More Fashion Democracies

Following on last weeks post in The Shopping Forecast, a new fashion democracy, where you and help to decide what should be in the shops for the season ahead. I have come across lots of other initiatives where the fashion retailers are really listening to their customers in order to give them exactly what they want.

Another really exciting new website is Usabrand founded by Moritz Baier. The site allows users to upload their fashion sketches, which are then voted on by the public and the item with the most votes gets made and sold. If your item gets made, you get 5 Euros for each piece sold. There are some really amazing sketches and I am definitely going to be voting, I might even get out my colouring pencils and try one of my own.

Sense of Fashion is another great site that is a marketplace with a difference. It allows the Indie designers to openly communicate with their customers, fans and other designers allowing them to tailor their products to exactly what the customers want. Designers can poll customers about potential colours and style. It is also a place where fashionistas, photographers, fashion bloggers and stylists can exchange views and recommendations.

As if that isn't enough to keep me busy browsing and voting for hours on end, Beta Fashions is yet another fashion democracy where fashion created on an open platform in collaboration with designers from around the world.  The community can view, comment and help decide which designs will become reality. This is not only a way to discover emerging designers but also is also a step towards changing the way fashion change is created and consumed.

There are also lots of other sites like Teepay which allow you to upload your own t shirt designs. For those who prefer to do a little more than just having their say and want to put their money where their mouth is, there is also Catwalk Genius which I have posted about in the past in connection with the first ever fan funded collection by Kate Eary.

I love the idea of having more say in which clothes are available to buy and also having an input into the creative process of creating the clothes that I wear. I also think the idea of having clothes that are designed and manufactured according to what the customer wants could well be more sustainable because there is less waste and it also encourages individual style (which is timeless) instead of mass produced fast fashion which changes each season. Finally it gives customers the chance to show their preferences for clothes made with more sustainable materials (if that is what they want).

What do you think of these sites? will you be casting your vote?

Have a lovely weekend

Ceri X

Sketch by Mafiu

Kate Eary@Catwalk Genius

The new Kate Eary @ Catwalk Genius collection is now available to buy. Of course, this post is going to be a bit of a sales pitch as I have invested through the Catwalk Genius fan funding scheme and really want to see it do well. But I have no doubt that this collection will sell out in its own with out any help from me.

The collection is small but perfectly formed with some amazing digital prints inspired by the natural world and featuring close ups of snakes and feathers. The bodycon dress would definitely be my first choice but if finances would allow, it would look amazing with the tights. I love the colours of these prints and the whole photograph print trend seems to be every where at the moment.

Katie Eary's menswear has been attracting massive critical acclaim since the launch of the label as part of the Fashion East MAN collective. Her female fans include style leaders like Lady Gaga, Kate Moss, Courtney Love, Roisin Murphy, Sienna Miller.

The collection is very limited so get yourself a piece here quick!

In the video below Kate Eary talks to Catwalk Genius on becoming the first ever fan funded designer.

Weekly Fashion Round Up 31/07/10

Despite being on holiday for the first part of this week, it has been incredibly busy not just at Style Eyes towers but in the fashion blogosphere in general. So much exciting stuff going on, I just can't wait to tell you.

First of all plenty of new posts on the Fashion Buzz lately including lots about latest must have items including jumpsuits, animal print dresses, skinny combat trousers and draped dresses.

On designerhighstreet.com I have finally got round to updating the shift dress collection with a great choice from lots of different retailers, please check it out if you are looking for one. Lots more updates on the site are planned over the next week.

British Style Bloggers have just launched a new community where you can do all those things that you do on other social networking sites but with other British Fashion Bloggers. I think this is an amazing resource I have joined up already here. They also have a meet up arranged visit the site for more details.

If you haven't already heard tommorrow is blog sale day organised by Fashion Pearls or Wisdom and starting at 11am. This is a great opportunity to recycle some of your clothes and make some space in your wardrobe as well as get your hands on some amazing clothes at a fraction of their original prices. If you would like to take part you can find out more here.

A big thank you to everyone who voted for me in the Sarenza outfit competition, unfortunately I didn't win but hope to have a great competition/ giveway to express my gratitude.

While I was on holiday, Catwalk Genius announced that they have now achieved the level of fan funding required for the Kate Eary collection to be produced (this is the first ever fan funded collection). I have a have a great interest in this collection as I have funded a very small part of it. Unfortunately I missed the press preview but the collection will be ready in just a few weeks so I will definitely keep you posted.

Finally if you haven't already checked it out my favourite ethical store People Tree have a great sale on at the moment with some amazing dresses (amongst other things) and prices from £20. Only 5 days left to go!

picture from www.catwalkgenius.com

I'm backing Kate Eary

I posted a while back about Catwalk Genius which gives you the chance to invest or buy shares in a collection created by an up and coming designer. I loved the idea back then but was even more excited when I recieved an email from Catwalk Genius asking if I would like to make history. Once enough shares have been bought for a particular designers collection, then they can begin to produce it. Well over half of the shares for Kate Eary have been sold making it very possible that it will be the first ever fan funded collection.

Kate already has a menswear line and is making a bit of a name for herself amongst the online fashion communities with mentions on Trendhunter, Fashion 156, Dazed Digital, Business of Fashion, the Guardian and now Style Eyes Fashion Blog. Most that have admired her menswear collection, can't wait to get a piece of the Catwalk Genius women's diffusion range. Her amazing graphic prints on streetwear shapes have also been featured in Vogue and have been worn by many of the celebs including Lady Gaga, Kate Moss, Courtney Love, Roisin Murphy, Sienna Miller.

I love what she has done with menswear and can't wait to see her womenswear which is bound to generate huge interest. That is why I have decided to back this collection by buying some shares. At only £11 each, it is a great way of supporting a designer that is going places and getting a piece of the action. There are also some added perks which make it even better.

If you fancy getting yourself some shares you can do so here. But hurry as there aren't many left.

Expect to hear lots more about the collection when it arrives.