His company, Alexander McQueen, said in the statement today: “On behalf of Lee McQueen’s family, Alexander McQueen today announces the tragic news that Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of the Alexander McQueen brand, has been found dead at his home. At this stage it is inappropriate to comment on this tragic news beyond saying that we are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee’s family.

Lee’s family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with this terrible news and we hope the media will respect this.”

Forget about the factories of China that seem to dominate the british high street these days. Melbourne houses one the worlds next hot brands in the form of luxury knitwear that not only helps to stave off the winter chill but stands for chic style which is enough to make any city girl look her best and keep herself right on trend!

Made from the finest Australian and European wool the collection contains essential pieces of clothing that scream sophistication and elegance. From dresses to coats, there is a wearable array of stylish designs that cater for every occasion.

Knitwear has never been at the top of the list when it comes to fashion, but Intarsia’s designs have a subtle current running right through their collection. The designs are infused with a modern and fresh twist that bring figure hugging mini dresses to wearable mini skirts and military inspired jackets that keep an up to date look but with a more simplistic tone.

Keep your eye on Intarsia… there is more to come!

For more information go to www.intarsiamelbourne.com or get in touch with Ailsa Mellinis on +44 (0)77 2458 9996 in London.

This quintessential english brand has been leading the mens luxury goods market since 1893. In recent times we have seen Jude Law become the face of the evolving fashion house which has drawn the attention of many classic mens eyes with a revamped and stylish collection to keep the brand ahead of the game.

Kim Jones has created a stunning collection for SS 2010. Based on tradition and simplicity, the suits are classic and subtle. The 21st century twist comes through with the simple detailing and modern accessories. We see the addition of shorts with shirts giving a youthful edge to the overall impression which seals Dunhill as a brand which isn’t afraid to embrace change while still keeping it’s core style – the fail safe classic man.

The Christmas preview was a feast of tantalizing gadgets and games. My favorites include the Sentryman Explorer Pen (From a limited edition of 150) inspired by the needs of south pole explorers. It sports a pressurized refill which prevents the ink from freezing as well as an artificial flint to light a fire. A stunning design which any man would be proud to write with.

My other wish list item is the Crocodile Panel holdall. Created from layers of hard-wearing crocodile hide dyed a rich, chocolate brown it cuts a chic bag that would impress any man on the move. Water resistant and with a sliding palladium lock it is every bit the practical holdall.

The creme de la creme is the games compendium which comprises of a shagreen-covered box and cedar wood boards for chess, backgammon and noughts and crosses, all complimented by sterling silver playing pieces. This comes in an exclusive shagreen artist designed box which also includes dunhill playing cards, poker dice, bridge score cards and dunhill gaming pencils. With a price of £25k this truly is for the man who has everything.

Balmain has single handedly sparked a billion dollar frenzy on the high street. Every chain store you visit has tones of Christophe Decarnin’s creations throughout their entire collections. From big super shoulders to sequins, I am not sure if I have ever seen such homage paid to just one fashion house. Balmain’s SS 2010 collection continues to push the boundaries and, although touching on old styles, has managed to add the modern and stunningly chic twist to all of decarnin’s designs.

The super sleek army of models conveyed the military inspired chic designs to perfection. From tattered T-shirts to distressed jeans, bullet belts (and holes) to huge shoulders, all the trappings of Decarnin’s creativity were present. We see leather trousers teamed with military green jackets which were fitted around the feminine form showing a youthful vibe with a sophisticated elegance. Ragged suede dresses and almost cave like gold loincloth pushed for ultra sexy.

There is no doubt that Balmain is still right at the top of the chain and every girl is going to want to sport his designs, wether that be the original or the the endless copies that are almost certainly being drawn up as I type. Balmain is a trend all on it’s own!

Alber Elbaz has created an exceptional and original collection for SS 2010. We see color, supreme glamour and true Lanvin aesthetic pleasure. It seems to me that Elbaz was born to be united with Lanvin.

The candy colors of pink, peach and salmon were a breath of fresh air after the first sequence of black. The stunning red carnation dress took my breath away and we see fine leather, gold sequins and the costume jewelry that we are used to from Elbaz…. but bigger and bolder than ever before.

If there was one trend throughout it was ruffles. The fabric seemed effortlessly ruffled and draped over the body giving a pleasing vision of understated sophistication. The jumpsuits, with no hint of 80’s… phew, were elegantly draped and pleated which should be enough to push this trend forward into a whole new chic style. Like it’s other Parisian counterparts, Lanvin showed bare shoulders and long limbs bringing out an ultra sexy tone.

Lanvin deserved every gasp for it’s fabulous creations which helps keep the fashion house securely at the top with a collection that will be remembered.

Nicholas Ghesquiere did a dramatic shift from cocktail wear to a more urban feel at Balenciaga for SS 2010. Complete with ‘hoodies’ the collection took on an almost sporty feel. “I wanted to do something urban. No more history for the moment!” he was heard saying backstage.

We see lots of fine leather, geometric colorful prints and mini dresses which added a fresh, futuristic tone. The tubular ankle open toed boots completes each look perfectly which gave a slight edge to the urban theme.

The high street will try and copy all these designs but Balenciaga’s craftsmanship is impossible to imitate. The urban warrior look was tied together by using recycled fabrics, hemp weave, fine leather and tribal twists no to mention the bold and colorful makeup.

Paris has truly done it’s best for the SS 2010 season and the best has just got better. Each of these three houses will influence the fashion industry and this kind of creativity demands nothing else.

Copyright notice: Photos by Marcio Madeira, source style.com. All models are represented by respective agencies. Text by Jason Stringer for SHINE Magazine.

A hot trend to come out for SS 2010 is white and Gucci opened their show with the same. Frida Giannini showed us an ultra glamourous, slight sci-fi and almost sporty look. The collection set a modern tone which Giannini seemed to sometimes avoid in previous seasons but it radiated energy and youth from start to finish while still encapsulating the Gucci girl with parachute jackets and crocodile bikers.

We see the little black dress with mess paneling, high waisted leggings teamed with jackets all cut to hug the body bringing a chic sexy feel which is enough to go from daytime to playtime. Muted hues of white and grey where orange added a playful flare in almost tribal patterns all adorned with metallic belts which made for a simplistic, but alluring look.

Every season I think the same, Frida Giannini finest to date, but this was a truly brilliant collection which appeals to the core Gucci It girl and a new generation of style setters keeping the fashion house fresh and revitalized with an eye on the future.

Miuccia Prada is usually known for her more complex stories and broody undertones but this season sees a straightforward collection for the “how life is today” girl which made a refreshing change and captures todays mood perfectly. We see business dress with angular lines combined with raw edges which pushed for classical combined with modernity.

There was a beach feel with prints including palm trees and beach umbrellas taken from images of a man made resort in Japan. The bermudas added the raw edge which seemed to play precisely on current affairs and added a slight Prada under current however understated.

Her SS 2010 collection is teaming with wearable Prada with most designs minimal and chic but for the true Prada fans we see crystal embroidered tops, adding the show stopping pieces that make up the core Prada we all love.

Donatella Versace drew her inspiration for SS 2010 from Tim Burton’s new film Alice in Wonderland. We see a collection full as pastels and geometric prints teamed with short skirts and sexy chain-mail. The classy style was inspiring with glossy hair and sexy long legs which overcame the previous ‘grown up’ seasons to reveal a Donatella all on her own rather than the nineties Gianni we expect from Versace.

The skirts are truly super mini but rather than coming across as tacky, the Versace of today made the whole look effortlessly chic and playful. The colors are vivid and optimistic which made the collection fresh and standout from the rest of milan Fashion Week. The suits are body hugging and wearable while marking a change from previous seasons. The core Versace girl will be eager to embrace the new season and glam up spring.

Milan had an unmistakable air of optimism and there is plenty of fresh collections to embrace and invigorate. A fantastic season to look forward to. SHINE will be bringing you the top 10 hit lists to keep you up to date for spring/summer 2010.

Copyright notice: Photos by Marcio Madeira, source style.com. All models are represented by respective agencies. Text by Jason Stringer for SHINE Magazine.

Having graduated from the ARTEZ Academy of Arts in Arnhem, Herpen interned at Alexander McQueen and Claudy Jongstra, she presented in Amsterdam and Tokyo Fashion Weeks before hitting London.

This is her sixth collection to date and she presented a conceptual collection with a clear reference to the future. Spring/Summer 2010 explores a relatively unknown field of science, the body’s movement and focusing on the radiations and waves that surround and affect the human body.

“I think that in the future people will find ways to be able to see radiation which will develop a new dimension apart from the body. Imagine we could attract and reject radiation waves as a magnet. “Being beautiful” will then get a totally new and more extended form” says Iris Van Herpen.

The collection, Radiation Invasion, was made up of eleven handmade looks, all asymmetrical making the garments come to life. The leather is engineered to create the waves giving a three-dimensional look in black, beige and gold. These spirals were created in collaboration with artist Bart Hess and help to create the “flow” over the silhouette drawing your attention the feminine form. A youthful, futuristic chic look which had wearable pieces that was enough to convince me that Van Herpen is here to stay. SHINE looks forward to seeing more from this emerging designer as she finds her style and evolves into a world class designer.

Their designs are sporty and youthful with sleek and minimal designs. The spring 2010 collection is their most fresh and youthful to date incorporating looks taken from surfing and skating. Looking into the sporty culture they incorporated track jackets wrapped around waists built right in to tank and shirt dresses pulling off the sporty chic style to perfection.

Tie-dyes appear, with a futuristic twist, made into micro mini dresses and shifts which take a hippie notion and transform it in to a new age sleek style. Their evening dresses were super short showing of the silhouette with a sexy edge which pushed the boundaries but managed to stay chic.

The colours are bold with bright animal prints and tied together with wedged woven sandals matching the brightness of the clothes. This collection is made for the cool girls that are not afraid to standout from the crowd and express their individuality. SHINE will be keeping its keen eye on Proenza Schouler and looks forward to more innovative collections to come.

Starting on Friday 18th September and running until the Tuesday 22nd (Menswear Day 23rd, see our article here) we have an action packed schedule teaming with our favourite designers.

There are over 50 catwalk shows with Paul Costelloe, Sass & Bide, Osman, PPQ, Betty Jackson, Matthew Williamson, Julien Macdonald, Marios Schwab, Burberry Prorsum and House of Holland to name but a few.

This year sees the BFC (British Film Council) celebrate 25 years of British Fashion. As a result of the BFC’s hard work in promoting and developing british fashion LFW now ranks along side New York, Milan and Paris as one of the ‘Big Four’.

SHINE Magazine will be bringing you the catwalk reports as they happen to keep you updated with the best of British.

For the catwalk schedule and more information go to: London Fashion Week.

James Long, Lulu Kennedy & Carolyn Massey

Lulu Kennedy, founder of fashion east, co-curated last seasons day and this season we see a panel of retail and media high hitters advising on the designer selection. We have an eclectic mix of emerging right through to established designers which we here at SHINE can’t wait to see. Carolyn Massey and James Long , recipients of the BFC’s (British Fashion Council) first NEWGEN MEN talent support scheme sponsored by TOPMAN, will open the shows at the BFC venue in Somerset House.

James Long graduated from the Royal College of Art (London) in 2007 with an MA in Menswear and Accessories. He debited his own name collection at London Fashion Week’s MAN show in February 2007, working with AnOther Man / Dazed & Confused menswear editor Bryan McMahon on styling. Following on from this success Long was reselected to show with MAN for the following two seasons.

Carolyn Massey, a 28 year old London based menswear designer, completed her MA at the Royal College of Art in June 2005. After ‘frustration, boredom and demand’ she launched her self-named label, Carolyn Massey in June 2006 in Paris. Known for her quintessentially elegant English cuts and details, a detail obsessive, her work concentrates on what it takes to be a gentlemen.

Fashion East’s menswear installation, curated by Lulu Kennedy, will take place at Somerset House. The 12 designers showcasing as part of the installation are : Blaak, Casely-Hayford, Eastpak by Christopher Shannon, H by Harris, Husam el Odeh, Jaiden rVa James, Jordoan Askill, louise Gray, Martine Rose, Mr Hare, New Power Studio and Sibling.

Savile Row tailors E Tautz and Richard James will be holding presentations in-store. Wintle, usually shown in Paris, will show his collection on the catwalk at Somerset House. MAN will show this season’s three recipients, Christopher Shannon, J.W Anderson and Katie Eary. Lou Dalton will hold a salon style show in The Portico Rooms and A Child of the Jago, co-founded by Vivienne Westwood’s son Joseph Corre in E1. pStore and Tim Soar will close the show.

Nicole Fahri will be holding an evening event in-store celebrating 20 years of her menswear collection.

A truly action packed day with lots to look forward to, SHINE will be keeping you updated with the show reports as they happen.

For the menswear schedule go to www.londonfashionweek.co.uk.

First on the list is Kendi Jewlz. I absolutely love this jewelry site! Remember the famous ‘Carrie’ chain from sex in the city? A lot of jewelers caught on to this trend but no one has the edge like Tracey at Kendi Jewlz. Want it in silver? you got it! Gold? No problem! Diamonds? Of course!/

Her idea was simple. Most things can be custom made so why should it be any different for jewelry? ‘Each piece is designed by you, for you!’ Tracey tells SHINE, ‘All the ranges encompass your personality through messaging so you’re not just wearing a piece of jewelry, but a piece of who you are.’

My favorite piece has to be the ‘Princess Gold Necklace’ from the new autumn collection. Have your name with the first letter in diamonds for an original twist to this cult item of jewelry. Gold is the in color for autumn so you can style up your look with this simple necklace. Not feeling the gold? It is also available in white gold.

When you browse through the site you can not only buy name necklaces but charms necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Have a look at the fluorescent pieces for that all important 80’s trend. The site is delightfully easy to navigate and the the process is quick and easy.

A SHINE trusted shopping experience.

Prices from £18 ($30) to £315 ($515), for more information go to www.kendijewlz.com.