Who should be wearing this collection? Anyone that thinks ‘slut’ is a compliment. We talk to Simon Preen about his Metamorphosis collection

Since launching his eponymous self titled clothing label in 2009, Simon Preen has collaborated with the likes of Pam Hogg, dressed the likes of Ellie Golding and Jessie J and has been empowering women worldwide. Renowned for his use of symmetry and his innovative designs, Simon’s new Metamorphosis collection modelled by Harriet Verney and shot by Rebecca Thomas sees his signature dark minimal aesthetic come into play.

Featuring high-shine metallic foils fit for a space invader and of course, power mesh, spandex and black matt lycra, the intricate web shapes in the collection engulf the body of the wearer forming a second cosmic driven skin. The hero pieces this time around? ‘The Priestess of Venus’ – a full lycra/mesh body suit creating an optical illusion, manipulating the human form and The ‘Cosmic Shell’, Simon’s favourite piece, an intergalactic fuelled offering, feminine and futuristic, imagined through metallic glitter foils and unconventional shapes.

Here we talk Metamorphosis with the man himself…

So tell us, where did the inspiration for this collection come from?

I never really start with a specific idea in mind of what I want a collection to be, I just start making stuff, straight from my head into patterns. I don’t even sketch for myself, only when i’m forced to do so for commissions. The theme of all of my collections is decided at the end, I think of it like some hippy parent ideal, like giving birth and letting the child’s personality develop before choosing a name for it… I’m not a hippy tho, I’m just taking the piss.

The hippy route seems to work for you. How do you feel these designs empower women?

I like to think more that empowered women wear them, and that my pieces are just that extra bit on top. I definitely try to work really cleverly around the female form, I like to exaggerate things, warp things and change shapes, so I think that’s quite empowering as a feeling too.

Which is your favourite piece in this collection?

The ‘Cosmic Shell’ body, that was ‘the one’ – that was the piece that set the metamorphosis theme  for this collection because it looks like a butterfly, a cosmic butterfly. But i couldn’t use butterfly in the title because it’s a bit too Mariah. I think all my pieces look like creatures, referring to the butterfly not Mariah!

We love Mariah! So who do you want to see wearing these designs?

I think just like, all the coolest and sexiest and trashiest people in the world, and anyone that thinks ‘slut’ is a compliment, I’d be happy with that!

www.simonpreen.com

 

 

Credits:

Photography: Rebecca Thomas

Model: Harriet Verney @ Premier