Introducing - a story unfolds...
On the fifteenth of June you may have seen something playful and gingham dance into our shop - namely, the release of our new collection a story unfolds…
I thought I’d take a few moments to talk a little about the collective process behind this offering, and guide you through three of my favourites.
The seed of this collection was planted at the end of two long years of uncertainty as a small, slowly-made business. It began to germinate as we collectively learned to take a closer look at our habits and practises, reconsidering our motivations, our intentions, and what we wanted to carry forward with us.
I could see something had shifted in Nadia’s design process, pivoting from the pared-back to the indulgent. Rolls of boldly-coloured gingham soon stood waiting by the sewing machine, and feminine ribbon-tie bows slowly began to appear in the sample designs that adorned our house mannequin. The in-house studio looked as though Wes Anderson himself had paid a visit, unloading off-beat nostalgia and joie-de-vivre by the brightly-striped bolt. Over time, the shop had become a celebration of feeling free once more.
The growth of the collection began, of course, with Nadia’s designs. As they unfurled into tangible, wearable samples, the tone was set, and being present in the shop three times a week I began to get a feel that this offering was about finding fun in the everyday. These sample styles soon made their way on to the rail that marks the transition from studio to shop floor, and were kindly received by customers eager to try. It was joyous to watch our lovely visitors twirl and turn as, behind my desk, I began threading together the little descriptions and overarching themes that would become the narrative of a story unfolds…
A commonality arose; one of imagination and play. It was a little surreal - almost fictional - as, in my mind’s eye, figures spun in full skirts and billowing balloon sleeves in a celebration of radiant pattern and tone. I described it in my writing as a ‘collective exhale’: the practise of indulging in a frivolity we’ve been denied for so long.
After a few weeks, Nadia and I set aside a single day to overhaul our little shop into a photography studio, and between the two of us shot the whole collection in a single day. We wanted to capture our garments honestly, un-edited and without professional makeup artists or stylists, to demonstrate how they would live and work with real women. And that just so happened to be me - 5’3” and (relatively) willing, with Nadia behind the camera.
I’ve never spent much time in front of the camera, usually preferring to be the one behind it - so it was unfamiliar territory for me. To my surprise, I slowly relaxed into the role, finding that the garments did much of the work for me with their drape and ease of movement. In our Full Skirt, a small turn created a ripple effect, pleats conducting volumes of fabric into undulating waves.
It was a perfect opportunity to test the mettle of our two-woman team, and Nadia did a beautiful job of celebrating the life and wild verve of our new offerings through her lens. Toward the end of a productive day, looking over what we’d made brought delight and a little pride to us both.
I’ve picked out a few of my favourite garments from this offering - not just for their appearance, but because they were also a treat to wear in front of the camera. After all, we naturally grow to be more confident when we feel liberated and at ease in the garments we choose to adorn our bodies with.
Wes Gingham Parachute Top
The Parachute Top is a personal favourite of mine, this time reimagined in volumes of bold gingham to compliment its girlish silhouette. Gathered into a high waist, tiny pleats induced in me a feeling of walking in slow motion - as the camera clicked, I found myself sneaking my hands into the pockets to flare the ‘skirt’ of the top around my hips, swaying and swishing.
Perhaps you noticed I mentioned the work of Wes Anderson earlier.. We stuck with the name for this fabric, since Nadia and I both think this gorgeous colourway perfectly encapsulates the quirky nostalgia of his films. I would never have thought to pair these two colours in a gingham, but I’m so glad somebody else did. It speaks of boldness, creative spirit, and - paired with a parachute silhouette - the willingness to take up space and express ourselves.
Full skirt
The epitome of indulgence. We made this style up in the same substantial linen we use for our Parachute Dress to give it weight and structure as well as durability, and I more than enjoyed sweeping around our little photography set in it. I could see myself wearing this through all four seasons, dressed down with a light blouse and sandals, or layered up with a polo neck, woollen tights, and chunky boots.
We were amazed at the vibrance of this fabric en mass as it is in this skirt - it’s a rich, deep statement rust colour; muted in tone, though quietly decadent. I urge you to come in and try some time, if only just to float and sail through the shop in volumes of linen.
Gingham Reversible Jacket - Black / Flax
Our Reversible Jacket was the garment that marked Nadia’s transition into a story unfolds…
I was so pleased when I learnt we’d soon be stocking a second style of jacket, especially since it was prompted by a few requests from our kind customers for a shorter, boxy-fit silhouette. When the prototype emerged from the studio, our visitors were immediately intrigued.
I’m fascinated by utility wear and clever functions within garments, so a cosy, fully reversible jacket made with incisive attention to detail really appeals, especially since it calls to our desire to reduce excess.
We’re so far stocking this style in three colour-ways, but I’ve a long-held soft spot for this charcoal and ecru gingham linen, as a softened, more considered alternative to a starker contrast of black and white.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this small insight into the evolution and result of a story unfolds… this offering is a curation of ideas sparked by the joy of making and experimenting once again, and all of the garments we’ve mindfully hand-crafted can be viewed on our website.
From our little place of making, carefree silhouettes are realised in radiant pattern and tone - considered as ever, but this time a little more playful.
Words by Lily Burrows