HIGH SS15

Upon discovering HIGH last season, I instantly fell deeply and utterly in love - with the clothes, the styling, the overall aesthetic, the lookbook, the Icelandic location, the models' faces, the photography and videography...everything. I wanted to disappear into the world conjured by the AW14 collection. A world of being vaguely overdressed, dreamy and a touch melancholic.

The SS15 collection from the Italian-based, British-designed label did not disappoint in the wake of my passionate feelings for last season. Still that gorgeous videography, still those two wonderful models and still that moodiness but transported to a different, though equally lonely landscape (Bardenas Reales in Navarre, Spain). All pools in empty backyards and stretching desert in the distance. Proclaiming themselves "everyday couture", we can see this reflected in the casual clothes made richer and more interesting by expensive detail. A balance of restraint trimmed in lace or crochet or chains. Think breezy, wearable, beautiful clothes. Think denims and cottons, white floaty materials, camo pants, light coats. Touches, again of the cowgirl vibes of last season and contrasting modes of elegant lounging at the house with rugged, distressed looks for exploring the harsh, lovely terrain.

Below is the campaign video. I could watch it all day, it's so gorgeous. Majorly digging the crisp lines of modernity against the craggy wilderness of nature.

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Brand Crush: HIGH

I stumbled across the HIGH lookbook recently, in the window of a shop near where I work. The cover of the hardback lookbook was so gorgeous that I had to go inside and ask about it. I was told the brand was called HIGH and was made in Italy, designed by an Englishwoman, Claire Campbell.

Dat cover.

When I went to research the brand and see more, I discovered that their campaigns are always this gorgeous and conceptual. In fact, I have to say that they're some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. Which makes the fact that I'd yet to hear of them hard to grasp - how are people not raving about these clothes, these images and (dear God) the accompanying videos.

It's also uber-rare for me to want every piece from a collection - even for my most favourite designers - and, yet, that's the case here. They're the contemporary classics, the wearable loveliness, that the brand aims to produce. I never thought I'd utter this phrase...but...Damn, I wanna be a Scandinavian Cowgirl.

Which is the best way I can describe the AW14 collection.

I mean: Dat Stetson. Srsly. Gimme.

Set against a beautifully bleak landscape in Iceland and featuring to lovely, minimally made-up models with moody shots and music....it's really everything I want from a campaign.

Also, the hair is perf throughout.

Sigh.

So in love. Check the images and video below. You shan't be disappointed!

(Images via HIGH)

So, what do you think? As obsessed as me?

I'm off to run around in giddy circles. 

Interview: NATALIEBCOLEMAN (The "B" stands for boss, clearly)

NATALIEBCOLEMAN is a bit of an obsession of mine - regulars of this blog will be aware of this fact. (Fashion obsession, not the bad kind) Aside from how talented she is and how wonderfully unique her collections are, I'm always a cheerleader for Irish talent. And Irish fashion talent? The best. After a couple of write ups of her collections, I reached out to Natalie and she was lovely and kind enough to give me some of her time. Interestingly, aside from being passionate about her work, I found her to be rather funny and amazingly conceptual. Her remarks on the inspiration behind her latest collection are especially interesting. Enjoy and be sure to find the label on facebook, twitter and the online store. 

The A/W 2013 campaign video. Awesome, non?

And now, from the lady herself:

First of all, thank you very much for agreeing to speak to me. As you know, I'm a big fan and I really appreciate your taking the time out to do this. When I look at your clothes I always think that they're distinctly yours. How would you describe your aesthetic and point of view?

No problem, thank you for asking and for your interest in the label. Apologies for the delay, things have been hectic! My point of view is to make clothes that I believe in.

I honestly put so much of me into each collection, firstly the narrative behind each season is very important and has to come from a place of truth for me and I like to have some humour in the story, it has to translate some message to the wearer. What I really want is for women to feel strong, beautiful, cool and confident in my pieces.

I believe in the power of clothes, I always think a dress can change your life. I read a quote recently about how your life is made up of 3 or 4 days where you make life changing decisions and I think clothes can be a part of that. Maybe you are wearing something that has a memory attached that makes you react in a certain way or maybe a dress that makes you feel daring and sexy and you behave in a way you would not normally. 



When did you know that design was what you wanted to do in life? Is there a moment from your childhood that made you think fashion was the way forward?


I have always been in love with clothes, I loved everything to do with them and always associate memories with colours and smells. When I think of my Grandmother I think of being small and burying my head in her apron that had a cornflower blue pattern and always smelt of brown bread. When I think of my mother I remember waiting for her to come out of the room and put on a fashion show for us before she went out, I think of pearls sewn onto black velvet, denim beaded jumpsuits and her collection of kimonos her sister brought back from Asia. My love of fashion is tied up with my love of people and expression. I was always crazy about fairy tales and the magic of the party dress so that is where my fashion roots began, I think!


You've been seen, at times, as a bit of an ambassador for Irish fashion - is this a role that you like? Do you see yourself as a distinctly Irish designer or a designer who happens to be Irish?

I see myself as a bit of a story teller in my own way, the true Irish Story tellers have that trait and I'd like to think of myself hanging on the tail ends of that tradition. I am extremely proud to ever be thought of as an ambassador for Irish Fashion in any small way.



On a similar note, what are your hopes for the industry here? Where would you like to see Irish fashion go? I personally would love us to have our own significant fashion week but I don't know if that will ever be possible - what do you think?

There is so much talent from this small Island and I would love to see some more nurturing of it here. The fashion Industry in Ireland needs financial backing and it would be great if the Government were to set up funding that we could apply for to showcase our work during the official London Fashion Week. I think that would be a good starting point.

I don't think Ireland should compete against any other fashion week but do something uniquely different that reflects our culture and our philosophy, in that way it can be something fresh and viable. 


What can we expect from your next showing?

AW13 is called 'I belong to me' and the inspiration came from hosting a smashing party, one where people get together and bring old china and smash it up. Like a giant release, a letting go in a rock and roll kind of way!

I began to develop print ideas and came up with the exploding bull print in different scales and colours inspired by Cubism and Hopper’s hotel lobby colours with some pop art colour references thrown in. Fabrics are beautiful elegant Silks digitally printed and with sophisticated finishing. The leathers are really pop colour with luxurious brushed gold skins also in butter soft Italian Lambskin which feels wonderful next to your skin. 

S/S 2012 Swimwear.

Are there any trends that you're sick of? 

I don't care about trends, at the moment fashion is a mix of everything. What I am sick of is that a lot of people don't seem to have any points of reference, they don't care about fashion as a reflection of themselves in society. I hate Penney's culture and I feel it has overtaken so much in Ireland that people do not understand the difference in mass production and limited piece production. I also wish reality TV would disappear, I think it is killing creativity and brains!


Do you have any dos or don'ts when it comes to fashion?

Don't be afraid, as long as you feel good, you will look good, enjoy, it is supposed to be pleasure.


And, finally, if you could have anyone else's career, who would it be and why?

I would love to be Joan Collins, I used to think that I had been adopted when I was a kid and that she must surely be my Mother! I don't know why but I was crazy about her!! 

(Videos via Natalie B Coleman -- twitter and facebook)

Manic about MANIAMANIA

Lookbooks now rival editorials on a regular basis. It's not just making the clothes look good and buyable. It's an artform, a mood. I am LOVING MANIAMANIA's Autumn 2013 lookbook. The campaign is comprised of stills and a vid inspired by 1930s actress Theda Bara (known for her gothic tendencies) and star Ruby Jean Wilson. The video, with its use of witchy animals such as owls and snakes has reminded some of Harry Potter or anything witch-like, but the stills remind me more of dutch painting. The lighting and still life elements wouldn't be amiss in 16th century oils and momenti morii such as grapes are included. There's a dark, sad beauty about the images that I'm crazy for.

So much so, that I almost overlooked the jewellery being showcased itself. Almost. It would so fit in my wardrobe.

Some of my favourite fashion gifs.

Because pictures are clearly no longer enough....I kid. But when they move it can be pretty fun and pretty pretty. - Say that ten times fast.

(First three gifs - tumblr - final image vogue.com.au)

Bon Qui Qui's T by Alexander Wang promo.

I mean, what can you even say? So hilarious.

Winter Wonderland.

Totally called it. 

Love that Kate Bosworth (aka #whosthatgirl) is the current face of Topshop for their Christmas campaign, a great fit, non? She's SO a Topshop girl.

Also, rocking singing on top of a piano.

My Christmas excitement is amping up!

Sarah's Suitcase.

How lovely is this video for Natalie B Coleman's S/S 2013 collection? Anyone who reads this blog knows by now that I'm mad about her clothes and think her to be one of the most exciting Irish designers of the moment. I sense big things. Named "Sarah's Suitcase," this promo video is so romantic and, as per, the clothes are super-gorgeous, enviable and wearable.

http://nataliebcoleman.com/main.html

Ultimate Scream by Cara Delevingne - Dsquared2 Resort Collection Spring Summer 2013

Love this collab. I'm crazy about both Cara and the Ds.

Saint Laurent - Yves + Christopher Owens

http://www.ysl.com/en_US/introductioncampaign

So maybe he left the band to pursue a modelling career? 

Ex-frontman of Girls, Owens lounges around in beautiful settings and wonderfully composed black and white photography, largely without a shirt, for the newly relabelled label's A/W 2012-S/S 2013 / "Heralding of a new era" campaign. It's not the first instance of Saint Laurent without the Yves but it is quite a new direction for the brand. The campaign is really sexy and quite grungey (I'm loathe to say 'rock and roll') yet remains undeniably chic. This is a very modern Saint Laurent, this is the house moving towards a future, towards a younger clientèle. 

It's all very voyeuristic; it seems as if we are looking in on a couple in private, but without any note of seediness. Nescher, as the female lead in this scene, stares back at us wilfully, unflinching. It is she who meets our eyes and (largely) not Owens. Both are equally bare. There is a wonderful sense that this is more of a gaze for a new generation and not a traditionally gendered gaze. 

It's broody and moody - images that are darkly romantic - images you want to live inside. And I love it for several reasons: 1. I'm a sucker for musicians 2. I love that Owens tattoos become like an extension of the collection and its look 3. The introductory video uses a song (Just a Song) by his former band and I love them 4. The photography is just plain pretty.

Let's see where Slimane continues to take things!

Have a gawk at a selection of the images:

Lazy Sunday post...

...not because I'm having a lovely, lazy Sunday but because I'm headed to work in less than an hour and only got in from it at 4 last night.  So here are two fashion related links I found interesting:

Dr. Martens Autumn 2012 campaign shows you how exactly to be a hip young thing. And how you'll never be as hip as these people. Nah, seriously though, it's quite emotionally stirring and captures being young quite well - even if it is a little contrived. It's funny to see the brand with such a high fashion style ad - just goes to show how far it's come.

The second link is to a gallery of images on vogue.it. It shows models in their day-to-day clothes and I LOVE seeing models on their days off.

http://www.vogue.it/sfilate/models-look/2012/09/get-the-model-look-primavera-estate-2013?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=marketing&utm_content=model

Enjoy! Hope your Sundays are more restful than mine.