Interview - Knitwear Designer Amy Hall Posted by Unknown |

Photo by Kate Stanworth

stylonylon interviews knitwear designer Amy Hall

London knitwear designer Amy Hall launched in 2010 after completing a knitwear summer course at Central Saint Martins and teaching knitting at Liberty London. With a background in photography and having worked at Magnum Photos, Amy turned her love of knitting and crochet into a highly successful independent knitwear label. Stocked in Dover Street's Wolf & Badger and loved by the likes of Susie Bubble and Paloma Faith, Amy continues to challenge our perception of knitwear in her Dalston studio where all her pieces are handmade from natural fibres by herself and her small team. I'm a huge fan and have photographed Amy's Yakone pencil skirt, mohair Chu sweater (also above) and Siku sweater for outfit posts as well as snapping her AW13 collection at LFW. Here, Amy tells us a bit about herself, her cats and her style. 

Follow Amy on Twitter @amyhallknitwear and Facebook

What was your original concept for your brand? 
Shopping for fashion can be a bit like buying ready meals – more often than not, you don’t know what’s going into what you’re buying. To say there’s room for improvement is putting it politely. I started my brand because at that time there was a huge lack of decent, well-made knitwear in natural fibres that would stand the test of time. My aim was to create collections that would challenge preconceptions of handmade knitwear and show people it can be stylish and sexy.

Now that LFW is done and dusted, what's next?
Now that LFW is over I'm sourcing yarns for SS14. Over the next few weeks I'll be cramming in as many inspiring exhibitions and trips as possible, so that I can begin the design process all over again.

Working in the world of fashion, what style tips have you picked up along the way?
The best style tip I have picked up is to invest in a good sticky roller to remove pet hair. I live with two cats who seem to have a particular penchant for whichever thing is my favourite, or the most expensive. They then leave hair all over it.

What key pieces of clothing and accessories can't you live without?
I have a 'Willow' cardigan from my AW11 collection that I live in, so much so I've reworked the shape for AW13 (Ed's note - see below), same goes for my Westwood pirate boots, my grandmother's opal ring and a gorgeous cashmere scarf from new brand Orwell & Austen. I wouldn't be without any of them!

What will you be wearing this spring /summer? Any trends that you're planning on working into your wardrobe?
I’m still into neon and brights (even better if you’ve got a tan!), but I’ve always been a fan of monochrome. I recently bought a black & white leather skirt from Whistles so that'll be getting a lot of wear over the coming months.

What was the last item of clothing you bought and what's next on your shopping list?
I was given an amazing pair of Nike Air Max ID's for Christmas, but I think the last thing I bought was a pair of Alexander Wang fringed sandals (Ed's note - out of stock but see sale pair below!). I have a bit of a thing for shoes...! But next on my list is a helmet-style hat from Darkroom.

Photo by Kate Stanworth

1. Amy Hall AW13 Justine cardigan (available April)
2. Shah hat from Darkroom
3. Alexander Wang sandals (88% off in grey at The Outnet)
4. Orwell and Austen cashmere scarf
5. Vivienne Westwood pirate boots

Interview - Jewellery Designer Rachel Jackson of Cinderela B Posted by Unknown |

Rachel and her pup Rafferty

Stylonylon interviews jewellery designer Rachel Jackson

Founded in 2006 by Rachel Jackson, Cinderela B started out as a stall in east London's Spitalfields market. Completely self-taught, Rachel made the leap into jewellery design after an inspiring year travelling in South America. Handmade and inspired by exotic creatures and insects, the jewellery was quickly picked up by UK and international stockists enabling Rachel to grow her business – today she employs a team of young fashion graduates and has a showroom in Brick Lane. Here, Rachel tells us a little about that inspiring year and her personal style.

What inspired you to start your jewellery line?
I was travelling in South America in 2006 and I met a very special lady called Cinderela Brancante and her son Ale in Brazil. Never in my life had I met anyone that loved life and made the most of it, like they did. Ale could sail a boat, fly a plane, play the guitar, Cinderela was a lawyer, she had travelled the world, designed her own stunning house, and made beautiful jewellery too. And whilst they had money when I met them, they didn’t start out with any. They learnt and achieved everything by teaching themselves – by reading books and having the passion and courage to follow all of their dreams. Whilst staying with the Brancantes, I tapped into a passion for jewellery making – I would sit with Cinderela for hours whilst she taught me, and that was where the dream to have my own jewellery label began. My background was working in TV production, so a million miles away from jewellery making! But the Brancante family made me believe that you can achieve anything in life that you really want, if you try hard enough.

Does your initial vision match what you have achieved today?
100%.

Describe your favourite piece of jewellery and tell us why it is so special to you?  
A mid-length vintage gold chain necklace with an oval pendant with a flower on it and coloured beads attached in different places along the length of the chain. I bought it from a gorgeous independent boutique in Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina – one of the most beautiful shopping districts in the world. It was the first piece of jewellery I fell in love with – and I wore it to death, with everything. A month later I met Cinderela in Brazil and she taught me how to make such jewellery – and there the seed for the Cinderela B signature style was sown!

What key pieces of clothing and accessories can't you live without? 
My Gap boyfriend jeans, plain Ts from Whistles, cream silk blouse from Second Female, chunky knit scarf, my new Cinderela B gold hummingbird necklace.

What's on you shopping wish list right now? 
Some new designer shades for a summer holiday in Bali.

Visit cinderelab.com and follow on Twitter.

Stylonylon Interviews George Kotsiopoulos from Fashion Police Posted by Unknown |

So I was pretty excited to be offered an interview yesterday with LA fashion stylist George Kotsiopoulos to catch up on his Golden Globes' hits and misses before the Fashion Police Golden Globes special aired (showing in the UK on E! Entertainment tonight). If you watch Fashion Police, you'll know George, along with host Joan Rivers and co-host Kelly Osbourne, likes to tell it as it is. Here, he reveals his red carpet highs and lows – we talk Jennifer Lawrence and her structural bodice, Jessica Chastain in sea-foam green, Nicole Kidman bringing fashion, the beautiful Rachel Weisz, the return of the Angelina leg and Lucy Lui's and Sienna Miller's red carpet faux pas. Oh, and listen out for George's favourite moment of the night – you know, the bit where Adele wins for Skyfall and the camera cuts to Taylor Swift looking oh-so... peeved. (Also, US readers,  check out George's Suave Beauty competition here.)

Follow George on Twitter.

Interview: Fashion Blogger Ella Gregory From Coco's Tea Party Posted by Unknown |

Photo credits: Top left: Street Peeper Top right: Abi Marvel  Bottom left & right: Coco's Tea Party

stylonylon interviews Ella Gregory

One of the UK's top fashion blogs, Coco's Tea Party was launched in 2006 by stylist and fashion journalist Ella Gregory. Ella blogs an intoxicating mix of daily celebrity news, magazine covers, catwalk collections and shopping. Plus, of course, a scattering of the ever popular What I Wore outfit posts. In 2012, Ella was featured in the Independent's "Twitter 100" feature and collaborated with River Island on a Coco's Tea Party accessories collection. Here, she tells us a bit about blogging and her style.

1. What are the key things that have contributed to your blogging success?
Hard work. But beyond that I have a real passion for blogging, so that obviously makes it easier to dedicate so much time to making Coco's Tea Party a success. I also try to read as much as possible, as it's impossible to constantly have new story ideas if you're not up-to-date with the latest fashion/celebrity news.

2. What key pieces of clothing and accessories can't you live without?
Skinny jeans are my number one. I wear them year round. J Brand and James Jeans are my favourite designer labels, and on the high street I like Topshop. In winter I live in oversized knits – this season I'm crazy about my Elizabeth and James knit – and in summer it's all about tank tops and lightweight jackets.

3. What is on your shopping wish list right now? Have you bought anything in the January sales?
I haven't actually bought anything in the sales. At the moment I'm searching for the perfect pair of leather leggings (I'm not sure they even exist!) and stocking up on printed shirts for Spring 2013.

Follow Coco's Tea Party on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Images c/o Coco's Tea Party

Printed shirt // Tank top // Leather leggings
(NB. These three items are my choices – not Ella's. I just took a guess at what she might like. :)
Do you think they match Ella's style?)

Interview: Pose co-founder Alisa Gould-Simon Posted by Unknown |

stylonylon interviews Alisa Gould-Simon

Former fashion writer Alisa Gould-Simon and her business partner Dustin Rosen joined forces in 2011 to release a beta version of style and photo sharing app Pose. With stylist Rachel Zoe, the senior fashion director of Barney's and super blogger Leandre Medine of Man Repeller on board, the app now has more than 1 million users worldwide and 10,000 photos uploaded daily. (I joined recently and after being featured amassed more than 4000 followers in a weekend - amazing!). The Los Angeles based Alisa tells us more and talks us through her style. 

Follow Alisa on Pose.com here and download the app here. 

What inspired you to start Pose?

I teamed up with Dustin Rosen, Pose's CEO and my co-founder, nearly two years ago. We both were looking to change the way that people discovered and consumed fashion. Dustin has a background in finance and technology, whereas I come from a fashion journalism and marketing background, so we were a pretty perfect match. We realized that photos (and in our case, tagged images) could be a highly effective way of broadcasting your personal and daily style to followers from around the world. So, we built this in the form of an app and have been going full-steam ahead ever since.

What role do fashion, photography and styling play in your life?

Fashion has always played a huge role in my life. From the time I was 5, I remember being picky about what I wore. From an early age (much to my mother's dismay), I felt very connected to fashion as a means of expressing myself and a fun way of developing an individual voice. Styling and photography have always been big sources of inspiration for me, especially in looking at fashion and design from decades past.  

Have you been shopping for your autumn/winter wardrobe? 

This winter I've been loving oversized knits – my favorites are from Madewell and Vince; over-skinny pants – Zara has a pair of faux leather cropped ones that I can't seem to take off. I'm pretty obsessed with my Veda leather jackets and a shrunken varsity jacket I recently picked up at their sample sale. And Rag & Bone (Newbury), Loeffler Randall and Zara (flat buckle) booties are my daily go-tos. I also just got two hats (a wide brim and a chambray and leopard print cap) from my favorite milliner and good friend Molly Yestadt of Yestadt Millinery.

What key pieces of clothing and accessories can't you live without?

My boyfriend recently got me a Gabriela Artigas knot ring that I wear every day. His sister has a line called The Hellers and the Alisa dress that she did last season has become my staple for fashion week, weddings and any excuse I have to dress up. If my apartment caught fire I'd probably try to rescue a few key designer shoes I've collected over the years, but all of it I imagine I could live without.

What is on your shopping wishlist right now?

I'm in the market for some cozy, lightweight t-shirts. I also might need to add to my Gabriela Artigas ring collection...

1. Alisa dress by The Hellers 2. Leather jacket by Veda 3. Love knot ring by Gabriela Artigas  

4. Booties by Loeffler Randall  5. Booties with buckles by Zara 6. Newbury booties by Rag & Bone 

7. Hat by Yestadt Milinery

Interview: Jewellery Designer Rachel Boston Posted by Unknown |

stylonylon interviews rachel boston

Jewellery designer Rachel Boston's new collection 'The Protector' has been featured in Vogue.com, Dazed & Confused and i-D. A 2011 Central St Martin's graduate, Rachel makes her jewellery out of casts of beetles and scorpion stings. Her studio is based in east London.

Could you describe your favourite piece of jewellery and tell us why it is so special to you?
My favourite of my own designs is the gold scorpion sting necklace, I love wearing it because it has a lot of movement which makes the stings look like they're alive. My most sentimental piece though is a name necklace saying ELVIS my parents had made for me based on a necklace I had when I was 8. I've been a huge Elvis fan ever since I bought my first CD which was a greatest hits collection so it was just a really special gift and I'll treasure it forever.

Why do you think animals and insects re-invented as jewellery is so popular at the moment? What does it mean for you and this collection?
I wrote my dissertation when I was at Central Saint Martins on Insects' Impact on Western Culture – which is profound! Insects in adornment goes from the Magdalenian era – where ornaments in the shape of beetles were found constructed from anthracite – to Bottega Veneta's beetle inspired accessories last year. Beetles have always had a huge cultural impact and I think they've been such a strong influence in my work because of that, their history with mysticism and religions as well as their forms – which fascinates me. They're the most successful animals to have evolved for 230 million years, their diversity of shapes and colours never fails to amaze me and recreating them into wearable and beautiful jewellery is a fascinating process involving me collecting real beetles and scorpions and casting them into metal.

Have you been shopping for your autumn wardrobe? 
I love autumn fashion, it's by far my favourite time of year to dress for as I love leather gloves and winter coats. I think my Acne brown leather jacket (Ed's note – similar here) is my favourite autumnal purchase – although it's getting a little bit cold to wear it I'm trying to persevere. Otherwise I tend to buy alot of vintage or thrift so I've been searching for a good cable knit jumper all month.

What key pieces of clothing and accessories can't you live without?
I couldn't live without my Cole Haan Air Nike Chelsea boots, they're the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned so I'd feel lost without them. I also couldn't live without my jewellery collection, of course, as I wear at least one piece from it every day.

What is on you shopping wishlist right now?
I'm a big fan of nuji.com where you can make your dream shopping list online; you can view my list at nuji.com/Rachelboston and see everything my greedy clothes-obsessed heart desires.

rachelboston.co.uk / Facebook / Twitter

1. Elvis – Greatest Hits 2. Cole Haan Chelsea boots 3. Monki Else bag (nuji) 4. Nebula 3 iPhone case (nuji) 5. Carven linen & silk-blend skirt (nuji) 6. My Theresa Valentino gloves (nuji) 7. Monki Hildur bag (nuji) 8. Aubin & Willis wool sweater (nuji) 9. Karen Walker Perfect Day sunglasses (nuji)