Kelly Love Q&A

To celebrate fashion week we've caught up with London-based Australian designer Kelly Love.


The Sunrise Parisan coat from A/W 2013/14 - was the coat of the Season.

What is the theme of your current collection?

The collection is called The Effect of Butterflies. At the beginning of each season, I write a short story that helps me to imagine the finished product. For SS14, I was thinking of an older man who used to collect trinkets and make gifts for his wife. He is looking back and one of the treasures he once found was a broken butterfly that he compares to the woman he loves. How free spirited yet fragile she was and the effect she had on his life. This whole story is then portrayed into prints of butterfly wings and the different ways they can be interpreted.

What is your key piece of the season?

I like to design very fluid printed pieces next to quite oversized and almost masculineouterwear. I have used a beautiful soft leather in a gilet which sits alongside a printed culotte with a joined butterfly print. I have also merged these two ideas to come up with a printed bomber which is getting alot of attention!

How did you first get interested in working with prints?

When I was living in Japan I met an artist who is now a really good friend of mine who got me onto the idea of prints onto fabrics. As I love storytelling, this is the best way to convey a story into a collection. The possibilities are also endless and it’s a good way of creating a signature as a designer.

We've just had London Fashion Week, who are your favourite British designers?

I loved the Preen collection for AW14 and Whistles always does really clean, wearable pieces. Michael Van Der Ham is really interesting and the move on that Mary Katrantzou has made this season with the embellished and embroidered pieces is very admirable. I also love Alice Temperley’s dresses and nightwear.

Tori Amos in Michael Van Der Ham

What’s on your playlist?

I could listen to Mumford and Sons all day everyday! Bombay Bicycle Club, Laura Marling,Old Crow Medicine Show. I also love up and coming artist, Laurel Arnell-Cullen. Her song“Fire Breather” has me hooked within seconds.

Tell us about your Autumn/Winter 14 collection?

AW14 is called Wanderlust and imagines a world without ties, and the freedom to explore ones existence through travel and exploration. I often go on holidays and buy postcards but never send them and that is one of the overriding themes of the collection. I’ve also developed an outerwear fabric with an Italian Mill that I am completely in love with. Stay tuned.....

Thanks so much Kelly sounds amazing!

www.kellylove.com
www.youngbritishdesigners.com/designers/arising/kelly-love/