Monday 26 November 2012

GET ON YOUR BIKE

For the past couple of years French Women have been encouraged that the best way to keep their figures is to get on a stationary bike and pedal like mad.  Boring eh?  Not when this is the latest added result  ......





Sexist?  Possibly?  Fun?  Most Definitely!

Sunday 25 November 2012

SENSIBLE SHOES?

When we were young we were always told to stand up tall ......................


but we were also told to wear 'sensible shoes'  ..... so if you are planning to be in the BIG rush when we open the doors at 10 am this Friday November 30th for the First Day of our WOMENSWEAR DESIGNER SALE, may we suggest that you follow your mother's advice ........and DON'T ape Ms Cu Cu Diamentas.





Wednesday 21 November 2012

LEAH GOTTLIEB WHO MADE SWIMWEAR SEXY



At DWS we spend most of our time trying to predict the (fashion) future but occasionally it's nice to look back, especially when it is to remember the passing of an design icon.  LEAH GOTTLIEB who 'checked out' of her atelier this week at the grand old age of 94 was never a household name BUT we owe her an enormous debt for her remarkable style and talent and her one unforgettable achievement : she made swimwear SEXY!


When she started off with a single sewing machine in a refugee camp in Israel just after WW2 I'm sure she had no idea then that she would end up selling more than a million swimsuits a year within 20 years.  Up till Leah came along swimwear was best described as utlitarian and was so very unflattering, but she came up with the un-heard of idea of actually making them glamourus!


Gottex her label was worn by Sports Ilustrated models, Royalty, movie stars ... she used velvet, metallic gold fabric and psuede-suede as some of her swimsuits got more about lounging than actually getting wet.  But she takes credit too that with her love of spandex she made bathing suits comfortable for women to wear too.

From Elizabeth Taylor to Princess Diane, Mrs Gottlieb was the go-to swimwear queen for decades, but more importantly women everywhere could have exactly the same outfits and (hopefully) look just as good as them.

Leah Gottlieb was a true star that made fashion such wonderful fun, and we honour her for that. We are sure she'll find some great beauties wearing Gottex creations in the great swimming pool in the sky.



Saturday 17 November 2012

THE KING IS DEAD

Actually technically speaking its  the clothing King who clothed 'THE King' who has sadly died. BERNARD LANSKY was already considered royalty by all the major Rhythm and Blues stars that he used to dress in Memphis, when in 1950 (ish) a young movie theatre usher looked longingly in the window of his Store.  The kid bought his high school prom outfit there, and when  he found fame as a singer , he couldn't get enough of Mr Lansky's outfits.








The 'kid' turned out to Elvis Presley who became The King of Rock 'n Roll.  To us at D.W.S., Elvis's sense of fashion was every bit as crucial as his music, and thanks to the early start he got at 'Lansky Bros' store, became a real style icon.




Presley was a great advertisement for Mr Lansky and throughout the 1950's and 1960's many of his musician friends also shopped there too inc. Carl Perkins, Isaac Hayes, The Beach Boys, Johnny Cash, The Jacksons etc.





Mr Lansky was not responsible for all the sparkly jumpsuits The King adopted in later years, but he did make the white suit that Elvis was buried in. 'I put him in his first suit, and I put him in his last suit!'



We salute you BERNARD LANSKY for your major contribution to making men's clothing so wonderfully stylish and such fun too.  We hope you get to hang out with Elvis again now.

Friday 9 November 2012

CONGRATULATIONS PRESIDENT & MRS OBAMA





Our M.D. didn't just follow the US Elections very intently, but as a newly naturalised American he actually got to vote too (albeit in Florida where as we write, they are STILL counting!  LOL)  It was a remarkable victory for an outstanding man whose strong leadership has not only helped the USA  .... and the World  ... gradually recover from this vicious global recession, but has done so with a great moral commitment to include and improve the equality and rights of all the country's citizens.  

Barak Obama is the US President that we deserve, and the right man to lead us forward for the next four years.

On a lighter note, we at D.W.S. take our professional hats off to Michelle Obama, not just for the fact that she is the most stylish First Lady for years, but for   the that she sticks to her principles and chooses to  clothes not from high-flying international brands but from relatively unknown new designers that she respects and wants to encourage. We loudly applaud Mrs Obama for that as discovering and supporting new talent is something that is very dear to us at D.W.S.






Wednesday 7 November 2012

BELT UP WITH BELSTAFF




BELSTAFF was once a brand known only for its motorcycle and aviation but nowadays it is one of THE hottest labels in outerwear for both women and men.

Since it was started in the UK back in 1924, BELSTAFF'S  legacy has been deeply rooted in quality, in protection, durabality and material.  Now the new team led by Creative Director MARTIN COOPER have have gone back to its roots of clean lines and timelessness and designed pieces that have a real edginess to them.


In the new marketing campaign photographed by STEVEN MEISEL there are wonderful BELSTAFF garments that will transform even the most timid person into a badass.


It's also become a favorite must-have for celebrities too ......





and even the ubiquitous Mrs Beckham (but don't let that put you off.....


you'll find parts of the BELSTAFF range at both our next D.W.S. WOMENSWEAR & MENSWEAR SALES .... perfect Christmas presents for someone you really love, or maybe just for yourself.

Remember, at DWS you never pay full price to look fabulous.