Kiwi & Yam

Last month, I attended a fashion and fundraising event organised by Vir2ous Ltd called Fashion Exposed. The annual charity fashion show (and overall event) celebrates the 'Patterns of Culture', a beautiful way of bring all the different art forms together for young people to express their talents like fashion or poetry.

The talent that night was amazing! It was so good to see not only Vir2ous Ltd grow as an events company, but also continue to provide a platform for such electric independent designers. After the showcase, I met up with one of the designers and asked her a few questions, so read on to find out more about ... Kiwi&Yam. 

- Yes you read it right loool 

  

Kiwi and Yam is a London based street wear brand where British multiculturalism meets urban rebellion. I met up with Misi (The Founder) to ask her a few things about the brand !

 Kiwi and Yam, a very strange combination, what's the inspiration behind your brand ?

Lol, Yh it is quite a random mix but there is some method to the madness. The Kiwi represents the vibrancy of the brand whilst the yam represents the raw ethnic edge. The inspiration behind the brand is really just everyday people in London, we all live here happily together but most of us are from a different ethnic background. Kiwi&Yam is a celebration of British multiculturalism, in the form of street wear apparel.

Describe your potential customer?

Someone who isn’t afraid of the new, who sets trends and not follows.

What does heritage mean to you?

It means a lot to me. I am a British born Nigerian and my heritage really plays a big part in who I am today. Not only has it helped broaden my cultural knowledge but also given me a sense of versatility.

Where do you see KIWI & YAM in 3 years time?

Oh wow! In 3 years time I would have liked Kiwi&Yam to be a well established brand preferably stocked in more than one country. I would also like to have opened a flagship store.

Your launching for the first time Friday 13th September, could you please give a hint to Miss Olivia-Zara readers what will be in store?

Well as you have already seen our signature Varsities will be up for grabs, but we will also be releasing pieces from our Urban Rebellion range with is part of our new campaign. (There’s lots going on with that so make sure you look out)

Where are KIWI & YAM stocked?

At the minute it isn’t stocked anyway but you can pre-order by email. It will be available on ASOS marketplace from Friday the 13^th of September.

What advice would you give to people who are trying to break into the industry? Independent designers always say to just be original? But what's your other ingredient to be a success in creating and leading a brand like KIWI & YAM?

I would say don’t wait! Too many if’s and but’s help me back but once I decided to just go for it I started to see results. Also I’d say just follow your instincts, every mistake is a lesson learnt not an opportunity lost. Be innovative and be you!

Remember that they are launching at the end of the week, be sure to follow them on their twitter, facebook , tumblr and Instagram !

Rip The Runway UK 2013 with Amor Magazine

So today; I, along with Sachan, went to the most esteemed and independent event of the AW13 fashion season ... 

Rip the Runway UK presenting ODF Clothing AW13 with Trendset UK.

A background of ODF Clothing: Created in 2007, merging the classic preppy look with contemporary fashion, creating a simple yet effective collections. 

It sticks to the norm as well as challenges and sometimes 'rebel' the strict codes of fashion, yet still staying to to the brand's famous moto "standing in to stand out".

A description by ODF Clothing on their brand "As a company it continues to explore internal qualities to the fashion industry, ranging the business market with fresh ideas and holds intentions of being distinguished for being a unique and talented establishment."

So here is what I caught from the collection. I recently bought a new lense and thought that it should make it's debut at the event, if I say so myself, the photographs didn't look half bad ! Might have to use this lense more often ! lol

 

 

 So as you can see, there are practically any piece for any occasion from their new collection, I'm in love with the neon knit with leather sleeves! Plus did you look at them kids ? - ADORABLE ! In addition, it was lovely to still see the use of print, and colors like deep orange and purple's within the collection. 

Loved what Trendset UK and ODF Clothing produced for this fashion show; technically, it was a TASTER, as the grand #RipTheRunwayUK2013 shall commence in June of this year ... won't say so much about what it is about except, follow @riptherunwayuk, @trendsetuk and @amormagazine for more ;) . Our evening was more a preview, and networking at the same time; yet I still had a smashing time with the Amor team.

x

Anna Dello Russo at H&M | A lesson about fashion

I present to you, the Anna Dello Russo collection at H&M, not too long to wait as October 4th (the day it is available in stores and online) is only around the corner !

photos : vogue.com

I absolutely adore this collection, my favorite pieces have to be the turquoise clutch and travel kit. But then again, I'm in love with the earrings and the bracelets. 

These pieces are just so YUMMY!

What's your favorite?  

And it doesn't end there, Anna Dell Russo has just added music artist to her chic and fabulous resume - check out her lesson in about fashion and you shall be 'cleansed' from your 'sins of deception' loool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXRmWzi2ne4&feature=player_embedded

x

Zara AW12 Collection

Photo's from Look

Here are some of the pieces that I liked from the new Zara collection which are currently in stores and online . I briefly skimmed through the looks whilst visiting the London,Victoria store sometime last week and was amazed with the irresistible collection filled with leather, studs, flashes of leopard print, reds and blues, and of course; peplum. I suggest my fellow Londoners, that we FORGET about summer because the high street stores like H&M/Topshop/Warehouse/River Island New Look and etc are dishing out some styles !!

My favorite has to be the nude studded boots and the red racer back dress. O! And that metal platform heel !!

All in favor of ditching the hope of a summer 2012, lets get ready for Autumn say I? loool

x

River Island AW12

River Island introducing it's AW12 full of that raw edge glamour and also meeting that 'chav' girl ... and the jewels to match

I'm in love with the range of gold chains attached on the clothing, to the studding, lace and trimmings ... very London and chic .. No excuses for us when London Fashion Week commences people !!! :)

My favorite piece out of these right now is the jacket and the blue suede boots. What's Yours?

 

 

   

  

x

Livvyy LOVES : Miss Selfridges SS12

    

Miss Selfridge is going ALL OUT with their collection for this spring /summer with clothing including :

• Retro printed /preppy pants and leggings
• Flashes of Neon colours
• Crop Tops
• Shoe Collection
• Denim Shorts

Prints are big on trend now, and in the pants/leggings department there's a variety of prints ranging from aztec prints to vintage-chain which are HUGE for this season.

Their daring crop -tops (or bralets) are a 'must-have' which will look good underneath a sheer top going out or even dare to wear it with a pair of statement shorts during the day.

It may be cold right now in England, but if you plan on travelling soon to somewhere with some sunshine, or even want to go and buy for later in the year, make sure you head to Miss Selfridge and check out their 'Urban Clash' collection . Also, don't forget to use your student discount !! (20% off)

x

Rihanna For Emporio Armani

Looking shy but still oozing with that sexy appeal, Bajan R&B singer, Rihanna wearing next to nothing (which is not unusual) BUT with a softer face for the SS12 collection for Emporio Armani

Photos : Emporio Armani

This is the second campaign for the brand, modelling underwear and denim

Topshop SS12 - South Pacific

South Pacific SS12 by Topshop is all about:

Express the desert island cool through your wardrobe with Topshop's SS12 colleection 'South Pacific'. To sum up what it consists of ... look no further than below : 

• Hawaiian hibiscus and boombastic patterns on tie-front shirts and hanky-hem skirts, 
• Not a spec' but SPLASH of wild animal print 
• Relaxed T-shirt dresses and cute bralets to match with the fresh and cool chic bodycon numbers( and luxe sportswear)
• And a range acid brights and gold detailing replacing the ordinary plain coloured attire.

 

 

 

My favorite piece from the collection (is not on any of these models but is on the topshop website) has to be the bralets , the mixed animal print bodycon, tunic dress and floral leggings ! 
Ah I can just picture wearing any one of these on a nice cool summers day with something simple / plain .. just to make the one piece more noticeable and stand out (for example: moto printed floral hotpants +plain white boob-tube (or bandeau/ tank top) and brown sandals)
Ok now, enough day-dreaming ... have fun shopping from the collection