The Autumn / Winter ’13 showcases may be in full swing right now but here at Twin HQ we’re still longing for Spring / Summer. We’ve been feeding our obsession with the current season with a little help from the Dutch fashion label, Scotch & Soda, who have given us an exclusive look at their latest lifestyle imagery shot by Philippe Vogelenzang in down-town New York.
Scotch & Soda and their sister line, Maison Scotch, have appointed models of the moment, Ashley Smith and Erik Andersson, to present the new collections’ key pieces, consisting of ‘Western’ influenced staples that feature Ikat patterning, fringing, relaxed jersey and prairie-inspired lace details.
As if these super cool shots weren’t enough the Amsterdam-based brand have also created additional content including an insider interview with Ashley and Erik plus behind-the-scenes Polaroids, all of which are available to view on their website now…
Fashion film has become the creative brand’s latest method of communication. This new medium is heralded by established and underground design houses alike. London Fashion Week has become a film festival of sorts, and this week one brand in search of alternative ways to showcase their Autumn/Winter 13 collections introduced an integrated fashion film and image project. McQ’s creative team collaborated with photographer Roger Deckker to devise a mood image series and a film to capture the brand’s youthful aesthetic, rebellious nature and street-inspired heritage.
The film takes inspiration from twentieth-century avant-garde Czechoslovakian and post-war Italian cinema but is set in modern London. Comprised of a series of unlinked vignettes, featuring models Maria Bradley and Botond Cseke, the short is both climactic and ethereal.
Kirsty Ward is most likely a name you’ve heard of before; if you didn’t catch her interview with yours truly last summer, then you no doubt have previously come across her distinguished statement jewellery and clean considered womenswear pictured on a number of fashion blogs, magazine editorials or even the odd stylish celeb.
When we last spoke to Kirsty she was revealing news about her Spring / Summer ’13 collection, so we thought it was only apt that she’d also share with us her highlights for this season — in particular a unique bag collaboration with fellow British designer, Sarah Williams of Williams Handmade.
“I’ve created several clutch bags in previous collections, however this was something that I’ve always wanted to explore further, so when the opportunity came up to collaborate with Sarah I was super excited,” Kirsty told Twin. “We first met at ITS#9 where we were both finalists in the accessories category but I’ve been a big fan of her work for years now – plus I think our aesthetics work really well together.”
The collection consists of four bag styles in total, all of which feature detachable and interchangeable straps so that the wearer can mix between the colours featured in the chosen pastel palette of pink, blue and grey. Similar to Ward’s own womenswear designs, Sarah’s clean, minimalistic creations form a perfect foundation to the bold signature jewellery pieces that Kirsty has adorned the surfaces and edges with.
The Williams Handmade for Kirsty Ward collection will be showcased along with the rest of Kirsty’s Autumn / Winter ’13 offering at the Vogue Talents Corner, Palazzo Morando, during Milan Fashion Week later this week.
January is beginning to look a bit more cheery here at Twin HQ; the gradual arrival of the new season fashion campaigns that have been creeping their way into our inboxes certainly are keeping us in high hopes for the new year with a subtle reminder that spring is soon approaching.
The latest advertising imagery from Theysken’s Theory is one that has stood out amongst the pack, with a unique composition that merges stylised shots of Wylie Hays with landscapes of the seashore in Knokke Le Zoutte, Belgium captured by Oliver Theyskens himself. Plus, not every campaign can boast that its final polished look is the result of combining the creative minds belonging to three of the world’s most influential Belgian artists: designer Olivier Theyskens, photographer Willy Vanderperre and stylist Olivier Rizzo.
Some say creativity and ambition is a genetic trait – something powerfully instinctive that lies deep within the veins. This perhaps could be the reason why three sisters from Sweden decided to combine their talents, experience and specialties to create their own sibling success story. Sofia Wallenstam, Kristina Tjäder and Karin Söderlind launched their fashion label, Dagmar, back in 2005 after developing three very impressive careers of their own within three very separate areas of the fashion industry: design, retail and PR.
Since then, Dagmar and its three founders have continued to find success both in Sweden and overseas, picking up numerous awards and achievements along the way.
Tomorrow the ladies will be showcasing their latest collection at Mercedes-Benz Stockholm Fashion Week. Twin spoke to Karin, the label’s Head of Marketing and PR, ahead of the show…
You launched Dagmar over 7 years ago – how have things developed since then? What have been the highlights throughout this time?
There have been so many highlights! Every year has been overwhelming, however some of our awards have been the biggest highlights to date; we were awarded with the NewGen Fresh Faces New York in 2007, New designer of the Year by Swedish Elle magazine in 2006 and won Guldknappen in 2011 – Scandinavia’s most prestigious design award. But just to be able to grow and hire people has been a milestone for us. It’s always a great moment when more people join the team every year.
Does working as a family business make it easier or harder? Obviously you all have each other for support but are there times when sisterly squabbling gets in the way?
Honestly there are some times when it does get a bit like ‘this is something that I would never say to any other employee’, but we try hard to work things out when it gets in our way.
Do you all have your own individual roles within the business?
Yes, from the start we split the responsibility between us. Sofia Wallenstam is Head of Sales, Kristina Tjäder is Head of Design and I, Karin Söderlind, am Head of Marketing & Pr.
Describe your signature aesthetic in just 3 words.
Unconventional & sophisticated (even better, I could do it in only two!).
Opening today is Mercedes-Benz Stockholm Fashion Week, where you will be showcasing your AW’13 collection. What’s the inspiration/ concept behind it?
There was a huge Renaissance influence taking over us and so you can detect some of that within the collection. We put a lot of focus on jackets and coats this time with knitted furs, strict wool capes and coats with interesting cuts.
Dagmar is named after your late Grandmother who you’ve stated as being your muse at the beginning. Are there any other inspirational women who influence your work?
We are always inspired by strong women for our collections but not any particular one this season… well maybe Mona Lisa!
Any big plans lined up for 2013?
A lot of things always seem to happen, planned or not! We have huge plans, but more for the long run than specifically for 2013. Short term we are opening a big shop within NK in Stockholm this February, plus we’d like to have more of a presence in London this year… let’s see how…
For his A/W 12 collection, Alexander Wang put on quite the visual spectacle – mirrors, supermodel reunions and all – making his minimalist campaign lensed by David Sims and starring Kati Nescher a complete departure, but no less captivating.
The New York designer’s collection, inspired by the surrealist manipulation of fabrics, is presented in simple black and white studio photographs, all the better for highlighting Wang’s clean-lined tailoring and outerwear invigorated by accents such as the Cubist slicing of a high-collared coat or slightly macabre mouth-covering fishnet turtlenecks.
In the span of five short and extremely successful years, Wang has progressed from painfully hip downtown designer to a creator with finesse and these images are just the thing to prove it.
Identifying a comfortable and trendy dog cloth is turning out to be difficult, as more and more cute dog clothes are venturing in the global market on regular basis.
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