Luella Ceases Trading

Luella, one of Britain's top fashion labels, announced it had ceased trading last Tuesday after the licensee that funded the brand for the past five years pulled out.
Designer Luella Bartley, a former fashion journalist who unveiled her first collection in 1999, said the situation was "very disappointing" and "upsetting" but expressed hope she could restart the business in the future.
The brand's fun and feminine clothes and accessories have attracted rave press reviews and were beloved of celebrities, however, the brand's ready-to-wear producer in Italy, Carla Carini, closed down last month, and in a statement Tuesday, Luella announced that distributor VSQ Limited, a subsidiary of global retail group Club 21, "has taken the decision not to invest further in its relationship with Luella Bartley Limited."
Bartley, who was last year named designer of the year at the British Fashion Awards, said she had a "number of options" available to her. In the meantime, she and members of her team have been employed as creative consultants to London department store Liberty for their Christmas windows and store decorations.

Pakistan Fashion Week

Twice postponed for security concerns, Fashion Week brought out the best in the city's designers in Pakistan, where participants in the inaugural event took part under the threat of Taliban execution.
For many, even the prospect of taking part was nerve-wracking. That's understandable, given that the show was staged next door to an American consulate bombed by Islamic extremists in 2002. Yet the parade went ahead. "This is our gesture of defiance," said 2009 Fashion Week CEO Ayesha Tammy Haq.
The show was off-limits to foreign designers and buyers. Organisers couldn't risk inviting them in case they were targeted by Taliban fanatics, who last year threatened to throw acid at women not wearing a burqa. The punishment was in line with the group's 1997 pronouncement, which stated that, "If women are going outside with fashionable, ornamental, tight and charming clothes to show themselves, they will be cursed by the Islamic Sharia, and should never expect to go to heaven". The women in question could, however, expect to be beaten, mutilated or stoned to death.
In the face of such ongoing threats, it seems extraordinary that anyone could conceive the concept of a fashion show, much less see the idea through to fruition.

Stella McCartney Teams With BabyGap and GapKids

Ranging from US$14 tights to $128 jackets, Stella MCCartney has teamed up with the Gap, designing items for both boys and girls 0- 6 months to 12 years, some of which are already going out of stock. The famous vegan designer (daughter of Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney) is also a mother of three, so one can safely assume this was a project close to her heart; the 70-piece collection is said to be "fabulous" and "melds a mother’s dream for practical stylishness with kids’ desire for fun and fantasy."
For boys, McCartney’s mix includes monster and superhero graphic tees with the likes of a navy wool peacoat with concealed hood. There are organic jeans, anoraks made from recycled fabrics and simple baseball tees. Girls' pieces consist of a leopard print knit, a velvet blazer and cable knit sweater dressing. There are also skinny jeans and classic flares, even very girlish tulle tutu, ruffled front smock dress, oversized hoodie sweaters, chunky cardigans and colorful high top sneakers.
Word is that McCartney used real kids rather than professional models for her fashion shoot.

China Fashion Week: Tsai Meiyue 2010 Spring/Summer Collection

Models wearing voluminous wedding-like gowns in Tsai Meiyue's 2010 spring/summer collection at China Fashion Week.

China Fashion Week: Ying Cuijian 2010 Spring/Summer Collection

Models display frivolous cocktail dresses from designer Ying Cuijian at China Fashion week.

Kings of Leon: Rock Star Designers

American rock band Kings of Leon have made a foray into the world of fashion by designing their own clothing line. The Grammy award-winning hitmakers have gone partners with French fashion house Surface To Air to bring out a 12-piece collection, which showcases their distinctive checked shorts and leather jackets, reports the Daily Star.
The range will hit the markets of Denmark in December this year.

Akris 2010 Spring/Summer Collection

Using his clothes as a canvas, designer Albert Kriemlerhas designed his very first handbag for the house of Akris. There were a few coats and dresses made from leather, and for the most part, it was a very scaled back collection. However, I found it a bit to tame, and especially towards the end, a bit too full of gowns. Still, the knits and silks that were used through-out let a gracefulness that was always evident.