Exclusive interview with ProudRace

ProudRace are an independent fashion label from Manila, Philippines. Here's what the edgy designers had to say about their showbiz past, their perfect present and their fashion forward future...

1. How did you get into fashion design?

P&R - We come from two completely different backgrounds and none of us took up formal training in fashion. We started out 2 years ago with a shirt line of the same name. We've always loved clothes and one thing led to another and here we are already promoting our third collection.

2. Tell me about your brand

P - Proudrace is about having a sense of humor and not being overtly serious with things.

R - Very ambiguous and our pieces are very easy to incorporate into an existing wardrobe

3. How did you come up with the name ProudRace?

P - Proudrace is a product of plain wordplay. As much as we want to say that our name came out of nationalistic intentions, it did not. We were just playing around with words. But when we started getting attention as a brand from manila, the whole name just became more significant to us because we really are proud of our race.

R - We always this question and it's always hard to answer it as far as i can remember it was just a play on words and now we just love that we kept the name because it just more significant now than before.

4. What's the story behind your fall/winter 2010 collection.

P&R - Our holiday 2010 collection is all about goth girls and grunge boys, a very prominent style in the '90s, an era that's always been a constant inspiration for the label. We played around with textures and the silhouettes and kept everything simple.

5. Your collection is mainly black and red...why did you choose those colours?

P - We've always been partial to blacks, greys and other neutrals but this time we decided to add a bit of color.

R - It felt like we just had to do something we've never done before and red is the last color that people would expect from us.

6. What's your favourite piece and why?

R - I love the bodycon dresses with trains.

P - The four arms button downs is my favourite.

7. Who is your favourite designer?

R - It's hard to pick but I've always been fascinated with Rick Owens' and Martin Margiela's aesthetics. Jeremy Scott is a constant favourite.

8. What do you hope to achieve in the future?

P & R - More stockists! Hahaha. We hope to expand around Asia and Europe and to get more people to understand the look and the feel of the label.

9. Tell my readers something no one knows about you.

P&R - We were child pop stars way back when.

Click here to visit the ProudRace website!

What coat will you be wearing this season?

I am not a fan of the winter.

Growing up in London I’ve learnt to associate winter with short, cold, rainy days and long, dark, chilly nights. I also always come down with a cold! To avoid sounding like a total cynic, there are some things I do enjoy doing during the winter one of which is curling up on the sofa (wrapped up in blankets of course!) while drinking hot chocolate and watching a nice romantic movie.

Most importantly however, the impending wintery season gives me an excuse to go shopping for new key items to add to my forever expanding winter wardrobe.

Obviously, it’s impossible to purchase a whole new winter wardrobe, however, if you are going to invest your money in something this winter, it must be a coat!

This season you have a choice of five fabulous coats that will instantly send you into the wintery season with a fantastic fashion forward flawless look.

Trench Coat

The trendy trench coat remains in fashion every winter. It’s slick, subtle and simple; perfect for a demure day look with a chic edge. The style is available for both men and women, and achieves the same lavish look for both.

I absolutely love this perfectly polished yet rather pricey £350 Karen Millen textured trench coat, available from asos.com. The hard shoulders and contrasted metallic and wool textures look fantastic. For a more reasonably priced trench coat visit Zara who’ve got a gorgeous mid length trench coat available in both beige and navy for £59.99 or this black shoulder tab trench coat for £35 from Matalan.

Camel Coat

Classic Camel coats are for women who embody elegance and exude confidence. Camel coats work well with both dressed down and formal outfits.

Why not combine both the trench and camel coat trend with this gorgeous camel trench £80 coat from Topshop? It’s nicely fitted and has a bold belt at the waist. I also adore this £75 wool hooded duffel coat from asos.com which is also available in 5 other colours.

Military Coat

Military coats are a must have this season! The sharp bold buttons and super hard shoulders give a divine and defined look to every outfit. Military style coats have been in fashion before and I believe they'll be in fashion again, so it's a great idea to invest your money in one.

I instantly fell in love with this £100 velvet military coat from asos.com. It comes with a belt and is available in both khaki and navy. It's really sharp and edgy..I think it's fantastic. New Look have this really cool military leatherette jacket for £39.99 which looks great paired with leggings or skinny jeans.

Capes

Forget super hero and think super chic. Capes have a flowy and feminine feel to them, and with the array of different fabrics available, you'll be lost for choice!

Matalan have this fantastic brushed check button cape for £30.00. It really is a must have this season. Oli.co.uk also have this sultry and sophisticated polo knitted cape for £60.00 which is perfect for any casual occasion.

Aviator Coats

These fun, fashionable and often furry coats look fantastic paired with skinny jeans or slim fit trousers. If you're curvy then I would ensure that the aviator coat you choose doesn't fall directly on your hips as you'd end up looking wider than you actually are.

Boohoo.com have an amazing selection of aviator coats, however, the £45 Julie Shearling aviator gilet stood out for me the most. It oozes sleek sophistication and prim perfection. Zara also do a simple and casual aviator zipped jacket for £39.99 available in brown, blue and camel.


I hope I've inspired you and assisted you in deciding what coat you will be wearing this season. Please comment and let me know what you've chosen and why!
Do you love/hate one of the above trends, if so why?

Comment comment comment :)

ALSO - check out the new poll on the right! Vote for your favourite coat!

Lots of love

Mandy X

Exclusive interview with Project Runway's Korto Momolu

Project Runway's season 5 fan favourite and first runner up, Korto Momolu , is feeling fantastic this season, and there's no reason why she shouldn't. Famous for her use of rich fabrics and her African inspired pieces, the fierce designer was back at New York Fashion Week last week showing her stunning Spring 2011 Collection. Aside from her Korto Momolu Collection, she's launched 4 hot head turning lines and has been named "fashion designer to watch" by New York Magazine.

Here's how I caught up with the fabulous fashion designer...

1. What have you been up to since Project Runway?

I've been developing several lines and establishing my brand. The Korto Momolu brand now consists of:

-The Korto Momolu Collection (Ready to wear, custom designs, and one-of-a-kind accessories)

-Korto Momolu for Dillard's (A new line of signature handbags and accessories designed by Korto Momolu that are available at select Dillard's Department Stores and Dillards.com)

-The Saba Collection (Saba, which means gift in my native language, is an exclusive line of fashionable eco-friendly jewelry. It's a collaboration inspired by the beauty of the wood, the environmental conscience and the social history behind our products.

-Korto Momolu for SanLori, a new line of stationary and gift products targeting the fashion forward woman (Launched at 2011 Spring Collection Show)

-Korto Momolu for JHS, a collection of fine jewelry to accent everyday wear (Launched at Spring Collection Show

2. How does it feel to be named "fashion designer to watch" by New York Magazine?

It's a great honour. It shows that I'm a recognised brand, and my fashion is recognisable within the fashion industry. I still have a long way to go, but it's encouraging to know that people appreciate the work I do, and fashion editors are taking note also. I really appreciate them, and that's always why I will try and accommodate all those editors and writers.

3. Tell me about your Korto Momolu 2011 Spring Collection.

The 2011 Spring Collection is a mixture of feminine silhouettes, rich flowing fabrics and pleated embellishments that meld perfectly together to create a high fashion glam look.

4. How do you feel you've grown as a designer since Project Runway

I've grown in many ways. For instance, my Spring 2011 collection is nothing similar that people have seen from me before. And I tried to implement new ideas and new experiences every time I create a collection.

5. Do you still get nervous before you show at New York Fashion Week, and if so how do you deal with your nerves?

Yes I do!!! I deal with nerves from learning from my mother. During all that we went through in Liberia (Korto's family fled her native country Liberia, West Africa 20 years ago due to a Civil War), I saw her strength; her calmness, and how she deals with adversities. I adopted those same traits, and try to be calm before, during and after a show because if I display uneasiness, then my team will be unraveled.

Watch Korto Momolu's Spring 2011 Collection:

London Fashion Week : Ana Sekularac

London Fashion Week has officially begun and I can barely contain my excitement!!

Today I was lucky enough to go to the film presentation of Ana Sekularac's Spring/Summer 2011 collection, which was absolutely breathtaking...

Ana is a British designer of Serbian origin. Starting off her career as a model at 19, Ana moved on to become first assistant to the editor of Cosmopolitan in Italy, and then part of the fashion desk at The Daily Telegraph. Ana launched her brand Ana Sekularac in London in 2007 and has become a world known fashion designer ever since. Her clients include Anna Friel, Victoria Beckham and Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas.

Her Spring/Summer 2011 collection, "The Phase" is beautiful; I instantly fell in love with it.

Ana's collection is solely black and white, which in a way bestows an air of simplicity to her collection, however, it is instantly juxtaposed with the immense intricacy of her designs.

From the perfectly pleated cotton skirts to the delicately draped chiffon detailing to the fascinating elaborate hand work, "The Phase" is nothing like you've ever seen before.

All her pieces are perfectly constructed, carry an aura of elegance and sophistication and complement the female figure.

Consisting of mainly of skirts and dresses, all of Ana's pieces are wearable.

The fact that Ana decided to produce a short film displaying her collection as opposed to a regular catwalk show illustrates her uniqueness as a designer. The film is set on an open street and features 5 different models walking with confidence in Ana's stunning pieces. All the models have their hair pinned back, minimal make up but striking red lipstick. I believe it really is the perfect way for Ana to show her new collection.

Short Q & A after the film

What inspired your collection?

"The inspiration first came with the idea of a video. I had the complete collection in my mind but I hadn't done anything. I started with the video, so I started in the opposite way. After the video I started doing the sketches, the pattern cutting and all the rest."

"I really wanted to show what personifies the emotions of the woman who's wearing the clothes, which is very important. I think my clothes are like a medium, like a tool a woman can use to express herself. It's not the other way around. So when you're wearing it you can really express your emotions and feelings without feeling restricted by the clothes. It's like a tool to be yourself."

Why did you decide to shoot a video?

"I think that was the only way to show the inspiration. I didn't do it to do something different, I didn't do it because I have something against the classical catwalk show which can be beautiful. The only way to express these emotions through the cut of the clothes, through the details, through the walk, through the movement of the details and through the woman wearing it. So you had to have a video to see that."

What is your favourite piece?

"I don't have a favourite piece. I never have a favourite piece. It's difficult to decide. I like every single piece that I made."

The fashion star of the week is...

Ashley Greene

Best known for her role as vampire Alice Cullen in Twilight, Ashley Greene is climbing up the fashion ladder fast...and she's looking absolutely flawless.

Earlier this week at the VMA's, Ashley wore this beautiful black and white Giambattista Valli dress paired with sexy Jimmy Choo heels. The black bodice of the dress was layered with luscious lace while the white skirt was delicately draped with a simple knot on top.

SIDE NOTE: Giambattista Valli's Summer 2011 collection is sensational. There's a mix of black and white polished pieces, a lot of animal print and a hint of draping. All the pieces ooze sleek sophistication. It's definitely worth checking out.

Later on in the week Ashley was spotted wearing a gorgeous green dress paired with fabulous shoes to the Donna Karan show at New York Fashion Week. With her hair draped to the side, Ashley simply looked stunning.

Ashley's got the critics going crazy over her fashion and I understand why. Watch this space.

What do you think of Ashley's dress sense?

GaGa wears a meaty dress to the VMA's

Notoriously known for the outrageous costumes and hair styles she dons on a daily basis, Lady GaGa really outdid herself at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night by wearing a dress, hat, bag and shoes made out of raw meat.

Yes, you read correctly, raw meat.

Since the starlet hit our screens back in 2008 she's dominated the fashion pages with her wacky and weird ensembles, however, the eccentric outfits she's worn in the past seem pretty normal compared to this one..Bizarre is simply an understatement.

Franc Fernandez, a designer from Los Angeles, was behind this morbid attire. He told MTV he used 50 pounds of Argentinian steak to create the outfit, and it took him 3 days to make!

Animal welfare groups including PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) are outraged at GaGa's meat costume, as are others.

In a statement PETA said: "Wearing a dress made out of cuts of dead cows is offensive enough to bring comment, but someone should whisper in her ear that there are more people who are upset by butchery than who are impressed by it."

In her defense, GaGa claimed that her costume was a protest against the way the American army treat gay soldiers...gay, lesbian and transsexual people can serve in the army so long as they don't reveal their sexual orientation.

During an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, which took place after the VMA's, GaGa said: "If we don't stand up for what we believe in and don't stand up for our rights pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our bones."

I understand GaGa's concern and meaning behind her outfit, but I still think she went a little too far this time. Surely there are other ways she could have got her point across without making such a show... but then again, it's Lady GaGa.

What do you think?

Roarrr: Animal Print

This season is all about making a statement with playful animal prints. The great thing about animal prints is that they are always in fashion, so you can really invest in a timeless print piece.

The key to wearing this trend with a fashion forward attitude is to choose one eye poping animal print to go with your outfit, which will essentially make your outfit.

My favourite animal print piece at the moment are my leopard print ankle boots from Dune. They are perfect paired with black leggins, skinny jeans or a LBD.
Another animal print piece that I love is my leopard print belt from Primark. I wear it to dress up a plain dress or slim fit jeans. Always works perfectly!



What do you think of the animal print trend...love it or hate it?

How do you wear your animal print?

I am BACK

Hello followers!

After a stressful six months of studying and cramming for my final year exams, and three months of summer and travelling I am happy to say that showmeyourstyle101 is back on track!

I'd like to thank all my followers from across the world who've sent me countless emails expressing how much they enjoy reading my blog posts and requesting for more!

I will once again be gracing your computer screens with pictures of all the fashion forward people who cross my eye and the latest fashion trends to hit London.

I hope you enjoy reading my posts and remember...comment comment comment :)

Lots of love

Mandy X

Fashion star of the week

is...Emma Roberts

Most famous for her role as Addie in the hit TV programme 'Unfabulous' and Poppy in the movie 'Wild Child', young Emma Roberts has always had an eye for fashion.

She has a simple yet sexy style, similar to her aunt, Julia Roberts.

Emma embraces her pale complexion by wearing colours which compliment her skin tone.

I love the way she spices up her outfits with cool hats and funky accessories. It really makes all the difference!

She always looks chic, and has a sophisticated aura unlike the other young actresses.

What do you think of Emma's style? Love it or hate it? Comment below, and you could be the lucky winner of a Bella Bambina hair accessory! Competition ends Jan 28th!

Interview: Fashionista Dar Mashiah

Undoubtedly known for choosing comfort over style, the Israeli fashion sense isn’t one to really go by. For most Israelis, a tee-shirt and jeans will do for both work and a bar mitzvah, it’s comfortable remember? However, tucked away in Haifa is Israel’s answer to high street flawless fashion; internet project manager, Dar Mashiah.

Q-Tell me a little about your blog.
A-I started my blog 2 years ago and looking back I have to say it has totally changed my life. When I began, "back in the day", there were only a few Israeli fashion blogs and most of them were street fashion - a photographer taking pictures of interestingly and well dressed people on the streets, usually in Tel-Aviv. I hadn’t seen any blogs of Israelis who mainly took pictures of themselves and their own wardrobe. So, as the fashionista I was and am, I decided to start a blog. In the beginning there were no readers or comments, but I kept on going because I liked it and I enjoyed sharing my inspiration. As time passed, more and more people discovered my blog. There were press items and the blog became pretty well known here. A lot of the readers have started blogs of their own and now there is a pretty big fashion blogger community here in Israel, which is great!

Q-What inspires your looks?
A-I think most of all it’s my mood which inspires my looks. I wake up and think how do I feel today and how would I like to look today? Some days I want to have a more edgy look, some days romantic, and some days casual - but I always try to keep it interesting for myself.

Q-Which designers inspire and you and why?
A-I am inspired by Marc Jacobs - I like the element of surprise and fun in his designs. I also love Stella McCartney’s edgy-feminine designs, and Rick Owens silhouettes which look like they were taken from a very distant ancient era. I also love Givenchy! Riccardo Tisci's last collection was mind-blowing: amazing geometric prints, structured pieces and breathtaking jackets.

Q-Why did you turn down jobs in the fashion industry?
A-The proposals I got were mainly in the fashion journalism field.
The reason I turned those offers down was because those jobs don’t pay very well. I don't think junior fashion journalists and writers get rewarded enough, it’s a very small field (there is no Vogue or Elle in Israel) and there are only a few (and by few I mean like less than 5) jobs you can aspire to. I didn't want to go in that direction and barely make a living, and have to wait many many years until I would maybe get the chance to become an editor, so I turned it down. I definitely see my future in the internet.

Q-What do you hope to achieve in the future?
A- I hope to continue sharing my inspiration and enjoying it. I also hope to continue creating quality content which people can relate to and appreciate. I would like to see Israeli fashion take a bigger place in the worldwide fashion map and hope that Israeli fashion blogs will be recognized among the top fashion blogs in the world, in the near future.

Follow Dar’s blog by clicking here