Pearl Lowe launched a successful beginning for her newest collaboration with Peacocks, a discount fashion retailer. The newest line, designed with help from the rocker turned fashion diva, is said to have boosted the value retailer’s Christmas stock trading.

The UK has just under 550 Peacocks stores throughout the country, and has reported their like-for-like sales over the past eight weeks up until January 2 rose 17 percent with the introduction of the Pearl Lowe inspired designs. Overall sales for the company increased by 13 percent.

Chief Executive of the company, Richard Kirk, commented that prior to Christmas consumer confidence in the produce was at a higher level than the firm had predicted, and that sales had been increasing due to the “Pearl Lowe for Peacocks” line.

Mr. Kirk added that overall the fashion retailer had enjoyed a booming Christmas as many consumers were eager to spread a little Christmas cheer after a harsh economic year. The firm was most excited about the highly successful launch of their Pearl Lowe line, which is available at any of the retail outlets now.

Pearl Lowe launched her own fashion line, self-titled after the singer, in 2001. Since then she has gone on to write a book, and record a new album, but has remained a fixture on the London fashion scene. Lowe is mother to four children, and currently resides in Somerset.

The fashion line announcement comes in the wake of the news that The Shop on King’s Road at Bluebird in Chelsea will be carrying the new line exclusively.

The Shop is a popular, high-end boutique situated in London’s fashion district in Chelsea. The new brand has been dubbed the “S2A X KOL” and will feature a limited edition small range of 12 items.

Surface To Air, a popular film and fashion company, is collaborating and producing the line for the rock band which will be available only at The Shop in London. Despite being branded with the Kings of Leon band name, the design is mostly originating from Surface To Air, but the styles will be influenced by the band’s own attire.

Kings of Leon are just the latest in a string of actors, singers, and models to be hitting the fashion scene, using their influence in the industry to make their designs available to the public. Other popular singers including Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, and others have also launched fashion lines based on their glam, rocker-centric digs.

No details on the Kings of Leon line have been released regarding prices or time-frame, but the line is expected to be a limited edition run and only feature 12 different designs. Fans of the band can head over to The Shop in Chelsea to check out the fashion line.

A new fashion show geared towards promoting ethical fashion products will take place this year in Bristol on February 25. The show, sponsored by the Fairtrade Foundation and the Ethical Fashion Forum, will be held at the city’s Century Cathedral and showcase both afternoon and evening performances.

The Fairwear Fashion Show was created to highlight various brands in high-end fashion that focus on certified Fairtrade cotton as well as other design teams that are members for the World Fair Trade Organization.

The Fairtrade Foundation has been raising awareness for fair trade products in the fashion industry causing more and more brand names and labels to focus on producing and using materials that stem from an ethical working and labour environment.

Laura Ashley and Debenhams, large retailers in the UK, have begun showcasing several of the Fairtrade Foundations brand names such as 5G range, which will have a section at the upcoming fashion show. Fairtrade cotton comes from all over the world and is 100 percent ethically produced.

The show will feature several celebrity endorsements as well including Emma Watson’s new line of fair trade fashion products. Ms. Watson worked with People Tree, a leading fairtrade design firm, to create a line of fashion products. Popular UK actor, James Redmond, will be MC for the fashion show.

Also featured in the community oriented fashion show will be students from Filton College, a local fashion college which will aim to have aspiring design students showcase some of their work.

Bellwether-based John Lewis, a retailer, recorded a monumental surge in holiday sales during the Christmas period. Additionally, the Bellwether retailer recorded their best week in trading ever prompting a forecast of slow, but steady recovery for spending in 2010.

John Lewis said in a statement about trading that the total sales for all 29 stores over the five week Christmas holiday ending on January 2, 2010 showed an increase of 15.8 percent when compared with this same time last year. Like-for-Like sales were up as well rising 12.7 percent.

Andy Street, the managing director for the retailer, announced that the company’s Christmas sales were nothing short of excellent. He added that customers had shown a huge interest in the company’s offers coupled with a range of great products for the holiday season.

Mr. Street continued explaining that the stores across the UK had seen a number of previous holiday sales records broken this year. A feat not easily accomplished during an economic downturn. The food division, Waitrose, a sister company for John Lewis retailers also did well in the holiday shopping weeks.

Waitrose has been called one of the most quickly expanding supermarkets in the UK and recorded a sales increase of 20.8 percent over the holidays. Retailers seem to be slowly recovering after the crippling recession, however, Neil Saunders, a consulting director for Verdict, said that John Lewis’ sales are not representative of recovery on all of high street.

London has one of the hottest fashion weeks in the world. Rivaled only by Paris’ fashion week, the London fashion week attracts industry insiders and players from all over the world. London is known for its fashion year-round, but the end of February is a time not-to-be missed in this capital city.

The yearly London Fashion Week brings out the young, the rich, the famous, and the fashion icons from all over the globe and is one of the most anticipated social calender events of the season. However, London Fashion Week is not just for the wealthy, stylish, and beautiful. Having celebrity status or a million pounds in the bank is not necessary to enjoy the amazing creations making their way down the infamous catwalk.

London Fashion Weekend, which this year will be held from February 25th-28th, will take place at the Somerset House and feature designers like American Retro, Lulu Guiness, Emma Cook, and Luella. Lulu recently told Vogue that she creates many of her own ideas while bathing in a hot bath.

Beauty experts will be on hand as well, and many local retailers will be offering knock-out sales on all of this year’s favourite designers. Londoner hair and beauty experts are also on-hand so happy shoppers can get their hair and make-up done to match their fantastic new purchases.

Professional shows will also be feature showcasing new designs for 2010. Catwalk shows are held at the British Fashion Council catwalk and guests can secure tickets to check-out the newest trends.