'Trekstock Loves' SS10 Collection launches

Teenage cancer charity Trekstock has launched its first fashion range named 'Trekstock Loves' which will be sold exclusively through Browns Focus and online from 15th February.

The seven designers who’ve partnered in the project include House of Holland, Ksubi, James Long, LPBG, Maria Francesca Pepe, PPQ and Richard Nicoll.

All proceeds from the SS10 collection go to Trekstock's chosen charity the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Trekstock appeared in the summer of 2006 and since then, has raised thousands of pounds and masses of awareness for teenagers with cancer through collaborations in music and fashion.

The idea originated when the charity’s founder Sophie signed up for a charity trek to Mount Everest. To raise money, she conceived the idea to put on a music gig, which then pushed her to visit the UK festivals spreading the word about the charity and promoting the event using her now cult 'I ♥ Trekstock' blue badges.

Since then, the Trekstock brand has gained invaluable celebrity support from artists and celebrities such as the lovely Beth Ditto, Katy Perry, Mischa Barton, Kings of Leon, Agyness Deyn, The Klaxons, Band of Horses, The Mighty Boosh, The Horrors, Kimberly Stewart and Sadie Frost to name a few, phew!

We’ve had a wee sneak peak at the range and we’re loving what we’ve seen so far. Uber-cool denim pieces as well as an absolutely fabulous short-sleeved nipple tassles T – it’s part of the men’s range but we want it! Check out the images below to get your fix.

To find out more visit www.trekstock.com.

RIP Alexander McQueen (1969-2010)

Today the fashion world is in shock at hearing the news the great British fashion icon, Lee Alexander McQueen has died. McQueen sadly took his own life at his London home this morning.

It is said he was troubled over the recent loss of his mum who died last week; subsequent posts on Twitter revealed he was finding the tragedy hard to deal with. The news comes nearly three years after McQueen’s close friend and person who discovered him, Isabella Blow, committed suicide.

London Fashion Week is about to start and the designer was to unveil his new collection at Paris Fashion Week next month. Both events will undoubtedly be overcast by a sombre mood as the industry mourns its loss.

McQueen's family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with the news and countless high profile celebrities have already paid tribute to the designer.

Supermodel Tyra Banks, who hosts fashion show America's Next Top Model, said it was a "huge loss".

A statement released on behalf of supermodel Kate Moss said she was "shocked and devastated" at the death of her "dear friend".

Born in London in 1969 as the youngest of six children, McQueen left school at the age of 16 and was offered an apprenticeship at the traditional Savile Row tailors Anderson and Shephard, then at neighbouring Gieves and Hawkes.

At 20 he was employed by the designer Koji Tatsuno. A year later McQueen travelled to Milan where he worked as a design assistant to Romeo Gigli. He returned to London in 1994 where he completed a master's degree in fashion design at Central St Martins College. His degree collection was famously bought in its entirety by Isabella Blow who was a leading figure in the fashion world.

In October 1996 McQueen was appointed chief designer at the French label Givenchy where he worked until March 2001.

In December 2000, 51 per cent of Alexander McQueen was acquired by luxury brand Gucci, where he became creative director. Expansion followed and included the opening of flagship stores in New York, London and Milan.

McQueen was a four-time winner of the British designer of the year award as well as the international designer of the year award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He was awarded the CBE in 2003.

The news comes at a time when it seems many talented, young people in the public eye have recently died prematurely.

When art meets fashion

Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928-2000) has provided the inspiration for a new bold range of jewellery created by Viennese enamel specialists Frey Wille.

The range is fun and unusual and enables you to invest in art, but with far more interaction. The designs were taken from Hundertwasser’s ‘Pavilions and Bungalows for native foreigners’ painting, which depicts colourful swirls and trees (see above).

Each piece of jewellery takes two years to be brought to life from planning to precise manufacture. With such dedication and meticulous design, the quality must be second to none.

Prints were all over the catwalk and look set to be big during the summer, but if you aren’t brave enough to sport a kaleidoscopic jumpsuit, accessories are the answer.

This range has covered all bases and when worn, would undoubtedly catch a few eyes and inspire conversations.

For more information visit www.frey-wille.com.

Blondes can win with John Frieda

We’ve all heard the old saying ‘blondes have more fun’ but now the fairer haired are in with a chance to win an amazing holiday courtesy of John Frieda.

The hair care expert is giving one lucky winner the chance to soak up the sun in Morocco. With picturesque landscapes and a gorgeously warm climate, it’s the perfect antidote for the returning cold snap.

Everyone loves that post-holiday look we show off when returning from the sun, but those of us who can’t wait for the summer holidays can replicate the look at home. To help, John Frieda are also giving away haircuts and sets of The John Frieda® go blonder shampoos and conditioners.

So what are you waiting for?!

Head to http://www.facebook.com/JohnFriedaUK and click on the Go Blonder & WIN tab to enter now.

While you are there, also check out Kerry Warn’s fan 'how to' videos for great hair tips, such as this one on how to achieve salon straight perfect hair:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=288189765994&ref=mf

The competition is open to UK residents only and ends Feb 25th 2010.

A guilty passion for fast fashion

News that Primark’s profits have soared 19% in the last four months shows that UK consumers are hooked on fast fashion. We want the latest styles, trends and accessories and we want them now.

Yet across the board people are feeling the effects of the recession – so where is the compromise? It seems that instead of changing their buying habits, people are simply buying cheaper goods.

Whilst this is great news for budget retailers like Primark, Matalan and Peacocks, is it false economy in the long run?

I’m sure we’ve all been disappointed when the gorgeous top you bought for a bargain £5 fell apart the first time it was washed. Many would argue that at £5 you’ve got your money’s worth. I’d have to disagree.

Welcome to the world of fast fashion where the trends change so quickly that it’s now become accepted to buy an item, wear it once and throw it away. The rise of social networking sites such as Facebook make it harder for people to wear the same outfit more than once and still look ‘cool’. After every night out, ten pictures of you appear tagged on the internet and before you know it, it looks like you live in the same dress. For all they know you probably sleep in it too. Suddenly an old school friend has set up a group pledging sponsorship and setting up a fundraising initiative to buy you a new one. Not a bad idea, actually…

But is it really acceptable? Ok so I might be exaggerating about the Facebook thing, but you get the picture. Is our very British love affair with Primark reaching the level of dangerous obsession?

To state the obvious - throwaway culture is not good. From an environmental and ethical viewpoint it is obvious to see why. From an economical viewpoint, it could be argued both ways – it’s cheap and cheerful initially but often cheap clothing doesn’t last. In the long run you’ll probably have fewer clothes but will have spent a fortune on cheap tat. What a legacy. But what if the environment, ethics and money were no object? Would Primark’s profits be rising whilst other high street retailers struggle to stay afloat? I think not.

It all boils down to people’s perceptions of style. Generally speaking, style does not constitute wearing the same as everybody else. Personally I can’t stand seeing other people wearing the same outfit as me and that is what this mass migration to Primark stores is leading to. It will happen all the time.

Fashion faux pas’ anonymous groups, ‘She stole my style’ Jeremy Kyle, £billions lost to the economy due to gridlock in Primark stores. I can see it now and it’s depressing.

On the up-side, the news has increased my desire to learn how to knit. At least if all the other designers and clothing retailers go down the pan, I’ll have something original to wear. So if you see a girl wandering the streets wearing a single piece of string draped round her neck, don’t laugh, it’s supposed to be a scarf…

Treading softly – in the world’s first Fairtrade cotton sneakers

ETHLETIC shoes may look just like the iconic all-American Converse but the logo tells a very different story. The organic cotton canvas sneakers are the first in the world to carry the official Fairtrade mark under the new Fairtrade composite rules that allow products containing Fairtrade certified cotton to bear the famous logo.

The stylish sneakers also carry the logo of the Forest Stewardship Council which means almost every part of the trainer is either Fairtrade or ecologically certified. Even the final construction of the ETHLETIC sneakers is covered by a fair trade project that supports workers and their families in Pakistan. In fact, they may even be the most ethical trainers in the world!

The ETHLETIC sneakers come in a range of great colours and are available in both low and high-cut styles. The arch supports make for a cushioned and comfortable sneaker that rivals other brands for wearability and with prices starting from just £37.50, positive-minded shoppers can convert to organic and Fairtrade cotton without hitting their pocket.

Our favourites are the very girly, pink low-cut sneakers and the more neutral, ever-more wearable white high-tops. However there is everything from dark blue to bright orange available.

Available from Fair Deal Trading www.fairdealtrading.co.uk

Kings of Leon foray into fashion

Forget Taper Jean Girl, it’s now all about the Leather Jacket Man. In conjunction with Surface To Air, King’s of Leon’s limited edition, 12-piece clothing line - S2A X KOL - will go on sale exclusively at The Shop at BlueBird on King's Road in Chelsea, London this month.

We quite like the bands slightly geeky, slightly unconfident, little-bit rocky, little-bit lumberjack mish-mash of style, so we’re wondering what will actually be on offer. We’ve heard the range will include the band's signature bandana, in a red and black check and paisley print, plaid 'woodsman' shirts, skinny jeans, plaited leather belts and fedoras.

Whilst there’s technically nothing for the girls, I certainly wouldn’t mind borrowing the shirt of Nathan’s back for a while, oh wait, he’s not wearing one… oh well…