Phoebe English Crown Revival

At this years LDF exhibition Mint showcased an exclusive range of crowns by London based fashion designer, Phoebe English.  The luxury Womenswear label focuses on creating garments that pay attention to precision and surface engineering. By reviving lost or little-known techniques she hopes to raise the profile of construction- as opposed to decoration- and bring a new dimension to the London design scene.

The handmade crowns are crafted from abstract glass beads threaded through copper wires with a result that is both chaotic and elegant. The head piece can be worn at a special occasion or merely hung on wall as art. Below you can watch a film showcasing Phoebe’s latest AW14 collection and I have included photographs from the A/W 2014 catwalk show.

Phoebe English X Dover Street Market 10th Anniversary Window Display, October 2014

In the wake of the S/S15 show, Phoebe English collaborates with set designer and art director Phillip Cooper.  Metaphorically flooding the window with a serene inky sea upon which sits an immense black ship.  The monumental vessel fills the space and windows with a complex structure of rigging,appearing as if in suspended motion.

The symbol of the ship is representative of travelling forward and toward the future. Perpetually travelling and forever reflected.  The large amount of handwork apparent in the complex knotted rigging is reflective of the hours of labour required to progress.

The mammoth yet elegant vessel sits  on a silent smooth sea, its bow breaking forward from its window constraints.  The glassy reflections doubles and emphasises its complex linear rigging across the stretching static vista of shiny black.

From the pavement the window is an abstract crop, which emphasises the complexity of the rigging and the disproportionate size of the skeletal ship.

Constructed from a  variety of our signature materials, using a process of layering and knotting with sheer surfaces exposing the skeletal structure.  Although timeless, its components subtly denote to elements in the S/S15 collection.

Phoebe English’s S/S 15 ready-to-wear collection.  With a focus on new textiles and emerging techniques, English’s S/S 15 experience featured a magic, ‘wiccan-like’ set where her 15 looks were showcased.  Alongside the set was a tv-set playing a Susu Laroche’s eery and surreal 16mm film.  You can view Phoebe’s full collections at www.phoebeenglish.com