Now Stocking JW Anderson
British fashion label JW Anderson first began as a menswear brand, founded by Loewe's current creative director and Northern Irish designer, Jonathan Anderson. Known for his thought-provoking silhouettes and modern interpretation of masculinity and femininity, he transitioned into womenswear in 2010 with the same cross-pollination between menswear and womenswear elements, earning the label a cult following with a particular love for his shoes and accessories. Since the label first launched, he has received many awards, most recently at the 2017 British Fashion Awards for ‘Womenswear Designer of the Year’.
We have just started stocking JW Anderson at a time when how the collections are shown has had a rethink, thanks to Anderson's time in lockdown. Back in November, he told net-a-porter in an interview that he enjoyed lockdown because it felt like Christmas, " That is the only time of year when everyone turns their phone off and you get a proper break -- In the summer, I usually go away in August, but half the company is still working and still in touch. London is open, Paris is shut, and Madrid is only partly closed, so you never really stop. But during lockdown, every brand had the same problems, so it felt like a level playing field. You could only do as much as you could do".
2020 was the first time Fashion Weeks across the world went on pause and virtual fashion shows and innovative collections became more important than ever for designers. For JW Anderson's resort 2021 collection he sent fashion editors, critics and lovers a box filled with photographs of the collection; DIY utenstils; and pressed flowers so they could become interactive and playful with the new designs - a big hit for the brand. Now that lockdowns are easing in different parts of the world, some designers are reverting back to the traditional way of fashion week and runway shows, not Anderson. For the AW21 collection (which we are now stocking) he has collaborated with ceramicist Dame Magdeline Odundo and sculptor/ performance artist, Shawanda Corbett. In a piece for Vogue Anderson explains, "I think this is more than just going, ‘Here’s a bunch of clothing’, I think it’s about saying, ‘This is what I’m into,’ that these are things that are personal to me. And introducing people, saying, ‘These are people that you should know.’”
Coming out of our third (and hopefully last) lockdown in the UK, Anderson understands that fashion and art lovers have missed going to galleries and exhibitions, so he wanted to give us a collection that could merge these ideas together. Vogue writes - What’s happened, particularly during the exhausting third lockdown, is bringing up a lot of questions about fashion, he says. “I do not want to be bound by the idea that we have to show 60 looks, that we have to do this thing, that it has to be presented this way. I want to be able to have the freedom. I’m enjoying the freedom at the moment that we’re not part of the vehicle. And I didn’t want to put pressure upon pressure on my team—the last six months have been a nightmare. I said, ‘Let’s just focus on getting 19 fantastic propositions.’ I don’t want urgency. I want to just put it out when it’s ready.”
With a lot of major changes happening with the world post-pandemic, people have had time to realise what's important and Anderson worries that fashion will be seen as irrelevant if they don't start interacting with the world around them. He says in an interview with Harper's Bazaar, "We should be dealing with nostalgia, sorrow, social issues. I reject detached fashion – how can you go through a pandemic and turn a blind eye to it? We have to make sure we move with the arts as a group. The rebound can be bigger for retail, but with government-funded institutions, it could take 10 years. Fashion needs to be careful it doesn’t become arrogant. Where would we be without ballet, or opera, or museums that are now on their knees? Without the V&A, who is going to store the history of fashion?’ At a time where Anderson seems to be taking the lead in positive change post-lockdown, we are proud to be a new stockist of his brand.
The latest collection of accessories and a bits of ready-to-wear has just landed on our website, featuring an updates of the iconic and much-loved baseball cap bags, the signature anchor logo design on totes and jumpers and top grain leather chain detail hand bags in two colour ways that you can wear and love all year round.
Pink Mini Nano Cap Bag - £295.00
Mustard Small Chain Hobo Handbag - £790.00
Khaki Mini Nano Cap Bag - £295.00
Black Small Chain Hobo Handbag - £790.00
