Kardashians to launch fashion line exclusively at Dorothy Perkins

Kardashian Kollection, the fashion line by reality TV stars the Kardashians, is crossing the pond and set to be stocked in a Dorothy Perkins store near you.

BY Olivia Bergin | 13 August 2012

Kim Kardashian Photo: REX

You've watched the TV show, followed every up and down of Kim, Khloe and Kourtney, are intrigued by just how voluptuous Kim's derrière really is and if her and rapper Kanye West's love affair is the real deal.

And soon (if you really want to) you'll be able to dress like the Kardashians, too.

READ: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian to collaborate on shoe line?

The Los Angeles-based trio, who found fame with their reality TV show Keeping up with the Kardashians , have just announced that their fashion label, Kardashian Kollection, is to launch in the U.K this autumn, with high street chain Dorothy Perkins picked as the official stockist.

"We could not be more excited!" tweeted Kim this afternoon.

The range is currently sold in the US in department store chain Sears, and comprises denim, accessories, shoes and homeware with prices starting from a very reasonable £15 for a bikini top and around £30 for a miniskirt.

250 Dorothy Perkins stores nationwide and eight BHS shops will stock the range as part of the Kardashian's global gallop: 13 other countries including Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia will also be receiving Kardashian Kollection bundles by the truckload.

According to WWD , Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green, who owns Topshop as well as Dorothy Perkins and BHS, personally approved the partnership deal. He last spearheaded a collaboration with another and arguably more stylish K - Kate Moss.

Check out Kardashian Kollection here

Vanessa Seward and A.P.C. Launch Collaboration With Couture Fabrics

Courtesy of A.P.C.

 Former Azzaro Creative Director Vanessa Seward has collaborated with French label A.P.C. on a capsule collection for fall. The 15-piece collection includes dresses and a variety of separates. Prices range from $515 for a printed silk shirt to $810 for a lamé tunic. Seward became known during her time at Azzaro for her distinctive take on 1970s glamour, and it’s a cool factor she has brought to this collaboration.

“I started out by choosing couture fabrics which could relate to my style," Seward said, "but it was important to keep the collection simple and well cut in the spirit of A.P.C.”

Seward, along with A.P.C. founder Jean Touitou, sourced fabrics from the archives of Swiss textile company Soieries Abraham, one of the main fabric suppliers to designers Cristóbal Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent. Seward had worked within the archives during her time at Yves Saint Laurent, when she worked under Tom Ford.

“The gold lamé chiffon is a new fabric as before lamés would tend to be thicker and scratch," Seward said of one of the fabrics she chose for the collaboration. "As for the prints, they have such beautiful archives it was difficult to choose. We decided on a navy print and created a red one with them. The brocade came from a vintage 1960s [Jean] Patou dress I had, and when I showed it to them we realized it came from their archives.”

The designer hopes women will mix and match these pieces with what they already own.

“I attended the cocktail launch in Paris and loved seeing how each client would personalize the pieces—for example, wear the lamé shirt with her own grey faded jeans and a vintage Chanel dark brown tweed jacket,” she said.

Working with A.P.C.’s Jean Touitou proved to be a learning experience for Seward, which isn't surprising given that even Kanye West has sought out Touitou's fashion advice. Seward says, “I was amazed at Jean’s knowledge in every stage...from the fabrics…to the details of fit, he has very high standards in regard to production. I also admired his sharp editing of the collection.”

A.P.C. & Vanessa Seward is in A.P.C. stores now and online at APC.fr. 

Eco queen Livia Firth to launch her own range

Enjoy a preview of Livia Firth Designs, the first sustainably-made capsule collection by Colin Firth's ethically-minded other half, Livia.

BY Olivia Bergin | 06 July 2012

Livia Firth models a Little Black Dress from her Livia Firth Designs collection

Livia Firth is one savvy style-setter. When her husband Colin Firth was nominated for a Golden Globe in Tom Ford's A Single Man , the Italian-born former film producer didn't succumb to the role of mere 'trophy wife'. Instead, she elected to attend all red carpet events, including the Oscars, dressed solely in sustainable fashion in order to raise the profile of ecological and social justice in the fashion industry. More than just a one-off awards season wonder, she launched the Green Carpet Challenge , persuading stars such as Cameron Diaz and Meryl Streep to step out in bespoke designer creations made from recycled polyester from plastic bottles.

In pictures: Livia Firth's 'green' hits on the red carpet

Next up on her plans for global eco-fashion domination? Why, her own line of course.

Following on from the online launch of Eco Age, her shop-in-shop on the shopping website Yooxygen which features her edit of the best ethical fashion, (she closed her west London store to focus on e-commerce) Firth is making her own design debut with five pieces.

The first instalment of Livia Firth Designs comprises of wardrobe staples such as a little black dress in organic wool with a vegetable tanned leather obi belt, a hand-embroidered butterfly motif pashmina, two styles of woollen cloche hat and a hand crafted butterfly necklace.

"The idea is to do maximum four pieces a season - to focus on essentials and quite classical pieces, which can also be versatile and used in more than one way (see the little black dress which goes from "good girl" to "bad girl!")" explains Firth.

"It is the beginning of building a sustainable cupboard, which can slowly fill with good quality, classical pieces with a twist which are produced keeping in mind the ecological impact and social justice implications."

And of course, Firth acts as the perfect model for her carefully conceived pieces. "I had so much fun!" she said of the shoot. "To be asked to be a model at 42 years old is fantastic!" she enthuses.

Livia Firth is green queen of the red carpet

While Eco Age showcases the very best in ethical fashion, not all of Livia's personal wardrobe is eco. Her advice to those trying to make more ethically-minded purchases is to: "invest in good quality garments which you know you will love. I always ask myself 'will this be in my cupboard in 10 years time?".

She cites her group of ethically-minded "mentors" as her style inspirations: environmental journalist and author Lucy Siegle, From Somewhere founder Orsola De Castro and 'eco-stylist' Jocelyn Whipple.

"Everyone's style should be dictated very much by who you are, who you know, and what you learn" believes Firth, "Not by what other people tell you to wear!"

eco-age.com
yoox.com