While the runway shows get the glitz & glam, Fashion Week is essentially a trade event.
The designer exhibitions are where to find some of the most interesting, innovative and stylish creations looking to express an idea and be available in a shop near you.
This Is Worldtown shares some notes on exhibitors that intrigued us.

Elvis & Kresse Arts

• Committed to re-purposing industrial materials, destined for the landfill– like these de-commissioned British fire hose– in to stylish accessories, incorporating the details of the source material.
  Did you know: After a maximum life of 30 years, fire hose in Britain are required to be decommissioned for health & safety reasons. The sturdy, durable material is not biodegradable, impossible to destroy and is typically just sent to the landfill
• The duo, behind the line, James Henrit & Kresse Wesling, discovered the reams of firehouse in Croydon and began collecting them even before they knew what to do with them!
• Partnered with Arts co. to have artists create original works with the material.
• 50% of all profits go to a related charity.
• They launched officially at this Feb 2010 London Fashion Week.

This exhibitor was part of Monsoon’s estethica featuring organic, recycled and/or ethically produced items.

http://www.fire-hose.co.uk/

KAYU

• An ecological and ethical line of eyewear, made from bamboo– an eco-friendly material, grown without pesticides or fertilizers, and from the species of bamboo not eaten by Pandas.
• For every pair of glasses purchased, KAYU funds one sight restoring surgery in the developing world.
  Did you know: 80% of blindness is curable or preventable, yet 36 million are needlessly blind. Eliminating preventable blindness is one of the world’s most urgent problems and one that persists due to a lack of funds.
• The creator of the line, Jamie Lim, was born in America but grew up in Kuala Lampu, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
• Growing up surrounded by a unique contrasting environment of Eastern and Western aesthetic and great richness and poverty, it became her inspiration.
• Lim launched KAYU in 2008 with just one pair of bamboo sunglasses. The line is now in its seventh season, and a handbag line made of natural materials is set to be launched this year.

This exhibitor was part of Monsoon’s estethica featuring organic, recycled and/or ethically produced items.

http://www.kayudesign.com

Fannie Schiavoni

• Fannie Schiavoni fashions incredible chain accessories from her central London studio.
• Her Swedish heritage inspires many of her designs, which possess a modern warrior princess aesthetic, and monochromatic hues.
• Schiavoni’s background in tailoring created a passion for handcrafting and attention to detail.
• A key piece in her Autumn/Winter 2010 collection– one of our favourite pieces– is the Kristina-a protectively structured and tailored shoulder piece with delicate plating of polished silver that both decorate and define the shoulders.
• Her creations can be seen on Lady Gaga in the March 2010 issue of Q Magazine.

http://www.fannieschiavoni.com/

Photos courtesy of Nabila Munawar

Eternal Child

• A cheeky and creative line of knitwear based out of Istanbul, Turkey.
• Designer Gul Gurdamar began the line in 2006, using her heritage and the historic & cosmopolitan nature of the city as sources of inspiration.
• Each season features signature all over jacquard print, and also has some woven and leather pieces that complement the knitwear and complete the look.
• The collection consists of fine wools, mohair, linen, cotton and cashmere blends, and other luxury yarns knitted in a variety of gauges from super-fine pieces to chunky knits.
• The brand’s studio is located in the exuberant Pera district of Istanbul, Turkey. The vigorous energy of this international metropolis keeps Eternal Child on the cusp of emerging fashion.

http://www.eternal-child.com/

Craig Lawrence

Close-up on the craftsmanship of Craig Lawrence’s pieces. Photos courtesy of Nabila Munawar

• Using gold foils and Japanese Kyototex metallic yarns that are woven, tied and twisted together, Lawrence creates a variety of incredible textures– from fur to chainmail– and dimension for each unique piece.
• At once, both dark and playful, Lawrence was inspired by his own childhood in Ipswich, for his collection.
• This dramatic collection and innovative designer is absolutely one to watch.
• Having collaborated with Levi’s to Alexander McQueen, his range of experience is expressed in his work.

http://www.chateaudegateau.com/

Izzy Lane

• From raising the sheep to spinning the wool and designing and knitting (loads of it hand-knit, by the way) the garments– you can be 100% certain that each step of the way, it is ethical and local to Britain.
• This award-winning line is worth looking in to if you care about where your clothing comes from. It is stylish and inspirational to boot!
• As they put it: “Ethical fashion reared in Britain.”
• Izzy Lane now also produces a range of vegan and locally-made shoes.

“New RE:Designer of the Year and Estethica Prize went to Izzy Lane, the passionate knitwear designer from North Yorkshire, who uses the wool from rescued Wensleydale and Shetland sheep who would otherwise have been sent to slaughter. She uses the last of 51 worsted spinners and one of the last dyers in the Bradford area and her cloth is woven at an ancient mill in Selkirk using Victorian machinery which has been in use for more than a century.”

This exhibitor was part of Monsoon’s estethica featuring organic, recycled and/or ethically produced items.

http://www.izzylane.com/