Face distorting lace, body engulfing pom-pom’s and avant-garde mohawk structures infiltrated the SIBLING SS15 catwalk to the sounds of Nirvana

Combating teenage angst was the underlying theme at SIBLING’s SS15 show, titled ‘The Fan Club Collection’ where the trio of designers created a uniform suited for the anti-establishmentarian in us all. Working with a pack mentality where families of like-minded warriors can congregate at the alter of SIBLING, the trio have created a collection where the insecurities of spots and hair are turned into subjects of strength and protective armour. A mean feat if you ask us.

Of course, what better soundtrack for a collection, which captures the disposition of a generation than Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, where Kurt Cobain fittingly proclaims, ‘I feel stupid and contagious’. If only he’d met SIBLING.

SIBLING’s talented trio of designers, Joe Bates, Sid Bryan and Cozette McCreery described their latest collection, saying: “Rarely are clothes worn more as armour than when you’re young. The pack anonymity of a group of ‘hoddies’, the up-yours gesture of a boy in a skirt or the societal baiting of a shocking hairstyle… challenging conformity and in-your-face declarations are everything… Boundaries of taste or decency are pushed to breaking point, but there is a secret strength drawn from every stare, gasp or giggle. ‘Other people’ not understanding is proof-positive that the tribal markings are doing their job.”

The aesthetically striking show saw models walk down the catwalk donning viscose ‘hair’ tunics and extreme Mohawk-esque headpieces, pock marked double denim ensembles and knitted cobweb masks which distorted their faces. Monochrome boots in collaboration with Robert Clergerie were the footwear of choose, whilst the ‘anti-culture’ uniform of the hoodie was reworked with Swarovski crystal armoured scales. Meanwhile bone necklaces were slung around models necks and a cartoon skull motif – a hallmark of collaborating artist, Mike Egan – frequently permeated the show.

Traditional gender stereotypes of femininity and masculinity were challenged as the label announced the launch of a women’s resort collection, that saw female models with faux-hawks wear looks stolen from menswear with added feminine subtleties. Renowned for their knitwear, SIBLING SS15 re-commissioned the usually delicate crochet technique for punk culture kilts and muscle baring bomber jackets, while the show was undoubtedly stolen by a bold red-fringed jumper which acted as a bodu-engulfing moving pom-pom. An item which will no doubt get the ‘other people’ to which SIBLING refer, to stare, gasp and giggle, but we don’t care.

SIBLING’S SS15 collection perfectly captures the moment, the vibe and the incredible skill and anarchic creativity of SIBLING’s Joe, Sid and Cozette.

Words: Josie Ayre

Photography: Amy Beasley