Good Graeff - Hold Me Fast (Official Video)

Here is a music video I worked on in Hanoi as the lead stylist. This video involved about 100 extras, 25 Kilos of powder paint, a roof top squat and people we scouted from all over the world and was shot over a series of two days! It was lots of fun

Distro Printers

Some Distro labels run factories to cater for the demand of the industry, on my second trip to Bandung I visited Phae Ratulangie who produces 1000s of pieces a week, for designers and Distro businesses this includes Oscar Lawelleta and Hard Rock Café. Phae owns 4 outlets and 2 print and manufacture factories.

Phae has built a skate ramp and runs a foundation called The Phae Adikaka foundation which encourages parents to interact with their children, and which keeps the children of Bandung away from drink, drugs and prostitution by giving them a positive place to come to after school.

He also runs this rad baby clothing label called Parental Baby, which is totally Regenerate Style.

I spent one day doing a collaborative workshop with Phae and the children teaching them about ethical fashion and about ways to be a entrepreneur in their own area.

Check out this film: -

Distro Bandung

Southeast Asia’s financial crisis struck Indonesia in 1997 and quickly turned into a political and economic crisis.

With many people loosing their jobs and homes, this effected the area of Bandung, where Poverty levels increased by 30%, which led to the birth of Distro

Distro

•Began as reaction against expensive mass produced brands.

•Deriving from the urban street culture

•Where youth made their own clothing

•To express their individual identities and lifestyle interests.

•Bandung is the centre for textiles and clothing manufacturing in Java

•Which lead to Distro entrepreneurs opening their Shops selling their goods

These retailers are called DISTRO

There are now over 200 Distro outlets in Bandung selling clothing, toys and accessories.

Fair Trade Ikat

During my trip to Indonesia I discovered Ikat through Oscar Lawaletta’s exhibition in Jakarta. The colors and patterns of Ikat inspired my work, rich in traditional values and culture, Ikat was passed down through generations.

• 30 years ago homegrown Cotton and natural dyes were grown all over Indonesia for Ikat..

• But poor economics, meant that communities were forced to stop growing cotton for extra income as weaving no longer made economic sense.

• With modernization came cheaper cloth and bright chemical dyes

• Threats from the global market forced weavers to act quicker so they abandoned growing cotton and natural dyes
• Pockets of weavers still remain, but in poor marginal areas of Indonesia.

After researching into fair trade organizations, I only found one certified fashion company in the whole of Indonesia.

This business is based in Bali called Threads of Life.

Threads of Life encourages weaving communities to revive techniques of weaving and natural dyeing that are in danger of disappearing.

Clean Batik Campaign

Indonesia has the finest batiks in the world, each piece of cloth can take up to 12 months to create, depending on the quality of design on fabric. Whilst in Indonesia I visited an array of producers who used a range of colours and motifs from different cultures and regions of Indonesia, their are around 13500 designs in total, and more always being made.. A trip to The Ministry of trade highlighted how large the batik industry is their are 48,287 batik producers in Indonesia, who employ 792, 285 workers

Although Batik is a flourishing trade this has come at a price :-

• Batik produces the highest annual emission of CO2 as a result of high dependency on kerosene and electricity.

• The Indonesian Ministry of Environment has identified batik as one of the worst river polluters in the country.

The Clean Batik Initiative, a 4 year program implemented the German Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The Consisting of three components;- sustainable production, sustainable consumption and policy dialogues. By Supporting Batik producers and helping them produce cleaner and greener batik.

Clean Batik Initiative:-

• Trains batik makers in the art of clean batik
• Supports Green production
• Promotes producers internationally
• Supports an International Dialogue

Queen Chenoa of Chanteuse

Chenoa Fox has her own distinct style; she glides in the room with such an elegant slender posture, holding her head high, every movement eloquent, mesmerising and glamorous. Her persona resembles a time when women had short sleek hair, bright red lips, wearing silky shift dresses and sexy lingerie, Chenoa is a modern day 1920s flapper epitomising the spirit of a reckless rebel dancing the night away under the stars.

When I discovered that Chenoa had her own label Chanteuse I was so excited, this was a chance to buy some silky lingerie in the style of a classic French garconne. Miss regenerate caught up with queen Chenoa of Chanteuse for high tea in Bali.

Miss Regenerate ‘Tell me the story of how you founded Chanteuse?’

Queen Chenoa ‘I used to be

a contortionist/burlesque dancer creating all my own costumes, whilst working with Artists from Montréal and circ du soleil.

In 2008 I founded Chanteuse, fuelled by the desire to create something that everyone could be a part of by start something I felt was missing in the world of lingerie.

Chateau's has a timeless feel for a modern women, who like me is also inspired by the 20's and other vintage eras. I work with eco materials such as Organic Cotton, Bamboo and silk whilst exploring the use of fabric combinations and reconstructed vintage.

I recreate high quality pieces for women to wear and look out of the past, without the stitches falling apart and turning to shreds, as so many vintage silk dresses do.

Miss Regenerate ‘What has been your highlights so far?’

Queen Chenoa ‘the highlights! There are So Many, Let's see, when I see beautiful women wearing my designs and there positive reaction to my pieces, When we landed our account with Co Co de Mer, traveling to Bali to make and produce the line and meeting people like YOU!!!’

Miss Regenerate blushes. ‘Why thank you’

‘What inspires your work as a designer and creative each season?’

Queen Chenoa ‘Inspiration is endless and comes from everything I can see feel and hear, Music is a huge inspiration hence the Name' Chanteuse. Last night I saw a band called Fish Tank Ensemble and I was so moved by the range of the Singer I wanted to make her the perfect dress to wear on stage. Many different Designers and Iconic performers are always inspiring but most of all my close friends who are the most amazing artists and creative people I know, but I am inspired most of all by Love and Passion.’

Miss Regenerate ‘What (ethical) new designer labels are you into at the moment?

Queen Chenoa ‘Stella McCartney and Regenerate Clothing ’

Miss Regenerate ‘Who would you like to wear your clothes in the future?’

Queen Chenoa ‘Zooey Deschanel, Audrey Tatou, Marion cotillard, Dita von Tease, Kate Moss you!’

Regenerate Indonesia Intro

Hello I'm May Cortazzi (AKA Miss Regenerate), I am thrilled and feel very honored to be one of the five short listed for the British Councils UK Fashion Entrepreneur Award 2010. Over the next four weeks I will be blogging to you about my crazy and colorful experiences within the Indonesian fashion Industry.

The first week I will undertake an organized tour organized by the Council which is hosted by a lifestyle magazine called Femina, where I'll be experiencing a varied and exciting journey of The Indonesian Fashion Industry, from the perspective of a designer, Shop collaborator and ethical education campaigner. I will call this experience Regenerate Indonesia, as I'm hoping to learn as much as possible about Indonesia in the context of fashion and looking to spread Regenerate to a global market, collaborating with the people I meet on the way, Miss Regenerate Style. If you are curious as to know what my style is then check out my websites for The Shop and Regenerate.

I will be spending next 10 days in Jakarta, Bandung and Solo visiting a whole range of cultural centers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs with the view of gaining a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges that wait for me in this exciting new emerging economy.

I have then extended my trip an extra 3 weeks, where I will be meeting and living with key workers, designers, artists and collectives. Developing ideas and exciting new opportunities.. my lips are sealed into this leg of the journey, so you will just have to stay tuned and follow me on twitter and facebook. ;)

So with an expandable suitcase the size of Brazil next stop is Gatwick airport, where I will meet my fellow entrepreneurs.

Read about this trip here:-

http://ukyfe.wordpress.com

May Cortazzi

Self Styled London

I Lover her look!!! Photos by Anthony Lycett

Miss Regenerate Shortlisted for UK Fashion Entrepreneur Award

Designer May Cortazzi has been shortlisted as a finalist for the UK Fashion Entrepreneur Awards 2010. The shortlist of 5 was announced at a ceremony at London Fashion Week, selected by Paul Alger of UK Fashion Exports, Maurice Mullen, Head of fashion at Evening Standard, legendary designer Anne Tyrell and Sarah Mower, the ambassador for Emerging talent at The British Fashion Council.

The shortlist was selected after 12 finalists presented their thoughts and ideas of developing the fashion industry in the UK.

Finalists will visit Indonesia in March, on a tour that aims to provide a ‘short hand’ of the industry with the chance to meet industry leaders as well as peers, to understand how business is done there. This is an amazing opportunity for talented individuals to increase their international networks and gain valuable insights.

May is the founder of ethical fashion label Regenerate Clothing, director of fashion at Shop, based in Nottingham and ethical fashion campaigner and mentor.

'I am thrilled to be on the Shortlist, I feel honored and extremely lucky that I have this opportunity to expand our networks for Regenerate Clothing and Shop both nationally through the Young Creative Entrepreneurs Network and Internationally! I am really looking forward to traveling to Indonesia with The British Council and understanding more about art and fashion culture out there and hopefully will be able to build some life long business relationships.'

This award champions those who are passionate about fashion, innovators looking for entrepreneurial ways to move the UK fashion industry forward and looking to broaden their international business opportunities build network.

For more information on May Cortazzi please visit:-www.regenerateclothing.com

Regenerate Drapers

'The key trend this season is 'The Remix' where sport luxe blends with traditional street denim styles to update young fashion'.Regenerate is highlighted as this seasons must have label to buy, we are working from inside the industry to make the world a little happier and alot better dressed with are ethically sourced clothing. For more information visit:- www.regenerateclothing.com

Backstage with John Galliano

One of the things I love about John Galliano is the effort he puts in to Fashion styling, hair and make up. I have been to hundreds of ethical/eco fashion shows, only to leave feeling disappointed by the lack of imagination and effort that goes into hair and make up. Catwalk is all about telling the story of your collection through all your senses, I hope that by next next my collection is built up and I can put on a Regenerate show that changes the face of ethical fashion!

Martin Margiela

I have just came across this key chain by Martin Margiela, a really innovative way of using old and broken locks, zippers, key rings and disused keys, and making chunky neck laces and charm bracelets.

Martin Margielas show room Space my idea of heaven

This is Martin Margielas showroom studio, my idea of a dream! Refined down, carefully selected, streamline, glamour meets punk and a bit of disco! I plan to create a similar look to this at my Shop, where later on this year I will be curating an ethical fashion exhibition, where items are actually for sale too.

Josh Goot

I'm loving this outfit by Josh Goot, this tailored jacket is such a perfect shape and the shoulders are padded to make a woman feel powerful but sexy!

The splats are really creative and eccentric and you could easily buy a second hand jacket and create this look in your own style whilst reducing those waste mountains! This suit would look great with one of our white black and white Regenerate vest and some sneakers!

Ping Ping time for some Kling by Kling

Kling by Kling, is on the pulse this season, check out these graphics I absolutely love them, they are clean, fresh, monotone and quirky. I also love this shoot all the models shot lying on the floor and doodled onto. The silhouette and styling is almost like snow Clowns have raided the toy box and have jumped out of a jack in the box!

MJM Spring Summer 2010 Fresh Upbeat and Inspired by the Streets

I am loving these FRESH Colours and shapes of MJM Spring Summer 2010 Collection, you can easily recreate this look customizing your leggings, t-shirts and using 2 metre lengths of jersey draped and stitched with little waste. Lets get stitching!

Cutting it fine at Ground- Zero

I Love this new Collection by fashion label Ground-Zero based on Consumerism all the prints are inspired by things we see everyday. I also love the way the pieces have been cut in basic block shapes with little seams, creating minimum waste and maximum comfort!

Devendra Banhart Lover <3

Devendra Banhart is an fabulous fashion icon,

both musically and stylistically he expresses

himself in a eclectic mix which merges itself

between rock n roll, vintage, phycedellic hippy!

Devendras face always looks amazing in make

up, black eyeliner, bindis, beards and tattoos,

he is a modern day Jim Morrison.

Our new Regenerate Collection is inspired

by him!

Henry Hollands designer t-shirts

Im loving these T-shirts by Henry Holland , for those with a unhealthy obsession with fashion, printed on ethically made t-shirts, Im going to wear mine with a organic Regenerate Hoody!

Heres what i'd do to your Flag John Galliano

This is what i'd do with previous blog post on John Gallianos pirate flag... modelled by Alison Mosshart from The kills.