One of the perks of being a model is meeting some amazing people. Yes it’s true, the fashion world isn’t just full of Devils that wear Prada or Willamena Slaters. A couple of weeks a go, I modelled in the Mad Hatter Fashion show and walked for Chrissie of Curve Couture. On my first fitting I was given a corset that to me looked perfect however, Chrissie’s understanding of how corsets should work allowed her to fit me with a new corset, one that showed of my body perfectly.

After the show I got in contact with the wonderful designers again so that I could write an article about her. Her answers in the interview were so perfect I didn’t want to tamper with them.

How would you describe your style/collection?

My style is all about the curves of the feminine form. I think the hourglass silhouette is the most beautiful, and my designing reflects its iconic status in my design language. Structure, clean lines and sumptuous hand finishing and detailing are core components of my work. But above all it’s sexy and sassy.

Where do you see your collection progressing to?

I don’t see my output in terms of collections, as currently all my work is bespoke only. I love the fact that I deal directly with each client as it’s really rewarding to bring their perfect dream to life. I can envisage that part of my collection will become a diffusion range collection to be put into exclusive fashion boutiques.

What is your fashion background?

Actually I am almost completely self taught. My background training is in fine art, and I think that individual craftsmanship of every article is very important. I fell in love with corsets in my late teens, and worked for several fabric retailers whilst teaching myself sewing and pattern cutting. During that time I met Mr Pearl, who encouraged me to study the art of corsetry, and after visiting him in Paris I was at the beginning of my own love affair with fashion.

When did you know you wanted to be in fashion?

When I was young I was very interested in fashion and drawing, I remember watching the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana and just staring at her massive silk dress. But my interest in actually being involved in fashion didn’t really develop until I believed my skill talent and passion could get me there.

Who were your style influences growing up?

I was totally into alternative youth culture, I loved Goth and New Romantic style. But I think my ultimate icon was Madonna, it wasn’t just her clothes, it was her attitude – I loved that. In terms of fashion designers I am greatly influenced by Charles Frederick Worth, William Travilla and the grandiose Thierry Mugler.

If you could dress anyone who would it be?

Wow, there are so many amazing women I would like to dress. I would be overjoyed if Dita Von Teese, Madonna or Siouxie Sioux were wearing my clothes.

What’s your biggest dream ?

I guess my ultimate dream is to have lived my life making beautiful clothes and be constantly challenged with new skills and techniques. It would be amazing to see my work enter the international fashion arena and be recognised. If I was totally in dreamland though I once had a dream I designed the showgirl costumes in a silver screen Hollywood film of the 1930′s, that was a good one….

http://livlaceandlust.blogspot.com/

by Olivia Lewis

A magical place full of big petticoats, happiness, My Little Pony, peppermint tea and Brighton beach, you are welcomed into Sarah’s World but only if you “are nice & like to skip”. Sarah Walpole is a maker of little things with big feelings, her main creations being artwork and Nice things by Topsy, her clothing range.

“Why shouldn’t you put pink with red?” asks Sarah, as breaking the rules is the ethos behind Nice things by Topsy, clothes made from recycled donations from friends or charity shop finds. Mixing patterns, colours and textures and creating something new from tired items, the range is bright and vivacious. This represents Sarah’s playful side, nicknamed ‘Topsy’ by her dad as a child for her love of the Topsy & Tim books, and allows a different sort of outlet, a physical product. These are purely aesthetic and a way of being creative and productive without the emotional attachment held with her art. Furthermore, having this materialistic release has allowed Sarah’s art to develop, becoming more delicate.

Sarah is influenced by amazing women including Vivienne Westwood and Tracey Emin, and shares Emin’s view that art is autobiographical, a piece of oneself. Using mixed media, the pieces are emotional and her background studying Art and Psychology shines through. Explaining how texture is usually the origin of the paintings, Sarah says she begins with “the gnarls in the wood, pulled threads in the cotton… but almost all of the time, I am trying to express a thought or happening”. Titles such as ‘Surviving Edith’ and ‘full up in love’ allow you to associate with the given emotion even more and penetrate the message further.

Another area of Sarah’s World is her merchandising position at New Look. Approaching this like a painting, considering composition and colour, Sarah laughs revealing that her ‘odd’ taste works especially well, resulting in eye catching window displays.

How lovely it was to be allowed an insight into this enchanting place, Sarah’s future plans are to continue creating, drawing influences from and appreciating everyday tasks and enjoying life!

Nice things by Topsy is available exclusively from Oxfam, North St., or alternatively visit Sarah by appointment to her North Laine studio, see www.sarahwalpole.co.uk for more details.

By Lucy Popps

Tom Lipop, a true born and bred Brightonian, head of LipopLondon launched his Menswear collection ‘Battle of the Sardines’. This fabulous collection was inspired by the chaos Lipop faces as a designer. This designer has a lot of proud achievements; a senior design position at House of Holland and experience on Sky One’s Project Catwalk it’s surprising that the Lipop name isn’t better known. As well as this, he has a BA Honours specialising in Mens Wear from Bournemouth University.

His collection prides itself on being well cut and finished to a very high standard. For me I feel that this designer is filling in a much needed to be filled in gap, men out there need an alternative to the Topman, Burton and Riverislands out there. Our men need to look just as stylish as we do!

Lipop has an amazing ability to mix textures and staples to create something exciting. For me he’s a combination of Gap and Calvin Klein plus a bit more edge. It’s not just me that loves his work, this year he featured in Brighton Fashion week and created a stir in the audience and backstage, and I don’t think it had much to do with his specially picked gorgeous models!

Written by Olivia Lewis

“The Futures Exciting” according to French textiles and accessories designer Camille Walala, and if her creations are anything to go by, this statement definitely speaks truth. Her 80’s inspired printed materials are sewn together to create shapes like no other. I think the only way to describe her garments would be to imagine the cast of Star Trek being mixed and baked together with the members of a very fashionable party. What makes Walala different from other designers is that she actually designs her own fabrics, and they are definitely not like anything seen before!

Camille Walala is definitely a woman of many talents: clothes designing, textile making and accessory creating! On her somewhat in your face website, you can buy some of her gender inspired earrings or her incredible snow flake headpiece. If you do choose to check out her website, you will see that Walala just screams Fashion; like many other designers, a blog can be read and a Myspace can be visited, but the photography and collages are what give her the fashion edge.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not too sure where I would wear her clothes, as quite frankly you need a lot of guts to carry her garments off, but if you do pluck up the courage then you will definitely look space-age-fabulous.

http://camillewalala.com/home.html

Written by Olivia Lewis

Paola Galelli is without a doubt the epitome of style and unique designs.

The Italian Geordie mix designer has graduated with a fashion and design degree and is currently working on her company launch.

With her hard work ethic, drive to succeed and show stopping ‘Shaken and Stirred’ collection Paola Galelli is a designer to watch out for this year.

I first met Paola at Brighton Fashion week where she showcased her designs to the fashion industry on the catwalk.(24^th of May 2009) I had the pleasure of working with Miss Galelli on some photo shoots for some of her collection, which might I add is to die for!!

I am a unique individual, sure topshop and zara still float my boat, but Galelli is a whole different ballgame. She has amazing expertise in computer aided designs and illustrations. Galelli IS style. And this was noticed by those at PPQ headquarters where her unique ideas were able to flourish into spectacular designs.

Deep down in every girl, there’s the girly girl. Galelli teams these feelings with expression in creating unusual yet sophisticated cocktail style gowns which transform into signature styled garments lusted after by all of womankind.

Colour is bold. Design is structural. And yet there is a softness, you can see her passion through her designs, the way each dress beautifully captures the female form, highlighting areas but remaining demure and sleek. Staying one step ahead of the fashion game with her take on a range of designs from silk jumpsuits to structural tartan dresses with many other adaptations in-between, we see the sparkle of a new designer and the beauty of what she can create.

Galelli has a vision of fashion for the everyday woman, not materialistic unachievable perfectionistic qualities which we find the media and other high street brands put upon us, she wants to empower woman through her designs so that we all can feel special and that ‘wow’ factor when we walk down the street. Who cares if it’s only to the local shop and back. The point is she is a woman in her own right who is standing up for her beliefs and has a voice, in the designs she presents to us.

Paula Galelli is currently working on the launch of her new company and we hope in the coming weeks to get an exclusive interview to find out what fantastic ideas she has come up with for her new collection.

Is shall leave you with Paula’s own words of wisdom,

“You have got to be brave to be Beautiful!”

Written by Danielle Alexandria