Review - Spotlight on Independent Fashion

So... sadly, the Spotlight on Independent Fashion events are over! On Friday and Saturday evening, Sneinton Market was full of creativity and inspiration! Where do I begin!? To start off the event, there were many brands set up in various spaces. It was very interesting to see how each of the independent brands used the space to promote their work. I especially liked the use of old mannequins, this fit with the interior of the room that the companies were given. Headcase Headwear was very clever with their promotion and they thought about how they were going to engage with the customers. They had provided free glitter that they were applying to customers faces and they had created a small photo booth for people to have a laugh with the products! (to see the bloggers in action at the Headcase Headwear photoshoot visit @CQnottm on Instagram).

Although it was nice to wander around the mini shops, I have to admit my favourite part of the evening was the catwalk shows where each brand showcased their creations. Below are a few images from each of the shows:

Genius x Flux

Ullr & Skade

The brand Ullr & Skade presented sweatshirts, t-shirts and sweatpants. I really liked this collection because everyone needs casual wear and I love oversized jumpers. I like how although the clothing is casual/minimal, it still looks tasteful and stylish.

Thrift Generation

Cow

One BC, JC Middlebrow, Love Lust and Passion

Laura Worthington 

Urban Avenue, It's Simple and Amy Topham

The collaboration for the last show was a genius. It's Simple and Amy Topham created a catwalk show heavily inspired by Urban Dance. The models strutted in time with the beat of the music and they were brilliant dancers!! This was a great finale for the show and it is definitely one to remember!

I hope you all enjoyed the events and will be joining us this week for the rest of Nottingham Fashion Week!

ONE-BC CATWALK

Following on from my interview with One-BC, I wanted to show you all some more of the amazing outfits that were featured in the catwalk - Dungeon. The show was a collaboration with One-BC, Love, Lust and Passion and JC Middlebrook. To start off their showcase, there was a guitarist that gripped the audience instantly! (To see videos from the show visit @CQnottm on Instagram)

All the models were diverse and fit the theme of the show! They all had a unique look and I thought their hair and make-up was really cool. The brand had also organised for a woman to do kung fu moves up and down the catwalk, I thought this was an innovative idea because it was so different to the other shows.

My favourite outfit by far was the denim skirt shown on the left. The rips in the fabric was really effective and worked well on the catwalk. The movement of the skirt fit in with the music choice and the styling of the rest of the outfit worked really well. 

I will definitely be checking out One-BC more often, their creativity and art direction is inspiring.

Photo Credit - Chloe Ferdinand

NFW X ONE-BC INTERVIEW

One-BC is a bespoke brand who use an "eclectic mix of fabrics". The brand featured at the Spotlight on Independent Fashion catwalk show and I was very impressed!! From the styling, to the model casting and the production, everything was mind blowing! I was intrigued to find out more so went to visit the managers Tony and Reeta. They were both dressed very cool and they represent the brand perfectly! I was lucky enough to interview Reeta Brack who gave me an insight into the brand...

Can you tell us one word to describe your brand?

Rock and Roll

Tell us a bit about One-BC and how it came about?

One BC, how did it start!? It was all purely through Tony really, he started it and I joined later on!

Why did you choose to set up here in Nottingham?

It really was because of my partner in crime, Tony - he was based here and then I came along

What do you like about the fashion scene in Nottingham?

The fashion scene has always been really vibrant, a great place to party, people always love dressing up

What are the inspirations or influences behind the designs?

I think purely it's about people, our client base is so extreme - from bodybuilders to boxers, dancers and rock and roll legends, it's so diverse and that's what keeps us going so you are just inspired continuously and we just love making clothes 

Do you have a favourite piece in the shop?

Hmm a favourite piece.. oh gosh it changes all the time! The favourite piece of mine that we actually did was for the singer Lucy Morrow, the leather suit which took months and months to make and that was the latest one we did. It was inspired by rock and roll and the time that it took to design that, the placement of the embroidery, it was just incredible and because there was so much involved and the client got to watch the whole process, it was amazing

If you could see one celebrity wearing your brand, who would it be?

Err... Madonna is my icon! And Tony's (the founder of One-BC) would be The Rolling Stones but they've been wearing our brand already!

Wow... that's amazing!

Yeah pretty impressive, and Kid Rock has been wearing our stuff as well, there's a long list!

What do you hope to achieve with your brand in the future?

Just to carry on existing really because it's not an easy game and fashions not as glamorous as people see it. We do bespoke clothing so One-BC actually stands for Bespoke Clothing and it's all about the individual, it's about the client and actually creating a unique outfit for them and that's what keeps us interesting. We don't just do tailored suits or wedding dresses, we love working with all different fabrics so from leather to lace to fur and silk and we like doing that because that's what keeps us interested and that's what keeps us going

Yeah the client is the most important thing! Especially now with the obsession of self discovery, people want to wear what they like and the high street doesn't necessarily provide this for those who are more outgoing

Exactly, this is why we have been doing this for over 30 years now and theres not many people who are doing it! I don't know of anybody in the country actually who do what we do and I think it's really unique so that's why our client base comes from all over, not just Nottingham!

Do you have stores anywhere else or just in Nottingham?

No, unfortunately not!

 Is that something you would consider?

I'd love stores all over the place, I mean that is my real ambition! To have One-BC across the world, i'd love that!!

Is there anything that you would like to see happen or change in the future of fashion?

I think people have got their own true identity and people that are really into clothes they know what they like and they know about the fabrics. But for One-BC, there are only two of us doing it so it's really difficult to branch out and be everywhere because you just can't do it so for us, a chance to branch out!

Do you have any advise for aspiring designers?

I think if you've got the passion and you really want to do it, just make sure you get on and do it because it's not easy! But if you have got the right attitude, you will do it! And you do need everyones support as well! Fashion design is one of the hardest courses, and there isn't an answer like maths, so follow your heart!

Thanks to Reeta and Tony - keep doing what you do best!

 Here are some images that I took from the catwalk show, One-BC in action...

NFW X Street Style - Day 1

Today was the first day of the Spotlight on Independent Fashion! These are my favourite outfits from the evening... (thank you to all those who participated, loving the poses!)

Pop down tomorrow, browse the independent brands and get involved by using #Nottmfw!

Photo Credit - Chloe Ferdinand

NFW X URSA MINOR INTERVIEW

Today I went to Cobden Chamber, the heart of Hockley and the Creative Quarter, to interview the owner of Ursa Minor Apparel. Ursa Minor is a quirky shop that stocks a range of unique brands. I was welcomed by Claire who shared her inspirations, thoughts and feelings. To find out more, read our interview below...

Hi Claire, Tell us a bit about Ursa Minor and how it came about?

 Ermm… I’m 38 now and I’ve been doing this kind of thing for a long time, I’ve had a couple of other businesses and I just felt like Nottingham needed it because I remember Nottingham back in the day when it had loads of independence so I thought I would give it a go here!

Could you give us one word to describe Ursa Minor?

 Fun!!

How did you come up with the name of your brand?

 Ursa Minor is more of a shop than a brand, I was going to do my own brand later on but it’s just the name of the shop and it’s the little bear star conciliation which is something that I’m into, astrology and symbolism and all that sort of thing. And my name is Claire, so it’s Claire the little bear!

What brands do you stock?

 I stock a lot of big brands like UNIF, TIALS, The Ragged Priest, Long Clothing, Lazy Oaf, The Dudes Factory, Kuccia and Melody Ehsani (I’m the only UK seller for this brand)

What makes you stock these brands in particular?

 They are all big brands that you can get in places like London (apart from Melody Ehsani which is only available here and in America) but they are different, really good quality, have good ethics, they’re fun and just really good brands, I don’t know why Nottingham hasn’t got them already!

 What makes you stand out from other independent stores in Nottingham?

 Unfortunately, the thing that makes me stand out is that I’m one of the only women’s independent shops in all of Nottingham and there isn’t enough!!!

That’s quite shocking!! What do you like about the fashion scene in Nottingham?

 It is varied, its interesting and the people! The art scene that comes into the fashion scene which is nice, through places like Montana. There is a really good vintage fashion scene here, a lot of really good vintage shops so you see people mixing things up a bit which is nice but unfortunately we are over run by high street so the fashion scene is quite tame here whereas I think it could be a lot more fun because of the amount of creative people we have got here

 Tell us about your inspirations?

 In terms of fashion I love self expression rather than following trends, I think people get too tied up into ‘ooh what’s everyone wearing in the magazines, I’ve got to replicate that’ but for me fashion is most fun when it’s just someone expressing themselves and just being crazy! I guess the punk scene, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, those kind of people that aren’t scared to push boundaries, that’s what I love! When you see somebody walking down the street that just doesn’t give a sh*t basically! They are just doing what they want to do and are confident and happy and I’m really supportive of that! I don’t like people that judge in terms on fashion

Do you have a favourite piece in your shop?

 Probably the Ragged Priest Wilson Dress which I’ve been wearing!

 

Photo Credit: Ursa Minor and The Ragged Priest

If there is anyone, who would you like to see wearing any of your clothing?

 That would be different for each brand but I would love to see the people of Nottingham wearing Ursa Minor

Good answer! What do you hope to achieve with Ursa Minor?

 Originally, I wanted to make enough money within 3 years so that I could pass it onto somebody else and get their fresh ideas coming into in and for me to be able to sort of move onto something else. Now, it’s changed a little bit with the dynamics of this space, so it’s sort of hit and miss! Right now, I just want to keep getting people into the shop

What would you like to see happen or change in the future of fashion?

 I think I’ll answer that more specifically towards Nottingham! I’d like more independent stores to open up. I think we have the brilliant courses going on at the universities, we have a great art scene, there is no reason at all why Nottingham cannot be known for becoming more independent in retail. I think the council needs to do a lot to help!

Do you have any advice for aspiring designer’s/shop owners?

 For aspiring designers, I think its really exciting, I think go for it, there are some brilliant courses, don’t be scared, start small! And for people that want to open a shop, question whether it would be better to do it online first! Build up your followers, get loads of people excited about what you’re going to be doing before you take on a shop! If you are going to open up a shop, which was my dream! I wouldn’t stop you, I’d support you, but you need money in the bank!

What are some of the best lessons you have learnt from starting Ursa Minor?

 You can survive on nothing! You have to enjoy what you do, when you start to feel like you’re not enjoying it then it’s time to question what you are going to do!

Perfect! Thank you Claire - see you during NFW!!

For more information about Ursa Minor, visit http://www.ursaminorapparel.co.uk

Come along this weekend to get some inspiration for your wardrobe and remember to hashtag #NottmFW!

Photo Credit - Chloe Ferdinand

NFW X HAYLEY BECKLEY INTERVIEW

Today I interviewed the lovely Hayley Beckley at her studio in Nottingham to have a chat about her brand. Hayley Beckley is a "compulsive maker, discoverer and dreamer" who creates innovative wearable art in the form of jewellery. Her work will be featured in NFW - Spotlight on Independent Fashion and here's a preview of some of her items and the inspiration behind the collection...

Hi Hayley, first question - if you could describe your brand in one word, what would it be?

Ermm.. that’s hard! I would say whimsical

Tell us a bit about your brand and how it came about?

I started out as a costume making and designer and then I did a jewellery and silversmithing degree, so the pieces that I make are kind of a combination of my different backgrounds coming together.

Where did you complete your degree and why did you choose to set up here in Nottingham?

I studied at Birmingham, the school of jewellery. Well I lived here some years ago, and I think it’s a really lovely city, really creative. They have loads of studio spaces and I think I was really looking for somewhere that you could be part of a community, a bit more individual and open minded and I really like it for that reason.

What do you like about the fashion scene in Nottingham and where do you like to shop?

The independent stores, my favourite is Ursa Minor, that is something that needs to be more of a focus in Nottingham – the independent stores, actual venues that people can sell more individual brands on the high street because there obviously are so many brands in Nottingham and they need more of a presence on the high street maybe! But Ursa Minor is a really good one.

Yeah, I agree because there are a lack of shops like that on the highstreet! What are you most looking forward to about Nottingham Fashion Week?

I think because I exhibit my work but I’ve never exhibited it locally, I think it would just be interesting to sort of see the other brands that are around in Nottingham and see where I actually fit in the location that I make my work in rather than take it overseas and show it to other people

Where have you exhibited your work abroad?

I’ve been to Europe, Milan Design Week, Germany, Munich and I did a show in New York last year and I’m about to send work for another show in New York next month!

Wow.. that’s amazing! Talk us through one of your favourite pieces and how you came to create it?

Well… my favourite piece at the moment is the curved double collar. This collection started out from the research that I did for my graduate collection. The collection is called found in the forest and basically, the idea behind them is being more positively connected to your environment so being more sustainable but also the idea that if you escape into the world around you it kind of connects you to your imagination, like getting lost in the forest and finding the history of stories and that kind of thing. That’s the inspiration behind it.

What is the process of making one of these collars?

So I take photos and layer them digitally and have them printed onto silk, and then hand pleat them and sew them together

Hand pleat!? What does that consist of?

Steam set each one and then sew them together! It’s quite labour intensive and repetitive but one of those things that if you get into a habit of it, it becomes quite meditative I think. And then I make all the silver from a recycled silver sheet and I get a bit from my photos and turn that into a vector image and have that machine engraved and then everything else is handmade on the buttons.

I did textiles at school and loved the practical side! You can tell that a lot of work has gone into them!! Are there any places that you visit for inspiration?

Yeah, I really like to be in the country side because that’s where I grew up. I like birds and take a lot of pictures of them flying, but also the V&A and other galleries. But I also get a lot of inspiration from people I think, the way they communicate and stories!  

Who would you most like to see wearing your designs?

For a celebrity I suppose someone like Natasha Khan or Bjork someone’s who’s a performer but also quite individual, magical!

What do you hope to achieve with your brand?

I would really like to position myself so that I’m in between being a fashion brand and a visual artist and so that I don’t have to be boxed in one category, so I can kind of make pieces that are wearable art. I quite like the idea of being able to curate yourself, by what you choose to wear and that’s the first way that you communicate with other people so I would kind of like to make pieces that can be part of someone’s language.

If there is anything, what would you like to see happen or change in the future of fashion?

Yeah, I really don’t like the idea of throwaway fashion or waste! People just buying things seasonally, which is why I make such labour intensive pieces because I want them to be a treasure that people keep for life. So I think I would really like to see, I mean there are so many interesting material innovations… I was reading about someone who has just developed material out of waste pineapple leaves with puma. So yeah, I think more of that – more material innovation and less fast fashion and waste.

Pineapple leaves! That sounds interesting, I’ll have to check that out. Do you have any advice for aspiring designers hoping to start their own brand?

Yeah I think the most important thing is to just experiment and explore what becomes your own visual language, I think that’s what you need to find, something that you love doing and that you feel communicates yourself. I think the strongest brands are where you see someone and you can just see by looking at them that they are their work. So I think if you can find your own voice – that’s the most important!

What are some of the best lessons you’ve learnt from starting your own brand?

I think the best things I’ve done are just saying yes to opportunities that seem frightening because it leads to things that you don’t expect and yeah like travelling to different countries, just taking the opportunities. But then its equally important at some point to learn to say no and not over commit yourself.

Do you have any help with your collections or do you manage the brand yourself?

It is just me on my own! I do sort of sometimes end up with too much to do but its worth pushing yourself!

Exactly, you should always strive for more! What is the future for your brand?

I’m working on these pieces that are about mental health issues and obsessive/compulsive behaviours so I’m trying to translate that into a community project so it would become like a social enterprise for my brand. So that’s the direction I want to go in.

 Thank you Hayley! Good luck in the future and keep in contact!

For more information on the products, visit http://www.hayleybeckley.com

Keep your eyes open for Hayley Beckley accessories on the runway this weekend and remember to hashtag #NottmFW!

Photo Credit - Chloe Ferdinand