Basso & Brooke Press Release S/S 09

Basso & Brooke’s inspiration for Spring/Summer 09 is the idea of a “High-Tech Romance”. Roving the Far East for inspirational stimulus, the design duo have emerged themselves in a Japanese, rather well organized, urban chaos. Drenched in luminous refinement the new collection reflects a positive and optimistic lifestyle expressed through colour and love of nature.

The story offers a glimpse into the spirit and grandeur of the Heian era of Japan. A classical age of art and literature when the ruling classes lived lives of luxury and prosperity, pursuing fine art, poetry and music as the most important social attributes . “We were inspired by the Japanese notion of flow, laws and metrics of their aesthetic,” enthuse the designers who took from the Orient a sophisticated language that reveres both the beauty of nature and also the magnitude of technology. Fusing future and nature, they have responded to the contrasts of Japan that they experienced. As the original pioneers of digital print in fashion, the team still push textile technology further by laser cutting and bonding seamlessly new fabric combinations onto their signature prints.

The manipulation and asymmetrical essence of natural elements is an important influence for this season’s prints. Traditional Japanese motifs including rabbits, birds, flowers, waves, sumi-e strokes, calligraphy are celebrated and contrasted against simple and technologic graphic patterns. The blurred rush of lights, the designers witnessed whilst driving through Tokyo at night, informs strong colour – Coral Red, Iris blue, Intense Black. Sunny early mornings in the gardens of Kyoto bring us Celestial Blue, Pale Roses, Salmons and hyperreal pastels.

Signature dresses are the foundation of the collection with the technical construction of the garments being mathematical and logical. A dress inspired by a basket weave is cut in one-piece and intricately pin tucked to create three-dimensional shapes, external tucking creates an abstract drapery in silk jersey and in contrast duchesse satin is folded graphically to create an updated hourglass silhouette.

Master milliner Stephen Jones has created oversized kirby grips and hair pins, a simple but strikingly beautiful addition. The application of Swarovski crystals has added another dimension which sparkle luminously over delicate georgette dresses. Raouda Assaf has collaborated with the sculptural shoes which has both element the streamline of the future and the softness of nature.

L’Oreal Paris have created a graphic modern enhancement to the collection with a strong graphic make-up and intricately folded hair.

With sensitivity towards commerce, this season, for Basso & Brooke signals a change – a move towards a developed sensibility – a confident breath of fresh air and the best wishes of good luck.

Ends

Press release by Alexis Panayiotou

CREDITS

Production
My Beautiful City

Styling
Chloe Beeney

Casting
Shelley Durkan

Hats
Stephen Jones Millinery for B&B

Soundtrack Producer
Fernando Britto

Make –up
James Kaliardos for L’Oréal Paris

Hair
Alain Pichon for L’Oréal Paris

Shoes
Raouda Assaf for Basso & Brooke

Bracelets
Disaya for Basso & Brooke

Necklaces
Pebble London

PR
Blow