MARNI AT H&M

MARNI

AT

H&M

 H&M has unveiled the first SS12 Marni for HM Collection images to show off the inspiration from Consuelo Castiglioni's eclectic quirky style and we have them HERE! The collection features printed dresses, sequinned collars, luxurious silk scarfs, printed silk shirts, contrasting silk trousers, to the metallic wooden-heeled shoes and oversized statement necklaces. The high-end fabrics and quirky prints guarantee that it's sure to be one of H&M's most popular high street meets designer collaborations ever. The collection hits stores on 8th May 2012.

WE. CANNOT. WAIT.

MISS

FRANCESCA

COUTURE

Fast becoming one of the most talked about fashion designers in the UK, Francesca Kearns tell us why she thanks the Scousewives and her Twitter followers and what you should be wearing this Summer. 

Francesca Kearns is fast becoming one of the biggest names in not only Liverpool, but the whole of  the UK.
     
After graduating from John Moores Univeristy in July 2008 were she studied Fashion.

Francesca knew it was time to open a boutique when she was forced to evict her dad from his own office.

“I had a space in my dad’s building yard but interest in what I was doing was just growing and growing. In the end I had to move into his office and he had to move out!

“That’s when I thought, ‘it’s now or never’.”

When opening her boutique in 2010 nameed ‘Francesca Couture’  Francesca admits she was a little worried, ‘I did have a few sleepless nights wondering if it was the right thing. It was scary branching out.

But Francesca didn’t need to worry.“Fortunately the response was fabulous. I had a launch party and there were so many people it spilled out onto the street. It honestly is a dream come true’.

A mention on reality TV show ‘Desperate Scousewives’ has gave small business owner Francesca such a big name in the fashion industry. Her love of designing statement couture pieces landed her a spot on the fashion market where her boutique is never empty now making dresses for clients all over the UK thanks to her appearances on the E4 programme.

‘ The scouse wives have been my friends for years, since we were kids. I’ve always made them their dresses, but since the girls appeared on the show wearing my dresses, business has gone far bigger than i ever expected in such a small amount of time’.

Francesca’s shops featured in the first ever episode of the programme and has now gained more than 11 thousand followers on Twitter.

‘I can’t believe it, people are going crazy over my designs and im noe getting orders for dresses over all the UK and Ireland. I even shipped dresses over to a DJ who lives over in Miami’.

Even though business has boomed for Francesca since the show, she never onced doubted herself.

‘I always knew i was going to go far, you have to believe inyourself when you have your own business, but i do appreciate the help of the scousewives’.

Francesca now owns her own boutique, writes her own blog and has a website where you can order a variety of her dresses including the ‘Gold Tutu Dress’ that has become one of the most talked about dresses in the UK.

‘When Amanda Harringotn wore the gold dress i had designed to the opening of the Playground Nightclub in Liverpool, i knew it was a fabulous dress but didn’t realise i would have over 300 orders of the exact dress in just over 4 weeks.

Instead of people travelling from across the country to visit her shop she decided to begin her own website and make the dress available to buy online.

‘ I was getting emails from people in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, everywhere! so decided to sell it online, i havent seen so much sequin gold material in my life but i am overwhelmed’.

Francesca says she always knew what her path in life was an was always interested in fashion, drawing designs as a little girl, before graduating, to making her own clothes by the time she was just 17.

Now having a celebrity clientele including of corse all of the scouswives, Hollyoaks actresses, Towie stars Chloe Simms, Lauren Pope, Billi Mucklow and Cara Kilbey, Francesca has quick become the ‘must have dressmaker’.

 ‘I am now taking orders months in advance to make sure all the dresses are perfect for that special occasion’.

Francesca herself is a typical liverpool Lady and when it comes to style she knows just how Liverpool girls like it.

‘ Everyone knows Scouse girls know how to dress. They all want something a bit different, a bit unusual. I think the majority of Liverpool women are like that.’

“In this city there are no boundaries, no limits; the girls here are adventurous, very competitive with what they wear and want to look better than anybody else.’

“There is nothing worse for a Scouse girl than thinking you have finally found the most amazing outfit and you turn up at a party and there are two other girls wearing the same dress! Custom made clothing stops that and puts all anxiety to rest.’

Which Francesca says makes her job as a desgined a ‘brillian one’.

‘Custom made couture clothing gives women an instant injection of confidence and femininity as they shape every figure and highlights your best assets.’

Francesca will remain in Liverpool and hopes keep developing her boutique and hopefully open more shops in the future.

‘I will always stay in Liverpool, i love the City, the nightlife, the style and of corse the people. I just want to expand and keep doing what i love’.

Francesca has offers to design for different stores but has turned them town to stay ‘unique’.

“I have had offers of designing for other stores but I wanted to be independent.

“That way I can have an idea in the morning, have it made that day and sold that week. I love the immediacy and freshness of that.”

Wearing a shirt designed and made by herself, J Brand Jeans and Topshop heels we asked Francesca what we should be wearing for Spring Summer 2012!

‘Its all about the prints this summer’.

‘Prints are still huge. Florals are a classic but if you want to be exactly on the SS12 pulse then a silky paisley or tropical jungle print are the ones to go for to get you noticed’.

‘ For a sunny stylish summer all girls need just five thing’.

1 - A pair of BIG sunglasses, wear with anything and everything to get that instant glamourous look’

2 - A pair of cut-off denim shorts, go for light or coloured denim and customise them with a few rips and add a few badges and pins for a funky look perfect for festivals, holidays and chilled out summer evenings.’

3 - A plain white racer-back vest, plain and simple but can be dressed up with lots of Jewellery and heels or dressed down with a plain trilby hat, leggings and sandals’.

4 - A colourful, printed scarf, perfect for the chilly nights or even summer days, tie round your hair in a big bow for an instant off-the-catwalk look!’.

5- A Miss Francesca Couture Dress. OF CORSE!, perfect for that special occasion or just a night out on the town. My dresses will make you feel amazing and you will be sure to stand out from the crowd’.

WE WANT IT ALL!!!




 

SCRATCH-DOLLFACE

WHAT

A

DOLL!

We caught up with Delia Turville, the fearless funky fashionista we know as ‘Scratch Dollface’ to learn a little more about her and what her ambitions for the future are.

“Anthing goes when it comes to fingers and toes” says Delia Turville fashion teacher and funky nail and make-up artist.
The 28-year old Londoner has recently moved to Liverpool to work in Peaces and Cream make over studio and has become a massive hit with the Liverpool ladies.

Delia is known as Scratch Dollface and is a freelance mobile nail artist specializing in one of a kind bespoke nails. Her Fashion background is reflected in her work is highly influenced by current catwalk trends and popular culture.

She offers a wide range of nail services from a simple manicure & nail enhancements, to more intricate work such as hand painted designs, kawaii style nails, 3D, crystals and wraps, she also creates temporary ‘nail tattoos’ whereby absolutely any image, photo, or text can be applied to the nail surface.

Describing herself as ‘unique and fe’ Delia has recently designed nails for Jessie J and designed a pair of wedges for Nicki Minaj. Working her way up to the top with her quirky designs, we see a big future for Scratch Dollface.

Tell us a little about you, what is your background & where do you come from?I am from a tiny village near Stratford Upon Avon, in the middle of the countryside, as a complete contrast, I moved to London to complete my studies, and then I became a Teacher. After many visits to Liverpool, I decided to take my work there as the Scouse ladies are very glam!

How did the Scratch Dollface brand emerge, and what made you pursue this as a career choice?I started Scratch Dollface about 18 months ago after numerous requests for nail art and face painting from friends and colleagues. Word spread fast and people were recommending me to their friends, so I thought it would be a great to turn my hobby into a career.I’m a dedicated tweeter, so I’ve gained lots of followers there. I’ve also built up a good client base in Liverpool since discovering Peaches & Cream. One day I went in to show them my designs and they invited me to come and work with them during my visit.I now work there during all of my school holidays. Due to the growing demand for high fashion nails, my work has appealed to a lot of fashion followers wanting something different from the ordinary white tip or glitter. My passion for creativity is what keeps me going and I would eventually love to pursue this as a full time career.

How does your 9-5 job as a Fashion and Textiles teacher tie in with your Scratch Dollface empire?I love teaching. My students are very complimentary about my nails and they  help me to keep my ear to the street.Because my school is a specialist arts college we are always putting on big      performances, for which I design and make costumes and do the hair and stage makeup.

How do you keep your ideas fresh and ensure that you’re one step ahead of the crowd?In order to keep my ideas fresh, I am constantly watching the catwalk to spot emerging trends and investing in new nail products in order to experiment. For me, it’s more than just applying a product and offering good customer care; I am trying to create something different for each and every customer, so I’m constantly looking for inspiration from all around me. 

 

Scratch Dollface is an interesting name, is there a story behind it?I’ve always worn my nails ridiculously long so that’s where “Scratch” came from. The “Dollface” part is because I also do theatrical makeup and I am training to become a micro pigmentation specialist (semi Permanent makeup).

 What advice do you give your students?Believe in yourself, work hard and find something you are passionate about!

How would you desribe yourself and your work?I would desribe myself as unique, crazy, free and quirky and my work as Nostalgic, Eclectic and Kitsch.

What would you never leave home without?My I Phone, I’m always tweeting and taking pictures!

If you could have a superpower what would it be?Time travel, I’d love to visit the 1950s and be a real life pink lady!

What our your next designs you are planning?As well as my regular nails I have also been working on some bespoke sets for Jeffery Michael, a fashion designer who has designed costumes for Jessie J and Groove Armada . His debut collection is hitting the catwalk on Sunday 19th June to mark the end of London Fashion Week. I can’t give away any details just yet but each set of nails is inspired by one of the amazing garments. The polish was supplied by O.P.I, which I am a huge fan of.I am very excited. I have also started customising accessories such as shoes and earrings, and even made pieces of jewellery.

Why do you think people love buying and investing in unique fashion pieces?

I think it’s because it enables them to have something individual and one of a kind that they can keep forever. Knowing that nobody else has what you have makes it special and makes you feel special knowing it has been specially made for you.

Why did you choose Liverpool to come
and work?My boyfriend is from LIverpool, so when i came visit i just fell in love. Love with a capital L, i was just blown away by the city. London is different to Liverpool, i dont think there really isn’t anywhere else like Liverpool in the way that girls look after themselves. They wear heels to go shopping and look a million dollars even when they’re just out and about so its a perfect fit for the girls to stand out from the crowd and look fabulous at the same time.

Do you not miss London? I’ll be sorry to leave the people and ill miss my family but its only 2 hours on a train and i wont miss having to get a bus anywhere. Liverpool is a better city and i can get myself out there more.

Can you give us a preview of hot nail trends for 2012?
I think we are going to see a lot more interesting nail shapes, last year was all about the oval, then the stiletto nail, which are not to everyone’s taste but there will be plenty more interesting shapes emerging.

 As a nail artist what do you think hands and feet say about a person?I don’t mean to sound judgemental but I think you can tell a lot about a person from their nails. I’m not one of these people who is dolled up 24-7 but I do my best to look neat and tidy and try to keep my nails and toes in good condition. Imagine someone has just spent hours on their makeup,chosen a beautiful outfit and then you look down and see some crusty toes hanging out of her Louboutins. It’s just not right- to me, that says “all cash – no class”!

What are your plans for 2012?2012 Is going to be a very busy year for me in between my mobile appointments in both London and Liverpool and my bookings at Peaches & Cream in Liverpool I have also been nominated for a ‘Scratch Stars Award’ as ‘Nail artist of the year’. Scratch Stars is an awards ceremony dedicated solely to the nail industry. Scratch Stars will give nail artists, salon owners and brands a chance to gain the recognition they deserve. The talent out there is massive and I would love the opportunity for my work to reach a greater audience. I just want to keep doing what i do best and expand my business and of corse keep Liverpool girls on the map of style!

What is your overall ambition?I would absolutely love to work with a high street store/fashion designer, to develop a range of pre decorated false nails inspired by catwalk trends, as I feel what is available in stores at the moment is pretty limited! I would like to master the art of semi permanent makeup, adding another string to my  bow and  id love to work alongside fashion          designers! Basso & Brooke, Jeremy Scott, cavalli, versace & mcqueen r my faves!

 

CLAUDIA......PINK!

CLAUDIA PINK

Claudia Windle tells us how far she has came from working at a local Liverpool market to now showcasing her designs on one of the largest online boutiques and gives us tips on how to make that outfit extra special.....

Claudia Windle, a Jewellery designer from Liverpool, started out on a stall at the Heritage Market on Liverpool’s docks four years ago, she now runs her own website, CIty Centre Store ‘Claudia Pink’ in Liverpool and has now created an exclusive range for the one of the biggest online shopping outlets in Europe ‘Asos’.
Asos have launched a new section of their website called Marketplace were Claudia will showcase and sell her designs.
‘Four years ago I started in the heritage market, then moved in to Grand Central in the city centre and now I am a well established fashion and jewelery designer in the Met Quarter. I’ve recently been snapped up by asos.com, Europe's largest online fashion boutique’.
Gaining the name ‘Claudia Pink’ from the love of her pink hair since an early age, Claudia has fast become one of the sought after designers in Liverpool to which she is very grateful of.
‘ The adventurous style of Liverpool women has let me more creative and outrageous with my designs, they're always willing to experiment and stand out."
‘Liverpool definately has a lot of talent but the stronger designers get noticed. It's tougher but makes you work harder. It's not given to you on a plate. Liverpool has been a great starting point for me. I'm so great full for my loyal customers’.
Claudia Pink is regarded as an innovative designer setting new styles and trends by combining her love of jewellery with her passion to be a creative and inspirational force. She is best known for her ability to take vintage costume jewellery, and give it a fresh identity.With her unique designs Claudia Pink is making statements with her unique take on vintage jewellery as lovers of all that glitters go wild for her accessories boutique.
‘My brand is exotic, decadent, affordable but very sort after.  It's an eclectic collection of hand made and world wide sourced jewellery’.
The city’s ‘Most Stylish’ have blazed the trail including Coleen McLoughlinwho is a regular customer at the shop and the rest of the WAG’s have followed.
‘I don’t advertise my work across the city,”
‘There has been a bit of interest by the press, probably because I get a lot of the Liverpool WAGs coming in.”

Citing French designer Thierry Mugler is one of Claudias biggest influences along with 1920’s glamour and her love for travelling.
‘My work draws inspiration from the classic glamour of Paris and Milan, the statement of tribal design and aesthetic of bygone eras, creating an eclectic and inimitable blend of colour and glitz. I buy my materials from far and wide’.  the exact locations are, she assures me, top secret.
“I get my materials and my inspiration from all over the world and the country, I’m           always on the lookout for ideas.’
Claudia’s tips to make that outfit extra special are ‘a statement piece of Jewellery. You can instantly transform a plain black dress with a big necklace or bodychain, the more ecentric you are the more Jewellery you can wear!’.
Pile on the rings girls!

RUNWAY MAGAZINE...

Hello!

Welcome to the very first blog of RUNWAY!. We are all so pleased to finally share the first edition with you, we have been so excited!!
We have got all the High Street Hottest designs from the shops this week and lots of Spring Summer collections you can try now we finally have a bit of sun!
We’ve got our very own fabulous Kate Moss giving us a sneak  preview of her new collection for Mango and we talk to the up and coming designers from LIVERPOOL about the scousewives and the scouse styles.
We want to hear what you all think of our new mag so make sure you get in touch! hope you enjoy and make sure you treat yourselves!!...

Sallie xox

Sallie Campbell, Editor
Tweet me @Salstrawbs

RUNWAY hits LIVERPOOL

LIVERPOOL

CITY OF STYLE?......

Liverpool is fast becoming one of the most talked about Cities when it comes to fashion. With Coleen, Alex and Abbey putting the City well and truely on the map, Justine Mills opening up ‘Cricket’one of the best Designer Boutiques in the world, we took to the streets of Liverpool to see what the local girls were wearing and spoke to the up and coming designers who are making it to the top with their own fashion and beauty lines. Francesca Kearns, a fashion designer most known as designer to the Scousewives, Peaces and Cream make up artists to the Scouse Celebs, Scratch Dollface, the ecentric nail artist and Claudia Pink whose love for making  Jewellery has made her a ‘friend’ to the WAG’s.


STREET STYLE

We hit the street of Liverpool to see what the Scouse Girls were wearing. We can safely say Liverpool girls definately have style!

Glitz and glamour galore we chose are faves!

Keeley Wilson is a 24 year old Call Centre worker. She makes the most of the British sun in this cute dress! if your not quite ready for dresses and sandles you can copy Keeleys look by teaming a cute summer dress with knee length socks a denim jacket and ankle boots!
Keeley’s favourite shops are Primark, Topshop and Oasis. Her advice for girls is to “mix it up a bit! put a bit of colour into your outfit and make sure you feel good”
point taken!
Jacket - Topshop £35.00
Dress -  Primark £8.00
Hat - Topshop £20.00
Boots - Primark £15.00

Paige Halewood is a 21 year old student.
We love her summer look teaming florals with this white American Apparel skirt!
Her Favourite shops include H&M, Miss Selfridge and Topshop!
Her fashion advice to Liverpool Girls out there, 'be who you want to be, don't care about waht other people think of your outfit- if you love it wear it'
Love it!!

Stephanie Hodge is a 22 year old student from Dublin studying in Liverpool University.
She loves the rock chick look and teams her studded All Saints jacket with her “whole wardrobe”
Her style crushes are Lauren Conrad from The Hills and Gwen Stefani.
 Jacket - All Saints £250.00
Jeans - Primark
£10.00
Shoes- Office £90

We spotted this blonde bombshell who goes by the name G Cramp looking cool and casual in this Jack Wills Jacket, teamed with a Topshop shrug, river island leggings and finishing the look of with a pair of Raybans which were a 21st birthday present.G describes her style as funky, laid back and admits she just picks anything out of her wardrobe of a morning!
Her style crushes are Rachel Bilson and Fearne Cotton.
We love the beach hair!

Fashionista Jocelyn Garvey looks super cool in Denim Dungarees and Black Doc Martens! We spotter Jocelyn doing a bit of retail therapy aften finishing college were she studies fashion and textile design. Her style icons are Alexa Chung, Lady Gaga and Taylor Momsen. Shopping “anywhere and everywere” Jocelyn loves Vintage shops and searching through the rails at Charity shops for bargain unique buys.
Dungarees -Primark  £12.00
Top - H & M  £7.00
Boots - Doc Marten  £70.00
Hat - American Apparel £20.00
OUR FAVE.

Coco Bagley, 17 grabbed our attetnion with her  cool & relaxed look whilst out shopping in LIverpool. Wearing an Abercrombie and Fitch shirt and Vintage  Superga pumps we love her quirky style. Coco’s favourite shops are all things Vintage, Zara and American Apparel. Her style crushes are Audrey Hepburn and Whitney Port.
Coco hopes to one day become  a stylist to the stars and would love to give Cher LLoyd a makeover! Do you agree?

At just 16, Charlie Scarisbrick knows whats hot when it comes to fashion!
We love this scallope Topshop shirt with a Peter Pan collar which is bang on trend and will see you through autumn and winter in style too!
Studying music in college Charlie’s style icons are Alexa Chung and the Olsen Twins. Her favourite high street labels are Zara, Urban Outfitters and of corse Topshop!!

Lydia McCartney, 19 describes herself as a fashion addict with her favourite shops being H & M topshop and Reiss.
 Lydia's look is very Victoria Beckham & we love it! The Purple Floppy Brim hat from H & M adds a touch of chic to her Topshop outfit. Lydias fashion icons are Fearne Cotton, Cheryl Cole and Millie Macintosh.