SS13 Menswear Trend Watch: Orange

This seasons key trend is 'brights'. This applies for both men's and women's. Throw backs from the 90s can be seen all over the high street. From neon trainers to bold printed tees. Yellow was this seasons key colour on the catwalk but this seems to have flopped massively for menswear. 

However, Orange seems to be everywhere. Perhaps due to its subtle yet strong nature Orange can be worn both formally or casually. Team a simple orange polo with a navy suit for a dressed down continental look or simply add an orange crew neck jumper with some fresh white sneakers and beige chino shorts for a laid back look.

The key to getting Orange, or any signature colour, right is to remember to only feature one, or two, items in that colour to the outfit. Do not over do the look and break up the outfit with colours from the same palette (beige, browns or blacks and whites). To keep it simple add a portfolio case in a pop colour to be in on the trend.

JDS

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Sophie Stanley is an aspiring young designer currently studying Fashion Design at Leeds University. Her work is simple in construction with an energetic twist. Focusing on function and form Sophie adds simplistic prints to give even the most basic shapes a varying look.

Taking inspiration from travel, religion and family Sophie has focused on implementing her own character and emotion into her garments. Prototypes show the outline of garments and how the shape is key to all looks; prints are then applied in keeping with the customers requirements.

Follow Sophie's work at: http://www.behance.net/SophieStanley

Follow the thoughts and path to success through her Twitter page at https://twitter.com/SSFashion_ 

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Why Rylan will win X Factor

I haven't watched X Factor from the start; I have watched since I discovered Rylan Clark. The continuous Twitter hype and media backlash towards the camp singer was enough to capture my attention. From the start I thought to myself 'we have a potential winner here'. While the rest of the nation was convinced Rylan was going almost immediately I trusted my instincts.

Flying the flag for the UK

Several weeks later and where is Rylan ... on his way to the final. Being dubbed this years Wagner or Chico he has proved himself as a real contender to win the competition. He has surpassed Ella Henderson, the nations favourite, and proved he can actually sing. Despite the nation calling X Factor Fix Factor when he survives the vote I believe people are actually voting. Here's the break down of his voters:

a) Every gay queen out there
b) Every 'straight acting' gay that wants to fuck him
c) Every gay
d) Every closeted straight man
e) Fag Hags
f) Louis Walsh
g) Katie Price

Regardless of weather Rylan can sing, he sure can perform. It is a slight cross between 90's cheese and Eurovision on crack. This is middle Britain though, right? The songs are catching, toe tapping, rememberable tunes that almost (almost) make you want to get up in your lounge and prance about Rylan Style.

If you look at the remaining acts there's Jahmene, James Arthur and Union J. Now, Jahmene is this years sob story but that aside he can sing. He is the singer of the year - not the winner - the winner can never sing. Jahmene will go far; he's the male Leona. James Arthur will probably cameo in a Lord of the Rings film - I won't list the unfortunate physical features but those deeming him 'sexual' seriously need to reconsider their priorities, or at least make an appointment at Specsavers. Then there is Union J - the boy band that gets young girls and middle aged gays wet from the intro. While One Direction get flung on the boy band scrap heap Union J are reppin' the benefits of stardom (and rightly so).

Union Gay

Oh, I haven't mentioned Chris thingy because I can't even waste my energy talking about the former Red Coat - Piss off back to Butlins babes.

So, the final will be Union J and Rylan. Ella syndrome will hit Jahmene and James. People assume they are safe "oh I don't need to vote" ... Bye bye! Chris is going this week. Leaving one money making act and one spontaneous, shocking act left for the nation to love.

One thing is sure, if Rylan wins, I may actually buy a hard copy of a CD - Christmas #1

Aaron Renfree (behind Rylan all the way)

Zac Efron

Zac Efron has made a come back to the UK news this week ahead of his up and coming launch of new movie The Lucky One. And, lets cut to the chase ... Co Star Taylor Schilling is certainly 'The Lucky One'.

Efron revealed that he is very handy with bras. Unfastening to be precise. The Hollywood actor demonstrated his single-handed flick technique during a video interview with an Australian radio station. Hosts Mel Greig and Matty Acton got 24-year-old Efron to show off his skills after commenting on how easy he made it look in his sex scene with Taylor Schilling.

And flick ... 

Meanwhile, Zac revealed in another interview that he was 'p***ed' at his character in the movie - because he is so perfect. Efron plays war hero Logan Thibault - who along with being romantic, good with children, and a former Marine can also dance and play the piano - and Zac admitted he was annoyed that he can't measure up in real life. Zac, we wouldn't mind just being you, let alone all those other things.

Earlier in the week we saw Efron candidly 'posing' for the paps while changing out of his swimwear on a balcony in Australia. Publicity stunt or forgetful slip? Either way it was to the joy of his fans across the globe. To add to this Rhianna managed the same shot, just at a different level of the hotel, on the same day. I reckon they phoned each other ... '1,2,3, on the balcony'.

"Yo bitch, it's better lighting out here"

"Yep, it's still small, damn"

Watch the trailer here ...

Will you be going to see it? You can only congratulate him for trying, because, lets face it ... He will always be Troy Bolton. (His character in High School Musical in case he has swayed you to forget that's where he can from).

Happy wanking watching.

Model watch

Sam Way

Height: 183cm/6'0"

Waist: 82cm/32.5"

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Brown

Suit: 102 cm/40"/50

Shoes: 44 -10

British model, born in 1988 in Devon, signed with Models 1 (London). He has done work for Diesel, B*Boy, Topman, Pull & Bear, Abercrombie & Fitch and Dolce & Gabanna. He is best known for his television advert for Diesel's "Only the Brave" fragrance. In 2010, he appears in a commercial for the fragrance Black XS by Paco Rabanne.

Recently staring in the Dolce and Gabbana underwear campaign straddling a horse, completely naked.

Interview by Giuliano Federico

When and where were you born?

I was born in Exeter, Devon, UK.

Where do you live?

I just moved to Columbia Road, in London, every Sunday the most amazing flower market takes over the street. It’s incredibly charming.

What's your favourite activity in London?

It has 2 be strolling down Brick Lane on market day, you can't get that vibe anywhere else in the city.

Which part is the most important one in a man's body?

His mind, once one has mastery of this, you can do anything.

In a woman's body?

It’s the same for a woman, a beautiful mind is also incredibly sexy.

What kind of a relation do you have with nudity?

We were born naked. The best things happen to us in life when we're naked. Nudity shouldn't be an issue for anyone. Its sad that for some it is.

What are your worst qualities?

I'm too trusting and I fall in love too quickly.......and never play cards with me. Especially strip poker.... I’ll cheat....

What would you like to do after modelling?

After modelling? What... what is there after modelling........mwahahahah. I'm going to have my own theatre company.

Which is your favourite tv program?

Anything about food.

Tv series?

I have failed to be sucked into any TV series.

Ok, do you play games like… I don’t know ASSASIN'S CREED?

O no, life is a game. I play it very well.

That’s sure. What do you think about online dating?

Great way to meet people who are socially inept.

I totally disagree with you, anyway: the most important film of your life?

“Pi” (the mathematical symbol) by Darren Aronofsky. Its not just a film, its cinema. You need to watch this film.

I will, I really enjoyed “Requiem for a dream”. For which activities you prefer facebook? and for which ones you prefer twitter?

Facebook has become so socially ingrained in our culture I don't think I could function without it. Twitter however is for idiots. You have been told. Above all of this though, a letter still trumps everything else as the most meaningful way of communicating.

How were those pictures for UOMINI shot with Mariano Vivanco?

I am yet to see the final shot choice. I know making them was emotional.

The Beckhams - A family affair.

Fashion season is well and truly in full swing, having seen Milan Mens week last month, we have set the wheels in motion with New York Fashion week. New York always seems to be the week that lags, or is forgotten about but the time we get to Paris at the end. However this time around we will all be remembering New York and this is down to the carefully crafted collection from Victoria Beckham.

A few years ago when Vicky B launched her brand the fashion world went into a panic striken frenzy - Can she pull it off? Why is a 'singer' doing fashion? Victoria always was, and is, a fashion icon, but actual fashion designer we weren't to sure about. Has she hit the nail on the head this time around? Yes! Absolutely.

The collection comprised of 22 overwhelmingly body-hugging dresses with military influences and the odd baseball uniform reference put into the mix. Victoria was inspired by the baseball shirt her son Brooklyn darts around the house in. "I get so inspired by my everyday life," she said. The highlight of the collection, a new two-pocketed handbag, lovingly named after Harper, the Beckhams youngest: this show was a family affair.

It was David's first catwalk outing, and conveniently timed with the recent launch of his underwear range sold worldwide in H&M - he said he's stayed away in the past to leave Victoria un-distracted. First he swapped pre-show chit-chat with Anna Wintour, who donned her trademark black frame sunglasses, then the lights came up and he focused on the clothes. These had plenty of signature sexy Victoria Beckham touches; the crying-out-to-be unzipped zippers that run down the spine from neck to hem, the tightness, and the odd hip, waist, or breast line running horizontally across the body.

What was new were the military elements - epaulettes, gold buttons, a python-lined trench coat, and plenty of khaki - topped off with double-looped thin leather belts at the waist. Victoria worked with what she knows best - the corsetry of her previous collections for close-fitted canvas and quilting to provide that supportive fit. Not everything, though, was tight: there were some relaxed shirt dresses with baseball collars, and some mini-dresses. The shoes: flat, no-messing biker boots or heavy-strapped high heel shoe-boots, worn over calf-climbing thick, baseball inspired woollen socks. No crippling stilettos! She's a mother dont'cha know!

Backstage, after the show, the applause woke Harper. David put down his camera, which was glued to him throughout the show, and picked her up in his arms. He said: "I got some good shots" - humbing to know he wanted to take his own photos for the family album. David went on to say, "I think the collection is very strong. Very sexy, and there were some amazing shapes on the girls - it's been a successful morning. This is my first show and it's nice to be involved, and to see how hard my wife works." Victoria, meanwhile, was answering questions from journalist from across the globe. "He's never been before," she said of David :"I don't think that he even realised that I have a proper job until today". Oh Victoria, nor does most of the world but it's safe to say you've nailed it.

Olympics fashions

The London 2012 Olympics are fast approaching and retailers Spring Summer 2012 collections have hit down in the past couple of weeks which can only signal that Olympic fever is hitting the fashion industry. With brands from Unconditional to Arcadia's Burton already cashing in on the Olympics we are sure to see an uprising in Olympic theme ranges. The vibrant colour blocking from SS11 has made a come back, this time focusing on a blue, yellow, black, green and red colour-way (Olympic rings colours incase you hadn't clocked). Collaborations and celebrity endorsement have even been roped in to back the Olympics in London. English brand Dunhill is the latest label to hire Olympians to front its latest campaign, recruiting the help of retired rower and four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent, double gold medal-winning Olympic sailor Iain Percy and two-time European silver medallist and Commonwealth Games Champion gymnast Louis Smith. The trio feature in the British brand's Voice adverts, shot by David Sims, with each image bearing their individual tips on how to make it as an athlete. Oh, how British.

You may think that the 'fashions' are isolated to sportswear brands but these have been cleverly combined  by Stella McCartney and her collaboration with Adidas. She has commented on her role as creative director of the Adidas 2012 Olympic Team GB saying the range has challenged her as a designer in more ways than one. "I love the opportunity to stretch that side of design," she told Christa D'Souza in the February issue of Vogue. "I love that you can have the language between two worlds of technology and fashion, because I don't think many designers get to do that. 

"And do you know what's quite funny?" she added, "Doing the fittings for men. Quite out of my comfort zone. I'm like 'Oooh, where do I look? What do I do now?'" - Bet 'ya don't darhling.

See Stella's collection at: http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2010/09/21/stella-mccartney-launches-lifestyle-range/gallery

At the start of the year it was clear that not even the beauty industry is immune to Olympic excitement - with a host of the Games' athletes being named as beauty ambassadors. Olympic and World Champion track cyclist Victoria Pendleton will front Pantene Pro-V's Smooth & Sleek range, heptathlete Jessica Ennis will represent Olay Essentials and swimmer Kerri-Anne Payne will be the face of Max Factor False Lash Effect Gold Mascara.

SPORTY girls in the know have a new go-to brand for comfort, performance and - most importantly - design: Lucas Hugh. Launched by New Zealand-born swimwear designer Anjhe Mules, the range fast became the workout attire of celebrities including Sienna Miller and Elle Macpherson - but when a Saudi Arabian princess buys the entire collection; you know it's seriously desirable - or just another way to splash the cash.

Combining a break through of scientific and technical design - from high-performance fabrics to glued-seam technology - the range doesn't ignore the more aesthetic details, like using on-trend colours and prints, while flattering the female form - who would of thought that was possible in sportswear. Manufactured in the same factory that produces Prada and Burberry's sportswear ranges, each piece is featherlight and durable - a union of form and function.

Lucas Hugh is now available on NET-A-PORTER.COM, LUCASHUGH.COM and Browns Focus, priced from £65 to £285.

Insider note: Look out for Selfridges Olympics campaign (it was inevitable). They have unveiled a host of exclusive products by UK labels including Mulberry, Gieves & Hawkes, Barbour and Fred Perry for its jubilee and Olympics celebrations later this year.

Selfridges commissioned products ranging from Union-Jack lined Barbour jackets to Fred Perry polo shirts designed by artist Peter Blake, which will feature in its Greatest British Shop, opening on May 4 in Selfridges’ Wonder Room in three weeks time.

Mulberry has also created a Union-Jack embellished edition of its Bayswater bag, while my very own team at Ted Baker has come up with an accessories collection, featuring a unique print inspired by the ‘halcyon’ days of England.

The competition is doing something to ... but we won't talk about them. It'll probably be something with stripes. Blah.

The fashionable of fashion comment on what sports they would participate in if they were in the Olympics

HENRY HOLLAND - "I'd be in the gymnastics floor event. I used to compete as a gymnast until I was 13 and got to national level. Can still do a backflip to rival any member of JLS if I'd had enough to drink."

GILES - “I’d do the high jump, I was always asked to do the high jump at school when I was in trouble. Or maybe I’d do one of those three-day events, or maybe horse-riding. But then I wouldn’t mind doing swimming or table tennis either. There’s a lot to choose from.”

SIMONE ROCHA - “Unfortunately I'm not such a sporty person but I would try my hand at poker if it was an Olympic sport." - My kinda gurl, and she's got a drink there.

So there we have it, a brief account of the fashion clan and their involvement in London's 2012 Olympic games - how will you show your fashionable support? 

Colour blocking at the ready - with a splash of neon.