LONDON: Lore of Loverboy Exhibit - Club to Catwalk Punk

I just returned from London, where I wondered what the state of punk fashion was today. At Somerset House, there was a fabulous exhibit by designer-in-residence Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY. 

The designer's looks include fans like Tilda Swinton and Harry Styles. What makes his work classically British punk is the incorporation of traditional Tartans and a healthy dose of anarchy. What makes his work modern club fashion is the mix of surrealism and novelty motifs with streetwear. What makes LOVERBOY art are the pieces that double as sculptures, like the Wedgewood dragon helmet, repurposed trash dress, or my favorite banana shoes below.

The spirit of punk fashion started off as anti-establishment and involved mutilated, trashed clothing in many cases. Fashion collections from many a "club kid" turned "designer" often have little merit or endurance. Ten years into his thriving label and seeing Charles Jeffrey's workspace and process, the "club kid" persona should be the very least of his designer identity. Seeing the sketches, the pattern and draping, the official tartan registry certificate, and the thoughtfulness of his collaborations, the LOVERBOY works more like a classic couturier atelier than many contemporary labels.

For anyone who thinks the art in modern club fashion, or social media savvy designers is gone. They only need to see the Charles Jeffrey Loverboy collection to restore their faith.

The Lore of Loverboy exhibit runs until September 1, 2024.

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NYFW: Jenny Packham Fall 2017

The British are coming! Jenny Packham's Fall 2017 collection was a celebration of English heritage and their cliches. The designer is a red carpet favorite during awards season. Her dresses offer a modern take on traditional evening wear silhouettes.

all photos by Mariana Leung

Packham's take on the "Idiosyncrasies that define the British identity" is a tongue-in-cheek take on iconic motifs of the U.K. There were the tartan patterns both in print and embroidered tulle. The color Wedgewood blue was important throughout the collection. Pearls, delicate sweaters were nods to "Sloane Rangers," the Preppy fashion girls of England. Various versions of moto jackets were a tribute to punk style. Of course, each theme was upgraded with luxury details, like rich crystal beading on sweaters, or embroidered cut-outs on the leather. A tribute to the Queen's Corgi dogs materialized on a silk t-shirt.

Scarves wrapped in Ascot style accessorized a few models. The white ones also symbolized the Business of Fashion's #TiedTogether movement. The BoF's initiative for fashion month to get designers, editors, influencers to wear a version of a white bandanna to stand for unity, inclusiveness, and solidarity against the negativity and discrimination of the world right now. Their site also asks supporters to donate the ACLU and the UN Refugee Agency. This showed how activism at NYFW can be as subtle as the simple styling of your models.

Jenny Packham put together classic heritage with humor and modern fashion. She managed to put out a positive message while delivering beautiful clothes. Fall 2017 is looking up for all of us.

Also on Ms. Fabulous:

London Fashion Week - Mary Katrantzou Spring 2017

Big British Invite - Punk & Liberty Prints

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Fashion at the Olympics Closing Ceremonies

Danny Boyle brought Britain's rock n' roll to the Olympics opening ceremonies.  Last night however, creative director Kim Gavin and production designer Es Devlin will be famous for bringing British fashion to the Olympics closing ceremonies.

The industry most memorably showcased in the closing was fashion.  Famed photographer Nick Knight had his photos of Britain's supermodels, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Stella Tennant, Lily Cole among others blown up and driven around the stadium.  The photos lifted to reveal the actual models themselves who then strutted the spokes of the Union Jack on the world's biggest runway.  The models wore British designers Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Erdem, Vivienne Westwood, Victoria Beckham, Jonathan Saunders and Burberry.  

The Pet Shop Boys made an avant-garde entrance in bright orange prism-shaped carts dressed in dramatic Gareth Pugh.  Annie Lennox made a gorgeous Gothic style presentation in a corseted red gown.  She descended into a chorus of Goth-clad dancers in romantic ballgowns and frock coats.

Style I didn't care for as much?  Jessie J's barnacle-crusted nude bodysuit.  I"m sorry, did I miss something?  Was this an homage to oyster fishing in the British Isles?

I was excited to see the Spice Girls all looking so sexy and chic.  Geri Halliwell (aka Ginger Spice) looked fantastic in a shapely red dress with a nod to her signature British flag mini with a bustle made with the Union Jack.

While I  enjoy seeing fashion designers being honored at non-fashion events, I don't know if I really needed to see so much screen time devoted to models clomping down the stadium.  With an arena full of the most extraordinary athletes around the world, I found it almost an insult to celebrate models who are much more famous and better paid for merely walking.  I would have loved to see some of the Olympic athletes be the ones wearing British fashion designers.  Showing the artistry in the fashion with all of their muscle and showing the clothes in motion would have been truly impressive.  Imagine, a gymnast tumbling across the stadium in a flurry of satin,  a runner racing through while sparking in a beaded body suit?  

Is that too much to ask?

PHotos from Phil Noble, Just Jared, Getty, Reuters

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FAB Exclusive: Daisy Knights

As part of our spotlight series on designers, accessories guru Ritika W. snagged an interview with the talented, young Miss Daisy Knights in her studio. Daisy is part of the prestigious design alumni of the Central Saint Martins  College of Arts & Design.


Ritika is an Anglophile and has a weakness for all things British. It was perfect timing that her friend, Kaley, introduced her to the work of young British designer, Daisy Knights. Daisy's work has been featured  in Vogue, Tatler and In Style magazines  and is worn by the bright, young ingenues of the London smart set.

MsFABulous : We love your designs for men and women especially the collar stiffeners and the tiepins with skulls (Kit collection). How do you come up your design ideas
for your collections?

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