Francli Craftwear

Over 10 days from the 14th-22nd September The London Design Festival  took over venues across the City to exhibit industrious talent from the broad British design pool. From architects and housing schemes, to sculptors and joiners, tailors, seamstress' and all the in-betweens there was something for everyone.

Obviously the word 'design' is true of many professions and this provided an eclectic mix of varied platforms.

My attentions were focused on the textiles side of the exhibitions, and in particular the things that were not typical or not aimed at a mass market, it's here that you tend to find the more cherished and adored designs, enough to curtail a wanton desire for an item. Something that has clearly been deliberated and considered to the n'th degree.

Clothing brands are born daily and usually based on non-specific requirements to provide products that will be aimed at a wide and varied range of consumer. Now and then however someone applies their talents to create a product from a necessity, a need and a function specific to them, the fact that such a necessity would resonate with others is second fiddle to the idea. These necessities can be sustainability, or simply not being satisfied with what is already available and it's in these instances where people are not galvanizing a product to drain it for all its worth that the public can better appreciate the creation.

Francli stood out because these two designers, Franki Basely and Ali Goodman, started making items for close friends and other people in their profession which have been so lauded the pair have gone on to receive requests from further afield.

The story of what came to be, started out as trips of exploration along England's west coast and has since grown into a shared ideal and lifestyle. It shows that with enough endeavor and will to create, people will take note if that thought is clear in what you do.

What's most admirable is that the girls forage and use discarded materials to create their workwear which marry's a love of vintage and reclaimed clothing as well as sustainable production. In our considerably damaged environment it's nice to know that one souls unloved waste is their treasure.

Below are a selection of shots from past projects:

Also, thank you to my neighbour for bringing Huck magazine to my attention who did a feature on Francli in the run up to Design Week here.

Naissance AW13

Naissance is the baby of Takashi Kumagai, a Japanese photographer with plenty of fingers in pies. In his native Japan he is also a renowned stylist and branding expert as well as having turned his hand to shop design for New York based brand Saturdays Surf NYC, who collaborated with Gap back in 2012 as part of their young American designers initiative.

Like a lot of Japanese brands there is a heavy Americana influence and for AW the amalgamation of heavy fabrics, tailored outerwear and workwear inspired pieces.

The thing I enjoy about these brands is that there is a simplistic relaxed demeanor to their composition. The wearer looks comfortable and un-fussed yet you can see that careful consideration has been made in each choice.

The workwear aesthetic will be big again this winter and the introduction of tailored cords and flannel trousers will accompany the usual selvedge denim.

Photo Source: Men's Reverie