Fashion In Motion: Kansai Yamamoto

Kansai Yamamoto has been absent from the fashion scene for over 20 years, instead turning his creative hand to show production. Consequently, this Fashion in Motion was more like a celebration of his career, with as strong an emphasis on the production as on the clothes; models didn't strut, they danced in this life affirming show.

Psychedelic colours, traditional imagery, and camouflage print all combined to create a  rainbow army of urban dancing warriors. Basara, an ideal of beauty, which means to be stylish to the point of flamboyance, differs considerably from the pared back aesthetic that we associate with Japan and it was nice to see an alternative aspect celebrated. Yamamoto's use of bright colours and patterns galore clearly recalled the spirit of basara and the show, which contained elements of kabuki, was as much of a celebration of Japanese culture as it was Yamamoto's work, with trumpet player Toshinori Kondo being afforded the same status as the designer himself.

There was absolutely nothing po-faced  or "cool" about it and there were a couple of more unconventional elements to the show -- the child mannequins for example were delightfully odd -- but the audience were enraptured and the air was fizzing with joy. While it might not have tickled the fancy of a jaded fashion insider, by the end it was difficult to spot a face which wasn't sporting a grin to rival the Cheshire Cat�s! 

I left the V&A feeling uplifted and more than a little second-homesick.

                           

I wanted to steal Kansai Yamamoto's mermaid shoes and tiger jacket, so I stole some sneaky snaps instead. 

And it's all over..until next time V & A

Jumper: Boy London

Fur Jacket: Charity shop

Sandals: Topshop sale (similar here)

This was our second outing to Fashion in Motion, see the pictures from Fyodor Golan here.

The Shoreditch Fashion Show Returns

Vince Kidd offered some soothing sounds and hypnotized the crowd with his lovely voice. We only wish that his set was a bit longer.

Aphra Shemza's glowing art installation was one of the show-stoppping pieces at the Oval Space.

The Man, The Myth, the Legend - Dom and Ink!

Left: Afrow (pictured right) and her friend looked awesome in their twin-ning jumpsuits - you can find Afrow's super cool blog here.

Right: Illustrator Amanda was as sweet as her outfit - have a looksie at her cute as a button blog here.

Left: Matching fringes and crop tops - we were big fans of these fabulous friends. 

Right: This stylish trio actually all share the same DNA! The girls are fashion blogging twins and have a stylish cousin to boot! 

Left: We fell hard for the headband and fishtail braid combo sported by this adorable event-goer.

Right: Even the staff at TSFS impressed us. Blonde curls and a beanie gets us every time! 

Left: Fashion blogging beauties made us stop in our tracks with an adorable Wednesday Adams-esque collar and a bright yellow coat.

Right: We saw this beautiful headchain on these luscious locks. Khaleesi?

Left: We loved fashion designer Eric's lego frame specs, which made their way here, all the way from a street vendor on St Mark's Place in oh so fabulous New York! Check out Eric's blog here.

Right: This fashion designer's neoprene top is one of her own creations - we were positively envious of it, and her beautiful topknot.

Fashion blogger, Cecily, was as friendly as her pretty pastel palette but we love how she edged things up with her nose ring and leather biker. And those earrings were absolutely regal!

Left: �ffbeat's Anoushka and her friend were killing it! Oh shiiit! 

Right: A delightful Neapolitan of Men's style.

Left: This beautiful couple were coordinated without being too matchy matchy - outstanding.

Right: All dressed in black - Sylvanna's sheer stripey top from Cos, paired with a coat by A.C.F and vintage accessories meant that she stood out in the crowd. 

Siobhan wears...

Black Sweatshirt - Zara

Floral Midi Skirt - Topshop

Black Patent Sandal Platforms - Topshop

Frilly Socks - Topshop

Orange and Pearl Earrings - River Island

Miriam wears...

Tartan Skirt - Zara

Crop Top - Bershka

Gold Wedges - Office

Love Hate Necklace - Tatty Devine

Leaves turning to rust usually signifies the fading light  of summer as the nights begin to draw in, but not last weekend, which marked the return of �ffbeat's Shoreditch Fashion Show -  The event, held at The Oval Space, was absolutely filled to the rafters with well dressed ladies and gents, welcoming the turn of the season and the autumn fashion that accompanies it. It was a fun filled melting pot of fashion, music and art, with a very friendly atmosphere - who said that fashion had to be bitchy? 

For us, the most exciting part of the evening had to be when we FINALLY got to meet the quiff sporting, super cool dude Dom and Ink, whose doodle wall provided event goers with endless entertainment. Disproving the old adage that one should never meet their heroes, Dom is as lovely as his illos are magical! As cool and composed as ever (try as we might to be Stephanie Zinone, we're unfortunately a lot more like those weird cheerleading twins in Grease 2) we screamed like banshees when saw him and garnered many a disapproving glance from the room. We hope that this undignified display won't prevent us from being invited back, because as we left the event on a fashiony high we had but one question on our conjoined minds - when is the next one?

Footnote: After leaving the safe confines of The Oval Space, we were once again roaming free on the streets of Shoreditch and there we encountered something truly alarming - to the girl who had the attitude of Regina George, but was sadly lacking any of her panache, we would like to offer the following words - summer sandals plus a heavy winter coat does not an autumn outfit make. Just because the season lies in between summer and winter it does not mean that it is merely an amalgamation of the two.  

The Shoreditch Fashion Show is Back

You may remember our street style fashion-filled posts (boys, girls, and us!) from offbeat live's The Shoreditch Fashion Show earlier this year and we are happy to report that TSFS is back for its biannual show on October 12th at Oval Space. The event will be mix of fashion, music and art with a fashion show featuring looks from up & coming designers from the top London fashion schools (all mentored by Julien MacDonald!). Vince Kidd, from The Voice UK, will be performing and we can only hope for a reprisal of his Like a Virgin rendition. And if you're feeling like a scrub at the party, never fear as there will be a blow-dry bar which fits perfectly with the sponsorship from Batiste, the dry shampoo gurus. Also, our illustrious illustrator friend Dom from Dom & Ink promises to showcase something special at TSFS. After falling in love with his mermaid illustration, we can't hardly wait to see what he will debut! 

Of course we will be at the event, so make sure you say hello if you see us frolicking with the crowd. For more information about the event and ticket information, please check out the TSFS website. Also let us know in the comments below if you think you will be attending! See you all there!

Shoreditch Fashion Show 2013 - Boys Keep Swinging

Our eyes were very much on stalks at Offbeat Live's Shoreditch Fashion Show 2013, as we met boys whose wardrobes we were eager to raid! Convinced, as we are, that there is at least one magpie nesting in each of our family trees, it was a great pleasure to see that the boys of East London have a similar love for all things shiny. Gentlemen, observe and take note. 

We fell hard for every part of the Pause Magazine blogger's ensemble.

Seems as though she liked the DJ's scarf as much as we did.

Samm Bate, please can we have your necklace and your eyebrows. Thx. 

Were there a prize for "Outstanding Contribution to Hair" it undoubtedly would have been awarded to The Thirst. 

Not sure that this is what The Clash were singing about, but we appreciated the studding detail on these "Guns of Brixton."

With his effortlessly cool Japanese style, Kan is very much at home in London.

Shoreditch Fashion Show 2013 - Get 'Em, Girls

Offbeat Live's Shoreditch Fashion Show for 2013 was an amazing experience and especially because we met so many interesting, fashion-forward ladies. Being able to fangirl-out over nose rings, Nasty Gal, statement necklaces, handbags with matched fervor was like a homecoming. Enjoy and be inspired by the amazing outfits from the ladies of TSFS 2013! 

Badass bloggers, Yasmin El Circy and Cassy Bhairo from Illustrated People.

Michelle Morrison, Fashion Design Student with amazing taste in jewelry.

Stars of the night, the designers of Runaway 88, were finalists in the Shoreditch Fashion Show.

Yim Hin, Jewelry Designer, had an enchanting statement necklace on. 

Indre Jakumaite, Handbag Designer of #IJ, makes bold, bright bags. The luscious orange color made us drool!

Cozy sweaters and tribal statement necklaces -- we love the combination on Christine Jayne McKay and Holley Potts

Catherine Laura is the talented photographer behind the breathtaking underwater photograph above. 

If you would like to take a look at the fashions that went down the runway (metallics-lover, run don't walk) check out more pictures at the Made in Shoreditch website. Our next blog post will be featuring the uber-stylish men of TSFS 2013. Stay tuned!