London is the best city in the world for discovering emerging designers. I’ve said this statement so many times I feel like a parrot but I stand by it. The city is home to some of the best fashion schools in the world and there are tons of initiatives to help fledgling designers, from the Topshop-sponsored NEWGEN initiative to the British Fashion Council’s Fashion Fund. The city is set up to spot and nurture young talent. Fashion East’s Lulu Kennedy has launched the careers of Roksanda, J.W. Anderson and Gareth Pugh among others while the late Louise Wilson mentored the likes of Alexander McQueen and Christopher Kane during her tenure at Saint Martin’s.
Over the years, I’ve discovered some incredibly talented designers during London Fashion Week, including Carli Cohen and Teatum Jones. But equally, I’ve sadly seen a number of names drop off the schedule or go on haitus. I still think of Kinder Aggugini who last showed back in 2012 and of course, there’s still a huge Meadham Kirchhoff shaped hole in the show schedule after the label shut nearly two years ago.
Just last month, it was announced that knitwear brand Sibling was going on haitus. Bold, brash and unashamedly London, the brand was founded by Sid Bryan, Cozette McCreery and the late Joe Bates back in 2008. Since then it’s become a favourite of the style set, who fell head over heels for their joyful knits. I was shocked and saddened to hear that the brand was going on haitus but I remain hopeful for a return.
This jumper is from Sibling’s AW12 collection, which was inspired by the movie Paris, Texas. It features black wool flecked with silver and a sweet but subversive bejewelled Mickey Mouse skull in hot pink. I adore this jumper and a pink mohair dress that I picked up from the same collection. They are the embodiment of the Sibling brand, showing that knitwear can be fun, frivolous and fierce. The rest of my outfit, by contrast, is very plain as my jumper makes quite the statement. I added another pop of colour with my super fun furry clutch by London-based faux fur company Shrimps.
Jumper – Sibling
Skirt – 5CM
Boots – Isabel Marant
Clutch – Shrimps
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