Archive for the ‘fashion’ Category
next up: the fashion wave hits moscow
Have we got news for you fashion followers…Continuing on from the successful New York and London leg of its Fashion Next programme, W Hotels announces a unique collaboration with Moscow based Garage Magazine and Editor-in-Chief Dasha Zhukova. Garage nominated Russian designer Vika Gazinskaya to work with W Hotels’ newly appointed Global Fashion Director, Jenne Lombardo to celebrate a snapshot of Moscow creativity, featuring up and coming designers, Anna Miminoshvili and Alexander Terekhov. Check out this little documentary, that explores the trends and talent from a Moscow perspective including information on their upcoming collections.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...W hotels: directing the fashion crowd
global glam
styling…
Listen up fashion followers and design junkies. As we’re in the throws of a global trend setting frenzy, with catwalks from New York to Moscow set ablaze with the latest designs and hottest new looks, we’re turning our heads to see what the innovative folk over at W Hotels are up to…
Any hotel brand bold enough to appoint their own stylist gets the nod from us, and recently they crowned their new Queen of style, Jenné Lombardo. The new first lady of fashion hails a pretty impressive CV with a unique approach bringing like-minded brands together something W consider right up their street. Her innovative creation of M.A.C. & Milk, connecting the renowned beauty brand with a raw space to create a unique platform for emerging designers during New York Fashion Week.
So what’s up her haute couture sleeve for W Hotels? The run-up to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City saw Lombardo beginning to identify the next group of designers for this season’s W Hotels Fashion Next program, a first initiative to hit the industry that fosters and supports emerging designers. With Lombardo at the helm, Fashion Next, will, for the first time in the program’s history, bring emerging fashion talent to a global audience. We can’t wait to find out more…
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5) Loading ...beach awards 2011
Beach
Introducing the Beach Tomato Awards 2011
Ladies and gentlemen, let us reveal the first ever Beach Tomato Awards 2011 launched by our sister website, Beach Tomato. Naming the best in beach fashion, beach beauty and beaches around the world, the Beach Tomato Awards will showcase the best of the beach this year.
Combining the Beach Tomato team and industry experts to form a judging panel, June will be spent deliberating the 15 different categories to announce final winners on 28th June 2011.
Alongside a judging panel of industry experts this is your chance to cast your vote in the People’s Choice Award categories to nominate the places and products that make the world’s best beaches worth bragging about. Don’t forget to drop your email address when you vote for a chance to win a very special Beach Tomato goody bag.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ibiza re-opens…
Ibiza coastline
ibiza’s rugged and seductive coast
The new season is beckoning and Ibiza is yawning and stretching to warm itself up for another summer. Cue a chain of excited whispers about the office. Whilst everyone loves a night or ahem…three on the dance floors of DC10 et al or a day recovering on the beach at Cala Jondal, we thought it was a good time to share a couple of out hottest alternative Ibiza tips for 2011.
Firstly, getting to the white isle just became a whole lot easier – we were thrilled to discover that BA have upped the ante, offering up to 8 flights a week from City Airport meaning more flexibility and super convenience.
dreamy balearic sunsets
On arrival, the good news continues – the trendy Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel reopens in May with an amazing opening party hosted by Luciano (Black Tomato’s Sophie’s favourite.) This is a great place to escape the surrounding mayhem when necessary. Alternatively, to keep the party going 24/7 we’d recommend gathering up a whole load of your close friends and heading to Villa Vella up in the hills close to the chi-chi rural village of Santa Gertrudis. This palatial residence has 13 bedrooms, a tennis court and infinity edge pool. Perfect for an early morning swim to clear the head.
The village of Santa Gertrudis itself takes Bohemian chic to a new level; populated by artists and sculptors, this unique little spot offers a rare opportunity to experience a snippet of truly traditional Ibizan life. Try Bacchus, C/ Venda de Parada for a cooling afternoon drink.
For some sophisticated beach action, our Balearic’s guru Alex’s pick of the bunch is Ses Salinas. A classic, but a goodie, these crystal clear waters and laid back vibe offer so pretty unmissable people watching ops. Plus possibly the best restorative pizzas emerge from the ovens at the Jockey Club.
For a dining experience away from the crowds, we’d have to recommend El Bigote near Cala Boix for a tinto de verano and a slice of Serrano with the wildly moustachioed owner.
Adrenaline junkies fear not, there’s more to Ibiza than pounding the dancefloor don’t you know… The island has been officially recognized by PADI as the best spot in Europe for scuba diving, so grab your flippers and take the plunge to see a side of the island that few of us have even considered. Land lubbers fear not, as Kate will tell you, there is some incredible horse riding trails across Ibiza’s untouched northern beaches.
Want to get there? No problem, just drop us a line.
(8 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...couture crashpads
With London Fashion Week all wrapped up (neatly in a couture bow of course), the world’s most sartorially astute folk are currently decamping to Milano. We’ve poised over our morning cappuccinos and biscotti’s to pitch our top 5 favourite international boltholes where Senora Donatella and co. get their beauty sleep…
These are our favourite fashion pads where those in the know can get everything they want by the bucket load (style here doesn’t come in a size zero, oh no)… who says fashion is only made for the catwalk.
uno: 3 rooms 10 corso como, milan
contemporary cool at como
Furnished in homage to the vision of many mid-20th century designers and architects, the three spacious suites are filled with nifty pieces of furniture all handpicked for the hotel. Take one step outside your home away from home and you’ll find yourself surrounded by Milan’s famed boutiques.
le maurice bar
due: le meurice, paris
Dripping in elegance and luxury, this iconic Parisian hotel exhibits everything we love about the classic, chic French way of living. Located opposite the Tuileries Garden, this magical 18th century institution has seen a lot of history taking place over the years. Famous painters, writers, and designers have all sauntered through the grand doors of Le Maurice. The result is a setting that drives the artist flair that runs right through the veins of Paris. From Louis 6th marble bathrooms, to the recent embellishment of Philippe Starck, this place fuses historical decadence with contemporary cool.
tre: byblos art hotel, verona
byblos art
Another show-stopper from Italia. Once past the Shakespearean stone façade, you’re met by a riotous mix of rich colour, textures and pop art emblems. Think Medici meets Warhol and Dali, and you’ve got the Byblos. And falling under the umbrella of Gianni Versace’s label it’s no surprise really.
quattro : pelican hotel, miami beach
the cubarean
On the oh-so-hip Miami Beach strip, this eccentric and slightly naughty hotel has Diesel splashed all over. The owner of the brand Renzo Rosso even resides there. The vibe is all-out originality, with each room kitted out in an original theme. Our favourites include the Cubarean Islands room, and in true Miami Beach style; The Deco (cktail) room.
cinque: claridges diane von furstenburg suite
bold prints and sheer style
Fashions fairy godmother of print has sprinkled her magic dust around the suites of London’s classic institution; Claridges. Retaining the original Claridges characteristics, von Furstenberg has suped up these suites with bespoke fabrics and furniture with her iconic prints and bold colours. Ensuring the most glamorous of stays whilst exploring the capital.
(26 votes, average: 4.81 out of 5) Loading ...thinking of warmer climates…
bikini dreaming
Kate got a sneak peek at Pistol Panties’ new line that got her daydreaming of sand and escaping to, well, anywhere hot really…
all about the bold prints
With January blues out of the way, we all deserve a little bit of sunshine, or at least the chance to daydream about it. So I was more than happy to go check out Pistol Panties’ new range of jaw-dropping swimwear and lingerie. With a flagship store in Notting Hill and outlets in Selfridges and Saks Fifth Avenue, they’ve got beach beauties all over going coconuts (sorry) for their designs.
The name, for a start, captures the brand pretty perfectly. It’s daring, über glamourous, and you certainly won’t forget the designs in a hurry. Think timeless Bond Girl meets electric vintage prints with a bit of glitz, and you’ve got the ultimate beach goddess get-up. Designer Deborah Flemming has used her Colombian origins as inspiration to create several ranges, featuring perfect cuts, quirky, feminine fabrics, and a bit of added va va voom. And to complete the look, throw on one of the delicate kaftans; and your good to hit sand.
And now for that all essential question… which beach to show it off on? Ipanema, or maybe Bali ? Decisions decisions…
(8 votes, average: 3.88 out of 5) Loading ...savannah miller’s travel inspiration
savannah miller
Savannah Miller, Creative Director of fashion label Twenty8Twelve, shares her thoughts on fashion and trends from around the world.
savannah miller
Savannah – you’ve travelled far and wide. How does travel influence your personal style?
Travel inspires my style hugely. My mother was very Bohemian when we were growing up and she instilled in us from a very early age the joy of finding things in magical faraway places that can make your look unique. I love knowing that I’m not going to see the special thing I have found everywhere I look.
What is your favourite place to travel to for shopping?
Paris, definitely. We do a lot of archive fashion research there. There are an enormous amount of really wonderful shops there that we have found and treasured over the past five years.
thailand's northern hill tribes
What countries would you say have the most influence on fashion trends at the moment?
I think the world is getting smaller and smaller with the Internet so it’s very hard to distinguish these days where a particular trend has originated. However, for summer I think there is quite a tribal feeling out there and we were really inspired by the Thai hill tribes.
With such a global-focus on today’s fashion industry, how does travel influence your designs? Is there a country whose unique style is a reference point for you?
I’m a bit obsessed with the American Midwest during the 50’s when all the boundaries between class and colour were starting to dissolve. The heat and intensity of this time really inspires me season after seasons and I love referencing vintage cotton pickers denim workwear. The first denim styles are the original and the best.
traditional japanese style
Is there a destination you are longing to explore for its unique cultural style?
I really love Japan. I went on a small work trip there once, but didn’t get a chance to fully explore. I would love to go there for a good amount of time. i think Japanese people have a really unique style perspective and they always look incredibly chic and polished somehow.
Here at Black Tomato we love the discovery element of travel. What new experiences or sights have you come across on your travels recently?
It’s not exactly a discovery, but I recently stayed at the Four Seasons At Laanda Jiravaru in the Maldives and they have an authentic Ayurvedic Spa and Doctor there which was my idea of an incredible discovery. It was sheer bliss.
scour the local markets for the best finds
What is your favourite fashion item bought on your travels?
An amazing pair of leather sandals that I found in a market in Lecce, Puglia this summer. They are super comfortable and perfect in every way.
Which nation do you think has the best fashion sense and style?
Definitely the French. They just ooze je ne sais quoi.
(5 votes, average: 4.40 out of 5) Loading ...a chat with l-atitude
fashion fuel
L-atitude is an online portal that specializes in virtual shopping trips to the world’s most coveted destinations. The newly launched site offers a unique mix of women’s fashion and accessories from handpicked international designers and artisans. You can shop in New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Istanbul and Milan from the comfort of your sofa – or from your desk at lunch time. We won’t tell.”
We talked to Alisa Ng, CEO and founder of L-atitude about trotting the globe to shop.
explore the markets in turkey
What prompted you to align your shopping site with travel?
Over the years of extensive travels, I’ve enjoyed searching the globe for unique, well-made and well-priced fashion merchandise. I had a really hectic schedule when I worked at Morgan Stanley, and on the weekends I found myself constantly on travel sites looking for a ‘virtual escape’. When I worked at Morgan’s Hong Kong office, I took every chance to explore the rest of East Asia & Southeast Asia. This was the impetus for me to launch a site that married travel & fashion. My hope for L-atitude is that it will serve as a virtual escape for women to discover different cities & cultures through one of our treasured pastimes – shopping.
milan: one of europe's fashion centres
Who is your most exciting designer find recently?
I really can’t pin-point one designer, but I was very excited to launch our Istanbul section featuring all the emerging Turkish designers & artisans we met. The fashion items we’ve selected demonstrate Istanbul’s unique style & culture – from $15 evil eye bracelets made by artisans in the Grand Bazaar to Gasia’s fine jewelry. Istanbul is one of the fastest growing cities in Eastern Europe and it’s design industry is booming. I have always found design particularly interesting in Istanbul because it reflects the converging Asian and European influences and the city’s balance of old and new.
exploring hong kong's garden street
Your destinations differ vastly culturally. What do you see as their differences in fashion trends?
What is trendy seems universal, but each city we feature exudes its own distinctive sense of style. A camel cape coat is this season’s must-have, and yet the New York woman might wear it with edgy boots, the Istanbul woman might pair it with evil eye inspired fine jewelry and the Hong Kong woman would wear it with the most feminine stilettos they can find. We aim to portray the style characteristics of each city we feature by mixing what is “trendy” with artisanal items indigenous to that city’s culture & style.
local indian fashion
Can you tell us about one fashion secret in each of your destinations?
I would defer to our “City Secrets” section in our blogazine, where our writers share their local insights into the best places to shop in their home-towns. These are my personal favorites …
Hong Kong – Button Hole & Beverly Mall, where you can find a treasure trove of factory seconds neglected by Chinese exporters. Think of a fashion brand you want, and they’ll have it.
Mumbai– If you have a friend who is from Mumbai, they would all have a secret jeweler & pashmina supplier. These chic & stylish stores/brands in Mumbai are perfect substitutes -Bungalow 8, Bombay Electric, Kashmir Loom & Honorine Jewels.
shopping in the city that never sleeps, nyc
Istanbul - My secret Ikat supplier… check out our Ikat pillows on L-atitude.
Milan – Vintage Shopping in Milan. It is so amazing but overlooked when visitors go to just check out well known fashion brands. 10 Corso Como’s outlet is not a secret, but it is a MUST. I went crazy there, and just thought if this is in New York it would be over-run.
New York – Time your trips to sample sale season in New York… those are the best times to shop. The Louboutin queue was a city block long 2 weeks ago, but I would suffer through it for a good deal.
alisa ng
What do you think is the most exciting event in the global fashion calendar?
Since my team & I are in love with Istanbul, we’ll be back for Istanbul fashion week.
What is your most precious fashion item you’ve found on your travels?
A pair of Rajasthan inspired diamond earrings I found when digging through a Bombay jeweler’s treasure trove.
Check out L-atitude’s interview of Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant on their blog here.
(2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5) Loading ...new kyds on the block
fat kyds t-shirts
At Black Tomato you may have noticed we’re big fans of travel experiences that not everyone knows about. But our love for all things unique also extends to picking up trinkets and individual fashion buys.
We’ve just found out about Fat Kyds, a brand that launches this weekend at the Freeze festival and we want to shout about it from the rooftops. Fat Kyds is relatively new and is already getting worldwide interest especially from those savvy New Yorkers. The artist, Athier, who puts his stamp on the t-shirts hails from St Martins, and boasts the British Museum and the V&A as two major London institutions that have housed his work. And there are only 250 t-shirts per print (individually numbered no less) so you better get in there quickly.
new prints for fat kyds
Now, at Black Tomato we don’t like to brag, but this gem of an idea was dreamt up by one of our clients whilst undertaking a Borneo trip with us, and we are now arranging his trip for him to share the Fat Kyds love across Japan this Christmas. We’ll let you know how he gets on…
(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5) Loading ...introducing black tomato for dunhill
black tomato for dunhill
Over here at Black Tomato, we’ve been keeping one of our biggest collaborations under wraps for quite some time, but now we’re really excited to announce Black Tomato for dunhill.
fly over moscow in a fighter jet
Back in the ’30s, dunhill’s best luxury goods expert and GM, Clement Court, travelled across Europe and Asia to bring awareness to everyone he met about the dunhill name. Inspired by his journey, we’re introducing ‘dunhill discoveries.’ Follow in Clement’s footsteps and journey through France, Russia, Mongolia and Japan. We can show you how to see these places like nobody before has…
See the Louvre after hours in Paris, fly in a fighter jet over Moscow, hunt with eagles in Mongolia and dip your toes in the hot springs outside Kyoto. Sound good?
The idea was to take inspiration from their history of spirited exploration and combine it with our ability to produce some of the most exciting travel experiences on the planet.
So follow the legacy of Clement Court and we’ll guide you on some of the greatest adventures you will ever have.
(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
