#THELOUNGE
LOVE
03 08 16
YOUR BODY
LABEL LOVE Go-to label for timeless and luxurious pieces BEAUTY A powerful blend of organic botanicals TRAVEL Turquoise sea and breezy weather
FASHION AND NATURE Blends a love for nature with a meticulous passion for extravagant fabrics
BEHIND THE SCENES Greek creativity, originality and inspiration can stand out across international markets
EDITOR KATY PHIPPS
CONTRIBUTORS BRTTANY THORLEY ALLEGRA ZANON CATHERINE PHIPPS LAUREN KING SARAH ROKER SHANNON BLANKS
CONTENTS
ALL ADVERTISING ENQUIRES TO Info@the-clothinglounge.com
ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTION GABOR KAMASZ
Editor's note
3|4
THE LOUNGE CHOICES
5|8
TOO DAMN EXPENSIVE
9|10
THE STATEMENT
11|16
BEHIND THE SCENES
17|18
DESIGNER FOCUS
Dress yourself up in Love
Label Love
Memoirs of a Scandinavian Geisha
The 19th Athens exclusive designer week
Tiziano Guardini
In this issue we’re exploring what makes you feel beautiful and love your body, whether it’s nourishing it with a rainbow of vegetables or draping yourself in environmentally friendly silk. We’ll be looking at the most ethical beaches to lounge on and a beauty regime that’s so choc full of superfoods that you’ll be glowing, all to help you love yourselves, appreciate your beautiful bodies and feel fabulous.
21|22
BEAUTY
23|24
FOOD
ENJOY!
25|26
TRAVEL
27|28
THE ONES TO KNOW
Katy Phipps Editor
19|20
BEAUTY
Yarok: Natural hair products that protect the Earth
Superfood, Skincare
The Mae Deli
Cape Verde; In ethical we trust
Collins Nai
CONFIDENCE COMES IN MANY FORMS...
Everybody loves their body in a different way and certain outfits can help you dress up, feel the part and shine with inner beauty, whether it’s plenty of silk, flowing chiffon or a cheeky flash of nipple.
50S CINDERELLA
SUMMER ON THE RIVIERA
BARELY THERE, DARE TO BEAR
CLINGS IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES...
JULIA MCLEARON - BLUEBELLS AND GRAFFITI £240.00
KATYA KOMAROVA - DARK BLUE SHORTS £55.00
KC MALHAN - OCEAN LARGE SEQUIN CLUTCH £48.00
ANASTASIIA IVANOVA - WHITE MIDI SKIRT £203.00
SOUSEE BELLA - FANTASY £153.00
ZEVAR - SILVER BRACELET WITH MARCASITE AND MOON STONE £70.00
KIMMY J - BUBBLE COLLAR SHIRTS £120.00 KIMMY J - WIRE KNIT TOP £76.00
EDDIE HANDMADE - COLLETTE CLUTCH BAG £344.00
DE SIENA -MELYSANDRE ANKLE SANDAL £362.00 REIN - LEATHER BRALETTE £310.00
DOMANOFF - LONG SILK DRESS £340.00 KONSTANTINA TZOVOLOU - PRINCIPESSA PYRAMID LEATHER AND PVC MULE £290.00
DE SIENA - KEISHA SANDAL £335.00
TALA- CICI CLUTCH £230.00
- LABEL LOVE -
a Q&A with TOO DAMN EXPENSIVE
Sharing the label love is what we’ve become known and loved for since we started out, and one of the brands we’ve fallen head over heels for is Too Damn Expensive. From a rather restless and rootless beginning, Elisabeth Vestli took her biggest passion – she freely admits to buying garments over food at times – and founded a new contemporary Scandinavian brand that was slicker than the average. Now, two years on, Too Damn Expensive is the go-to label for timeless and luxurious pieces created using the most subtle yet sharpest tailoring. We caught up with Elisabeth to find out how a little brand from Oslo is making huge waves on the international fashion scene.
TCL: Your brand celebrates its 2 year anniversary next month, why did you decide to start your own label?
EV: I spent many years trying to
It was very strange that I didn’t see be worn in different ways get my this before as fashion has always vote every time. All of this is the been one of my biggest passions, core of what I put into the brand. so to all of you out there who can relate to this, don’t worry, it will come to you when you least expect it. In the meantime relax, have fun and dress up - preferably in a Too Damn Expensive garment! I knew from the moment I got accepted into design school that I wanted to start my own label when I was done, I wanted to do it my way.
figure out what to do with my life in terms of occupation and education. After trying lots of different jobs in different fields, I decided to save money and travel as much as I could. It was on my travels in Australia while soaking up the sun on Bondi Beach that it suddenly hit me – I’m going to be a fashion designer! TCL: How has your own personal style influenced the design choices that sit at the heart of your brand?
EV: I love black, it is a classic colour and can be used any time and combined with anything. I also like clothes that can be worn day to night, meaning you can use them at work and feel dressed up enough to go for a drink (or two) in the evening without having to go home and change. I prefer interesting design combined with quality fabrics and a good fit, often this combination makes timeless pieces over just being on trend. In addition to this, garments that can
TCL: Tell us more about your latest collection…
TCL: What does the year ahead look like for you and your brand?
EV: All garments are made from the same supersoft cupro fabric, which is great for summer, and makes it easy to combine and layer the garments together in different variations. The garments are all designed and constructed out of different pieces of squares and rectangles. I wanted to make something so strict as the square seems organic and fluid in shape, which is accomplished with the combination of construction and how the fabric drapes.
EV: The year ahead looks exciting and some projects are already in progress, but I’m afraid I can’t reveal all just yet. Beside from that the main goal this year is to get the word out about the brand to all the fashion lovers out there! What I can tell you is that I’ve just received the samples for the new Fall/Winter ‘16 collection. All the garments are in a great wool fabric, thicker wool for the outer garments, so you can look good while keeping warm, which is an art in itself. That’s all I can say right now, you will just have to wait and see ;)
TOO DAMN EXPENSIVE’S latest collection is now on sale, find it right HERE.
TCL: A final word on the new season ahead… EV: Be you… Wear clothes that make you feel good and feel pretty, it doesn’t matter if you are on trend if you don’t feel good wearing it. Choose garments that make you feel good about yourself, that’s the most important thing.
The Statement MEMOIRS OF A SCANDINAVIAN GEISHA I know it seems intimidating. I know that you’re not sure how to react. I also know that this shoe is completely unique and a veritable work of art. Just examine it. Is there a Geisha influence swimming to the forefront of your mind? Maybe cool, Scandinavian minimalism? Is the harmony between the heavy platform, the delicate buckle strap and the calmly curving wood beginning to intrigue you? It might seem ugly, even misshapen, and not immediately dainty or elegant. But the more you look, the more you realise how beautiful and unique both this shoe and your body are interesting.
KAREN TOPACIO - KATE WOOD WEDGE SANDALS ÂŁ448.00
Behind
the Scenes at the
19TH ATHENS CLUSIVE XDESIGNERS WEEK
We attended the 19th AXDW back in April and have kept in touch with the event’s organisers ever since. Here we offer a peek behind Known for exporting Greek fashion the scenes, via CEO globally, the bi-annual Athens Xclusive Tonia Fouseki, and Designers Week (AXDW) is a must-visit ask what’s in store for every self-respecting professional in for guests at the the fashion industry as well as the avid next event which followers that embrace all things cutting edge to craft a unique capsule wardrobe for will take place this each new season. The event is the official October. international fashion week in Greece and takes place in the centre of Athens, presenting both supreme and current Greek designers along with top international fashion designers and fashion houses.
TCL: Could you tell our readers a bit more about Athens Xclusive Designers Week? TF: AXDW has had the honour of hosting the shows of legendary international fashion houses such as Escada, Cacharel, Emanuel Ungaro, Vivienne Westwood, Guy Laroche, Krizia, Vivia Ferragamo, Barbara Bui, Francois & Marithe Girbaud, to name a few. The fashion shows are assembled and designed with top of the range production standards, corresponding to the same rank as the ‘Big Four’ official fashion weeks in Paris, London, Milan and New York. Every season, Athens Xclusive Designers Week is a destination for more than 20,000 people, including Greek and international press and media, buyers, fashion professionals and exclusive guests. Our partnerships and collaborations with international organisations and public authorities over the years have developed a strong network for very successful fashion events, enhancing local industry awareness and supporting the work of home-grown and foreign talent. We also aim to promote Athens as an important cultural European capital while highlighting emerging new designers.
TCL: Why did you decide to start Athens Xclusive? And what part of your background led you to discover the challenges faced by Greek designers?
TCL: What inspires you and keeps you motivated to keep pushing forward emerging Greek designers?
TF: I studied marketing & psychoÂlogy and during my studies I worked as a fashion model. During this period I had the chance to meet and cooperate with important fashion designers like Valentino and Ungaro. Later, as a Communications Consultant, I worked with the biggest TV networks, fashion designers, pop stars, athletes, actors and companies in Greece, and in 2004, these relationships saw me set-up boutique communication agency SO FINE! Communications Management. It was in 2007 that I founded Athens Xclusive Designers Week, with my love for fashion and my vision to assure a better position for Greek fashion being the main motivators.
TF: The faith that Greek creativity, originality and inspiration can stand out across international markets, combined with a great vision of giving new talent a chance to get involved and make their dreams come true.
I strongly believe that Greek designers deserve to have the opportunity to present their work in a high calibre, international fashion event. The challenges that Greek designers face are many but mainly revolve around supply chain support due to the lack of reliable local production suppliers that can deliver under certain timetables and achieve high throughput volumes with low cost efficiency.
TCL: Tell us about your latest event, which designer brands should our readers watch out for in the coming season? TF: The 19th AXDW presented 43 fashion designers and brands. Among our participants .LAK by Lakis Gavalas made a very innovative and creative comeback with a menswear show that was held in the kitchen of our venue, only for the eyes of 80 guests! In addition to this, Kathy Heyndels, Makis Tselios, Tassos Mitropoulos, Gio S., Panos Apergis, Celebrity Skin, Funky Buddha, Notis Panagiotou and many new designers shined on their debut, along with numerous talented accessories designers.
TCL: What response has your business received so far from the Greek fashion scene and wider international fashion community? TF: AXDW has met great acknowledgment in the national and international fashion communities. It is a well-established organisation which is visited by thousands every season, and more than 400 designers have participated. We have established agreements with many international fashion weeks and have managed important deals with local and international buyers for our designers. We have also succeeded in bringing out new talent and designers that are already successful within the Greek market. TCL: Where do you see Athens Xclusive Designers Week progressing in the next few years alongside other fashion weeks? What can you tell us about your next event?
TF: Our goal is to consÂtantly make bigger steps in the development of Greek fashion and its export abroad, and elevate and move forward with an expanding network of affiliate international fashion weeks, buyers and media that share our vision. Our 20th and anniversary event will take place from October 20th to 24th, and true to its celebrating character, we are preparing many great surprises for our guests!
TCL: Where do you see Athens Xclusive Designers Week progressing in the next few years alongside other fashion weeks? What can you tell us about your next event?
TF: Our goal is to constantly make bigger steps in the development of Greek fashion and its export abroad, and elevate and move forward with an expanding network of affiliate international fashion weeks, buyers and media that share our vision.
DESIGNER FOCUS
Fashion&Nature
IN AN INNOVATIVE (AND ETHICAL) COLLABORATION Tiziano breathes life and love into all those women’s dreams of sumptuous and luxurious garments, but sticking to an urban style approach. The best part is that he always reminds the wearer that it is nature from which it all came from. Tiziano is careful in the search for innovative materials for his collections, in order to make women feel always up to date and fresh.
- TIZIANO GUARDINI -
What‘s better than combining aesthetic with a concept? Crucial to mention is his soya silk collection, in which the designer blends his love for nature with his meticulous passion for extravagant fabrics, providing his creations with important eco-friendly mottos. The soya silk the designer has employed has no negative impact on the environment, it is very resilient, soft, shiny and gives a feeling of freshness to the wearer.
In other words, what Tiziano wants to suggest is that nature is beautiful just the way it is and that there is nothing more special than that. This is why the creation of art from it could not be disappointing at any level. The creativity of Tiziano allows an innovative approach to sourcing, which creates eye-catching garments that also serve as a reminder and how easy it is to treat it right, respecting its perks in the creation of other ones. We should all trust his groundbreaking view in the observance of our styling routine every morning in front of the mirror, and of the environment, believing in the ethical side of fashion. Every garment owns its own particularities through the choice of all different prints, thanks to which the wearer can feel unique and special. Another material utilized quite often by the designer is the Ghandi silk, a silk obtained just after the larva completed its metamorphosis. The fabric produced eventually is not as malleable as it normally would be, therefore extremely particular since it displays rifts, giving once again that sense of uniqueness and originality, which distinguish the brand from the rest.
Beauty YAROK is a new global brand creating original formulas and nutritious products that help to protect our hair and scalp whilst also preserving our beautiful planet by sourcing all their ingredients naturally. The brand is founded by Israeli hair stylist and certified aromatherapist, MORDECHAI ALVOW.
A lot of thought goes into each Yarok formula. The products contains a powerful blend of organic botanicals which will deeply nourish and heal particular scalp and hair issues while providing the optimum fashion-forward styling possibilities.
FINALLY!
Caring for your hair can be a tough job sometimes, especially when you consider all the things we put it through: hair colour, blow drying, straightening. Even if you’re not doing it yourself, harsh sunlight and other forms of weather will also contribute to damage. There are tonnes of products out there that can supposedly look after our hair, but we can’t help but wonder if all of those chemicals are doing any good.
www.yarokhair.com
NATURAL hair products that PROTECT the EARTH and HELP TAKE CARE for OUR
HAIR through THICK and THIN.
Every Yarok product is 100% vegan and free of alcohol, parabens, sulfrates, synesthetics, gluten and toxins. Yarok is also partner with The Pachamama Al liance and donates 3% of their annual profits to them. The Pachamama Alliance is a flourishing non-profit group dedicated to supporting the indigenous peo ple of Ecuador and Peru and also protecting over 10 million acres of Amazonian Rainforest.
SUPERFOOD
SKINCARE
Blueberry Fusion Micro Scrub, The Body Deli Blending up fresh blueberries and acai berries is the trick to this neutralising scrub that minimises pores and smoothes skin.
It would appear that everyone is on super health food kick after another, but what is more surprising is that some of these healthy trends only go skin deep. People are actually starting to incorporate organic, editable products into their beauty regime, directly giving their skin the nutrients it needs to look young, hydrated and healthy. Modern beauty brands like Herbivore Botanicals and The Body Deli are skipping the green smoothies and going straight to the superfood skincare.
French Clay & Algae Mask, The Body Deli This product needs to be refrigerated because it so fresh, but it will leave you with firm, velvety skin that makes you look as young as you’ll feel after using it.
Coconut Milk Bath Soak, The Herbivore Botanicals Made from vegan coconut milk and vanilla essential oils, this is one of the most luxurious and indulgent skincare products for bath time that will leave your skin hydrated, soft and smelling amazingly.
Pink Clay Exfoliating Mask, Herbivore Botanicals This safe, non-toxic exfoliating mask uses all active ingredients like pink clay and organic rose powder to remove dead skin and clear up your complexion. www.herbivorebotanicals.com www.thebodydeli.com
Food THAT WILL
MAKE
YOU RADIATE
THE Mae Deli As the sayings go, “its what you put in your body”, because “you are what you eat”, but in this new age of food fads and weight loss it is difficult to find foods and recipes that are genuinely tasty and healthy. Here at The Clothing Lounge we have found the place that is about to change the food world so you can feel good on the inside and love your body on the outside.
MAE DELI - NEW RESTAURANT ALERT The Mae Deli is the brainchild of health food blogger known as Deliciously Ella and her husband Benjamin. With its menu featuring a plethora of healthy wonders and treats that both taste good and make you feel good, this newly opened restaurant is sure to challenge the ideals of healthy eating. Ella believes a combination of health and happiness is the key to life. Located just off Edgware Road, the Mae Deli provides a ‘food sanctuary’ in the heart of the busy city. With food for all meal times and even treats (including Pecan Brownies), this charming new eatery is a must-go. The Mae Deli - 21 Seymour Place, London, W1 5BH To see more of Ella in action, check out her instagram @deliciouslyella
All the food is cooked with coconut oil as it helps to burn fat and kill bad microorganisms showing just how the Mae Deli provides healthy goodness.
A fan favorite is the sweet potato and courgette curry, which sticks to the Mae’s theme of creating pure and wholesome food, perfect for any season. Everyday there is a selection of different salads and hot dishes so anyone can create their very own MAE BOWL.
Travel
WHERE TO STAY
CAPE VERDE: IN ETHICAL WE TRUST
Mainly known for its turquoise sea and breezy weather, Cape Verde is also making a name for itself, being chosen as the most ethical destinations. Cape Verde has been chosen as one of the most ethical travel destinations for the social support welfare and the observance of human rights and the environment. The country has developed links between economic growth and biodiversity observance, with also the highest level of Economic Freedom and political and civil rights in Africa.
SANTO ANTAO, HIKING PATH
WHERE TO VISIT Santo Antao is ideal for more than one day of physical and mental wellness in an extremely peaceful environment.
LLANA BEACH HOTEL
The 'Llana Beach' is Resort Group's new project, ready in November 2016, and will offer awesome services, including 600 suites and 7 pools.
WHERE TO EAT
'Cape Fruit' offers everything from vegan wraps to all kinds of smoothies, characterized by freshness and quality.
CAPE FRUIT, R. 15 AGOSTO, SANTA MARIA
WHAT TO WEAR MAH MAD ABOUT HUE - BUTTERFLIES MAXI DRESS £152.00
JOSIE CHEN - NECKLACE £108.00
LEANNE CLAXTON - DINALI PINK OVERSIZED SILK SCARF £147.00
MAH MAD ABOUT HUE - EYE CANDY CLUTCH FLORAL £281.00 EMMA HARRIS - FLEUR RIBBON SANDAL £273.00
THE ONES TO KNOW Collins Nai
FINE ARTS: PHOTOGRAPHY Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, USA Artist and image maker, Collins Nai, is a name you need to remember. Working predominately in fashion editorial along with beauty and commercial, his work is of an outstanding level. Inspired by contemporary art work and the transformative nature of light, alongside varied muses in the form of fictional characters and friends, Collins has been able to use photography as a key which unlocks and prompts a dialogue between his inner self, where his desires, fears and hopes lie dormant, and his present self; where he exists in a state in which he attempts to create art to further examine and express his feelings. The Fashion Institute of Technology has allowed Collins to explore all that he needs to create work that is worthy of a masterpiece title, and he hasn’t even graduated yet.
What are your influences and inspirations that led you to Fashion Photography? It all began at a young age. Travelling with my parents exposed me to a lot of art on the East Coast and although I wasn't always aware of what I was viewing, I spent my childhood with a sketch pad. I vividly remember being so enamored by Vogue, Elle and Vanity Fair covers as a child and was obsessed with how beautiful these women looked. By the time I reached adolescence, my interest in photographic medium blossomed and I found the work of Richard Avedon. Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time and hope for within your career? That is quite the heavy question. I understand that this is one of the most difficult industries to be a part of and things will never be handed to you, nor would I want them to be. There is something so exhilarating about about struggling and being told NO. Because it just gives me that reason to do things so much bigger and better. I always joke that if you're not doing the absolute most, you're not doing anything at all. In 5 years’ time I would ideally be signed and represented at an artist agency in New York City and hopefully abroad as well.
What do you like and dislike about the industry you are in? I love how the industry seems so vast in size but in reality, it’s really intimate. In the fashion and art world, I’ve come to realise that everyone knows each other and the community is pretty small. For the most part, many of the people that I have met have been incredibly open and willing to help new artists trying to break into the industry. Depending on where you choose to place yourself you can find a really strong family and sense of community.
See you next Issue!