Designs of the year 2014 - Design Museum London

ME.WE Concept Car - Designed by Jean-Marie Massaud, France and Toyota ED2 

This concept city car from Massaud and Toyota combines environment responsibility with a fun driving experience. Innovative panels of expanded polypropylene on the tubular aluminium chassis are supplied in different colours and patterns to suite individual tastes. These reduce the weight of the car, making it considerably more energy efficient. The interior is clad in bamboo, a cheap, renewable and easy-to-clean material. Luggage can be stored down like a pick-up truck to create more space. The rear seat can be folded and stood under the front seat, or even removed.

Totemic Collection - Designed by Sadie Williams, UK - nominated by Peter Jensen

For her graduation collection from the MA in Textiles for Fashion Course at Central Saint Martins, Sadie Williams made full-length, stiff A-line dresses from a textile she developed, known as "jumbo-lurex". Williams transformed the usually flimsy Lurex by heating, printing and embossing the material to create geometric graphic patterns in shimmering metallic reds. blue and silvers. 

In autumn2013 Williams exhibited her Totemic collection in the shop window of the London department store Selfridges, as part of the shop's Bright Young Things initiative to support emerging designers. 

Prada Spring/Summer 2014 Collection - Designed by Miuccia Prada, Italy

This collection from Miuccia Prada was shown in Milan against a backdrop of large murals by artists and illustrators invited to paint strong images of women. In front of these, Prada's rainbow-coloured collection embellished and textured by jewels and embroidered and printed images of painted faces.

Speaking about the collection Prada says: "I was concerned with women and the strength of women". The collection themes of "femininity, representation. power and multiplicity" are demonstrated by the  use of the bra as a graphic form, applied to the surface of garments with sequins or contrasting colour prints. This glamour was offset by knitted, sportswear-inspired footless socks and sandals influenced by trainers.

PRADASPHERE in Harrods

Interview with Russian designer and founder of Sultanna Frantsuzova

Friday, the 4th of October I visited one of the most amazing and positively surprising retail spaces in Moscow, the Sultanna Frantsuzova pop-up shop, located at the first floor of a former rubber factory in the Sportivnaya area of the city. There I met with the brand's PR Director, Anna Belolipetskaya, who talked me through the brand's strategy of reentering the market and the concept behind the design of the store. It was like an oasis of relaxation in a very busy, industrial part of the city. With beautiful music playing in the background, exquisite hand-crafted garments in a retro decor (something that I learned works well with the inspiration behind the collections of the brand), Sultanna Frantsuzova's world left me mesmerised.

Sultanna Frantsuzova, the brand was founded in 2004 (next year marks the brand's 10th anniversary) and was named after the designer itself. It is best known for good quality design at affordable prices, a motto followed by the company, that has brought in many loyal customers and brand lovers over the years. The key items of the latest AW13/14 collection are the dresses and coats, that are made out of the best materials and fabrics and represent good investment pieces (timeless design with a characteristic quirkiness, that defines the brand).

U.P: 1. Is this the brand's first pop-up store?

S.F: Yes, it's the first time we opened a  pop-up store. We used to have a kind of showroom where customers of our online shop could try on items and also where we would communicate with the press, but we closed it to focus on the pop up store, which gives a very clear understanding of what Sultanna Frantsuzova brand is about.

U.P: 2. How did you come up with the concept? Where did you get your inspiration from?

S.F: We thought it would be a lovely idea to open a pop up, the major inspiration came from the famous "Guerilla shop" concept brought to life by Comme des Garçons. 

U.P: 3. How did you find the location and why did you decide to open a pop-up store in such an unconventional space?

S.F: We were searching for a location not too far away from the centre of Moscow (it's only 10 minutes away by Metro) with some nice authentic interiors. We left the green paint on the walls from the older renovations, old-fashioned marble floor with some parts of worn-out lino, we loved the way the shop window looked and brought some vintage furniture to emphasize the retro spirit of the brand. The administrative building of the Rubber factory of 1968 fitted all our expectations perfectly, as well as the rent rate, which allows us to keep the same prices we have in our online shop and be committed to the brand's concept "designer clothes at affordable price".

U.P: 4. How would you evaluate your customer's response towards this unconventional marketing strategy?

S.F: We have a lot of loyal customers, so they were happy to find out we opened a pop up, as it has a unique atmosphere, which is not possible in a common shopping mall. Most of our customers from Moscow who purchased online,  now visit our pop up store on a regular basis, even some customers from other cities come to Moscow just to drop in our pop up store.

U.P: 5. Do you intend to open other pop-ups around Moscow (or maybe Russia)?

S.F: Now we are pondering over the idea of opening another pop up in St. Petersburg, as we have lot's of our brand's fans there, it feels like St.Petersburg “fashionistas” are keen on all rising trends.

U.P: 6. Do you believe that pop-up retail is a rising trend in Russia? (more specifically in the fashion industry) Will Russian (local) brands adopt this strategy in order to promote themselves on the market and maintain their activity?

S.F: I guess so, it's a rising trend in Russia but it is rather new, both for the brands and  for the customers, as most of the customers  still feel more comfortable to shop in huge shopping malls, but on the other hand it's really a very good opportunity to enter the market for the new Russian brands.

Danish brand WOOD WOOD presents AW13 "The Club" collection at Tsvetnoy Central Market

Located on the second floor of Tsvetnoy Central Market, Danish brand Wood Wood's corner is something that cannot be missed. Mostly because of the infusion of cool Scandinavian design, the beautifully crafted leather accessories that catch your eye instantly and the very friendly, laid-back staff that make you feel at home.

Friday, the 4th of October, Wood Wood presented their latest AW13 collection, called "The Club" in their cozy corner, with some great music played by Strelka Bar's Art Director, Natasha Ganelina and Copenhagen's finest brew, Carlsberg of course. Great way to end the week huh? Let's not forget to mention that invitees to the WOOD WOOD soiree were given goodie bags with the brand's latest lookbook, discount vouchers and a CD, part of WOOD WOOD's Muzak project.

So people were invited to enjoy some beers and explore the latest must-have pieces from the collection, whilst listening to some banging tunes. "The Club" features some great tailored pieces, warm sweaters and androgyny looks in the womenswear category. The laptop and Ipad cases, as well as the coin and business card leather holders are statement pieces that mustn't be excluded from one's day-to-day outfits. You can also find some great hoodies and caps, for both men and women, that can easily be mixed into elegant outfits with a little bit of imagination.

All in all, this collection is addressed to a very urban, outgoing, active and fashion-forward crowd, combining sports-inspired garments with classic, timeless pieces. Do you think it's time for your wardrobe to experience a Scandinavian design infusion? Well, then I think you must make your way to Tsvetnoy while you still can!