LFW A/W 11 Caramel Rock

Fashion week hit the streets of London last week and again never failed to measure up to expectations. What a colourful event it was with designers like Vivienne Westwood,Belle Sauvage, House of Holland, Marios Schwab,Matthew Williamson and last years fashion week favourite Craig Lawrence gracing us with their personal masterpeices that van goth would envy.To be honest the list could go on and on all the way down a very long catwalk. However, it was this years new edition to fashion week that pulled my strings and that was, Caramel Rock. Caramel Rock, for those who are unaware combines its support for outreach project with its desire for fashion. A unique combination, i know, but do not underestimate the brand because it has all the authority of high end couture and the attitude that screams 'fabulous darling'.

The fashion show for Caramel Rock arrived and like any fashion show, backstage was beautifully caotic. Automatically i had a starring role in the Golden age movie ' Attack of the 50 foot women' except these beautifully and incredibly tall models that surrounded me were no more a danger to me than they were to my self esteem. Note to self fashion week is not for the faint hearted and green is not my colour.

The day was very long and consisted of catwalk run through's, make artists, hair stylists and a wardrobe team running around like headless chickens attempting to make the models more beautiful, as if that was even remotely possible.

The collection itself suprised me the most. For weeks I had sat in the studio and stared in awe of these designs that sat on lifeless mannequins but as soon as they touched skin they came alive.

11 oclock hit, Runway was packed and it was show time. The models had slipped into their outfits and in the words of Tyra Banks they looked incredibly FIERCE!!!

We all loved it!!!

check out the images above incase you missed out....

Sekai Mulwanda(Caramel Rock)

LFW

2 DAYS AND COUNTING....

Baby it's cold outside!!!

It has arrived!!!!

With Autumn/Winter comes Fashion week and with fashion week comes Caramel Rock's Collection.

It might be cold outside but this collection is a definite Scorcher!!

Email us for details about our fashion week runway show this saturday 17th info@caramelrock.com

Thank you

Caramel Rock

x

Caramel Rock joins forces with Met parties to host its fashion show at London's Fashionably exclusive, Runway Club. This years designs are not only exciting but also inspiring and makes this show unmissable. For details on how to get yourself at this event drop us an email at info@caramelrock.com or check out our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/CaramelRockFashion.

Remember the date September 10th.

Hope to see you all there!!!

Caramel Rock.

Fashion in Film: The fading glamour of the onscreen wardrobe

Although this may shock you, Vogue hasn’t actually been around since the dawn of time. In fact, once upon a time viewers used to turn toward the big screen for style inspiration. In previous decades film has been hugely influential in determining the latest trends, and was capable of creating classic looks that to this day have withstood the test of time.

Sadly it seems that this influence has waned. New movies simply do not induce a frantic frenzy to rival that of the timeless motion pictures featured below:

• The Seven Year Itch (1955). The moment Marylin Monroe stepped onto that vent in that dress, the entire image became iconic. Said moment may be unwittingly copied by unlucky girls waiting for the tube.



• Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). This delightful film flew viewers into a whirlwind of sophistication and glamour. From the high-lighted bouffant to that LBD, Audrey Hepburn is still an icon and the epitome of style and elegance.



• Saturday Night Fever (1977). Whereas John Travolta’s gleaming white suit may nowadays only influence sales of Daz, at the time this ensemble created a buying boom.



• Flashdance (1983). Jennifer Beals proved it pays to prance around with portable shower heads. This showstopper screened within the midst of the aerobic-loving 80s, inspiring the trends of collar-less sweaters, colourful leg warmers and leotards.



• Pulp Fiction (1994). Effortlessly cool Uma Therman took to the floor with a blunt bob, crisp white shirt and a barefooted twist which ultimately won over the awed audiences.



• Bonnie and Clyde (1967). Featuring Faye Dunaway, a woman who seemingly possesses an infinite number of berets. As well as an unhealthy interest in criminal activity.



Is globalisation the culprit? We have so much access to fashion now- through magazines, television and the internet, that perhaps we no longer even notice the style within the cinema. Yet there has been an emergence of films that market the fashion presented as an actual reason to see the film. Examples include the glamorous ‘Sex and The City’ films, ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, and the heavily stylised ‘A Single Man’. Do all films have to be this obvious to be influential?

There is no point suggesting that celebrities no longer have the power to influence the masses, but perhaps we are more interested to see what they choose to wear in real life, on a day-to-day basis?

Perhaps film stylists aren't taking much risk nowadays? The reason the styles shown above were so popular was because they were fresh and new. But after so many fashion cycles, is anything really new anymore?

Fashion and the Economy

"Fashion is always of the time in which you live." Coco Chanel.

The 70's are dead yet the Jazz Age is back?

As much as I love the glamour and razzmatazz of high waist trousers, pencil skirts, church hats, gloves and blazers, I can't help but wonder why we innately recycle what's been done and steer from inventing something new?

Sure, the catwalks and billboards wow our eyes with ostentatious costume drama- shame we can't walk to uni or our local supermarket in bat wings, or tonnes of eye make up (unless impersonating Lady Ga Ga of course).

What draws us to reliving a certain era at a certain time?

Earlier I posted an interesting discussion re the correlation between the economic climate and fashion trends. On the surface, there doesn't seem to be a link but let's really think about it for a minute.

During the 1940's we faced war, the invention of velcro, the slinky, the microwave, the frisbee, the development of commercial television, the first general purpose electronic computer, film noir, and Bambi!

In terms of fashion, rationing saw restrictions on silks, furs, nylons, rayon, wool and leather. Floral patterns flourished when granny and great granny were made to wear their curtains (literally).

In the name of all things patriotic, many would wear khakis, army greens, navy's and grey's. In a dare to be different, some would wear 'atomic prints' otherwise known as geometric patterns and shapes. Metal rations hindered buckles and belts. Also, let's not forget while the men were away, the women holding the fort couldn't always afford to oil a tank or shoot down a plane in ball gowns. Trousers and wedges soon replaced dresses and thanks to a shortage in rubber, heels and stockings were on the way out.

Now let's look at today. Our computers have become tablets, commercial online television is predominant, film noir has a new found respect...I cannot justify the Velcro, but you get my point!

Moreover, we're facing a war and our economy is in an 'interesting' state to say the least. Everyone is cutting back one way or another and I must say my curtains would make for a very nice number.

Are we unoriginal for recreating what we already have or through fashion are we merely reflecting the state of the world we live in?

I have my opinion. What's yours?


Get involved with the discussion via facebook, twitter, blogger, linked in and ideas tap.

Blessings,
Nadia Gasper for Caramel Rock.