style + beauty
runway report
London Fashion Week is traditionally a platform for new talent, and this autumn’s shows were no exception. Our fashion insider picks three designers whose latest collections show they’re rising forces in the industry
Bora AksuTurkish-born designer Bora Aksu has a secret recipe: “I always start out with something very personal, such as childhood reminiscences. Then I mix in a pinch of punk, a pinch of Edwardian style and a pinch of dream to make a dress.” Aksu’s debut took place in February 2003, and was named as one of the top London shows in the British press. The designer’s Spring/Summer 2007 show, Untouchable, explored the transformation that takes place in the changing room before an artist goes on stage. He currently stocks in London, Ireland, New York, Moscow, Milan among other cities. www.boraaksu.com |
 |
AganovichNana Aganovich, co-founder and head designer of new, London-based womenswear label Aganovich, is a creative powerhouse. A woman whose designs are both politically motivated and sexually charged, Aganovich is not shy about her ambition to change the face of British fashion. Created in a Whitechapel studio – an area of London with a rich history in textiles – Aganovich’s latest collection is sleek and sophisticated with obvious sexual undertones, such as slashes to garments and surprise hemlines. Most of the pieces are made of silk and varying grades of hessian, and creative tailoring features heavily. Aganovich’s aesthetic is very Londoncentric, and reminiscent of the work of Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood. Available in London, Dublin and Tokyo. www.aganovich.com |
 |
Laura Lees LabelScottish designer Laura Lees sees herself primarily as a textile artist who combines traditional crafts with contemporary imagery to create one-offs and limited-edition designer garments. She recently embroidered exclusive guitar straps for The Strokes and designed a tour jacket for Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, which has given her cutting-edge status. Lees’ Spring/Summer 2007 show Fool For Love is influenced by ’70s Westerns. “Cowboys are my weakness,” admits Laura – hence the rope writing and rich appliqués. Denim is also used in this collection, as is machine and hand-encrusted embroidery detail. Lees’ work can be found in Paris, Milan, Madrid, Florence and New York, among other cities. www.twoagentsee.com |
 |
in bloom
Far from just a pretty flower, the rose’s oil and scent can calm the mind and nourish the body
Words and styling by Sophy Grimshaw
Photography by Tony French
01. Eye Mask €43
A glamorous addition to your hand luggage. Slip on this rose-scented, grain-filled eye mask, settle back in your seat and drift off: the aroma of roses is known to calm the senses. www.simplyroses.com
02 Lavera Faces Cleansing Milk €8.89
Wild rose extract makes this cleansing milk particularly suitable for dry or mature skin, and it’s gentle on the environment too, because all Lavera products are vegan. www.lavera.de
03. Ole Henriksen Anti-Ageing Serum €69
You should believe the hype when it comes to Ole Henriksen – his natural products really work. Rose water is one of the calming elements in this new gravity-fighting serum. www.olehenriksen.com
04. Weleda Intensive Facial Oil €19.20
Break into one of these convenient caplets for a dose of wild rose-scented facial oil. Light and easily absorbed, it’s the perfect way to nourish tired skin. www.weleda.com
05. Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream €24
The rose oil and wild rose-hip extract in this facial moisturiser soothe redness and strengthen the skin, coating it with a protective film. www.dr.hauschka.de
06. Tisty Tosty €4.50
Drop Lush’s Tisty Tosty into a hot bath and the heart dissolves with a champagne-like fizz, releasing seven fragrant rosebuds. Their natural perfume turns bathrooms into stress-busting saunas. www.lush.com
07. Savon de Marseille €9
This attractive slab of rose-scented Marseille soap is an excellent moisturiser produced by a small savonnerie in the heart of Provence. www.simplyroses.com
Bookmark This Post
