London Fashion Awards 2018

The idea was simple, fix up, look sharp, and enjoy the event.

We attended the London Fashion Awards 2018 at the Royal Albert Hall. Even though we were not part of the A list set with the grand steps and THE Red carpet it was incredible to see. We were seated at door 3 which was not as glamorous but we were greeted also with red carpet and photo op which was a hive of activity. The sparkle shining off the flash photography was blinding.

It was everything you could expect. The A list celebs were on the tables by the stage, we were a couple of tiers up, and had an exceptional view of everything going on. The outfits on some of the attendees were stunning, the women were glamorous, the men dapper, tux’s, velvet suits, it was impressive. 

The awards are celebration of not just London or British fashion, it was a celebration FASHION. 

There were awards for the most iconic designers in Dame Vivienne Westwood, and awards for new emerging talents. The whole reason for the event was to support the next generation of designers/creators and to build for the future. This was visible in the range of people in the audience, from A list celebrities to students from fashion schools, it felt inclusive to all levels of the industry. 

We need to keep inspiring and supporting the next wave of talent…

To understand a little more about what the British Fashion Council can do for you, click on the link here. There are many other organisations that can support you to help follow your dream. And if you need support please contact BFC or contact me.

The party season is well under way and you don’t have to dress head to toe glamour. The Tuxedo is a classic piece so by adding your personal style to the garments and building your confidence you can create something traditional feel modern and elevated. Play with textures, have fun and just be yourself. I love the idea of dressing up.  I wore a Cos Tuxedo style suit with classic white shirt, Dior Homme bow tie, which I actually wore for my wedding 12 years ago, Zara shoes with high patent gloss and black faux mohair details. I then added my touch, my rings which added the final twist to my uniform, and I felt good. You don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve the look you want, mixing and matching different styles and brands will elevate any look. 

The fashion and Christmas season is in full effect and we cannot wait to get dressed up even if its just popping to the club. 

#WeTheCurious

Fix up look sharp!! 

Beautiful wife wearing Halston

New Creative Leaders_ →

Creativity is my new energy!

Seeing, hearing, feeling something, anything that can just make your mind explode is better than any drug. It feels like we are in the time of the creative. With all the negative press and state of the economy and our New World Leaders and then we can all unite and stand together as creatives - for now is our time. Not everyone has the budget of the LVMH’s and Off-white but you can still create.

Go create, go inspire and don’t be afraid to put something out there.

Creatively Being Confident!!!

W E T H E C U R I O U S 

Follow@78cobar2018/6/12/london-fashion-week1">The Business of Fashion Week Part_1

As Men’s Fashion week (london) came to a close we share our observations on this and the digital world via 2 platforms.

First the digital world.

Technology is going through a bit of a love hate relationship within fashion and retail currently. It adds so much which reaches a global audience within seconds. It assists designers with innovative creativity. Retailers have been able to service consumers so much quicker and consumers able to access goods through digital channels at the touch of a couple of buttons. As we see the closure of so many retailers, a lot of blame has been apportioned to the fast acting digital shopper, mobile sales and brexit of course. 

The majority of this is true, but I would also say in some cases, if not most, poor management from the top are not acting quicker to bring themselves in line with current fashion in retail business trends.

Stagnant business models, archaic strategies and potential arrogance has led to some of the world’s much loved brands to fall so far behind the competition that they are forced to close stores. With the high loss of staff jobs the high streets across the country feel like the land that time forgot.

• Why have boardrooms let such disasters happen?
• Why are they not in touch with their customer?
• Why have we seen so much failure on the British high street, following on from such disasters in the US, with well know brands suffering the same fate?

It’s not paying external teams millions to come up with a new brand vision, ad campaigns etc, it’s not rolling out more stores than you can handle and it’s not discounting or creating an online presence that is already out of date and hoping for the best.

So what is the answer???

Sorry, you’ll have to get in touch and I’ll have to charge you for that insider knowledge.

Of course, I’m joking (but seriously get in contact).

I believe it’s putting your trust in a creative team that’s passionate, motivated, determined and driven, who can deliver great messaging, great products and can create a desire to succeed. We still desire, dream and wish we were something, somewhere or someone else. Where has the fun gone in fashion. Well, the fun is still there, its retail process and core business where the fun gets lost. Boards, Chairpersons or CEOs you have to believe in your creative team, work together to build strategies based on short term, mid term and long term plans. Change doesn’t just happen overnight. We all know that, so why don’t we truly understand it. I know what your thinking, shareholders!!! Well we have to be clear to them too from the outset.

Creativity is different all over the world and it’s what sets us all apart whether it’s traditionally or digitally. We need to embrace the creative again to help restore much needed fun back into retail. There are a number of brands doing this so well. All working together for a common goal - to create an experience for the consumer, to create that desire, that need, that reason to purchase. To share their hard earned currency, euro, dollar, bitcoin whatever it maybe. Give them a reason to be part of the experience not just offer a discount.

We’ve done that already!!!

Inspire, be inspired, create, be creative, be you!

London Fashion Week has given us some incredible moments of creativity that really show what London in particular has always been know for we just hope these new designers are given the platform to grow and are not suffocated by business and the forced to grow to quickly. Creativity and Business must work together in the same way the digital physical retail space must.

I call this retailibrium!

For part_2 London Fashion Week Men’s and brief overview click on the link below.

Thecuriousboysclub.com

The One that Got Away

RAF SIMONS sample sale in Antwerp. Are you kidding me. 

I must go, the flights are ridiculously expensive and the kids need picking up from school. Sorry kids but I must see Raf and buy some archive pieces that I can't afford. I can't remember when my fascination started but I think it was around 2001, when I moved to London with my then girlfriend, the bright lights and the big city drawer was too much, the designer clothes, luxury events. It was a fashion boys dream!!! and we really lived the dream. 

My first Raf Simons purchase was sweatshirt, it was an accessible price point and just beautiful, I still keep it safe and wear on the odd occasion to this day. It was a charcoal grey with graphic patches of the same grey, giving you the mix of texture, tone and statement! classic Raf as I've come to learn. my collection came to grow from suits, shirts, tees, sneakers, coats and The Book - RAF SIMONS REDUX

The classic aesthetic always with a twist an edge, these were not just items of clothes but pieces of art and I LOVE the attention to detail on the elaborate pieces to the cleaner pieces. Everything has a purpose, a meaning, a quality that no-one will replicate.

Nothing would stop me going to the sale but alas reality kicks in, the expensive flights, accommodation, and medical appointments scheduled on the day I wanted to travel  not forgetting my responsibilty as a parent. I couldn't go, I needed (I thought) to go to this appointment with the NHS you never know when you might get another one. so it was a choice between health and RAF.

Sadly Health won!

Devastated is an understatement so I get out my Raf clothes and wear them proudly/sadly knowing that I missed a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Antwerp will have to wait, but my love for RAF SIMONS continues.