Student lingerie designers at DMU take the top prizes in national Boux Avenue competition.
June 9, 2016 by admin
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The superb talent coming out of the prestigious Contour Fashion course at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) has delivered another success story – with students taking first and second prizes in a national competition run by burgeoning lingerie brand Boux Avenue.
The awards one-two was announced during Graduate Fashion Week after Boux Avenue had invited all 40 universities at the event to enter the lingerie and swimwear award.
First prize went to final year Contour Fashion student Betsan Evans who impressed judges with lingerie inspired by scaffolding and the industrial landscape, paired with the concept of finding beauty in mundane and everyday objects.
Second prize went to fellow final year student Katherine Blake, whose work was inspired by the natural landscape, particularly in the Peak District where she lives.
Boux Avenue, a high street lingerie company run by former Dragon’s Den businessman Theo Paphitis, launched the competition for the first time this year and is offering winner Betsan a six week placement.
GFW is the largest student fashion show in Europe and recognised as one of the world’s most important sources of new talent for the global design industry. It has launched the careers of celebrity designers such as Stella McCartney and Julien Macdonald.
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Betsan said: “It was so unexpected when they announced my name and I really did not know what to say or do. I was so, so happy. Boux Avenue said they were really impressed by the attention to detail and the combination of different fabrics.
“Studying Contour Fashion at DMU has been the best decision I have made in my life so far. It is amazing how it prepares you for industry. To look at the improvements I have made from first year to now is incredible. I love Gillian (Proctor, Contour Fashion Course Leader). She works so hard to get us to the point we are at today.”
Katherine said: “I am very proud as I have worked so hard on these garments. I live around the Peak District so it was good to visit the area and take pictures and take that as inspiration for my work.
“I have loved the Contour Fashion course. I definitely picked the right subject. It has been amazing.”
Alex Paphitis, Boux Avenue COO, said: “We’d like to congratulate all the graduates that showcased their work at Graduate Fashion Week, the ranges produced for the Lingerie and Swimwear Award were of an exceptionally high standard, so choosing a winner was a real challenge! However, we were so impressed by Betsan Evans’ collection. Her innovative designs and use of unique fabrications were completely inspiring and demonstrated such talent. Betsan has an incredibly bright future ahead of her and we are very excited to have her join the Boux Avenue team for her six week placement. A huge well done also to Kathryn Blake from De Montfort and Holly Anderson from Bournemouth University, who were runners-up for the category.”
Betsan and Katherine are now preparing to join 18 other final year students to put on their own catwalk fashion show on Monday in Freemasons’ Hall, Covent Garden, in front of some of the biggest names in the contour industry.
Betsan said: “I am so excited about the catwalk show. It will be so good to see all our work on professional models and presented all together with the music and lights.”
DMU’s Contour Fashion course was established in 1947 by Fred Berlei, founder of Gossard Berlei, to support the local corset industry. It is the oldest and most successful degree-level course in intimate apparel and is widely regarded by industry experts as one of the best in the world.
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5 Go-To Date Night Looks For Men
June 8, 2016 by admin
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So you’ve swiped right and received a flurry of come-hither emojis – or maybe gone old-school and had a yes to your brave face-to-face “Fancy getting a drink?” gambit. But what next?
Selecting a suitable venue in which to woo your potential mate is just half the battle; choosing the right attire to ensure you’re dressed both a) attractively and b) appropriately for the time, place and occasion – that’s your main priority.
Fortunately, we’re on hand with some expert advice on what to wear, wherever the date may take you.
The Michelin Star Tasting Menu
You’re sinking serious cash into the meal, so invest in what you wear to it too. Considering there’s a three-hour dégustation feast ahead of you, comfortable clothes are key, but given the surroundings, it’s only right your sartorial choice show respect for the chef, fellow diners and your date too.
A foolproof separates combination that any man can pull off, try teaming a navy blazer (double-breasted is a wise choice for concealing that post-meal bloat) with straight-fit grey flannel trousers for a look that cuts the mustard in its formality, but won’t give you indigestion.
Keep it classic underneath with a crisp white shirt and accessorise with a woven silk tie that’s plain or subtly patterned. Then, step your look up with some quality leather shoes like black or dark brown Derbies, monk-straps or loafers.
As the well-worn phrase goes, your choice of footwear is the first thing many people notice and a deciding factor in whether you ace or flunk a fine restaurant’s dress code. Don’t let what’s on your feet make you fall short of your date’s expectations. (Or worse, get you refused at the door.)
The ‘After-Work’
You’ve probably seen the meme positing “A well-tailored suit is to women what lingerie is to men”. True dat.
For an après-work cocktail, a change from your boardroom best isn’t always necessary. But remember that, while the silhouette-enhancing structure of your tailoring might play to your advantage, not all suits are created equal – so plan ahead when getting dressed in the morning and opt for one that’ll transition seamlessly from office to bar come clocking-off.
The “well-tailored” bit above is key – fit has to be spot-on. So, if you’re the kind of guy who skips the basic rules of suiting on account of wearing one as uniform, you might be better off switching kits before your rendezvous.
As for cloth, nix broad banker pinstripes and stick with classic solids in grey and navy. Need inspiration? Take your cue from Suits’ Harvey Specter – you know, the guy who is always decked out in peak-lapelled Tom Ford power tailoring. In fact, buy a Tom Ford suit if you can afford it. If not, try one of these more affordable alternatives and get your tailor to do the rest.
Just as important as a sharp suit, however, is the shirt you wear under it. So swap the pit-stained one you’ve been powwowing in all day for a freshly laundered substitute. There’s pheromones, and then there’s downright offensive.
(Related: The only four suits you’ll ever need)
The Activity Date
No, we don’t mean white water rafting, potholing or Laser Tag.
If, for some bizarre reason, you don’t want to spend your date getting tanked up on Dutch courage, then try something a little more cultural instead. Like checking out an exhibition, seeing a film or taking a walk through the park. (And then getting tanked up.)
Wardrobe-wise, you can play it pretty cool for this one with something that reads smart-casual. Think dark selvedge jeans, neutral chinos or tailored trousers teamed with a button-down shirt worn under a knit jumper or sweatshirt. You’ll look put-together without overstepping the mark.
And unless you’re planning to Uber your date from A to B (good move, sir), there’ll be some walking involved, so steer comfy with your footwear choice and opt for a pair of unfussy trainers – clean white styles come up trumps this season.
Day Drinking
This applies to all dating scenarios, but it’s especially pertinent in the case of a casual Sunday afternoon pint, a time when – slightly absent-minded and bleary-minded – you might be tempted to let standards slip a bit.
But as anyone considering getting their kit off with you will tell you: hygiene and grooming are everything. Three-day stubble is fine – desirable, in fact – but what’s non-negotiable is arriving at the pub scrubbed up, deodourised and lightly scented, with Colgate fresh breath, nails clean and trimmed, and nasal hair in check (who knew, but studies show unruly nostrils are a major deal-breaker for potential mates).
And no almighty hangover, either. Sure, it’s Sunday and it’d probably be weirder if you showed up having stayed in on Saturday night, but turning up bloodshot with vodka breath isn’t exactly an aphrodisiac either.
The only thing rough and rugged about you should be your artfully dishevelled style: think Steve McQueen, outdoorsy Ralph Lauren, worn denim and leather, boots and aviators – fresh from a little weekend woodwork or motorcycle maintenance (or so you’d have them think).
The Dancefloor Date
Regardless of which brand of beats you’ll be treated to in the club or at the gig, it’s hard to steer wrong with a look infused with rock ‘n’ roll.
Distract them from your two left feet with a disarmingly simple combo of a plain white or Breton tee, black leather biker jacket and slim-fit black jeans – but not so slim as to stop you from breaking out your best moves without, you know, actually breaking something.
Your choice of footwear is dependent on your dancing prowess. Tony Manero-level lords of the dance should look to round out their look with a pair of black leather Chelsea boots, but the rest of us stand a better chance of staying upright in a pair of Vans Old Skools or clean leather Chuck Taylors. Easy as 1-2-3.