Armand Basi

Set to be one of the hottest tickets at this months London Fashion Week, the style-savvy fashion pack have their beady eyes well and truly fixed on Spanish label Armand Basi. Not that the brand is in any way new – it began as a family textile business back in the 1940’s, overseen by Josef (the financial brains behind the operation) and Armand Basi (the expertly trained knitwear expert). The eponymous brand was established in the 1970’s and quickly earned an reputation for its avant-garde designs and innovative knitwear techniques.

These days the brand is distinctly international. With it’s roots (and design rooms) still firmly planted in Barcelona, the label now has stores in London, Barcelona, Madrid and the Canary Islands to name just a few locations. Last season Marcus Lupfer took up the reigns of the womenswear design and has since set about putting the brand firmly in the eye of the fashion storm. The London Fashion Week debut last September was a thoroughly pleasing and much talked spring/summer 08 collection, that mixed slouchy knitwear and voluminous tutus, culminating in quite frankly bonkers spherical pom-pom dresses. Lupfer also roped in his best friend, who conveniently happens to be accessories designer Katie Hillier, to produce raffia fringed shoes and enormous clutches that instantly hit the tops of the fashion editor’s must-have list.

With a roll call of celebrity followers and an ever expanding group of hard-core fashion fans queuing to snap up the label’s designs, it seems that Armand Basi is the label to be seen in – get in on the act now by heading to the store at 189 Westbourne Grove or visit www.armandbasi.com for more stockist details.