Who is Jenny Packham?!

Another day…another designer!

I have to admit, this section of my blog might be my favourite part!

The Jenny Packham fashion show at Natural History Museum in London. UK.
(September 17, 2008 – Photo by FlynetPictures.com)

Jenny Packham is a fashion designer from the UK known mostly for her ready-to-wear and bridal collections.

She graduated from Central St Martins College of Art, and has flagship stores across London.  Her designs can also be found in the world’s most premier department stores including Harrods and Bergdoff Goodman.

Quick refresher!  The Duchess of Cambridge has worn Jenny Packham before to the ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) 10th Anniversary Gala on June 9th.

Jenny Packham has designed for countless celebrities, including the the widely reported short red dress worn by at The Harry Potter Premier by Emma Watson.

INF

She also regularly dressed Samantha (aka Kim Cattrall) in the Sex and the City television series and movie.

Her 2011 Autumn Collection showed in February and was said to be a “simultaneously awe-inducing and intimidating experience, and a refreshing contrast that lightened up the mood for Fall 2011 New York Fashion Week” by Yuan-Kwan Chan (a fashion reviewer).

Photos of the collection courtesy of Getty Images

Another celebrity looks from Jenny Packham found below

Miley Cyrus

Sandra Bullock

Eva Longoria

Who is Joseph?!

Coming from  Casablanca to London in the 1950s to become a hair stylist, Joseph Ettedgui founded the Joseph label in the early 1970s and opened over 20 shops around the world.

Christian Lacroix once said “perhaps the only one to have made natural and successful alchemy between hard-nosed business and avant garde art”.  Likewise, Azzedine Alaia said Ettedgui was a designer who took risks “when others are giving up”, and added: “If everyone were like him, fashion would be saved.”

After selling his label (for a reported £23.8m) he remained the creative director for some time. “Although he hasn’t been here in person, his unique vision has remained with us and will continue to do so,” a spokewoman for the label said.

Joseph died at 74 after a long battle with cancer

 

Who is Sylvia Fletcher?!

While I am not sure of an occasion where I will ever be able to wear a Sylvia Fletcher creation, they remain some of the most beautiful classic yet somewhat over the top hats I have ever seen.

Creating her designed for Lock & Co Hatters (first opened in London in 1676 when Charles II was King), she is aware that not all people are able to afford $700 to $1,000 hats (nor do many of us have a reason to wear them!) and has started designing a middle of the range collection.

“We’ve recently turned it into more of a high fashion business. It’s expanded enormously over the past few years. We’ve designed a middle fashion hats range, which is all about affordable luxury,” Syvlia Fletcher said to vogue.co.uk

From the Lock & Co website I had to share some of fabulous the Spring Collection:

And the warm and fun Autumn Collection:

Who is Erdem?!

(photo courtesy of www.flare.com)

Names one of the 1000 most influential people in London by The Evening Standard, Erdem is a young vibrant designer not afraid to have fun with fashion and create playful yet chic women’s partywear.

Erdem Moralioglu was raised in Montreal with his Turkish father and English Mother.  Known only as Erdem, he studied fashion at Toronto’s Ryerson University and then did an internship with Vivienne Westwood.  In 2000 he moved to London to study fashion at the Royal College of Art.  Once he graduate he moved to New York City to work alongside Diane von Furstenberg, before launching his own label in London in 2005.

In 2007 he was awarded the Swarovski British Fashion Council Fashion Enterprise Award and the  £100,000 Fashion Fringe prize for his line.

“Erdem” is sold around the world, in more then 50 high-end department stores.

Erdem has won numerous awards for his work and contributions to the fashion industry:

• 2005: Fashion Fringe Award
• 2007: The Swarovski British Fashion Council Fashion Enterprise Award
• 2008: The BFC’s Fashion Forward Award
• 2009: Fashion Future Award
• 2010: BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund

Some of Erdem other fashions:

(photos coutesy of erdem.co.uk – pre-fall collection 2011)

Who is Catherine Walker!?

© Julian Calder/CORBIS

Catherine Walker is a french born fashion designer who was based out of London. She is noted for having created well over 1,000 dresses and outfits for Diana Princess of Wales.  When Diana was buried, she was wearing a black dress designed by Walker.

Walker and Princess Diana’s professional relationship began in 1981 after her marriage to Charles, and lasted until her death sixteen years later.

Some of Walkers iconic designs for Diana include:

(photos courtesy of http://www.hellomagazine.com)

Walker also designed the dress worn by Carole Middleton during her daughters wedding on April 29th.

Catherine Walker was not one of the fashion designer who looked for fame and the spotlight.  She opened her company in 1977 in London and enjoyed success  for over 30 years.  Walker created two seasonal collections per year, skincare products and wedding gowns.

Walker lost her battle with breast cancer in 2010.

Who is Issa?!

(photo courtesy of stylejunkee.com)

Daniella Issa Helayel is a Brazilian fashion designer who has previously worked as a buyer and fashion consultant.  She began designing her label “Issa” over nine years ago and draws inspiration from Coco Chanel for the “busy, everyday women”.

“I see my role as a designer to produce dresses which are flattering, sexy, comfortable and versatile” – Issa

Issa is available globally in department stores, and will soon be available online.