Brooklyn's One to Watch: Titania Inglis

photo via: Titania Inglis

A designer for the modern woman, Brooklyn-based fashion designer Titania Inglis creates clothes that are experimental yet functional, perfect for strong, stylish women on-the-go. And now after three seasons, Ms. Inglis has established her signature style of effortless, essential, and cutting edge designs.

But what makes her collection a particular stand-out is her underlying element of sustainability. Using minimal waste and sourcing only organic fabrics and vegetable-tanned leathers, all of her pieces are conscientiously sourced and sewn in limited quantities in New York's garment district.

So last week, we caught Ms. Inglis for an interview to get an inside scoop on what life has been like for this rising talent.  

1. Please share a little bit about your background:

I grew up in Ithaca, New York, and started out as a journalist after college before going into design. I studied at Design Academy Eindhoven and FIT, and learned the ropes of running an independent fashion line by interning for Jean Yu, Three As Four, and Stærk before launching my own line.

2. Were you always eco-conscious?

In a word, yes. In elementary school, I won a prize for dreaming up a wide-mouthed monster that would live in the ground and solve the landfill problem by eating garbage and digesting it into dirt. These days, I’m trying to counteract disposable culture by making clothes conceived for a smaller wardrobe: versatile pieces to wear day or night, with silhouettes that are of the moment, but with classic proportions and quality designed to stand the test of time.

3. Which designers are you most influenced by and why? 

Ann Demeulemeester, for her androgynous classics with a rock ‘n’ roll edge. Stella McCartney, who’s helping to lead the industry in a more environmentally conscious direction, and who designs lovely yet practical clothes that women really want to wear. Maria Cornejo, for her pared-down aesthetic and interesting shapes. Phoebe Philo, whose latest clothes for Céline are simply, unquestionably perfect. The product designers Naoto Fukusawa and Dieter Rams, who distill form down to its most basic elements. 

4. How do find inspirations for your collections? 

One thing I learned as a reporter was that inspiration is everywhere; the hard part is recognizing it when you see it. I draw mine from all kinds of sources: old movies, new architecture, vintage electronics, all the stylish girls pedaling around Brooklyn... and especially from my fabrics. With a sustainable collection, there’s a very limited range of organic fabrics available, so each season I’ll pick about 3 of the best I’ve found, and design my collection around those. For SS11, it was an organic cotton denim from Japan and an organic cotton-silk blend twill from Italy, both of which lent themselves to a sculptural, origami effect. I also try to incorporate at least one new natural fabric treatment technique into each collection; for the first, I experimented with rust dyeing, for the second, it was beeswaxing, and for the third, natural dyeing.

photo via: Titania Inglis

5. Please describe your typical work day. 

As a small designer, I support myself by freelancing at an apparel company in Midtown, so I have to squeeze in moments throughout the week to work on my own projects. First thing in the morning, I’ll get up and dash off some emails over breakfast before biking into the city for work. After I leave the office, I’ll run errands: some days I’ll stop by the factory in the Garment District that produces my clothes, other days I’ll pick up the latest print job from the little print shop that produces my lookbooks and hangtags. And before bed, I’ll be back on the computer, updating my website, working on lookbooks or press releases, updating my Facebook page. 

One thing I’ve learned about being a one-woman company is that the work never ends. Except for the sewing and printing that I outsource, it’s all me: sales, marketing, accounting, shipping, sourcing, production, even bike courier... And all the while, I’m constantly keeping my eyes open for inspiration for the next collection.

6. After three seasons, what has been the greatest challenge as an independent NY eco-

   conscious designer? What are the advantages?

The advantage is being in New York, with such a thriving cultural scene around me. I’m friends with quite a few other young designers, and we help each other out with advice and sometimes even late-night sewing marathons! The garment district is also a wonderful resource; it’s incredibly convenient to be able to buy fabric and zippers and get my patterns graded and clothes sewn all within a few-block radius. As a sustainable designer, I’m thrilled to have access to so many slow-fashion-minded organizations; for example, Earth Pledge has compiled a library of sustainable fabrics, while the new Textile Arts Center in Brooklyn is helping to revive hand-weaving, natural dyeing, and other traditional techniques.

The downside is that there’s a lot of competition here, so without a big PR budget, it can be tough to get your work out there. It’s really a matter of building the business step by step, season by season, relationship by relationship, and proving to buyers and editors one by one that I’m serious, I have staying power, and most importantly, that the clothes are worth their while.

7. Who would you love to see wearing your clothes?

Just to name one, Tilda Swinton. She’s already a muse to so many designers, but there’s a reason for that: she’s an independent spirit with a stellar fashion sense, and she’s so poised and intelligent, and beautiful in a tomboyish sort of way.

8. What is your favorite piece in your most recent SS11 collection and why?

The Reverse Dress, because it really epitomizes the values of my collection. I based it on the idea of an artist’s smock; I own a vintage one that only gets better the more it’s splattered in paint and dye. The dress is super versatile, since it can be worn front or back, day or night, layered or alone; it’s practical and easy to wear, with a simple closure and two pockets; the fabric (the Italian silk-organic cotton blend twill I mentioned before) is both gorgeous and eco-friendly; and it has a look that’s beautiful and tough at the same time.

photo via: Titania Inglis

9. Favorite places to shop:

Project No. 8 has a fantastically curated selection of avant-garde clothing. Tokio 7 is a great source of used clothing from major labels and local designers alike. The Chelsea Garage Market and Hell’s Kitchen flea market for vintage finds, including the cool botanical prints I spotted last week for my apartment. The Future Perfect in Williamsburg, which has a fascinatingly quirky selection of current furniture design.

10. Favorite places to dine:

As a slow fashion adherent, I love slow food, too. When it’s time for a real treat, my boyfriend and I head to the General Greene in Fort Greene, Westville East in the East Village, or Diner in Williamsburg, which all have incredibly delicious menus based around local, seasonal ingredients.

October MBF Favorite Picks

No matter what in life, there will always be conflicts or issues we all have to struggle with and overcome. However, whether it is environmental, economic, or personal, the weapon of choice is always fueled by empowerment and belief in the self and/or community. Considering October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, today's picks focus specifically on the topic of empowerment, highlighting people, books, films, and events that reiterate the value of personal and/or cooperative strength.

Our hope is that you will be inspired as you read through our personal selections and remember that we all have the same capabilities to encourage and empower one another. And as always, we encourage you to share with us any other stories you find relevant to today's topic.

Enjoy!

photo via: Ralph Lauren

1. Pink Pony Womens Clothing for Breast Cancer from Ralph Lauren Polo

Ralph Lauren Polo has launched a month long breast cancer awareness campaign. 10% of all proceeds will support the Pink Pony Fund for Cancer Care and Prevention. With a charity auction and a collection of men's and women's clothing, sportswear, accessories, and gifts, this is definitely the most fashionable way to show your support! (Click here to shop and learn more about it.)

image via: Amazon

2. Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family by Condoleezza Rice
"Condoleezza Rice has excelled as a diplomat, political scientist, and concert pianist.  Her achievements run the gamut from helping to oversee the collapse of communism in Europe and the decline of the Soviet Union, to working to protect the country in the aftermath of 9-11, to becoming only the second woman - and the first black woman ever -- to serve as Secretary of State... As comfortable describing lighthearted family moments as she is recalling the poignancy of her mother’s cancer battle and the heady challenge of going toe-to-toe with Soviet leaders, Rice holds nothing back in this remarkably candid telling. This is the story of Condoleezza Rice that has never been told, not that of an ultra-accomplished world leader, but of a little girl – and a young woman -- trying to find her place in a sometimes hostile world and of two exceptional parents, and an extended family and community, that made all the difference. " (Click here to continue....)

photo via: A Peace Treaty

3. A Peace Treaty
A Peace Treaty creates employment for skilled artisans working in places of socio-political strife, effectively supporting their craft while elevating their products to the levels of high design for an exclusive, international audience.  Each season, A Peace Treaty travels to a particular region and seeks out local village artisans to re-define an accessory, creating limited edition pieces in style-unique colorways. The S/S 2010 season comprises of three collections, hailing from Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan. (Click here to view all collections.)



  

video via: YouTube

4. Last Train Home by Lixin Fan
"Every spring, China’s cities are plunged into chaos, as all at once, a tidal wave of humanity attempts to return home by train. It is the Chinese New Year. The wave is made up of millions of migrant factory workers. The homes they seek are the rural villages and families they left behind to seek work in the booming coastal cities. It is an epic spectacle that tells us much about China, a country discarding traditional ways as it hurtles towards modernity and global economic dominance." (Click here to continue...) 

photo via: TEDWomen

5. TEDWomen: Reshaping the Future
" The first ever TEDWomen -- co-produced with The Paley Center for Media -- invites men and women to explore this question in depth: From the developing world, where a single micro-loan to a single girl can transform a village; to the West, where generations of educated women are transforming entire industries. The diverse international program takes a long look at women through the lens of change agent, intellectual innovator, idea champion ..." (Click here to continue...)

photo via: Osborn Handcrafted 

6. Osborn Shoes

Launched in 2009, Osborn offers the marketplace a unique collection of handmade footwear cultivated with positivity, hope and dedication. Co-founder Aaron Osborn, whose family runs one of the largest orphanages in Guatemala, stumbled upon the idea for Osborn in 2007 when he met an out-of-work cobbler while doing charitable work in the country. He and co-founder, Carla Venticinque, were searching for a way to combine their artistic backgrounds with their desire to uplift their adopted homeland. This search lead to Osborn Shoes. That first cobbler still works with them full time, as do a small driven team of 20 other gifted artisans. Nestled in the volcanic mountains outside Guatemala CIty, these artisans craft shoes in a time honored old-world manufacturing environment dedicated to integrity and quality. 

Osborn's vertically integrated manufacturing practice sets them apart, establishing a work environment that is sweat-shop free, worker driven and brand focused. Each shoe is signed by its maker, as a testament to the sense of pride for the maker, as well as its wearer. (Click here to continue...)

METI - Handmade School, Rudrapur, Bangladesh

Anna Heringer and Eike Roswag

photo via: MoMA

7. Small Scale, Big Change: New Architectures of Social Engagement, MoMA
October 3, 2010 - January 3, 2011
This exhibition presents eleven architectural projects on five continents that respond to localized needs in underserved communities. These innovative designs signal a renewed sense of commitment, shared by many of today’s practitioners, to the social responsibilities of architecture. Though this stance echoes socially engaged movements of the past, the architects highlighted here are not interested in grand manifestos or utopian theories. Instead, their commitment to a radical pragmatism can be seen in the projects they have realized, from a handmade school in Bangladesh to a reconsideration of a modernist housing project in Paris, from an apartheid museum in South Africa to a cable car that connects a single hillside barrio in Caracas to the city at large. These works reveal an exciting shift in the longstanding dialogue between architecture and society, in which the architect’s methods and approaches are being dramatically reevaluated. They also propose an expanded definition of sustainability that moves beyond experimentation with new materials and technologies to include such concepts as social and economic stewardship. Together, these undertakings not only offer practical solutions to known needs, but also aim to have a broader effect on the communities in which they work, using design as a tool. (Click here to continue...) 

photo via: Amazon

8. Conversations with Myself by Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela is widely considered to be one of the most inspiring and iconic figures of our age. Now, after a lifetime of taking pen to paper to record thoughts and events, hardships and victories, he has bestowed his entire extant personal papers, which offer an unprecedented insight into his remarkable life.
A singular international publishing event, Conversations with Myself draws on Mandela’s personal archive of never-before-seen materials to offer unique access to the private world of an incomparable world leader. Journals kept on the run during the anti-apartheid struggle of the early 1960s; diaries and draft letters written in Robben Island and other South African prisons during his twenty-seven years of incarceration; notebooks from the postapartheid transition; private recorded conversations; speeches and correspondence written during his presidency—a historic collection of documents archived at the Nelson Mandela Foundation is brought together into a sweeping narrative of great immediacy and stunning power. An intimate journey from Mandela’s first stirrings of political consciousness to his galvanizing role on the world stage, Conversations with Myself illuminates a heroic life forged on the front lines of the struggle for freedom and justice. (Click here to continue....)

MBF TrendTalk iPhone App Update!

After much acclaim, we decided to "up the ante" and give you a version "2.1" of our blog -- MBF TrendTalk. 

So whether you already have version 1 or have not yet downloaded our app, click here to download the new and improved version of MBF TrendTalk so you can always keep up-to-date with the latest news of the fashion industry. With enhanced features like sharing a post via Twitter, Facebook, or by e-mail, it is an absolute must for fashion enthusiasts and professionals. And of course, -- it's gratis!

image via: NY Times

Considering we are based in New York City, the New York Times' "I Logo New York" submissions had us some good laughs. As readers from all over the world are invited to submit their own spin off of the iconic logo, the ideas vary from food, real estate, love, art, and technology. Take a look; it will be sure to give you a smile!

MBF Exclusive: Future of Fashion Video

Earlier this month we were invited to speak at "Take 5ive" a monthly event -- hosted in NYC by WIN-Initiative -- which brings together professionals from various creative industries.

This month’s event was hosted by Take 5ive’s Hans Neleman; Chrissy Reilly emceed a packed Win Headquaters.

Manuela Fassbender, creative director was one of 10 guest speakers.

Each speaker is given 5 minutes to discuss any topic of their choosing.

This evening's selection of speakers was organized by social media marketing & business trending specialist, Karen D'Silva.

Speakers came from diverse industries -- from photography to beer brewing.

They included:
Stanislava Georgieva, photographer

Karen D'Silva of Karen D'Silva Creative Services
Jerry Tavin, Young Photographers Alliance
Andy Katz, photographer

Mario Estrada of HipstamartSonya Giacobbe, Kelso of Brooklyn

Sean Justice, NYU professor photography/technology
Savannah Spirit, photographer

See what Manuela presented here...

About Take 5ive
Take5ive brings together leaders in the creative industry in a forum of sorts. Typically, 10 speakers are split between artists and creative professionals. Past guest speakers have included creative consultant Stella Kramer and Allegra Wilde,tech people Dripbook founder Alex Wright as well as app developers and representatives from Adorama and Sony. Artists participating are split between commercial and fine art.

Fashion Week Round Up

I don't know about you, but there is something exciting and refreshing about this year's New York Fashion Week. The most obvious difference is the new location; shows are held uptown at Lincoln Center and no longer at Bryant Park. But the overflow of special events, different forms of presentations, numerous rising designers, and the influence of the digital world have all created something uniquely new in today's ever changing fashion.

There is so much going on, so we bring you a few snippets of what we have been up to this past week, as well as brief summaries of what we are seeing. We warn you that this is a heavy post filled with photos and videos to accompany the write-ups, but we guarantee that you will love what you're reading!

So as we mentioned earlier, after 17 years, Bryant Park is no longer the hub of New York Fashion Week. And with 98 shows and presentations this season, up 80 from last year, everything is bigger and better in the new home that is 30 percent larger than that of Bryant Park.  Moving away from exclusivity, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, the first fashion director of NY Fashion Week, is also making it a goal to make Fashion Week more available to the masses and plans to create a year-round fashion presence at the center. 

photo via: NY Times

But in case you didn't make your way up to the Lincoln Center, nearly all shows were part of a live-streaming network this year. Using everything from Facebook and Twitter, to Conde Nast's Style.com live-stream, AOL's Stylist.com, or FirstComeFashion.com, anyone from anywhere was invited take part in the latest fashion shows.

photo via: NY Times

Burberry went above and beyond anyone else though, allowing customers to see the show on a live-streamed broadcast and then immediately making it available to order the merchandise as the models strut in it. The company promises its customers that their orders will be shipped within seven weeks, versus the normal four to six month wait. 

photo via: NY Times

Tom Ford, however, went on a completely different route, opting for a private and intimate setting similar to that of the old-time couture shows of the 60's. After six years of absence, Mr. Ford invited 100 guests to a special presentation at his men's store on Madison Avenue with Terry Richardson as the only photographer permitted to take pictures. All of the 32 models were as individual as she could be, including Julianne Moore, Beyonce Knowles, Emmanuelle Seigner, Lauren Hutton, Rita Wilson, Rachel Feinstein, Marisa Berenson, Daphne Guinness, Lisa Eisner, Farida Khelfa, Lou Doillon, as well as a few supermodels, including Joan Smalls, Liya Kebede, Amber Valletta, Daria Werbowy, and Stella Tennant. Mr. Ford narrated the show, calling out each woman and then giving a lively, detailed description of her outfit. Unlike every other designer, Mr. Ford will hold back all photos of the collection until December when he will make them available on his website along with a mini-film of the show. The clothes will be in stores in late January or February. 

Last week, Custo Barcelona presented his spring summer 20011 show at Lincoln Center. We were fortunate to attend the show and brought you some photos from backstage. 

Inspired by musical festivals, there was a discovery of new textures and volumes as the girls walked down the runway in feathers, shiny embroidery, and bold shots of neon and mixed graphic prints. 

                          

This Monday, we attended Auralis' spring summer '11 fashion show hosted by The Green Shows. The Puerto Rican designer Auralis Herrero called her vision for this spring "Urban Tropical", presenting a runway of clothes inspired by her childhood in the Caribbeans mixed with the spirit of her current hometown, New York City. The collection was absolutely perfect for the hot summer days and we especially loved the silk series. Auralis' mission to create fashion without leaving a carbon footprint means all her pieces are made from organic, sustainable, or recycled fabrics with low-impact processing.

Before the show started, we got to meet Belinda Pasqua, the founder behind The Sway handbags. Her bags were not only stylish and fashion forward, they were made using hand crafted techniques and with overstocked leathers and recycled fabrics. 

And last but not least, we close out today's post with some of our favorite images from last Friday's Fashion's Night Out. It was much more extravagant than the last, and we hope that for those who were able to make it, had a blast.

Naomi Campbell celebrating the night with her girls

 photo via: WWD

Opening Ceremony Parisian Flea Market

photo via: Opening Ceremony

Alexander Wang with his crew at his OC flea market booth

photo via: Style.com

Devon Aoki puts on her poker face at Valentino

photo via: Refinery 29

Anjali and Naeem Khan sing Jai Ho at Bergdorf's

photo via: Refinery 29

Anna Wintour and blogger Tavi Gevinson at Barneys

photo via: Zimbio

Designer duo Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren at Saks Fifth Avenue

photo via: WWD

Despite the economic instability, September is off to great start and we are excited about the energy and celebratory spirit that is moving in the fashion industry. We hope you enjoyed this post and stay tuned for our next update!

Fashion's Night Out

photo via: Jak & Jil

We just wanted to remind you that there are only two days left till the second annual Fashion's Night Out!

As there are literally thousands of NYC festivities scheduled for this Friday, we break it down for you and give you a short list of some of the most promising. 

Barneys New York

Barneys invites you to shop and mingle with fashion icons: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Daphne Guinness, Julie Gilhart and Simon Doonan. Meet the designers: Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Rag & Bone, and Rodarte. Participate in fabulously demented activities: Ping-Pong, Karaoke, Drumming, Musical Chairs, and more. Greet and meet with fashion icons: Island Records' Chris Blackwell, Johnny Rozsa, and more! Amazing exclusive clothing and accessories: Special edition FNO Alexander Wang McQueen scarf and more. 

Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks will be fashion's ultimate party. Celebrity and designer appearances include Donna Karan, Viktor & Rolf, Charlotte Ronson, Zac Posen, Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas and Sergio Rossi's Creative Director, Francesco Russo as he unveils the new 'Cachet' pumps, exclusively at Saks. 

Opening Ceremony at Ace Hotel

Opening Cermony hosts a French flea market staged in the lobby of the Ace Hotel. Inspired by the famous Les Puces deSaint-Ouen market in Paris, the French flea market concept coincides with the launch of France as O.C's country of focus for 2010-11. Brands will have their own flea market booths with exclusive items and designers will be present to meet fans and enjoy the festivities. Participating brands include agnes b., Alexander Wang, Band of Outsiders, Collette, Deyrolle, Joseph Altuzarra, Keds, Laudree, Patrik Ervell, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, and more. 

Jeffrey New York

Personal appearances from 9-10pm by designers Jason Wu and Monique Pean with Joan Small. Celebrity Christina Ricci will also make an appearance. From 8-9pm, catch designer L'Wren Scott spinning her favorite tunes as our guest dj, and designer Nicholas Kirkwood sketching his favorite designs. Military-inspired custom stenciling by the designers of Current Elliott. A menswear trunk show hosted by designer Devon Scott. Exclusive limited edition black leather messenger bags available by Proenza Schouler available for $225, and exclusive limited edition buffalo horn earrings by Monique Pean available for $295.

Henri Bendel

From 6-11pm, reality stars, The Fabulous Beekman Boys, with cameras, bring the country to Fifth Ave. with a General Store. Get a 10 minute reading with astrologer Susan Miller for $25; benefits Housing Works. Launch of Atelier Swarovski collection featuring Karl Lagerfeld. 6-9pm Fekkai, Marchesa and Olivia  Palermo have a Red Carpet moment that you can share on Facebook/Twitter. 7-9pm Bendel illustrator, Izak, signs one of a kind "green" totes for $100; proceeds go to charity. 8:30-10:30pm model Erin Wasson presents her jewelry collection LOWLUV.

Housing Works Thrift Shop

Housing Works Thrift Shops kicks off the month of Fall Preview events at our Chelsea flagship! Each of our ten New York City based shops host a Fall Preview event throughout the month. We re-stock our thrift shops with the best designer fashion, unique furniture, and rare artwork finds and sell them for a fraction of the price to benefit the largest AIDS services organization in the nation.

Scoop NYC

Scoop NYC and EDUN have partnered up to treat you to an evening in honor of Africa. Meet Ali Hewson at the EDUN pop u p shop while sipping Tusker Premium Lager. Jaleel Bunton from TV on the Radio will be spinning and we'll also have a special performance by South Africa's BLK JKS. EDUN/Scoop NYC encourage you to join Ali and bike it for the night! Ride a bike to the event and EDUN will feature those with the best bike style on their blog! The first 100 EDUN shoppers will receive a free gift and the Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck will be giving out free scoops to the first 200 Scoop shoppers!

Diane von Furstenberg

Diane von Furstenberg takes Fashion's Night Out to the digital universe with The DVF and HP Experience Lounge, a multimedia event that will transform the DVF boutique and gallery into an interactive fashion playground. Hosted by Refinery29.com, the evening will feature cutting-edge fashion installations, complete with a 'Fall Favorites' photo booth featuring DVF items curated by Refinery20.com editors on display for shoppers to utilize when browsing their most-desired DVF looks. Photos can be printed, posted to Facebook or streamed live into the loung on social feed monitors, allowing guests to engage with the fashion community and interact with DVF. Computer terminals and touch screens will feature up-to-the-minute news about FNO from around the city, and around the world.

rag & bone & 3.1 Phillip Lim

rag & bone is teaming up with fellow Mercer Street retailer 3.1 Phillip Lim to co-host a street party featuring delicious food and a live DJ. Inside the store, designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville will be on hand to help SoHo shoppers style their Fall looks. Special guests include Revlon's Global Artistic Director Gucci Westman who will perform mini-makeovers, and one of Revlon's Global Ambassadors.

Ralph Lauren

Join Jessica Alba and Andre Leon Talley downtown at Ralph Lauren Soho for champagne, shopping, and a stylish performance by Grammy nominated singer Janelle Monae. Monae's 360 degree concert from the oversized loft windows will have guests dancing in the street to her soulful musical musings in honor of Fashion's Night Out. 

We hope everyone here in the city takes advantage of this fabulous shopping event. If you have any recommendations, we'd love to hear from you too! 

And let's not forget, this is a global initiative with 15 other countries and dozens of cities across the US coordinating their own festivities!

China's Burgeoning Fashion Scene

"Let China sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world." -Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon was way ahead of his time when he stated this quote some 200 years ago as it is slowly unraveling into a reality today. Having recently passed Japan as the second largest economy in the world, China introduces itself to the world as a new economic superpower. And although the country is still far from developed, experts say that China will pass the United States as the world's biggest economy as early as 2030. 

So as more Chinese are becoming millionaires, it is only natural that there is a fast-growing demand for luxury goods and upscale fashion. And because so many Chinese went from nothing to everything, most of the wealthy are all about showing off their riches and dressing in garish head-to-toe designer looks. As

Wang Deyuan, the owner of one of the top ad agencies in southern China shares with Times, "You have to show you have money, otherwise no one believes that you're rich." 

So it is no wonder that the more discrete, sans-logo luxury items are not appealing to the Chinese market. A Louis Vuitton worker reports that the new epi leather collection lacking any obvious LV logos was not a popular purchase for the Chinese. Though these pieces all cost more than 10,000 yuan (US $1,476) and therefore considered high-end, the most popular items were rather the older designs that had a prominent LV logo. A Clerk at the Gucci store at Shanghai Times Square also explained that the "Techno Horsebit" series, which doesn't have any obvious logos, hasn't had many buyers either.

Clearly, the meaning of understated elegance has not yet infiltrated the wealthy Chinese market, leaving major fashion brands having to decide if they need to create different collections for the Chinese market, as it is apparent that most Chinese shoppers do not have the same mentality as the European or the North American.

 However, we can expect that in the next several years, there will be a growing number of the upper class that will mature in their taste level and opt for a more sophisticated, refined sense of style. And we see this already in a small, but growing number of young, fashion-forward Chinese men and women creating the future of Chinese fashion whether it is through their own clothing line, a fashion blog, or street style photography. And while we are aware that this is still a very small percentage of China, we can expect that this subculture will only expand as China continues to rise in economic wealth.

So who are these Chinese bloggers and fashion designers? Take a look of our favorite picks of established and rising talents of China today. 

photo via: Stylites

Stylites, a two year old blog by Nels Frye, is a source of information for readers across the globe on the current style and pop culture trends of China. Frye's photos have appeared in Chinese Vogue, Grazia, Beijing Walk, The Beijinger, and several other publications. He likes to describe his blog as "a document of what Beijing pedestrians wear, think, and do."

photo via: I Am Small Fry

With over 10,000 hits per post, Sammy of I Am Small Fry is one of the most popular posters on Wodeyichu, a fashion community site where young Chinese women can share their personal style and wardrobe. Her broad collection ranging everywhere from Comme des Garcon, Alaia, to vintage Celine makes her a top fashionista in the Chinese fashion blog scene.

Fossilized Seed by Erica Ji is another popular blog with an interesting feature of introducing local Chinese designers and is therefore valuable in helping domestic designers build recognition in their homeland as well as overseas. She also highlights global fashion trends and uploads her personal style for her readers.

Although European brands dominate the high fashion scene in China, there is a growing number of domestic brands names fighting to gain visibility both in their homeland as well as in the international community. While the first China Fashion Week held last fall of 2009 was not so well received in the fashion world, here are a few creative talents we spotted that have a lot of potential.

Shoes by Guo Pei, Photo via: Trend de la Creme

An acknowledged leader of haute couture in China, Guo Pei is a designer for the country's top celebrities and upper class. Her Beijing-based store, Rose Studio, opened in 1997; and since then, it boasts more than 1,000 regular customers who buy up to 30 to 40 dresses a year.

photo via: White Collar

As a pure local brand of Beijing, WHITE-COLLAR has been in the business for 12 years and is one of China's most successful domestic fashion brands, with increased profits every year. Rather than focusing so much on profit-making, Zhenyu Dong, the General Manager of WHITE-COLLAR, works on building customer loyalty, brand identity, and aiming toward building Beijing into one of the world's fashion capitals. WHITE-COLLAR was also chosen to close China's first ever Fashion Week held last November 2009.

photos via: Yatzer

Li Xiaofeng is a Beijing artist who creates sculptural clothing pieces made from traditional Chinese ceramics. His most recent collaboration is with Lacoste, featuring a limited edition polo shirt that features a fractured digital print of photographed porcelain shards. 

photo via: Not Just A Label

Famed for her innovative performance at the annual graduate CSM exhibition show showcasing white garments that illuminate in the dark, Vega Zaishi Wang, a recent graduate of Central Saint Martins, opened her first store in Jianwai Soho last week. Integrating technology into her designs, Ms. Wang brings an innovative sense of style to the Chinese fashion scene.

Whether or not Beijing or Shanghai will become one of fashion's capital, we are excited to witness the burgeoning fashion scene in a country with such rapid change and growth. Though this is all we have for you today, we will be keeping our eyes open with what's going on in the other side of the globe, and you can expect to see another update on the latest Chinese fashion news soon.

August MBF Favorite Picks

With all that's going around in the world, and not to mention in such accelerating speed, we decided to dedicate this month's favorite picks on all things educational. From the details of Fashion's Night Out to research in cellular technology, we cover a broad range of subjects. So come take a look, be informed, and share your thoughts!

via: Do The Green Thing

It's World Tap Water Week. And to kick it off, Do The Green Thing presents "the best, the worst, the silliest, the strangest and the downright amazing things about the wonderful world of tap." Check out their website for more. 

via: Newsweek

If you were born today, which country would provide you the very best opportunity to live a healthy, safe, reasonably prosperous, and upwardly mobile life? Considering the aspects of education, health, quality of life, economic competitiveness, and political environment, Newsweek releases a special survey of the top 100 best countries to live in right now.

photo via: The Story of Cosmetics

The Story of Cosmetics examines the pervasive use of toxic chemicals in our everyday personal care products, from lipstick to baby shampoo. Produced by Free Range Studios and hosted by Annie Leonard, the seven-minute film reveals the implications for consumer and worker health and the environment, and outlines ways we can move the industry away from hazardous chemicals and towards safer alternatives. The film concludes with a call for viewers to support legislation aimed at ensuring the safety of cosmetics and personal care products. (Find out more here.)

photo via: Fashion's Night Out

Fashion's Night Out is less than a month away and their newly updated website has been revamped with details of every event so you can start planning your evening now!

Full Signal Documentary Official Trailer from Full Signal on Vimeo.

"Full Signal talks to scientists around the world who are researching the health effects related to cellular technology; to veteran journalists who have called attention to the issue for decades; to activists who are fighting to regulate the placement of antennas; and to lawyers and law makers who represent the people wanting those antennas regulated."(Read more here)

Above: Mindmeister offers visual representations of concepts and how they relate. An effective way to organize the results of a brainstorming session, Mindmeister gives your team a tool for sketching and sharing their ideas and plans. (via: Information Week)

With now hundreds of apps available for our disposal, it's not always easy trying to figure out what apps we actually need and can live without. Information Week breaks it down for us and picks 15 of the best Google apps for businesses. From project planning to invoicing, take a look and maybe one of these can help your everyday tasks run a little bit smoother.

photo via: NY Times

And for all you iPhone users, take a look at Shopkick -- the first mobile app that gives you rewards and offers simply for walking into stores. It currently works with Best Buy, Macy's, American Eagle, Sports Authority and major malls in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and some stores in Miami, Dallas, and Minneapolis. The download was finally released this Tuesday so go check it out!

photo via: Slashfood

For all you New Yorkers out there, you may have noticed the bright blue letter grades A, B, or C popping up in a few restaurant windows. The grading system is the latest health initiative by Mr. Bloomberg and based on an evaluation of cleanliness and food safety practices. The Health Department conducts unannounced inspections of restaurants at least once a year. For more about how they score a grade and to see the results for each of the 24,000 restaurants, visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene homepage.

photo via: Care

Pakistan is experiencing the worst flooding in recorded history with more than 1,400 people feared dead and 5 million homeless. Help is urgently needed. We would like to end today's picks with a short compilation of organizations that provide direct assistance to those in Pakistan.

• UNICEF United States Fund has distribution of clean water as their top priority, as the water supply for hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis has been polluted. 

• CARE USA is responding to the disaster by providing tents and other emergency supplies to displaced families. The organization is also supporting several mobile health clinics treating the sick and wounded in flooded communities.

• UK-based nonprofit Concern Worldwide is providing food rations, clean water, and hygiene kits.

• Oxfam is working to bring water, sanitation, and hygiene projects to devastated communities in northwest Pakistan.

• Save the Children is providing plastic sheets, hygiene kits and other supplies to children and families in flooded regions.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can help, the Huffington Post has an extensive list of ways to support Pakistani families affected by the floods. 

Overcoming Obstacles Through Creative Strategies

To some, the recession may be a distant memory of the past, but to most retailers, the effects of it's sting remains painfully present. As unemployment is still high, house values are low, and banks continue to be less reluctant to lend to consumers, the majority of people are shopping with caution.

And while many retailers in return have slashed their prices for the bargain hungry, a few have risen above the norm and put their creativity at the forefront of their business strategies to bring back their business. Today we highlight three brands that have taken an unordinary approach in response to today's market and show that you don't always need to resort to lower prices in order to stay afloat.

image via: NY Times

1. Luxottica 
The $6.6 billion Italian-based eyewear company with retail outlets including Sunglass Hut and LensCrafters experiments with a concept store that makes eyewear shopping a full on event. Their first store Eye Hub opened three weeks ago in Hawthorne, Australia with hopes of building ten to fifteen more in the United States, China, and Britain, over the next three years.

Costing two to three times as much as a regular LensCrafters store in the US, the Eye Hub functions beyond a traditional retail store and is more like a live research and development lab. Customers are first greeted by the concierge who then gives a short lesson about the store from a Web home page. From there, they are asked how they would like to interact with the store. From the initial entrance at the store to the final purchase, everything is all about having a personal experience.

image via: NY Times

For those who are looking for sporty eyewear, there are wind machines, treadmills, and machines that stimulate glare on snow or water so customers can actually test out the products in specific conditions. There are also 41 touch screens that function as both mirrors and cameras so people can not only just see how they look in photos, but also send them out to Facebook or other websites to ask for a friend's advice before making the final purchase.

Similar to the Apple stores, the Eye Hub has something like the Genius Bar where a section is designated as a center for eye problems and prescriptions. There are also salespeople walking around the store who can make your final transactions so you don't necessarily need to wait in line at a cash register to make a purchase.

Experimenting with new ideas during today's economic state is rare, making Luxottica stand out against the crowd. But will this new shop encourage customers to buy a product and not just visit for the experience? Only time will tell. (source: NY Times)

photo via: Financial Times

2. Hermès
Famed for its Kelly and Birkin bags, the Hermès brand takes an unusual move with a launch of a new brand in China in September. Shang Xia, translated as "up and down" in English, would remain completely separate from the main Hermès line and would be branded as completely Chinese.
Florian Craen, the Hermès managing director in North Asia, describes, "it is developed in China with the Chinese team, based on Chinese craftsmanship and broadly made in China."

This is an interesting approach to getting into the Chinese market. According to Shaun Rein of China Market Research group in Shanghai, most Chinese consumers do not want made-for-China products. Studies have shown that shoes, handbags, and jewellery that are of foreign design sell much better than local market products. Perhaps for these reasons, Shang Xia will start by selling home products such as tableware and furniture with a traditional Chinese theme. Whether or not they will expand to fashion remains unknown. The growth of the company will be determined by how it sells in the market. (source: FT.com)

3. Nike+
With the technological innovations of today, many brands have began interacting more with the web to promote new marketing campaigns and advertisements. Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media have been the biggest influencers of change for brands today. However, Nike has taken this idea to a whole new level with Nike+, integrating digital technology into their actual products. Nike+ uses digital sensors integrated into running shoes to measure, analyze, and share performance data. It also has a program for iPods made especially for runners who like to listen to music during their workout. Since its launch, it has sold 2.5 million Nike+ kits. Not only has this been a financial asset to Nike, but has created a deeper relationship between its brand and their consumers.

                     

video via: YouTube

More recently, at the start of the last World Cup, Nike also launched a new football boot called the Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II. It came with an access code for Nike Soccer+, a digital coaching program available via web or any smart phone. Players can log in and watch instructions given by world-class players and coaches. As the Nike Soccer general manager states, "you are not just buying a boot, you are buying a total game improvement package." Nike represents the new, modern product of today. The brand is no longer just about the product, but the total experience, and incorporating the experience into a wider community. Nike is already way ahead of the game and their success is a lesson for all brands seeking ways to adapt to the changing times. (source: Business of Fashion)

Behind the Scenes: Berlin's Premium and The Key.To

Here at MBF Trend Consulting, one of our hopes is to be more transparent about the fashion industry and let you in on all the inside scoops. So with that said, last week, Manuela Fassbender, the Creative Director and Founding Partner of MBF Trend Consulting, flew to Berlin to check out the latest fashions showcasing at Premium and The Key.To. With a film crew on board, we want to share with you what's next in the industry, particularly in the eco-fashion movement. With exclusive interviews from the show organizers and presenters, this clip is something you don't want to miss! Check it out and let us know your thoughts!

Part 1


Part 2