FAB EXCLUSIVE: SAMANTHA COLE PRESENTS ‘ABOVE AND BENEATH A DEFINITIVE STRUCTURE’ AW11 AT LONDON FASHION WEEK

Fabulous, fearless and fierce is exactly what Samantha Cole serves to the fashion feast at every single opportunity and her AW11 collection at Vauxhall Fashion Scout during LFW was no different occasion.

Elsewhere in fashion conveyed collections succumbing to the economic uncertainty, while Cole rebelled representing a resurfacing tough woman. This can be reflected in having a Black model from France open her show which Cole explained to be “extremely significant and important to me to have this representation. Likewise Bunmi Koko used Black models in her show when I heard there weren’t many who walked across the board.”

Something we are used to seeing is Cole’s heavy affiliation with the colour black, however this collection was a refreshing awakening to the very cold and dark winters we’ve had and may have to look forward to again which was further reinforced by the strong use of leather, knits and suede.  

Pepper - FAB Fashion Editor & Samantha Cole

Sinem - FAB Editor-In-Chief & Kele Le Roc

The unplanned collection was interestingly inspired by the frontiers of space too. The feminine yet structured composition of leather, knits and suede were made from materials used for making space Astronaut uniforms. “The materials were sent to me from Germany, it was about using fabrics that were not necessary fashion to create the 3D effect, and it was literally going beneath the surface of the leather to create the pieces in collection.” The human etchings on the leather surface showcased innovation and was reminiscent of ancient Aztec. The 3D spiral motif running throughout the collection especially on leggings and dresses was regal and superb.

The Samantha Cole woman explained by Cole “is strong, independent and confident, most of all someone who is not afraid to wear a different style garment without feeling overwhelmed.”  Cole will also show at Arise Africa Fashion Week in Lagos and is certain to serve pure innovation for the discerning Samantha Cole woman in that neck of the woods. 

See the full collection:
Image Credits: SubySinem



Samantha Cole - The Interns



FAB EXCLUSIVE: ZED EYE PRESENTS ECONOMIC ELEGANCE FOR AW11 LONDON FASHION WEEK

Sunday 20th of February was very different to my usual Sunday snooze, worship, Sunday roast and back to to some more snooze. It was a London Fashion Sunday and boy did we work a sweat sprinting from show to show to finally cool off the steam from our heels at the A La Mode off schedule LFW show to see Zed Eye’s AW11 Debut.

Sinem- FAB Editor-in-Chief & Zed Eye

Zed Eye presented us with just what to wear for the coming chill with a 20s, 30s and 50s inspired theme collection. The collection was easy on the eye, understated but ultra-chic sticking to a no fuss palette of blue hues. With a variety of retro cut dresses, nicely fitting trousers and elegantly shaped capes, Zed Eye explained; “I wanted to create a collection that was accessible, easy to wear and on point.”

Not the only designer with current affairs on her mind, without compromising elegance it was her desire to design economical pieces which can be seen in the use easy to clean fabrics and fake furs. “You do not have to spend so much to wear something that is classic, chic and clean likewise with the hair if you don’t have money to buy a long weave you can buy a short weave or cut your hair short”. Zed Eye will be showing VOL 2 of the collection at the Arise Africa Fashion Week in Lagos, it will be her first ever fashion showing in her homeland, but we doubt if she will shy away from presenting us practical dressing for warmer climates. We look forward to it!

Here goes the full collection:
Image Credits: SubySinem

VFS/LFW BUNMI KOKO & SAMANTHA COLE & ZIAD GHANEM

Bunmi Koko AW11 edit from VAUXHALL FASHION SCOUT on Vimeo.



Ziad Ghanem AW11 edit from VAUXHALL FASHION SCOUT on Vimeo.

And here are our takes:

FAB EXCLUSIVE: BUNMI KOKO PRESENTS KALEIDOSCOPIA AW11 AT LONDON FASHION WEEK

Since her debut at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout in 2010, new luxury womenswear brand Bunmi Koko has hit the ground running returning to VHS with her new AW11 ‘Kaleidoscopia’ collection. BuNmi Koko shone the light on the fash pack yesterday evening with outstanding, colourful 3D geometric print dresses, conspicuous, block coloured coats, suits and patent leather separates. The collection’s unusual combination of reflective textiles like the chiffon, patent leather, wool jersey and sequins looks were impressive.

Nigerian born designer Bunmi Koko explained “the collection was inspired by the origins and discoveries of light, taking futuristic and scientific undertones through the use of optical illusions to create the beautiful images you see in the prints”. From stars that light up the sky to optical phenomena’s such as rainbows and comets, this seasons collection reflects the discoveries of light that were found through using a glass prism. When asked what the FAB thing about being African and Black was to Bunmi she answered; ‘our use of colour, I grew up in Nigeria and I love that we are so bold with colours.” No surprise then that the electromagnetic spectrum evidently formed the palette of the collection with hyper orange, ultra violet, fuchsia and blue balanced by black and aubergine, cleverly designed in the brilliant kaleidoscope print dresses.

Sinem FAB Editor-In-Chief, Bunmi Koko and Pepper FAB Fashion Editor 

Domineering, feminine and intelligent is the ‘Kaleidoscopia’ collection for the Bunmi Koko woman Bunmi described as ‘confident, strong, wants to stand out in a crowd and knows what she wants without following trends”.

With a string of successes since launching in 2009, Bunmi’s ultimate goal is to blossom into a large luxury lifestyle brand sold worldwide. Before that she may have to work on the future Princesses wedding gown after being interviewed by ITV on how she would dress Kate Middleton on her wedding day. So Bunmi Koko Bridal Wear…you saw it here first.

View the full Kaleidoscopia Collection below:

 

Image Credits: SubySinem