Band together your badass girl gang, and get ready for Clio Peppiatt’s newest collection for SS17. Inspired by Formula One, motorcycle gangs and femme fatale girl bands, Clio’s modern and feminine collection is all about “Fast Women”.
Clio’s reimagining the typically condescending term and flipping (the bird) it into something more positive; by celebrating strong independent women who don’t need no man. This collection has a heavy focus on detailed embroidery and embellishment, much like most of the London-based designer’s work. You can instantly spot her clothing in a room because it will no doubt be the most eye-catching and whimsical pieces, made with her signature playfully feminine designs.
Being no stranger to success, the womenswear designer has worked with Charli XCX, designing outfits for her American Tour in 2015. Other than her design work, she was involved with a group exhibition that aimed to celebrate the female artist while simultaneously raising awareness for FGM. So to sum it up, she’s basically an overall mega babe who we want as our BFF and personal fashion designer. In what started as an attempt to force her into friendship, we chatted with Clio about her upcoming SS17 collection, which will be showing at LFW today.
What 5 words best describe your style?
Playful, feminine, modern, cool with a sense of humour.
How would you describe this collection to us?
There are still a lot feminine aspects but it’s a bit tougher than previous collections.
What was the inspiration behind it?
Race car drivers, Motorcycle gangs, Formula One, girl bands like The Runaways and Bikini Kill.
Talk us through your creative process when designing/creating this collection?
I always start research, mostly from books so lots of library trips. I then develop colour and imagery, all of my prints and embroideries are from my own hand drawings.
What’s your favourite piece from this collection?
The denim biker inspired jacket. It’s a 70’s Mens Workwear inspired shape, but covered in really detailed embroideries and beading of retro car racing patches.
What was it like working with Charli XCX? How did that come about? What’s your favourite memory from working with her?
Really great! The inspiration was Cruella de Ville X Clueless so it was a really fun creative brief. I think custom work is all about the little details so we did an exclusive lining print with dalmatians wearing XCX daimonté colours. The highlight was definitely the first fittings – she was really excited to see everything and it was amazing to finally see everything on her!
