London Fashion week is coming to and end, having had a look at what some of the designers have put out there this season it was obvious that a number of radical and unconventional ideas and designs had been given the spotlight.

One item which caught my attention on the BBC News website is the (in some people’s opinion) crazy notion of how work wear can be (GASP), fashionable.

One case in point is the old reliable fleece. The staple garment that has been in most people’s wardrobes for nearly 30 years, a cosy fluffy mostly boring and practical garment that over the years hasn’t really been given much thought or inspiration. The design is pretty much the same, fluffy, thick, usually quite boxy and unflattering, in standard sensible colours with plastic zips. To date no one has really tried to jazz these babies up. But for how long will this remain true?

Having been around for over 30 years, created in the late seventies for sale to lovers of outdoor sports such as climbing. The microfibre garment was specially designed to draw moisture away from the skin of the wearer, meaning that during rainy weather you would still feel relatively dry and of course warm underneath your clothes. According to some of the experts in attendance at some of the shows one day the fleece could well follow in the footsteps of jeans, a one time work only garment that with a few tweaks and upgrades in the fifties, became one of the most worn garments in today’s fashion world.

Surprisingly there was a time during the eighties and nineties when the scruffier look was trendy and the only acceptable gear during the years of techno and acid house clubs and venues. Put together with scruffy jeans and trainers it become quite a well known sight on some of our big city club scenes.

However, with the disappearance of such scenes and clubs/pubs and hotspots now having a more reserved and smart appearance (lets face it, there aren’t that many places now that don’t have a dress code!), meaning that the traditional fleece, apart from the odd occasion where a celebrity was scene out and about wearing one for convenience sake and suddenly girls everywhere are dressing down for a few weeks; was relegated to again becoming an item of disregard in the fashion world.

Who knows, perhaps some edgy urban designer will take pity on this poor defenceless garment and give it the chance to become something more.

Check out the full article to read some of the varied views of designers and fashionista’s alike during London Fashion Week.

This week’s nomination isn’t some fantastic out of this world, ultra chic, trendy design, it’s not unique, it’s not even that colourful or interesting. It’s one of those ever wonderful  “I Love…” t-shirts. Yes yawn but hear me out.

The design is flawless, simple and cheap to produce, can be tailored for anyone or anything, this one in particular simply outlines a love of something very close to my heart, nope not the website but my dog. Yes my dog’s name is Google, and as bonkers as that is, it suits him perfectly and no, I have no shame in calling him in the park. I have to admit though, I won’t be contemplating purchasing or wearing one of these, the neighbours may mock.

Despite it being quite a geeky design, this motif has been around for a very long time. Pretty much every major city has a shop in it that will sell a t-shirt or item of clothing that states that the wearer loves either the locality or something related to it. Be it the person’s significant other, a celebrity, even a television program, this design is probably one of the most popular and well known throughout the globe.

Originating with the I heart NY logo that was produced by a graphic designer in 1977, New York to promote tourism in New York State in the USA, the logo has over the years been repeatedly copied, altered to include city names, people and all sorts of weird and wonderful ideas and icons. It has gone worldwide and been translated into numerous languages, President Bush famously wore one whilst visiting the middle east proclaiming in the language that he loved the country, risky move but hey ho.

All in all a timeless design that has managed to capture the world’s heart (get it!).

Tee Boy

Flicking through some old photos recently reminiscing  about times past (oh dear I sound old) and I came across a photograph of me in attendance at a very happening house party wearing a T-shirt with a very well known Monkey design on the front.

What I didn’t realise then in my early teens was how trendy that t-shirt could well be now! It was in fact an early product of Paul Frank, a world famous brand of t-shirts, accessories and a pungent for the unconventional and off-the cuff random items, that I’d picked up during a visit to London with my school, I took a liking to the bold and straight forward smiling monkey motif and it had fast become a regular part of my social attire. What I’m amazed at is that it really didn’t occur to me that that t-shirt hanging in my wardrobe that I had stupidly passed on to a friend after I grew out of it, was in fact a piece of fashion history.

In 1995, a little known newsstand employee from California whom first began creating wallets from scrap vinyl in the shape of lettering and quirky unconventional outlines, Paul Frank Sunich became an extremely popular accessories designer, and after partnering with Ryan Heuser a friend with a keen sense of finance and business an empire of watches, socks, wallets, bags (and even bikes) and house wear was born.

Now, in 2009 he has a fantastic website that is accessed and bought from worldwide and is known throughout the planet for creating simple bold and fun designs that have appealed to teens and young adults everywhere.

Over time, trademark characters have appeared alongside the regular designs, the monkey is now known as Julius and with him are a whole range of silly, sweet and sometimes rather strange animals and people that can be found emblazoned on t-shirts and pyjama trousers in bright colours and fabrics.

Paul Frank Industries has now also diversified into eye wear, creating bright and fun spectacles and sunglasses for those searching for something a little bit different to wear. Flagship stores have now been established throughout the globe including London, Milan, New York and in the Far East, not forgetting its roots the original store still exists in California.

I’m now on the hunt for the same t-shirt I owned over a decade ago, perhaps in a larger size however, fingers crossed I can re-own a little bit of my own history.

Tee Boy

In the wise words of Marjorie from Fat Fighters care of Little Britain, I just love a bit of cake. Put that with my love of all things fashion and you got yourself a winner, which brings me nicely to a cute little idea that a fancy bakery in central London have come up with to celebrate the London Fashion Week that is currently taking place. Cupcakes with shoes and outfits featured on them are now available from The Hummingbird Bakery in Old Brompton Road or Portabello Road, fashionable and tasty! Love it!

Tee Boy

Not much of a weekend in the way of scouting for the next big thing on the fashion scene, spent most of it running around after the dog on the beach, good to see the sunshine back.

Noticed that the winter gear had been shedded and in some cases even shorts flip flops and t-shirts were being sported in a rebellious affront to the cold winds that managed to get through the warm rays. Bright coloured t-shirts are staying by the look of things with garments getting more neon and in-your-face than ever before. Surf and street wear are the key looks for the seasons to come and already the high street stores are stocking up on beachwear, swim wear and general spring and summer boardies, t-shirts and footwear in the vain hope of a nice UK summer this in 2009.

I myself bought a rather amusing brightly coloured green Nintendo t-shirt last week, a wicked one colour print on the front encompassing the famous logo with the phrase Rehabilitation clinic underneath. Love it, great t-shirt with a fun not too complicated design that I’m sure to wear time and again, great find!

Gearing up to proudly witness my own Mum abseil down a 140foot building next week in aid of the St Annes Hospice that helps those dealing with cancer and their families. Don’t know about her but I’m nervous as hell! I will of course be designing her a funky yet tasteful (she is my Mum after all!) t-shirt to wear on the day, just in case anyone wonders who she is and why she is up there and for her to remember the event with pride. Go Mum!

Sat in the hairdressers on Saturday flicking through the obligatory magazines, you know the ones! Been there for months so all the celebrities are now seeing someone else, wearing something else and the music recommendations are so last month. In between the hair styles, celebrity pads and cars I came across a a great shout out for a very happening Surf gear site for those youngsters amongst us. Grommies has a small collection of tasteful yet fresh designed hooded sweatshirts and surf gear, including the ever popular sheep skin boots for the boys and girls that love to run around and well, be all surfer-dude like. It seems us adults aren’t the only ones to take a pride in our fashion tastes. Wasn’t like that in my day! I loved my Thomas the Tank Engine sweater and matching pants I won’t lie to you!

Tee Boy

London Fashion Week began today, and not only were there flamboyant looks, decadent designs and sublime samples, but a tiny little shocker of a change in proceedings. The British Fashion Council announced today that the venue for the world famous event will be (GASP) relocating.

The event, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and happens twice every year in February and September; will be relocated from its current home at the Natural History Museum to Somerset House, usually associated with outdoor cinema in the summer and ice skating in the winter months.

The British Fashion Council has also released its new website, detailing all of its current projects and contributions towards new voices in the world’s fashion industry.

This season’s London Fashion Week will take place until Wednesday 25^th February 2009, it will incorporate over 50 womenswear shows, a new showcase of menswear and more than 150 ready to wear and accessories exhibitions, a must see for any fashion lover or would be designer. Definitely worth a trip to London in my opinion.

This year there will also be a section of the event tailored towards eco-friendly, organic and fair trade designers, labels and manufacturers. In this time of global warming and other worrying concerns, it’s good to know that the fashion industry is also being seen to do its bit.

More than 5,000 visitors including newspaper reporters, magazine journalists and of course would-be shoppers and buyers are expected to be in attendance.

The event itself is estimated to be worth over 20 million pounds per season to the London economy in relation to spending and the amount of PR and marketing that it receives throughout the world via media coverage and advertising. Surprisingly this vastly out does any sporting event or news items. See fashion really does rule!

Tee Boy

Whom amongst us music lovers didn’t watch The Brits last night?

It was truly amazing and quite a proud moment to see so many of our…yes OUR talented British musicians triumph over our usually more successful American counterparts.

Aside from that however I couldn’t hep but notice the vast difference between those that dressed well for the event (The Girls), and those that quite simply didn’t (The Boys). As a fashion conscious male myself I take great pride in the fashionable trends undertaken by my fellow guys in our fair country but alas, not so much last night.

Let’s look at the ladies. First up was Kylie, countless costume changes and style in wild abandon. Every single item a tribute not only to an amazing artist but to a global style icon. Girls aloud, winners of Best Single performed and accepted their award graciously dressed in sexy understated champagne chiffon and silk numbers with their personalities screaming out with their individual hair styles and various lengths of dress!

Lady Gaga (my new favourite artist at the moment), known notoriously as a risky dressed at the best of times, usually found in something bordering on explicit, appeared on stage with The Pet Shop Boys and looked nothing if not stunning and disco pop.

Now to the boys, where to begin. Let’s just say that we’re glad Gok Wan didn’t let us down, he arrived to present an award wearing his signature black suit and edgy shoes and accessories. Kylie’s co-host Matthew Horne of Gavin and Stacey fame appeared on stage looking like he had just fallen out of the set of Hi di Hi, and even remarked himself that he resembled Jamie Callum, an insult I’m sure that Jamie perhaps wouldn’t appreciate. Although it has to be said, seeing Smithy and Gavin on stage performing a comic version of Kylie’s number “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” was worth seeing both the guys stuffed into red spandex (I will leave that to your imagination!).

Alan Carr appeared on stage to announce an award in nothing less than exactly how he put it “a science teacher on his lunch break”! Clad in a tweed mock leather suit jacket complete with ill fitting trousers.

Next up, Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers appeared wearing his signature suit jacket with eagle feathers on the shoulder pads…perhaps he couldn’t find anything to wear? Leave it on the video set Brandon.

The Pet Shop Boys finished off the show with a marathon of their best known hits from the last 25 years with guest vocals from Lady Gaga and the aforementioned Brandon Flowers; wearing nothing if not their signature disco pop avant-garde ensembles of huge hats, overstated sunglasses and wacky mock fur, spandex coats.

All in all a fantastic show, but perhaps a few lapses in the wardrobe department on the part of the men. Come on lads, we have style and taste too!

Tee Boy

This got my attention!

Quicksilver, one of the planet’s most well known names in the surf board and clothing industry has announced that it will be teaming up with Designbyhumans to present the Design a Difference Tee Contest. Every year Quicksilver gets together with a company that creates t-shirts with not only edgy visionary attributes but with a respect and link to economic and environmental concerns going on all around us, and 6% of the proceeds from sales of the t-shirts will go toward an organisation that helps the world in some manner.

This year the charity has been named as the Tony Hawk Foundation, which supports recreational programs, specialising in the creation of public skateboard parks in low-income communities in the USA.

As long as the design incorporates the Quicksilver logo there are no holds barred! Incorporate colours, effects and styles to create your own individual take on this massive brand. The closing date is March 15^th so not much time but if you’re creative and imaginative I reckon there is plenty of scope to get up there with the best of them!

Good luck!

In my hunt for the more random and silly t-shirts to be found in this wondrous world of eccentricities and neon street wear, I also want to bring your attention to the more wacky and downright strange apparel that can be located when you look hard enough.

This week we have something a little different, rather than a funky edgy print that is bright and sure to catch the eye of any passer by or would-be fashion conscious shopper, I thought I’d bring your attention to the wonder that is Johnny Cupcakes! an eclectic mix of; well actually I’m not quite sure how you would describe them!

I have no idea what the designer was thinking about when he/she came up with the designs but hats off to them for originality!

My fave at present would be the Praying Mitts design …lord knows (get it?) where the designer was going with this but let’s face it, wear this and you’re sure to get some attention!

The website accommodates both the ladies and the guys, and the guy whom owns the company has an incredible story to tell of his exploites that led him to become such a popular and well known brand in the states. He has managed to keep his brand from the stores to keep his integrity and unique style, you have to give it to him, he has guts! Check out his story and the products this rather interesting company produces.

Happy t-shirt hunting!

With the threat of global warming and supermarkets reducing the number of plastic carrier bags being given out to shoppers, and the introduction of the “bag for life” is was only a matter of time before these simple bags for carrying your fruit n’ veg were turned into a fashion statement!

All the stores are fast cottoning on to this simple idea and adding their design to these rather ingenious practical yet advertising friendly portal! At the top of the food chain (get it?!) the supermarkets were at the forefront of this movement, then came the department stores, then came the clothing stores…Topshop, Marks and Spencer, Primark and Next are now all at it and are coming up with more imaginative designs and colours, rivalling even their own clothing designs!!! On my hunt for jeans over the weekend (battling against the throngs of Rugby fans plowing their way in the opposite direction on the high street(!)), upon visiting Republic I noticed next to the til that they have gone that step further and given their canvas bags not only a quirky and trendy slogon “Kiss my Canvas!” but have also provided you with a small canvas bag to keep it in? (Go figure), for £3.00 this little piece of fashionista come environmentalist gone nuts idea is pure genius! They come in a range of colours and are a perfect size for putting away and getting out whenever required…!