To Osman.

"Couture meets ethnicity"

A few weeks back a designer called Osman gave us a lecture.

I thought he was a right cock.

Not only for the fact he turned up in blue boiler suit looking one-sie with wellies, but he completely contradicted himself through out the whole lecture. Arguing and dismissing anyone who passed his path.

He really did conclude what everyone generally thinks about people with-in the fashion industry; and why I hate it.

This was the lowdown on the lecture...

He claims that he isn't a trend designer, but his last collection happened to fall in within that seasons colour scheme. (Being white). His designs are built around a concept, the main focus being purity and lines.

'Stripping back everything, and taking inspiration from everything like architecture'.

He explained how his creations were timeless, modern with a strong element of drama. Not for the fashion disposable; quality that really lasts. (I think that was the only thing I credit him on.)

He claims that he is original by creating clothes that 'celebrate women's bodies'.

His last collection;

White collection.

Mood: 'Why not'

The inspiration for this collection came from Wallis Simpson and a dress she wore in 1970. 'The powerful woman, not girly and frilly,

Couture 60's shape, they sold well so why mess with it?'

I asked him if he had a particular choise in models and if he had any say in it? His reply was something like this

'I had some mingers last season. I need girls that look good in every single way.

My best casting was s/s 08.'

"Focus on everything, like a building, in an Osmas dress you should be able to walk into a

room backwards. My work is clean and pure and luckily this season, everyone has been doing

white! Bringing elements of embroydery - but still keeping it structured."

'I don't subscribe to WGSN, it's more of a distinct vision, I can't dance to anyones beat, it wont work'

'Urban classic' - what kind of term is that!?

Q&A:

'Do you consider yourself a brand?'

'I dont know, I have started doing shoes and jewelry, so maybe. I try not to work on what is

forced. I'm grateful I've come abit more focused.'

Little black dress collection for Mango

Previously claiming how his creations are only for 'powerful women', who would wear his

clothing day and night, in March 2008, he worked with Mango to produce a 'Little black dress

collection' which broadened to 335 stores in 30 countries. (Quite an achievement ill give him that!)

My instant reaction was: 'How much contradictory can this guy get?'

Through out he morning he was raving on about how amazing he, his clothes and the people that

wear them are, and now he tells us he has designed a collection for a brand with the target

audience of 17 - 25. In Mango's own words they are 'fashion for the young urban woman'.

Mango also sponsered him during that seasons LFW which got his name out there. It's said that

Mango's image chaned dramatically since then?

Not in my opinion?

I asked him if he thinks by doing this he has lost previous clients. He said: 'No my clients wouldn't

shop in Mango anyway, you can see the difference in quality.'

This was another thing that really grinded my gears about him. He claims to hate celeb culture, yet he has

a whole page on his website dedicated to celebrities wearing his clothes. He asked us what we thought of it,

and we all told him that is completly changes his brands aesthetics and that if he was going to keep it

then to put in with in the press part. He then waves his hand at us and said "ergh, I don't know. Maybe"

IDIOT!