As fashion lovers today are more eco-conscious, sustainability has emerged as a buzzword in the sartorial circles. The collaboration between TOBEFRANK & MOLYNEAUX envisions a perfect blend of style and sustainability for people who want them both in their collection.
After being away from PPQ for several seasons, Amy Molyneaux wanted to be back at London Fashion Week and her vision this time was to ensure sustainability at the core of her work. She joined hands with Frankie Phillips from the sustainable fashion brand TOBEFRANK to translate this vision into reality. Together they have created an exemplary collection that proves you can save the earth without compromising style.
A collection that carries forward the legacy of sustainability
TOBEFRANK, as a fashion brand, has always been known for prioritizing sustainability as a part of its existence. It operates through state-of-the-art factories in Turkey, which follow the highest standard to create a collection that is 90% sustainable and uses no virgin materials. TOBEFRANK follows one rule religiously- designing clothing which aligns with the checklist of Innovation, Responsibility and Transparency.
It aims to improve people’s lives by creating wages and development programmes. The second objective is to make the planet a better place, with an innovative mindset towards methods of procurement, production and delivery of clothing. At the same time, the brand wants to ensure profits and prosperity for itself and the artisans it employs.
Creatively-sourced sustainable fabrics and innovative processing techniques
Over the years, TOBEFRANK has been renowned for developing creatively-sourced sustainable fabrics. From recycled cotton and polyester to plastic bottle denim, faux leather patch made from apples, organza from recycled plastics, satin from seeds and chrome free leathers, the brand has devised some incredible ways to come up with eco-friendly fabrics.
Further, it uses innovative processing techniques that go a long way in saving the environment. These include zero water technology washing, dying fabric with weeds, herbs, and tea bags, and vegetable dyed leather.
Sustainable collection that achieves sartorial goals as well
As a part of its initiative to popularize sustainable fashion, TOBEFRANK & MOLYNEAUX has come up with an amazing collection. The silhouettes are mainly comprised of Elizabethan-inspired high necks, which take high cut playsuits and tailored monochrome one pieces to the next level.
Other elements that are worth-mentioning include organza created from recycled plastic, recycled lace trims and chiffon cocktail dresses crafted from spun left-over cotton husk. The collection presents recycled wool coats in dual tone with off white and black and embellished with recycled buttons.
TOBEFRANK & MOLYNEAUX’s collection is a true inspiration for those who want to embrace style while saving the planet!
Braun India Fashion Week London is a platform which brings together renowned and upcoming British, Asian, and Indian designers from across the world. The event was launched by Bhumika & Jyoti whose designs showcased opulent shades of cream and gold lehengas, capes and dresses with intricate gold work. Next up was BiBi London fashion house which had a versatile collection of florals in deep wintery colours designed by several designers. The event also welcomed new comers like Intri Printi and J’Adore Adorn who walked the ramp with finesse. Their first collection was vibrant and decorated with traditional and modern embellishments and embroideries. The show was concluded by Abha Choudhary, Ashok Maanay and Studio AV. Abha’s ‘Suhaag’ collection, bridal couture was inspired by rich Indian cultural elements.
I attended day 2 of the fashion week. The day began with designer Svetlana Casper showcasing her Eclipse collection with modish free flowing printed designs in black and white which was followed by elegant creations of bold lehengas by Valour Rose. The final catwalk showcased stunning designs from the Varna Collection inspired by the royals rolled out by Ravita Mayor which was flaunted by her showstopper, James Lee Taylor. Next was AlpaReena whose designs were an infusion of traditional and contemporary styles which was then followed by the grand finale designer Rocky S. He is a renowned designer who has designed outfits for Paris Hilton, Beyonce and the Pussy cat dolls. The collection represented the bold and fierce modern woman through an exclusive range of rich prints and hues. The runway exhibited majestic and warm colours like emerald green, gold, pinks reds and dark purple. The best part of the fashion week was how each designer added a twist to the traditional Indian wear either by incorporating waistcoats, turbans, capes or belts. Also, smokey eyes and nude or red lips were popular among models. The overall show was glamorous, and the bold patterns, and contemporary collection didn’t fail to impress me.
Who was your favourite designer? Let me know in the comments below.
In honour of my love for the orange palette, I decided to write a post on a classic autumn ensemble which celebrates orangey hues. As you can see in the picture, I have teamed a deep orange top with cropped white jeans. A pair of white flats with cut-work detailing and white Michael Kors tote complete my ensemble. The outfit creates a chic, casual look which is great for daytime and evening outings. The makeup, though subtle, has a pop of colour on the lips, which adds a dose of glamour to the overall look.
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As always, February is a very cold month in London and it was much more windy that I had anticipated (you will see what I mean as you see my #ootd pictures!) so it was important that I stay fashionable and cosy.
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Having been more fashion conscious than practical and walking around in heels on the first day of London Fashion Week, I was ready to give my aching feet a well-deserved rest. I was so glad that I had remembered to pack my flat Aldo shoes! I always make sure that I pack at least one pair of flat shoes when I travel, especially when I am going to be on my feet all day long. London is all about walking, whenever I travel to London I love taking lazy strolls around, its such a place that you never grow out of it. The day started out rather pleasant, but ended with buckets on rain. In fact, I had to duck into a hotel for lunch to simply find some cover. 
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Day 3
We visited the London Bridge, Westminster Abbey and finally, Tate Britain. Strolling around the galleries is definitely one of my favourite things to do in London. This day definitely reminded me of my love for London – it is one of my favourite cities in the world and a place where I truly feel at home. I can’t wait to be back!
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In case you missed it here is a round up of all the London fashion week shows I attended.
For this collection, Gabriel Vielma sought his inspiration from the soothing waters of the sea – think vintage sailor imagery, navigation maps, aquatic flora and fauna, and the infamous Wes Anderson movie titled ‘The Life Aquatic.’
The collection features a pleasant mix of warm and cool shades, like saffron, khaki, deep blue and black, underpinned by ocean-inspired glittery socks worn with leather sandals. Suede was definitely the standout fabric for this collection and featured heavily on outwear pieces, in combination with sailor braids, as well as nautical knots on dresses and tops. Seabirds circling the ocean were the most prominent motifs, followed by the contours of navigation maps.
This collection combined the elegance of Victorian romance with darker nuances of enticing Gothic culture. The clothing was initially inspired by a gothic novel but somewhere down the line, Tim Walker’s photography further nuanced the designers’ approach. In a certain sense, Three Floor’s “Curious Labyrinth” combined conflicting principles of aesthetics to create outfits that were in my opinion, quite striking and wearable.
It’s very interesting how Tai chooses to set himself apart from the mainstream by creating clothes exclusively for the unconventional woman of today. Perhaps his own personality – self-proclaimed bookworm and awkward lad that he is – propelled him to foray into the fashion world with his unique, innovative aesthetics. His work won him the inaugural Chloe award at the 2012 Hyères Festival when he first debuted his collection. He then received sponsorship from his Mercedes-Benz and well, the rest is history. Over the past 4 years, he has won many awards and much attention for his quirky clothing at various forums.
Today, Tai enjoys a cult following of people who can’t be bothered with a long list of fashion norms and conventional trends. His collection at the LFW 2016 appealed to the sensibilities of these very people. It projected the “steventai girl” as one who “feels tired before the party starts” and just wants to “curl up before her Netflix”. Thus, his apparel used fabrics and textures associated with “granny clothes”. Corduroys in soft shades, voluminous, comfy silks and patchwork detailing were used generously used to fashion outfits that were nerdy yet edgy.
His collection was a breath of fresh air in the midst of high couture creations that were predominantly “contemporary chic”. I may not have a Steven Tai creation right now but I totally get his appeal. What do you have to say about his nonconformist style?
I was mighty impressed on seeing their work and decided to dig a little deeper. The Sutradhar sisters graduated from the London College of Fashion in June 2013, where they were awarded two prestigious awards – the Fashion Innovation Award and the ISKO™ Denim Diffusion Award – for their womens wear collection. Their creations also had them poised as semi-finalists at the H&M Design Awards 2014 and winners of a Special Jury Prize at the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers 2014. And look where they are today – with their apparel being showcased at the LFS 2016! What a journey.
As far as their Autumn/Fall collection is concerned, it was themed upon the spirit of exploration. The Miuniku collection was inspired by the notion of explorers’ diagrams and eye for organic details. Geological patterns and motifs such as waves, mountains and uneven lines of sediments and rocks were incorporated into their designs. In keeping with their fascination with everything earthy, Tina and Nikita used primary and dark hues in shades drawn from nature. With an eye to make their clothing functionally appropriate for the quintessential explorer, the collection had a sporty vibe and much utilitarian value. Clean lines, paired with both minimal and maximal elements, created an interesting, wearable wardrobe that any adventurous girl would love to have.
His Autumn/Winter 2016 collection presentation was held at the Elms Lesters Painting Rooms in Soho and there is only one word to describe the venue, the collection and the ambience: striking.
As always, the minimalism of every piece allowed the sheer quality of the craft to shine through, and it was evident that every single piece in this collection was tailored with utmost care and attentiveness. The attention to detail stretched to the hair and makeup as well, which was carefully chosen to create the illusion that the models were ethereal statues rather than human.
Minki Cheng’s primary inspiration was the retro entertainment of his youth and thus featured elements such as anime robots, caricatured warriors and other unearthly motifs. In keeping with his typical style, the colours he used were very vibrant – full of metallic shades and neons – reminding me of disco balls in retro clubs. Oversized jackets, frayed ribboning and frills, dramatic silhouettes and monochromatic, patterned apparels graced his ramp. What I loved about his collection is its attempt to redefine and revaluate the fashion sensibilities of the Modern Woman. Straying away from the path of tried and tested hits, Minki Cheng’s designs challenged the boundaries of regular-wear outfits with much aplomb.
This was actually the guiding principle of Cheng’s design philosophy – to create edgy apparel that matched the non-conformist tendencies of bold, beautiful women. I think he succeeded in executing his vision for I have to say, his designs, though quite experimental, were suitably alluring to make one want them for oneself. I certainly wanted to take many of his creations home. That may not have been possible but I was happy enough to feast my eyes on them too!
Georgia Hardinge’s “Hidden” is inspired by last year’s meteor showers, and attempted to capture the mysterious nature of the universe in her designs. She experimented with lenticular techniques so that stunning illusions and angular revelations gave an intriguing edge to her clothes. Her showcase, which had both a traditional catwalk presentation and a walk-by display of models, was so full of surprises for me. The ramp models paraded outfits very clearly inspired by shooting stars having simple silhouettes in midnight hues of blue, magenta and ivory. For the display that was off the ramp, models clad in her creations stood in between holographic slats with gelled baby hair and French plaits, adding to the inventive vibe.
What I loved about Hardinge’s “Hidden” is the structural innovativeness, which I suspect comes from her deep fascination with architecture and sculpture. Seeing her collection was like watching a magic show – different angles exposed different fabrics, designs and colours, making each garment extremely striking and unique. This avant garde sense of aesthetics and design is really what experimental fashion is all about. And don’t get me wrong, most of her pieces are highly wearable as well – something you could easily sport on a date or an evening out, I am definitely getting my hands on it soon. This combination of conceptual newness and conventional stylistics made “Hidden” one of my favourite collections from the London Fashion Week.
I seriously maintain that you had to be there to understand the brilliance of it, but I hope my second-hand account has aroused your interest as well. Stay tuned for more updates from my LFW 2016 visit!
To drive the point of simplicity home, Edeline made use of pure shapes, clean lines and classic fabrics, resulting in a markedly minimalist collection that exudes warmth and comfort. The silhouettes were mostly relaxed and flowing – oversized overcoats, slouchy pockets and beautiful sweater dresses – but became more fitted in glamorous pieces like printed dresses, gowns and skinny trousers. 
Cream was the most prominent colour in the collection, and was paired with black piping to create effortlessly elegant pieces, while occasional flashes of bold red and deep green infused some colour into the collection in a very understated way.
In just a few short years, Edeline Lee, a graduate from Central Saint Martins and an apprentice with both Alexander McQueen and John Galliano, amongst others, has managed to show the world that she is here to stay. She is known for designing for the woman of tomorrow – is it any wonder that she has been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift or Solage Knowles?
From what I’ve heard, Sid Neigum approaches apparel design with the precision and aesthetic sense of a mathematician. His clothes attempt to find the golden ratio in design, thus emphasizing the nuances of body structure, silhouette and colours. The Fall/Winter collection he showcased here comprised of modern cuts and fabrics, fashioning clothes in both structured and relaxed designs. He used a variety of interesting fabrics including wool, 100 % camel hair, polyurethane and even synthetic blends comprising of 28% metal. Trust me when I say this, seeing his collection was fascinating yet soothing to the eyes. I guess, when someone combines mathematic acumen with a refined design capability, wonderful clothing is created.
What I loved about Neigum’s collection is that the clothes were in the foreground and the sole centre of attention. The models were wearing nude makeup and simple messy buns, and this minimalism ensured you focused on the apparel and nothing else. As far as the clothes go, I can only describe them as chic with an ostensibly contemporary aesthetic. They are the kind of clothes one wouldn’t think twice about wearing on the street. And there’s something about such wearable clothing that I always find to be very impressive. If you can wear what you saw on the ramp off it too, the designer is doing something right!
