CSM BA Fashion Design Group project; Black heels by Office; FDM – Hester Kitchen, Victoria Kwong; Fashion Print – Catherine Gertner, Paula Kim; Fashion Knit – Hye Sun Choi, Gyu Won Do , FCP – Marcella Saads, Derek Ho;

Don’t look at me, I have no idea how I ended up ‘modelling’ (used in the loosest form possible – if I’m a model, a pillow would be one too) either – clearly Gyu was desperate. Remember Gyu, the CSM knitwear student I visited in June? Time flies! I’ve known her since before Foundation and now this is her collaboration project in her Second Year (with BA Fashion Communication, BA Fashion Print & BA Fashion Design students). The inspiration for the pieces was the myriad that is the CSM Charing Cross campus, and a story of a new girl getting lost. This girl, Ariadne, finds a red thread that leads her to a mysterious room and ends up living there for the rest of her life. The ‘red thread’ refers to the colour of the corridor floors. The patterns and prints are based on photomanipulated images of the room (actually exists apparently), notably the carpet, and the ‘face’ of Ariadne.

Usually I find that students’ garments incredibly fragile but the knit, print, and panelling skills on the four outfits were impeccable – sophisticated enough to go straight to market. Being around the team through the fitting, photoshoots, last alterations and the line-up at the final crit I really really got to experience how much work goes into a collection, not to mention team tension and shared responsibilities… They basically created a brand – tags, website, press release, packaging…the whole shebang… in about 5 weeks. Now I want to study again, this time properly.

Disclaimer: there is no mad old lady, living in a room in the CSM Charing Cross building.

A few weeks ago I made this small day trip to Paris – some might’ve heard the racket outside your window, that was me twittering on my way to the airport in the morning, so early you’d have mistaken it for a night alley cat giggling. Vente Privee so kindly invited me for a tour of their headquarters in Paris, with the whole trip packaged like a secret mission which I was to fulfil as an agent. The small box I received at the briefing contained a miniature plane, so to the airport it was. Vente Privee, a brand probably most familiar to my French readers, is apparently the pioneer and leader of online sales events, first before everyone decided to open member-exclusive sales for discounted luxury brands for a limited time. Well, here’s a few snaps from my visit! (Feel free to skip this post if you’re not much for a scrolling marathon – again, here’s an exit link)

Atmosphere

Huge, correction: humongous HQ building with major contemporary art pieces (including the King Kong sculpture by David Mach and portraits of the Queen & Kate Moss [not of together, duh]) hogging every corner. Not uploading any for the sake of not getting sued over copyright blablas. Legals terms I know not. In the hallways there were hangers and hangers of product to be photographed, yet these weren’t just clothes – BBQ machines, school stationery and even Jacuzzi’s… apparently they even sold cars and apartments in the past. I’d like to say that to someone someday: I bought this flat at an online sale.

Sound Studios

Talk about DIY – Vente-Privee do all sound, motion, concept design for the products that go on sale in the site. Each sale is individually photographed – editorial and product pics; a 3 minute-long trailer is also made in-house to suit the sale. All sounds are created in the 6 studios managed by Jean-Reol Bonnerave.

Motion Design Team

3D, animation, cartoon, film editing, CG… everything motion, treated in the Motion Design studios. (Above: Marielle Devoyon, manager)

The Photoshoot Village

My favourite part, naturally. The photo department was in a whole other building – housing nearly 40 photo studios and one very sexy room full of big cameras and studio equipments – all the photoshoots for the products happen here. Everything that goes on the website is shot and edited in the premises, which I found was very clever as it does keep a solid consistency in quality. (Above: Keelin Tassy, manager)

Webdesign Team

The most familiar setting for me, the WebDesign studios. They deal with the aesthetics of the site, including the site’s ‘door’ theme that changes every month. Right now I believe they have polarbears in Central Park NY…? Always lighthearted and featuring an animal of some sort! (Above: Emilie Veillon, manager)

Jacket – Courtesy of H! by Henry Holland, Sweater – Topshop, Shirt as Dress – AA, Riding Pants – AA, Shoes – Zara, Bag, Belt – Jin Yoo 103684

Overall I must say I was immensely impressed by the work atmosphere and how so many talents are housed under one roof. It’s a bit like that one loft building in Shoreditch where all the artists, actors and designers supposedly live, flat next to another… a bit more purple lighting in this case. It really does make a huge difference seeing what happens behind the scenes in a company, makes you realize how much work is put in for the things we always take for granted.

Apologies for the long post – if you made it down here you deserve a pot roast, or a BIG TASTY carrot for the vegetarians. Thank you always for reading what I’m up to. xx

Thank you Vente Privee for having me over and Simona Saccà for taking me around the entire day!

Jacket – Quiksilver, Sweater – Gmarket, Necklace – Courtesy of Jennifer Loiselle, Sheer tunic – Zara, Leather pants – ASOS, Shoes – H&M

Jennifer Loiselle (Photos from her etsy store)

It seems that only when I’m literally walking out the door I’m able to catch the postman before he scribbles a We Missed You card and vanishes… he really can’t miss me enough to wait 30 damn seconds for the power-sprint from door phone to the door. If this was a relationship I’d be researching numbers for a freelance assassin, I tell you. The package was such a pleasant surprise though, containing two of Jennifer Loiselle‘s perspex necklace/headband designs that I’d seen in Susie’s post not a year ago. The designs are right up my alley – bold necklace that doesn’t require any intuitive jewellery layering skills (that I haz not), and can be worn on head or neck. Apart from the fact that the spikey number is a bit lethal and I’m a little afraid to mount it on my head, they’re a perfect addition to the family (Cow says hi). Thank you Jennifer!

On a separate note, I’m pretty sure in a few more weeks of this slush snow London will be looking to purchase a giant bottle of Head & Shoulders for dandruff control. Oh yes, I remember, last year they had to buy emergency salt from Spain because of said ‘snow’. Krakow has knee-high snow, I hear, and life goes on. LEARN, LONDON.

Thank you Kit for the photos!

From top: Sophie Gittins shoes, Dresses by Elise Berger, Rings by Jacey Withers, Lilifi bag, Paul & Joe floral sandals, Sophie Gittins footwear, DLUX leather jackets, TBA silk shorts, Bralet by Amber Sakai

Some favourites from h.pr‘s latest: Borne by Elise Berger’s jersey millefoile dresses, pastel-coloured buttersoft leather jackets from DLUX, ‘gator backpack by Lilifi, footwear basics by Sophie Gittins, and last but not least, Maggie the cuddleface French bulldog that stole the show.

Thank you lovely Harriet for having me over, but dangling Maggie in front of a dogless doglover (ME) was so so cruel… …but thank you Leonie for coming along and helping me smuggle her out.

I WISH.

Jacket – Courtesy of H! by Henry Holland for Debenhams, Black shirt with back-hole – ASOS, Orange top – La Moxie, Scarf – FCUK, Jeans – Uniqlo, Boots – Zara

Leave it to my brother to book things way early in advance – he’s got paranoia-duty in my family and is infamous for backup plans ranging from B-Z and travelling with one too many papers to prove that he is indeed who he is. Alright, I guess he’s not that bad since we both found ourselves severely broke this month, but he’d bought a pair of tickets to the Tennis ATP Finals live at the O2 area a few months ago, along with his weekend ticket to London (erasmus in Spain at the moment). I’ve never experienced anything like that, to tell the truth, it was exhilarating walking into the arena – full to the brim with thousands and thousands. Thankfully, the gentlemanly nature of tennis seems to plant a somewhat civilized behaviour in the said army of onlookers and apart from the occasional GO ANDY (Roddick) I LOVE YOU it was such a pleasant crowd experience. Who knew a tennis match would rekindle my (lost?) hope for civil manners? A roar of clapping never sounded so gentle and encouraging.