Catwalk Blogginess

Changes at catwalk genius...

Helen — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:12:28 +0100

You may have noticed that our homepage has gone a little coy recently - it's because behind the screen, we're getting changed. Check out the new logo, for a start.

Over the next few weeks, the team will be working on adding some gorgeous new sections that'll include some new exciting designer additions and a lot of beautiful fashion for this Autumn/Winter.

If you're a designer and you'd like to put forward your new collection for a professional photo shoot to be held in London at the end of August, please email us some images and information using talktous[at]catwalkgenius[dot]com.

If you've adopted a designer - don't worry, your elements remain unchanged. All registered members may still log in and maintain their account as before.

If you have any questions, just drop us a line and we'll do our best to answer them.

Got ethical styling skills?

Helen — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:35:32 +0100

I was already very impressed with the BBC's 'Thread' initiative to highlight fashion that's ethical and sustainable, but now they're running a genuinely exciting competition for stylish dressers who share our passion for such things.

Here's the deal:

Buy from: Lil'c couture

Helen — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:06:00 +0100

Back in April, we sponsored the first ever Galway Fashion Week and I was there to see Claire O'Connor launch her Lil'c couture line there.

I asked Claire a few questions about the line and premiering at Galway. Here's what she had to say...

The Catwalk Chart of Genius - 19th July 2008

Helen — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:59:10 +0100

Here is the latest progress update on our designer adoptions:

2008 Fashion Forward Winners Announced

Helen — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:08:07 +0100

Now in its third year, the British Fashion Council's Fashion Forward sponsorship scheme is all about getting emerging designers nicely established for a bit of world domination.

Previous winners include the likes of Richard Nicoll and Giles Deacon and as well as gaining the prestige of joining this very exclusive company, the winners receive cash sponsorship for a catwalk show at LFW and business mentoring.

So congratulations go to:

The Catwalk Chart of Genius - 11th July 2008

Helen — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:57:20 +0100

Well hello all - it's that time again where we see how the adoptions have been going.

Hair hats

Helen — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:49:30 +0100

Just... wow. You must go and see the detail.

Project Runway 6 Casting

Helen — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:09:48 +0100

If you're born of that rare ilk who think the pain/reward ratio of appearing on Project Runway is a doddle, then now's your opportunity to throw your hat in the ring.

The TV-viewing world appreciates your sacrifice, you big hunk of fierceness.

Element giveaway

Helen — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:00:00 +0100

Update: all gone now, sorry!

Adopt: Daughter Earth

Helen — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:07:25 +0100

Daughter Earth sells eco-conscious products inspired by the natural world. Part of the proceeds from each product are donated to organizations working to conserve endangered species and their habitats.

I interviewed Katy to find out - you know, how they roll. Here's what she had to say:

Like buying your fashion online?

Helen — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:00:00 +0100

We're conducting a survey to improve our site and to give our designers some tips on what buyers want.

If you'd like the chance to win a voucher worth £50/€75 for the online shop of your choice, just take a look around Catwalkgenius.com, then complete the survey. Do it before the 4th of July and we'll enter you into the prize draw.

More Genius in Interactive Fashion

Helen — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:55:00 +0100

Time to settle back with a nice cuppa and a chocolate Hobnob while I take you on another tour of some of the loveliest interactive bits of the fashion world.

Know enough about sustainable fashion?

Helen — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:29:18 +0100

If anyone in your company could learn some more about sustainable fashion, how about a masterclass about that very thing from Futerra? It's on the 17th of July in London.
Here's the blurb:

The Catwalk Chart of Genius - 20th June 2008

Helen — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:00:00 +0100

It's time for another check-up on the charts, dear adopters.

Biggest gains were for Kelly Love and Georgie W, with elements sold for quite a number of the others. Delighted to report that Saia Ikavalko got off the mark, because Funky Homo Sapiens is an inspired name for a label!

Missed out on the New Generation sponsorship?

Helen — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:54:02 +0100

Via the delicious Catwalk Queen and Vogue.co.uk, it's that time of year when the British Fashion Council announce their New Generation sponsorship.

New additions to Catwalkgenius.com

Helen — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:17:30 +0100

It looks like quite a lot of lovely new clothes and accessories turned up on Catwalkgenius.com while I was hurtling around Staffordshire at 3.5Gs.

Here's my pick of the new crop:

New cruel and unusual challenges of Project Runway

Helen — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:00:00 +0100

New challenge: My hat is taller than your hat.
The designers are gagged, bound, blindfolded and driven to a remote forest. After they're deposited in a clearing, Denise Richards takes time out from being all 'complicated' to explain today's challenge.

Get 10% off

Helen — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:00:00 +0100

Things will be a little quiet around here for the next wee while, as I'll be lying in a wet field under a flimsy canvas in the name of 'leisure' and 'fun'.
Still, the internet never sleeps, so why not use the following code to get a nice 10% discount on your next purchase from our little shop?

Verbal Croquis counts the cost of making clothes

Helen — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:00:00 +0100

Verbal Croquis (who has just launched her own line) created an excellent post about the costs that go into creating a dress.
"In order for a dress to get from random idea to you as a finished garment you want, you have to pay a lot of people. You pay:

Trouble registering?

Helen — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:59:17 +0100

If you were trying to adopt a designer earlier today and got a pesky error message when submitting your registration, a thousand apologies to you.
We have found the errant code and given it a stern talking-to, so all should be well again now.

Sshh.. element giveaway.

Helen — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:29:53 +0100

Don't tell anyone, but these 5 element codes can each bag you a free slice of your favourite designer's label.

The Catwalk Chart of Genius - 29th May

Helen — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:02:46 +0100

Here's the rundown of today's movers and shakers - please supply your own drumroll.

It's a bit easier being green: Edenbee

Helen — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:56:18 +0100

Wondering what your carbon footprint might be? Stuck for ways to reduce it?
I recently came across Edenbee, a sweet-looking site that helps you with both of these problems.

Interactive Fashion

Helen — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:24:36 +0100

One of the reasons we started up Catwalkgenius.com rather than a sweet shop or a theme park is because we noticed an opportunity to bring a growing trend ('crowdfunding') to an industry it hadn't yet arrived in (fashion).
I remain amazed that in the whole of the interwebby thing, we're the only ones providing something like the designer adoption scheme - and I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
However, I am noticing lots of other really cool interactive things starting to happen in a kind of 'Style 2.0' wave, so I thought I'd highlight some of my favourites.

Fashion news from the 60s

Helen — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:53:40 +0100

Amanda found this marvellous video of London fashion in the swinging sixties that I just had to share.
Sample quote: "They say London swings. It doesn't... But here and there among the conformist fat cats is a lean cat or two, looking like it might swing, given some encouragement." Groovy.

Homepage facelift

Helen — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:45:12 +0100

Last weekend, Mal and I went over to visit Andrew, the fella who makes the web magic happen. He lives with his lady wife and half the contents of Noah's Ark in a lovely house in a beautiful village near the (presumably also very nice) Forest of Dean.
It's the kind of place where ladies drink organic milk and make good friends with cows, according to the brochure:

The perfect gift for your fashionista buddies!

Helen — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:07:28 +0100

Stuck for a birthday present?
You can now give your favourite people a slice of a fashion label by buying them an element in the form of an Adoption Gift Voucher!

Interview with Amanda from Fashion, Evolved

Helen — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:26:39 +0100

Amanda runs the show over at Fashion, Evolved – a blog devoted to snuffling out the very best of ethical stylishness.
I had a very nice chat with her the other day about what she was up to. Through the miracle of the internets, you can now find out what she had to say, simply by reading on…

10% off purchases

Helen — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:44:31 +0100

It's getting warmer, so we though it was time to take something off.
By using the following voucher code at the checkout page, you can get 10% off any of the products in our boutique.

GPYF94

The offer only lasts for one week and will expire on Friday the 23rd of May, so get them while it's hot!

Winners of the 2008 Fabbies Fashion Blog awards

Helen — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:24:18 +0100

Kathleen from Fashion Incubator announces the 2008 Fabbies award winners (for some reason, the official site is still keeping it quiet at the moment). Did you vote?