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Who needs stylists? We can all dress ourselves perfectly well, perhaps with the
exception of you at the back there. But most of us are pretty savvy when it comes
to putting clothes together nicely, on our bodies. However, some of you might think
that you are better than others. You may believe that your jacket/trouser/shoe/hat/bag
combo is better than her coat/dress/boot/necklace effort. But how will you be able
to prove it?
Well, thank God for French Connection. You see, we are currently running a competition
in selected stores across the country, the basis of which is to invite shoppers
(that’s you) to style a key outfit from the French Connection AW 08 collection and
then we will choose the best outfit in each city. Photographed in store on a magazine-style-spread
stand, your chosen outfit will look exactly as it would if laid out on the pages
of your favourite glossy.
And as a prize, the overall winner from each store will keep their winning outfit
(up to the value of £250) and they can wear it while being treated to a night in
a fancy hotel. And if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also win a prize just for taking
part – that’s right, you did hear correctly, every fashion afficinado who takes
the time to join in will get a “lucky dip” style prize for their troubles – depending
on just how lucky you are, you could win anything from a discount off your next
French Connection purchase to an entire outfit!
So where and when you ask, well…
Metro Centre
Friday 31st October Wednesday
5th November
Westfield London
Monday 10th November Sunday
16th November
Bluewater
Wednesday 19th November Sunday
23rd November
Sheffield Meadowhall
Wednesday 26th November Sunday 30th
November
We are going to be touring the country, so it would be rude of you not to come in
and style a hello for us, don’t you think?
Every time a winner is selected their outfit will be posted on our A New Movement
blog, as well as a selection of the runners up (we don’t call them losers here,
well not publicly anyway). We’re nearly half way through our City Style tour so
have a look at the winning outfits from Dublin, Dundrum, Cambridge, Manchester and
Bristol.
In the business we would call these outfits “On Trend” – note if you will, the clever
use of layering/accessories. Very this season. So congratulations to Conor Byrne,
our talented Dublin store winner, Liosa Beechiner who wowed us with her entry from
Dundrum store, Linn Eirin Nordheim in Cambridge, style guru Chloe Fish in Manchester
and Gemma Syme our winner from Bristol. Watch out for them knocking out the little
people with that tote any day now.
Think you can do better. Come on then, our snapper is waiting.
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Copyright V&A Images
Friday night at the V&A was a who’s who of fashion big-shots, and was probably
wall to wall with the big-shots of fashion’s future. French Connection Friday
Late: Close-Up, offered the chance for anyone to get personal (in a
professional aspect you understand) with well proper and successful fashion photographers
and stylists.
Vogue’s very favourite snapper, Tim Walker, chatted about his fantastical fairy
tale creations, while Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones talked about the work
they do for GQ, iD and Nike. Facehunter hunted through the corridors and around
the corners of the museum capturing the most stylish of the evening, Among their
prey included a vision in purple and a princess in layers of peach lace – the ladies
effort was appreciated by all (especially those who were missing the local fashion
sights from the recent London Fashion Week).
And while everyone milled around, watching films, or crafting an adornment for themselves,
real photoshoots were happening around them – one of archive pieces from the V&A's
fashion collection standing/sitting/lying still, and another featuring modelly models,
stylish stylists, arty art directors and…well a photographer of course. .
But for those who wanted to get a piece of the fashion action themselves, of which
there were many, their attentions were focused on the French Connection Photography
Studio. All evening the clever, creative, stylish and topical created individual
images fit for glossy pages. Following the advice of photographer Donald Milne
(who shoots for iD, Arena Homme Plus and Visionaire, while directing pop videos
for Pulp, Beastie Boys and Massive Attack), the cult stylist Tamara Cincik
(Dazed and Confused, Wallpaper*, Purple), new talent fashioned looks out of the
French Connection AW collection.
Of the French Connection Friday Lates thus far (there are more to come), Close-Up
was one of the busiest. The beautiful and inspirational-looking, quietly queued
for a chance to shoot, watch, listen, style, pose, create and dance (the Voguettes
provided the soundtrack). These are faces that we know we are going to meet again,
although this time the camera will be in their hands.
Copyright V&A Images
Copyright V&A Images
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We are inviting you to Fashion Land, where the people are depressingly beautiful,
the clothes are depressingly beautiful and the pictures are depressingly beautiful.
And we love it.
This Friday 26th, the V&A will open its doors to the fashion image, for the
latest French Connection Friday Late: Close Up. Explore the world of fashion photography
by watching the second EVER screening of Prada’s Fallen Shadows film, listen to
the experienced and renowned talk about their art, or see the results of on site
photo shoots with top photographers and stylists. Of course, we assume that lots
of you guys have style ideas of your own, which is why French Connection are encouraging
you to create your own photo shoot on the night, using our on hand expert snappers
and stylist, and the FC AW collection. It even could have been something you have
done before, so if you fancy yourself as a photographer, bring along your portfolio
where some clever and talented fashion types will have a flick through and advise.
Oh and have a thought about your outfit, not only because Face Hunter will be scouting
for those with the best style, but also because this is fashion for crying out loud,
and you need to show some respect.
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Phew, well I am exhausted. Pooped if you like. I should feel fine by now, after
all I have had since Friday night to recover. You see I was at the V&A at the
French Connection Friday Late, it was their Get Physical night. Personally I didn’t
Get Physical, but I watched a lot of people get physical, and I mopped the sweat
from my brow.
The museum was celebrating their new Fashion vs Sport exhibition, and they had invited
designers, athletes, filmmakers and artists to respond to the exhibition's themes.
I eased myself in gently by witnessing a very relaxing (and not competitive at all)
conversation between handsome fashion designer, Aitor Throup, and brilliant journalist,
Sarah Mower. I heard talk of life enhancement in the entrance, but I missed it in
order to get my hands dirty in the t-shirt workshop and play with some iconic sportswear
– in a purely non sporty way of course!
What got me was the Samba Street Soccer tournament. How hard can playing with a
ball be I asked? I watched the distinctive Brazilian moves and the clever ball tricks,
and was mesmerized by the speed and accuracy. I had a go myself in the tutorials,
I was told I had technical creativity, but I think that is a nice way of saying
that I was technically crappy.
God fit people make me sleepy, and a little bit jealous. But I did walk up the stairs
on the bus on the way home. So there.
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As much as I would love to burst into the lyrics of the classic Olivia Newton John
song (and maybe a dance routine or two), I think it might be inappropriate for younger
readers – and I hate to be inappropriate. Instead I will don some short shorts and
Get Serious about Getting Physical. As you know French Connection have been sponsoring
the V&A Friday Lates and on Friday 29th August, inspired by the new Fashion
V Sport (that sounds like a bit of an unfair battle to me) exhibition, Get Physical
hits the museum and French Connection stores.
Not only will the Samba Street Soccer school be performing some ‘if-I-hadn’t-seen-it-with-my-own-eyes-I-wouldn’t-believe-it’
ball skills in the V&A’s John Madejski garden, but also a nationwide competition
is launching in French Connection stores, which will run until September 14th, giving
one lucky sod the chance to win a one-on-one training session with renowned head
coach, Andrew Amers-Morrison. Which is worth getting ‘Physical, Physical’ (repeat
to fade).
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Finally - after a wee bit of a delay, some big decisions, and a number of blog posts
keeping all of you frustrated creative’s updated - the Selfridges/ANM competition
winning design is unveiled in the French Connection menswear department within Selfridges.
Today in fact. Today, Monday 18th of August. All the sale stock has been turfed
out to the big FC warehouse in the sky (or east London), and all the new season
shiny, happy stuff has been (delicately and lovingly) turfed in. And with it comes
Jess Hilton’s ‘Electric Connections’ installation. It is big and clever and bright
yellow. Jess, a 25 year-old youngster from London, is a graphic designer by trade,
but clearly there are more to her talents than fonts and sans serifs (go look and
you will see!). We recommend you get down to / up to the first floor of Selfridges,
hang around with London’s stylish blokes, and appreciate Hilton’s talent, while
getting yourself some lovely chunky knitwear – it is getting cold out there boys.
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Kings and Queens of the Village Fete. All of you.
How decadent it is to actually be outside, in London, in the summer, in the evening.
And at a museum. On a Friday. Yes, with Pimms on hand…or beer if you weren’t quite
in the true summer spirit…French Connection sponsored another, quite, quite brilliant,
Friday Night Late at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
This time the theme was Village Fete, and so enamored were we, that more than once
the memories of my childhood fetes had me looking around for my parents, to lend
me a pound for a stall. Not that my mum would be so enamored by the ‘Get your Tats
out Stall’, nor would she understand the brilliance and subtley of ‘Fete Book’,
but thankfully lots of trendies did. From the V&A entrance to the garden in
the middle, we floated along on a smell combination of testosterone, expensive perfume
and hot dogs. It was the scent of summer, only better. Over in the Beard Tent (see
what they did there?), competitors tried to fill beards with as much as they could
in order to win the gold beard – you may have had to be there. In the centre, the
sweet sounds of Helium Karaoke carried across to Hammertime, where it complimented
the tunes belted out by punters with a hammer, kinda.
But in the middle, attracting the biggest queue with the laughter and confusion
of it all – ‘we can’t see.’ ‘what is it.’ ‘who is in there.’ Etc etc. Was the ‘Pose
me a Postcard’ stall. Visitors became part of famous V&A paintings and prints.
Old and new ones alike. The random picture selected appeared in front of you, and
BISH! We were scrambling around for the right props – specially commissioned by
the very talented and clever Fred & Teo – and the right clothes to recreate
the image. BASH! The image was taken. BOSH! There we were, looking more like a Raphael
Cartoon, than the artist himself intended. The most fun I have had in a fake beard,
with fake tats, with a helium high voice, getting my picture taken, in ages and
ages.
French Connection's Pose Me a Postcard Stall
Copyright V&A Images| Photography: Mishkin
Copyright V&A Images| Photography: Mishkin
Copyright V&A Images | Photography: Mishkin
Copyright V&A Images | Photography: Mishkin
The Village Fete
Copyright V&A Images | Photography: Mishkin
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V&A Images | Photography: Mishkin
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V&A Images | Photography: Mishkin
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| Photography: Mishkin
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V&A Images | Photography: Mishkin
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V&A Images | Photography: Mishkin
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V&A Images | Photography: Mishkin
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Thanks to the thousands who made their way over to West London for a journey into
China via the magic portal that is the Victoria and Albert museum. It was a night
packed with spirit, dynamism and youth, for there were ‘the kids’ everywhere. But
for those of you who didn’t make it, we thought we would post a youth handful of
pictures from the night.
Copyright V&A Images
This is what writing can look like (and sound like, but we aren’t that interactive
here at ANM). What you don’t know is that the shapes are spelling out something
really, really rude.
Copyright V&A Images
Only the Chinese can make a gruesome animation also look like something you want
painted on your bedroom wall. Or is that just me?
Copyright V&A Images
They may look like simple mirrored sunglasses, but actually they are special dj
sunglasses that makes it look like the whole world is dancing to his beat.
Copyright V&A Images
He spent the whole evening in this exact position. Incredible really.
Copyright V&A
Images
Why on earth are boys so crap at cutting things out. I bet she is still laughing
at him now, while he weeps.
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We were lucky enough to work closely with winner Jess, when she came to join our
art team within the French Connection mothership. We like nothing more than some
fresh creative blood and it was a joy to have her here. To make sure that she felt
the same about us, we asked her to write a blog of her FC experience. Turns out
we are a pretty nice bunch too!...
The French Connection offices are in Camden just down the road from me but that
wasn't the only reason why I decided to take them up on their offer of a work placement.
Initially it was the curiosity about how these talented people could possibly begin
to construct my winning design for the Men’s French Connections store in Selfridges,
as I'm more a pen and paper girl, not hammer to nail! During my placement I was
predominantly working on two projects, the first being the designs for promotional
windows for the singer Duffy in their US stores. I was pleased, but surprised to
be given this project as this sort of work is very different to what I'm used to
- I've spent the last 2 years working for a digital communications agency (1024x768
pixels is a little different from several feet square and in 3D.) The second project
was an invite for the annual Christmas Press Day. This entailed a meeting with the
PR team in possibly the best workspace in the building. They 'live' in a huge wardrobe
of the current collection with sofas and TV's. I hear they work pretty hard....!
The rest of the team definitely work hard, but play hard too. I was kindly invited
to two evenings out of free drinks and fun, one of which I was confessing all at
the V&A and the other where I was a table football legend.... Now my time is
up I can say that I am glad that I entered the competition and had the chance to
work in such a creative, dynamic (and lovely) team. It has also given me the faith
to chance my luck and enter more competitions... I've got my fingers crossed I'll
be as successful with Lottery Rollover, (and then guys, the drinks will be on me!)
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Several months ago we launched a competition to get all A New Movement creatives
to design an installation to sit within the French Connection menswear department
in Selfridges.
We had loads and loads and loads of entries. So many in fact, that it took us longer
than expected to sift through them all and give them all the attention they deserved.
So apologies to those who have been waiting for more information on the winners,
but wait no longer…
Firstly, well done to all that entered, the calibre of work was incredibly professional
and we were honoured that you took the time to enter. Unfortunately, not everyone
can win.
The judges, who are kind and considerate people, almost came to blows over the finalists.
Well, I say blows, but it was closer to bitten lips and muffled irritation. They
are very polite in the Selfridges and French Connection mother ships you see. Anyway,
eventually a decision was reached. They found a Winner, a Highly Commended Runner
Up and a Runner Up. We gathered some information about their projects and a little
bit about themselves too (except about the Runner Up, who has fallen off cyber space,
and we hope that they landed somewhere soft). Here you go…
WINNER
Electric Connections
Jess Hilton
Design in Brief:
“The design constitutes a ceiling light installation that creates a layered graphic
pattern above the shop floor. The structure consists of levels that tilt from the
front to the back of the area, allowing customers outside of the French Connection
space to be enticed in. It incorporates various aspects of French Connections 2008
collection and combines bold injections of colour and strong graphic prints. These
elements, together with light installations that produce layers of coloured light,
work organically with the bold graphic details.”
Name: Jess Hilton
Age: 25
From: London
What they do: Graphic Designer
Training: Graphic Design BA Brighton University
Ambitions: I'd still quite fancy being a formula one racing driver.
Their New Movement: The butterfly beats any move on the dance floor
every time.
Judges Comments
“Great integration of our branding and designs making it really on brand”
“It’s innovative and fresh.”
“It worked well within the space of the concession, and was particularly clever
in it’s use of empty space, such as hanging from ceilings and using empty wall space.”
“This is a versatile design which could be used across different seasons.”
View a pdf of the winners designs:
Electric Connections Design 1
Electric Connections Design 2
Electric Connections Diary
HIGHLY COMMENDED RUNNER UP
Hanging Fashion
Kripa Gokal aka Piqsie
Design in Brief: “The design hinges on the use of everyday retail
icons to work functionally within, and transform the concession space. Oversized
LED lit (or fibre optic lit) hangers carry the clothes. These are either hung against
the walls or coming out from different directions and emerging upside down from
the floor to hold clothes as a normal rail would. Oversized shopping carry-bags
in electric blue, lie piled or standing across the floor with various functionalities:
hold folded piles of clothing, seating for customers and hold drawers in the bag
openings for storage of stock.”
Name: Kripa Gokal aka Piqsie
Age: 27
From: Portugal
What they do: Interior Designer
Training: Chelsea College of Arts and Design – University of Arts
London Ambitions: Creating a mark in the world of interiors.
Their New Movement: Spatial design as a whole new living experience
because living is an art!
Judges Comments
“Really impressed by the professionalism of this presentation and model”
“It’s cleverly linked directly to fashion and retail, however without being too
obvious.”
“Good use of lighting to create a innovative and new take on the concession environment.”
“A simple and effective concept with huge potential for use and adaptation.”
View a pdf of the highly commended runner up design here:
Hanging Fashion - Artwork
Hanging Fashion - Moodboard
Hanging Fashion - Design
RUNNER UP
No Title
Hoyiam
Design in Brief: “The intent of this installation is to keep the
core shopping experience the same, but to entice customers, who may otherwise pass
by, into the centre of the French Connection space. By stimulating their curiosity
in what is happening in the store they will be drawn to participate in the scene.
The mannequins shown in white examining the images, strike self confident and assured
poses; they have hidden faces and are clothed in distinct styles. The images will
be polaroids of style leaders engaging in aspirational activities in urban settings.
The viewer will be encouraged to identify with those figures that surround them
and aspire to be like the fashionable characters shown in the images.”
Judges Comments
“The montage effect feature in the installation was great and would really
draw customers into the concession space.”
“The interactive nature of the installation would create interest and intrigue.”
“It’s easily updatable and adaptable so could potentially work across different
seasons and campaigns.”
The winning installation will be in store from the end of July, and will launch
the French Connection AW 2008/9 menswear collection. Go and applaud the talent.
View a pdf of the runner up design here:
No Title - Design Showcase