Our Love Of Flashing The Plastic

Agnes Dean

Black plastic watch Marc Jacobs

Grey plastic stud boots asos

One word plastic, what does it make you think of ? Cheap and nasty or seductive and playful? A grotty loo brush or a state of the art chair you would love to design? I find it fascinating that at a time when bespoke, organic materials and quality are the new buzz words, the luxury world is increasingly turning to plastic rather than leather or silk or cashmere as a material to design from and charging designer prices I might add. So what might the reason be?

 Well here's my theory, it's all essentially about what plastic as a material conveys now, think about the barbie doll you owned and her teeny tiny shoes or let's be non sexist here, it could have been your red dumper truck. As a teenager because plastic was so cheap you may have been tempted to buy the latest teen accesories fashioned from brightly coloured plastic. The finale phase of this style evoloution has been the utilising of what has typically been viewed in society as a cheap material crafted in the same way a luxury piece would be, couple this new approach to the use of plastic and the price of  this new breed of plastic with the association of youth and it becomes a irreverant fashion statement and therefor you guessed it! Cool. Which is why the Marc Jacobs and Vivienne Westwoods of this world want to play with it and share it with us.Well that's my very simple theory anyway. What do you think of the stuff? Would you resent spending half your pay cheque on a designer piece made from melted rubik's cube? 

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Blue almond toe short wellingtons - Vivienne Westwood



My Passport to Style | Mad Mens Costume Genius Teams Up With Banana Republic!

Have you missed what is possibly the hottest fashion news to hit the internet? Banana republics latest limited edition collaboration with legend costume designer and fashion darling Janie Bryant who designed the costumes for the sensational Mad Men, well fear not as the chic line launched on the 11th of August. So there is still time to hotfoot it over there! Here are my favourite pieces from the collection, now wheres Don? - 

My Passport to Style | Brand Beckham Keeping It Real

Today I'm getting a little bit personal about the Beckhams and to be honest I think it very necessary as to me it is their combined personal values as a couple who met through two very different channels of entertainment that has contributed to such a powerful fashion brand with great values; values like fairness, loyalty, and a great work ethic. It is these values which have meant that Victoria and David Beckham have made the crucial some might say unusual decision, to continue to be represented by Simon Fuller (who represented the spice girls) when they both first became part of the world of fashion.

With David poised to seal a deal with H&M for a men's body wear range which he himself will front and Victoria's line of dresses and handbags now welcomed with open arms by the fashion world, it is safe to assume assume that manager Simon Fuller has been instrumental in brand Beckham continuing to enjoy such stellar success.

Both Victoria and David inhabit a world that affords them the luxury to act like the diva from time to time if they so wished, however it seems that whatever the giddy heights of success they reach, they are only more determined to dig their heels into their wish to remain grounded and take the people they respect and love along with them on their journey. During the difficult and turbulent time the UK is experiencing right now, brand Beckham represents not only an exciting fashion label but serves as inspiration for a way forward for both parents and young people to aspire to, in these changing times as well as the fashion community. 

image credits- Manchester fashion network

My Passport to Style | Explores Mulberrys Latest Fashion Campaign For Their Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection

One of my favourite stories, both as an adult and a child, has always been Road Dahl's Fantastic Mr Fox. As some of you may know from previous posts you have read, I get a bit excited when fashion houses and designers manage to successfully distil the creative magic of fairytales and folklore into their runway collections. British clothing designers tend to have a knack for creating the unexpected, runway shows are all about thrilling audiences with the spectacle and drama of fashion and capturing their imagination, but a bit like the fairy tales we read as a child there is often an enduring and real message behind the fantasy that resonates with us and has depth, which is why children's stories are often such a powerful medium to use in the world of fashion - something the Mulberry team understand only too well.

A recent short break to the breathtaking, verdant countryside around Buttermere in Cumbria, where I found a furniture shop selling lifelike woodland creatures made to scale, such as badgers and foxes clothed in tweed and flannel, meant I was finally united with my perfect fantastic and very dapper Mr Fox.

Having met up with fantastic Mr Fox again, I was inspired to write about Mulberry's Autumn /Winter 2011 campaign and collection which have used the story of Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl, as their source inspiration. The stroke of genius in choosing this children's story as the central theme for their collection and campaign from both a fashion and marketing perspective, in my opinion, cannot be underestimated. They have managed to successfully showcase very current cultural themes whilst capturing the mood of Britain right now, through their visual interpretation of English woodland and countryside animals in Roald Dahl’s story Fantastic Mr Fox. Mulberry have tapped into the public's reawakened fascination with British Royalty and aristocracy who have long been associated with country pursuits and state visits to Wales and Scotland. Birds in flight were also very symbolic of the late Alexandra McQueen and his collections, so again the subliminal use of wildlife, foxes and birds in particular in Mulberry's Autumn/ Winter campaign, I believe, sends out a very potent message in the wake of the sad death of McQueen and his successor Sarah Burton taking over at the helm and being tasked to design Kate Middleton's bridal gown, for the Royal Wedding.


Mulberry could have taken a far more gritty but still very British path with their Autumn/Winter 2011 campaign choice and created visuals that alluded to the powerful connection between the pursuit of hunting, gentry and aristocracy in Britain, however that would have been too masculine. Their women's collections are known for being slightly quirky and yet very definitely feminine, added to that Mulberry's fan base identify strongly with them as animal lovers.

I believe the message behind the story of Fantastic Mr Fox itself, that fans of the film or book and quintessential British children's author Roald Dahl will be familiar with, is a very apt and sympathetic one. It resonates with the adversity some families from all walks of life and the globe find themselves in and alludes to the value of family and sacrifice. The dilemma that some people face, to stockpile for the future or live for today. Although all the characters in the story are woodland animals, the story is in essence of a husband with his back against the wall, his lively hood at stake, his wife fearful of his risk taking and the family and communities triumph over adversity through their ability to adapt. Like all great children's stories it contains a message of hope, a message that most certainly runs right through the Mulberry brand.