Text by: Angelica Carrara
Inspiration Behind Fashion. Burberry’s Straight-To -Consumer collection : Henry Moore’s sculptures modeling? Kind of! Because Christopher Bailey created a collection that “sculpts the body”, inspired by Henry Moore, one of the most important British artists of the 20th century. His semi-abstract monumental bronzes were on the catwalk, part of the latest Burberry show at Makers House in Soho (where the Henry Moore Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary this year with the Henry Moore: Inspiration & Process temporary exhibition with more than 40 sculptures), together with clothes that “change the shape of the body into something more unconventional”, as Bailey said.
For Moore “in the human figure one can express more completely one’s feelings about the world than in any other way”, and Bailey took things literally, translating the idea into a one-of-a-kind collection. But how does this Moore vibe translate to the clothes? With undulating ruffles, billowing silks and crisp cottons. Loose-cut, pleated trousers and plenty of layering. Asymmetric forms are reflected in the hemlines of dresses and sweaters. Oversized clay, wood, bronze and plaster shapes inspired the 78 limited-edition couture capes.
If you are wondering why Bailey has choosen Moore as inspiration, the answer is: they are both Yorkshiremen. Christopher has memories of spending time in a sculpture park during his childhood in Yorkshire. Moreover, Burberry’s trenchcoat production began in Castleford, where Moore was born in 1898 which i salso where the new campaign was shot: in the garden of Moore’s former home and studio in Perry Green, shot by homegrown photographer Josh Olins, featuring up-and-coming models Amber Witcomb and Tom Fool.
“I feel sure that Henry Moore would have been fascinated to see his work inspiring such outstanding designs”, says Henry Moore Foundation director Godfrey Worsdale.
