Oxford Fashion Week Interview with Hannah Sykes

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I sat down with the brilliantly fashionable Hannah Sykes –
who was wearing a black jumpsuit from Ted Baker – to talk about her new
collection.

What is the name of
your new collection?

The Razzle Dazzle collection, maybe. I don’t really have a
name for it yet, so we’ll go with that one.

What was the thinking
behind this colourful bright collection?

I found a print, when I worked in China for three months,
and I had a conversation with my neighbour and he said the print reminded him
of the dazzle camouflage that was used in World War One that depicts the outline
of a ship. I went with that technical idea and I really enjoyed having that
intelligence in my designs. That’s why with this theme of camouflage came with
a story because that is what inspires me. There’s this woman pretending to be a man in
order to be with her husband at war so that is why the collection is quite
utilitarian and androgynous: The clothing is quite masculine and looks like
menswear. Being in the war, you had to make use of what you have so all
clothing had to be versatile so I have made everything reversible and all of
the jackets can be turned into rucksacks, everything is dual purpose and very
functional. I brought in an innovative camouflage print that changes colour in
the rain. All of the rucksacks and jackets change colour in the rain, so I am
going to chuck some water over them before they go onto the catwalk.

How long have you been
a designer for?

I graduated last year from the Manchester School of Art, I
graduated in July so this is my graduate collection which won me the Innovation
award at Graduate Fashion Week which I was super excited about. I am still
trying to promote this collection at the moment and I am in talks with people
about starting my new collection. I want to push the colour changing, push the
technology and have something that is complex yet still easy and wearable with
all of the technology inside. I am trying to do that all in spare time as well
as working.

What is the Hannah
Sykes Story, What makes you the designer you are today?

I think it is because I had never done fashion before,
that’s what makes this so much more fun because I have never tackled this
before. I had never really been interested in fashion but I was always
interested in 3D, Art and Maths and fashion is how I combined them all. 3D
helped me transfer 2D to 3D and to visualise things. I would say my designs are
more like products than garments. And having studied Maths helps me with the
technological side of things and working out the patterns. I am not just a
fashion designer and neither are my products. They are fashion pieces with a
little bit of intelligence behind them too.

And my last question is, where is your outfit from?

(Her Black Jumpsuit) It’s from Ted Baker, It’s three years
old now. I used to work in Ted Baker in Manchester. It’s a classic piece that I
purchased from their and I wear it all the time. It’s kind of my go-to High
fashion outfit.

Interviewing Hannah was an absolute pleasure. She was so
warm and welcoming and very eloquent in her answers. Want to learn more about
this brilliant young woman? Check out her amazingly streamline website here. 

Victoryforu

Victorious Everyday

Oxford Fashion Week interview with Luxury By Feyi

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I had the opportunity to speak to Feyisola Adeyemi, the Nigerian London-based
media personality behind Luxury By Feyi. Everything that she produces aims to
make all women feel glamourous and beautiful hence why her ethos is “Bringing Out the goddess in you”. Let’s see what
she had to say:

What was your inspiration for this Spring/Summer
Collection?

Firstly, I’d say, everything I see around me that has a
touch of glamour and luxury inspires me. Every little you could imagine,
pictures, fabrics and I love working with gemstones. So anything I see around
me with a touch of glamour inspires me.

Who is the ideal
person/clientele for this collection?

I’d say I target every woman that accepts or is proud of
their femininity: elegant, classy and luxury.

Which celebrities
would you like to see your designs on?

Michelle Obama, Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry. I love their
style.

How many collections
have you done prior to this collection?

This is my second collection and actually my second year in
the fashion industry.

So what’s your
history, not so much behind the fashion, but your personal history?

I am a Wife, I am a Mother, Mother of three boys. I am also
a fashion blogger as well. I started blogging before I went into designing. I
was trying to fill something that wasn’t completely fulfilled with fashion
blogging but I fulfilled that need when I started designing. Before I started
designing, I was an on air personality, I produced and broadcasted my radio
show. But that was then and now I am designing.

That is very
interesting because that is what I want to do with my blogging, I’d love to
eventually go into fashion design also. Where do you see your brand going in
the next 5 years?

Worldwide, Just worldwide. To be known all over the world!

I really enjoyed talking to Feyisola, a very confident woman
who gave me some really good advice. It’s brilliant to know that her career has
gone in the direction that I would like my career to go in. Luxury By Feyi has
been extremely successful, just check out this spread from Vogue. Luxury By Feyi is a must-have limited edition ready-to-wear couture collection
that redefines luxury. Check out her website  to see designs that were displayed at Oxford Fashion Week such as Glow,
Identity, Golden, Angelica, Crystal, Spotlight and so much more.

Victoryforu

Victorious Everyday

Oxford Fashion Week – Interview with OFS blogger, Kelly Ayers of Ribbon and Dot

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Kelly Ayers was in charge of all of the lovely blog posts
that were displayed on the Oxford Fashion Studio blog and I thought that I’d do
an interview with her to pick her brains about the beauty of the bloggersphere:

What interested you
about becoming a fashion blogger?

So, A few years ago, I had a quite boring industrial style
job. And I decide that straight after university that I wanted to move out with
my husband, well my boyfriend at the time, so we just got the first job we
could get and earn money. I felt very uninspired and that’s how it started, I
needed something to let out my fashionable side, I guess, and have a little bit
more inspiration so it just started, I guess I was just bored and it just
seemed like the right thing to do at the time. I love clothes, I love shopping
and it was really unhealthy for me. So I started then, it was very much
lifestyle blogging. And over about a year or two years, it became very obvious
to me that I was very high end and I was more interested in runway fashion. I
am more of a Vogue girl than a Grazia girl, that kind of thing. So yeah, that’s
how it started.

What advice would you
give to young up and coming Fashion bloggers?

Be really hard working. It’s as easy as that. Make sure you
take inspiration from everything, don’t ever close your mind off, don’t have a
specific time of day that you blog, just think about it all the time. Be very,
I guess hard working is the wrong thing to say but there are so many bloggers
out there, it’s so competitive. You’ve just got to go for it and we’re all kind
of writing about the same thing, so the only way you’re gonna stand out is a
really good work ethic, if you work really hard and hopefully you’ll get somewhere,
Hopefully.  

I am quite inspired by
that, and lastly who and what are you wearing, as it looks awesome?

So, my dress is from River Island, it’s super old but I
really like it. This is a men’s T-shirt, I wear a lot of men’s clothing, I
prefer, it’s more comfortable. I work for Gap so my style’s quite androgynous
but very simple and classic. My boots are H&M and Bag is Russell and
Bromley.

It was great to interview Kelly, she is a very lovely person
who really knows her stuff. It was brilliant to be with another blogger and be
able to ask questions in such an informal setting. Check out her beautiful blog here.

Victoryforu

Victorious Everyday

Oxford Fashion Studio -Interview with Kyriaki of DFMA Make-up Academy

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At the Bloggers Preview Party, I did an interview with
someone who I had blogged about before without know who she was, her name is
Kyriaki and her Instagram is adorned with beautiful make-up styles, check her
out @makeupbykyriaki.

What makes you
interested in makeup?

Well, growing up I was always into painting and drawing, and
then when I reached that age that I was actually allowed to play with make-up, I
realised that, Oh, it’s the exact same thing, you’re just painting someone’s
face instead of a regular canvas. So yeah, it was definitely love at first
brush.

What advice would you
give to young up and coming makeup artists?

Definitely just to stick it out! It’s a very competitive
industry but it’s so worth it and you just have to keep pushing and keep
looking for new inspiration wherever you go just to set yourself apart,
definitely makes a big difference.

Another question that
I think a lot of the readers of Victoryforu would be interested in is how to
get the perfect contour?

Ahh, the perfect contour, honestly just enhancing your
natural bone structure, I think, is just the perfect contour. You know,
sometimes some of us try to fake it but it’s okay. Definitely, biggest tip is
start off with a little and build it up. Don’t just go in straight – you know –
really heavy handed, might look like you have a chocolate bar on your face. But
definitely keep building it and blending, blend, blend, blend, so important.

Where do your opinions
lie with really young girls wearing makeup, do you think it is good or a
positive thing or do you feel it is a negative thing?

Honestly, I feel like makeup is the most personal form of
self-expression because it is right there on your face and I’m all for it.
Honestly, when I have kids in the future, I can definitely see a little
9-year-old just wearing makeup. I see it, I know it will be happening and I am
honestly all for it.

It was super lovely to meet Kyriaki in person, she’s an absolute
sweetheart and a beautiful soul to be around. I wish her all the best in the
future and hopefully you’ll see a lot more of her here on Victoryforu.

Victoryforu

Victorious Everyday

Oxford Fashion Week: Bloggers Preview Party (Part one)

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When I arrived at the Jam Factory in Oxford, the room was
absolutely electric and the Bloggers preview was in the Boiler Room Gallery.
The Jam Factory itself is a hustling, bustling place of interesting culture
which completely embodied what Oxford Fashion Week is about.

Whilst I waited to go into the Preview, I faced a beautiful
painting of a field of purple flowers by Elena Henshaw, I was sat next to a
bunch of guys who were beer testing and I am pretty sure I heard French,
German, Polish and Italian with my first 4 seconds of being in the room. It was
a fabulous environment to be in.

I even ran into the lovely Natalie Woodward who looked
completely amazing as usual and she was sweet enough to sit down and do an
interview with me:

Interview with Natalie Woodward

What has been your favourite part of the Oxford Fashion
Studio Season so far?

Oh, That’s a big question, I think walking in Paris at Les
Salons Hoche, that was absolutely stunning, all of the collections were
exquisite, the venue was gorgeous, the makeup and hair looked really well
suited to all of the looks, so yeah, I think that is my favourite part.
Although saying that, Tomorrow’s talk with Clive Arrowsmith, I am so excited to
hear him speak.

What are you excited about for Oxford Fashion Week?

We are walking in the Ashmolean, which in itself is a gorgeous
venue, but to be in the sculpture gallery, I think it will be an absolutely
incredible backdrop, walking in between the sculptures, the audiences will be
sat in those sort of segments and I think that it’s going to be amazing. It
will be very exciting!

What’s your favourite part about being a model within Oxford
Fashion Week? (I asked as she saw herself in the Oxford Fashion Studio video
from Paris)

Sorry, I just saw me again, I think just the opportunity to
be walking for these new and up and coming designers, because I am a young
model myself so to be working with people that are also young in the industry
who have that passion and drive, It’s something that is really unique to the
oxford fashion studio company. So that’s my favourite part about it, and they
also have such incredibly young and fresh creations which is just really great
to see altogether.

I got to do so many lovely interviews with so many different
people which I will share with you all in due time.

Victoryforu

Victorious Everyday

Posted on by victoryforu

Repost @oxfordfashionstudio
・・・Calling all bloggers: Join us at our bloggers preview tonight at The Jam Factory in preparation for Saturday’s show! #oxfordfashionweek #AW16 | This is an opportunity that I urge any blogger to take. Not only do you get up close and personal with the style, you can speak to the lovely approachable designers and OFW team. About 2 hours to go!
#VictoryforuFashion Victorious Everyday. (at The Jam Factory)

Oxford Fashion Week’s Runway Shows on Saturday

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On the 12th March, Oxford Fashion Studio will be embarking on their last show of the season, Oxford Fashion Week. A jam-packed week filled with fun, educational and – obviously – fashion events.

Below is a brief look at what we can all expect at the shows on Saturday:

7PM RUNWAY SHOW
_________________

Hertta
Pattern Magic // Tallinn
collector.portfoliobox.me

The collection’s name ‘Pattern Magic’ is inspired by the idea of thought patterns and the idea of observing one’s mind to adjust and reorganise these patterns as a way of self-improvement.

Raggedy by Hayley Trezise
Be Your Beautiful // Frome
www.raggedyrags.co.uk

Raggedy creates Innovative and unique wearable art that is made in the UK. Eco-couture that is slow and timeless fashion, sculpting beautiful shapes from waste materials and organic fabrics, that is inspired by and celebrates the female form.

Olivia May Boutique
SS16 // Oxford
www.oliviamay.org

Expressing yourself through what you wear is a fantastic free feeling. The high street tailors everyone to look the same but at Olivia May you can find an outfit that individually expresses you.

HEM
Gwendoline and the posta di Donna // Stafford
www.hem-uk.com

HEM became fully established in 2013 as an independent online store and designer of bespoke garments, founded by, rather fortunately named Hannah Emily Matthews. HEM is proud of customer service and attention to detail, high quality collections and extra special one off pieces.

Yu Universe
AW16 // London
www.yu-universe.com

YU (Yu – Universe) – designs by Keishin Hoshiko with an emphasis on harmony between form and function, traditional technique and contemporary design, the individual and their environment. We want to think of ways in which we can be more comfortable, more beautiful and at the same time take more care to be mindful of our surroundings to make a positive impact.

Rochelle Nicole
Window // London

Bermudian born designer Rochelle Minors, injects elements of her home country within her work. Taken from the local vibrant streets of Bermuda and the Mediterranean, the designer was inspired by the unique placement of unconventional colours mixed with the hard structure of windows and their decorative complementary blinds. Taking a literal approach, the designer inserted the element of window within each garment, with both sheer paneling and print, creating a ‘see through’ element throughout.


9PM RUNWAY SHOW
_________________

Hannah Sykes
Razzle Dazzle // London
www.hannahsykes.com

Hannah Sykes is a technical pattern designer giving function to her designs allowing them to have a dual purpose. Hannah’s collection was solely in screen print with the small amount of digital print, which gave an overall impact with her double print and the reflection of colours throughout my collection. Hannah combines this with an innovative ink bringing intelligence into her designs.

LuxuryByFeyi
Limelight // Southampton
www.luxurybyfeyi.com

I am delighted to showcase my Limelight collection at the upcoming Oxford Fashion Week runway show as this platform is a big opportunity for my brand to reach out to the right audience. However, to be chosen by the team is what excites me most and I want to use my design to create a real lasting impact.

Svetlana Marshall
Pautinka // London
www.pautinkalondon.com

The Infinity Chain by Svetlana Marshall. Each piece allows the wearer to express themselves as creatively and uniquely as possible. ’ Pautinka London ’ has won the prestigious British Jewellers Association’s annual design competition and has recently exhibited at International Jewellery London ( IJL ) and at London Fashion Week (Fashions Finest). Svetlana now creates luxury designs in gold & silver as well as fashion jewellery.

Urbanzulu
Angels Rest // Johannesburg
www.urbanzulu.com

The direct translation of the word “Zulu” means Heaven. Urban Zulu embodies the ideal of the Urban Heaven. Inspired by the spiritual, connected to the beauty and texture of the physical, Urban Zulu reflects the balance between the higher ideals of love and unity and practical functionality. The “Urban” element of the brand speaks to the fast paced lifestyle demands of modern living. Our clothes remain functional and relevant in contemporary society, yet still reflect the unique nuances of our African identity.

Mor Lumbroso
Pulse // Amsterdam
www.morlumbroso.com

My feminist upbringing and being a former dancer at the Alvin Ailey Dance School in New York City have led me to aspire to create clothes that have the power to make women feel more confident and forceful while wearing them. My traditional painting and dancing studies have led me to view the body as a 3D canvas where I can experiment with movement and volume to create new silhouettes. Dark culture, intangible elements, travelling and movement influence my designs.

Daniel Pascal Tanner
SS16/17 // London
www.danielpascaltanner.com

Infatuated with the research process, Daniel discovers reinventions and innovations in traditional textile and craft techniques through plucking nostalgic references and texts from past and present and slaps them together with his own photographic diary which explore personal interests in gender, equality, sexuality and paradoxical examples of modernity and antiquity often exploring subjects with heavy undertones.

Sabina Saga
3DP Bridal 2016 // New York
sabinasaga.com

Sabina Saga’s work brings a fresh look at how materials and technologies can reshape fashion at the most emotive levels. Unlocking the potential of 3D printing, it is changing the design industry and making 3D printed accessories, jewellery, and textiles an accessible reality.

Be prepared to be completely astounded by the talent at this weekend’s show. Oxford Fashion Studio will definitely be finishing with a Bang! 

Victoryforu

Victorious Everyday

Posted on by victoryforu

Repost @oxfordfashionstudio
・・・Take a look at our exclusive interview with the designer for Yu Universe, Keishin Hoshiko, by @ribbonanddot at http://www.oxfordfashionstudio.com/ofs-blog/ofw-preview-exclusive-interview-with/ #oxfordfashionweek #AW16 | #VictoryforuFashion Victorious Everyday.

Posted on by victoryforu

Repost @oxfordfashionstudio
・・・Intricate jewellery designs by Svetlana Marshall will be showing at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Join us on Saturday 12th March to see a show full of new and exciting collections. #OFS2016 #oxfordfashionweek | Simply sleek and high attention to detail. Every design that is shown at @oxfordfashionstudio has an element of surprise and creativity and innovation. #VictoryforuFashion Victorious Everyday.