Inspired by London’s compromised creative youth, Claire Barrow’s ‘High Flyer’s’ print heavy collection was an in-depth look at everyday life.

Cultural Caricatures

Looking at our capital’s city workers and power women, Claire Barrow created prints of disillusioned employees paired with aviator jackets. The childish sketches link to the desire for freedom and youth and the inventive shapes were creative. Shearling hats curled into themselves like seashells. Tatty Devine transparent perspex trompe l’oeil earrings appeared like silk scarves, shapeless and formless. Everything was constantly windswept by fans and furry hats resembled shaggy, unbrushed hair.

Pirate Pieces

We’re not sure if this was intentional, but we were getting some definite pirate vibes from the girls. The curved shell shape of the fur hat, the stripy tights with skull-ish faces for knees, loose trousers, headscarves and an off-the-shoulder silky dress worn like an exotic treasure brought back from the other side of the seven seas. Intentional or not, we’d definitely forgotten about the sorry state of our city after focusing on these pieces.

All in One

The standout item was a maroon strapless jumpsuit. Elasticated at the top and bearing some alarmed and dismayed looking faces, it was shapeless and ballooned everywhere with a swirling palette of black, white, red and blue. When worn, it was more like a working, moving, breathing canvas for the illustrations which featured so heavily throughout.

Words: Lily Walker

Photographs: Cleo Glover