Take a look at Grazia’s inside scoop on Markus Lupfer’s SS12 preview at St Martin’s Lane Hotel. Kookie or just plain Cuckoo, we’re not sure, but what we do know is how much we love the collection which has just arrived in-store!

Markus Lupfer’s characterful knits have earned him such varied and fabulous fashion fans from Mary Charteris to Rihanna, Olivia Palermo to Beyoncé and even P Middy. The fash pack adores the German-born designer too, and he certainly knows how to take the catwalk crowd off their strict runway schedule with an exciting presentation. His spring/summer’12 offering (which is dropping in stores right now) was basically a (very fun) fashion zoo installed at the St Martins Lane Hotel. Much to our delight, the models got in touch with their animal instincts (with the help of some rather hilarious animal nose prosthetics – baboon was the best) to bound around in Lupfer’s jungle jumpers. You can see the full video (directed by the ever-cool Tabitha Denholm) above. But of course, we had some equally serious questions lined up for the designer…

Grazia Daily: So Markus, if you were reborn as an animal, what would you be?

Markus Lupfer: I would be a turtle… living in the tropics, taking it easy and being well protected.

GD: And if you weren’t a fashion designer, what would you do to make a living?

ML: I would either be an Architect or an Astronomer…. I cannot keep my eyes off the TV when Stargazing is on!

GD: We asked you at your presentation, what was the one animal you’d still like to (but haven’t) sequinned onto your knits and you mentioned dolphins! Is it happening? Or are there any others on your to-zoo list?

ML: Still loving the dolphins, but also penguins now, which we’ve actually developed for AW 12/13!

GD: Ooh, can’t wait to see those. Let’s hope it’s a ‘Happy Feet’-inspired presentation for next season then. But seriously, was it hard to talk to the models on the day of your presentation? What with their snouts glued on and all…

ML: The girls were all fantastic and they completely immersed themselves into their characters. The presentation was a lot of fun and the day was full of laughter. Just like a fashion zoo!

GD: Who is your favourite A-list Markus Lupfer-wearer and why?

ML: I couldn’t pick one! We love all our celebrity and non-celebrity wearers, however it’s always a lovely surprise and to see celebs like Rihanna and Beyoncé wearing the label. And I how could I not mention Olivia Palermo? She has been so loyal and always looks so fabulous in Markus Lupfer.

GD: You’ve already got a great cult following, but is there anyone in particular that you’re still keen to see in your line?

ML: My motto always is “sparkles for everyone” – so the more the merrier!

GD: And as we’re just around the corner from LFW, can you give us any hints about what you are working on at the moment?

ML: I am working on the main Autumn/Winter 2012/13 collection and inspired by textures and dark colours like dark green, dark red, dark purple… I am also obsessing over cartoons and pop-art etchings.

((from Grazia Daily))

Listening to: Marvin Gaye

Best Sellers: Grey and pink austique cashmere jumper

Star Pick: Markus Lupfer shark embellished jumper

Deliveries: Markus Lupfer, Madeleine Thompson,12th Street, Austique, Zimmermann

People are shopping for: Party dresses and transeasonal pieces such as Austique’s lightweight cashmere jumpers and Madeleine Thompson

Spotted: Tilda Swinton

Candle Burning: Voluspa Ceramic Saijo Persimmon

Essie: Mademoiselle

Plans for the weekend: A countryside retreat!

Our dreamy coloured cashmere sweaters, spun from the finest Italian goats wool are in stores NOW and will be available online soon! It is the ultimate transeasonal piece that will keep you looking chic this spring, summer and beyond!

Sarah Harding rocking the Haute Hippie Bowie Jacket £232 available at Austique

To help you get through the months ahead, we’ve compiled a playlist of our favourite feel good tunes… enjoy!

1.”We Found Love” Rihanna 2. “Lets Dance” David Bowie ” 3. The Look” The Metronomy 4. “Bang Bang Bang” Mark Ronson and the Business  5.“Get Some” Lykke Li ( fave artist at the moment be sure to check out her album Wounded Rhymes ) 6.“Pumped Up Kicks” Foster the People 7.“We Can Make the World Stop” Glitch Mod 8.”Love on Top” Beyonce 9.“Cruel Summer” Bananarama 10.“What the Water Gave Me” Florence and the Machine 11.“Mr Blue Sky” ELO 12.“Shuffle” Bombay Bicycle Club 13.“Get it On” T-Rex 13. “Levels” Avicii (the ultimate feel good song)

What is Firefly?

It is a magical combination of the most delicious fruit juices and natural botanical extracts with no added sugar or artificial ingredients, formulated to tickle your taste buds, quench your thirst and energise your senses!

I know… we spoil you!

We are looking for a customer care manager to join our rapidly expanding online team. This is your opportunity to join the fastest growing side of our business at an early stage where you could really make a difference. Candidate must be available to start in February 2012 in line with the launch of our brand new website.  Please email all cvs with a covering letter to aalish@austique.co.uk. Full details below.

Austique.co.uk Customer Care and Fulfilment Manager

To start asap

• Process and fulfil all online and telephone orders
• To follow up customer email and telephone enquiries, responding promptly and accurately
• To assist customers with any issues with regards to their returns or their orders via emails or by phone
• To offer advice to customers regarding their purchase
• Communicate promptly any information to customers about their orders
• To help customers to register online and/or to process their order
• Deal with complaints and escalation process where necessary
• To handle difficult customers with professionalism
• To be able to deal with customers with late returns and faulty goods
• Liaise with DHL over issues raised by customers with regard to either orders or returns
• Maintain a high level of service awareness at all time
• To help customers with product enquiries
• Optimisation of all potential sales leads – following up abandoned baskets etc
• After purchase care – customer feedback

Essential Skills & Requirements

• Excellent experience with Customer Care in an office environment or on the shop floor
• Fluent language skills required – good written & verbal skills in Cantonese/Mandarin and English
• Good team player
• Excellent keyboard and written skills, articulate with good spelling and grammar
• Excellent communication skills specifically in regard to building relationships with customers
• Reliable and consistent
• Flexible attitude and able to take initiative
• Excellent eye for detail and good organizational skills
• Experience with Microsoft packages
• Must demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of the importance of customer care as a function within the business

1. The most important thing of 2012 HAS to be the introduction of the new Austique website which we hope to launch in the coming weeks.  This will bring a whole new look to our online image and we hope will help you discover all of our fabulous pieces and be able to shop with ease.

2. New talent Lana del ray’s debut album ‘Born to Die’ is in stores from January 30th. If her amazing track ‘video games’ is anything to go by this is going to be a firm favourite on our store playlist.

3. Matilda The Musical – The Cambridge Theatre.  We have to agree with all the hype after seeing this show last week.  It really is a must in 2012 and we are just hoping the opportunity arises where we have to go again soon!

4. Austique’s first global collection for spring/summer 2012 will be launching throughout the UK and overseas at the start of February.  Expect gorgeous candy colours with our famous glamour and girly edge to all the pieces.

5. The Delaunay, Aldwych. Newly opened restaurant from the famous Wolsely team that evokes glamour and grandeur throughout. The breakfast is a must and the service exceptional.  Just take our advice and wait until you have firmly given in on the new years resolution as you will definitely want to order everything off the menu!

6. New deliveries!!! Luxurious tee label Monrow will be arriving throughout the year online and in store.  These super soft basics come in an array of rainbow colours and are the easiest way of updating your wardrobe throughout the seasons.

7. ‘Ballgowns, British Glamour since 1950′ V&A museum -19 may. This is going to be a spectacle for every fashion lover to see many of the most outstanding evening pieces over the last decades. Designers include Alexander McQueen, Jonathan Saunders, Erdem, Giles Deacon and Jenny Packham  … Need we say more!

8. On the theme of spectacular dresses this year sees the Queens Diamond Jubilee and it looks set to be a wonderful celebration (not least because of the 2 bank holidays in a row that we all get!)  Sure to include many street parties and royal themed events – this WILL be the start to a great summer.

9. The Olympics. The big one we’ve all been counting down to.  Even if you weren’t lucky enough to get tickets we predict the sport theme is going to spread and become a huge trend this summer.

10. The Great Gatsby. With Baz as the director and a cast including Leo and Carey this has surely got to be the film of the year.  Not released till the 25 December 2012 but we are already counting down till the 1920s glamour and frivolities hit our screens.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!