ERDEM-ISING MY SKULLCANDYS

Posted by Kasia Hastings, Fashion Intern at Large

My complete look

Back in October as fashion month was coming to a close I ventured East, to Hoxton Art Gallery for my maiden solo mission and the chance to be one of the first to design my own pair of Skullcandy Aviator Edit Headphones. As someone whose look isn’t complete without the day’s appropriate soundtrack, it has been my own personal struggle to get my music to look as a good as it sounds. I have searched for headphones that deliver both on style and quality but to no avail. What is available seems to be either low quality, ugly or just LARGE and mainly directed at men, style vacant men at that. With headphones it seems quality and style are almost mutually exclusive- but why?  Could Skullcandy’s new Aviator Edit be the answer to my prayers? The creatives at Skullcandy have married their high quality headphones, iconic Aviator model and handed over the role of designer to us – YAY.

Music meets art at Hoxton Art Gallery

Firstly I was talked through what I can only describe as an art installation showcasing Skullcandy’s entire range of headphones. I was taken through the evolution of Skullcandy, from skater brand to design conscious market leader. The brand’s Aviator style are perfect for those who create music and dress creatively. The headphones are recording quality and industry standard, they shape up well against their competitors. For any techies out there, their specs include impedance of 33ohms, a sound pressure level of 102db (1mW/500Hz), low distortion (0.05%)and high output ensuring your music sounds great. Skullcandy’s Jay Stevenson explained that, ''Aviators are industry standard, unlike a lot of other headphones of a similar price in the market, Aviators are good enough to create music with''– style and substance sounds good to me.

The Skullcandy family

When it came to my design I reverted straight to my default minimalist black but it seemed a shame 
to waste the design power in my hands and entirely uncreative. So with my head very much still in the
catwalks of New York/London/Milan/Paris I decided to seek inspiration for my edit from one of my favourite
shows, Erdem. With a last minute waver to the gorgeous simplicity of SS13’s monochrome, I thought Erdem’s
dewy palette would make for much more interesting designing. As designer you are able to choose the colour
of the headband, frame, caps and cord of your headphones from Skullcandy’s well selected colour palette.
Channelling my inner reptilian 50s Erdem woman I opted for a white headband, chrome frame, teal- glossy
caps and a pink cord. Once you have finished your edit you are invited to take snap shots of your designs and
share them on Twitter. And what’s more, you can order caps and cords in other colours so you can constantly
update your edit. In 10 days I had my SS13 Erdem Edit Headphones and was ready to walk the streets scoffing
at anyone sporting those bulky plastic headphones of a certain doctor. Now just to get my hands on some
Erdem to complete my look. . . a girl can dream. 

Design your own Skullcandy Aviator Headphones here

My Erdem Edit.

SS13: Our Top 10 Songs from the Catwalk

Posted by Kasia Hastings, Fashion Intern at Large

As fashion month comes to a close it seems that music has never been such an important part of shows. Designers are now keen to make the soundtrack to their collections as hot as the clothes themselves and the fash crowd are as quick to switch on their Shazams and snap up the day's hot show tune as they are to capture its must-have accessory. Designers such as Christopher Kane collaborated with the crème de la crème of the music world this season. Beth Ditto’s live performance at Versus turned the presentation into more of a rock show than fashion and music had similar influence at the Jean Paul Gaultier show which paid tribute to 80's music greats such as David Bowie and Madonna. Bowie also played a part in Raf Simons debut Dior show. Simons used a Schubert piece from The Hunger, Bowie's 1983 vampire film to assert his individual identity at the fashion power house.

Here are our top 10 tracks from New York, London, Milan and Paris...

1. GRIMES – "OBLIVION"
Played at Victoria Beckham + Theyskens Theory

2. NINA SIMONE - "SINNERMAN"

Played at Carven

3. THE GOSSIP - "HEAVY CROSS"

Played at Versus

4. CLIVILLES & COLE – “A DEEPER LOVÉ”

Played at Dsquared2 

5. MONTELL JORDAN - "THIS IS HOW WE DO IT"
Played at Moschino Cheap & Chic

6. CHRIS ISAAK - "WICKED GAMES"
Played at NO.21

7. TOM ODELL - "ANOTHER LOVE"

Played at Burberry Prorsum

8. THE XX - "CHAINED"

Played at Belstaff 

9.  BAT FOR LASHES - "LAURA"

Played at Blugirl

10. FRANZ SCHUBERT - "TRIO IN E-FLAT" (The Hunger Soundtrack)

Played at Dior (Pre-show)

MELI MELO GETS TROPI-COOL FOR SS13

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

On set at Meli Melo SS13

There are worse things to be doing than hanging out at Kensington Roof Gardens on a warm Friday morning in September so when Meli Melo asked me to just that, I was hardly going to refuse was I? But I was also interested to see what the handbag brand beloved of the likes of Olivia Palermo was up to after they arrived at an exciting new creative direction. Meli Melo bags are lovely- very simple and elegant and not covered in the blingtastic branding which can really de-chic the loveliest leather good. But until now they have mostly been about classic navy and tan. As you'll see from my behind-the-scenes images from the SS13 look book shoot (the reason for my being at Kensington Roof Gardens, by the way) there are still those staple shades but interspersed with popping neon and lovely matte snakeskin as well as some fun styles like the camera bag. The brand's creative director and founder is Melissa del Bono, she was hard at work alongside photographer Lisa Linder and stylist Tamara Rothstein on the day of the shoot making sure the new vibe came across just right among the excitable flamencos and jungle greenery. She was kind enough to do this little interview though which sheds some light on Meli Melo's new direction and her general approach to designing fabulous handbags, it's a tough job but someone's gotta do it...

FJAL: Your SS13 collection is quite bold compared to previous collections; can you tell me why you decided to experiment with more colours and prints?

Melissa: In the past I have concentrated on the beauty and grace of the Meli Melo girl but this season I really wanted to embrace their bold sides. I chose colours and prints that empower women, depict confidence and show control and combined these with classic and stylish shapes true to the Meli Melo look.

FJAL: How do you start thinking about a new collection? Do you travel to get inspired?

M: I am always thinking about the next step and what I can add to our collection, inspiration never ends. I have travelled a lot and draw upon my Italian heritage as inspiration too as well as looking at vintage fashion, art and other cultures.

FJAL: Do you look at what other designers are doing? Do you care about trends?

M: No not really.
FJAL: Do you always design with yourself in mind? Like "I need to want to carry this bag"?

M: Yessssss!!! I do that, it comes out of necessity and desire for beautiful things
FJAL: Your SS13 look book shoot was at Kensington Roof Gardens, why did you choose this location?

M: I had been there before for an event and remember thinking "Wow I feel like I am transported into another country"... It has that exotic and warm feel to it which married perfectly with Spring /Summer’s vibes that me and the stylist Tamara Rothstein wanted to achieve.

FJAL: What was the message you wanted to get across with the SS13 shoot?

M: The message I wanted to depict was that our girls can still maintain their strong and powerful personalities without losing their elegance and beauty.
FJAL: Meli Melo has lots famous fans already. Who's the ultimate Meli Melo
girl- whether a celebrity or just a kind of girl you imagine when
you're designing?

M: I epitomize Diane Kruger, she is ultimately so chic and understated, she has this timeless beauty about her which translates in all her dressed down or glam looks.

FJAL: What's next for Meli Melo? Do you think you will ever go beyond bags?

M: I am currently looking to expand my range to include men's bags and develop our children's range further. I think with the constant development of technology a range of various cases and covers for
gadgets and gizmos would be great!

We already have a fab Ipad case that belongs to the Thela family for our Spring/Summer collection next year that will add a touch of glamour to any 21st century girl.

FJAL: What's in your handbag? (see picture)
M: All the essentials really... my Butterfly shaped Celine Sunglasses are a must! I also have my diary with a Mont Blanc pen to keep my busy schedule in tact and my Lancôme Nutrix cream that repairs and instantly brightens my skin which is perfect when I'm rushing to meetings.

What's in Melissa's bag?

Melissa models one of the new bags for SS13

MELI MELO SS13 SHOOT

Breakfast on set

All the bags ready to be shot

Camera bag 

Stylist Tamara perfects the look

Model Shannon strikes a pose