JAEHA, founded by Korean-born New Zealander Jae Kim, is the new ready-to-wear label to know. After moving to London in 2010, Kim gained experience working in the Mary Katrantzou studio before studying at Central St Martins under the late Louise Wilson OBE. Carving out his own aesthetic, he is known for combining abstract forms with layering and texture.

Tell us about how you started designing…
When I was 17, I saw all these girls sewing up their ball dresses for their end of year high school ball – pure polyester moment. They needed help – so I decided to take fashion as one of my subjects in high school back in New Zealand.

Why did you decide to move to London?
I met Peter Pilotto and Jean-Pierre Braganza at Mango El Boton competition in Barcelona. Braganza told me I should come to London – so I sent my application to Louise Wilson at Central St Martins MA, and was accepted.

How would you describe your brand? 
Premium contemporary womenswear – visually striking garments that combine bold, androgynous cuts with a care free, wearable style.

What’s the story behind the AW16 collection? 
Modern pre-Raphaelite women’s wardrobe meets Wes Anderson.

What’s the most valuable advice you have been given? 
Collaboration is good when it’s needed.

Where do you see your brand in five years? 
Kate Middleton’s wardrobe. Hopefully people can pronounce ‘JAEHA’ correctly by then.

www.jaeha.com

Tags: Central St. Martin's, JAEHA, Louise Wilson, Mary Katrantzou

Hussein Chalayan is one of those elusive designers who manages to create things that, season after season, leave one flabbergasted. A wooden coffee table/skirt hybrid, LED-lit sheaths and self-transforming robot dresses are just a few examples of ideas that have blossomed in the Cyprus-native’s mind.

Now in its final days of display, Hussein Chalayan: Fashion Narratives at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris pays tribute to a true fashion visionary. Comprised of past collections, installations, fashion shows, projections and research, the exhibition is as multi-layered as the CSM graduate’s work itself.

Even having to book an overpriced, last-minute ticket on the Eurostar seems like a small price to pay when you have the opportunity to spend an afternoon inside the mind of Chalayan the Great.

Hussein Chalayan: Fashion Narratives is at Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 107 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris until December 11th.

lesartsdecoratifs.fr
husseinchalayan.com

Tags: Central St. Martin's, exhibition, Fashion, Hussein Chalayan, Musée des Arts Décoratifs

There’s little doubt that Hattie Rickards is one of the most exciting jewellery talents out there. The Central St. Martin’s alumna has honed her skills along side jewellery designers such as Kara Ross and Solange Azagury Partridge, for whom she set up her NYC store. Having now gone solo she’s focused on a select collection of luxury rings, all with a strong ethical focus, but without sacrificing the glamour.

Her collection, Revealed, features a range of limited edition kinetic and fixed rings created from 18ct ethical gold and precious stones set in their rough, uncut and natural form. Each piece is registered within the Fairtrade system to ensure that her concept and inspiration “to blend aesthetics with a story and knowledge of origin” is achieved.

While we love the raw ethical sentiment behind her collection, we adore the playfulness of her designs. The Rubix ring, inspired by the Rubik’s cube, is made with multicoloured stones set in three rotating bands and The Revolver ring features a spinning barrel of stones. Each one is a sparkling masterpiece.

The Revealed Collection by Hattie Rickards is now available at Dover Street Market.
hattierickards.com

Tags: Central St. Martin's, Hattie Rickards, Kara Ross, Revealed, Solange Azagury Partridge, The Revolver, The Rubix