When I feel bored, depressed
or just a bit pissed off with the rest of the world, I tend to check out
creations/collections by brands that design clothes and accessories
in vibrant colours or bold prints. This technique usually proves to be rather soothing and usually makes me forget my problems. Today I felt a bit down with too
many things on my mind and not much will to actually concentrate on them, so I started
checking out Belle Sauvage’s online shop to put myself in a good mood.
Launched
in 2006, this London-based label was created by designer duo Virginia Ferreira
and Christian Neuman. Belle Sauvage’s creations are instantly recognisable, indeed all
of them have peculiar prints in bold colours and somehow make me think about the punk aesthetic injected with a heavy dose of fun. Imagine punky Soo Catwoman being
dressed by Fiorucci on acid and add a touch of Diamanda Galas’ glamour and you
get an idea of Belle Sauvage’s style.
When two years ago I first checked out this label I also felt a sort of empathy with its creators. Like
me, Ferreira originally studied translation and worked as a translator before moving to London to study fashion (I
genuinely think there’s a connection between translation and fashion, after all, as Roland Barthes teaches us, fashion is a sort of language).
Ferreira (Argentine) and Neuman
(Luxembourg) met in Argentina seven years ago while carrying out their university
studies in translation and fine arts respectively. After that they moved to
London where they continued their studies, Ferreira in Fashion Design at London
College of Fashion and Neuman in Filmmaking at London Film School.
Belle Sauvage’s stuff is definitely
for people who want to make a statement in their lives, most of their creations
are made in natural fabrics such as cotton, jersey, silk and leather but their
striking digital prints are an explosion of fun. I loved their Spring/Summer 2008
“Electric” collection with tops/dresses decorated with prints of lipsticks,
lightning and lips, though I must admit I prefer their Autumn/Winter 2008
“Street Gallery” collection as it’s a good example of how to mix art and fashion together in a successful and unique way.
Some of my
favourite ensembles out of this collection are the digitally printed leather detail dress and
vest tops, the body-con leather dress and the sexy and futuristic electric
blue and black capes that are the sort of capes Angela Carter’s little red riding hood
would have worn. I also like the way some of the prints like the ones on the catsuits, are used to reshape the body silhouette in a
sexy and arty way.
Ferreira and Neuman actually conceive their creations as
canvases that come to life when they are worn. The title of the collection refers to art and to the streetwear functionality of the garments. The
duo can also be contacted to work on T-shirt designs, textile prints, prints
for bags, sneakers, wall paintings and product packaging, yet I wish they would
also do more stuff connected with interior design and in particular work on prints for wallpaper. I’m sure sleeping in a
room with wall-to-wall Belle Sauvage’s relentlessly optimistic prints would help
me waking up in a good mood.
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