Graduate Fashion Week

So being part of the fashion world elite I got given some tickets to go and peruse what the latest crop of fashion graduates had to offer. These are some of the collections from Birmingham City University:

Above: Lorna Jane Bilsborrow 

Above: Katie Urban

Above: Sean Denham

Above: Rachel Cogley, below Paris Hawkins-Carr (such an appropriate name!)

In a crufts style fashion my best in show has to be Isla Skelton, because her stuff is just plain awesome. Plus there's clouds and shiny things and the best use of a bathroom toy as a hat I think I've ever seen. you can see more of her here.

HOT.

Jasper


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The times they are a-changin

Hello loyal fans

From the end of this month onwards SquareThursday garms will be all shiny and organically screenprinted. This is exciting news indeed. We will of course bombard you with notifications in all forms as soon as they are available to buy from the site.
In the meantime, the very last of our hand-stencilled T shirts and sweatshirts are being listed on Etsy. Keep checking back, I'll be adding them over the next week. It's your LAST CHANCE to get get something hand painted by Jasper and myself. Also you can see these juicy shots of us modelling them:










                        Sexy.














Molly
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Union chic

Both Jasper and I attended the TUC-organised March for the Alternative in London last Saturday. It was amazing how many people came together to challenge what the coalition government are planning to do to this country.
But what to wear to such an event? Luckily, a clothing label you might have heard of - SquareThursday - make the perfect T shirt. Here I am about to set off:

Thanks to my Dad for the kind of acceptable photography skillz. Also to my head for looking crap.

A close up of the badges (I was kicking it old skool):

Molly
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Celebrity travels

Fun news guys: We sent Lily Cole to India to make a video at the factory where our shirts are made.

Well, we didn't exactly have anything to do with it but it is still interesting to see footage of our garms being born.

Have a look here.

Molly
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Fairtrade Fashion Fun

 Eco fashion news/controversy (slightly late to the party)

Livia Firth set herself the admirable challenge of completing the awards season wearing only fairly traded garms and bling. As Colin was up for absolutely every prize on offer this was a tricky task but she managed it. It all culminated in this Oscar dress:

which was made by designer Gary Harvey from ELEVEN vintage dresses. As eco statements go, this doesn't seem quite right, especially as the frocks were all from 'the era of The King's Speech' and so propa vintage from the 30s and everything. The Vintage Mafia were outraged, but a contact at the shop where they were sourced has assured aghast fashion historians that all of the dresses were damaged or irrevocably stained.
What do you think?. Was this a waste? Or a good use of rescued, neglected clothes?

I think this sends a somewhat confusing message about sustainable fashion, but I always believe that everyone should at least make an effort and do the best they can do. It's great that Livia took the opportunity of being in a very high profile position to draw attention to ethical issues and it's especially brillz that she wore fairly traded jewellery.

Perhaps Jasper and I should cut up eleven of our shirts and make a lovely frock...


Molly
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ps. It's my birthday today! Woot!

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Old Nun's Head

Hello!
Today we were part of a new mini-market at The Old Nun's Head pub in (obv) Nunhead.
There were some lovely people there selling some brilliant stuff.
This was the first time it's been on, but they are planning on having it on the first Saturday of every month- and spilling out onto the green in the summer. I you are a (totally awesome) Sarf London local, do pop over and check it out sometime. We may well be there again.

We passed on some market/marketing tips and ideas that we have picked up from doing lots of different events. I know I have always been grateful to old hands who have gifted us their wisdom and it feels lovely to do the same!

Did you know the pub got its name because the mother superior of the nunnery which once stood there resisted Henry VIII's expulsion order and they stuck her head on a spike on the green? Nice.

Bonus: We found a cat basket on the street on the way home and we had a piece of string just long enough to strap it to my bike. Now I just need a cat...

Molly
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Marketeers survival guide:

Over here at SquareThursday, we are such veterans of the market trading experience we thought we should impart some top tips, hints and words of wisdom should you ever find yourself in the position of selling your wares on a stall.

1)Stay warm. 

Particularly in winter layers are your friend. Lots of jumpers, coats, long johns, GLOVES, scarves, hats, hoods, vests, blankets, pillows, hell bring a duvet. Also wear as many pairs of socks as will fit in your shoes. Wear warm shoes. Also bring some kind of cardboard/newspaper/carpet scrap to stand on. This will stop the cold from creeping from the street and into your feet. Tramps have been doing this for years and they defo know how to stay warm. (If you must resort to drinking out of coldness/boredom aim to do it a bit later on, afternoon drunk is charming, morning drunk is frowned upon.)

2) Ignore the customer!

They may always be right but they are also timid. British people are a bit like kittens, inquisitive but easily spooked. I know everyone likes to invisage the quaint cockney stall holder ranting and hustling but unless you are some kind off mind control agent, (or a gab gifted cockaneeey) best to not speak unless spoken too.

3) "I'll be back... honest."

These are the words you never want to hear a customer say. 8.35 times out of ten, they wont be. Even if they have every intention of coming back any number of things could happen. They could be struck by lightning, abducted by aliens/ex-lovers, or have to hurry home because they worked out the answer to 7 down in the Guardian crossword from the day before and everything else faded into insignificance. Variations of the 'I'll be back' include: 'I'm going to think about it', 'I need to ask my spouse', and worst of all 'I'm going to go straight to a cash point.'  

4)Be prepared. 

A trading day can feel long as. Bring lots of snacks & some form of entertainment. This can be a: book, game, puzzle, craft activity, laptop or if your lucky a friend.

5) Speaking of friends...

Friends are great. If your as lucky as we are and have such wonderful, generous (and did i mention good-looking?) friends, they will come and keep you company, bring you treats, warmth and even buy your stuff. Even if they don't actually buy anything, friends are useful for posing as potential customers, this makes real customers feel less threatened & more likely to approach you!

Don't you just love friends?

Jasper
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