Unlike many Nygard had an unexpected beginning to the business, she explains “I completed a BA in Management, Design and Communication a few years back but had no direct links to fashion as such.  Like most other girls I enjoy nice clothes and like it when garments are aesthetically pleasing.”

But in the summer of 2010, by using her initiative and teaming up with Birmingham-based illustrators Ben Javens, Leanne Jones and Lucy McLauchlan she launched her wonderfully whimsical line.

Through each illustrator having their individual style, Sandford Jr has offered a varied take on children’s clothes that other companies just do not offer. The wide choice means that anyone can find an item that will make them envy their children’s style, never mind the latest It-girl.

From talking to Nygard, it is impossible not to see how passionate she is about her artists.

“I’ve always liked the way Ben uses block colours to create naïve yet very interesting, quirky retro designs. I love the uplifting feel to his work; he’s a perfect choice for children’s clothing. Leanne’s beautiful soft line drawings are so delicate and I think the strangely captivating innocence in her artwork appeals to both young and old. Her designs never fail to wow me. The excitement of consistently finding interesting details in Lucy’s work makes it hugely captivating to look at. Her ‘Humpty’ design for Sandford Jr. is a perfect example of this.”

With the label already taking an organic and environmentally friendly approach to clothing; Nygard hopes to expand these ideas by not only bringing more artists to the company but to develop the label to gifts. She wants to increase the range to include printed lunch boxes, children’s mugs and there’s even talk of wallpaper, so we are all very excited to see what 2012 has install.

With prices starting at £19.99, but as an extra treat Sandford Jr are also offering a lovely 10% discount. Paypal users can just type in APPLE at the checkout on www.sandfordjr.com.

Words: Sarah Parsons

Submissions are open now and run through to the end of March. The awards are open to everyone and along with winning cash your tees will also go in to production.

Awards & Prizes
・Gold (1): 500,000 yen + production/sale of design by graniph
・Silver (5): 100,000 yen + production/sale of design by graniph
・Student (1): 100,000 yen + production/sale of design by graniph
・Partner Award (5): 50,000 yen + product/sale of design by graniph

Winners will be announced May 1 2012 on graniph.com

The range of Camisoles, slips and petticoats will add chic glamour to your mood even if you’re outerwear is screaming otherwise.

Starting from £35 the range is available the Tara Starlet website.

Tara Starlet is a vintage inspired fashion line with responsible ethics and a timeless charm. Created, and run by a mother and daughter team, Tara Starlet is a family business, born out of a shared passion for the glory days of the 1940s and ‘50s, and a mutual concern for the well being of our planet and it’s inhabitants.

Taking their inspiration from the original Pin-up paintings and silver screen starlets like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe the site is full of beautifully re-made and re-modelled styles that are finished with original trimmings, buttons and fabrics.

Please note – the bras are not included in the range.

Founded in 2008 by Rob and Martin Drake-Knight (now aged 24 and 26), the innovative fashion brand has been taken on by numerous high street names and gained national recognition both in the press and at awards ceremonies. The duo’s ethical, organic and low carbon approach to fashion has spawned such incentives as an eco-labelling system for clothes packaging and a trace mapping tool which allows customers to discover exactly where their Rapanui products come from and how they were made.

The range of polo’s, tees and sweats start from £19.95 and are certainly a new take on talking about the weather!

Words: Jon Price

Anna De Ville’s work caught our eye (pictured above):

Anna works in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and sells her work all over the UK. Her jewellery is distinctive in its use of contrasting polished and oxidised silver. She likes to use semi precious stones and beads. She is inspired by wildlife and bird subjects.

Her work is held in many private collections. She is very happy to do one off pieces and commissions.
Contact info email: hello [@] centrepiece-jewellery.co.uk

Clothes Show Live in association with Suzuki is giving two lucky winners a pair of tickets to this years show! Whether looking for the latest, cutting edge fashion; glamorous catwalk shows featuring not-yet-seen designer collections; the perfect opportunity to pamper and relax; AND much much more – this year’s Clothes Show Live is bigger and better than ever.

Benefit, GHD, Lipsy London Beauty, Lee Stafford and Eylure are among the shows well known and best loved fashion and beauty brands to shop from; while X Factor resident hairdresser Jamie Stephens, celebrity stylist Karl Willett and Clothes Show veteran Caryn Franklin will all be on hand to give demonstrations and their vital advice about the industry.

Don’t miss the UK’s favourite celebrities and musical icons including: Alexandra Burke; Her Majesty & The Wolves feat. Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt; Jeff Brazier; girl band Parade and a host of Hollyoaks stars as they appear across the shows stages and bars including the Diet Coke Image Catwalk.

Catch stylish duo George Lamb and Grace Woodward presenting in Clothes Show Live’s famous Suzuki Fashion Theatre. Here Clothes Show Live entwines fashion and music featuring performances from Her Majesty and the Wolves feat. Kimberly Wyatt in an original themed catwalk show. This year’s theme is “A Night At The Department Store”. See over 40 models and dancers perform an awe-inspiring spectacular in collections from top designers and find out what really happens when the lights go out in your favourite shops.

Back for its second year, The Dance Show at Clothes Show Live, will once again be the must-attend event of the year for any dance enthusiast. Running for the whole six days from 2 – 7 December, The Dance Show will feature amazing live performances, interactive dance classes, the UK’s leading dancewear brands, masterclasses from the professionals, seminars and awards. The Dance Show has something for every dance fan in the country.

COMPETITION
Who will present at the Clothes Show Live Suzuki Fashion Theatre?

Send your answer along with your: Name, Address, Telephone Number and Date of Birth to competitions [@] fusedmagazine.com. Deadline for entry is: 5pm 0n the 18th November, 2011.

Clothes Show Live in association with Suzuki and The Dance Show take place at Birmingham’s NEC, from 2-7 December 2011. Tickets are available online now at clothesshowlive.com or by calling the box office on 0844 581 1256.

Clothes Show Live in association with Suzuki and The Dance Show take place at Birmingham’s NEC, from 2-7 December 2011. Standard tickets cost £27+ and include entry to both shows and a dedicated seat in the Suzuki Fashion Theatre. Upgrade to a Platinum Ticket for just £12 extra to receive fast-track entry, priority seating in the Fashion Theatre, a goody bag and a show guide.

Tickets are available online now at clothesshowlive.com or by calling 0844 581 1256.
+All tickets are subject to a £2 booking fee

Originally founded in 1966 by brothers Keith and Alan, the brand has been re-launched by Keith’s son Jonathan Freedman. The Brutus collection began with a single sweater and became a household name selling T-shirts, shirts, knitwear and denim with the ‘Brutus Trim-fit’ of 1966 selling millions worldwide.

The collection revisits the brand at its most popular time with the original check and trademark ‘three finger pinch collar’ it also features its original heritage tartan, fine cotton twill and iconic British gingham checks, box pleat and slim fitting darts to give the full on This is England mod look.

The Designer Pudsey Collection has seen a number of fashion designers use their creative flair and remarkable talents to create their very own unique version of the iconic Pudsey Bear.

Erdem, Katie Hillier, Mulberry (pictured top), Henry Holland (pictured below) and Giles Deacon, are just a few of the coveted designers who have submitted a creation to the collection which will be exhibited in Liberty from until 19 November 2011. The collection is being auctioned to raise money for BBC Children in Need.  To visit the auction please visit bbc.co.uk/Pudsey

Last December we featured some bang-on-trend items from Frock On Vintage in our festive fashion piece. Over the past year this up and coming label has gone from strength to strength and is now available to buy from the upper level of Topshop in Birmingham’s Bullring.

Congratulations to Frock On’s gorgeous stylist and owner, Pam Cheema, who has put in so much hard work to bring you all the best hand-picked vintage gems. Why not go down to Bullring this week and bag yourself a glamorous one-off outfit for the party season? With fur coats, mohair jumpers and sequins a-plenty you’ll turn that Plain Jane into a Sexy Sadie in no time!

Created around Shivani’s many inspirations ‘In my wildest dreams’ includes exotic animals and surreal art merging together to become “fantastical creatures”.

Shivani’s watercolour prints adorn luxurious silk chiffon maxi dresses and side split skirts with each piece in the collection designed to “empower the wearer and celebrate their wild side”

The Shivani Chada collection will be sold exclusively in selected Warehouse stores nationwide and online. Prices for the collection start from £50 – £180.