Collette Costello Manchester Fashion Monthly

 

November 2011

 

First Edition – Released 1^st of Every Month

 

“For all the Latest News from the World of Collette Costello!” 

 

“Message from Collette Costello”

 

Hello Readers,

Welcome to the first “Collette Costello” on-line monthly magazine blog.  Here you can read all about the past month in the world of “Collette Costello”Salford fashion design studio, with regular sections dedicated to what is new in British fashion and our favorite vintage styles.  

 

This Month’s Top Five “Collette Costello” Moments

 

1) Are you dreaming of a vintage Christmas?

We have added a vintage Christmas course to our ever growing list of fashion and textile courses.  Our courses include fashion stylist training days, introductory and advanced dressmaking courses.

 

 2) Kenco Coffee Vintage Fashion Campaign!

Collette Costello was interviewed this month as part of Kenco Coffee’s new vintage campaign, a copy of the interview will be published in the Manchester Evening News on the 14th November 2011.

 

3) Featured Boutique on ASOS

Collette Costello has been approved a featured boutique on ASOS marketplace, show your support by liking our boutique!

 

4) Media City Photo-shoot

We shot our Autumn/ Winter collection during the summer at Salford Quays Media City, we had the support of a great team of photographers, models, MUAs and bloggers.

 

5) Press, Press and More Press:)

Collette Costello has been making national press, featured by magazines including Elle, Red On-line, the Guardian On-line and interviewed by BBC Radio Manchester and Salford City Radio. 

 

 

We hope you enjoy reading the rest of our on-line magazine and big thanks to all the contributers.

 

Enjoy Reading:)

 

Collette Costello  

 

Article Sections

 

1)      This Months Top Five Collette Costello Moments!

2)      The Best of British by Ruth Fuller

3)      We love vintage by Faye Banham

4)      Ask Coll? Readers Letter Page

5)      Guest Bloggers Fashion Articles

6)      Opportunities/ Jobs

 

Link: Item of the month – Vintage Christmas Sewing Course

 

Contributers:

 

Featured Writers Articles

 

Ruth Fuller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi there, I’m Ruth and welcome to my blog. I am 21years old and going into my final year at Edge Hill Uni studying English Language. I love my course and have a passion for writing and am so excited to be writing about fashion. Having seen fashion around the world I am confident that British Fashion is Best and this is what I will be bringing to you. Keep checking back for updates and feel free to get in touch, your comments and feedback will let me know what you’re enjoying and what your not. Thanks for reading. Enjoy!

 

Faye Banham

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Hello, welcome to the blog. My name is Faye, I am 23 years old and I am a Writer, serial day dreamer and fashion obsessive to boot. Although a lot of the time my head is in the clouds, dreaming of a wardrobe bursting at the seems with couture Chanel, some of the time I am able to translate these dreams and vent my obsession onto paper; giving you my take on the latest trends the season has to offer. A lover of vintage, I’m always looking for the newest hotspot of quirky delights and love sharing these desirable destinations for others to enjoy, so keep reading.”
 

Guest Bloggers 

Ashleigh Mutton

Hannah Cross

 

The Best of British by Ruth Fuller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Behind the scenes of a Fashion Shoot – Collette Costello Media City Shoot

 

So many of you have probably wondered what it’s like to be behind the scenes at a fashion shoot; well I was lucky enough to be invited along to Collette Costello’s latest fashion shoot at Media City Salford. It was my first time at a professional shoot so I thought I would share the experience with you and let you know all the insider secrets!

 

When I arrived at the studio there was so much already going on! I have never seen so much make-up laid out across tables. I’m sure you can picture it; six beautiful models each with their own stylist having their faces painted and hair sculptured. Collette was the prefect host making sure everyone knew their role and keeping people to the timed schedule. The hair and make-up team were fabulous, mostly graduates and one independent make-up artist. Collette gave them a lot of creative freedom and gave a basic brief of ‘bright and colourful’ with ‘big messy buns’ for the hair. Although it was a bit hectic the atmosphere was great, everyone was so friendly and easy to chat to. The three photographers arrived; Lorna, Emma and David and when the models were in their first outfits we all headed over toMediaCity.

 

Thankfully, as it was an outdoor shoot, the sun was shining!MediaCitywas the perfect backdrop for a fashion shoot; the mix of new buildings, gardens and quays made a fantastic location.  The six models split into two groups of three and Emma and Lorna worked their magic with a group each, while David took behind the scenes and fashion shots, which can be seen all over Collette’s website and on the ASOS market place. Exciting stuff!

 

The make-up team stayed and were on hand to make sure every hair was in the right place and to do touch-ups when needed. The local press also turned up and many passers by stopped to watch. Everyone was working hard to achieve the desired photos, yet the atmosphere remained laid back and everyone was willing to help each other out.

 

If you’re thinking you would like a job involving fashion shoots I could only notice these few aspects that could possibly put some people off…

1. Outfit Changes

The models had 4 changes and being outdoors there wasn’t that much privacy!  

1. Women

If you’re a man be prepared to work with women, maybe not all the time but in this instance Dave was the only guy there! Don’t let this put you off though…we’re all lovely really!

1. Wasps

 We were chased by a lot of them!

1. Segways

 As we slightly overran on the schedule, we were moved off location by security men on segways!

The fashion shoot was a fantastic day. Met some wonderful people and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Hope I get the chance to visit more in the future!

 

Why I love vintage by Faye Banham

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My love affair with Vintage started off as nothing more than a fling, just a quick impulse buy at a local market stall, a cheap thrill that cost just £2.00. The temptresses that lead me astray were an immaculate pair of leather boots, perfect for winter and completely unique.  It was a one off, I wouldn’t do it again, how could I betray my loyal fashion partner, the Great British high-street?

This moment of weakness has now manifested itself into a lifelong obsession, constantly striving to fight my vintage vices. From that first purchase six years ago, I’ve been leading a double life. Whilst the majority of my wardrobe is littered with high-street labels, I have an ever growing stash of vintage pieces that are now oozing into their contemporary counterparts.

There’s just something about finding a vintage gem that makes you feel special .Whether it’s a cameo brooch that spruces up your timeless LBD, or a totally glamorous party dress that never fails to turn heads, the exclusivity that follows never goes unnoticed. Even though it’s pre-loved, there’s no denying that once it’s in your possession it’s re-loved.

My insatiable mistress leaves me hungry for more. I spend most Saturday mornings traipsing round Markets on the hunt for my next item of fancy, whilst my high-street must haves wait until I get home where the internet is my trusty fall back for on-trend buys.

Over the years as my passion for fashion has grown, and my obsession for vintage has become somewhat uncontrollable, I‘ve found myself hunting high and low for the ultimate vintage go-to, the one place where I can get all my fashions of yester-year under one roof. Alas, I am yet to find it. Manchester has proved to be a winner, with the Northern Quarter presenting a plethora of pleasing shops and London is always triumphant however the distance is less than perfect.

It’s easy to see that it’s not only me with this affliction; it seems that most of Britain wants to have its cake and eat it too, with the majority of retailers jumping on the vintage bandwagon. Instead of sleuthing around tattered dens for a retro fix, we can now feed our desires in the comfort of our favourite store.

Becoming more and more popular are the vintage remakes. The classic silhouettes of past decades are replenished and re-worked in a more contemporary fashion. Palazzo pants have modern prints, tea dresses are mixed with biker style leathers and the humble platform made chunkier and higher than ever, creating a more diluted and accessible version of vintage to suit the less adventurous fashionoista’s amongst us.

  Whether a vintage virgin or veteran, over the years cities and towns have seen boutiques, pop-up shops and markets crop up everywhere to appease any style imaginable. With these developments over time, I’m sure that sometime soon I will have to introduce my high-street staples and vintage one offs to the delights of polygamy.

 

Ask Coll?  Readers Letter Page

 

Collette Costello is a fashion industry professional.  She worked as a commercial designers and fashion designer before starting the “Collette Costello” label.

Her knowledge, expertise in fashion is vast and she is hear to answer your questions.  If you would like fashion advice from Collette Costello e-mail us, we will print and respond to the best letters. 

 

Dear Collette,

 

I am studying fashion at college and my ambition is to be a successful fashion designer.  I would like in the future to work as a fashion designer or own my fashion label.  I have applied for loads of fashion work experience jobs and I am struggling to get any positions.  I am worried that without work experience when I apply for jobs in fashion they will choose someone above me that has.  Do you have tips on how I can get work experience in fashion?  

 

Hello Melaine,

 

the fashion industry is tough and yes with more work experience on your cv you will be more appealing to a employer as a employee.  Rather then approaching employers for work experience get involved in fashion projects in your local area or college.  Organise get involved in a community catwalk show, organise a photoshoot at college for the fashion students or rent a stall at a craft fair to sell your designs.  By doing these things you are showing a potential employee that you are motivated, organized, reliable and able to work from your own initiative.  You will have fun doing the events and meet like minded people.

 

Collette Costello

 

What’s Next?

Future Events/ Opportunities/ Jobs

 

ASOS Marketplace November Photo-shoot

Are you a fashion designer? Would you like to have your collection included in the next “Collette Costello” photo-shoot and sold exclusively through our featured ASOS marketplace boutique?  See our Indie Promos Section.

 

Fashion Stylist Training Day 3^rd December

The Fashion Stylist Training Day will include expert advice and training session from industry professionals.  You will be introduced to the work of fashion styling, including customising clothing, fashion hair and make-up. All culminating is a exciting fashion shoot, where your personally styled model will be photographed.

 

Wanted New Fashion Talent!

Fashion Designers, Models, photographers and make-up artists contact us with an example of your work.  Get involved in photo-shoots, catwalk shows and events.

 

Wanted Guest Bloggers

Submit a fashion article for publication in our on-line magazine.  This months theme is “Vintage Christmas”, write 250 – 500 words and include 1 -2 images, submit by 17^th November.

 

Guest Bloggers Fashion Articles

 

Vintage, we love you. Ashleigh Mutton

 

 

 

 Whilst I adoreLondonandLiverpoolfashion weeks, and would say I do have a genuine love for fashion, one thing I do find being a poor student, is that it is hard to keep up with to-the-minute fashion. That’s the reason so many students including myself adore vintage styles. The beauty of vintage is that it can’t go out of style, in fact the older it is the better it gets.

Some past-styles are just so beautiful that they should be revived. Like the sixties shift dress, fifties cat-eye sunglasses or the twenties cloche hat. Although some should remain hidden in the back of the closet never to emerge again. Nineties platform trainers I’m looking at you.

I do admire those who fully commit to their retro style, for example 50’s queen Dita Von Teese. Her look is flawless and consistently polished to perfection. However if you do commit to a certain look, whatever decade it may be, then you do need to properly commit. Then the one day when you slip up and chuck on a pair of jeggings and a hoody, people genuinely notice and start asking if you’re feeling all right.

For me, I’ve never been able to commit to a certain era I just love the styles of so many different decades that I just love to dabble in all of them. This means you can go from preened fifties lady, to grungey dishevelled girl (claiming to be going for a grunge look works particularly well when hung-over) depending on your mood, or even depending on whatever’s clean.

I would argue that one thing definitely to be avoided when going for retro is the fancy-dress look. While you may feel so proud that your whole outfit was made before you were even born, there is a risk in this. Combining looks such as hippie-esque palazzo pants with loose tunic-style tops and sheepskin body-warmers may certainly look the part. But this part may be seventies theme fancy dress. Instead combining old-style cuts such as the palazzo flare with a modern style simple vest top makes your look both vintage-chic yet entirely modern and up-to-the-minute.

When we look back at our generation and consider their styles, it may well be that it was the incorporation of something old, something new and something in-between that defined our look. Online shopping has made this amalgamation of looks even more possible through eBay and the recent ASOS marketplace (which I could unconsciously waste whole days browsing around).  Online shoppers can find any number of retro items, either in mint condition or revamped into a modern look. Complementing this are shopping areas such as Camden Market andManchester’s Northern Quarter. The fact that sellers of retro styles can thrive in such a competitive marketplace shows just how loved vintage style and how important it is to independent clothing merchants.

So thank you vintage, for never going out of style, for promoting unique looks and for ensuring we never turn up to a party in the same outfit as someone else.

 

The shoe Dream.. Hannah Cross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shoes… Shoes… Shoes! A woman can never have enough shoes, in every colour, style and shape. Shoes are there to make your feet look and feel beautiful. But finding that perfect pair can be hard these days don’t you just wish you could have a say by picking the exact colour you want to combine with all your different outfits?

 

Well now you can with the new bespoke design service L’atelier Repetto. Repetto is offering the chance for customers to have their say in the colour of their ballet and the trims on it, offering you the customer a choice of 250 different lambskin hues. Your request will be sent to the factory inFranceand you will get your very own designed shoes in 4 weeks!

The company Repetto was created inParisin 1947 by Rose Repetto, at the request of her son a dancer and choreographer Roland Petit. And there the famous and one of the most popular shoes was born the Ballet shoe. The company has a renowned excellent reputation for quality, having served many highly respected and well known people worldwide.

Your chosen shoe will have an embossed ‘R’ on the heel or if you choose you can have your own initial on the heel, just in case you forget which shoes are yours.

This comes at a price however, as the shoes are around £300! Still money well spent, if they are the shoes you have always dreamed of and they are beautiful!

To make sure you are in trend this season with all these colour choices stick to these key colours, deep dark burgundy’s, tomato reds, sky blues, oranges and pink tones with sugary natural shades: creams, browns and dark navy’s. Block colouring is all over at the moment so pick out your favourite shade and your shoes will be to die for!

 

 Thank you for reading, our next news-letter is released 1st December “Vintage Christmas” special edition!

Take Care

Collette Costello