Think of London fashion and styling couple/design duo Damian and Avigail Collins spring to mind as the perfect example of dynamic, directional young creatives inspired by and working in the capital. The husband-and-wife dream team work together as multi-discipline fashion company, Silver Spoon Studio, who made their name styling stars such as Rihanna, Daisy Lowe, Lorde, Jessie Ware, Eliza Doolittle and Disclosure.
For the past couple of years, the pair have also turned their attention to creating street-couture accessories under the name Silver Spoon Attire, stocked at Selfridges and Browns Focus and worn by all the coolest kids in London. Those lace-covered beanies that you've seen all over Insta? Yep, they would be SSA.
For AW16, Silver Spoon Attire have designed a broader collection inspired by workwear with a feminine edge, featuring overalls, dungarees and thermals, all updated with luxe fabrics and fun details such as lace and velvet trims. Shot by Stephanie Sian Smith on location at The Laundry in Dalston, the collection is modelled by pastel princess and social media queen Charlie Barker; if you're not one of the 623k people who follow her on Instagram please excuse yourself a moment to take a look.
We sat down with Avigail and Damian to discuss the new collection, how music influences every facet of their work, and the expansion of their empire. Click through to enter Paradise Garage and preview the latest collection...
What was the main source of inspiration for the AW16 collection?
Working in London Fields, we are surrounded by local garages and tyre shops, and we've consequently been inspired by the workwear and the stocks of tyres on the roadside. We wanted to take the same aesthetic and upscale it to a wearable collection of separates in luxe sportswear fabrics and feline detailing, to turn the everyday into something special. This is a new working wardrobe for the woman who wants comfort, but still wants to be sexy.
Courtesy of Silver Spoon Attire
Which is your favourite item from the collection and why?
Damian: The dungaree top, which was inspired by an image of Aaliyah we had on our mood board. It represents our Street Couture sensibility.
Avigail: The boilersuit, which was inspired by the mechanic's uniform. It's so versatile; I can see people wearing it at work to be cosy and then out with heels, a choker, and the zips undone.
Courtesy of Silver Spoon Attire
How did you come across Charlie Barker and why was she such a good fit to front the campaign?
We saw her on Instagram while researching Hello Kitty. She has a Kitty tattoo on the palm of her hand and from there we have always had her in mind to cast in our campaigns. This collection needed a confident and creative personality to wear the fuck out the clothes and not let the clothes wear her.
Courtesy of Silver Spoon Attire
How would you describe the Silver Spoon guy and girl and who would you love to see in this collection?
Our customer is self confident and doesn’t follow trends. Our guy is able to wear a tracksuit, jeans or a full suit to a meeting and still feel comfortable. Our girl is the one and she knows it; bossy, self motivated and unapologetic.
Courtesy of Silver Spoon Attire
Can you tell us more about the progression from styling into design? Was it a completely organic process?
Completely. We began our careers as designers and fell into styling. The progression has been constant. While working with musicians we have been designing custom pieces and complete tour wardrobes.
Our own ideas began to be informed by our experience as stylists; the two complement each other and our journey is ongoing.
Courtesy of Silver Spoon Attire
Obviously music is at the heart of what you do. Which emerging musicians, London-based and otherwise are exciting you at the moment?
Music is the lifeblood of our brand. We are currently rotating the following new artists by NAO: Jaide, Kelela, Ty Dolla $ign, Santan Dave and Aaron Unknown.
Who do you think are the coolest Londoners right now, and the creatives who are changing the face of fashion?
Two friends stand out to us in London: Tremaine Emory and Lotte Anderson. Anais Gallagher is leading the new new school kids breaking through.
Courtesy of Silver Spoon Attire
What's in store for Silver Spoon in the future?
We have a very exciting collaborative project to be released for the holidays that will fulfil a dream for us! Moving forward, we are continuing to design full collections with the intention of dropping only one per year.
As always our main focus is still headwear; we have developed many new styles. We can’t wait to release our Merino Berets, and new lace Bad Kitty Beanies.
Follow Silver Spoon Attire on Instagram @SilverSpoonAttire
Photography: Stephanie Sian Smith
Model: Charlie Barker
Makeup: Laurey Simmons
Art Direction & Styling: Avigail and Damian Collins
Courtesy of Silver Spoon AttireLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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