Style High Club

So art print T-Shirts are big news, with Pepe Jeans doing a Warhol collection and every single high street shop churning out their version of Rothko vests.

I like the idea of combining art prints and fashion but would I really want to run around in a Campbell soup can dress? Would that be the pastiche of a pastiche of a pastiche? Who cares: it’s plain boring and screams ‘I am oh so with it’. No thanks.

I much prefer the original art work that adorns the latest Street Gallery collection of Belle Sauvage. The London based label is run by Argentinian designer Ferreira and film maker Neuman from Luxembourg.

The bold colours combined with graphic prints and illustrations create a decidedly ’street’ collection and yet I find it far more original and exciting than wearing Warhol’s Marylin on a scarf.

How is it possible that I have not heard of Mary Katrantzou before? The Greek born Central St Martin’s fashion graduate does the most amazing, boldly coloured print dresses that give the illusion of wearing giant futuristic necklaces.

There is this amazing little shop called Showgirls close to Highbury Station up on Holloway Road. They stock a fantastic range of latex clothes by Atsuko Kudo. And no, I am not talking about cheap dominatrix style pants that look like they would chafe like hell. Instead expect to find dresses, skirts, tops, accessories and underwear in a variety of colours that will add just the right kind of retro spaceage feel to an everyday outfit.

I especially love the coloured stockings and beret.

photographer: Greg Kadel for Numero Magazine

I love theatrical clothes, the more an outfit feels like a costume, the better.  It’s not a great surprise then that I love new Danish designer Nikoline Liv Anderson.  Only 28, her collections are causing a stir. Her clothes are beautiful experiments with dramatic cuts and unusual materials (think latex). It seems only natural that she completed her internship at John Galliano.

I have to admit, I like the Olsen twins’ bag lady chic, their weird mix of fur, tailoring, hippie boho and over the top layering. The second brand they have launched, Elizabeth and James (named after their brother and sister), is like a step by step guide to the Olsen way of dressing: all high waisted trousers, flowing dresses, skinny 7/8 length jeans, tailored jackets and vest tops. Nothing ground breaking here but a solid collection of great basics.

Elizabeth and James will be available in the UK at Selfridges later this month.