Launch of Love Lila!

http://www.lovelila.co.uk

I have a fondness for independent designers or boutiques so I felt this brand needed some exposure with its Manchester online fashion boutique. Also I love the name...

So here's a treat for the website launch, 

Shop Love Lila and get 15% off your total order with this discount code: Love Lila Fashion

Here are some of my favourite pieces from Love Lila:

JARLO EVELYN MAXI

£60.00£40.00

The Jarlo Evelyn Maxi is just lovely very Olsen- esque with its sultry fabric and deep midnight blue colour. 

I adore everything about this dress.

REVERSE KAFTAN DRESS

£45.00 

Anyone say Ibiza? This screams beach must-have! 

With its floaty fabric in a pretty delicate print.

JARLO ANITA DRESS

£60.00£45.00

Purple, Crochet, Studded Belt, need I say more?!

Grab one of these gorgeous dresses or look at the host of leggings, choose from VELVET ( I needs some of these), Baroque for the brave! and Leopard print leggings priced from £4.99 +

Treat yourself ;)

Smash & Grab Giveaway!

Smash & Grab were featured in an earlier post and now you have the chance to win an item of your choice from their website! I'm so jealous because this Manchester company are have some amazing pieces

To be in with a chance of winning an item from the website read the following way to enter:

- Leave a comment on this post with your email address and the item you would like to win!

-  Follow my blog via GFC or Blog lovin

-  Like Smash & Grab on facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/smashgrabswag

-  Tweet 'follow @laurenamykent & @SmashGrabSwag to win a unique piece of jewellery enter here itsastyleissue.blogspot.com'

The winner will be chosen at random and emailed.

Only avaliable to UK readers.

**The competiton closes on 5th March**

Good Luck Guysss!

xo

Smash & Grab

This jewellery company hosted a stall at the Spring Fashion Show in Manchester.

Recently I spoke to Nichola White who gave me some insight into this intriguing company.

The jewellery is truly unique, the effort and thought that goes into each piece is evident in the quality.

(click on image to go to shop)

How did the company start?

My best friend Sarah O'Neill and I started Smash & Grab when we accidentally broke a glass table in our new apartment! We were mortified at first but then realised that the pieces of glass were really unique and we instantly had the thought it could be made into jewellery and came up with the name Smash & Grab there and then.

Collectively we have backgrounds in fashion and footwear and met years ago on a fashion BTEC at Newcastle college. I finished a degree in Fashion at Salford Uni several years ago and have since worked in marketing, so we have just been waiting for the right opportunity to work together.

The pieces are generally inspired by our travels and experiences together, we work in charms that are significant to us and set them into the glass with moulds and resin.

What are your influences?

We are developing our range to include more pieces featuring abstract snippets of images from our own photographs from personal memories such as the Ibizan sunset and the Dubai skyline by night. We set a different part of each image behind the glass to give each one a completely unique finish.

How have you developed?

Within 2 months of breaking the table we had set up our website www.smashgrabswag.com with an online shop and we are now ready to start selling in to boutiques and are planning to hit festivals and fashion markets all over the country this year. I can update you as we get these confirmed.

We recently had Manchester based act Platnum (who just have been over in LA working with the Black Eyed Peas' producer) using our jewellery in their album and video shoots and our stuff has been shot for a few online mags too.

What are your favourite pieces?

My favourite pieces are our knuckle duster rings like our 'Bang' ring (http://www.smashgrabswag.bigcartel.com/product/bang)

and my Peace & Love cuff

(http://www.smashgrabswag.bigcartel.com/product/peace-love-cuff)

which I am forever wearing on my upper arm. I also made myself a body chain recently adorned with glass charms and feathers and got asked about it so much we are putting these into production.

   

 Whats next for Smash & Grab?

We are also busy finalising details of the set up but are planning to work with and donate a percentage of profits to a charity set up by a friends family from Manchester, who have an orphanage in Goa helping children in need. So we have lots in the pipeline!!

I would definately reccomend checking this company out they have so many amazing pieces.

 I love this tethered feather ring above its so cute.

Spring Fashion Manchester Show 2012

The third annual Spring Fashion Show was hosted at
Pitcher & Piano in Manchester. 

It was a really great night and there was some true talent from independent, emerging designers.

FABRYAN - This collection offered a unique, feminine and alluring designs, inspired by exotic flowers at Kew Gardens, they are 100% organic silk, with urban glamour and leather bindings.

HUXTON -

Two friends work together to create these beautiful designs,
the collection exudes elegance and impact.
The strong silhouettes were dramatic and oh so sexy.

I NEED one of these stunning printed skirts in my life!

KELLY BULL -
This unique collection hosted a strong message entitled
'You Can't Control Me.'
The inspiration was taken from childhood and suppressed subconscious memories. 

This latex collection is not for the faint hearted,
with one shocking jacket covered with baby faces.
It really did stand out with its amazing designs.
A shocking yet powerful collection made with much thought, time and latex...

(I can't help but think of puffa fishes!)

CROSS CULTURE FASHION - A collection inspired by different cultures,
based on African and Japanese influences with colour, vintage and graphic palettes. Smooth affordable fashion.

 Runner Up Best Emerging Designer Award : LAUREN WROE -
A graduate from Northumbria University,
inspired by the fourties and fifties.
She exemplifies her collection with a conscious effort to concentrate on reducing fabric waste with her zero waist pattern cutting.

PRETTY DISTURBIA -  This collection is for the confident consumer with its off beat decadence, kitsch glamour. Hosting cut out arms, tutu skirts, printed tops this collection is tongue in cheek.
They also sell popular menswear range Bang Bang Scribble.

VICTORIA ROSSO - Her vintage prints are simply exquisite with travel and sixties influence showcased in quaint tea dresses, high waisted shorts and sun-dresses. The second dress is my favourite!

WINNER OF BEST EMERGING DESIGNER : CRYSTAL PADMORE -

These native hand crafted knits teames with clever panels to
flatter and intrigue, creates character and evoke timeless style.

Eco friendly fashion with one-off innovative and creative designs.

THOM NEAL - The epitome of style is hauled together with the collection.
A mixture of strong heritage and skill creates stunning menswear.
Bold colours, faux fur coats, tweeds, metallic shirts and alligator shoes
creates truly unique creations.

My Personal Favourite: RIANNA PHILLIPS -

From Manchester School of Arts, this talented designer
has created a flawless collection.

The 3-D textured digital placement prints, with asymmetrical tops and embellished garments reminds me of  Peter Pilotto. The bag, the clutch, the scarf, the details is key with this collection.
A designer to watch out for!

(All pictures by taken by myself unless otherwise stated.)