Explain what fashion and style mean to you?

To me, fashion is the product of style. Style being the confidence of an
individual to wear whatever they feel like wearing at a point in time and freely
expressing themselves through their clothing. Fashion is a product of style as
it turns the style into a trend for a season or seasons. Style is all about
individuality whereas fashion is a movement. To me, style’s definitely more
important. Anyone can be “into fashion”

Tell us about Blue Collar Smart?
Blue Collar Smart is a clothing line I’m launching alongside Paul Dillon, a
good friend and business partner. We came up with the idea in a cafe and since
then have been all systems go with the project! We have started with the idea of
catering solely to men as there aren’t many brands that can cater to men without
making them feel out of their depth (what with all the fashion terms and so on).
Blue Collar Smart is for all men everywhere! We will, however be making womens’
clothes as well so watch this space!

Who would you describe as the Blue Collar Smart man?
There are three distinct types of men in my opinion. There’s the
flamboyant, socialite-type; the straight-laced ‘city’ guy and the edgy
youngster/rebel. Blue Collar Smart hasn’t shut out anyone in its upcoming
collection. We cater to all of these types and will see 3 ranges that take into
account the different style preferences of these men! Besides, putting yourself
in a box leaves little room to grow! I say, put the seeds in a patch and let the
roots spread! Haha!

What is it that you love about fashion?

I think what I love most about fashion is its ability to move people and
change them – empower them, even! I mean, I remember the feeling I got when I
put on a pair of sunglasses bought for me as a gift from a previous client of
mine and feeling like if I told it to, the wind would stop! That’s the kind of
feeling I get when I see a well-dressed man or woman – the feeling that
everything MUST stop because they look like a million dollars! I’ve seen so many
people grow and as they have, their fashion sense evolved. They stood up
differently, and spoke differently, they became braver and stronger in
themselves as they had found themselves and their image! Honestly, it’s amazing
what clothing can do!

You’re also a stylist, what are some of the most interesting styling jobs
you’ve done?

Haha! The most interesting job by far was working for Danielle Drogba in
the run-up to her brother, Didier’s wedding. It was only recently but before
that, I was unsure of whether I wanted to keep my “fashion hat” on or hang it
up. Things were really slow and when Danielle came about, it was wild again! I
realised that there was no way I could have given up on my work! I was on the
phone to the US, e-mailing Japan, and on New Bond Street just about every single
day! They know me by name in some stores there now! Haha! It was an absolute
pleasure working with Danielle and I could not have asked for a better
client!

So, what does the future hold for you?

Ah, the future… Well, along with the launch of Blue Collar Smart, I am
going on to launch my own luxury clothing line and after founding La Clique (a
collective of “fashion heads” as I like to call them) hopefully go on to become
a platform for upcoming designers to showcase their work and for artistes to be
catapulted into the world of fashion and music! It’s already happening as Nuno
Miguel (La Clique’s resident make-up artist) has been booking jobs left right
and center! I want this to keep going! I just want to make sure that the family
around me succeeds (as well as dominating the media and fashion industry!) Just
the small things! Hahaha!

They look GORGEOUS but we have to say, Chloe Moretz and Nyasha Montonhodze are kinda rocking our world!

The mannequins are covered in pages from books and the little one has been accessorised with a cute necklace.

Pop in and give to a good cause!

Well that time of year has come around again where you can do both! Today Breakthrough Breast Cancer have once again launched the ever successful Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

The annual fashion initiative was started by Ralph Lauren in 1994, but has now grown from the  classic charity t-shirt, to an extrememly fashionable yet accesible Fashion Targets Breast Cancer collection, inspired by the iconic ‘fashion targets’ black and white logo. 

Each piece in the collection has been specially designed by  M&S, River Island, Warehouse, Topshop, Coast, Laura Ashley, my-wardrobe.com and bottlegreen, to encapsulate the current S/S 11 fashion trends with prices ranging from £1.50 to £157.

 This year the campaign is being fronted by Cat Deeley, Sadie Frost and Karen Gillian. They’re doing their bit so now you can too! Check out some of my favourite pieces from River Island (Bag, top left), Aamaya by Priyanka (ring) and Warehouse (t-shirt).

The Madame Moi boutique have created these gorgeous Kanzashi and Daisy brooches just so you can help out. At just £8 each you could be making a massive difference to the lives of  people who really need our help right now.

Visit www.madamemoi.com and have a look! All proceeds go to the British Red Cross.

Thanks guys xxx

There seems to be a few comebacks for the veterans of fashion such as Kristen McMenamy, 46, for Louis Vuitton and the beautiful Yasmin Le Bon, also 46, as the face of Moschino. Also 23 year old Freja Beha Erichsen appears in the new Chanel campaign alongside Inès de la Fressange, 52,  Stella Tennant, 40, and male model Baptiste Giabiconi.

And then there are the glamazons that we expect to see every season such as Giselle Bundchen for Balenciaga and Malgosia Bela for Chloe.

However, as said before, a lot has been made over Leighton Meester for Missoni and Natalie Portman for Miss Dior and I’m assuming a lot more will be made when Blake Lively’s campaign for Chanel comes out as well as January Jones for Versace. I just hope that this crazy celebrity culture doesn’t get any worse, I don’t know about you but I like seeing models doing what they do best, that’s why they’re models!

Just a quick note wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR! Thank you all so much for reading and loving Lace Magazine, you cannot possibly know how much it means to me.

Have an amazing 2011 and make the most of it, I definitely plan to do just that!

Kisses

Seyi x

For those who don’t know the Diana is an entirely plastic camera that was created in Hong Kong in the 1960s which sold for no more than a dollar. Not many took to this new camera and it was deemed a complete and utter failure. However, the Diana has risen from the ashes and has returned as the cult favourite of many artists. The shots produced are soft and dreamy with unpredictable blurring and random contrast. You know when you’ve seen a Diana shot because it has a character all its own!

And I have one! I’m super excited! I’ve already used two films as well as a few polaroids and I must say it does take some getting used to but I’m ready for the challenge. Although you can now get the Diana shots instantly using Hipstamatic on the iPhone, there is something incredibly fulfilling about learning about how to create the most beautiful shots using the Diana F.

Like I said, I’m still getting used to mine but as soon as I’ve developed my films, you’ll be the first to know!

Maggie Angus is a fun and quirky jewellery line created by Anna Hickman-Evans who named the line after her Scottish grandmother. The current collection was inspired by women’s eternal love affair with shoes and the way that those super gorgeous things on our feet make us feel.

If you want to inject some colour and fun into your jewellery box check out www.maggieangus.com.