Oh girls just wanna have fun

So being a journo really ain’t all that bad… Last Friday I got to go along to Girls Day out to see what all the fuss is about. It took the SECC by storm in May and returned for a Christmas spectacular last weekend to treat the ladies of Glasgow to a little pampering…and a day away from their men.

Yes the event is totally cliché as it lives up to everything men would like to tease us over about being  stereotypical bimbos; hair, nails, shopping and spray tans but come on, who doesn’t love a little preening and retail therapy.

Pamper Time - This lovely lady was spoiling herself,
as called for by the day, to a classic french manicure

Eyebrows.... Loved Beautiful Brows home eyebrow kit -
one of the easiest ones to use that i've ever and
stays on even when you gym and swim ladies! 

Concessions from House of Fraser provided the ladies
a chance to refresh their winter wardrobes

It truly was a Venusian spectacular of pink, champagne, topless men, glitter and indulgence – It’s the nearest I may ever get to heaven.

These young ladies were extremely happy with the view...

I could probably fit all my stuff in here, yes.

I don't even thing Gaga could handle these

Now that's my kind of drink

Wonder if they sell these in Ikea for my flat...

So yes, I grabbed the opportunity with my newly manicured hands and rejoiced in the first day dedicated to a weekend of women only (except for the men who were there to serve us as eye candy) and I bloody well loved it.

Butlers in the Buff.... Hired

A round of applause should be given to the event director, Tom Lovering’s, wife – she gave him the idea to fill a space with everything any women could ever need and let us take serenity, even if only for one day, in not having to go to a million different places to give ourselves a slice of pleasure.

With over 200 exhibitors my eye’s grew bigger than my purse. They had really thought of everything from teeth whitening to tooth decay with chocolate fountains and designer cupcakes.

The lovely Girls at 5pm who were there offering the
ladies some of the best deals around for
dining out, leisure, health and beauty! 

Fast Cars - I'll have me one of these please.. make it two

Casino's - A little Vegas glamour

Cocktails and champers - provided all weekend long
by Royal Exchange Squares One Up

No doubt about it, I had a fabulous day with all my pampering, freebies (compliments to Boots - loves a freebie) and cocktails... I'm just struggling to remember how I got home... 

The show is set to return after the New Year and make an appearance in Edinburgh and down south... make sure you Fashion Smartie's keep an eye out for the next one.

Think 'gangster' this winter

I’m sorry In advance, as after reading this article those purses may be a little lighter ladies.

If you haven’t already heard of Alan Moore and his stunning Ten30 Brand, (p.s. where have you been?!) then listen up! This Glasgow born designer is one to know and with his new collection just released last week Mr Moore was in need of some serious fashion questioning.

With an honours degree in Textiles from Glasgow School of Art, a background working with Laura Lees and a growing intuitive self-start brand, Alan Moore is definitely a Fashion Smartie. SO it’s understandable I was desperate to get to know him a little better and understand the man behind the brand and his savvy Glasgow ethos.

So let me introduce to you all….drumroll please…. Alan Moore, Ten30 and their newest collection:

Alan Moore

You must be over the moon with the success of the show last Saturday at Glasgow’s Malmaison, please tell all about the new collection:

I was thrilled with the turn-out to see my strongest collection to date, and excited to see media and Textiles Scotland showing support for what we, as part of a new generation of Scottish designers, are working on with Harris Tweed.

This collaboration with Garynahine Harris tweed sees a subtle Scottish theme running in the collection but it’s main inspiration has been the female characters in old gangster movies like Casino, Goodfellas and Scarface.

Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface

I wanted to take the stereotypical aesthetics of these trashy, powerful, money hungry woman and explore it a bit deeper. I found that there is an underlying vulnerability and insecurity that is usually missed, i wanted to incorporate both of these traits into the collection.

So it’s a bit more mature and refined than anything else I've done in the past. I think this is the strongest and most coherent collection to date, and I'm very pleased with it. It’s very simple and classic, elegant silk shirts with subtle detailing, 60's inspired Harris Tweed jackets and lots of luxurious faux fur and soft black leather.

Ten30 A/W 11

Ten 30 A/W 11

Alan with his models

How have the other collections you’ve created differed, what have they been inspired from?

There is always a lot of thought goes into each collection, every detail of the concept is as important as the aesthetic of the garments.

For the last collection we invented a female muse and wrote short stories about her and posted them on "her" blog. We always created a facebook profile for her and managed to gain more than 200 friends. I am fascinated by social media and the idea of dual personalities and things like that so this collection was a chance to explore all these ideas. 

I am usually inspired by old films, i love dystopic sci-fi fantasy films and have previously made collections referencing Snake Plissken and Escape From New York, as well as TRON.

I think Glasgow and Scotland have a huge reputation for producing innovative textiles, rather than fashion, and this always plays a big part in my work. I like to experiment and develop prints, embroideries and wovens, making that the focus, rather than any avaunt gard pattern cutting. Ten30 is always very wearable, and I want to keep it like that.

So you think Glasgow plays quite a big role in your creations and fashion consciousness?

Since I am from Glasgow and having studied at Glasgow School of Art, I think there is an inherent design ethos or belief in Glasgow that is shared by the creative community, and that is all i know. I was fortunate enough to have an interview for the masters course at Central Saint Martains, where I was told my work was "typically Glasgow" i don't know if that's good or bad, but i like it. (*Good)

There is such a varied scene in Glasgow. Although it is a small city, the city is divided up into so many different looks and life-styles almost sub-sub-cultures if that makes sense? The diversity and availability of clothing in Glasgow makes is so easy for anyone to dress how they want to, and not be forced to be dripping in Topshop. I think the reputation Glasgow has for music, art and culture all tie in together and make the city what it is.

I don’t think there is a bitchiness or fashion hierarchy in Glasgow. I find that people are very complimentary and non-judgemental on other people style, even if it’s not to their taste, there is usually a positive to be said. I like that attitude. (*We like yours)

With the launch of the new collection any other plans in the pipeline?

I like to plan no further than a year in advance, and if I stick to the plan and all goes well, I plan for the next year and make sure the label is improving and I am improving as both a designer and a businessman. The plan so far is  to work on a project in December, another project in February a couple of collaborations and working on Spring/Summer 12 to be launched in March next year. So there’s a lot to get on with.

Any celebrities you would like to see wearing your brand?

I'm not really one for celebrity spotting and not a fan of doing bespoke designs, but I’d love to see someone like Eva Green in some ten30. She’s incredibly beautiful, sultry and has an understated sex appeal which i love; I also imagine she would be a pretty cool person to hang out with.(*We wanna hang out with you and try on your new collection? Please?)

Beautiful Eva Green

Glasgow. Fashion Capital of.... my heart.

Okay, so maybe it doesn’t spring to mind like Paris, New York or Milan but Glasgow for me is where my fashion fascination began. Many will be ignorantly unaware of the perils Glasgow has to offer those as absorbed with clothing compositions and style statements as I. I think its uniqueness stems directly from what the traditional ship building, working class city is – smoggy, poor and diverse. Maybe I’m not initially painting the best picture but I know you’ll learn to love, as I do, what my city has to offer those willing to accept it’s more unconventional charm.

Its quirkiness has ultimately been the result of the diversity the city holds. Glasgow’s more industrial and rock n roll background has lended to its many styles. Undoubtedly there is a grungy feel to many of the looks; indeed many roamers of the city’s west end look like they’ve been chewed up and spat out by Pete Docherty himself.

"Pete Doherty Inspired" Glasgow Style

Whilst its football fuelled hereditary character has spurred the birth of Z-List Wags who binge on the city’s designers and offer a whole other element to the fashion conundrum.

Cheryl has been an inspiration to a generation of Glasgow WAG's

It would be a travesty if a city of two and a half million people couldn’t offer a contribution to the fashion world and thus I am taking it as my job to prove that Glasgow can make it as a strong contender in the style stakes. There is good reason why Glasgow has been first choice for premier Scottish branches of some of the high streets most influential stores (Urban Outfitters, American apparel)

It's addition to Glasgow has been warmly welcomed for its street style. 

Not only high street but high end, Glasgow has proved it’s ability to attract some of the most famous labels; high end fashion retailer Cruise was started in Glasgow and found its popularity here; we might take the bus to get there but by hell we’ll have the newest Herve Leger and Louboutins to compliment for our Saturday night out. (Getting the bus is economically friendly chic now, no?)

I Jest… but Glasgow really does have something to offer from inspiring vintage shops, hidden designers, high-end brands and inspired urban street style. I am officially making it my job to open your eyes to the abundance of creativity surrounding you and why Glasgow owns my fashion heart.