Discover the full Spring/Summer 2017 collection and influences, and read the stories behind each of the designs.
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Great powers stir within three ancient Chinese specimen chests, long forgotten in an alchemist’s study.
In an alchemist’s repository in Peking, three wooden specimen chests lie untouched by time. Old kimonos lie discarded around them; ribbons of silk tattered and forgotten. Once a store for rare ingredients, the room has been still for over a century; Until now.
As the lid of each chest slowly prises open, a flurry of moths disperse and rain soft dust around the room. An elegant wing steadily releases itself, and as the lid of the first chest drops back, two golden crowned heads delicately appear, glad to stretch their long graceful necks after all these years locked away. Slowly and cautiously, a pair of glowing green eyes flickers in the shadows, and then another. Two ornate clouded leopards thrust open the lid of their ancient chest and begin a swirling struggle amongst the bones and trinkets of their isolation. The third chest begins to rattle and shake, and a flock of shimmering blue kingfishers struggle against their tethers as they try to burst free. The Tibetan Antelope calmly looks on, rousing herself from a long sleep.
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This collection references the beautiful costumes of the Chinese Opera and the incredible work of artist Ron Pippin.
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THE CRANES OF CANTON
Stretching their wings for the first time in a century, the Golden Crested Cranes sing in a new era. The birds shake off the past as the Corn Snakes glide around them in their fruitful marinade. A kimono ribbon lays tangled beneath them, holding tiny specimens fit for weighing and measuring.
Antique Teal/Gold
Matcha/Lantern
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THE QING KINGFISHERS
Their vivid feathers often used for operatic headdresses in the Qing Dynasty, the kingfishers are no fools. As they work together to find the correct key for the lock which binds them, the Tibetan Antelope awakes from her slumber. She twitches her ears and her flags shine softly in the new light.
Ballet/Teal
Powder/Bone
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THE LAPSANG LEOPARDS
Twirling and tumbling amongst the alchemist’s tools and trinkets, the Clouded Leopards spar for the the power and strength contained in the tiger’s bones. From the ancient tea province of Fujian, they ward off evil spirits with their operatic headpieces. The woodpeckers desperately pluck at the leopard’s bindings.
Green Tea/Blush
Tutu/Carmine
