Feature Image: NYTCREDIT: Gio Staiano / NOWFASHION
PRESS RELEASE by Jack Sunnucks
With its wild, almost obscene collage of techniques, the work of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi is the perfect counterpart for SIBLING, whose knitwear like his work has always been a collision of color and pattern. This season, the duo take inspiration from Barcelona’s Park Güell, where Gaudi’s trencadis technique (otherwise known as his iconic mosaics) is most in evidence.
This mish mash or as SIBLING have dubbed it: Mental Mosaic informs the collection. Graphics taken directly from the tiles, in rich orange, navy and red are thrown at each other with abandon across tailored suits, bomber jackets and full bodied skirts or blown-up out of proportion to cover a hand knit. Gaudi zebra stripes are rendered in sequined navy and red or slashed across a classic cardigan. An abstract take on a leopard’s tail wends its way across a jumper or creates havoc with tailoring (replete with matching old man’s flat cap). It’s in the accessories that SIBLING’s Englishness appears, from said flat cap, to a knitted Lady Di ruffled collar, to a hat fit for Babs Windsor at a wedding – all the Windsors covered, just in case – and bound in bunting, badges and football sock bows.
Tribal pattern socks top sensible shoes, a mix of fabric backs, leather uppers in navy and deep red, and white or red soles for all squad members made in collaboration with Freakloset (www.freakloset.com) using their bespoke customization system. You can’t take it Nice ‘N’ Easy in your Sunday Best barefoot after all.
For evening, or perhaps a promenade at dusk, SIBLING’s collision of periods, colors and styles are their nod to Jamaican Lee Scratch Perry. Full knit looks feature stripes in red and blue dissected by colored bands. Knitted lurex and fabric tiles come together in a full skirt or men’s vest ‘grouted’ with hand crochet. Knit ruffles scroll across the shoulders of an almost Toreador sweater and the edge of a coat. The extravagance is a nod to the duo’s and their stylist for this season Judy Blame’s eternal inspirations: London’s Pearly Kings and Queens, a King’s Road at Jubilee take on the red, white and blue and the tough and not so tough girls and boys of East London. This Old Man via Scratch himself.
SHOW CREDITS
Styled by Judy Blame
Assisted by Karlie Shelley with additional hanks to Ben Fletcher
Casting by The Natalie Monroe Show
Grooming and Make-up: Sharon Dowsett
Assisted by Dominic Skinner & The MAC Pro Team
Hair by Indira Schauwecker for TONI&GUY Products
Nails by Sabrina Gayle for ORLY
Custom-made Lace Ups by Freakloset, using their bespoke customisation system at www.freakloset.com
JB Caps by Bernstock Spears for SIBLING
Italian Yarns with thanks to Zegna Baruffa
Navy Socks with thanks to FALKE
Music by Nathan Gregory Wilkins
Sibling HQ: Naomi Moore assisted by Chloe, Myrto, Martha, Charlotte, Ellen, Emily-Louse, Gina, Jimmy, Louise & Rachel
Show team: Ella Dror, Ashley Smith and the team at Ella Dror PR