Rip It Up and Start Again, Edwyn Collins Style

I've been writing for over ten years now, but when I first started I had different plans in mind and was more focused on music journalism. I've always had a passion – or rather a mild obsession – with bands on the seminal Postcard Records label such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and with other Scottish bands such as The Fire Engines.

I loved their music but also their attitude towards life, as some of the members of these bands – think about Edywn Collins and Roddy Frame – collaborated together in a natural way, a thing that doesn't exist in fashion (and that may be the main reason for my migration back to another type of journalism and job as I'm deeply disgusted by what "fashion" and "art" currently mean and by the backstabbing people populating these "industries"). A founder member of Nu-Sonics, relaunched as Orange Juice at the end of the '70s in Glasgow, Collins was also inspired by Vic Godard's Subway Sect, one of my favourite bands.

I remember walking along Argyle Street in Glasgow when I heard about Edwyn Collins suffering two brain haemorrhages. In my mind I instantly blamed that bizarre gig with the Alexander Brothers and their kitsch kilts.

As the years passed and Collins started his recovery process helped also by his walks in Caithness, I admired his bravery and strength. It wasn't only Scotland that helped his recovery, but also art: while learning again to write with his left hand since his right was paralysed, he started drawing everyday, mainly animals and birds.

Ornithology-inspired art was also used on the cover of his album "Losing Sleep". The birds recently reappeared on one of the fabrics part of Liberty Rocks, a collection that combines the skills of a musician or artist with the talent of a Liberty designer.

Rather than a mere fashion and music collaboration, I see this as the tangible proof that we have amazing skills hiding in ourselves, though this is also a great encouragement to people who may be going through some bad times healthwise or may have lost their heart in rehabilitation processes. Ultimately, it is also the proof that – yes, thank God – you can rip it up and start again or as Edwyn Collins sings in 'One Is A Lonely Number', "If life breaks your heart you needn't fall apart".

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