YLB for Wallis
the story behind YLB for Wallis
Yasmin's first foray into fashion design came in the form of two collections of clothing, jewellery, and accessories for British retailer Wallis. The collaboration was the result of an invitation by Sir Philip Green, owner of the Arcadia group (which also includes TopShop, Evans, Dorothy Perkins, and Miss Selfridge to name a few). "In a bit of a dark place" at the time, she accepted Green's offer. "He saw that it was something I needed to do,"" she recalled.
click to watch the behind the scenes video of Yasmin working with Wallis to design her collection
She was reportedly involved in every aspect of production, from the pattern-cutting to the final fitting. "Yasmin would have slept in the office if we had let her," said Green. Yasmin added during an interview at Wallis, "Yes, I'm here all the time. It's given me a whole new purpose."
I can't just put my name to something to me that's completely meaningless, if I'm going to do something I'm going to be involved all the way and it's been a fantastic learning curve.
Her objective was to design clothes that filled a niche: that appeal to the 40something woman who, like herself, is tired of Topshop and does not feel as confident about her body but still wants to look chic and feel good.
the YLB for Wallis style
in Yasmin's own words...
click to watch Yasmin shoot for the YLB for Wallis autumn 2009 campaign and talk about the collection
"What I wanted and what we've made are good quality, comfortable, fashionable clothes that don't overpower you. You have to shine."
"I'm obsessed with high-neck things. You're covered up but it's sexy, and I've always loved long dresses. Covering up can be a lot sexier than being uncovered. My body has changed, so feeling comfortable and confident, while accentuating the bits that are OK, is important."
"I'm proud of it, and if no one likes it, well, I like it. The remit was to design clothes purely for myself – they're edgy and rock'n'roll, but grown-up."
"We've used high-quality fabrics, because that's really important to me; you can be covered from neck to toe, but if the fabric feels great you will exude a kind of confidence and sensuality that you wouldn't if you were walking around in a bikini."
"I wanted the clothes to feel good and then you feel good too. It's all about the touch and feel, that's what makes you feel sexy and confident."
I like clothes that last for decades. These pieces won't date.
the autumn/winter 2009 campaign
the holiday 2009 campaign
the spring/summer 2010 campaign
My Fashion Life: Yasmin Le Bon's first collection will most definitely put Wallis into the fore-front of high street fashion. [...] My personal favourites from the collection are the sweeping, to-the-floor dresses that just scream GLAMOUR! The red, burgundy, grey and green dresses are very reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour and also of catwalk designs by Gucci and Versace. [...] I can predict many a young starlet trying to get their hands on these dresses for red carpet events! [...] Her leather military jacket and her heavy duty military winter coats are similar to Balmain creations for Spring/Summer 2009. [...] From plain tea dresses in red and black, bang on trend, long sleeved mini dresses in green and black and long sleeved, high necked blouses in navy and green, the collection manages to embody both what young professionals and what yummy mummies want from their wardrobes. Yasmin's creations are just what Wallis need for the great British public to become reacquainted with the stylish nature of the high street brand. Yasmin has impressively created her vision; to create a 'timeless collection.'
Cosmopolitan UK: Supermodel Yasmin le Bon is the latest star to try her hand at designing for the high street and we're loving the outcome! [...] Inspired by the favourite items from her own lust-worthy wardrobe; the timeless pieces are glamorous yet wearable and classic enough to wear at any age.
Easy Living: Her collection - YLB for Wallis - is a tightly edited, altogether covetable selection of pieces aimed squarely at the fabulous 40-something, but with a little something for everybody else. [...] And - praise be - it's affordable.
Daily Mail: Oh yeah - another supermodel collaboration I thought before I saw the collection. But it's very Yasmin Le Bon and you can see it's true when they say she has had a complete hands-on 100% involvement in this which will be an ongoing project. Even down to hand-stiching cuff-details. The collection is all muted chic colours, fluid easy wearing but stylish pieces with a real exclusive-vintage feel to the fabrics. The quality for the high street is very good - silk blouses that transcend seasons in black, mustard, and beige - a great silk dress with pleat details at the neckline and my favourite - a funky blue velvet jacket.
soFeminine.co.uk: Yasmin Le Bon's debut for Wallis challenges any preconceptions. The 20 piece collection is a stunning mixture of vintage references and homage to her own Iranian roots especially in the accompanying jewellery range. ...there isn't the slightest hint of disposable fashion here - these are pieces which will span across seasons and could even become staples. There are several investment buys at accessible prices within the range including dramatic floor-sweeping silk dresses, cashmere and silk knitted dresses and velvet shawl collar jackets.
Fashion Trendsetter: ...what I think will really make this collection a sell-out is not just the beautifully rich fabrics and exquisite design, but Yasmin's wish to create comfortable clothing for women to radiate confidence in. She's not just taken into consideration how she wants women to look but most importantly how she wants them to feel.
A Rose Beyond the Thames: Wandering past Wallis on Oxford Street earlier this week I saw this bright, peridot green dress and had to stop. It's part of the Yasmin le Bon for Wallis collection and is stunning. I saw a picture of Yasmin wearing this recently and assumed it was a designer number. [...] I am not a big fan of celebrity ranges but I really wanted quite a few pieces of this one and I liked the mood of it - good pieces designed by someone who has been in the industry a very long time and probably doesn't need to be working but, it would seem, has put time and thought into the clothes with her name on them.
Red Carpet Fashion Awards: Celebrities designing is all the rage. We've had the good: Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss. The bad: Lauren Conrad and the ugly Heidiwood by Heidi Montag. [...] It made it's [sp] debut 2 weeks ago, and already it's in the good category for me as Yasmin has been the perfect brand ambassador wearing several pieces from the collection at high profile events. [...] Who knew fashion this fabulous could be so affordable.
dexigner.com: There's no denying that Wallis isn't renowned for cutting edge fashion and with a younger sister like Topshop always in the limelight it's hardly surprising they've fallen into the shadows in the last few years. Until now, back with vengeance and a super heroine who goes by the name of Yasmin Le Bon leading the way, Wallis are sure to pick up more than a few fashion credentials this autumn. [...] The collection is sexy yet demure and comprises of 20 versatile pieces that are classically timeless. Key pieces that really stand out are the cream silk tunic with a delicate purple floral design and matching silk necktie and a green one shoulder maxi dress that Yasmin has already been snapped wearing. Her creations are understated and luxuriously chic, and all polished off with ethnic and vintage inspired jewelery.
sip blog: When we heard about her line with Wallis we knew it would ooze everything that makes Yasmin so wonderful - and we were right; mature and chic yet still maintaining an edgy rock & roll feel. ...we think the collection is perfect for the modern woman.
Daily Mail Liz Jones's pick of the fall season: THE SECOND KEY COAT The navy military. I love Yasmin Le Bon's for Wallis. At £150 it's a bargain, given it is embroidered and lined. It looks great for day over a skirt or jeans, and fabulous slung over an evening dress.
The Sun: fashion rating: 9/10 Wearable, affordable and elegant. Yasmin's first ever collection for Wallis features well thought-out, flattering pieces that even the fashion eds are sporting.
Style Junkee: The collection's 15 stunning designs are available online at ylbwallis.com, and we're loving pretty much every piece. [...] On trend nude tones are mixed with soft prints, luscious Prussian blues and shades of grey smoke. For the ultimate daytime glamour team silk harem trousers with silk knits and a soft taupe suede jacket or go sexy but demure with a bodycon knitted dress. Yasmin is clearly as at home in the design studio as she is on the catwalks.
Liverpool Daily Post: The silk asymmetric cloud print maxi dress and a black maxi dress in silk with silver chain back design are expected to be must-have items while the slinky racer back tee and suede waistcoat will be cherished items for years to come.
Ladies First: The second YLB collection at Wallis landed in stores last week and boy were we impressed! [...] But luckily, timeless is the word we were left with, as the collection of elegant dresses epitomised femininity with their cut, and promised to serve us well again and again with their classic clean styles, and key colours. Black, lavender greys and earthy creams were the key shades running through the range of sleek floor length dresses and fitted to-the-knee cocktail frocks, with dramatic splashes of cobalt blue to keep things alive and zingy.
that's not my age: [Yasmin's] venture into fashion design, is, as you'd imagine, elegant, infinitely wearable and timeless.
W.A.S.P.: Maxi dresses in luxurious silk crepe and satin, silk knitted tops combined with harem trousers and suede jackets creating the tribal trend that's key for this season. [...] Summer brings an outstanding asymmetric sky printed maxi dress, printed knee length silk dresses and more suede pieces [...]. 'YLB for Wallis' is a sophisticated range combined with style and glamour stamped with the Yasmin Le Bon signature with ruching, pleating and feminine ruffles present in her designs.
Look: Yasmin Le Bon's latest range for Wallis has just dropped and we reckon it's her best yet! From colour-pop minidresses, chic tailoring and tribal-print maxis, this range is going to be a tough one to resist. The electric blue silk dress is top of our wish list – perfect for day or night.
Telegraph: A collection of dreamy dresses, from practical but pretty styles in cotton, to floor-sweeping slik [sp] maxis with open backs, the mother-of-three's latest pieces make for effortless summer dressing.
Daily Mail: Her maxi dresses are perfect for summer – our money is on this elegant mauve number.
Vogue UK: From flowing jersey dresses to silk maxis and luxe suede waistcoats, the collection has plenty of covetable pieces, so expect a stampede when it arrives on www.ylb4wallis.com on March 29.
jackets and waistcoats
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