Pistol Panties pops up in Selfridges

British swimwear brand Pistol Panties launches its pop up shop in Selfridges tomorrow.
The brands founder Deborah Fleming explains "I want the new pop-up space to inject energy, colour and craziness into the store, so that everyone will know that spring has arrived and summer is on its way. It will be a real psychedelic experience, think Zebras on acid! The spring/summer 2012 collection, called Psychedelic Rodeo, was inspired by Raquel Welch as a sassy and sexy bandit in the Fifties Western Bandelero''.
Pistol Panties is a great brand, not to my personal taste but quite clearly very successful with girly girls. I just wish their website was more user friendly and represented their brand image/gravitas better. I'd be interested to know where they manufacture, as I'm not sure that its the UK.
However regardless of personal taste I really admire Pistol Panties; I remember the brand from my Surgery PR days, and its great to see how they have developed. After seeing them exhibiting at the Miami swim show in 2008, I thought that's the level I need to get Black Neon to. It takes time and money to grow, plus access to press and buying contacts. Support from the likes of Vogue and Selfridges (the first retailer to stock the brand in 2004) have undoubtedly assisted Pistol Panties to where it is today, but it's the dedication of Deborah her team, especially through hard economic times that have got the brand to where it is today. I really hope that the Selfridges Pop Up this spring translates into cash in the bank for Pistol Panties!
Read more about Deborah Fleming, the British/Colombian designer behind Pistol Panties.

WE ARE NOW OPEN

No need to shy away, get ready for your holidays!
Our new website is up and running.
Buy online at www.blackneon.co.uk
Happy shopping, sunbathing and swimming xxx

BLACK NEON SWIMWEAR SOON AVAILABLE ONLINE

Flying the flag for British swimwear, BLACK NEON's Spring Summer 2011 collection will soon be available to buy online, we are just updating the website, as soon as its ready you can get buying! Watch this space for the launch date!

Getting there.....

Yesterday I picked up samples from Surgery PR to send back to the factory. Finally production is going to begin on valentines day! It's been a very long time coming but finally BLACK NEON is getting there and will have stock ready for spring!


From pattern cutting, first sampling, in the studio to getting the stock online is what I've been waiting for!!!

MARCUS ROSS PHOTOGRAPHY

Marcus' mail send out today very kindly had a lovely word to say about BLACK NEON!!! Thanks Marcus, and thanks again for your work on BLACK NEON. Keep and eye for more exciting developments from Marcus in 2011!


Marcus Ross began his career at i-D Magazine, reaching the position of Fashion Editor which he held for three years. Feeling the need to return to his visual arts roots, Marcus began working towards becoming a professional photographer. With no formal training, he soon began working with a broad range of clients including fashion magazines, newspapers, record labels and brands.
Marcus is recognised for his naturalistic approach inspired by historic portrait and documentary photography. Always looking to keep the 'human' element of his subjects, he never over-complicates a shoot.
Below are some highlights from the last year and some forthcoming projects.


TWEEN ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN S/S11
Having shot the previous season campaign, Marcus was again asked to shoot the S/S11 campaign.
Working with the boxing theme of the collection, Marcus took inspiration from the Stanley Kubrick film "The Day Of The Fight." Shooting at a real gym, formal pieces from the collection could be incorporated. Like the film, the idea was to cast two brothers to model the collection who could play off each other and express a sensitivity that could have been lost in such an environment.
Marcus pays close attention to casting, inspired more by an 'attitude' than an identikit idea of photographic beauty and proportion. Louis and Claude Simonon, from Storm Models, fitted Marcus' vision perfectly.


TWEEN ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN A/W10
Tween's A/W10 collection was inspired by the Teds. Having seen his previous work, which is often inspired by historic youth cultures and shot in a naturalistic style, Marcus was approached by Tween to photograph the campaign.
In order to retain the look and feel of the Teddy Boy culture, Marcus suggested photographing the whole campaign on 35mm film using only the ambient light; a bold suggestion in today's environment where most fashion imagery is shot digitally and extensively retouched. Fortunately, the client felt that this would lend itself to some strong, yet accessible, images, interpreting the collection well.


BLACK NEON LOOKBOOK
Black Neon is an exciting young swimwear brand that clearly understands the need for fashion-orientated swimwear for a hip and stylish market. Whether in Miami or Ibiza, Black Neon understands that the beach is as much a fashion parade as the city.
With a limited budget, Marcus worked with the brand to create a series of images that could be used across various platforms, from a lookbook to web images to press images.
With this in mind, Marcus decided create a simple studio shoot with a white background. He chose to work with a model with a strong yet feminine physique to present the sex appeal of the clothing and a healthy image of a woman.


NIKE SPORTSWEAR ADVERTORIAL
Marcus' working relationship with Nike extends back over a decade. Through this relationship, Nike are very aware of Marcus' interest in cultural details and historical accuracy concerning fashion.
It is with this in mind that Nike approached Marcus to create a series of images for their NSW Destroyer jackets, a collection of jackets influenced by the classic Varsity/Letterman jacket.
Marcus researched the origins and history of the jacket. He also looked at the cultural influence of the jacket beyond the confines of the American "jock." Through this he created 8 images to represent each decade since its invention in the 1930s.


LONDONBIKESTYLE BOOK
LondonBikeStyle is a personal project Marcus has been working on for over 5 years. Photographing a broad range of Londoners with their bicycles, the idea is to present the diverse range of people who ride bikes. The project also touches on notions of community and tolerance.
Shot in a 'street photography" style on 35mm film, each person has chosen the location where they have been photographed. The series of images will create a unique homage to London itself.
Brooks Saddles recently approached Marcus to create a book which will be released later this year.


LEWIS LEATHERS/59 CLUB EXHIBITION
Regarded as the definitive biker brand, Lewis Leathers has dressed everyone from Marlon Brando in The Wild One to the original Rockers to Paul Simonon of The Clash.
Marcus created a series of portraits of true fans of the brand shot on Polaroid 665 negative film. (Some of the last still in existence in the world!!).
He has been asked to exhibit these images alongside documentary photographs of the 59 Club 50th anniversary he has taken at YouthClub, a new gallery space in Soho, which owns image agency, PYMCA.


JOCKS&NERDS MAGAZINE
Last year, Marcus launched his own online magazine, Jocks&Nerds which explores men's fashion through history and culture; themes that Marcus is passionate about and ones that he believes are the driving force behind male sartorial decision-making.
The magazine is a platform for fashion shoots (often shot on film), video interviews, film and book reviews, music events and anything else that takes his fancy.
The magazine has been lauded by a diverse range of fans including Nike, L'Uomo Vogue, Oki-Ni and Red Wings Shoes, to name a few. Jocks&Nerds is looking forward to an exciting 2011

Olga Olsson / Brand Feature

Luxury, Ethics & Craftmanship are at the core of Olga Olsson's beliefs. Named after the founder, Ruth Ferguson's grandmother Olga, the brand is true to the Ruth's heart, and everything that true creation should be. Something I remember Katharine Hamnett mentioned to me in passing was that she 'never wants to make something that hurts someone else'. This ethic is something I think Ruth would certainly identify with. Olga Olsson is made in a small atelier in Rio de Janeiro by 8 very skilled women, who are all paid a fair wage with transport costs covered. In addition to this the fabric is hand painted, by young artisans who are part of an NGO founded by artist Ana Castro. Ana teaches hand painting for textiles, dying, tye dye, batik, silk screen, and dip-dye to apprentices with an aim to create new paths for their lives to take, away from the violent district of Complexo Maré in Rio.




Ruth having previously worked for Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, Hackett and Harrods certainly knows the luxury market, here's hoping that we can put British (Brazilian) swimwear on the map in a similar way to women's ready to wear draws the crowds to London fashion week!
SS11 maybe the first season for Olga Olsson, I don't doubt we will see the brand and its creators blossom. Olga Olsson is by far the hottest swimwear brand I've seen in a long time (apart from Black Neon of course!!)
Meeting Ruth at last months Lingerie Collective has been a blessing in its self, not only is she a lovely girl, it's finally great to have someone in exactly the same boat, to bounce ideas around with!
SS11 will be available next spring online at Olga Olsson.

BLACK NEON @ The Lingerie Collective

Great video courtesy of the lovely ladies from www.knickersblog.com BLACK NEON is featured from 8.30 mins!
I'm not great at being put on the spot, but at least you get to see abit of the collection, plus the other brands including the beautiful Ell & Cee!
This is what 'Knickers Blog' said about BLACK NEON.....
'If you’re less interested in the flowy feminine stuff and want to make a splash instead, you’ll like the brand new swimwear label, Black Neon. Cast in uncompromising colours and bold geometric patterns, this label’s swimwear is designed to create a confident, modern (yet retro) style. Our favourite part of the collection has to be those bold blue silk shorts Jodi shows you, but we also love the strapless bathing suit with its incredibly flattering cut.'

BLACK NEON 8-9-10 August - London Show

BLACK NEON / Lingerie Buyer Brand Feature

Thanks to the lovely ladies at Lingerie Buyer Black Neon has its first brand feature!

New swimwear brand Black Neon has described itself as a labour of love. Produced in the UK, the new collection offers retro and contemporary styles.

Black Neon’s first collection displays a mixture of turquoise and coral against black and pale gold, showcasing a nod to vintage glamour as well as using modern cuts tailored to suit all body types. Created by Jodi Muter, the brand’s designer, the line is her expression of what she believes swimwear should be.

Muter graduated from Kingston in 2001, and after a 6-month stint working in a swimwear factory in Mauritius, she has the tools to launch her own line. After a few unsatisfactory production attempts abroad, Muter has decided to make sure all final sales and production are made in the UK. One of the few swimwear brands to do this, Muter believes that with better communication the UK factories are able to deliver exactly what she wants.

The extensive collection, due for release online in mid July, not only has a vast range of mix and match swimwear for around £145 RRP a set but also has resort pieces made to order. The brand has its own Black Neon blog, where it promotes the brand but interestingly discusses the whole swimwear market, showing a wider awareness of the industry.

For more information, email info@blackneon.co.uk

VIOLET LAKE / New UK Swimwear Brand

Violet Lake was founded by Ursula Lake who has been working as a Fashion Editor for more than 8 years. She currently holds the position of Contributing Fashion Editor for the Sunday Telegraph’s Stella Magazine.
Ursula Lake was frustrated that she couldn't find mix and match tops/bottoms easily, plus the tops fastened with clasps that were difficult to use and often broke, her (and BLACK NEON's) choice of tie fastenings allows for better adjustment to your own size. The fabric used is super soft slinky and lightweight from one of the finest brand Italy has to offer, Jersey Lomellina (the same fabric BLACK NEON uses)
There are four different styles of interchangeable bikini tops and bottoms and all of these come in four different sizes and in eight different colours. Allowing ease of use and a wide range of choice. The website is great, simple and easy to use, and price wise the items are reasonable at around the £45 per item mark.
My personal favourite is the Galore top, and the Kissy bottom, in a bluey/purple colour! Hail another UK swimwear brand!
Buy Violet Lake online at www.violet-lake.com