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The 2012 Faces of Talbot Green

The Faces of Talbot Green Shopping Park is running again this year, for the sixth year in a row. The competition is on the look out for four ‘Faces’ from South Wales to be part of the Park’s 2013 advertising campaign, and this year the organisers are asking the public to have their say on the final four selected .

The competition is open to men and women of all styles and ages (must be over 16 years).  Entries are to be uploaded via a new Facebook app on the Talbot Green Shopping Park Facebook page. Entries close on Sunday 31st March at 11.59pm so if you fancy being a ‘Face’ upload your pic and details soon!

A personal take on the floral trend

LFW AW13 was a breath of fresh air with the ‘Street Style Spring Catwalk’ in full swing.  Amidst the collections for cooler days, after a long winter (still with us!) of bitter cold and loads of rain, it was great to see some colour, creativity and the inimitable quirky British style worn by the editors, buyers, celebrities, fashionistas and bloggers attending the latest season’s shows.

We thought we’d share some of our favourite looks with you.

The oversized clutch is big news

Cool but very, very warm

Vibrant Blue a key colour for Spring

Colour in abundance!

Images by Morgan Ellis Williams for Cardiff Fashion

Events Management students from Cardiff Metropolitan Uni held a Spring Fashion Show recently to raise funds for the charity Whizz-Kidz. Whizz-Kidz provides disabled children with the essential wheelchairs and other mobility equipment they need to lead fun and active childhoods.

The extremely well-run event included stalls from vintage clothing suppliers Rock’ola Reborn and Penny Lane (both can also be seen at the Cardiff Fashion Quarter in Womanby Street, which is worth a look). Rug Life t-shirts designs were also on sale and a host of other stalls.

The catwalk show included high street brands as well as vintage looks.

Sara Head was guest of honour, Table Tennis Bronze medallist at the 2012 Paralympics, who was provided with a wheelchair by Whizz-Kidz herself when she was younger. We even got a sneak peek and a hold of her impressive Olympic medal.

It was a great night run by a professional team in aid of a fantastic charity. Thanks to Amy Harvey and the team for the invite and their kind hospitality.

Photos taken by Morgan Ellis Williams for Cardiff Fashion

For more info on Whizz-Kidz click here

Steampunk Pendant £14

Ruby Horology is a new line of unique jewellery made out of small watch pieces.  Gina, the brains and creativity behind the brand, started playing around at home with a big box of watch pieces that she ordered online. She’s created some really interesting pieces which she’s named her ‘Steampunk’ inspired range, and calls her jewellery business Ruby Horology.

Key to My Heart Necklace £12

“I named it Ruby Horology, firstly because I live in an area of Devon called Ruby County and the soil is very deep red in colour, and secondly because rubies themselves have been used in Horology (The art of measuring time) for centuries,” Gina told us.

Brooch £5

The pieces are pretty unique, they support the idea of re-using old items, and are also very affordable.

The website Ruby Horology, shows Gina’s most popular pieces for sale. Her Facebook page Ruby Horology has more of her work.

Quietly spoken Ania Rozanowska is a Cardiff based fashion designer originally from Poland. She studied Fashion Design in Cardiff and after completing her degree decided to stay in the Welsh capital, creating garments and accessories that are high-end and beautifully constructed.

Ania works from her small studio at home where she does all her designing, from initial ideas to the prototypes of each garment. She then takes her prototypes to experts in their field depending on what material she’s using.  For her last  jewellery collection Ania worked with Cardiff based model makers for example.

We love new services and sites that support emerging designers, it’s a particular passion of ours at Cardiff Fashion…..so we were really interested in a new site that’s been launched to support the work of pioneering footwear designers. TheYGen is a London based showrom for avant-garde shoe design talent. and they launched an online initiative in December 2012.

Each month the online shop features between two and four emerging shoe designers and their limited collections, which are also available to purchase. Forthcoming collections are also featured so browsers and buyers can see what’s coming next.

The press details we were sent describe the online SHOP as “a fresh online concept providing a broader range of emerging footwear designers and bespoke shoemakers with a place to blossom as well as the chance to be heard.” We think it’s worth letting some of the beautiful shoe designs speak for themselves, see what you think.

For more info and to purchase the latest collections go to www.theygen.com

If you’ve not heard of Beyond Skin, they’re a pretty unique brand, based in Brighton, UK. They’re an Ethical Footwear and Fashion Label and create lovely handmade designer vegan shoes and boots, purses and bags.  So no leather but with the feel and beauty of leather, their products are made with pleather or recycled faux suede and other luxury fabrics.  Their designs are worn by Natalie Portman and Leona Lewis amongst other celebrities.

We first found out about the brand through fellow blogger site Ms Castro On a Motorbike and she’s running a competition at the moment where you can win a Beyond Skin gorgeous pink suede (faux of course!) purse (RRP £87).  So if you fancy a chance of winning go to the competition page by the end of Saturday the 8th.  Good luck!

Fashion brands have come together in Cardiff this week to raise money for children’s charity The Joshua Foundation. The first Fashion 4 A Cause Pop-up Shop opened in Cardiff’s Royal Arcade on Saturday and will be selling a host of fashion and home treasures until this Saturday 8th December. All money raised in the shop throughout the week will go to The Joshua Foundation which provides holidays and experiences for children with terminal cancer and their families.

Some of the fashion brands that have kindly donated to the shop inclyde Kandee Shoes, Dorothy Perkins, GUESS, Celebrity Fashion Clothing, Jinkksy Jewellery and Stylist Pick.

We went and had a sneak peak on Friday before the shop opened, and saw some lovely vintage clothes and fabrics, amazing shoes, along with a selection of local jewellery.

The shop is at 9-11 Royal Arcade and is definitely worth a look. For more info go to www.thejoshuafoundation.co.uk

We just had to do a quick post about the news we’ve just heard, Manolo Blahnik CBE will be awarded the Outstanding Achievement accolade at the British Fashion Awards next week, to be held in the Savoy Hotel on the 27th November. Sex and the City has undoubtedly catapulted the designer’s notoriety even further afield in the 21st century, but Manolo Blahniks have long been the preferred footwear of true lovers of beautiful shoes, the world over.

As fashion illustration lovers we’ve always enjoyed the fluid and very iconic illustrations produced by the man himself, and have collected the lovely books capturing them.  The shoes themselves are truly lovely and a great investment buy.

On hearing news of the award Manolo Blahnik CBE said:  ”It is a great honour to be receiving this award from the British Fashion Council. To be recognised for doing something I love is really wonderful.”

Kate Moss chose 'Manolos' for her wedding day

Photos courtesy of British Fashion Council

Robyn Coles Millinery has taken space in Cardiff’s Castle Arcade this month with the opening of the company’s first ever pop-up shop. Open until the 24th December, initially as a trial, the pop-up shop is a great opportunity for people to see how the hats are designed and made, as well as a chance to try on the creations and see a range of fantastic headwear from fascinators to floppy hats, and even bobble hats!

We spoke to Robyn about the shop and she told us: “I wanted to offer a very relaxed environment for people to come in, take a look, ask questions and try things on if they want to. I’ve literally brought my studio to the premises and passers by can see me making the hats and the whole process from design to finished product.

Working in the arcade has been brilliant so far as the other retailers have been so welcoming and I’ve had loads of shoppers also pop their head in to ask what’s going on and how long I’ll be there.”

If you fancy taking a look at milliners at work or trying on some of the wonderful creations, pop in before Christmas to 29 Castle Arcade, Cardiff. You can also visit www.robyncoles.co.uk for further information.