Amala Paul teams up with Dhanush

Amala Paul was supposed to do 3 with Dhanush, but opted out of it due to date issues. And now, the news is that the two will finally team up for a project that will be directed by cameraman Velraj.

Amala says, "I felt very sad that despite having agreed to do 3 with Dhanush, I had to opt out of the film later. So, it makes me doubly happy that I'm going to be working with the same team again. While Dhanush will be the hero, Anirudh will compose the music for this one as well. And, cinematographer Velraj will be directing the film."

The actress says she will start shooting for the film from August 20. Talking about her character, she says, "I play a lovable Chennai girl, someone who's very rational. It will be a family entertainer."

Q&A: Blank Label

I had the rare opportunity to speak with the creative s behind online custom shirt makers Blank Label about their influential and growing label known for it's quality and customer service.

What led to the creation of Blank Label?

Blank Label was created out of spite for the mass-product retail industry. We wanted to create a product that was individually made by our consumer, because wearing something that every other guy bought from H&M wasn't appealing to us. So we decided to create custom dress shirts, and with our custom dress shirt application, individuals are empowered to design their own product. That's something we wish we had, and because no one could provide that for us, we decided to go out and do it ourselves! and we made it affordable. All of our shirts start at $45.

Blank label has a direct relationship with the final consumer since it performs the retail functions. How has this been helpful to business decision making?

Of course! Being able to connect directly with our customers gives us valuable feedback on how we can improve our product and service. That's the only way we can fully satisfy them. Giving them what they want and hearing it from their mouths is more efficient than us trying to guess what they want and testing it.

How long does it take for an order to be ready?

Our turnaround time is 3 weeks from order placement to your door. 4 weeks if you're not US domestic.

Do you guys plan to branch into Suits and Shoes or is Blank Label all about shirts?

We don't have any immediate plans to do either of these things, but they're in the idea bucket. Perhaps that's something to look into 6-12 months down the road. Right now we're just gunning real hard to nail down dress shirts.

5-10yrs down the road, where would you like Blank Label to be in terms of revenue & brand awareness?

That's a big question. As for revenue, who knows! But for brand awareness, we want to be the brand that empowers you to design your own product. We don't really want to be a brand though, but more of a platform that allows consumers to be their own designers.

P.S: Blank Label is offering readers 10% off their next purchase before 12/31/09 with the following promocode "terencesambo."

Q&A : Louis Harris-Tench

London hottie Louis Harris-Tench is a guy you would have come across on MySpace or Youtube cos of his vocal talent. But creative expression is not limited to one form of art. He was a finalist in the recently concluded VMAN model search won by Rico Nieves. Its obvious that this rising star is bound to go places. I caught up with him for a chat:
What motivated to you to enter the competition?

My cousin Rae Hippolyte is a recent graduate photographer from LCF and she told me about it. At first I wasn’t going to bother as the modeling world had yet to show me any love but 5mins before the deadline I changed my mind

What was it like to be amongst the finalists?

It was crazy – I never realized how big the competition was until they were flying the other guys and two cool workers from FORD over from the US. They gave me a brief history on Nick Knight (yes I was naive) and also showed me what previous winners had gone on to do – so it was amazing to be apart of that.

What sort of exposure has the competition given you?

Quite a lot stateside. My name keeps appearing in blogs that I read and they’ll be random scans of me and the other guys: so it’s been pretty cool. A few nice girls have added me on Facebook too – which one will always encourage lol!

If you had to choose between music & modeling what would you choose?

Music would win hands down, everytime. Singing is what I’ve needed to do since I was a kid and that will never change. I am very excited by the modeling industry and the opportunities it can present but it’s quite two-dimensional and lacks a connection that transcends further than the page. I believe it can’t touch you, change you like music can.

Any plans to branch out artistically from modeling asides music, maybe movies?

You won’t see me gracing the screen anytime soon: I know where my strengths lie and running up and down a film set pretending to be Will Smith isn’t happening anytime soon. I’m a poet so I’m doing that on the side. I’m in talks with a publisher at the moment so hopefully something will come of that.

Interview with Simon Spurr

I caught up with designer Simon Spurr the creative behind American luxury menswear label Spurr -who once worked under Hedi Slimane , Calvin Klein and recently served as design director for Ralph Lauren Purple Label- after his presentation at the just concluded NY fashion week for a chat.

If you were to express your spring 2010 collection in one word what would it be?

Elegant

What was the inspiration behind the collection?

Old Helmut Newton Portraits (Helmut Berger) and Alain Delon. I have always drawn from my favorite decade of the 60's when designing SPURR and this season is no different, however, there is slightly more of a 70's tinge running through the color palette.

There was a bit of romantic aura around the spring 2010 collection, do you see yourself as a romantic designer?

I see myself as a modern designer, a purist of some sort. I love clean lines, understated design and high level execution. However, yes, there is more of a romantic feeling to the collection this season. Rather than intentionally projecting a romantic feeling, I was looking to advance the "Elegance" of the collection which may have come across as romantic.

What kind of influence does your cultural roots have on your designs?

Growing up in Britain has definitely influenced my approach to menswear. Britain is an island with many neighbors and therefore much more competitive when it comes to its independence. London especially has had great success over the years in the film, fashion and music industries. Creative people, at the top of their fields have left a rich heritage and archive of images and reference material. We are an American company but I'm very proud of and true to being English.

What has been the biggest challenge for your brand and other luxury men's brands in these hard financial times?

I think that the consumer at all levels has been hit. People are buying less which was why "Fashion’s Night Out" was so important to kick start everyone buying again. I'm a firm believer that men will still buy luxury if it is true luxury. With that I mean, well made, from fine materials, and product that has timeless style. This is where I have been positioning SPURR. We now need to let the modern man know that we are here!

Finally, who is the typical Spurr Man?

The SPURR man is very broad in age and occupation. However, he is self confident, creative, international and humble. He understands style as well as fashion and ultimately embraces a life style (whether it be architecture, furniture or fashion) of modern elegance.

Interview with Ioannis Dimitrousis

I have great respect and admiration for Greek designer Ioannis Dimitrousis' work. The london based designer is one of few gallant soldiers who give men's fashion some pomp and artistic presentation. I had the chance to catch up with him whilst he was getting his collection ready for the upcoming fashion week and he answered a couple of questions.
When did you realize that you wanted to be a fashion designer?

While I was in the army doing my services, I started experimenting with some decorative beading on my army shirts! After finishing the army, I studied fashion for a year in Greece and then came to London to study a BA in menswear.

Does your cultural heritage influence your designs?

I think my Mum influences my designs with her knowledge of crochet. Giving a traditional element but with my own knowledge and creativity I am able to change them to a more contemporary look.
Why do you cut the way do ?

Seriously I don’t know why, I draw the lines on the patterns and cut the paper. After joining them together like a puzzle, I then try to shape then into unique form. It just comes naturally. But I wonder is just there already in my mind?

There's an interesting mix of fabrics in both your Men and Women’s collections, tell me a bit more why you use these eclectic fabrics?

I like going shopping for fabrics. Whenever I go, I spend hours and hours until I decide on the ones I like but I can never make up my mind, so I take more time than I should! Also some of the fabrics I use are vintage, which I usually find on my travels.

If you were to choose between menswear and women's what would you choose?

It is like asking a mother to choose between her son and daughter which one would she kill? You either kill them both or neither. Although there is more of a demand for Womenswear than there is for Menswear.

Any words of advice to young people with dreams of being designers someday?

Work hard and follow your dream. Nothing in life comes easy and if it did, then you won't know what success means. You will only succeed when you struggle to get to the top and remain on top.

Q&A: Kyung Hwa Kim

South Korean menswear designer Kyung Hwa Kim is one of the bright stars for the future, she recently graduated top of her course with first class honors in Fashion design technology at the London college of fashion and won Asos's ltd 100 edition menswear award. I had the chance to interview her and got to know her a lot better.

What would you consider as your greatest achievement in your fashion career so far?

I can't say one particular achievement. I am just happy to do Menswear with my soul, originality and passion. I wish my designs to end up in someone's wardrobe and being a part of his life.

How did the experience you got working with JW Anderson, Ioannis Dimitrousis and Thomas Pink assist you in your graduate collection?

I learned a lot from there, how real fashion industry is going on. In particular, I have skilled pattern cutting. At the early time, I thought 'Designing fashion' require a true understanding of garment structure therefore, pattern cutting and making is very important in fashion, especially Menswear. I was so attracted by great knowledge of patterns on paper. In my graduate collection, I had lots of pattern cutting experiment to create new silhouette.

You recently graduated top in your class with first class honors and have received loads of awards how have all this helped you in terms of publicity and awareness?

I believe myself, my design and spirit. I truly focused on graduate work, worked on my best and wanted to make what I really have sought for. I did not expect those results I got at all. I am very glad to have some people who like and understand my works.

You not only into illustration, but your also very skilled in pattern cutting and you've dabbled into photography too, how important do you think it is for a designer to be able to multitask?

In my opinion, It is not a matter of being able to multitask, the important thing is that what you enjoy sincerely and have fun with. I love illustration, pattern cutting, photography and graphic design and always have fun working on them. Art and design are all connected and I want to interpret my Menswear and thoughts expressing into various ways.

I know the inspiration for your graduate collection was drawn from the 18th century, military and movies but does your cultural roots also play a role in your cuts and silhouettes?

I wanted to experiment with Korean costume at first. However, it didn't work on my concept so I used few costume accessaries which suited on the outfits of my collections. Actually, there are so many beautiful Korean things to play on and I have great ideas to reinterpret them on my own ways. I cannot wait.

Whats next for you? if u look back in 10 yrs time what are the things you would like to have accomplished?

I wish to have started my own label somewhere.