Fashion Voyeur

People will stare, make it worth their while.

Categories: Fashion, Uncategorized

London Fashion Week FW17: Jessie Western

By now you know all about my love for Jessie Western and it’s eclectic mix of handmade cowboy boots, ponchos, suede skirts and fine jewellery.  The super small but mighty store is found in the heart of Portobello Market and it’s ripe with the heady smell of leather as you enter – something I look forward to every time I visit.

Jessie Western is more than just a shop, sisters Vicky and Jessie actively support over 4000 artists on the Arizona reservations they’ve been visiting for over 28 years.  With Jessie’s individual dress sense and keen eye for design, the brand has gained a legion of celebrity fans including Brad Pitt, Anna Dello Russo Kate Moss and Cameron Diaz.

It’s no surprise there’s such a cult following, it’s Western done right, no fakery, no mimics, it’s real Navajo clothing and accessories with a couture twist.  There’s a definite Jessie Western aesthetic, one which when you see it, you know it’s quintessentially Jessie Western and it made total sense for the brand to make its debut at London Fashion Week for the Fall / Winter 2017 season.

With a backdrop of Western landscape and cactus plants in an open plan warehouse space, the co-ed show shone a spotlight on the brand and opened up western dressing to the masses.  Vogue Paris took note, citing it as revolutionary, and the British Fashion Council have since guaranteed Jessie Western a main schedule show for SS18, a real coup following their first show season.

Blanket coats, leather laced trousers and waistcoats and the obligatory cowboy boots were the order of the day, adorned with real Navajo jewellery and topped with stetsons and fur trappers.  The jewellery was a real talking point amongst showgoers with their signature turquoise and aquamarine pieces amongst the showstoppers.

Obviously I’m a big Jessie Western fan, not only of the aesthetic but also of the brand’s ethos; sisters Vicky and Jessie are very different but when it comes to their fashion and jewellery range, they’re united in their shared passion for giving their Native American artists a platform as well as sustainability.  The urban showspace with it’s polished concrete floor was an awesome venue and lent itself well to the Jessie Western look, dreamcatchers hung from the ceiling and an awesome soundtrack played out.

After the show models mingled with guests in their runway outfits as drinks were served.  Fashion Editors had the chance to hold impromptu post show interviews with Jessie and Vicky to discuss their inspiration for this curated collection and find out more about Jessie’s line of fine jewellery set with rare and unusual stones.

Jessie Western is a brand that has long been on Vogue’s radar, it’s a favourite of Porter magazine and only now is it coming to the forefront of fashion with it’s first mainline show at London Fashion Week.  After huge success this season and a dictatorial stance on trends, Jessie Western will be one to watch, with an on schedule show pencilled in as part of the official LFW show schedule for SS18, you could be seeing huge things from Jessie Western come September.  The Jessie Western look is a commitment, it’s top to toe and damn is it effective, you can of course take parts of it and incorporate it into your wardrobe but if you want to see it done right, visit the store in Notting Hill and just take a look at Jessie, she works this look like she invented it and damn is it good.  So good in fact, it’ll make you want to rethink your whole wardrobe…

Pixie xo

Photo credit Marc Atken

Categories: Fashion, Uncategorized

Spotlight on: Jessie Western, Modern Day Cowgirl Dressing

Jessie Western is the smart girls choice when it comes to Western style.  With it’s ethical sourcing and manufacturing Jessie Western has garnered applause from its celebrity fans including Kate Moss, Kendall Jenner, Cameron Diaz and Kate Hudson.  In the heart of Notting Hill, this tiny, quirky store has a tapestry rich backstory behind its custom cowboy boots, leather jackets and Navajo jewellery…..

Sisters Jessie and Vicky are the driving force behind Jessie Western, for over 25 years they’ve visited the Arizona reservations, supporting Native American artists by cutting out the middle man and working with them directly.  The brand has built up a reputation for sourcing and setting rare and unusual stones in their Navajo jewellery and their passion lies in creating beautiful one off pieces like nothing else available in the UK.

Every piece of jewellery that Jessie Western puts its name to is hand-crafted in sterling silver and real Native American turquoise, not the reconstituted stuff you often find in many high street jewellery retailers.  The brand celebrates the real craftsmanship of the Native American artists they actively support and if you visit the store, Vicky is often there telling the backstory of the brand; she can tell you where every single piece in the store has come from and the story behind it.

“The Zuni people hand carve the spirit animals, “Fetishes”. The Eagle, for example is to seek a higher perspective, widen their vision… We feel very blessed to have watched so many Ceremonial Dances over the years: it’s a rich culture, and one we love. We want to share that passion, their vision and art.”

The boutique in Notting Hill has to be seen to be believed, it’s a teeny, tiny treasure trove but don’t let it’s diminutive size fool you.  Jessie Western is packed to the rafters with awesome, real Western pieces including bespoke handmade, embroidered cowboy boots, cowboy hats, jackets, blanket coats, suede skirts, ponchos and handmade moccasins.  Located in the centre of Portobello Market, it’s a must see if you’re in the capital and trust me Voyeurs, you can lose hours exploring this store.

Through my visits to Jessie Western, I’ve built up a friendship with Jessie and Vicky and I always make time to visit when I’m in town.  I love hearing their stories about visits to the reservation and the passion for their collaborations comes across in conversation as they unpack boxes to show me new pieces and tell me about the artists responsible for them.

Much of the sisters’ youth was spent on a Seminole reservation, they’ve lived and travelled extensively in the American Southwest. Jessie studied at St Martins College before being signed as a singer/songwriter to Chrysalis in LA, whilst she’s enjoyed fame and success in the public arena, Jessie has always had an active interest in jewellery design and the Western way of dressing.  Her fine jewellery collection is influenced by her love for rare stones and animals, every piece she designs is meticulously hand drawn and set with diamonds, tsavorites, sapphires or uncut aquamarines – hence the hefty pricetag.

Vicky on the other hand, is an established geometric landscape artist and studied at the prestigious Chelsea Art College.

“We’ve been going to the reservations in Arizona for over 28 years now and support over 4000 Native American Artists directly, it’s exciting to see the work of the artists, it’s always changing and evolving. The Native American Artists we work with believe wearing Turquoise protects them on their journey in life.  The silver is often punched with animal details and symbols, they all have special meanings many which have been passed down from generation to generation.”

Vicky tells me that Jessie Western clients are loyal, they enjoy coming to the store to find that ‘special piece’.  It’s easy to see why their customers keep coming back, with new pieces arriving all the time, the store looks different every time I visit and the sisters relish in showing off their latest arrivals and how to dress them.  Last time I visited I bought a leather and silver bolo tie and a pair of boot harnesses for my cowboy boots after a personal recommendation from Jessie and every time I wear them I get loads of compliments.

If you’re looking for a way to emulate true Western style, not just as a passing trend but with real, long lasting, quality pieces, then Jessie Western should be on your radar.

Pixie xo