Fashion East

I was literally gutted that I didn’t get a chance to go to fashion week this time round. Usually you would have to be part of the most prestigious fashion entourage because it’s normally the scene for buyers, editors, press and well if you’re Kardashian you will be sitting front row with Anna Wintour. Last year I was fortunate to get in because one of my friends had a ticket and invited me to go with her, it was amazing I got a fully-fledged LFW experience fully encapsulating what the fashion industry is all about.

When it comes to fashion my eyes are always kept peeled open for interesting fashion developments on the Horizon. I’ve most recently learned of Fashion East which is my latest fashion week discovery.  Fashion East is initiative that is a non-profit organisation that was established by the Old Truman Brewery in 2000 which gives young emerging designers a platform to show the world what they can do.

It’s near enough mere impossible for a young designer to make their way from fashion school one year to having a collection at Fashion Week a year later. It is incredibly difficult for young talent to get there feet off the ground because junior designers don’t have the capital to invest into making their collections nor the extra costs of marketing. Aspiring designers also need the right connections. Fashion East offers the full package it is an encouraging organisation that bridges this gap between aspirations and reality for many emerging designers.

Fashion East is funded through sponsorship from Topshop, Topman and Greater London Authority. Twice a year for each season the organisation exhibits three womenswear and menswear designers, where they will enter a partnership of a lifetime where the emerging designers will be thrust in the light of London Fashion Week which is a great opportunity for them to be in front of buyers in which they gain international press.

Success stories include James Long and JW Anderson just to name a couple. Fashion East has a powerful fashion savvy panel that choose the very best of the best to be showcased to the world. The selection panel includes the likes of Fashion editor Vogue UK Francesca Burns, Fashion features Kay Barron from net-a-porter and Richard Sloan creative consultant from the Stylist.

Schemes like this and Muuse is all that the fashion industry needs. It encourages future generations to chase their dreams. It can get so repetitive and boring seeing the typical commercial fashion every year from top fashion designers. Emerging designers mix it up take on new challenges and don’t play it safe when it comes to aesthetics design and functionality.

Ryan Lo is my latest fashion muse. Lo is the latest talent to be unveiled by Fashion East. His collection is truly understated wearable art. Lo was born in Hong Kong but has spent much of his time in London where he even went to university. I love the pop inspired prints he has gone for in the collection it gives it that kitsch feel as much of it has been teamed with soft feminine fabrics that includes pieces that are sheer with intricate fabric manipulation.

Lo’s collection is very romantic he was inspired by female innocence which he has explored through the collection producing pieces that ooze girly girl attitude in soft pastel hues. Lo is naturally gifted he is able to turn his hands to the most fascinating fashion collections taking simple mediums like tinsel and ribbons turning them into extraordinary masterpieces that I wish I could have a front row seat at every season.