Ted Baker SS12 Preview Show

Last Wednesday, Style & Then Some were invited to attend Ted Baker’s SS12 preview catwalk show.  This affair is usually only witnessed by the company’s sales staff as a way of familiarising them with the next season’s collection before it hits the shop floor.  However, this season the invitation was opened up to press, and Style & Then Some’s good friend Jessica Chan was on hand to photograph the key items which will no doubt be falling into the pages of every SS12 magazine trend report as well as in to our wardrobes.

Trends…

1.  Now, I may get annihilated for admitting this, but I have never seen an episode of Mad Men.  Despite this, it being such a popular point of reference for the high street and designers alike in recent years, I am still aware of all the characters and their styles through reading numerous catwalk reports citing it as ‘the big trend’.  A trend that supposedly will still be in attendance in SS12.  This may have something to do with Men’s fashions taking longer to evolve, or perhaps everyone just isn’t ready to let go of their Don Draper look just yet.  Either way, boys, you are looking dapper…

2.  With regards to the ladies key looks, it seems the label has pushed for an eclectic mix of styles which each, in turn, compliment the Men’s line.  So whether your man appreciates the androgynous look, or you prefer full-on feminine, there is something for everyone.  I’m talking Bow Ties, waistcoats, loose, tailored city shorts,  to fun, floaty and even Marilyn Monroe-esque outfits (THAT yellow dress), the catwalk was awash with peplums, peter pan collars and nipped in waists.  So if you aren’t a fan of androgyny, don’t worry, Ted hasn’t left you out.

Stocks, shares and…sequins?

Ok, so I’m no Alan Sugar, and I’m not even going to pretend like I know what those mythical ‘city folk’ do day in day out, but for some reason this week I have been absolutely craving to know all about the business of fashion.  And by this I mean the down right nitty-gritty.  Not the models, not the clothes so to speak.  But how these companies handle their cold, hard cash.  

 

I think this fascination has stemmed from finally picking up a copy of Drapers Record that is usually tossed around my office still in its packaging.  And this appears to have led to me not being frightened to look a the ‘grown-ups’ section in the back of the evening standard a.k.a the finance pages…shudder.  But lo and behold, it looks like there is a valid reason why they put those extra pages in.

This week has seen Mulberry, for one, hit a 358% profit rise.  358%!!!  And it’s apparently all down to two names; ‘Alexa’ and ‘Bayswater’, and the fact that even though we are still technically in a recession, it looks like we still want to spend, but just on established and well crafted goods.  And apparently Chung’s name isn’t putting anyone off…who’d have thought it.  Not only this, but Prada are tipped to float on the Hong Kong market (ok here is where my knowledge of technical terms gets hazy…but hey its only my third day swotting up) as well as expanding in Asia with up to 80 new outlets!!!  And if that isn’t enough, Ted Baker apparently scored points worldwide, with a 15% increase in sales in the past few months.  

So, turns out I may yet get the knack for this biz, and maybe I will become the Alanah Sugar of the fashion world. ..maybe.