TORRES

One to watch for 2011 - Rebecca Torres is the womenswear designer behind cult Glasgow label TORRES, and I predict she's going to blow up everywhere this year! Kingdom of Style have featured her before and I'm starting to see her in a few magazines...

The newest SS11 collection by TORRES, titled ‘League of Electric’ celebrates Rebecca’s secret fascination for classic sci-fi.  Not so much for the plots, but instead an obsession with the bright costumes and powerful female characters.  Their colourful costumes which embraced feminine curves were their shield and armour.  This latest offering from TORRES very clearly celebrates such heroines and their ability to face any challenge with poise and elegance.


Here are some of my favourites...

I love this collection because it's daring. The pieces are cut to compliment and accentuate curves, not disguise or hide them, which women are so often told to do. We need encouragement to love and embrace our figures, and in one of these bright pieces you'd be forced to show it off in a bold way. But there's an elegance to the collection too. It's not sexed up, it's clean-cut and futuristic. Basically League of Electric ticks every single box for me!

Spring Summer is going to be all about 70s loose-fitting, flowing chiffon and prints. Sigh. NOT a trend I can really get on board with. But thankfully I predict a counter-trend for bold colour blocking, clean lines and body-con. Praise the Lord, it's like a breath of fresh air! Reminds me of the way I feel about Katerina Lambrou's SS collection...

On sad final note, I first noticed TORRES a few years back when they worked with Glasgow desgin showroom/workshop and fashion institution Che Camille on a guerrila-style fashion show taking over the city's subway. I say sadly because Che Camille annouced this week they are closing up shop after years of helping to launch Scottish desginers and backing local talent. It's a shame they've had to end it, but I've got a sneaky feeling it's not the last I'll hear of Camille Lorigo, the owner and brains behind the outfit.

Let Glasgow (fashion) flourish. x

KATERINA LAMBROU COLLECTION REVIEW

CLOWNING AROUND - SS 2011. Finally!

Pictures first, words after.

Stunning, I think we'd all agree. Not just the pieces themselves, but when you consider how much effort has gone into this, it's quite amazing. This is Glasgow-born designer Katerina Lambrou's graduate collection - inspired by "early 1980's carnivals and a free-spirited attitude towards capturing the world and surroundings."

Fun, free-spirited, playful... these are all vibes I can get on board with. I've said time and time again that this is what I want to see from spring/summer collections, and this is why I so often don't like this season, as it tends to be predictable and safe. Boring almost. I think Katerina has got it totally right here.

The pieces are bright, and printed with this gorgeous colour-splash print - the likes of which is tipped to be everywhere come next summer - but daring and edgy at the same time. Like the purple jumpsuit with the printed panels on the torso... that's pretty out there. You'd have to be really confident to pull that piece off! And ankle socks - she certainly has her finger on the pulse of what's going to be hot next season. But ultimately though it makes an impact, it's still totally wearable.

My favourite pieces are the pink cardigan with the puffy printed sections on the sleeves and the last asymmetrical dress with the ruffled neckline. I'm a sucker for volume and texture - basically anything to stop things looking too safe and pedestrian - and this collection has ruffles, prints, pleats, you name it!

What makes me really love this though is that it so completely comes from the heart. Katerina has designed a collection embodying fun, youth, playfulness, and as a result the whole collection has a kind of party atmosphere about it - and if you knew Katerina this would make so much sense!

Rarely have I seen someones bubbly, infectious personality so well-expressed through design. Helped perhaps by the fact that the stunning model is Katerina's double!

I challenge you to wear something from this collection and be in a bad mood. I'd bet it was just about impossible. This is EXACTLY the vibe I what for summer 2011.

Two thumbs up from me, but what do you all think?

* Katerina is currently looking to start stocking pieces from this collection in boutiques, so if you like what you see, drop me an email and I can pass it on to her.

**Katerina Lambrou is an accquaintance of mine, however I have chosen to review her collection because I genuinely like it and have done so honestly. Anything I am ever asked to review will always be done so objectively.**

COMING SOON...

Katerina Lambrou collection review:

Teaser pic - wowaweewa!

I want to take my time with this and not just bash a quick one out in between classes (WOW sounds so wrong!) so it might take me a couple of days till I can find a spare hour or two to sit down and go over it properly, but be prepared to be impressed by what you see!