Tag: style report

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Fashion Interview

Timepieces for Everyday

A watch is a statement piece for every mood, for everyday. A style expression of how what the wearer wants to say: Feeling good, wear a  colourful style. Feeling serious, go with a classic style. 

Affordable watch maker The Camden Watch Company of London produces a big range of watches, a style fit for every occasion. Located in the trendy Camden Market District, the brand’s stores cater to a mix of time piece enthusiasts, casual buyers, and celebrities. 

Co-Founder Anneke Short talks to Black and Paper

Why did you decide to produce watches?

I’ve always been in watches since the very start of my career. I studied Jewellery making and design in Switzerland and followed that with an internship with a famous watch and jewellery designer. I started on the jewellery team but was switched to the watch team for a special project and I was hooked.

Jerome Robert, my husband and Co-Founder, is Swiss, it’s a cliché but it’s true – watches are in his blood!

7 Styles for 7 Days 

  • No.29 Type II Steel Navy and Brown

  • No.29 Type II Steel White Dial Brown Leather Strap
  • No.29 Type II Black Steel Black Dial and Black Leather STrap

What is the difference between producing pieces in Japan rather than China?

We use Japanese movements in the majority of our watches (some of our movements are Swiss) simply because of the quality. The majority of Chinese watch movements just don’t have the reliability or level of finish as the Japanese movements do. The Japanese movements that we use provide great quality at a good price point, which is the same ethos as us here at Camden Watch Co.

  • STEEL CASE WITH ROSE GOLD AND SILVER DIAL AND TAN ITALIAN LEATHER STRAP.
  • Victorian Camden Meets Punk Rock Camden

A Swiss Touch 

There is a Swiss component in the Camden Watch Brand, can you elaborate?

Certainly. Jerome, the co-founder is Swiss, born and raised in La Chaux-de-Fonds which really is the watchmaking capital of Switzerland. I studied in Switzerland (also in La Chaux-de-Fonds) and it’s where I began my career as a designer. Having that Swiss background gave us a great understanding of the watch world, especially the high-end, luxury market, and it’s that Swiss knowledge and experience mixed with British flair that makes Camden Watch Co. what it is.  We also have Swiss Quartz movements in our GMT timepieces.  

  • The Camden Watch Company No.24 Mesh, Black and Steel
  • The Camden Watch Company
    No. 27 GMT Rose Gold and Black

Camden, not an area with a classic reputation,  more alternative, does this reflect in the watch styling?

Absolutely. We never wanted to create yet another classic watch brand, they’re ten a penny and boring to boot. We wanted to create a brand with soul, that was inspired by something we love, Camden. A brand that had a personality. Our watches are inspired by the industrial, Victorian heritage of Camden but infused with the modern, alternative Camden of today.

Flagship store for the The Camden Watch Company
31 Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8AH
Also  
The Camden Watch Company – Shoreditch
Unit 8, Boxpark Shoreditch, 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY and

Greenwich Market
2 Greenwich Market, London, SE10 9HZ

The Camden Watch Company

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Fashion

Raf Meets Prada

Eagerly awaited, yet, what happened? In February there was an announcement of a collaboration. Raf Simons’ first collection at Prada with Miuccia Prada.  Looking back, were my expectations too high? Taking into account the circumstances, an audience free presentation during a social distancing fashion week in Milan.  Perhaps the lockdown combined with the global somber mood took its toll on creative energy of the Belgium Designer. The debut collection resembled alien lifeforms uniforms straight from a “Star Trek The Next Generation” episode. The fast recap: The Enterprise comes across another space vessel manned by a society practicing an unusual fashion caste system. 

I found nothing uplifting or inspiring from the 40 looks. The Spring 21 work comes across as a rush job.  Downbeat!  If there was central collective focus, I missed it cause my mouth fell open.  

 The Prada logo, front and centre on the neck for the fashionista selfie to alert everyone what she is wearing. Awkward!   The prints, cut outs, and outerwear, and clutch jackets, minimalistic styles.   All these elements combined gave off a sense of several ideals too many. 

I have no clue how they collaborated, either in person or via Zoom. However, for a debut collection of two heavy hitters in the fashion world, this was let down in some ways.  My question: Is this a case study of how two strong chefs can spoil a soup?

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Fashion

My Highlights from London

The United Kingdom is going through a lot. A government just holding its head above water, under siege on all fronts. Like the rest of the world, Covid has taken a toll on the country. Citizens refusing to understand the gravity of the virus. The Brexit drama continues its tortuous walk to an end of a year climax. 

On the fashion side, London Fashion Week, the smallest of the Big Four events mixed online and live shows. I have always had the opinion the British capital city charts a different course from Milan, Paris, and New York. The ability to make “quirky” work. To take a classic style, then completely transform the look with an edgy print, material, or cut. This is London’s secret as a fashion tolerant city.

My Highlights 

Burberry by Tischi, not a great collection shown in a forest setting. But I liked the solid colors of blues and oranges. The mix of denim on an all weather coat not so much. Save that for the influencers who take 30 selfies a day.

As an American, when I saw Erdem’s collection I though of romantic fantasy from an 18thcentury novel. The story reads, woman meets man on a walk, they fall in love but have others while longing for each other. The long lengths, whites and soft floral prints would be worn by the heroine of the tale. 

I am not familiar LaQuan Smith but better late than never. Street fabulous meets Glam best describes a brand that goes for sex appeal without the guilt.

Halpern decided to feature real front line workers in his presentation. Normally, I am not in favor of “real people” as models. However, his creations were about empowerment merged with optimism. Frilling Pom Pom Dresses and suits made of spirited colors and prints.

Emilia Wickstead’s white sail boat prints, cropped tops and cottons made for delightful collection. I wished I had been there to touch each piece. The complication was the fact each delicate look came across as simple.

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Fashion

Does Fashion Need This?

Is there a need for fashion week? Being fashion enthusiasts we have to ponder this question. I recently spoke to a TV editor. He said, “No way will I attend a fashion show”. As the world continues reeling from Covid 19 the need for a new wardrobe, questionable. September is fashion month. Normally this time of you, packing, invites, calling colleagues about where to meet. Not this time. I got a few live invites, but did not expect many.  

The First of the Big Four Fashion Weeks starts today.

As the numbers of infections increase in France, Italy, and UK, sitting in front row feels a bit oblivious. Bags, shoes, and complete looks to wear in front for a Zoom. The style effect gets lost from the neck down.

So many fashion related business face challenges. Models are no longer booked. Their agencies face closing.  Magazines struggle to fill ad pages. Retailers attached to life support. Customers fearful of loosing jobs, have less discretionary income.

 The future is not clear for all. One certaninty: the fashion industry’s day of reckoinig has arrived.

Stay Tuned for more on this subject.  And of course, Black and Paper will cover the fashion weeks. 

Categories
Fashion

Streetwear Collaboration

Luxury fashion and streetwear brands continue to unite.   What do I think of the Prada-Adidas Collaboration launched today?  Are these worth the price? Stay Tuned for my opinion.

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Fashion

Paris Fashion Week Couture

The New Normal has affected glamour. Nothing has been untouched. The first Paris Fashion Week Couture moved online this season.   I expected straight forward presentations but some brands took inspirations from different sources, producing short films. 

This is an overview of Day 1. 

An added bonus, menswear looks from Hermes. 

https://youtu.be/MSOt2_kUXBg

My  reaction to seeing fashion online.  I am a bit sad.  Part of the fun is attending the shows, soaking in the atmosphere, witnessing the creativity.                               

Is the future of the fashion business online? I am not convinced.  Stay tuned for my video. 

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Fashion

Black Fashion Designers

Harpers Bazaar takes a look at Black Fashion Designers over the years.   

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Fashion

Paris 2020

From France 24 reports on Paris Fashion Week. This year Diversity took centre stage at the bi annual event. 

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Fashion

A New Concept

As the shopping experience changes, so must retail reinvent itself to stay relevant. On a recent visit to Paris I decided to pay a visit to the new Galeries Lafayette on Champs Elysee. The great boulevard’s stores have changed. In the 90’s this former Virgin Records Super Store offered every genre of music. I discovered Senegalese Jazz there. I remember popping listening to the new release wall. 

In 2019, what is a record store?  A question we will ask about department stores.  As taste and consumer needs move forward, retailers need to respond. Galeries Lafayette’s new store borrows from the concept store in a bigger setting. The 3 floor layout features new brands as well as established labels. Concessions and inshore interior changes regularly while avoiding the shelf clutter of traditional stores.  The obvious focus is to keep the buyer curious with a “What’s New” strategy.  

Only in Paris!

Two Cafes and restaurants situated on the first floor and in the basement are designed for being seen as well as attracting the shared space working clientele.   I bought a cafe and pastry then took a seat to check my schedule on my tablet.  

As I have stayed a few times. Department stores continue to feel like a place where our Grandparents went to buy stocking after World War 2. Galeries Lafayette gets a good mark for bringing mass retail into the 21stcentury.  

Galleries Lafayette is located at 60 Avenue des Champs Elysees, Paris

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Fashion

Shoes from Milan #1

Milan Fashion Week is always about shoes. The city with so many designers never disappoints me on presentation visits. Whether a popular name or an up and comer, there are many stylized appealing footwear. 

South American Inspiration from Stuart Weitzman 


Floral and Animal Print from Giuseppe Zanotti 

Traditional Style from Doucals

Glam from Jimmy Choo 

Stay Tuned for more in depth coverage and reviews.