East
London based A Child of the Jago have been producing eclectic
collections since 2007, pulling a variety of influences from music
through art, design, history and an assortment of creative figures to
inspire their clothing. Presenting their S/S13 offering in Soho's aptly
grand and historic House of St. Barnabus dating back to 1683, their new
season seemed coincidentally both at home and at odds in the setting. A
sense of juxtaposition was undoubtedly at play, something that runs very
much through the core of head designer Barnzley and co-conspirator Joe
Corre's brand.
Inspirations were collected magpie-like for the
various elements that made up the offering. From an exploration of
Parisian Apaché style, a dress code and lifestyle adopted by French
pimps in the 1930s through to hobo signs printed across t-shirts,
blazers and on the linings of garments. Other influences included Aztec
motifs, Lou Reed and Bob Dylan's iconic and mysterious white face paint.
"We have these long winded conversations into the night about
everything we're into and it's from there that we take our ideas for
each collection," says Barnzley. The hobo signs, used by homeless people
in America at the end of the 19th century to communicate with
other travellers, were one such conversation that spawned a new idea.
"They have been used by Basquiat in paintings and are relatively known,
but I just loved the idea of people leaving messages for each."
A
sense of deconstructed and reconstructed tailoring were very much at the
centre of the clothes for this season, along with work wear elements in
classic jackets and a feel of revisited 1940s military. Details
included a Child of the Jago tweed woven in the style of classic market
bought laundry bag 'tartans', printed silks appliqued onto tshirts and
jackets alongside a play with shape and volume.
Acknowledging the
label's heritage of working with creative and iconic figures from East
London, this season the inspiring model, stylist, boutique owner and
figure on London's creative scene, James Jeanette, has come on board.
Consulting for and representing the label, Jeanette is a great
ambassador for A Child of the Jago. Contributing his sharp eye and
creative knowledge and understanding, James adds something new and fresh
to the multifarious concept. "It's all a melting pot, isn't it
darling," he says.
