Something About Mary...

Mary Portas is an expert in the retail department, she has the knowledge every new business want to know! She is most famous for transforming Harvey Nichols and there world renowned window displays. Since then she opened a PR company Yellowdoor, which has been very successful and worked with many big brands. She went on to make a few TV series' transforming fashion boutiques, bakeries and even antique stores to a successful business. 

Now Mary has dove in head first with her whole reputation on the line to see if she really is as good as she says she is. Mary has launched her own brand "MARY" through House of Fraser. The Brand is aimed at women over forty and it is a lifestyle brand....a place where you cant only get staple pieces to keep you stylish through the seasons but you can also buy your coffee, stylish home accessories and maybe even a cheeky dildo (if she was allowed). She is a headstrong women who doesn't like the answer NO, with this in mind she has certainly pushed the boundaries of House of Fraser, she hasn't got everything she wanted, but just about!

From recently being involved in the David Nieper Competition, creating a 5 piece collection  for the over 50's.  I have realised that this market is in desperate need for some life to be injected into it .... I think it is great what Mary has done! Also loving the way she has used models that are the age she is targeting to, I think this makes all the difference!! And the women look chic and confident she doesn't make them look old she makes them look 10 years younger.  She has tapped into a great market while achieving a modern, contemporary shopping experience! A definite see the next time I am in London Town!

Ashley J 

Fash@G Presents...

Fash@G are hosting a Charity Fashion Show to raise money for the end of

year degree show with a silent auction held during the evening.

We would love to invite you to join us to see the works of our collection of talented students at this event.

Collections of work ranging from Coco Chanel themed garments, to locally sourced cashmere's from the Johnston's of Elgin brand. They are made from blood sweat and tears (literally). Pin pricks and all aside, these collections are a must see!

 The Auction: Info on the Auction to follow..

Tickets cost £10 and can be purchased from anyone in the Fash@G course. Or note your interest here and someone will contact you to give you more details. There are plenty car park spaces at the Thistle Hotel Altens, so parking is not a bother. Tickets can also be purchased on the door, however it would be best to secure one soon as they are going fast. The show is set to start at 8pm, doors open at 7pm so to get a good seat and view, turning up before hand would be ideal. Drinks will be given out on the door on your entry, and there will be a bar open also.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Ashley J

Ooh Fashion Show!

I Arrived in Edinburgh yesterday, greeted by a massive gust of freezing cold wind!! Winter has arrived people so get your woolys on!! I will be..... Any way I was in Edinburgh to attend  the Ooh Fashion Show held at the Green Room. Showcasing New and Established brands, designers, boutiques and millinery! 

I have got to admit I had No idea what to expect. First impressions the Venue was very nice and had a nice we red carpet outside. When we arrived the place was packed, we managed to get front row seats. There was a good mix of people, the atmosphere was good I think everyone was excited and apprehensive to see what was going to come next.

The Show was opened by the wonderful Jenivieve Berlin Millinery who showcased some amazing hats and headpieces in bright colours and beautiful feathers. This brand is young and edgy, somewhere you would go if you wanted to stand out from the crowd. I think all 3 hat designers [Jenivieve Berlin, Rene Walrus and Karen Ried Designs] that was at the show was the highlights of the night,  they were all completely different  but exciting. 

The whole show was very commercial I thought there would have been more new designers there However there were a few that stood out, for example 21st Century Kilts were a surprise as they take a whole new approach to suits and kilts. Making Amazing kilts from Pin stripe suiting or Checked suiting and using layering opposed to you usual tartans i thought they were very Chic!! Another one that stood out was "Those were the days" Vintage. As I'm not keen on Vintage myself I thought they did very well, by finding those little treasure coves of a find. Beautifully draped dresses, Bright fun Colours juxtaposed with the Cosy country look. Loved every outfit even the "Virgin Mary" Wedding dress which was a shocker to finish the collection. 

Overall the Show was a Great success, the show lasted a good 1hour and 30mins. Unfortunately we never seen the finally as we had to dash to catch out train back up to Aberdeen. 

Running all the way from the Green Room to the Train station in heels and the freezing cold I think I died a little inside .... however we did make it home safely to the beautifully freezing Aberdeen!

 Jenivieve Berlin Millinery 

 Karen Reid Designs

 Rene Walrus

 21st Century Kilts

"Those were the Days" Vintage

Hope you enjoy 

Ashley J

White Junk

So here we go again....ROUND TWO!

The STAG Duo are back with a vengeance with there second Pop- up shop "The White Junk Party" this event will be held at Korova, Bridge Street, Aberdeen between 1-6 pm on the 12th of November. It is £2 a ticket or £3 on the door and can be bought here or at one-up on Belmont Street. it is going to be quirky fashion event showcasing fashion designers, jewellery designers, vintage clothing and the most amazing cupcakes you have ever tasted made by yours truly Hannah Bakes Cakes!! So get your glad rags on and be ready to be style hunted by the in house photographer. This event will be the place to be before a great night out, where you can buy your one off out-fit and get you hair styled by Profile hair for the night ahead of you!

After the last pop up in August was such a success we cant wait for the next one as its going to be bigger and better. 

In August the Girls created the first fashion pop up shop in Aberdeen, showcasing fashion designers Jaime CJ, Laura Sherriffs and STAG's baby sister Fawned Of...which by the way I still want my mustard trousers pleaaaase... . Also on the list of ones to watch are Kiss My Kunst a fantastic t-shirt and accessory designers along with textile brand Feet and Tea mothered by Alison Bell. 

STAG stands for Scottish talent and graduates so the event is also used to promote recent graduates, so Stag see this as an opertunity to exhibit the recent works from Grays School of Art fashion graduates. The collection exhibited below is made by the lovely Carolyn Edmonson, inspired by Scottish fishwives. I wonder who will be next to show at the pop up shop....just keep thinking White!! 

Be there or be Square!!

Ashley J

Fashion Videos

So here we go, I'm not you typical person who trails through you tube looking for random videos, but here is a few videos I have found that I just love. the Lanvin advertisements have got to be my all time favourites, they just make me laugh. Some more videos similar but just as good are done by Miu Miu and Prada. They all a have there own style and essence but I just think they are so cleverly done and they make you watch to find out what's going to happen next. I hope you enjoy!!

Ashley J

Jen Collee

"Midnight"

"Romeo"

"Silver II"

"Aquilla"

Jen Collee gained her BA (Hons) in Fine Art at Glasgow School of Art in 1999 and has since exhibited her work across the United Kingdom. 

 She currently works from her Edinburgh studio and regularly contributes to the Visual Arts Scotland exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy and shows her work at both the Glasgow Art Fair and Edinburgh Festival. Her paintings, of animals and horses in particular, are both dynamic and sympathetic, reflecting the presence and character of the subject with an understanding eye and deft technical skill. Her equine paintings are reminiscent of the painting of George Stubbs and Richard Stone Reeves and she shares their enthusiasm for the subject. Jen is a keen horsewoman and her passion and knowledge is evident in her work. 

http://www.flaubertgallery.com/

She is currently exhibiting at Flaubert Gallery in Edinburgh. So hopefully if I get the chance to go down to Edinburgh to have a look. As at a first glance her painting look amazing very fee and loose and you can feel the drama and atmosphere from the painting. 


Featured in the January 2011 edition, VOGUE Magazine said: "Jen Collee's New large scale equine paintings, in particular, are both dynamic and sympathetic, reflecting the presence and character of the subject, with and understanding eye and deft technical skill" and prompted new enquiries and sales to clients in the UK, Europe and the USA.

"Acteon" 

Ashley J

Glen Moore

'Rutting Stags'  Metallic acrylic on canvas, 122cm x 91cm

Glen Moore is another Artist that is exhibiting at the Flaubert Gallery in Edinburgh.

Andrew Glencairn Moore

Glen was born in Paisley in 1966 and has spent a significant amount of his life immersed in the Scotch whisky industry.A self taught artist who has had brief spells living on the Island of Skye and Islay, now lives with his wife Louise in a converted Steading on a sheep farm in the Campsie Glen, North of Glasgow.Much of Glen’s inspiration comes from the familiar everyday sights that surround him.Glen works in both oils and metallic acrylics. 

'Scratch That Itch' Metallic acrylic on canvas 122cm X 122cm

"Horsepower" Metallic acrylic on canvas 122cm X 122cm

 'Horsepower II' Metallic acrylic on canvas, 122cm x 122cm

Ashley J