THIS WEEK | Rooms Magazine | 23/06/2014

Hello all! Here are the articles written for Rooms Magazine this week ~

Confined [ ] Space pop up store puts a time limit on the license to purchase - at the Hackney Shop

http://www.roomsmagazine.com/index.php/2014/06/confined-space-ethical-concept-store/

Band, Safe Barracks, launch their new single this July in Hoxton

http://www.roomsmagazine.com/index.php/2014/06/who-forgets-is-who-regrets/

CSM Professor Wendy Meakin collaborates with her student to emit the message of "Love not War" by creating artwork inspired by Japanese emblems of love, and tattoo art to lacquer the shell of a 1960s missile

http://www.roomsmagazine.com/index.php/2014/06/love-bomb-by-daisuke-sakaguchi-wendy-meakin/

Add a little spice to your festival ensemble with Levi's Festival personas - be the envy of Kate Moss with their Muddy Mary outfit, or find your Portaloo Prince amongst the crowd...

http://www.roomsmagazine.com/index.php/2014/06/levis-festival-personas/

Review: Maleficent / GUISE Magazine

Maleficent, a prequel to the infamous Sleeping Beauty, is in many ways a retelling of our favourite fairytale. Angelina Jolie's soft dewy features are transformed into something austere - but was Maleficent always an evil Queen? I reviewed the film's costumes for Guise Magazine…

http://www.guisemagazine.com/film/review-maleficent/

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Interview | Christian Cowan Sanluis | Fashion Designer

Fashion designer and Womenswear student at LCF, Christian Cowan Sanluis is also a friend of mine who’s designs have been featured in countless magazines and favoured by Lady Gaga who wore an outfit deemed ‘the glitter tux’, immortalised forever through illustrations and articles.

Constantly perplexing me by effortlessly juggling student life with creating his own collections, I interviewed Christian to see just how he does it…

E: What was the motive for setting up your brand so early on, before graduating as most fashion students and designers do?

Christian: I'm too impatient, I just wanted to do it now, so I decided to just begin. I felt a head start would help. 

E: Designing at home or in a classroom is totally different to putting your ideas out there in magazines or press days, why take such a huge step into the unknown?

C: I always find university themes really constricting, so it's nice to do your own work. You call the shots and say what is right and what's not. So I started because I'm a control freak with my designs; I don't like being told what I think looks great isn't going to get me the marks!

E: Inspiration is found through many different areas of life, something ever changing and evolving. Do you have one driving force spurring you on?

C: I really enjoy working (so that helps). When I was younger I was heavily influenced by nature shows, (David Attenborough!!) and I always gravitated towards insects and the weirder animals. So I think that was my first influence, since then I've just wanted to create fun fashion that makes people feel empowered. 

E: How do you handle your success? Are you getting used to some things more than others?

C: Ha ha! I don't feel like much is different to be honest, but I have noticed more people are up for working together which is great, I love to collaborate and work with someone who has a different skill set.

E: Do you celebrate each milestone? How?

C: I get really excited for like 5 minutes and then feel unsatisfied, ha!

E: Always looking to the next project! Your collections really do seem effortless, you're so calm and almost secretive during term time, there must be a lot more to it than meets the eye - to you get any help with sourcing fabrics etc or is it more of a one man "band"?

C: I wish I had some bit team! But apart from help from my friends when they are round, (I use them as slaves) I do most of the work. Of course when it comes to the look book, video & presentation, there's tonnes of people involved. Which is nice.

E: Do you use the same processes as we do at LCF? Research - initial designs - samples - developed… or it is a totally different ball park?

C: No not really, I collect images I love on my phone, write notes of ideas, lots of scribbles and then draw them up. From there I devise a story to base the collection from.

E: What do you work towards?

C: I want to create a collection that feels young, energetic, fresh and fun! I want it to make people smile and laugh (in a nice way).

E: Do you really follow things like fashion week and go to exhibitions or do you think there are more ways to be in touch with the industry?

C: I always see what's happening through Instagram etc. I go to exhibitions when I can but I don't really attempt the LFW shows, although I do go to the parties that are around as its nice to see everyone - and get a free drink. 

E: Personally, I think that fashion, music, art, films etc can all be integrated, do films/music inspire you? What's your favourite film?

C: Yes, definitely! Music probably influences me the most. I grew up glued to the TV, watching music videos. The internet is a main source of inspiration and video games, so that's definitely where I feel at home.

E: The digital age! Would you ever consider designing for a film as many designers have done in the past (e.g. Gaultier for "Fifth Element")?

C: I'd love to! I just need someone to ask me!


E: What do you think is your greatest extravagance/indulgence?

C: Food. I have the worst diet ever, a lot of snacks come through my front door.

E: Too tempting to pass up, ha! So what's next for you and your brand?

C: I'm just trying to improve on what I do and get my work out there. I'd love to build up my stockists and have a great team onboard.

E: An empire in the making! Your designs are always immaculate, name something you think has been horrifically overdone in fashion?

C: Those Rottweiler t-shirts, they need to stop.

E: And something that needs more 'representation' in fashion?

C: I must say living in London I feel like everything is on show, we can't really complain.

E: Lastly, where's your go to place away from the fashion industry? Be it a place of tranquility or just somewhere a little different/exciting.

C: My mum's house near Cambridge, it's on a farm and her dogs are awesome so when it all gets a bit much I hide up there.

E: Thank you Christian! It was great to chat, good luck with all your future collections, we can't wait to see everything!

Follow Christian on Instagram (@christiancs94) and Twitter (@ChristianCXMCS) for updates on his new collections.

Want to intern for Christian? Get in touch! "Know any sassy people who would be up for helping with my SS15 collection and some extra projects? Send them my way!"

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Return of the Rudeboy @ Somerset House

In a society where it seems as though subculture is a mere whisper of the past, the anarchy of Punk is slipping away as a memory while everyone is pacified by hands fused to their iPhones.

The upcoming Rudeboy exhibition at Somerset House is the injection of gritty subculture London needs. Curated and created by film and music’s Dean Chalkley and fashion’s favourite Harris Elliott, the duo have chosen to represent (and introduce some of us) to the sartorial subculture known for painting the town with urban style and swagger.

Mohair, pork pie hats and a sharp buzz cut were flooded with American Jazz and R&B – British dandy meets gangster, and infusion of notoriety and high society. Saville Row meets Shoreditch.

With a heavy emphasis on Bespoke British and soulful music, a tale of two cultures is realised, ballasted by visuals, portraits and playlists, within the unsuspecting neoclassical walls of Somerset House. A fitting exhibition space as if cast into the foundations.

Return of the Rudeboy exhibited at Somerset House is open to the public on the 13^th June until 25^th August 2014. Free Admission.

Inside the Industry with Dazed & Confused / Pigeons and Peacocks

The Evolution of Fashion Image Making

"The lecture halls at LCF's John Princes Street site, usually reserved for the voices of professors, was opened to the editors of Dazed and Confused this week for the College's ongoing series Inside the Industry. With an audience of young and emerging talent gathered to absorb wisdom, many of us wished silently to ourselves, "If only success were infection"…"

http://www.pigeonsandpeacocks.com/2014/06/inside-the-industry-dazed-and-confused/

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Fashion and Furnishings / Pigeons and Peacocks

"The similarities between fashion and furnishings are greater than you think! When used in the home, pattern can convert an interior into something it is not. Wallpaper has the ability to cover the cracks in walls and hide uneven surfaces. Curtains shut out the world outside and create a new facade within…"

http://www.pigeonsandpeacocks.com/2014/06/fashion-and-furnishings/

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Flashback: Ab Fab / GUISE Magazine

As we await the release of the Ab Fab movie by Jennifer Saunders - who has frequently admitted that her procrastination frequently gets the better of her, we must be patient - I looked back on the retrospective of costumes adorning Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone. A note to the costume designer, we expect nothing less than psychotic come 2015!

http://www.guisemagazine.com/tv/flashback-ab-fab/

Here are some of my favourite costumes from the TV show we love so much!

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