Calling all fashionistas, the Givenchy show pieces are on-line now! Far from macabre, this season’s black is luxurious, luminous and exclusive. To work the goth-chic look, think impeccable tailoring mixed with daring transparency and team a seriously elegant sheer organza pleated blouse with dandy-esque wool pencil trousers. Between Victorian grace and seductive romanticism, le noir is enigmatic but utterly wearable, especially punctuated with touches of white, beige and cream. As for shoes, devilishly inventive open toe ankle boots and elegantly modern strappy wedges will make everybody’s head spin. Goths are definitely leaving the dirt for sparkling spotlights so embrace the return of black and reveal your inner dark queen…

Shop Givenchy

- Violaine Bernard

For the second time round, print master Peter Pilotto and draping expert Christopher de Vos created stunning dresses featuring Peter Pilotto’s trademark intergalactic prints. This season, long jersey skirts elegantly swathed around the waist and tailored lamé sleeveless jackets which came in soft pink, cobalt blue and green were introduced to the collection. We also loved the stone adorned shoulders, adding instant power to the silhouette and immediate magic to the eye. A collection exploding with unique prints and a combination of vivid colors and softer pastels left us wanting more from the experimental design duo.

Shop the AW08 collection now.

- Violaine Bernard

Shop Moncler.

- Violaine Bernard

- Violaine Bernard

                              
                                                                                                            Artwork by Echo Morgan
 

Celebrating 40 years of Feathers

London Fashion Week is upon us and whilst frantically dashing from catwalk to catwalk, we’re busy planning the celebrations for our 40th birthday. We’re delighted to mark four decades at the forefront of fashion and in a double celebration, we’ve joined forces with boutique portal farfetch.com to launch our glossy, new online store! To mark the occasion, we’re hosting an interactive art installation by artist Rowan Mersh in the window of Feathers, Knightsbridge - so if you’re in the area - stop by the store to check it out.

We’re also holding an exclusive cocktail reception at Feathers, Knightsbridge, presenting the UK launch of the Linda Farrow Projects collection. Featuring an acoustic set from Jackson Scott, music from Pandora’s Jukebox and goodies from Linda Farrow Projects, plus an after party at The Wellington Club with DJ sets from Stunners International and The Voguettes - it’s sure to be a night to remember for London’s fashion crowd.

Look out for the party pics, coming soon.

Yasuko Furuta is the talent behind the Toga label of directional clothing. The self taught designer built up her fashion credentials in Japan, as a freelance stylist. Her first show came to the Tokyo catwalks in 2001 and by 2006 the Toga label was shown at the influential Paris Fashion Week. Toga is a unique and modern collection of pieces, avant-garde in design and deconstructed in shape.

 For autumn, Toga takes a diverse turn from last season’s colourful military infused collection, by injecting a softer feminine feel to the range. Think exaggerated appliqué details, nip and tuck pleats, gently overlapping fabrics and texture upon texture – all in a warm palette of ochre, forest green, slate grey and chocolate brown.

 Toga is sold in Feathers boutiques in Knightsbridge and Notting Hill and is not currently available at Feathersfashion.com
 
                              

New to Feathers: Peter Pilotto 

London-based label Peter Pilotto has attracted much critical acclaim since the arrival of the AW08 collection. Intergalactic prints, a feminine silhouette and a colour-clash that’s surely a nod to the big-bang theory were all pioneered by the label’s design duo, Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos.

To mark the launch of the collection at Feathers and on the eve of London Fashion Week, Peter Pilotto talks about the current collection and what’s inspiring the label for SS09…

On the success of AW08:
‘I guess it is the mix of prints and colours – having ugly and beautiful shades right next to each other in order to find a new balance and beauty. At the same time we work on three-dimensional soft sculptural clothes, so there is an interactive mix of print, colour and shape to create a new body.’

On the concepts behind the aesthetic:
‘Inter galactic traveller, a traveller between ages, apocalyptic, rockabilly nomad of no nationality, other worldly Americana, intergalactic pirate… these were the ideas and themes that shaped the collection. Our designs always reflect what we love, and what we imagine women should be wearing.’

On creating shapes to compliment the female form:
‘Our designs are very much about the female body. It is important for us to find new ways to respond to the female form, yet with traditional aesthetics. We want to make garments and prints that interact with the body and its shape, in that way we both enhance and reveal the female body.’

On the SS09 collection:
‘We will continue the bold prints and soft sculptural shapes, plus we'll be experimenting with embroideries... but that has to stay a surprise until we reveal it!’

For the second time round, Limi Feu is following in her father’s footsteps with the monochrome palette and the “Yamamoto” black tailored pieces. But the influence stops there as Limi Feu knows how to add girlish frivolity to severe tailoring; androgyny leaves place to Edwardiana, with bubble skirts and princess coats. White shirts are also in abundance in her AW08 collection. From cropped, button-up styles to team with an oversized dress to longer tunic shirts, gathered at the shoulders to layer beneath mannish knitwear expect the white shirt to make a comeback in your winter wardrobe. Trend addicts will be pleased to know the collection did not disappoint, delivering a black lace trim cropped shirt – so chic for this season’s gothic inspired aesthetic. 
 

We’re particularly excited this week as we’re presenting the UK launch of Linda Farrow Projects, an exciting line of sunglasses from Linda Farrow in collaboration with 15 influential designers.


Giles Deacon, Bernhard Willhelm, Gareth Pugh, House of Holland, Danielle Scutt, Jens Laugesen, Preen, David David, Charles Anastase, Damir Doma, Todd Lynn, Jeremy Scott, Peter Pilotto, Roksanda Illinicic and Tim Hamilton have worked their magic with the luxury sunglasses label – famed for its retro aesthetic. An ultra modern look from Bernhard Willhelm, a new take on the iconic wayfarer shape from Damir Doma and Tim Hamilton’s contemporary versus traditional sunglasses are just a selection of the pieces on offer from February 2009. 


If you can’t wait until spring when the collection will be on sale at Feathers, you can choose pieces from the Linda Farrow Gallery and Luxe ranges online and in the Feathers boutique now.