The Clothes Maiden: Issue 13

The Clothes Maiden A journal for the creative and fashionable minds

Edition 13.

July/August 2013

The Clothes Maiden Contents

Executive Editor: Stephanie Anderson

Contributors:

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Harriet Penfield Elizabeth Collier

Illustrators: Jennifer Blume Rebecca Somogyi

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By Boe

Very Monkey

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Pretty Things We Like

Murmur

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Katie Jagielnicka

SHiliconfETTI

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LiTE

Haight Ashbury

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Flower Power

Love Letter

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y Boe, a capturing name for a brand that has an exceptionally unusual take on architectural and nature-inspired pendants, cuffs and earrings. When we say unusual, we mean it in a good way – these jewellery pieces are by far some of the nicest we have seen.

All the items are designed and handmade in the New York City studio, and what’s more, the eclectic mix of materials provides customers with a range of jewellery to suit them, whether 14kt gold-filled, sterling silver, or a mix of new and vintage materials. Take your pick.

By Boe was launched in 2004 by Annika Inez and since then it has enjoyed repeated success. Annika has been inspired by her general philosophy of the power of accessories as bold yet subtle statement pieces, which is certainly reflected in the latest spring 2013 collection.

This most recent line is inspired by the worlds of dance, film and photography so note all the dome like petal shapes and prayer bead necklaces which aim to capture and reflect the free spirited, feminine and natural woman.

Dance has always been an important influence on Annika’s designs and most recently, and excitingly – she has drawn inspiration Pina Baucsh, dancer and choreographer whose performances, movements and choice of costumes was a main decision maker for Annika when choosing colours for the spring collection.

This fluid feminine influence of dance is contrasted with another influence taken from a novel called “The Vagabound” about an independent, fierce woman who likes to live life on the edge as a traveling vaudeville performer after shutting the door on her life as a writer and part of Paris society in the 1920s. This also heavily influenced mood of this collection. This works well for Annika and By Boe as not only does the line offer something for everybody but also encourages a more daring attitude towards jewellery design and the wearer!

In the collection you will also be captured by the bold colour choices and luxurious semi precious stones that are influenced by starry summers nights and vintage black and white portraits, doesn’t it sound so dreamy? www.byboe.com

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Pretty Things We Like

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1. Butterfly Crown from Beau xoxo, £16 (www.beauxoxo.com) 2. Eye See You necklace from Sour Cherry, £19.95 (www.sourcherry.co.uk) 3. Galaxy Chevron studs by A Bird Of Play, £11 (www.abirdofplay.com) 4. Hope tee by Jennifer Hope, £22 (www.jenniferhope.co.uk)

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an interview with katie jagielnicka

Tell

us

a

bit

about

yourself?

My name is Katie Jagielnicka, a.k.a Katie Bloo. I’m a 19 year-old illustrator based in Wroclaw, Poland. I’ve been drawing for a couple of years now, trying to develop my passion and skills further and further. Besides illustration, I’ve actually a large variety of other interests and dreams I’d wish to pursue, which makes my plans for the future rather hard to define.

What

inspires

you

to

draw

It’s rather a difficult question, but in general I’d say that feminine beauty and fashion illustration. I’ve always been fascinated with female faces, its proportions and characteristic features, and with the fashion illustration aesthetics, its minimalism and elegant form.

Do you have artwork?

a

favourite

piece

of

I have many! There is this one piece of artwork that somehow had engraved in my memory since I was a little child, and it is a painting “A Bar at the FoliesBergère” by Édouard Manet. It always intrigued me, and in some ways I guess it has started my passion for art.

What does a like for you?

typical

day

look

My typical day unfortunately starts very early; I get up half asleep and go to my university, where I study International Business. In the afternoon I either study or work on some new illustration, drinking way too much coffee, until very late at night, at which point I’m usually so exhausted that I can’t even see properly. Since I’m generally a workaholic I wouldn’t be very happy with too much of a free or disorganised time.

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What

do

you

love

most

about

being

an

illustrator?

I actually haven’t been in this field for long enough to have any elaborated opinion about it; though I think what I love the most is the ability to create beauty and the possibility to develop my very own and unique sense of aesthetics.

And

what

are

the

most

difficult

things

about

being

an

illustrator?

I’m completely self-taught when it comes to illustration and art in general, so I’d have to say that the most difficult for me is finding a right technique and using it properly, I’ve been struggling for years to learn how to use water colours, pastels, pencils and digital techniques. Everything I know now is a result of these years, result of many trials and errors.

What

do

you

do

when

you’re

not

using

your

creative

talent?

I do surprisingly a lot more than what people expect of me. As I mentioned earlier, I study International Business at the University of Economics in Wroclaw, my hometown. I work as a model in Spot Management model agency, also in my hometown, and of course I have other non-work or non-study related activities, like meeting with friends, practicing sports, listening to music or cooking. To some people my activities, and my life in general, might seem a little bit too scattered into areas and fields that are not at all connected to each other, nevertheless I like what I do and I’m going to keep doing it, because this is what life is all about.

Do you have any exciting jects in the pipeline?

pro-

Unfortunately, I don’t have any projects concerning my illustration activity, due to my other, non- related, plans for the summer. Although I have a few ideas for my illustration career, that hopefully I’ll be able to pursue soon enough.

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eet LiTe New York who understand that a bag is not just a need but an accessory that must be perfect. This brand aims to create bags that you won’t find in the high street, one that you won’t turn up to work with to see your colleague has the same or similar, because lets face it, we have all been there.

The current six-piece collection pleases us, with a choice of backpacks, handbags, cross-body bags plus more which are all handcrafted with LiTE New York’s signature combination of fluorescent PVC and hand-dyed leather.

The bags even have names, which are inspired by the designer’s closest girl friends. Sara Shasha Li is the mastermind designer behind this collection and deserves a pat on the back for introducing these into our lives.

Starting with The Giza, the backpack, an apt name if we say so ourselves, and also one of our favourites. But then we checked out The Gal, another backpack which is now also in our ‘most desired’ list.

Yet we cannot possibly leave out The Tanner, The Pao, The Hankie and The Sara which are all bags with their own characteristics, we think we could take them all and wear them all no matter what the occasion.

The collection is not for the faint-hearted and should bring out a daring side in everybody with the adventurous colours and shapes. LiTE are an independent brand based in downtown New York and clearly take pride in their quality and distinctiveness of their bags, and as they say so themselves: “Let’s LiTE this city up”, and most likely go even further than the city of New York!

For more information visit: www.litenewyork.com

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Photography: Maria Jose Castillo Stylist: Nancy Thompson Make-up & Hair: Carla Costa Model: Anneke Necrophyle Assistant Photographer: Jordi Heras Clothing: Vintage & DIY

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Introducing Very Monkey:

a French accessories brand that gives the perfect je- nesais- quoi needed to lift any outfit

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aunched in 2011, Very Monkey is one of those fabulous finds you stumble upon clearly out of curiosity.

The latest S/S’13 collection by this label is bursting with boho chic, wearable headbands that look just like the scarves you see on trendy hipsters in the summer time. Let's admit it: we've all tried to copy the look ourselves, but most of the time, what looks simple is just far too fiddly and ends up looking nothing like how we wanted it to. However, Very Monkey has done the hard work for us so all we have to do now is make the difficult decision of which headband to pick out from this stunning new collection.

You will find that all of the headbands are handmade by the founder, Camille Thuillier in Orleans, France. So we know that they have been given the utmost care and attention. Thuillier picked up the fashion bug from her grandmother and has been wearing these fashion forward statement pieces since she was an infant.

Amongst various designs Thuillier presents us with a mix of original fabrics and patterns from fashionable native prints to edgy faux leather and at such reasonable prices starting from ÂŁ7, we want them all!

This accessory trend has no plans at all to fade out, and with the sun shining bright you might want to protect your precious scalp, or brighten up your outfit on a day trip with friends.

Elizabeth Collier

You can find more information about this label by heading over to the website: www.verymonkey.fr

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Murmur' s new Hellcat collection: creatMurmur' s new Hellcat collection: ing clothing and accessories basedbased on a creating clothing and accessories eroticism... on powerful a powerful eroticism

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o murmur or whisper something suggests uttering something hidden, something naughty perhaps, a piece of information that isn't for everybody’s ears. For Spring/Summer 2013 Murmur's main line the Hellcat collection is full of sensual dresses with lingerie detailing with a mystical twist.

Designer Andreea Badala's collection takes inspiration from sorcery and witchcraft. This summer's Murmur woman is confident and sexy, yet always elegant. The collection is made up of pastel nudes, whites and creams for summer. However, there are also some more edgy garments that are black, allowing the wearer to reveal their darker side.

As well as their main line, Murmur has created a diffusion line entitled Murmur Take Away that is more focused on streetwear. This still carries the brand's fetish inspired ethos but has now been reined in a little.

The poplin dresses and jersey leggings are something the Hellcat wearing Murmur girl's little sister might wear. The clothes are a little more subtle, yet there is a naive Lolita-like innocence. This is seen in the nautical and school uniform like pieces which are fitted with aprons and detachable collars, leaving a little more to the imagination. This collection is much softer and full of delicate ruffles, pastels and bows.

The beautiful detailing and design has been supported in print in the February Issue of Vogue UK, confirming the brand as being one to watch. Having two collections allows Murmur to offer beautiful clothes for every girl. Whether brimming with confidence or a little more modest, both Hellcat and Take Away encapsulate the perfect balance of naughty and nice.

Elizabeth Collier A label not to miss out on, you can find more details visiting: www.murmur.ro

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SHiliconfETTI: An eclectic mix of juxtaposing unexpected colours and shapes

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orn in Quebec, Canada, SHiliconfETTI° is a pretty mix of ethical garments celebrating the environment while not compromising on style or design.

SHiliconfETTI° is a three dimensional sartorial appreciation of nature. With a desire to break free from large designing companies, SHiliconfETTI° embraces the very essence of life. A love of good design is only the beginning of these clothes. Here we are given appreciation to quality of fabric, colour, buttons and form.

The clothes themselves are all made in Quebec to enhance local production whilst also reducing their carbon footprint and protecting the environment wherever possible throughout the production process. There is certainly a strong ethical ethos throughout, especially in the latest collection, which was launched last year.

SHiliconfETTI°'s current collection is inspired by Reykjavik in Iceland. This seems somewhat fitting for the brand, as the Finnish town is renowned for its beautiful and awe-inspiring nature in its mountains and hot springs. Finland is also the home of another cultural icon - Bjork - who SHiliconfETTI° credit as an added inspiration. The designers behind SHiliconfETTI° haven't travelled to Finland themselves so undertook a virtual exploration of the country, yet again opting to stay close to home in Canada instead of letting their carbon footprint grow.

The line has many natural motifs and patterns. Wearing these clothes will not only make you feel good about looking good but also in the knowledge that you are supporting local production in Canada as well as our beautiful earth.

Elizabeth Collier

You can find more information about this label by heading over to the website: www.shiliconfetti.com

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Haight Ashbury: encouraging the use of clothing as a form of personal expression through fashion art

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orn out of a desire to clothe an environment of creative; Haight Ashbury presents us with graphic tees, pop culture and a taste of Americana. Inspired by west coast surf and skate culture while staying true to her east coast, Philadelphia roots, designer Janel Garlick enthuses multiple influences to bring the Haight Ashbury wearer, fun and cultural streetwear pieces that can be worn world over.

The line is made up of bold T-shirts and sweaters for both men and women. Garlick has used basic jersey items as a blank canvas onto which she displays an interest in art, photography, film and music. We can see the likes of David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Andy Warhol and Bridget Bardot all splayed across her tees as well as tongue-in-cheek sayings. Also available are wife beaters with things like 'Smoka Cola', 'Bardot is the new black' and 'This is what makes us bros' written across them. These tees are not for the hard up, serious types but for those who like to let their hair down and have a passion for life.

The line celebrates a collaborative approach and works with multiple designers across different art forms. This allows Haight Ashbury to create a blend of youth and pop culture that celebrates artistic expression from decades of the past and future.

Proudly made in America these tees are a sure hit for summer festivities with the potential to carry on to winter and the summer after that, and the summer after that too!

Elizabeth Collier T-shirts start from ÂŁ22 and more information can be found over at the website: www.haightashburyco.com

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