From Campus to Enterprise ‘The Accessory Stand’

mustache double finger ring

Here is an article that was published in the Leeds Student

Establishing your own accessories brand during the final year of your degree would seem a stretch for most students. However, University of Leeds Arts and Design student Eleanor Pead decided to become her own boss in late 2011, setting up ‘The Accessory Stand’. Drawing on her previous experience in the fashion industry working at brands such as Whistles and L.K.Bennett, Eleanor witnessed first-hand customers’ tastes in accessories and her brand has now become a hit with style savvy shoppers.  Attending trade shows, choosing wholesalers and designing accessories is the new routine for Eleanor. Her own personal style is inspiration when creating items: ‘I am my customer’, she comments.

Offering a wide selection of cute hand-made accessories, the must-have items include the double finger crucifix ring and the pastel skull ring, that is perfect for this season’s pastels trend.

The Accessory Stand’s student-friendly prices range from £1 to £5, so if you are searching for a special item to glam up your winter outfit, be sure to check out the Accessory Stand.

Available to purchase at http://theaccessorystand.com

Read this article on the Leeds Student at http://www.leedsstudent.org/2012-02-18/ls2/fashion/from-campus-to-enterprise-the-accessory-stand

 vintage camera ring

 

NYFW: Autumn/Winter Trend Report

Here is an article that was published in the Leeds Student.

Kicking off the first entry of our series of A/W trend reports, Babette Radclyffe-Thomas shows us the sartorial ropes based on the collections of New York Fashion Week. 

New York Fashion Week kicked off the autumn winter collections with glamour, drama and controversy. With a hectic schedule spanning eight days, featuring over ninety shows at the Lincoln Center and 250 shows in locations outside of the city, some of the world’s most talented and distinguished designers revealed their Autumn/Winter 2012-13 collections to an eagerly awaiting audience.

The celebrity-filled front rows receive as much attention as the catwalks and this week didn’t disappoint. Jessica Alba, Anna Wintour and Mick Jagger were all spotted and 95-year old legendary New York fashionista Zelda Kaplan died after passing out on the front row.

In the most talked about show of the week, Marc Jacobs models swanked down the catwalk in oversized ‘mad hatter’ style hats, wrapped in huge shawls held together with large safety pins. Jacob’s has come under fire for using 14-year-old models in his show, breaking the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s (CFDA) regulations regarding the use of  underage models.

Surprisingly, models strolled down the Victoria Beckham catwalk wearing sturdy biker boots in replace of her trademark towering heels, with many designers also abandoning the heel in favour of practical flats. Victoria’s military-style collection featured her signature figure-hugging dresses and even showcased her new gorgeous ‘Harper’ handbag named after her adorable baby girl.

Oriental designs graced many catwalks this fashion week.  Josie Natori turned to Mongolia as her obi belts, kimono tops and glamorous evening-wear reiterated her mark as a ready-to-wear designer. Jason Wu’s luxurious collection looked to China with sophisticated tailoring and Oriental-style detailing for stylish urban chic.

Leather and luxurious details are a key autumn/winter 2012 trend and Alexander Wang’s leather boots matched with shiny oversized knits were an edgy youthful take on the trend. Catwalks everywhere displayed longer hemlines reflecting a 1960s and 1970s influence as shown by Derek Lam’s doily-print dresses matched with smoky eyes.

Michael Kors’ chunky knits and tweed coats showed how to remain stylish next winter, while Marchesa’s voluminous lace dresses provided elegant evening wear. Berry colours in rich luxurious fabrics are must-have for next season, and as the exhilarating New York Fashion Week draws to an extremely apt finale with Ralph Lauren’s British heritage collection, London Fashion Week is sure to be just as exciting and glamorous.

To see the article on the Leeds Student check out: http://www.leedsstudent.org/2012-02-18/ls2/fashion/nyfw-autumnwinter-trend-report