“Fashion is lifestyle and lifestyle” is of one of our favourite mantras here at USP and this is very much born out of the way that colour transcends every aspect of lives. From the colours in our homes, to the products we use and the clothes we wear, colour has the power to transform, elevate and make a statement about who we are.
They month’s USP Loves features some of the colourful things that have been inspiring us recently……..
- COLOURFUL QUEEN
As we look forward to two days holiday here in the UK to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee, we take a look at how her Madge’s style has evolved over the years. Or rather how it hasn’t. Good old Lizzy found a style early on in her reign and has stuck to it ever since. A statement hat and coat in a stand out colour is teamed with a brooch and her iconic handbag, which she holds in front of her to avoid awkward handshakes, and shifts from one hand to the other as a sign that she’s ready to move on from the current conversation. Her go-to bag for the last 50 years, is a patent top handle bag from Launer, a heritage British luxury brand. Similarly her footwear of choice – also for the last 50 years – has been a sensible black loafer from British brand Anello & Davide. The handmade shoes cost £1000 a pair, but she reportedly gets them re-heeled when they wear out. Very sensible Your Highness – we approve.
One thing she does change up however, is her colour palette, rocking pastels, brights and the occasion jewell tone (lol), she knows how to work a head to look. Refusing to wear neutrals, she once famously said ‘I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am!’
- ALL THE BLUES
Blue has been on our radar for a while now and we have been monitoring the trend for single colour, Insta-friendly retail environments. We also included the Polar Blue Key Colour Grouping in our A/W 23/24 Colour Forecast.
We love the Jacquemus pop-up at Selfridges, London, called “Le Bleu” it’s a surrealistic interpretation of Simon Porte Jacquemus‘ own bathroom, where everything in the space is blue.
The experience takes over the iconic Corner Shop space and The Old Selfridges Hotel, as well as featuring a vending machine in the Mews behind the department store. Exclusive blue colourways of the label’s Chiquito and Bambino bags are available for purchase, as well as a handful of blue apparel, such as hoodies and tees.
For the Dior Mens Spring 2023 catwalk show the brand took over Windward Avenue in Venice Beach, Los Angeles – an iconic street that runs towards the ocean and where skateboarders rub shoulders with Hollywood stars. Guest designer ERL, a native of Venice, and Artistic Director Kim Jones worked together to create a vibrant blue set, whose curves formed a giant wave down the catwalk and finished under a three-meter-high neon sign illuminated with the Dior and ERL logos.
The Dior collection also featured lots of shades of blue, as does the up-and-coming Adidas x Gucci collection and the totally unaffordable for normal people, Balenciaga x Adidas range. Is Adidas the new Nike? You decide.
- COLOUR & MOVEMENT
It was great to be about and about at Clerkenwell Design Week., where we spotted visitors eating their lunch on the fabulously bright swing table by design studio Duffy London and artist Lois O’Hara. Known for her vibrant use of color and movement in her designs, O’Hara’s iconic swing table is decorated in fun swirling pattern, with a pastel pink frame and is a limited edition.
- SKUNK POP PRINCESS
Bonkers hair colour is nothing new, but hairstylists and hairfluencers are creating even more inventive techniques, with multi-tonal painted and air brushed hairstyles blowing up on Instagram. Creatives such as Janina Zais, feature pop-paint buzz cuts and Etch-A-Sketch hair, while fashion designer Kiko Kostadinov’s S/S22 campaign featured multi-coloured camo print hair created by artist Madison Finn, using bleach and semi-permanent dyes applied directly onto a set of extensions.
Perhaps we will try out a Union Jack version for the Platty Joobs – or maybe not.
Now we are off to drink Pimms and eat scones. Have a good one…..
