January 2014 |

Thursday, 30 January 2014

SPRING KICK

COAT: C/O Love Label at Very

JEANS: ASOS

TEE: ASOS

SHOES: Aldo

BIRD RINGS: Topshop

PHONE CASE: C/O Bling my Thing

Yesterday evening I attended The Industry’s first event of 2014. The London premier members club for fashion professionals this time welcomed e-commerce titan and CEO of ASOS, Nick Robertson to the floor with Lauretta Roberts, advisor to The Industry and director of global trend forecasting giant WGSN leading the questions. Packed to the rafters at the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design, the event saw the likes of industry specialists flock to the interview, including fashion editors from the Sunday Times Style, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle UK, Vanity Fair, American Vogue and the chairman of Hearst Publishing, Terry Mansfield.

Nick talked us through how he went from packing and organising boxes in a warehouse to an OBE award-winning national treasure – crediting nothing but some strokes of ‘luck’ (and some PR) as his secret. Since starting up in 2000, online e-commerce giant ASOS has exploded onto the scene – and the question on all of our lips was – how did ASOS side-step the crash? Although Nick credited it to luck, he also said it was ‘because we had such little money, we couldn’t really go bust – and my brother had put in half and I couldn’t stand the thought of sitting around the table at Christmas having lost it all.’

Shipping over 80,000 orders a day, to 29.5 million users in 237 countries - the £1billion bulls-eye that Nick has set as his target number is well within close range. And we can’t forget that ASOS also acts as a gateway for smaller businesses - “I don’t want to compete against Amazon,” he says. “Amazon isn’t everyone’s friend because it undercuts other brands,” says Nick. “ASOS isn’t the enemy, we are an enabler. If it’s fashionable and twenty-something year olds want to wear it, why wouldn’t we stock it?”

Understandably the ASOS future is looking SERIOUSLY bright – you’ll-need-your-sunglasses kind of bright, and I for one, can’t wait to see where it goes…

The lovely jewellery designer, Sarah Angold asks a question...

Nick Robertson, the lovely Courtney Blackman and Lauretta Roberts...

All images and quotes are sourced from Forward PR/The Industry

Photography: Sam Atkinson for The Industry

If you’re looking for that luxury handbag this season – that’s got style, is FIERCE in its nature, and looks well, GORGEOUS – I’ve found it for you: HELMER. Presenting a debut collection for Spring/Summer’14 of eight signature bag and accessory styles (each in a different colour-popping exotic hue) the luxury handbag label continues to be inspired by modern globetrotting, and sets to offer ‘the perfect balance between style and functionality.’ Flaunting SS14’s signature trend hues including some sumptuous sugary pastels, there’s no doubt you’ll fall for one of the brand’s delectable shapes. For me? It’s all about the gorgeous pink iconic Jojo bag, and those sweet metallic phone cases…

All images are sourced from B PR/Helmer

If you haven’t checked out the latest ASOS issue (which is available now in print), take a peek at the online giant’s March 2014 cover featuring the actress Brie Larson. A year ago, the 21 Jump Street actress was eBaying her things to make money. Now it’s all about awards, an acclaimed film role, fame and fortune. Wearing an cool ASOS top – customised exclusively for Brie), Ashish Logo Trim Jogging Pants, ASOS Mixed Band Midi Ring Pack, ASOS Jewel Friendship Bracelet and the brand’s Limited Edition Owl Friendship Bracelet. Below the ASOS team finds out more about the cool star…

On almost giving up acting…

“I had this thing…where every time I thought, forget it, I’m not doing it anymore, I’m tired of not feeling good enough, out of the blue, some movie I auditioned for months ago would happen. Something would always pull me back to it, and it would give me just enough confidence to carry on acting.”

On being compared to Jennifer Lawrence…

“I’m a fan of hers, she’s made great movies and I love her as a human being, so I’m not going to complain about that. She also has the most extreme circumstances, she can’t go without being disturbed, and she handles it beautifully…I’d have probably cracked by now.”

On dressing for the red carpet…

“It’s imperative that you feel good when doing that…people would send me clothes, then I’d get my hair and makeup done and feel miserable. For ages, I couldn’t figure out why. But it’s because I felt like some weird painted doll. So now, I like clothes that feel protective…I love design and it’s amazing to me how much bad design is out there.”

On the success of Short Term 12…

“Short Term 12 is a little guy. It doesn’t have any money behind it, or a campaign. It’s got to this purely by people discovering it, and loving it and telling other people. I didn’t think the Gotham award would happen, but then I didn’t think I’d ever be 24…”

All images are sourced from

ASOS PR/ASOS Magazine and photographer Ben Morris.

Oui Madame

SNOOD: Next

COAT: River Island

TEE: River Island

JEANS: Zara

SHOES: FURY London

C/O BACKPACK: Another8

BIRD RINGS: Topshop

The MIX COLLECTION

When Roger Persson's Mix Collection landed in my inbox it certainly caught my attention. Working an edgy luxe vibe with some SERIOUS styling credentials (think chic monochrome with a hit of contemporary neutrals) it's clear Roger Persson and fashion stylists, Sidsel Löyche are worth keeping an eye on...

Hairdresser: Roger Persson

Colourist: Roger Persson

Salon: Cybtekk Hairstudio, Sweden

Photographer: Sam Lindh Grafia

Fashion Stylists: Sidsel Löyche

Make Up Artist: Anna K

Product company: Excellent Edges by Carlstens

For Didit Hediprasetyo’s SS14 Couture collection it was all about mixed structured shapes and sumptuous textures – be it slick leather, sultry peek-a-boo chiffon and chic tweed. The line breathed glamour, with its teeny tiny petite waistlines, full A-line skirts and plunging necklines (not to mention the chic spectacles), but in a purely sophisticated manner. This is a line BORN to be worn in Paris – gleaming under the city lights…