, watches, and teen clothing for the Arcadia group.I regularly write an online fashion news column for www.nano-mag.com. This publication is a showcase for those in the fashion and design industry. I recently did my first interview for nano on style director Mohieb Dahabieh who works closely with socialites such as Tamara Beckwith, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and Ivana Trump. This interview will be printed in the upcoming issue of nano. I have also recently been appointed as their fashion editor. Over the course of my degree I have enjoyed interviewing and meeting up and coming designers, photographers and stylists. I find it inspirational to see what new talent has to offer the fashion world.

In the coming months approaching graduation I will be working on my portfolio and aiming to get a few solid pieces published. I very much enjoy feature writing and really getting involved in a subject that I’m covering. I hope, like most journalism students to walk into a regular writing job, but would be just as happy to be a freelance journalist so I could cover a broad range of subjects.

I look forward to getting to know all of you and your work.