Combining the ideals of folk with the beats of electonic music may sound a bit strange, but for Sofie Winterson she’s found a common ground that creates a modern sound. Her songs could be labelled indie pop but we think her music is going to be much more than that. With only a few songs released, one EP under her belt and an album on the way Twin caught up with the singer/songwriter from Amsterdam to find out more. She even lifts the lid on the albums title.

Did you always want to become a singer?
As a kid I wanted to be a writer until I got more and more involved in music and then it changed from writer to actress to singer. And now I can combine it in songwriting.

What’s your earliest musical memory?
There were a lot of musical instruments in the house and I remember seeing the violin and hearing my father playing it, the instrument made a big impression. I started learning to play the violin myself at age 6.

If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
That’s hard to say, maybe a writer or a doctor.

What does Said & Done mean to you?
It means a lot of things but one aspect is the fact that something can feel so exiting and new even though it is something you experienced before.

What inspires you to make music most?
I get a lot of inspiration for writing songs when I travel by car or train or when I read. And it’s really inspiring to play the first drafts of a song with the band. I love the moment when a song is finished and that you from then on can keep on playing and arranging it.

What was it like working with Pinar & Viola on the video?
It was a special and lovely experience. There work is really creative and innovative and I was really excited about working with them. It’s always a special moment when you give your music to someone else and together create an image around it!

What can you tell us about your debut album?
The album has a more melancholic and darker side as well. I arranged a lot together with my band members and it’s produced by Rimer London. It’s gonna be released on Magnetron Music this spring and I can also give away the title; Wires.

sofiewinterson.com

Tags: Music, Sofie Winterson

Now we turn our attention to the Vanessa Bruno AW14 show. This time photographer Masao Yufu focuses solely on the runway, capturing beautiful images of the clothes and the models who wore them.

Photography: Masao Yufu

Tags: AW14, PFW, Twin Backstage, Vanessa Bruno

Converse Jack Purcell has announced their first collaboration with Hancock, the British luxury brand and with trainers being big news this spring, these caught our attention. The design collaboration has created a collection of the Jack Purcell mid-top sneaker that combines rubber bonded, waterproof materials in a range of spring hues such as indigo, mastic grey and a summery yellow all perfect for the upcoming sunny season and festivals alike. The trainers all feature a soft printed lining and the Hancock Vulcanised Articles logo on the heel tab.

Available at endclothing.co.uk

Tags: Converse, SS14

Next in our series we find ourselves at the glamorous Issey Miyake AW14 show. This time we give you a glimpse of what happened, both on the catwalk and backstage during Paris Fashion Week.

Photography: Masao Yufu

Tags: AW14, Issey Miyake, Paris Fashion Week

Just last year, siblings Mark Jewsbury and Anna Jewsbury founded contemporary jewellery brand COMPLETEDWORKS. They see jewellery design as an art form, fusing together creative concepts and ideas that produce stunningly simplistic pieces that give us a fresh take on fine jewellery. Twin caught up with the two of them to talk inspirations, signature collections and carving out a path.

As a brother and sister duo, who does what respectively when it comes to COMPLETEDWORKS as a brand?
Anna: As we’re still in the early stages of the brand, we still have very overlapping and interchangeable roles and we often find ourselves working on the same thing, but bringing our own perspective to it.

Anna, your degree is in Mathematics & Philosophy. What do you feel that brings to the table? And Mark, what did you do before starting COMPLETEDWORKS?
A: I think everything depends on the approach you take. I’ve found that the common thread between mathematics, philosophy and fine jewellery, is that there is a way to approach each of these disciplines where the first test of quality is beauty. Of course, when you make the piece nothing stays so theoretical.

Mark: I studied History so I wasn’t doing anything directly relevant to jewellery either. But I think this has forced us to be more observant in our approach. I think you can learn a lot by just looking around at how people in different disciplines operate, you don’t necessarily need a lot of access to them to observe them and see how they work and get a sense of how they would react in certain situations.

What made you decide to start a jewellery brand together?
M: I don’t think we ever really set out to work with jewellery. I think what happened was that we had an interest in exploring ideas and a curiosity with history and stories, and we kept developing these themes and we found we wanted to find a way to represent them. The jewellery came about as a result of our looking for a process that would allow us to balance these interests visually and in clear compositions.

A: In setting up the brand we were very much influenced by the old idea of an artistic or literary movement. We wanted to set up a business that emulated that continuity, a group of people who retain their individuality but at the same time are able to relate to one another.

Where do you find most of your inspiration?
A: The idea inspires us first and at the moment that has come from literature or history, then we look for the aesthetic or the way to connect the idea visually and the inspiration for that comes from everywhere. In the case of the Pillar collection a trip Mark took to Lebanon was one of our references.

Pillar is your signature collection. What do you think this says about you as a contemporary jewellery brand?
M: We want to share the ideas that lead to the creation of the collections and in doing so create a shared interest with the people who engage with the brand. We talk a lot about putting ideas into our work, but at the same time we don’t want those ideas to engulf the person wearing the pieces. It is good to maintain a certain lightness in the jewellery. You have to get all the other things right first: it has to fit perfectly and be striking and have a certain uniqueness, then you can layer an idea into a piece or connect it with a certain way of thinking.

A: Yeah, we think it is important to craft the jewellery so that it can integrate with the real world, not the other way round. We’re not trying to force art or anything else into jewellery, but say that our pieces can still function as pieces of jewellery and as products and be enjoyed as such, while at the same time having an element of critical thinking to them. This is why at the moment distortion is very important to us. We find distortions are a very simple and minimal way of inviting the wearer to mentally enter the work in a way that doesn’t become overbearing or arrogant.

You are stocked at SHOWstudio and have your own e-store. Where would you like to see your designs in the future?
A: We’d love to see our pieces in places that build around an aesthetic with original values.

Having launched just last year, what does 2014 hold for COMPLETEDWORKS?
A: We feel that we should earn our place in the jewellery world, so we’re simply going to be concentrating on building a body of work and from this point we hope to carve our own path.

completedworks.com

Photography: Trinity Ellis 

Tags: COMPLETEDWORKS, jewellery, Trinity Ellis

In our second Twin Backstage series, we focus on the last stop during fashion month, Paris. We sent photographer Masao Yufu backstage at Tsumori Chisato’s AW14 show to document everything that happened behind the scenes.

Photography: Masao Yufu

Tags: AW14, Paris Fashion Week, Tsumori Chisato

Metallics are big news this spring. Expect to see sparkly fabrics and tinsel-coloured embellishements a plenty. Although coloured metallics may still be shining bright, the shade that has everyone reaching for their wallets is silver. Style in a minimal, chic fashion and you’re good to go, looking effortlessly cool. Here Twin picks the top four pieces that shone above the rest.

Moxham Otto Cuff in silver, £62, moxhamstore.com & Silver Leather Skirt by Unique, £195, topshop.com

Limited Verity Rucksack in metallic, £295, whistles.co.uk & Stella McCartney Fold Heel Metallic Faux-Leather Mules, £455, matchesfashion.com

Tags: Metallics, SS14, Twin Picks

Converse have been creating a worldwide stir, popping up across Europe, the Middle East and Africa with their latest project #SNEAKERSCLASH. Designed to disrupt and clash against the dull greys of the world, the series started in Amsterdam and last night made its way to London. The whole initative is brought to life through two different interactive activations – Wall of Clash and Photo Clash. Clash Wall brings together street artists with clashing styles and techniques at unexpected locations, asking them to create their most visceral work against lifeless walls and spaces. And so that’s what happened at The Old Vinyl Factory, the former record-pressing plant of EMI in Hayes, London. The abandoned 107-year-old building has been brought back to life through the colourful work of artists Remi Rough and System from the Agents of Change collective. They painted the exterior in designs inspired by Converse’s newest collection, the new All Star Chuck ‘70 and the mural itself is set to be London’s biggest to date.

converse.co.uk

Tags: All Star Chuck 70, Converse, Sneakerclash, Wall of Clash

Playing with the girl group ideology, Haim, who have toyed with synchronized dance moves in their previous videos, give us a complete choreographed routine in their latest visual offering, If I Could Change Your Mind. Taken from their debut album, Days Are Gone, the video is directed by Warren Fu (who directed the last two Daft Punk videos). It has a retro-cool feel about it, somthing these three sisters are becoming known for, as well as their musical talent of course. Watch the video below.

haimtheband.com

Image by Bella Lieberberg

Tags: Haim, music video

During London Fashion Week Twin headed to the Designer Showrooms at Somerset House to meet the designers behind a young London-based label Pavane. Having worked for a range of big names in design, Hussein Chalayan, Yohji Yamamoto, Marc Jacobs, Erdem and Richard Nicoll to name a few, the designers, Georgina Edmonds and Fiona Ransom, decided to go it alone. Showing their third collection for AW14, they bring together their different disciplines (cutting and textiles) to create pieces that are both delicate yet strong, and structured, but with a certain fluidity in their designs. When asked about their process, they talked about their differences: “as we are both women with different aesthetics and body shapes, what we each want from a garment is different – this sets up an interesting tension with our design process – a questioning dialogue about the desirability and even validity of each piece.” It is this dialogue between the two designers that helps them create highly considered collections.

The Pavane woman, come autumn/winter 2014, will be wearing winter florals and kimono inspired silhouettes in a colour palette of blush oranges, deep reds, pale pinks and shades of charcoal. Key pieces from the collection: “the coat dress and jacket made from the bespoke woolen roses jacquard –  strong and feminine at the same time.”

pavane-london.com

 Photography: Rupert Tapper 

Tags: AW14, london fashion week, Pavane

It’s one of those can’t-leave-the-house-without-it-on products, one that has the power to make you look more awake at 8am on a miserable Monday morning. That’s a great power indeed. Mascara just so happened to be big news at the Prada AW14 show in Milan. Pat McGrath created a clumpy lash look for Miuccia Prada’s vision which saw models walk the catwalk with large defined eyes that complimented their fresh nude faces. This look is also a SS14 favourite, so here Twin picks some of the best mascaras on the market today.

EYEKO Fat Brush Mascara, £15, spacenk.com & Bobbi Brown Intensifying Long Wear Mascara, £19, houseoffraser.com

Clarins Be Long Mascara, £21, clarins.co.uk & Butter London WINK Mascara Union Jack Black, £15, butterlondon.co.uk

Tags: Bobbi Brown, Butter London, Clarins, Eyeko, Mascara, prada

For our last look back at the shows at London Fashion Week, Twin focuses on the details backstage at the Jonathan Saunders AW14 catwalk presentation. Here we take a look at photographer Ash Reynolds‘ interpretation of what happened.

Photography: Ash Reynolds

Tags: AW14, Jonathan Saunders, london fashion week

For the second in our backstage series, Twin sent photographer Ash Reynolds to capture the atmosphere behind the scenes of the Richard Nicoll AW14 show at London Fashion Week. Here we can take a closer look at the models, styling, beauty and designs that made the show what it was. 

Photography: Ash Reynolds

Tags: AW14, london fashion week, Richard Nicoll

With London Fashion Week officially over, Twin reflects on some of the fabulous shows. The first in our series takes a closer look at the goings-on backstage at Erdem’s Autumn/Winter 2014 show.

Photography: Ash Reynolds

Tags: Erdem, london fashion week

Juliana Sorelli, the young french director who we interviewed when she released her film Pretty Pretty, is launching a store in Hollywood. Technically the store has no name, only a logo, but lets just call it The Evil Rock N Roll Hollywood Cat. Located in a 1920’s blue house just off of Hollywood boulevard, it gives the impression of someone’s living room from that decade, one that has been taken over by a group of punks and jailbirds – an aesthetic also found in her film work. As well as Julianna’s own designs, which consist of custom made denim and leather jackets, embroidered sweatshirts and a basics range, the store will feature pieces by JFO, a new brand by Matthew Damhave who originally started the label Imitation of Christ, a new designer named James Flemons and his brand PHLEMONS and custom made jewellery from her friends. You can also expect to find photographic prints by Brad Elterman, books, zines and other smaller items such as pins, patches and records. In the future Juliana hopes to host events such as screenings, talks, shows and she even has plans of turning another room into a small secret gallery, so keep an eye out.

To celebrate the launch of her unique boutique, the Los Angeles based director has created a film titled Hollywood Lucifer. Watch it below…

sorellipresents.com

The Evil Rock N Roll Hollywood Cat – 1608 N Las Palmas Ave. Hollywood, CA

Tags: film, Juliana Sorelli, Sorelli Presents

Not heard of Nimmo And The Gauntletts? Well it’s time you did. Last year they released their debut Change, and after being played on the likes of Radio 1, East Village Radio and 6 Music, top model Agyness Deyn requested to shoot the video. “I heard the song and then it was constantly on repeat in my head,” said Agyness. “I had this story playing over and over of change. Girl to woman. Youth to old age. Purity to knowledge. I asked the band if they needed a video made. They said yes so I made it. What a band!” The musical duo followed up with Others, a nod in the electronic direction and with that headlined at the Electrowerks in November – their live performance being compared to The XX.

Now Sarah Nimmo and Reva Gauntlett are back, with a new track and video called Jaded. Out on March 24th, the song has a beat that makes you want to dance and the video, directed by Paris Zarcilla and written by Mike Glover, follows two young boys as they cause some mischief around town. Watch the new video below.

nimmoandthegauntletts.com

Tags: Mike Glover, music video, Nimmo And The Gauntletts, Paris Zarcilla

For Spring/Summer 2014 Kenzo looked to America’s West Coast and in particular California in the 1960’s. To convey these themes, the brand collaborated with director Hala Matar and actors, Anton Yelchin and Lydia Hearst to create a short-film titled, Automobile Waltz, where we see the protagonists riding around in vintage cars, crashing into orchestras and carrying out stunted conversations, all in a set reminiscent with old Hollywood movies.

The connection between the cars and the collection is that they “both share the timelessness and classic feel,” states Matar. For Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, the wave prints recall an age of visiting the beach during the heyday of 60’s surfers.

kenzo.com

Tags: Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, Kenzo, SS14

Kendra Morris has a big voice and a soulful heart. In 2011 she received the Holly Prize by ASCAP and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which recognises new singer/songwriters whose talents honor the legacy of Buddy Holly. Morris releases her album BANSHEE this week, so Twin caught up with the singer to find out a little more about this creative talent.

In your childhood you were constantly surrounded my music as both your parents were in bands. What was your first musical memory?
One of my first musical memories was the late nights when my parents would have friends over and they would have jam sessions or rehearsals with their bands. I would always creep out of my bedroom and secretly listen to them play.

Who did you grow up listening to?
I grew up listening to this oldies station 92.5 that played a lot of different bands from the 50’s and 60’s. I also had a cassette tape called Crusing Classics that I listened to over and over again. On it, it had Buddy Holly, The Shirelles and The Beach Boys, and I would listen to it and dance and sing in front of the mirror.

When was the first time you remember thinking that you wanted to make music?
I can’t remember. I always loved performing and being in front of people. If I couldn’t perform in front of a live audience then it was in front of my toys. I remember Whoopi Goldberg hosting the Oscars one year and when she talked to the TV and said “this could be you kid, ” I was like… Yeah, that’s me!

What was the first song you ever wrote? What was it about?
First song I ever wrote, I think, was when I was around 15 or 16… I can’t remember the title but it was something about believing in love, even though I didn’t know it yet.

When did you decide to leave St Petersburg, Florida and move to New York?
I always dreamt of moving to NYC but was so scared… It took the catalyst of having a strong headed band to link up with and do it. Sometimes you just need a little push.

What’s the weirdest thing that ever inspired you to write a song?
I don’t think anything is really weird to inspire you. You can pull inspiration from anything.

Your album BANSHEE was just released on iTunes. What are your favourite tracks?
That’s tough. It’s like picking a favorite child. I am attached to them all in different ways… I think I love Just One More because it was so difficult to get out and then I love BANSHEE for the story and then If You Didnt Go, I love the melody in the chorus. I could go on and on, each track has a special place.

What tracks have you been listening to recently?
I’m writing again so I’m listening to a lot of the new stuff we are working on.

What do you have planned for 2014? Are you playing in London soon?
I’m in the middle of a European tour in support of BANSHEE right now. We play in London on the 26th and 27th of February and then back home to continue writing and finding inspiration for the new album… I bet I find some inspiration on this tour too!

kendramorrismusic.com

Tags: BANSHEE, Kendra Morris

Bella Freud, the queen of punk knitwear launched her eponymous label in the 90s, and has held a cult status among the cool crowd ever since. The pre-spring line, Close To My Heart is no different, featuring girl crush Adwoa Aboah. For this collection Bella draws from her love of film noir, 70s reggae album covers, graffiti and images of her mother as a 1950’s teenager.

The new word jumpers of the season include: Hey, Psychoanalysis and Power, with the range also consisting of the Lion Star Tee, the instant hit Lion Stripe Jumper and the Distressed Dog Tee (a la the Bella Freud logo). These tees and fine wool sweaters come in a palette of Gitane Blue, Dirty Pink, Grasshopper Green, Grey Marl and of course the classic BF Black and White.

‘The reason for making anything, from a garment to a film, is because it excites me and because I like it’ – Bella Freud.

bellafreud.co.uk

Tags: Bella Freud, SS14

Fashion stylist’s are not the enigmatic creatures they used to be. Social media has created the era of the celebrity stylist, yet there are still some who’s work comes first. Aurelia Donaldson is the Deputy Style Editor at The Telegraph Magazine, a self-confessed tomboy and an insider to look out for. Trinity Ellis photographs Donaldson in Notting Hill where she lives.

Was a career in fashion always on the cards for you?
My father is a photographer, one grandfather an artist and the other an art deco dealer, with the rest of my family also in creative industries so I grew up surrounded by a very creative family and knew from an early age that I didnt want a 9-5 job.

As a stylist, what do you like to use as references?
I use everything as a reference- movies, art, books, things I see everyday and people I am around.

You’ve created fashion films for The Telegraph and NOWNESS in the past, are you working on any at the moment?
I am working on a short film for a British brand at the moment and am in talks to do another series of films for the Telegraph Fashion site. In the past I have co-directed a short for Markus Lupfer, styled films for Louis Vuitton, and have worked on films for NOWNESS with Zebra Katz, Alice Dellal and Lily Donaldson.

How would you describe your personal style? Does this reflect your work?
My personal style is pretty relaxed, I’m a tomboy. My uniform is normally black jeans and cashmere jumpers- I often end up wearing black, navy and grey but shoes is a weak spot. Girly shoes, ugly shoes, sexy shoes. I’m sure my personal style reflects somewhere in my work- I always like a little bit of androgyny.

What photographers and stylists do you like to collaborate with? 
I shot a story in November with Perry Ogden (which is coming out in March) in the west of Ireland. I have always loved his photographs and I had this story in my mind for so long and he just got it straight away. Jeff Hahn is another photographer I like working with, his shoots always leave me excited to see the images. For me if I book a photographer, model, hairstylist, makeup artist etc its because I love their work so I want their opinion and the same for the rest of the team- it has to be a real collaboration to make it work.

Tags: Aurelia Donaldson, Trinity Ellis