Fashion Voyeur

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Categories: The Fashion Closet

Amy Thomson FW19 Loved And Lost

Whenever my London Fashion Week schedule is finalised I always check it for my favourites.  No we all know that fashion is fickle and whilst designers and their PRs move increase their audience and range with each new season, there’s always the case that some designers don’t make it back on to the schedule for whatever reason too.  This season my beloved Starsica left a crucifix shaped hole in the schedule without any explanation, and another designer I was devastated to see missing was Amy Thomson.  You might remember I covered her fabulously kitsch pink presentation at Fashion Scout last season which just screamed Barbara Cartland in the most fashion way possible, I mean I almost threw my credit card at the girl it was so fabulous.  I wanted everything.  This season I was excited, but it wasn’t meant to be.  Or so I thought.

I arrived home from London, a little later than planned, to find an email from Amy, explaining that she wouldn’t be showing this season, however that she was still around and had indeed produced a small collection for FW19 entitled Loved And Lost.  I mean I love it already, the title, the personal contact, – I’ve failed to mention that Amy is an illustrator so the email is filled with hand drawn pink and red hearts so I’m already feeling a connection…..

Amy Thomson Loved And Lost FW19 Copy for Fashion Voyeur by Pixie Tenenbaum

So, basically with each collection that Amy Thomson produces, there’s a story.  With this one it’s a playful, childhood romance remembering treasured memories, emotions and relationships.  This feminine filled love affair explores characters from the overwhelming love of your first crush to your first end of the world falling out with your BFF.  Loved And Lost is inspired by romance, by relationships with objects and people at different stages of your life from a child’s perspective.  Thomson has a real talent for asking the viewer questions that take them back to their youth and ask them to reimagine and re-examine, in this case it’s remembering your first overwhelming love.  Maybe it’s a first pet, a toy, or even a first sweater that you’d wear over and over.  Amy Thomson is asking us to remember, reimagine and to fall in love all over again.

Red is obviously a key tone throughout the collection for FW19 and it’s tonally matched with hues of precious pink, powerful purple and even a hint of teasing turquoise.  Romance is a strong vibe and the use of texture conveys that well with faux fur outerwear complimenting the exaggerated full frill silk garments that hooked me in last season.  Foiled leathers add in further sparkle and there’s an added element of hand embroidery this season.

Thomson has ditched the large scale illustrations this season and instead focuses on illustrative playful motifs that are built up using text and slogans like ‘crushin on you’ and ‘teenage love shrine’ to further narrate the collective prints.  This season brings with it a collaboration with Sassy Freak and some super freaky jewellery to further illustrate the narrative around this collection.  Clip on earrings – very 1980’s hot mamma and one hell of a pair of glam-ma glasses with a pearl chain so glam-ma doesn’t lose ’em.

Group model shot for the Amy Thomson x Sassy Freak campaign for FW19 Fashion Voyeur Blog by Pixie Tenenbaum

What’s really cool though, are the campaign images, shot by Georgie Fen at Poodle and Blonde Location House, they’re everything you might expect from the description above, and a little bit of insider information about Amy Thomson and her design style.  Powerful, feminine and empowering, now how do I get hold of that first pink dress?

Pixie

Categories: The Fashion Closet

Amy Thomson FW18 at London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week is where the eclectics come out to play, it’s where we see some of the best emerging design talent in the world and were some of the most innovative designs are showcased.  For FW18 designer and illustrator Amy Thomson launched her collection ‘Chasin’ Dreams’ inspired by youthful aspirations.  Each look in the collection presents a character based on a profession seen from the perspective of a child.  Thomson poses the question – what does a Princess, Baker and Hairdresser look like through a child’s unaffected eyes?  How are these career paths defined in the mind of a child without any preconceptions?  Love pink?  Get ready for a whole load of it as Amy Thomson’s FW18 presentation is an Instagram dream…

“Telling a narrative and connecting with an audience is very important to myself as a designer.  ‘Chasin’ Dreams’ is based on real muses, real stories and my own and there is no story truer than the one you are living.”  Amy Thomson.

Thomson has created eight complete looks that embody a magical almost fairytale aesthetic, bringing to life the idea of focusing on your dreams.  She creates this magical feel with her larger-than-life hand rendered drawings that hold a distinctive and charming naivety, ensuring no two garments are the same. With dreamlike prints, motifs and her signature illustrations referencing each character appear throughout the narrative of the collection.

The tone for the season is undeniably pink. Thomson has concentrated on using a predominately and traditionally feminine colour palette, featuring fuchsias, baby pinks and vibrant rose contrasting with royal blues and lilacs.  Her use of contrasting and unusual textures can be seen throughout and this serves to add to the playful, otherworldly feel of the collection.  The metallic leather is a particular highlight and something I kinda feel like I need in my life for next season.

The collection is littered with ribbons, bows and frills giving a three dimensional feel to each piece and the addition of headwear pieces designed in collaboration with headwear designer Katie Hamlett of Sassy Freak, sees the accessories really form a part of the whole ensemble.  FW18 sees the addition of printed scarves, motif tights and embellished handbags elevate the clothing beyond that of a collection, to the creation of an imaginary world reminiscent of a dreamscape.

Given that this is only Thomson’s second collection (her first was shown at Graduate Fashion Week) she’s establishing herself within a niche of formidable talent currently dominated by Billie Jacobina.  Personally I’m intrigued by this designer fascinated by the whimsical and am looking forward to seeing how the collection is received by the industry and what could be in store for SS19, this is one label that’s right up my street.

Pixie xo