Stylish answers - by Nancy Van Ostren

AW 12/13

I met Nancy Van Ostren few seasons ago at London Fashion Week, where her chic sculptural collection caught my eye (see it here). Her high quality luxury womenswear label  is functional yet elegant, full of strong tailored lines. I caught up with her after the madness of fashion weeks and asked her few questions..
1.) You recently exhibited at Paris Fashion Week. How was it? How the French and UK markets differ?
Paris was great. It's not only the UK and French markets when you show there, it's global. Japan, Italy, Middle East etc. All are very different!

2.) You've just designed your fourth collection. Does it get harder or easier as you go on?
A bit of both. You know what sells and what buyers are looking for but I like to push myself that bit further each season.

3.) When you're designing, have you got a specific type of person in mind? Who is the typical woman who wears your clothes.
I think it would be impossible to design a collection without thinking of the customer. The women that wear my clothes are fashion conscious but have their own identity. Very confident in what they do and wear.

4.) There are new designers popping out all the time, what advice would you give to people thinking about setting up their own label?
Research, research, research! Where do you see yourself selling? Who are your competitors? This is crucial as you can make a beautiful collection but if you don't target the right stores and see where your competitors are, well, all you will have is a beautiful collection!

5.) Where can people buy your clothes?
At the moment we mostly sell in the Middle East. We are in talks with a few UK and European buyers to stock for next season. We also offer a made to order service - just drop an email to sales@nancyvanostren.com

6.) What inspires you?
I do have an obsession with architecture - I love encapsulating the structure into my clothes. I also love machinery and anything with a futuristic element!

7.) What are your hobbies/passions other than fashion?
I've just taken up snowboarding which I hope to keep up as a hobby! Football is a big passion of mine also - I know we share the love for the same team*!


8.) And finally what can we expect from your label in 2012 and beyond?
We are working on bringing in knitwear and prints into the collection. I love hand knitting - it's very relaxing!

*Arsenal

AW 12/13

Party feet by Atalanta Weller for Maria Grachvogel

Shopping at Zara

Recently in between press days I quickly popped into Zara to see what they've got in store. My favourite high street brand is the one I check out regularly. As always they had loads of pieces I loved and here are few I'm planning to buy a.s.a.p. I didn't really have time to shop but these are on top of my list.
Yellow is huge this season and I'm a sucker for nice blazer. Combine the two and you have a perfect piece, seen above.
I've been obsessed with studs lately. It's the perfect edge to add to stop items being too girly. The white skirt is a must have for me.
Animal print is another obsession of mine, so the blouse is a no-brainer.
The weather has been great (let's hope it'll last) and it's time to stock up on summer dresses. Cute little white number is exactly what I need. Simple and chic.
Simple black top is a basic of every wardrobe. Love the little stud detailing that makes it more interesting.
Do you shop at Zara? What have you bought recently? Share your favourite buys.
Have a stylish day.

It's an instagram life

Sunny Regent street

Equisite detailing on Marios Schwab dress

I've been feeling really lucky/happy lately as lot of great things have been happening, I attended some great events, the weather has been great and it was my birthday on Monday. I got spoilt by many people and met some incredible new ones. Here is few of my snaps from the past few days.
Have a stylish day.

Zara flats brighten my outfits





Un-smart phone at Puma store

House of George Bernard Shaw

Birthday glass of Prosecco for my birthday

Freesia is my favourite flower - got a bunch for my birthday

Greek designers in London exhibition

Last week (on the last day) I managed to go and see the Greek designers in London exhibition and it was great. We were allowed to take pictures and I took loads to share with you. You can see some more on my tumblr and FB page. The amazing contemporary designers displayed there were Marios Schwab, Mary Katrantzou and Sophia Kokosalaki, you can read about some of the older ones in my Vintage Sunday post.
Have a stylish day.

Marios Schwab

Marios Schwab AW 09



Marios Schwab SS 09



Mary Katrantzou



Mary Katrantzou AW 09




Sophia Kokosalaki



Outfit inspirations - wide leg jeans

I decided to be more adventurous when it comes to jeans (i'm the ultimate skinnies girl) and bought this Goldsign wide leg jean from Donna Ida. They are super long and it's a nice change to wear a different style. I wore them with Chloe top and Zara jacket, Office wedges (can't be seen), my YSL arty rings, Michael Kors bag, long necklace from Topshop and short one from ASOS.
Have a stylish day.

Outfit inspirations - Miss Pink

Today's is a true Miss Pink's outfit. Skirt from H&M, which I customised by making a thigh split, top from H&M, denim jacket by DKNY jeans, Mulberry Bayswater bag, watch Michael Kors and YSL arty rings.
Have a stylish day.

It's an instagram life



Fierce Alexander Wang shoes at Selfridges



Liberty London



Mulberry shoes at Selfridges

Colour blocking at Chanel counter

Funky Michael Kors heels at Modus press day

Regent Street on a Thursday evening

Vintage Sunday by Jean Dessés

On Thursday afternoon I went to see the Greek designers exhibition I told you about before and I'm going to write about it more next week and apart from the modern designers like Mary Katrantzou and Marios Schwab they displayed some stuff of the older ones as well.
One of them was Jean Dessés and other than his actual creations, you could see these beautiful drawings he did of his designs. I thought they were very pretty and perfect for Vintage Sunday post. The Greek designer moved to Paris in 1924, where he started own couture house in 1937. In 1946 he created the Laroche Institute together with Guy Laroche.
He died in 1970 and the label with him, but there was a big interest in his clothes again with the boom of vintage clothing and celebrities like Naomi Campbell and Renee Zelweger wore his creations to big events.
Have a stylish day.

Outfit inspirations - Animal instinct

Today is a gorgeous sunny day and I decided to get my legs out a bit.. I am wearing a skirt that I bought in River Island sale last year - bargain, H&M shirt I bought yesterday for £9.99!, belt from H&M, flats from Zara, denim jacket from DKNY jeans, clutch bag from Zara.
Have a stylish day.

Party feet by Zara

This gorgeous pair of shoes proves, that you don't have to spend a fortune to get nice footwear and I believe it looks far more expensive than £69.99 from Zara. I popped into my favourite shop during the week between meetings and as always loved too many things (more pics coming soon). These heels really stood out not only because I think this style is perfect for spring, but mainly because I'm really into studs right now. In here they are quite subtle, yet still give the boots a perfect edge. You can buy them here. Also check out the Zara

website, they have some cool stuff on.
Have a stylish day.

Alice Palmer at London Fashion Week

I discovered Alice Palmer's work a while ago and loved it so much that I did an interview with her for Futurespace magazine. During London Fashion Week I had a chance to see her latest collection at a presentation she held at a swanky suite of Corinthia hotel (I never wanted to leave that place). All her creations are hand knitted and oh so fabulous. The dress worn by a model below was so beautiful! The attention to detail and interesting shapes are one of the great things about Alice's work. Check out some of the pictures I took on the night, including one where Alice is showing her pieces to Kate Nash, the amazing room, but mostly the gorgeous AW 12 collection.
Have a stylish day.